Cricut Explore 3 vs Cricut Explore Air 2 + SPEED TESTS on & off mats!
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- čas přidán 1. 08. 2024
- Get an Cricut Explore 3 at my affiliate link: shrsl.com/30le9 and get supplies at 10% off + free shipping with my discount code at jennifermaker.com/cricutdiscount
Learn how to setup your Cricut Explore 3 in my FREE Cricut class at jennifermaker.com/cricutkickoff
In this video, I show you how the NEW Cricut Explore 3 cutting machine compares with the Cricut Explore Air 2 cutting machine with these topics:
00:00 Meet the Cricut Explore 3
00:36 What is a Cricut Explore cutting machine?
01:36 What comes with the Cricut Explore Air 2?
01:58 What comes in the box for the Cricut Explore 3?
02:31 First projects you can make on the Explore 3
02:50 Physical differences between Explore Air 2 and Explore 3
08:40 Speed Test 1 of Explore Air 2 vs Explore 3
10:10 How much faster is the Explore 3?
10:51 What are Smart Materials?
12:11 The new Cricut Roll Holder
13:59 Speed Test 2: Vinyl on Machine Mats
16:32 Learn More about Cricut Explore 3
I appreciate every subscriber. It's free and easy to subscribe -- just click here: bit.ly/sub2jennifer
Cricut just announced the new Cricut Explore 3 cutting machine, and I know many people will wonder if they should upgrade from the Cricut Explore Air 2 to the new machine. So let's put them head to head and see how they compare!
First, if you're new to Cricut and trying to decide which one to get, let's start with the basics. What is a Cricut Explore? Real quickly, the Cricut Explore is a computer-guided cutting machines that can cut a wide range of materials such as vinyl, paper, and iron on in intricate designs, quickly and precisely. A Cricut Explore cutting machine makes it really easy to make tons of projects quickly AND make them look good. The Cricut Explore can also use extra tools to write, draw, score, and foil!
I have my original Cricut Explore Air 2, the first Cricut I ever bought. It's nearly4 1/2 years old and I still use it nearly every day -- extremely reliable and solid!
And I have the new Cricut Explore 3 that Cricut graciously sent me in advance to review.
The big differences are that the new Cricut Explore 3 cuts faster, longer, and without a mat. And I'm going to explain and show all of that in detail. But let's first talk about what comes with each machine.
The Cricut Explore Air 2 comes with the machine, power cable, USB cable, Premium Fine Point blade and housing, accessory adapter, a machine mat, a Cricut pen, and two small pieces of test material.
The Cricut Explore 3 comes with the machine, power cable, USB cable, Premium Fine Point blade and housing, accessory adapter, a 13" wide piece of test material, and a pack of bonus materials.
So instead of the machine mat and pen with the Explore Air 2, you get a pack of bonus materials that contains a full sheet of Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron On, Smart Paper, and Transfer Tape ... and these materials mean you can make something cool right out of the box. I made these three projects using the bonus materials that came with my Explore 3!
Now how about the obvious physical differences?
First, just a cosmetic thing -- the new Explore 3 is a solid color, unlike the old Explores which were two-toned, like you can see with my original pink and white Explore here.
But what is less obvious is how the texture of the new Explore 3 has changed. With the old machines, the top was all a shiny surface that attracted all the fingerprints and dirt, while the bottom was a more matte textured. So with the new Explore 3, they've flipped the textures so now the top section -- the one you touch a lot -- is textured and the bottom is smooth. So the Explore 3 should stay cleaner longer. If that matters to you! It's just a little thing, but sometimes it's the little things that make a difference.
Curious about the design on my Cricut Explore Air 2? It's a Print Then Cut design on printable vinyl and you can get it free in my library at jennifermaker.com/resource-library -- it's design #25.
#cricut #cricutexplore #cricut3
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Credits:
Introduction: PixelBytes (my child!)
Music: Cute by Bensound (licensed, royalty and copyright free)
Videography: Jennifer Marx on a Panasonic Lumix FZ-1000 DSLR 4K camera
Design: A Jennifer Maker original! - Jak na to + styl
The side by side comparison really helps. I’m loving that Explore 3.
Nice to see an actual demonstration of the two machines side by side to see the speed and process.
It was really interesting for me as well. Fist time I did that was on this video. 😊
Lots of cool new features! Love the print and cut on colored paper as well as longer designs and not always having to use a mat. Thank you for showing the new machines and their features.
Thanks so much!
Thank you for doing the additional test using Mats on both for those of us who use other vinyl than Cricut brand
You are so welcome. ❤️
You are such a good teacher, thank you! Your explanations and demos are superlative!
