Cricut is a household name in the crafting world, with many serious crafters owning a Cricut machine or two in their art room. Out of the cutting machines it has released in the past few years, which is the best Cricut machine? We compare its flagship Cricut Maker and its predecessors, the Explore Air 2 and the Explore Air, to help you pick the best Cricut machine for your crafting needs.
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The Best Cricut Machine (2020): Maker vs Explore Line Comparison Chart
Model | Cricut Explore Air | ||
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Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Year Released | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Major Upgrades From Its Predecessor | Cutting power and the Adaptive Tool System | Up to 2x faster and has more color options | Bluetooth and dual carriage |
Cutting Force | 4000 grams | 400 grams | 400 grams |
Max Cutting Size | 12 x 24 in | 12 x 24 in | 12 x 24 in |
Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Adaptive Tool System | Yes | No | No |
Fast Mode | Yes | Yes | No |
Colors | Blue, Lilac, Champagne, Mint, White, Rose | Blue, Cherry Blossom, Matte Black, Twilight, Mint, Persimmon, Rose | Blue |
Software | Design Space | Design Space | Design Space |
Free Ready-To-Make Projects | 50 plus 25 sewing patterns | 50 | 50 |
Included Tools | Rotary Blade, Fine-Point Blade, Fine Point Pen, 12″ x 12″ FabricGrip™ and 12″ x 12″ LightGrip machine mats | Fine-Point Blade, Fine-Point Pen, 12″ x 12″ LightGrip machine mat | Fine-Point Blade, Fine-Point Pen,12″ x 12″ LightGrip machine mat |
Compatible Tools | All the tools available for the Explore Air 2 plus the following: Rotary Blade Knife Blade Single Scoring Wheel Double Scoring Wheel Wavy Blade Perforation Blade Fine Debossing Tip Engraving Tip | Deep Point Blade Bonded Fabric Blade Scoring Stylus Cricut Pens | Scoring Stylus, Deep-Point Blade, Bonded Fabric Blade, Cricut Pens |
Downward Force and Speed
The

Dubbed as the “ultimate cutting machine,” the
Both the Explore Air 2 and the Explore Air have up to 400 grams of cutting force and though not as powerful as the
As for speed, the
You can read our more detailed comparison chart of the
Machine Tools
The

At a lower price tag, the
Meanwhile, with the new Adaptive Tool System of the
You can read more about how the Cricut machines stack up against other machines here.
Exterior Design
They differ in color options, tool compartments, and material dial

Throughout the years, Cricut has successfully released some of the most stylish and sleek die-cutting machines in the market. They do not take up much space and their Bluetooth wireless capability makes it easier for you to position them in your craft room.
Among the major differences between these three Cricut machines are the colors (see comparison chart for available colors), storage space, and the material dial.
Both the Explore Air 2 and Explore Air have a material dial found at the top right of the machine, a pen and stylus compartment on the left, and a tool drawer at the base. On the other hand, for the
Verdict
The
Cricut Maker

Cricut Explore Air 2

Cricut Explore Air

The Cricut Maker may be at the pricier end of the spectrum, but it is overall the best Cricut machine. This machine is packed with features that makes it worth the investment. If you are a more advanced, professional crafter who works on a lot of projects using denser materials, this is the best Cricut machine for you. Even if you are not yet an expert crafter but see yourself advancing your techniques in the future, the Maker’s Adaptive Tool System lets you expand your tools as you grow as a crafter.
For the more casual crafters who want to cost-effective options, the Cricut Explore Air 2 and the Explore Air are still well-built and reliable machines. You can make a wide range of projects at a lower cost. Which should you choose between the two though? The
FAQs
Some of the most popular Cricut machines include the flagship Cricut Maker and its predecessors, the Explore Air 2 and the Explore Air.
The
The
For casual crafters who want to cost-effective options, the