Cricut Cutting Machines

When the first Cricut machine came out it was fairly pricey, but I have found it to be indispensable for scrapbooking.  I use this machine with at least 50% of my scrapbook pages.   The machine basically works like a printer but is equipped with a blade for cutting.  You can also swap out the blade for a pen and it can write for you as well.

There have been several versions of the Cricut Cutting Machine and we will share the pros and cons of each:

Cricut Maker 3: This is the newest model of the Cricut machine, and in addition to cutting paper and cardboard, it also has settings and blades to cut fabric, leather and balsa boards.  This allows the tool to be used with a much larger range of craft projects beyond paper crafts.  So, if you quilt, sew or make light wooden crafts in addition to scrapbooking, then this will be the perfect tool for you.  It comes with Bluetooth wireless technology to allow you to control your machine from your table or phone.  Since it is the newest model, it is the priciest (list price $429.99) but can sometimes be found at a discount at various stores.

Cricut Explore Air 2: This is the second version of the paper/cardboard only cutting machine and is perfect for crafters who are planning on only cutting paper or cardstock. It has Bluetooth technology so that you can control the machine with your phone or tablet device.  This machine cuts at twice the speed of the Explore Air, so if you hate waiting this would be the best model for you.  It currently has a new price of $199.

Cricut Explore Air: This is the machine that in my opinion it is the best option for the scrapbooker on a budget.  It does everything that the Explore Air 2 does, but cuts at about 50% of the speed.  If you do not usually create very complicated cuts, then it will be fine.  This machine also has bluetooth technology so that you can control the machine with your phone or tablet device, as well as connect it directly to your computer.  You cannot however currently purchase this model new.  You may see these on Ebay or Facebook Marketplace from time to time.

Cricut Explore One:  This is an early model that you cannot currently purchase new.  You may see these on Ebay or Facebook Marketplace from time to time.  You may be able to pick one up cheaply – but it does not have Bluetooth wireless technology which means that you must have a computer directly connected to it by a wire in order to control the cuts.  So, if you have a craft room with a computer already integrated into it – then this might be the most cost-efficient model.