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Cricut Explore Air 2 vs Explore 3 Comparison: Which Should I Buy?

This post contains affiliate links.

Within the Cricut Explore series, there are 2 machines available to purchase: the previous model (Explore Air 2) and the latest model (Explore 3).

(deciding between the Maker and Maker 3 instead – read this post)

Now you may be wondering, which should I buy and how are they different?

I’m going to answer that very simply and honestly (not a sponsored post) and I pride myself on getting right to the point so…

The verdict:

The only reason I would recommend buying the Explore 3 over the Explore Air 2 is if you are going to be cutting projects requiring cuts of 12″ by >24 inches often. That’s truly the only key benefit of the new Explore 3 that would warrant the price.

I do not think it is worth upgrading to the Explore 3 f you already have a Cricut Explore Air 2 machine.

If you are buying a new machine and deciding between the Explore Air 2 vs Explore 3, I would recommend buying the Explore Air 2 (as long as it’s still available) to save some money*

If you are deciding between the Explore vs Maker series, my top recommendation is still the Maker because you get more tools you can work with and more materials you can cut. Read more on why here.

*it’s possible that they will stop selling the Cricut Explore Air 2 soon in which case you would want to purchase the Explore 3 instead by default.

Now here’s some more details on why I say this:

  • The Explore 3 is $319 (can find on sale for as low as $249)
  • The Explore Air 2 is $249 (can find on sale for as low as $199) so up to $70 cheaper than the Explore 3 depending on current sales.
  • The Explore 3 does not include a pen or blue cutting mat (which are included with the Explore Air 2) so those are already additional add-on costs ($20+) you’d have to buy
  • The Explore Air 2 can use all the same tools as the Explore 3
  • The only key difference is that the Explore 3 can cut longer projects >24 inches because it doesn’t require a cutting mat (requires smart materials).
  • I would still often use a cutting mat even with the Explore 3 because I often use leftover scraps of paper or vinyl and not full rolls (can be more wasteful).
  • My top recommendation of machine to buy is still the Cricut Maker. Read here to find out in detail why but the 5 sec version is that you can use more tools and cut more materials (felt, wood, etc) with the Maker.

What about the Cricut Venture? Is it worth it?

Find out here.

Love our straight forward and easy to follow content?

Check out our Mastering Your Cricut in 21 Days ebook and video course!

Get 50% off today with code CRICUTNEWBIE at checkout

Is the Cricut Venture worth it?

This post contains affiliate links.

The Cricut Venture is $999 retail but can be found on sale as low as $799 so it’s the most expensive of the Cricut machines.

So is it worth it?

For most people, the answer is simple. No.

Here’s why:

  • The main benefit is the larger cutting size 24 inches x 12 feet (144 inches)
  • However, I rarely create projects that big and most people don’t unless you are using for a business so it would not be worth the price tag ($300+ more)
  • It uses the same tools as the Explore series machines and is NOT compatible with the QuickSwap tools for the Maker (rotary, knife, debossing, etc)
  • So while it can cut larger with some materials (e.g. vinyl or paper), it is not able to cut other materials like felt or fabric nearly as well as the Maker series
  • It requires special cutting mats so you can’t repurpose mats you have from other Cricut machines.

Since the main benefit of the Venture is the wider cutting capability, here’s a summary of each machine’s max cutting size:

  • Cricut Explore series and Cricut Maker: ~11.5″x23.5″ (w/mat)
  • Cricut Maker 3: 12″x48″+
  • Cricut Venture: 24″x 12′ (or 144″)

And with that larger cutting capability, you also get larger print then cut project max sizes:

  • Maker or Explore Series: Letter size paper (most common): 7.44″ x 9.94″ max but can use larger paper for larger sizes if your printer supports them…Legal (7.44″x12.93″) Tabloid (9.94″x15.94″) or A3 (10.63″x15.49″)
  • Venture: up to 24 in x 28 in*

*Important to note that most people don’t have a printer that can print this large so you tend to be more limited by your printer’s max size than your Cricut’s

To sum it up…

Unless you are running a business that will be frequently cutting extremely large projects (up to 24 inches x 12 feet), then I would recommend purchasing a Cricut Maker series machine instead.

