Cricut Explore Air 2 Review: Know Everything before Purchase

If you love crafting and want to start your crafting work at home, then you should own yourself an advanced Electronic Crafting Machine.

If you have decided to buy a new Electronic Crafting Machine, then Cricut Explore Air 2 is the best cutting machine for you.

Cricut is an industry leader and Explore Air 2 is the best cutting machine to work on a variety of materials. This is an all-in-one electronic cutting machine that can cut, draw, and etches on different types of materials.

The Explore Air 2 is the most recent edition of Cricut’s Explore Air series Craft Cutting machines. This model offers 2X faster performance than the previous models.

The machine provides efficient work with no hassle. Let’s get on to the Review part of this Cutting machine.

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Cricut Explore Air 2 Review

After spending dozens of hours researching and comparing with other brands’ models, we have decided to pick the Cricut Explore Air 2 as the best Crafting Machine.

There are many reasons why we have picked this model from the available range. We have tried to put everything that you may want to know about this machine in this review article.

Compared to other models, the Cricut Explore Air 2 has got a lot of extraordinary functions that make it stand on the top of the list of the best electronic cutting machines for this current year.

This machine is designed to cut over 100 different types of materials smoothly. It’s a super-easy machine that comes with many color options.

Also See: Cricut Explore Air 3 Review

About Cricut Explore Air 2

Unlike the traditional crafting and cutting machines, this new generation crafting machine comes with a compact design.

It’s a lightweight crafting machine that weighs just 16 pounds. It measures 24 x 9.5 x 9.5 inches. The Cricut Explore Air 2 is currently the smart cutting machine on the market.

This Do It Yourself Crafting machine is designed to offer faster crafting and cutting experience.

It enables you to work on any type of crafting project which you can accomplish in less time.

Being a new generation Crafting Machine, it lets you take full control of the machine through your smartphone.

Yes, unlike traditional machines, this model is compatible with mobile phones.

The app is a fully functional one and loaded with hundreds of designs that you can select and work on it from this machine.

This is the fastest cutting machine available on the market from the world’s most trusted brand, Cricut.

Most people get confused when they decide to buy something new from the market. They arise plenty of questions in their mind and to get the answers, they search for the same on the Internet.

In this review, we have tried to answer the most common questions asked by the new buyers on many forum sites and other discussion sections.

The Cricut Explore Air 2 Cutting machine is suitable for beginners and home users who work on small cutting tasks. This machine is very essential for craftsmen who design attractive craft products on their own.

This is a compact-sized and light-duty cutting machine and not suitable for commercial task.

If you want to run a business over this machine, then this is not suitable for you as it comes with some limitations and you won’t be able to work on big projects on this machine.

Let’s check out more details about the machine.

Performance 

Being a new generation cutting machine, it offers 2x faster-cutting speed than the previous models from the same brand.

The first Circuit Explore Air machine was launched in the year 2015.

Compared to the first edition, this second edition offers double the cutting speed which is good for busy people.

We have to accept the fact the fast cutting mode works on a limited number of materials. If you use thick materials, then the cutting speed could be decreased.

The cutting speed of the Electronic Cutting Machine is highly depending on the material you use.

Easy-to-use 

Unlike other smart machines, the Explore Air 2 Cutting Machine provides an easy-to-use interface.

It is designed for all types of consumers, starting from beginners to expert level users who can make use of this machine to work on a range of cutting applications for their crafts.

It offers an accurate cutting experience and works well on most materials. Being a smart cutting machine, most of the features of this machine works automatically.

You don’t need to set up the functions of this machine again and again.

Apart from the automatic functions, you can also set up things on your own with manual settings.

You can visit the settings panel of the machine and can set the cutting mode and the type of material as per your needs. It’s very easy and takes very little time to set up.

People prefer to choose smart machines just because of a lack of time and information.

For that reason, they go with the smart machine designed with advanced technology. This machine does everything for you at a faster speed and with accurate results.

Versatility 

This cutting machine is compatible to work on almost all types of materials. It is compatible with over 100 different types of materials.

It works well with lightweight vinyl to cardstock. You can also cut down the leather materials.

The traditional Vinyl cutters come with limitations and they can cut only a few types of thin materials.

However, this new generation cutting machine can cut through the thickest materials at ease. It works smoothly and accomplishes your task quickly.

The company has not changed the cutting force of this machine.

If you are looking for an extra powerful cutting force, then this machine won’t be suitable. It offers moderate cutting force which is more than enough for thick materials.

Great Cutting Width 

This is a compact-sized cutting machine yet it offers great cutting width. The size of this machine is 14-inch-long and 12 inches wide.

