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A Cricut machine is the perfect cutting companion for any crafting fanatic. There are many Cricut models to choose from, and each machine has different cutting abilities and settings.
If you’re searching for a quick and simple cutter, the Cricut Explore Air 2 is probably at the top of your list.
Nevertheless, before you spend any money on this gadget, it makes complete sense to understand a couple of things about it.
About the Cricut Explore Air 2 Machine
The Cricut Explore Air 2 was debuted in late 2016, and it was loaded with features to make it the most flexible and fastest cutter on the marketplace. It quickly sold out and proved to be a long-lasting favorite among craftsmen.
It’s become even more economical over time and remains one of the finest buys for domestic vinyl cutting.
The Explore Air 2 remains the quickest home vinyl cutter available, featuring a 2x fast setting that allows you to cut at double the speed of the prior model. I believe it is the finest cutter on the market: it is both beautiful and easy to use.
Key Features
To make your life easier and to help you make the right decision, we’ve listed Explore Air 2’s greatest key aspects below.
As you’ll see, it’s a very flexible device that’s ideal for anybody who wants to start crafting simple and expert crafts, or for those wishing to switch from an outdated plastic cutter to one with the most up-to-date innovation.
The Explore Air 2 comes with 3 cutting tools: a fine-point cutter, a deep-point knife, and a linked cloth blade. You can slice over 100 different materials using these instruments, such as cardboard, plywood, some textiles, and plastic.
Super-Fast Cutting
The Cricut Explore Air 2 offers a 2x fast mode that allows you to slice small items like vinyl, paper, and cardboard twice as quickly. A further significant time-saver, as reducing some projects might take an unexpected length of time.
Lots Of Added Extras
The device could also be used in conjunction with some fantastic extras. It draws and sketches with vibrant Cricut inks, allowing you to create personalized cards and banners.
The scoring pen may be used to make 3D sheet artwork or to give your handmade gifts a sophisticated touch. Because the Explore Air 2 has a dual gripper, you can use any two of these instruments at the same time.
That implies you can slice and draw or cut and score in a single cycle without switching instruments.
It also includes a cutting mat, which is an essential tool for any serious crafter. This unique mat has been revamped for improved performance. And there’s more.
The mat has been tailored to complement a few of the suggested materials, such as vinyl, textured cardstocks, patterned paper, etc. In overall, the mat has a solid grip that keeps your material securely in place.
Most notably, it includes a simple ruler and square marks for multi-purpose and versatile applications.
Innovative Dial Feature
We love that you can simply choose the material you’ll be slicing with this control, and the Cricut will instantly pick the right depth of cut and rate.
This takes a great deal of the uncertainty and irritation out of selecting the cut parameters and will wind up saving you a huge amount of time and resources.
Improved Software
The Cricut Design Space free design program is available with the Explore Air 2. Because the application is cloud-based, you can download and edit your ideas from any laptop, smartphone, or tablet.
The device is also Bluetooth-enabled, so you can submit your ideas to be sliced electronically.
Bluetooth Connectivity
The Cricut Explore Air 2 has Bluetooth technology as well as a creative storage place for all of your supplies. So, regardless of how you look at it, this is a machine designed to amaze.
Premium Blade Design
This is a strong and useful blade built primarily for slicing lightweight and medium-weight textiles. It may be used to handle poster boards, plastic, and cardboard.
What we enjoy best about it is that it typically lasts three times as long as a normal blade. This is because it has undergone a unique hardening procedure to increase its sturdiness.
Appearance And Aesthetics
The Cricut Explore Air 2 has a very clean, compact, stylish, and trendy design! The device weighs around 21 pounds and measures 22.17 inches in length; it will fit wonderfully on a small foldable table or a large crafts table.
The Cricut Explore Air 2 is available in a variety of colors such as charcoal, indigo, boysenberry, cobalt, magenta, lavender, merlot, mint, peacock, plum, raspberry, rose, sunflower, and white.
What Can You Do With The Cricut Explore Air 2 Machine?
Cardmaking
This device includes fantastic pencils that can be connected and then used to make personalized handmade cards. This is in addition to its ability to select from more than 350 typefaces.
After you’ve chosen your preferred typeface, all you have to do is stand back and observe the cutter slice its way into your main material.
Printable Patterns
You’ll have access to over 500,000 printed images after you purchase this gadget. Yes, you read that correctly! And that’s on top of nearly 1,000 printed patterns.
And, best of all, you may always submit your original designs and photos for print. In other terms, the Explore Air 2 provides unrivaled printing capability and design versatility.
Whatever your degree of design skills, there will always be something you can accomplish with the Air 2.
Lots Of Materials To Choose From
Regardless of whether you’re working with incredibly slender materials like parchment or strong, tough materials such as suede, this device has all the tools you need to create beautiful cuttings.
In reality, it has a convenient constructed Smart Set dial that you can modify to obtain various configurations. The dial offers a list of materials that can be cut, so all you have to do is choose the appropriate mode at your leisure.
To top it all off, the machine provides access to Design Space, which allows you to fine-tune your design and material parameters even further.
Detailed Precision Cutting
This cutter may be used to make delicate features with excellent precision. You can actually handle lacy stationery patterns, snowflake patterns, and even webbing.
So, when it comes to impeccable detailing, the Explore Air 2 must always be your first choice of action.
Great Cutting Depth
For light to medium-weight materials, the superior pointed blade cuts delicate designs. The quality fine point blade works well with paper, cardboard, poster board, vinyl, iron on, as well as other thin to medium weight materials.
In harder materials, the sharp point razor cuts detailed motifs. The deep point blade works well with magnets, plywood, stamp materials, thick paper, stiff felt, styrofoam sheets, cardboard, and some textiles.
On connected textiles or fabrics with an iron-on backing, the linked fabric blade cuts detailed designs. When purchasing any Cricut blade, make certain that you have the correct casing, which is what the Cricut knife is housed in.
Cricut Design Software – How Well Does It Work?
Each manufacturer often has its own technology, and third-party solutions are not permitted. Cricut’s management software, on the other hand, is known as Cricut Design Space. It is an internet software with multiple advantages and one severe disadvantage.
First and foremost, there is no need to download something or stress about whether it is up to date. Secondly, it operates on every gadget, at any time, with no concerns with connectivity.
However, because it is cloud-based, you must have internet connectivity to use it. This implies that if your internet connection is poor or non-existent, you will be unable to communicate with your Cricut.
Cricut tried to remedy it by developing an iOS app, but it’s not the genuine thing. The Android App is available for download from the Google Play Store.
We use Cricut Design Space often, and though some people disagree, it’s quite a user-friendly program. It’s fairly simple to use and straightforward once you get the hang of it. You can utilize SVG files with no difficulty or additional fees.
Bottom Line
The Explore Air 2 came in first place on our hypothetical list of the best Cricut machines since it offers the most value for money.
It truly is an incredible deal for what you get: a simple home-cutting tool that is dependable and flexible enough to handle practically any task you can throw at it.
It’s a beautiful machine with important features like the double tool post and 2x rapid mode to help you succeed with your slicing jobs.
The Explore Air 2 is capable of cutting detailed and precise designs out of vinyl and cardboard, as well as thicker materials such as foam sheeting and felt.
SVGs can be imported for free and cut remotely using Bluetooth. It’s an excellent choice for artists and also makes a fantastic gift.