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08.10

Cricut Explore Air 2 vs. Cricut Maker (for sewers!)

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This post contains affiliate links! Scroll to the bottom to enter to WIN an Explore Air 2!

Get the best price on the Maker on Amazon!

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!

Comparing the Explore Air 2 with the Cricut MAKER | See Kate Sew

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!

Cricut Explore Air 2 vs. Cricut Maker
Cricut Explore Air 2 vs. Cricut Maker

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!

Cricut Explore Air 2 vs. Cricut Maker
Cricut Explore Air 2 vs. Cricut Maker

Enter in the Rafflecopter widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

83 Comments | Cricut Projects, Reviews, Sewing 101

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Reader Interactions

83 Comments

  1. Chelle Chapman

    08/10 at 8:34 AM

    You ROCK!!!!!

  2. Tuki

    08/10 at 11:38 AM

    Awesome giveaway! Thank you!!

  3. Shaunda Brittain

    08/10 at 10:36 PM

    Awesome!!!!

  4. Patricia S

    08/11 at 9:22 PM

    Thanks for the comparison! I’m kinda anxious to learn more about the adaptive tool system.

  5. Deb

    08/11 at 11:25 PM

    Fabulous giveaway!

  6. Eileen Eldridge

    08/12 at 12:19 PM

    love It!

  7. Kristi Murray

    08/13 at 7:32 AM

    Great article & giveaway! :)

  8. Peggy Campbell

    08/13 at 10:57 AM

    I sew very little but want to learn and gotta get the Maker!

  9. Valerie

    08/13 at 2:46 PM

    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.

  10. Barbara

    08/13 at 4:20 PM

    I like to appliqué with wool. Which machine cuts felted wools?
    Thank you,
    Barbara

  11. Ruth Dowsett

    08/13 at 8:18 PM

    Sounds and looks easy to use.looking forward to trying this machine.

  12. Carin Curry

    08/13 at 10:16 PM

    Oh, I’d love to have one!

  13. Linda Barnes

    08/13 at 11:24 PM

    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

  14. Angel Hernandez-Sargent

    08/14 at 7:32 AM

    Thank you for all this information and the giveaway:)

  15. Patricia smith

    08/14 at 7:31 PM

    I love to have it

  16. Cecil beckett

    08/14 at 7:33 PM

    For my wife

  17. Brandi N Abram

    08/16 at 10:07 AM

    I have the first Cricut and the Cricut Cake and the 1st gen explore air. Would LOVE LOVE LOVE to experience this machine!

  18. Connie

    08/16 at 10:16 AM

    I’d love to have the new Maker!!!

  19. Avis

    08/16 at 10:19 AM

    Wow wow.

  20. Niamh Cullen

    08/16 at 10:21 AM

    wow…thank you…what a giveaway!

  21. Cynthia Greenwald

    08/16 at 10:22 AM

    Yes I would love to create on this machine!

  22. Jaclyn Sweetapple

    08/16 at 10:23 AM

    Having trouble getting entry!

  23. Darlene Warner

    08/16 at 10:24 AM

    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.

  24. Rosalind Giddens

    08/16 at 10:24 AM

    Perfect for my sewing room!

  25. Edna Guerra

    08/16 at 10:25 AM

    Would love to delve into new cutting system.
    I have a pro die cutting system.

  26. Deborah Corlew

    08/16 at 10:25 AM

    I have wanted a Cricut for awhile now….this new model makes the “WANT” turn into a “NEED”~!~!

  27. Pam Knies

    08/16 at 10:36 AM

    Wow and wow. Now I need this as a birthday gift from eould make it perfect????????????????!

  28. Linda

    08/16 at 10:41 AM

    Thanks for a chance to win this awesome machine!

  29. Carlyn McIntosh

    08/16 at 10:41 AM

    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.

  30. Patty Graves

    08/16 at 10:42 AM

    Love my cricut the maker would take crafting to new level. Great give away

  31. Elke Stubenrauch

    08/16 at 10:54 AM

    I do not think I have a chance. It would be a dream to win something like that.
    greetings from Germany

  32. Nancy Williams

    08/16 at 11:05 AM

    I would love to win this wonderful device!!

  33. Linda Hinds

    08/16 at 11:05 AM

    looks amazing! I would so love one!!

  34. Lori Elwell

    08/16 at 11:07 AM

    AWESOME GIVE AWAY

  35. Young, Julie

    08/16 at 11:08 AM

    I would love to get one

  36. Bri Lawter

    08/16 at 11:12 AM

    Ah this breaks it down very well! Iron on transfers would be a breeze with it! Thank you for the break down.

  37. Susanne Vennemann

    08/16 at 11:17 AM

    Hallo,

    ein super olles Giveaway, dass ich sehr gern haben möchte. Ich wäre ein glücklicher Mensch, wenn ich es bekommen würde.

