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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!
You ROCK!!!!!
Awesome giveaway! Thank you!!
Awesome!!!!
Thanks for the comparison! I’m kinda anxious to learn more about the adaptive tool system.
Fabulous giveaway!
love It!
Great article & giveaway! :)
I sew very little but want to learn and gotta get the Maker!
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.
I like to appliqué with wool. Which machine cuts felted wools?
Thank you,
Barbara
Sounds and looks easy to use.looking forward to trying this machine.
Oh, I’d love to have one!
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
Thank you for all this information and the giveaway:)
I love to have it
For my wife
I have the first Cricut and the Cricut Cake and the 1st gen explore air. Would LOVE LOVE LOVE to experience this machine!
I’d love to have the new Maker!!!
Wow wow.
wow…thank you…what a giveaway!
Yes I would love to create on this machine!
Having trouble getting entry!
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.
Perfect for my sewing room!
Would love to delve into new cutting system.
I have a pro die cutting system.
I have wanted a Cricut for awhile now….this new model makes the “WANT” turn into a “NEED”~!~!
Wow and wow. Now I need this as a birthday gift from eould make it perfect????????????????!
Thanks for a chance to win this awesome machine!
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.
Love my cricut the maker would take crafting to new level. Great give away
I do not think I have a chance. It would be a dream to win something like that.
greetings from Germany
I would love to win this wonderful device!!
looks amazing! I would so love one!!
AWESOME GIVE AWAY
I would love to get one
Ah this breaks it down very well! Iron on transfers would be a breeze with it! Thank you for the break down.
Hallo,
ein super olles Giveaway, dass ich sehr gern haben möchte. Ich wäre ein glücklicher Mensch, wenn ich es bekommen würde.
LG sanneve
Ich nochmal,
dass muss natürlich “super tolles Giveaway” heißen.
LG
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!
Thanks for the detailed comparison….so helpful! The Maker is quite an update! Thank you, too, for the Giveway…that’s just awesome!!
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!
I just looked at one of these last week! I would LOVE to win one.
I love to win! Thanks for the opportunity!
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.
I’d love to have it!
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!
Awesome giveaway!
Oh what fun to combine this with sewing appliqués. I love it!!!
awesome would love to win, have grandchildren and this would be great to do gifts with
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 !
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!????
Thanks for the giveaway!
Me too please
Fabulous giveaway, thanks!
Something new for me!
Thank you for the opportunity!
Would love to win the Air 2. Right now I do not have a Circuit but sure do want one.
This Cricut would make a great addition to my sewing arsenal.
Why can’t I enter.did everything you ask for.very disappointed.
Would LOVE it
Thanks for the opportunity! I would really put this tool to work!!
Would love to win!
Would love one!
It would be awesome to have one of these! Thanks for the chance.
great tool to get my self employment started!
I’ve heard so much about this machine. Would really like to give it a try! Great give-a-way!
Awesome! It would be great for the teen moms at our school.
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
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.
I know what I want from Santa. One of each please! This would make quilting a breeze.
AWESOME GIVEAWAY…
Ready for a cutter, only used precuts in the past
Would be a dream to have one! Sounds just amazing
Would be a dream to have one! Just sounds amazing!
Thanks for the giveaway,would love to try it.
Would love to own one. Would be beneficial to my work!
Wahoooooooo would love to win this fabulous machine….thank you for the chance to win
Would love to win a Cricut Maker.
Great post and give away!
Would love to win, please!!
this sounds like a great machine would love to have
Hi awesome giveaway….i would love to win