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Hey hey! Hopefully you saw my post yesterday introducing the Cricut Maker to you! If you didn’t hurry over and read about this machine! Today I’m going to break it down for you if you’re in the market for a cutting machine but aren’t sure which to choose! There are a few major differences between the Explore Air 2 and the Maker, especially as it applies to sewers!
I have a nice little chart for you and also a lot of words (I told you I can’t stop talking about it!) So today’s post is: Cricut Explore Air 2 vs. Cricut Maker!
There are some major differences and some not-so-major differences, depending on what you are hoping to use this machine for! Obviously, I’m a Maker fan but I have both and both are great machines that can enhance you crafting, and sewing!
A few other differences are:
- The Explore Air 2 has a place for old Cricut cartridges. The Maker has eliminated this.
- The tools storage capacity is bigger on the Maker. The Maker tool holder on top also has a rubber bottom for your sharp blades.
- Both take mats that are 12″ by 24″ making them great for any project that fits in that space.
- The Maker is substantially heavier than the Explore Air 2. The Maker is strong (it can cut wood, too) so it was engineered for force!
- The Explore Air 2 has an “open” button and the Maker does not.
- The Explore Air 2 has a Cut Smart 2 cartridge for holding blades and pens. The Maker has a brand new Adaptive Tool System which holds a variety of blades and pens.
- The Explore Air 2 is another version of the Explore. The Maker was redesigned all around the Adaptive Tool System. It’s an entirely new machine!
Overall, if you’re crafting both machines will work! They both cut paper, vinyl, fabric (to some degree) and are pretty and cute! If you’re interested in cutting sewing patterns, quilt patterns, appliqués, leather, etc, the Maker is for you!
The Maker is not out yet (releases August 20, 2017!) so let’s give away an EXPLORE AIR 2!!! And you can buy one here for $249!
Enter in the Rafflecopter widget below!
Chelle Chapman
You ROCK!!!!!
Tuki
Awesome giveaway! Thank you!!
Shaunda Brittain
Awesome!!!!
Patricia S
Thanks for the comparison! I’m kinda anxious to learn more about the adaptive tool system.
Deb
Fabulous giveaway!
Eileen Eldridge
love It!
Kristi Murray
Great article & giveaway! :)
Peggy Campbell
I sew very little but want to learn and gotta get the Maker!
Valerie
Thanks for sharing ! I’m so excited to buy the Maker ASAP ! I’ve been wanting to get into quilting forever, but all that cutting is very hard for me with my neuropathy and arthritis in my hands, so this is a major game-changer for me.
Barbara
I like to appliqué with wool. Which machine cuts felted wools?
Thank you,
Barbara
Ruth Dowsett
Sounds and looks easy to use.looking forward to trying this machine.
Carin Curry
Oh, I’d love to have one!
Linda Barnes
WOW, wonderful give away. I have a Cricut, but it is old. Sure could use a new one. The MAKER, would come in handy in many crafts that I do. Might make my quilting a little easier. How thick can it cut? Also, how thick of wood does it cut?
Thanks for a GREAT chance to win a wonderful tool to help me – could use all the help I can get LOL
Angel Hernandez-Sargent
Thank you for all this information and the giveaway:)
Patricia smith
I love to have it
Cecil beckett
For my wife
Brandi N Abram
I have the first Cricut and the Cricut Cake and the 1st gen explore air. Would LOVE LOVE LOVE to experience this machine!
Connie
I’d love to have the new Maker!!!
Avis
Wow wow.
Niamh Cullen
wow…thank you…what a giveaway!
Cynthia Greenwald
Yes I would love to create on this machine!
Jaclyn Sweetapple
Having trouble getting entry!
Darlene Warner
Thank you for the comparison of the two products. I currently do not own now, but think it would be a great addition to my sewing and quilting.
Rosalind Giddens
Perfect for my sewing room!
Edna Guerra
Would love to delve into new cutting system.
I have a pro die cutting system.
Deborah Corlew
I have wanted a Cricut for awhile now….this new model makes the “WANT” turn into a “NEED”~!~!
Pam Knies
Wow and wow. Now I need this as a birthday gift from eould make it perfect????????????????!
Linda
Thanks for a chance to win this awesome machine!
Carlyn McIntosh
I would love to have one of these. I recently bought the other one. While it is awesome, it looks like this one is even more so.
Patty Graves
Love my cricut the maker would take crafting to new level. Great give away
Elke Stubenrauch
I do not think I have a chance. It would be a dream to win something like that.
greetings from Germany
Nancy Williams
I would love to win this wonderful device!!