Thanks so much! 😃
Thank you for this. I'm new to the craft world and was struggling to make a decision on which one to get. This was so helpful.
I'm glad it was helpful!
My wife and I are new to the Cricut world, we have purchased your book and are following along to hopefully turn out some amazing projects.
Welcome aboard! Thanks for watching!😊🌻
Awesome comparison. I really like your explanation of the similarities and differences and the speed test demo! Wow!
Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!😊🌻
Thank you so much!
Oh thank you so much for this tutorial! It really helped in making my decision on which machine to get!Blessings!😁😁😊
You are so welcome!
Thank you for going into such detail. I really only craft as a hobby and small projects for friends and family so I don’t think the upgrade would be a big deal for me. Thanks for saving me $100 !
You are so welcome! 🌸
Thank you so much for doing the comparison. Especially with the mats. I hope you will do the same with the Maker and with other materials like Chipboard or fabric. Honestly, the mat less cutting and longer cuts is cool but that alone is not enough for me to upgrade. But if they are improved in other areas like speed and pressure than I am all in to upgrade. 😀. As always your videos are very helpful. I appreciate you answering these questions. Thanks.
Thank you! 😃
I agree.
I’m so excited for my cricut & can’t wait to learn all kinds of things from your page! Thank you so so much!!
You are so welcome!
It looks awesome! Thank you for the comparison! Can’t wait to watch your tutorials.
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching! 😊🌻
Thank you for this video Jennifer. It just flowed and was enjoyable to watch. It gave me the clarity I needed as I research these machines. Really appreciate it.🙏😍✨✨
You are so welcome! 😃
Thank you so much for this video! Definitely helps when deciding which to buy.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!😊🌻
This is great. Me being visually impaired it is great if they have a play button instead of just the cricket button. I have also told them some accessibility features that would make it easier for people who are blind and visually impaired to use cricut design space. Anyway I love seeing your videos and I love my digital copy of your book.
That's great! Thank you very much! 😃❤️
I love your personality and style. Thank you so much for this!!
Thank you so much!!
What an amazing review. Thank you! I now know what I should buy for a first timer
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!😊🌻
I love that it can cut pretty fast with both machines on mats!
Me too, Courtney, me too!!
I’m totally new to this field and I was debating which circuit to get for merchandise for my restaurant! Love love that explore 3 thank you so much for your help!
Glad you found it helpful! ❤️
Thank you….I wasn’t sure which one to get but now I will buy the 3….
Glad I could help!
I have the joy but have been reallyyyy wanting to get one of the larger machine just gotta decide what one now. I do love video and how in depth you go thank you 😊
Thanks for watching!😊🌻
Cricuts have always been amazing machines, and they keep getting better and better.
Thanks for watching!😊🌻
Yes! I agree! ❤️ Cricut!
That speed is insane! I want one of everything!!!!
I was honestly amazed how fast it was. Thanks for watching! 😊🌻
Love how detailed you are in outlining all the differences. Made my research a lot easier
Yay! Thank you!
Thank you very much for explaining both machines 😀
You bet! 😃❤️
Love this video! So informative, wish I could have a Cricut of my own! ❤️
Did you know we have a FREE monthly Cricut giveaway? You can enter directly at our blog! jennifermaker.com/cricutgiveaway 😊🌻
Could you show us the weeded vinyl so we can see the accuracy of the cut especially on intricate cuts with the cricut explore 3?
It was the same -- there as no difference. The speed does not alter the quality. I will take a photo when I go back to my studio. :)
Whoa...that was really fast! Thanks for doing this comparison.
Thanks for watching!😊🌻
Such a great video! Thanks Jennifer ❤️
Glad you liked it!!
this was so helpful!!!! thanks to you we know which Cricut to buy! Thanks again!
Glad it was helpful! 💗
Thank you so much for being super helpful and amazing
My partner brought me the explore 3 which was an upgrade from the expressions2.
I am doing your kick off class =)
Thank you again!!!
Denny
You are so welcome! Happy crafting to you! 😃
that was an awesome video, I just bought a Maker and I am learning how to use it, and after watching this video I want the new Maker 3 , I'm addicted lol
Great to hear!
Glad I could help! Thanks for watching!😊🌻
You are a great teacher, I’m learning a lot I’ve already made a removable wall decal
I love the 3 need to get one. thank you Jennifer for your great videos and your hard work
You are so welcome!
