Different Cricut Maker And Air 2

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Cricut Maker vs Cricut Explore Air 2: Which is best for you?

Our pick

Cricut Maker

Cricut Maker Reco

Close call

Cricut Explore Air 2

Cricut Explore Air 2 Render Cropped

The Cricut Maker is Cricut's flagship machine. It's the most expensive and it offers the most versatility in terms of performance. Serious crafters or anyone considering starting a crafting business will probably want the Cricut Maker.

From $370 at Cricut

Pros

Use for a huge variety of creative projects
Cuts, writes, scores, debosses, engraves, and more with over a dozen tools
Easy to use
Works with over 300 different materials

Cons

Pricey
Design Space software could be better

The middle is the just-right spot for many people. The Cricut Explore Air 2 does almost as much as the Cricut Maker, but costs a bit less. For the home crafter or even a seller within certain genres, the Explore Air 2 will do the job.

From $230 at Cricut

Pros

Does almost as much as the Maker, but costs less
Cuts, writes, and scores with five different tools
Cuts over 100 different materials
Easy to use

Cons

Not quite as versatile as the Maker
You still have to use Design Space software

The Cricut Maker vs Cricut Explore Air 2 can be a tough call, as they are the top two machines that Cricut makes. They are quite similar in size and productivity. Most of the materials and tools you use are interchangeable. You can do most of the same projects on either machine, so deciding between the two can be tricky.

Ultimately, it depends how much you want to spend on your machine and what kinds of projects you wish to do. I'd give Cricut Maker the edge, because it offers more versatility and room to grow as a crafter. But if you're not looking for such a financial commitment to crafting, the Explore Air 2 is a less-expensive option.

Cricut Maker vs Cricut Explore Air 2: Key Differences

The Cricut Maker is the top of the line Cricut machine. You can make just about any kind of project that you can dream up using this machine. The Cricut Explore Air 2 does nearly as much as the Maker for a bit less money. So, which one works best for you? Let's start by seeing what both these models have to offer.

	Cricut Maker	Cricut Explore Air 2
Material compatibility	300+	100+
Insertable tools	12+	5+
Cuts	Yes	Yes
Writes	Yes	Yes
Scores	Yes	Yes
Debosses	Yes	No
Engraves	Yes	No
Commercial-grade performance	Yes	No
Print-then-cut	Yes	Yes
Works with Design Space app	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth connectivity	Yes	Yes
USB connectivity	Yes	Yes
Maxium material width	12 inches	12 inches
Maxium material length	24 inches	24 inches

The Cricut Maker has two clamps inside the machine to hold up to a dozen interchangeable tools, allowing you cut, write on, score, deboss, and engrave over 300 different materials including leather and even basswood. You can use the same size materials in the Explore Air 2 as you do in the Maker, up to 12-by-24-inches.

However, instead of over a dozen tools, you can use just five in the Explore Air 2. You can cut, write, and score but not deboss or engrave. You can use over 100 different materials with the Explore Air 2, and you cannot use very thick materials like leather and basswood.

Cricut Maker vs Cricut Explore Air 2: How they fit in the Cricut lineup

Cricut Explore Air 2 Lifestyle Source: Karen S. Freeman / iMore

Cricut makes three models: Maker, Explore Air 2, and Joy. The Cricut Joy is a pint-sized "sidekick" or beginners' machine that has its own line of accessories, tools, and materials. It's great for travel or for anyone not looking to devote a lot of space to their crafts. It also costs the least of the three.

Serious crafters are going to look at the Cricut Maker and the Explore Air 2, which are the top of the line and the medium-priced machines, respectively. Many of the accessories, tools, and materials are interchangeable; certainly everything you can use with the Explore Air 2 you can use with the Maker as well. Both of these machines are appropriate for beginners looking to expand their crafting abilities. They are both easy to use and offer plenty of room to grow.

Serious crafters are going to look at the Cricut Maker and the Explore Air 2, which are the top of the line.

So, what can you make with a Cricut machine? So far I've made decals for mugs and iPhone cases, numerous cards, a wedding invitation, a complex doily and other paper cutout shapes, fabric iron-on projects, paper flowers, and Infusible Ink t-shirts. I am a beginner who has barely attempted the tip of the iceberg; there is so much more that you can create. Home decor, banners, cards, stickers, decals, gifts, jewelry, bags, apparel: if you can dream it, you can create it with a Cricut machine plus your Cricut tools and accessories.

