Cricut Explore Air 2 vs Explore 3: To Upgrade or Not?

Every holiday season, when Black Friday sale and Christmas deals hit the markets, hobbyists worldwide start thinking if they need to upgrade their smart die-cut machines immediately or wait. When Cricut Explore Air 2 price drops down from $169-$189 to $139 at Michaels for a brand new device, and you don't even have to look at a certified refurbished one offered by Cricut itself for $149, the first thing that comes to your creative mind is whether to grab this deal or look at the so-called Cricut Air 3 (officially known as Explore 3) and sold at $199 ($179 if you have Cricut Access™) with no bundles during the Black Friday week.

Check our post devoted to Cricut Explore Air 2 vs Explore 3 to see if a great price drop and specs are worth an instantaneous upgrade.

Read also: Tough Choice: Cricut Maker vs Cricut Maker 3.

Cricut Air 2 vs Explore 3

The release of Cricut Explore 2 was a big event in 2016. This smart die-cut machine was up to 2 times faster than older Explore models, worked with over 100 materials (from vinyl and cardstock to leather), boasted user-friendly material settings, worked great with Design Space, and offered a free month of Cricut Access™ for new users. In 2021, when the company introduced a new Cricut Explore 3, crafters became curious to learn the major difference between Cricut 2 and 3 from the Explore family.

Still, back then many preferred staying with Explore Air 2 because of the giant price difference between the two machines. Times change, and as both devices have their fans, have proven to cut multiple materials great through the years, still get the company's full support, and offer a much smaller gap in their cost, you might need to take a second look at their specs and features to decide whether to upgrade your craft room with a newer version or restock on the predecessor.

Read also: Cricut Explore Air 2 Unboxing and Reviews.

Specifications

Both Explores are versatile electronic die-cut machines designed to cut, score, write/draw, foil, and much more. They cut paper and cardstock, different types of vinyl, bonded fabric, etc. (overall supporting over 100 materials). They both offer setup instructions with details on how to connect your machine to your laptop or another device using a USB port or Bluetooth, how to launch Design Space, and how to start creating your DIY projects.

Cricut Explore 3 vs Cricut Explore Air 2 Specs

What is the major difference between the two generations of Explore die-cut machines if they both can use the same fine and deep point blades, foil transfer tools, bonded fabric blades, pens, and a scoring stylus?

The newer Explore 3 works with Cricut Smart materials, while the older Air 2 cannot cut anything without a mat. Smart materials are wider than regular cardstock or vinyl. They are 13 inches wide and up to an incredible 12 feet long, and they can be cut with Explore 3 without a mat at much faster speeds than regular materials placed on a mat. Thus, this die-cut machine also supports a new tool called a roll holder (it has a trimmer and is designed to hold your rolled material as it cuts), which is an add-on and costs from $20 to $56 (depending on sales and brand). You can attach the roll holder to your Cricut pull-out tray at the machine's front and simplify your crafting life.

Besides, you can turn on Fast Mode, a new feature of the latest generation Explore. It speeds up to 2x faster than older versions. But it only works with Smart Materials.

Similarities

Both die-cut machines by Cricut arrive with the fine point blade unless you purchase a particular bundle. All other tools are extras which you have to buy additionally, along with materials.

If you already own Explore Air 2 and plan to upgrade to Explore 3, you can keep your tools and switch them out in the new machine when needed by opening the tool clamp, removing the current tool, and replacing it with another one. Ensure to close your clamp before running your Cricut.

While the 2021 version can cut without a mat, it also supports 12x12 and 12x24 mats when used without Smart Materials. Thus, your 2016 machine can share its mats.

Differences

Besides the price (although the gap isn't high anymore) and support/no support for Smart Materials, the two die-cut machines differ in their color options. Newer Explore 3 is only available in mint with a matte finish, while its predecessor comes in many colors, including lilac, blue, mint, peacock, emerald, twilight, daybreak, and more, with a glossy finish.

Even though, at first glance, the two Cricuts look pretty much alike, you can notice that Explore 3 got rid of the big dial for materials. You can select them using Design Space and not by manually turning the dial like on Air 2. It also uses the triangle button known as "Play" instead of the cute "C" that starts the projects on previous-generation machines.

Also, a newer 3 version has no cartridge port unlike Air 2. Thus, if you still have cartridges you wish to enjoy, you'll need to use a Cartridge Adapter to link cartridges to your account with Cricut or contact their Member Care for assistance.

You can create thousands of amazing projects without cartridges because both Cricuts use Design Space software for Windows and Mac computers. You can browse the Cricut Image library (you can subscribe to Cricut Access to use its images, fonts, and craft projects) or upload your files to work with.

Cricut Explore Comparison Chart

About Cricut Explore Family

The history of Explore Family began in 2014. That year, the company presented their very first Cricut Explore CXPL001, followed by the 2015 release of Cricut Explore One CXPL101 (could hold one tool) and Explore Air CXPL201 (could hold two tools).

A year later, in 2016, hobbyists were happy to see the incredible Explore Air 2 with the support of 6 tools and 100+ materials, followed by the 2021 unveil of Explore 3, which also supports 6 tools, 100+ materials, plus a roll holder and Smart Materials.

Why was the "Air" dropped from the name with the Explore 3 release? It's simple. Cricut used to offer no Bluetooth connectivity on their older machines; thus, they introduced the "Air" addition to show that the new generation supports wireless connection to your computer or mobile gadget. When the older generations stopped being supported by the company and all their current families have Bluetooth support, there is no longer a need to add "Air" to their Explore machine names as they all can cut wirelessly.

All these electronic cutting machines allow you to cut impressive designs out of paper, vinyl, foil outlines, score lines, write, and draw with special markers and pens to create one-of-a-kind cards, t-shirt prints, wall decals, gift boxes, custom mugs, tags, labels, and much more.

Verdict

Knowing the similarities and differences thanks to our Explore Air 2 vs Explore 3 chart, you can decide if you need a newer Cricut from the Explore family or prefer jumping to the line of Makers. Honestly, I was not ready to grab the latest Explore when it was approximately $100 more expensive than my Air 2. However, when Cricut's official website offered Explore 3 at $179 before taxes during the Black Friday 2024 sale (which was the price of my older Air 2 a couple of years earlier), I couldn't pass this delicious deal and upgraded.

P.S. I am still happy with how my Cricut Explore Air 2 runs, but I cannot wait to test the latest die-cut machine from the same family, and I keep an eye on Maker 3 deals (as this could be my next upgrade).