With the Maker, you will get more tools to use and more materials you can cut (just won’t be able to cut those super XL projects in a single pass).

Still deciding and want to learn more?

Cricut Maker vs Cricut Maker 3 Comparison: Which Should I Buy?

With the release of the new Cricut Maker 3, you may be wondering which is best to buy or if it’s worth upgrading?

(deciding between the Explore Air 2 and Explore 3 instead – read this post)

I’m going to answer that very simply and honestly (not a sponsored post) and I pride myself on getting right to the point so…

The verdict:

I do not think it is worth upgrading to the Maker 3 f you already have a Cricut Maker machine.

If you are buying a new machine and deciding between the Maker vs Maker 3, I would recommend buying the regular Maker (as long as it’s still available)*

The only reason I would recommend buying the Maker 3 is if you are going to be cutting projects requiring cuts of 12″ by >24 inches often. That’s truly the only key benefit of the new Maker 3 that would warrant the price.

*it’s possible that they will stop selling the Cricut Maker soon in which case you would want to purchase the Maker 3 instead by default.

Now here’s some more details on why I say this:

  • The Maker 3 is $429 (can find on sale for as low as $349)
  • The Maker is $399 (can find on sale for as low as $199) so often up to $150 cheaper than the Maker 3 depending on current sales.
  • The Maker 3 does not include a cutting mat or the rotary blade (which are included with the regular Maker) so those are already additional add-on costs ($30-50+) you’d have to buy
  • The Maker can use all the same tools as the Maker 3 (rotary, knife, etc)
  • The only key difference is that the Maker 3 can cut longer projects >24 inches because it doesn’t require a cutting mat.
  • I would still often use a cutting mat even with the Maker 3 because I often use leftover scraps of paper or vinyl and not full rolls (can be more wasteful).

Is it worth upgrading to the Cricut Venture?

Find out here.

Love our straight forward and easy to follow content?

Check out our Mastering Your Cricut in 21 Days ebook and video course.

Get 50% off today with code CRICUTNEWBIE at checkout

I Put a Spell On You Halloween Free SVG

Another adorable Halloween free SVG that I think would be perfect for kids Halloween projects this year!

Compatible with Cricut, Silhouette and other cutting machines. Easy to resize, change colors and customize however you’d like. Don’t miss the rest of our huge free svgs library either!

Please Remember

All free downloads on SVG & Me are for Personal Use Only. Please refer to our copyright and license page for more information.

These designs are totally free, but if you want to help you can spread the word by clicking the red or blue share buttons below. I really appreciate it!

Download Your Halloween Freebie Now

Haunted House Halloween Free SVG

A good haunted house is a must have graphic to add to any of your Halloween projects this year, am I right?

Compatible with Cricut, Silhouette and other cutting machines. Easy to resize, change colors and customize however you’d like. Don’t miss the rest of our huge free svgs library either!

Please Remember

All free downloads on SVG & Me are for Personal Use Only. Please refer to our copyright and license page for more information.

These designs are totally free, but if you want to help you can spread the word by clicking the red or blue share buttons below. I really appreciate it!

Download Your Halloween Freebie Now

Printable Halloween Bookmark

What are you reading right now?

I read every night to fall asleep and it’s so fun to have a seasonal bookmark to make that nightly ritual even more special.

Download the free printable Halloween bookmark below (resize back to 2″x7″ size after uploading).

And don’t forget, you can create your own bookmarks with any pattern like I showed in you in this post.

Compatible with Cricut, Silhouette and other cutting machines. Easy to resize, change colors and customize however you’d like. Don’t miss the rest of our huge free svgs library either!

Please Remember

All free downloads on SVG & Me are for Personal Use Only. Please refer to our copyright and license page for more information.

These designs are totally free, but if you want to help you can spread the word by clicking the red or blue share buttons below. I really appreciate it!

Download Your Halloween Freebie Now

Bat and Ghost Halloween Canva Frames

Add any pattern or photo to these custom frames to instantly crop to a bat or ghost shape for Halloween! Click below to open them in Canva.