All three machines connect to your MacBook, iPad, and/or iPhone and require the use of Cricut's software, Design Space. There are tons of projects you can do for free, and you can even upload or create your own images and fonts in Design Space. Additionally, you can subscribe to Cricut Access for even more designs. Design Space is not the easiest, most intuitive software to learn, but once you get the hang of it, using the machines themselves is quite easy.

Cricut Maker vs Cricut Explore Air 2: Cricut Maker does more

Cricut Maker Hero Source: iMore

If you are a serious crafter, you have a crafting business or online storefront, or you plan to do so, the Maker is the way to go. You can do more with the Maker than you can with the other machines, as you'd expect from the heftier price point. Unique to the Maker is the ability to cut leather, matboard, and basswood.

If you are a serious crafter, the Maker is the way to go.

Since you can cut leather with the Maker, you can use it to make jewelry and other leather accessories. You can even make clothing and costumes. Cutting matboard means you can professionally mat your artwork; no need to take it to a framer. Basswood is quite thin as wood goes, it's certainly not for building furniture. But, there are a number of creative applications such as carving and even musical instruments.

You can cut fabric for sewing projects without backing material. Quilters will love not having to cut out each piece by hand! There are over 500 digital sewing patterns and quilt blocks available (for purchase) from popular brands Simplicity®, Riley Blake™, and more. The Cricut Maker cuts about three times as many different materials as the Cricut Explore Air 2. There are also more than twice as many tools that you can put in the Maker, such as a Rotary Blade, Knife Blade, and more. You can also engrave and deboss with the Maker.

Cricut Maker vs Cricut Explore Air 2: Which should you buy?

While you can't cut very thick items with the Cricut Explore Air 2, there is still quite a lot you can do. You can use over 100 different kinds of paper, cardstock, vinyl, HTV (Heat-Transfer Vinyl, also known as "iron-on"), Infusible Ink, and more.

You can cut, score, and write. You can use the print-then-cut feature, which involves sending a design to your home printer and then putting it into the Cricut machine to be cut out. This is great for cards and stickers. You can also place pens in the tool clamps and write directly on your creations.

Make no mistake, the Cricut Explore Air 2 is still a serious crafting machine with lots of room to grow for beginners. You'll still need some dedicated space in your home for your crafting! You could certainly start a business using your Explore Air 2, you just wouldn't be able to cut the thicker materials like leather and wood.

Flagship machine

Cricut Maker Reco

Cricut Maker

Our top choice

For the serious crafter, or anyone looking to sell their work, it's probably worth the investment in this more expensive—and extensive—machine.

Enough for many

Cricut Explore Air 2 Render Cropped

Cricut Explore Air 2

Economical pick

Quite a few serious crafters get everything they need from the Cricut Explore Air 2; it's certainly no slouch. If it does everything you'd like to create, why spend more money on the Maker?

Cricut Design Space For Mac Screenshot

Cricut Design Space for Mac (Free at Cricut)

This flexible software lets you create anything you can dream up for your Cricut machine.

Cricut Design Space for iPhone/iPad (Free on the App Store)

Use your iPhone or iPad to design your Cricut projects.

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Pristine machine

The best covers for Cricut machines keep your Cricut pristine

Protect your Cricut machine from dust or even liquids with a cover. Some covers also have pockets for tools, and some come paired with a tote for taking your machine on the go. Here are some of the best covers for Cricut machines you can buy.

Time to get crafting!

What accessories do you need to get started with the Cricut Joy?

The Cricut Joy is an amazing little cutting machine you can use to make decals, labels, cards, paper crafts, iron-on apparel, and more. The machine comes with a couple of accessories, but you'll need a few more things to get going on your crafting journey.

Karen S Freeman

I'm a travel enthusiast, teacher, writer, and an early adopter who has stood in more release-day lines than I can count. I'm a former Apple retail store Specialist and I've been writing Apple-focused product reviews and how-tos since 2010. You can find me on Twitter as @KarenSFreeman and Instagram as @Karefree2.