Linda Hinds
looks amazing! I would so love one!!
Lori Elwell
AWESOME GIVE AWAY
Young, Julie
I would love to get one
Bri Lawter
Ah this breaks it down very well! Iron on transfers would be a breeze with it! Thank you for the break down.
Susanne Vennemann
Hallo,
ein super olles Giveaway, dass ich sehr gern haben möchte. Ich wäre ein glücklicher Mensch, wenn ich es bekommen würde.
LG sanneve
Susanne Vennemann
Ich nochmal,
dass muss natürlich “super tolles Giveaway” heißen.
LG
Sarah
I don’t have any experience with a Cricut machine (I have two die cutters) so this is a very basic question – can you design anything yourself for the Cricut to cut for you? Or can you only use pre-existing shapes, patterns, fonts, etc.? And does it have its own software? I am curious because the Maker looks amazing, but especially if I can scan in my own designs and patterns to cut. Thanks!
Joyce Brown
Thanks for the detailed comparison….so helpful! The Maker is quite an update! Thank you, too, for the Giveway…that’s just awesome!!
Charlene Strosahl
STOP THE MADNESS!!! This machine is AWESOME! Thank you so much for the side by side comparison as well as the in dept info on the goodness that this machine is capable of. I do not have one yet but need one for our Leadership Team for our MOPS group. The possibilities are seriously endless with this baby!
Susan Goldsberry
I just looked at one of these last week! I would LOVE to win one.
Tee
I love to win! Thanks for the opportunity!
Elizabeth K Parsons
Amazing technology, and what fun to explore and work with! So much joy packed into such a little machine.
Thank you for this opportunity to enjoy this amazing new tool.
Barbara Miller
I’d love to have it!
Deb
I would love to own this! I just “retired”, but am now self-employed. Once source of income is repurposed projects, and I could make some awesome items with this gadget!
Barbara Miller
Awesome giveaway!
Cher
Oh what fun to combine this with sewing appliqués. I love it!!!
ann mullins
awesome would love to win, have grandchildren and this would be great to do gifts with
Kathy P.
I have never seen one in person and I am new to the quilting world. I have this on my Christmas wish list! Would sure make cutting a lot faster and less mistakes !
Christine Bell
I would love to win the Cricut Explore Air. I have an Explore, which I would gift to my daughter. Love the Cricut Maker, but will have to do a little saving for that one. Thanks for the chance. Good luck all!????
Patty Koty
Thanks for the giveaway!
Rita
Me too please
Rita
Fabulous giveaway, thanks!
Rachel Fiegener
Something new for me!
Jackie Hale
Thank you for the opportunity!
Kay Blanton
Would love to win the Air 2. Right now I do not have a Circuit but sure do want one.
Diane Worth
This Cricut would make a great addition to my sewing arsenal.
Kathleen L. Lewis
Why can’t I enter.did everything you ask for.very disappointed.
sandy guseman
Would LOVE it
KateE
Thanks for the opportunity! I would really put this tool to work!!
Chris
Would love to win!
Linda
Would love one!
Mary
It would be awesome to have one of these! Thanks for the chance.
claudia bohl
great tool to get my self employment started!
Sue
I’ve heard so much about this machine. Would really like to give it a try! Great give-a-way!
Lorraine Romero
Awesome! It would be great for the teen moms at our school.
ROBIN L FARLEY
I’m on a limited income since I am disabled. So I really can’t afford to buy one. I have 9 grandchildren that I would love to scrapbook and make things for!
This would be a WONDERFUL gift!
Thank you for the opportunity to enter
Carol Malack
A friend hosted a cricut party where we tried doing different things on hers and I fell in love. Here’s hoping I win. Fingers crossed.
Jennifer Simpson
I know what I want from Santa. One of each please! This would make quilting a breeze.
Sharon
AWESOME GIVEAWAY…
K Langley
Ready for a cutter, only used precuts in the past
Victoria Marshall
Would be a dream to have one! Sounds just amazing
Victoria Marshall
Would be a dream to have one! Just sounds amazing!
Margaret Tobin
Thanks for the giveaway,would love to try it.
Debra Bastedo
Would love to own one. Would be beneficial to my work!
Deborah Cain
Wahoooooooo would love to win this fabulous machine….thank you for the chance to win
Janet M Doyle
Would love to win a Cricut Maker.
Karen Reinert
Great post and give away!
Marcia Lyphardt
Would love to win, please!!
mary johnson
this sounds like a great machine would love to have
latonya nelson
Hi awesome giveaway….i would love to win