Thank you so much for the compliment! Thanks for watching!😊🌻
Omg I need to get one when it comes out
Thanks for watching!😊🌻
I just subscribed to your channel and am using your cricut guide and i can say you are such a huge help
Thank you so much! 😃❤️
Your tips and tutorials are so helpful.
Glad you like them! Thanks for watching!😊🌻
I'm glad they are helpful. ❤️
Great tips! Now I have to decorate my machine!!
Thank you!
You should! Thanks for watching!😊🌻
This is some exciting information!
Glad you think so! Thanks for watching!😊🌻
Very informative. Thanks for doing a comparison video.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!😊🌻
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for helping me make my choice🥰
Any time!
I would love to see the difference in etching acrylic & things that really take a long time.
We'll be coming out with more videos as we test and learn more. Be sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell to keep up to date! Thanks for watching!😊🌻
I can't wait to get the Cricut 3!
Yay! 😃❤️❤️
Could you do a video of you weeding the smart vinyl? Especially small intricate cuts?
You can request that here. 😊 jennifermaker.com/projectrequests/
Thank you. This helped a lot
Happy to help!
Very informative! The speed test on a mat was appreciated. I appreciate all you do.
Happy to help, Lori!
We just bought an Air 2, it was really cheap, we also don't use very often.
Cricut is amazing!
Yes! Cricut is amazing! 😃
Awesome video.....Thank you for all the information!
Our pleasure! Thanks for watching!😊🌻
Glad it was helpful!
Love how fast the new machine i like the smart vinyl use it on the cricut joy.
Me too! Thanks for watching!😊🌻
Definitely some great upgrades.
I think so too! Thanks for watching!😊🌻
Great! I got my maker last August and have used it maybe 4 or 5 times due to some blade/cutting issues. I bought a good amount of materials and blades and now feel cheated! I haven’t used my maker enough to even consider getting the new one. I wish I had known and waited :(
Your Maker will not disappoint you. I still use my very first machine I bought from Cricut. 😊
Are you interested in selling it?
It seems like it would be worth it to upgrade to Cricut Explore 3. I love the shirt you made!
Thank you so much! 😃
Buying my first Cricut on Friday cant wait
The new ones come out in a few weeks if you can wait
Thanks for watching!😊🌻
Thanks for watching!😊🌻
@@em2strange I’m in the uk and I’m not sure when we are getting it
I so enjoyed this video!
I'm so glad, Katz! Thanks for letting me know! 😍
@@JenniferMaker you are so welcome!!
I’ve been trying to do research on which machine to get because I’m a first time user. I was set on getting the Explore Air 2 due to more stuff being included when you get the bundle compared to the bundle with the Explore 3. Also there’s no mats sold with the Explore 3 😭 In the everything bundle for the Explore 3, is a ton of smart vinyl, and quite frankly, I’m not going to use all, if any, on that vinyl, I mainly want a Cricut for sticker cutting (at least at the moment)
But this video really has me sold on getting the Explore 3 mainly for the speed as I’m very impatient 😂 it bums me out that there’s so much that comes with the bundles for the Explore Air 2 compared to the Explore 3, but I’ll just buy everything I need separately (mats and tools primarily)
Thank you for all your hard work with this video, it has helped me so much!
You are so welcome.
Well, I look at your video.. And looks good, works good and is a faster one too...But since I brought my first Cricut Explorer 2 and fell in love with it like you did Jennifer Maker...I think I'm going to stay with this one for awhile...Like they say "There's more time than life" and "Patience is a Virtue"... Maybe in the next year...By the way heard anything on the new Cricut Space coming out...just asking????
That's great!
Very exciting!!
Yes! 😃
Entered. Thank you so much for the chance
Good luck!
Defiantly glad i just purchased the 2. I have many many cartridges to add to it, and rather not have customer care help deal with it. I also think the shiny machines are prettier, just an opinion of course.
Wonderful, Congratulations! 💗
I am 78 years old and don't need faster. I'm very pleased with my Maker.
I love mine as well. ❤️
Thanks, Jennifer! You mentioned that the internal workings of the Explore Air 2 and 3 are different. Are there differences in the mechanics with the Maker and Maker 3? For ex. is there more pressure or increased ability to cut denser media? Thank you!
You can read everything we know here: jennifermaker.com/cricut-explore-3-maker-3 Thanks for watching!😊🌻
And to be more specific, they upgraded their motors on the Maker 3, but I do not believe there is any more cutting pressure or cutting force on the Maker 3 than there was before.
Thank you for the tutorial.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!😊🌻
You are welcome!
I absolutely love 💕 your content!! Thank you for taking the time to make, edit, help with these videos!!
