The Cricut Maker and the Cricut Explore are two of the most popular cutting machines on the market today. Both machines offer a variety of features that make them great for crafting, but each machine is better suited to certain types of projects. The Cricut Maker is the more powerful and versatile machine, while the Explore is more affordable and user-friendly.
Design
The Cricut Maker has a sleek, modern design with a touchscreen display and a built-in storage tray. It’s compatible with both iOS and Android devices, making it easy to connect with your mobile device or computer.
The Explore has a more traditional look with its small LCD screen and four buttons. It’s only compatible with iOS devices.
Cutting Capabilities
The Cricut Maker can cut through materials up to 2.4 mm thick, including fabric, vinyl, cardstock, leather, felt, foam and even balsa wood. It also has an adaptive tool system that lets you switch out tools to cut different materials. The Explore can cut through materials up to 1.5 mm thick and doesn’t have interchangeable tools.
Software
Both machines use the same Design Space software for creating projects, but the Maker has access to additional features like 3D modeling tools and print-and-cut capabilities. The Maker also comes with an online library of images that you can use for free.
Price
The Cricut Maker retails for around $400 USD while the Explore retails for around $250 USD. Although it’s more expensive than the Explore, the added features on the Maker make it worth considering if you’re looking for a versatile machine that can handle tougher materials.
Conclusion:
Overall, both machines are great options for craft projects but depending on your needs one may be better suited than the other. If you’re looking for an all-rounder machine that can work with tougher materials then go with the Cricut Maker. If you’re looking for something more basic then go with the Explore.