Not sure how to use custom frames in Canva? It’s the exact same process I showed in the video here.

And did you know you can turn any graphic or text into a custom frame in Canva? That way you can fill it with any pattern or photo instantly! So cool!

I show you exactly how to do it in our Canva course.

Compatible with Cricut, Silhouette and other cutting machines. Easy to resize, change colors and customize however you’d like. Don’t miss the rest of our huge free svgs library either!

Please Remember

All free downloads on SVG & Me are for Personal Use Only. Please refer to our copyright and license page for more information.

These designs are totally free, but if you want to help you can spread the word by clicking the red or blue share buttons below. I really appreciate it!

Open Fillable Bat and Ghost Frames in Canva

Celestial Moth Halloween Free SVG

These witchcore, tarot-inspired celestial moth designs are so popular right now!

Download the free SVG to use on a shirt, mug or tote bag for your witchy friend.

Compatible with Cricut, Silhouette and other cutting machines. Easy to resize, change colors and customize however you’d like. Don’t miss the rest of our huge free svgs library either!

Please Remember

All free downloads on SVG & Me are for Personal Use Only. Please refer to our copyright and license page for more information.

These designs are totally free, but if you want to help you can spread the word by clicking the red or blue share buttons below. I really appreciate it!

Download Your Halloween Freebie Now

Boo Eek Yikes Free SVG

Eeeeeek! I can’t believe how many different ways you could use this Halloween free SVG!

One creative idea you may not have even thought of is you can put it on a paper bag for your kid’s Halloween lunch or turn a plain paper gift bag into a Halloween one instantly!

Did you know that you can apply heat transfer vinyl to paper bags too? (just watch the temp and don’t press too long) It’s my favorite look and much easier than trying to use transfer tape.

Compatible with Cricut, Silhouette and other cutting machines. Easy to resize, change colors and customize however you’d like. Don’t miss the rest of our huge free svgs library either!

Please Remember

All free downloads on SVG & Me are for Personal Use Only. Please refer to our copyright and license page for more information.

These designs are totally free, but if you want to help you can spread the word by clicking the red or blue share buttons below. I really appreciate it!

Download Your Halloween Freebie Now

Drink Up Witches Halloween Free SVG

I really love how this Halloween free SVG design turned out and I even included 3 versions of it with different text options so you can pick your favorite!

Compatible with Cricut, Silhouette and other cutting machines. Easy to resize, change colors and customize however you’d like. Don’t miss the rest of our huge free svgs library either!

Please Remember

All free downloads on SVG & Me are for Personal Use Only. Please refer to our copyright and license page for more information.

These designs are totally free, but if you want to help you can spread the word by clicking the red or blue share buttons below. I really appreciate it!

Download Your Halloween Freebie Now

Halloween Spooky Season Free SVG and Candle Mockup

Not only do you get this fun Spooky Season spider web free SVG today, but I’ve also included a Halloween candle mockup PNG for you as well!

I actually created this mockup in seconds using AI 🤯 and teach you exactly how to do the same in our Sublimation Design Academy course!

Compatible with Cricut, Silhouette and other cutting machines. Easy to resize, change colors and customize however you’d like. Don’t miss the rest of our huge free svgs library either!

Please Remember

All free downloads on SVG & Me are for Personal Use Only. Please refer to our copyright and license page for more information.

The free download includes (1) .zip file with:

  • 1 SVG file – Upload to Cricut Design Space,  Silhouette Designer Edition, Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape and more
  • 1 PNG mockup file – upload to use with Canva, Inkscape or whatever graphic design program you use to make mockups.
Download the Halloween Freebie

Too Cute to Spook Halloween Free SVG

Simple and cute free SVG to make your kids or grandkids shirts for Halloween!

Compatible with Cricut, Silhouette and other cutting machines. Easy to resize, change colors and customize however you’d like. Don’t miss the rest of our huge free svgs library either!

Please Remember

All free downloads on SVG & Me are for Personal Use Only. Please refer to our copyright and license page for more information.

These designs are totally free, but if you want to help you can spread the word by clicking the red or blue share buttons below. I really appreciate it!

Download Your Halloween Freebie Now