Question: With the Cricut Explorer 3 what materials can you cut without a mat? Do all of the Materials (Vinyl, Paper, Cardstock) have to be smart?
To cut without a mat, it HAS to be Smart Material. If it is not Smart Material, you will need a mat. 💕
@@JenniferMaker Thank You!!! ,😊
I love the way you decorated your explore 2, is it from DS? I can't wait to see the comparison on the makers!
Thank you SO much! I designed the decal on my Explore Air 2. It's design #25 in our free resource library. jennifermaker.com/library 😊🌻
2 questions on the on the mat comparison at the end. Was the Explore Air 2 on fast mode? Was the Explore 3 on Smart Vinyl setting?
No, the Explore 2 wasn't on fast mode. In the Explore 3we used the Smart Materials as shown. Thanks for watching!😊🌻
Thanks for clarifying, and thanks for testing. What I would like to see is:
-Comparison of fastest mode for old and new machines (EA2 with mat, Vinyl setting fast mode vs. E3, Smart Vinyl setting no mat)
-Comparison of old and new machines with regular vinyl (EA2 with mat, Vinyl setting fast mode vs. E3 with mat, vinyl setting)
-Comparison of speed of new machine with and without Smart Vinyl (E3 with mat, Vinyl setting vs E3 with mat, Smart Vinyl setting
Great video, thank you
You are so welcome!
thank you so much for helping me gonna buy cricut Explore 3, 1st time buying a circut machine there was some other version that i was looking at and i wanted the best in cricut serius,
Glad I could help! Thanks for watching! 😊🌻
Thank for commenting back so soon, you make it so easy, ps I just bought my 1st Cricut Explorer!!!
Thank you for all the information.!(:
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!😊🌻
Thanks for the demonstration. How do the speed and pressure compare between the ORIGINAL Maker vs. the Explore 3?
It seems to be about the same, Christina for pressure. The Explore 3 is a little bit faster though.
Great upgrades.
Yes, I agree. 😊
This is so informative thank you Jennifer! I am curious about the PTC feature with the explore 3 as I have a sticker business. Would appreciate your thoughts!
I'll have some tutorials coming up specific to stickers, but the PTC feature can now see colored paper as well which is pretty neat! 💚
@@JenniferMaker I'll be sure to keep an eye out. Thank you!
So awesome!
Thank you! Cheers!
That dial on the old machine reminds me of the Settings Knob on my Digital Camera. I very rarely use it! Instead, I just keep it set to "AUTO" so it does the work for me. K. I. S. S. (Keep it Simple Silly!) How's that for a Comparison?
I am more interested in knowing the difference between an explore 3 and the maker. I am more likely to upgrade my explore 2 to the regular maker since I’m not very crafty anyway.
Here is another post of mine that you may find helpful, jennifermaker.com/which-cricut-should-i-buy/ 💗
This is a good video but I wish you would have done a speed compare with the fast mode on to see just how much difference there is.
I didn't even think of using fast mode since I keep the dial set to custom. Thanks for watching!😊🌻
How does the price of the regular vinyl compare to the smart vinyl?
just received my Cricut explorer air 2 for Christmas N still learning 😂 I don’t care about the faster speed my 2 is faster enough 😂 My only problem with the 2 is the mat not sticking long enough. I love the roller holder for the 3 thanks so much girl your the best.
Have fun!
Great video. Thanks for sharing with us. I rarely do vinyl projects. I mainly do paper projects. How well does the E3 cut paper at the high speed? It has been my experience that when it comes to cutting paper especially an intricate design faster isn't always better.
Also in your comparison here was the E2 cutting at the normal speed? Have you since tried comparing the two with the E2 cutting at it's fastest speed? I have been thinking about getting me another Cricut so I can have both cutting at the same time so I am looking forward to your future videos to help me make a decision. Thanks.
You can read everything we know here: jennifermaker.com/cricut-explore-3-maker-3 Thanks for watching!😊🌻
In my video showing the Maker 3 and Explore 3 that I put out two days ago at czcams.com/video/AhpizqISmm0/video.html , I cut paper super fast -- and it did great! I have a close-up in there of it cutting the paper. We'll also be doing a tutorial with paper stickers in a few days, so you'll be able to see it there as well. So far, the Explore 3 and Maker 3 are doing a great job of cutting on the faster speeds.
@@JenniferMaker Thats great! I will definitely check out your link.