Unfortunately, you will not get extra cutting space on this machine as it is designed for beginners and hobbyists only.

Fortunately, on this machine, you can get done a lot of your crafting jobs for your kids and for your own hobby.

You can customize things and can work on a range of materials which is indeed a good unit to go along.

Customizable Cards 

Over 75% of users of the cutting machines do make use of it to cut down cards.

What makes this machine unique from others is it comes with a set of pens that lets you create and customize your own card on the screen.

You can prepare a handwritten card using the built-in pens on this cutting machine.

The Explore Air 2 Cutting machine has built-in fonts that you can choose to customize your cards. There are over 370 fonts available which are ready to use.

You just need to select and load your favorite fonts and start the process. The rest will be done by the machine itself.

Ready-to-use Patterns 

Apart from the fonts, this cutting machine comes with pre-loaded patterns that you can use to work on different types of applications.

The machine comes loaded with over 500,000 printable images that you can use from the screen.

There are hundreds of printable patterns also available on this cutting machine. You just need to select the pattern and start the cutting process.

Additionally, you can even upload the customized patterns to this machine. You can add and load more patterns and printable images to the database which you can use on your next project.

The cutting space can be adjusted as per your requirements. You can reduce the space by using the functions available in this unit which is indeed a good thing for beginners.

There comes a time when you just need a small workpiece and this machine can cut the smallest card for you.

Advanced Software 

Cricut Explore Air 2 machine is compatible with Cricut’s Design Space Software which you can explore from your system.

You can log in to this software through its web-based version and can access the entire library of the designs, printable images, and much more which are ready-to-use.

This requires Internet connectivity and if you don’t have the connectivity of the Internet, then the process could be a bit difficult for you.

The compatible Design Space Software of Cricut is not that professional, but yes, you can do a lot of cutting projects on this software with little designing skills.

It offers numerous tools and designing ideas which you can use to customize your designs and printable images.

This software comes with hundreds of free items and projects which you can choose from its library without paying anything.

Once you purchase this machine, you can simply log in with the provided credentials and can explore the library of the readymade projects.

There are thousands of patterns and printable images available for you.

Apart from this, from the same software, you can even purchase your favorite items. If you go to the premium section of the library, you will see some creative patterns and images which are not for free.

You have to purchase it from the source. You don’t have to go to any other third-party website for purchasing patterns. You can simply purchase them with this software at an affordable price.

Cricut’s Design Space Software receives regular updates with new features and functions. It offers more opportunities for beginners who can learn and try out new things.

The customizable options also make them productive as they can develop their skills by customizing their own patterns on this software.

Cricut’s software is compatible with the iOS app. You can use this software as an app on your iOS device.

You can explore things and do a lot of things without the need for a PC system. Everything can be done and controlled by the user right from the iOS device.

Compatible with Old Cartridges 

Thankfully, this latest edition allows you to use the same cartridges of the older models of Cricut. If you have the first generation Cricut Explore Air’s Cartridge, then you can use it on the Cricut Explore Air 2 machine.

If you have been using Cricut’s products, then you don’t need to buy extra cartridges as this machine is compatible to work with the older model’s cartridges.

Powerful Cutting Blade

The Cricut Explore Air 2 uses a powerful German Carbide Cutting blade. This handy blade is designed to cut lightweight and thin materials at ease.

You can also replace this blade to work on thick materials like leather.

Unlike the traditional cutting blade, the German Carbide Blade lasts three times longer than it.

So you can work for a longer time on the same blade and can accomplish more tasks without the use of an extra blade.

Built-in Bluetooth 

Being a smart cutting machine, it comes with built-in Bluetooth Connectivity.

You can connect your smartphone or computer or any other compatible device to this machine and can work with it.

The machine also comes with storage space to load your printable images, patterns, and other tools.

Tool Holder 

This unit comes with a double tool holder to store your tools. This tool holder attaches to the machine with two clamps.

You can even remove this holder if you don’t like it. This tool holder is helpful to work on multiple projects simultaneously.

What’s Included in the Box? 

Pros: 

Cons:

Conclusion:

If we go by the full product review of the Explore Air 2 machine, then this model is the perfect cutting machine for you as it includes both, basic and premium features.

The machine offers a faster-cutting speed and comes with an uncountable number of preloaded patterns and images. It is also compatible to work with over 100 different types of materials.

The machine uses a durable German Carbide Blade which lets you cut through all types of materials at ease.

It also features a storage compartment and other extra tools. It’s the perfect choice for beginners and craft lovers.

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