    LG sanneve

  38. Susanne Vennemann

    08/16 at 11:18 AM

    Ich nochmal,

    dass muss natürlich “super tolles Giveaway” heißen.

    LG

  39. Sarah

    08/16 at 11:20 AM

    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!

  40. Joyce Brown

    08/16 at 11:28 AM

    Thanks for the detailed comparison….so helpful! The Maker is quite an update! Thank you, too, for the Giveway…that’s just awesome!!

  41. Charlene Strosahl

    08/16 at 11:41 AM

    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!

  42. Susan Goldsberry

    08/16 at 11:44 AM

    I just looked at one of these last week! I would LOVE to win one.

  43. Tee

    08/16 at 11:50 AM

    I love to win! Thanks for the opportunity!

  44. Elizabeth K Parsons

    08/16 at 11:54 AM

    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.

  45. Barbara Miller

    08/16 at 11:54 AM

    I’d love to have it!

  46. Deb

    08/16 at 12:04 PM

    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!

  47. Barbara Miller

    08/16 at 12:04 PM

    Awesome giveaway!

  48. Cher

    08/16 at 12:07 PM

    Oh what fun to combine this with sewing appliqués. I love it!!!

  49. ann mullins

    08/16 at 12:09 PM

    awesome would love to win, have grandchildren and this would be great to do gifts with

  50. Kathy P.

    08/16 at 12:21 PM

    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 !

  51. Christine Bell

    08/16 at 12:31 PM

    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!????

  52. Patty Koty

    08/16 at 12:36 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway!

  53. Rita

    08/16 at 1:02 PM

    Me too please

  54. Rita

    08/16 at 1:04 PM

    Fabulous giveaway, thanks!

  55. Rachel Fiegener

    08/16 at 1:12 PM

    Something new for me!

  56. Jackie Hale

    08/16 at 1:19 PM

    Thank you for the opportunity!

  57. Kay Blanton

    08/16 at 1:37 PM

    Would love to win the Air 2. Right now I do not have a Circuit but sure do want one.

  58. Diane Worth

    08/16 at 1:38 PM

    This Cricut would make a great addition to my sewing arsenal.

  59. Kathleen L. Lewis

    08/16 at 1:46 PM

    Why can’t I enter.did everything you ask for.very disappointed.

  60. sandy guseman

    08/16 at 1:55 PM

    Would LOVE it

  61. KateE

    08/16 at 2:40 PM

    Thanks for the opportunity! I would really put this tool to work!!

  62. Chris

    08/16 at 2:47 PM

    Would love to win!

  63. Linda

    08/16 at 3:14 PM

    Would love one!

  64. Mary

    08/16 at 3:32 PM

    It would be awesome to have one of these! Thanks for the chance.

  65. claudia bohl

    08/16 at 3:33 PM

    great tool to get my self employment started!

  66. Sue

    08/16 at 3:59 PM

    I’ve heard so much about this machine. Would really like to give it a try! Great give-a-way!

  67. Lorraine Romero

    08/16 at 4:18 PM

    Awesome! It would be great for the teen moms at our school.

  68. ROBIN L FARLEY

    08/16 at 4:41 PM

    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

  69. Carol Malack

    08/16 at 5:54 PM

    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.

  70. Jennifer Simpson

    08/16 at 6:32 PM

    I know what I want from Santa. One of each please! This would make quilting a breeze.

  71. Sharon

    08/16 at 6:33 PM

    AWESOME GIVEAWAY…

  72. K Langley

    08/16 at 8:12 PM

    Ready for a cutter, only used precuts in the past

  73. Victoria Marshall

    08/16 at 8:35 PM

    Would be a dream to have one! Sounds just amazing

  74. Victoria Marshall

    08/16 at 8:37 PM

    Would be a dream to have one! Just sounds amazing!

  75. Margaret Tobin

    08/16 at 9:18 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway,would love to try it.

  76. Debra Bastedo

    08/16 at 10:34 PM

    Would love to own one. Would be beneficial to my work!

  77. Deborah Cain

    08/16 at 10:39 PM

    Wahoooooooo would love to win this fabulous machine….thank you for the chance to win

  78. Janet M Doyle

    08/16 at 11:29 PM

    Would love to win a Cricut Maker.

  79. Karen Reinert

    08/17 at 7:28 AM

    Great post and give away!

  80. Marcia Lyphardt

    08/18 at 2:20 AM

    Would love to win, please!!

  81. mary johnson

    08/18 at 11:19 PM

    this sounds like a great machine would love to have

  82. latonya nelson

    08/30 at 12:40 PM

    Hi awesome giveaway….i would love to win

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