My husband is getting me a Cricut for Christmas… i was originally planning on the Explore 3 but leaked Black Friday ads are making the Explore 2 look really good 🤣
You will be happy with the Explore Air 2. 😊
Thank you ❤️
Thanks for watching! 💗
Wish I could afford to buy another cricut. The speed is amazing! I have two machine already! lol
They are all great machines!
Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!😊🌻
Thank you!
Awesome video! May I ask, is there anything the Maker 3 can do extra that the original cricut maker can't? If I understand right is it just that it's faster? Also, do any of the cricut machines have the ability to cut engrave silver or gold well? Thank you. =)
The Maker 3 does everything the Maker does plus it can cut the smart materials without a mat and up to 12' long! 😃💜 jennifermaker.com/which-cricut-should-i-buy/
Do we know what makes the smart materials “smart?” Stiffer? Thicker backing? I’m intrigued!
Thanks Avery! 😃❤️
@Avery Thomas So I can basically use any of the Circut vinyl rolls without the mat, is that right?
Thanks for your reply@Avery Thomas I really do need to find out if you can use any of their vinyl's, or you have to buy specific vinyl's to use without the mat before I go ahead and buy the 3.
Finding an exact answer is quite hard and trying to find the rolls of vinyl labelled "smart" for the 3 is even harder, well here in Australia anyway.
I want this so bad!!
Thanks for watching!😊🌻
Thank you for such a great video! I am new to this and very interested in getting one! I am leaning more towards the 3. I do have a couple questions… when you said you can use colored paper what kind of colored paper is it? Also when using vinyl either if it is the smart vinyl or regular do you still need to make sure it says iron on or heat transfer if I will be using the cricut heat press?
You're welcome! Any kind of colored paper so long as it's not super dark. And you can use any vinyl, not just Smart Vinyl. :)
This was super informative! I’ve never used a cricut before and am debating on getting either the 2 or 3. If speed isn’t a factor and I’m just going to be making labels and t shirt designs, do you think the 2 would be appropriate?
The Explore Air 2 is a great machine! If you do not need all those extra options you can go with that. Here is a comparison with all of the Cricut machines. jennifermaker.com/which-cricut-should-i-buy/
Can you use regular vinyl or do we need to get smart vinyl only to use with the new machine
You can use all of the same materials and mats in the new machines. You have the option of the Smart Materials but they're not required. 🙂🌻
How exciting!
It really is! 😃
Thanks for watching!😊🌻
I would love cricut explorer 3
I really love love it. 😊
Hi Jennifer! I'm completely new to the cricut world and I'm trying to decide whether to get the maker or the explore 3. Which would you suggest?
I love them both! It depends what you see yourself making. They're both great machines, so it's a tough choice. Thanks for watching!😊🌻
Great video
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!😊🌻
Thank you so much!
Can the Explore 3 cut well with cardstock? Do you have a video out with that??
Not yet but we will in the future! 😊🌻
That is awesome... Jennifer what about using the pens. I have been making a program for daughters wedding with my explorer 2. It takes me almost 20min for one side. It has the wedding party names n etc.
I haven't tested it with pens yet. I'll give it a try!
Thank you Jennifer can't wait to know
DOOR HANGER TUTORIAL WITH CRICUT EXPLORE?
ADORE YOU, LOVE & LIGHT.
That's a great idea! Can you suggest it here so I don't forget? Thanks! jennifermaker.com/projectrequests 😊🌻
of course!
I was wondering how smart vinyl from Explore 3 (matless) compares in price to the vinyl used for Air 2? Are smart materials more expensive?
The smart material is a little bit more expensive, only due to the backing it has. You can check out prices at www.cricut.com
Do you know if they will have other color options for the explorer 3 when they launch?
As far as I know, Priscilla, these are the only color options that will be available! They are really pretty, though! 😁
Hi. Could you do a video on cutting sewing patterns? I want to cut a doll pattern from Etsy but I need to convert the PDF file. TIA
With a PDF file, Bonnie, instead of converting it to an SVG you are better off cutting it by hand. There are conversion programs, but it's our experience that you lose too much information and the patterns don't end up cutting correctly on the Cricut. Just double click on the PDF and it should open right up on your computer so you can print out a copy of the pattern on your computer printer! If you'd like some more help with it, our Facebook group that focuses only on sewing matters would be able to help you right out! You can reach them here: 😍
facebook.com/groups/seweasy
Omg that's fast. What's the largest print and cut size does the new cricut explorer 3 cut?
The Print Then Cut is still the same.
How well does it cut the very intricate images & tiny piece
I did a T-shirt and sign with vinyl and it did really great -- see my first video that shows them here: czcams.com/video/AhpizqISmm0/video.html