Cricut Maker 3 vs Cricut Explore 3: Which Should You Buy? (2023)

The Cricut Maker 3 and Cricut Explore 3 are the latest iterations of the popular Cricut machines. There are three distinct Cricut machine tiers, with Maker at the top, Explore in the middle, and Cricut Joy rounding out the lineup with a tiny, portable machine. The Maker and Explore are fairly similar in size and productivity, and most materials and tools are interchangeable. You can do most of the same projects on either computer, so deciding between the two can be difficult.

The Cricket Maker 3 is the latest version of theCricut Maker, which we reviewed and loved; while the Cricut Explore 3 is the latest version of theCricut Explore Air 2, which we also tested hands-on and couldn't get enough of.

Ultimately, choosing the Cricut Maker 3 and Cricut Explore 3 comes down to how much you want to spend on your machine and the type of projects you want to undertake. I would give preference to Cricut Maker 3 because it offers more versatility and room to grow as a crafter. However, if you're looking for a lesser financial commitment to tinkering, the Explore 3 is a more affordable option that does almost as much.

Cricut Maker 3 vs Cricut Explore 3: Key Differences

The Cricut Maker 3 is the top-of-the-line Cricut machine. With this machine you can realize almost any project you can imagine. The Cricut Explore 3 does almost as much as the Maker 3 for a little less money. So which one works best for you? Let's start by seeing what these two models have to offer.

The Cricut Maker 3 has two clamps in the machine to hold up to a dozen interchangeable tools that you can use to cut, describe, scribe, emboss, and engrave over 300 different materials, including leather and even basswood. You can use the same size materials in the Explore 3 as in the Maker 3, up to 13x12 feet with Smart Materials or 13x12 inches on a cutting mat.

Instead of the dozen or more tools you can use with the Maker 3, you can only use five with the Explore 3. You can cut, write and crease, but not emboss or engrave. You can use over 100 different materials with the Explore 3, and you can't use very thick materials like leather and basswood.

Cricut Maker 3 vs. Cricut Explore 3: How they fit into the Cricut range

There are three lines of Cricut machines: Maker, Explore, andJoy. The Cricut Joy is a small "sidekick" or starter machine with its own set of accessories, tools and materials. It's great for travel, kids, beginners, or anyone who doesn't want to devote a lot of space to their craft. It also costs the least of the three. The Cricut Maker 3 is the successor to the Cricut Maker and the Cricut Explore 3 is the next generation after the Cricut Explore Air 2.

Serious crafters will want to check out the Cricut Maker 3 and Explore 3, which are the latest high-end and mid-range devices, respectively. Many of the accessories, tools, and materials are interchangeable; Of course, anything you can use with the Explore 3 can also be used with the Maker 3. Both machines are suitable for beginners who want to expand their manual skills. They are both easy to use and offer plenty of room to grow.

So what can you do with a Cricut machine? So far I have decals for mugs and iPhone cases, numerous cards, a wedding invitation, an intricate doily and other paper cut outs, fabric iron-on projects, paper flowers, a wedding sign, Infusible Ink t-shirts, and even mugs with theCricut Becherpresse. I am a beginner who has barely tried the tip of the iceberg; There is so much more you can create. Home decor, banners, cards, stickers, decals, gifts, jewelry, bags, clothing: if you can dream of it, you can create it with a Cricut device and yoursCricut toolsand additional equipment.

All three machines connect to your MacBook, iPad and/or iPhone and require the use of Cricut's Software Design Space. You can do countless projects for free and even upload or create your own images and fonts in Design Space. Additionally you can subscribeCricut Accessfor even more designs. Design Space isn't the easiest to learn or most intuitive software, but operating the machines themselves is fairly easy once you get the hang of it.

Both the Cricut Maker 3 and Cricut Explore 3 use Smart Materials, a new product released concurrently with these two machines. Smart Materials are slightly wider and have a stiffer backing than regular materials, allowing them to be fed directly into the machine without using a mat. Because you can make a long, continuous cut up to 12 feet long, your large projects can go through much faster than having to load and reload your mats. Also, the cutting speed of both machines is dramatically faster when using the Smart Materials, easily twice as fast.

Cricut Maker 3 vs. Cricut Explore 3: Cricut Maker 3 kann mehr

If you are a serious crafter, have or plan to have a craft store or online store, the Maker 3 is the way to go. The Maker 3 lets you do more than the other machines, as you would expect for the higher price. Unique to the Maker line is the ability to cut leather, matboard and basswood.

Because you can cut leather with a Maker, you can use it to create jewelry and other leather accessories. You can even craft clothes and costumes. Cutting matboard means you can professionally mat your artwork; You don't have to take it to a framer. Basswood is pretty thin when it comes to wood; It's certainly not for furniture making. But there are several creative uses such as carving and even musical instruments.

You can cut fabrics for sewing projects without a backing. Quilters will love not having to hand cut out each piece! Over 500 digital sewing patterns and quilt blocks are available (for purchase) from popular brands Simplicity®, Riley Blake™ and more. The Cricut Maker 3 cuts about three times as many different materials as the Cricut Explore 3. There are also more than twice as many tools you can put in a maker, such as. B. a rotary blade, a knife blade and more. You can also engrave and emboss.

Cricut Maker 3 vs Cricut Explore 3: Which Should You Buy?

Although you can't cut very thick objects with the Cricut Explore 3, you can still do quite a lot. You can use over 100 different types of paper, cardstock, vinyl, HTV (Heat-Transfer Vinyl, aka "Iron-on"), Infusible Ink, and more.

You can cut, score and write. You can use the print-then-cut feature, where you send a design to your home printer and then insert it into the Cricut machine to be cut out. This is ideal for cards and stickers. You can also put pens in the tool clamps and write directly on your creations.

Make no mistake; The Cricut Explore 3 is still a serious crafting machine with plenty of room to grow for beginners. You still need some space in your home for your crafts! You could certainly start a business with your Explore 3, and you just wouldn't be able to cut through thicker materials like leather and wood. If you don't want to use the extras of Cricut Maker 3, then why spend the extra money?

Apps to help you improve your craft

If you use a Cricut machine, don't forget to take advantage of these free programs that can help you take your craft to the next level.