Few crafting tools have sparked as many DIY projects as the Cricut Explore Air 2. If you’re wondering whether this 2016 machine still holds up in 2025, you’re not alone. We’ll look at what it does, how much it costs today, and whether it’s still a smart buy — starting with a current sale price of $149 from Cricut’s official shop.

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Materials supported: 100+ ·
Fast Mode speed: 2× faster ·
Connectivity: Bluetooth ·
Year introduced: 2016

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Cuts 100+ materials including cardstock, vinyl, iron-on (Cricut)
  • Fast Mode cuts and writes up to 2× faster (Cricut Help Center)
  • Built-in Bluetooth and USB connectivity (Cricut)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact production end date (if any) — not confirmed by Cricut
  • Whether future Design Space updates will add new features to Explore Air 2
  • Whether used prices will continue to drop as newer models dominate
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Expected to remain supported in Design Space for the foreseeable future
  • Used prices likely to drop further as newer models dominate market

Six key specs, one pattern: the Explore Air 2 packs most of what hobbyists need without the premium price of the Maker series.

Specification Value
Release Year 2016
Cutting Width 12 inches
Max Materials 100+ (cardstock, vinyl, iron-on, etc.)
Bluetooth Yes
Fast Mode 2× faster cutting and writing
Software Cricut Design Space
Max Cutting Pressure 400G (TauNee Everett (craft reviewer))
Tool Holders Dual (one fine-point blade, one for pen/scoring)
(Cut, Cut, Craft!)

What does the Cricut Explore Air 2 do?

What materials can it cut?

The Explore Air 2 cuts more than 100 materials including cardstock, vinyl, and iron-on, according to Cricut’s official specs (Cricut). A 2023 review from Cut, Cut, Craft! (crafting blog) noted it can also handle thicker items like foam sheets and felt, though it struggles with fabrics. Unlike the Cricut Maker, it lacks a rotary blade for cutting cloth (TauNee Everett).

Can it write and draw?

Yes — the dual tool holder lets you load a pen or marker in one slot while the fine-point blade remains in the other. This allows the machine to draw, write, and score in the same pass (Cricut Help Center).

What is Fast Mode?

Fast Mode is a speed setting that doubles cutting and writing speeds for compatible materials. Cricut’s documentation says it works with some vinyl, iron-on, and cardstock settings. A 2016 test by The Simply Crafted Life (craft blog) showed a cut dropping from 6:33 to 4:22, and a drawing task from 5:18 to 3:32 — roughly a 33% speed gain.

Bottom line: Fast Mode delivers a tangible speed boost for common materials, though the actual gain varies by design and material type.

The trade-off: users trade slightly higher noise levels for that speed, as noted in Ken’s Kreations (hobbyist blog).

Is the Cricut Explore Air 2 outdated?

How does it compare to newer Cricut models?

The Explore Air 2 launched in 2016 (Cut, Cut, Craft!). Since then, Cricut has released the Maker (2017) with a rotary blade for fabric and knife blade for balsa wood, and the Maker 3 (2021) with faster speeds and Smart Materials support. The Explore Air 2’s max cutting pressure of 400G (TauNee Everett) is roughly half that of the Maker’s 4000G, limiting it to thinner materials.

What features does it lack compared to Cricut Maker?

  • No rotary blade — cannot cut fabric (Made It Mikayla (craft blog))
  • No knife blade — can’t cut balsa wood, leather, or chipboard
  • Adaptive Tool System is absent — only uses fixed tools
The upshot

If you only cut vinyl, cardstock, and iron-on, the Explore Air 2 still competes head-to-head with newer machines. The moment you need fabric or wood, you’ll need a Maker.

The pattern: Cricut has kept the Explore Air 2 on the market for almost a decade because it serves a clear niche — lightweight materials at a budget price.

Is a Cricut Explore Air 2 worth it?

What are the pros and cons?

Upsides

  • Current sale price of $149 — lowest ever (Cricut)
  • Fast Mode saves time on frequent projects
  • Wireless Bluetooth — no tether required (Cricut Help Center)
  • Huge community of tutorials, free designs, and third-party accessories

Downsides

  • Cannot cut fabric or thick materials (Made It Mikayla)
  • No Smart Material support — requires cutting mat
  • Louder operation than newer models (Ken’s Kreations)
  • Older hardware may lack future Design Space features

Who should buy it?

The Explore Air 2 is ideal for hobbyists who work almost exclusively with vinyl, iron-on, and cardstock. If you run a small Etsy shop selling decals or greeting cards, this machine will handle the volume. A 2023 guide called it “one of the best deals for a home vinyl cutter” and “the best bang for your buck” (Cut, Cut, Craft!).

Bottom line: For $149 new, the Explore Air 2 is a capable machine for lightweight crafts. Budget buyers: go for it. Power users who might want to cut fabric or wood: save for a Maker or Maker 3.

Why this matters: the price point makes it a low-risk entry into Cricut’s ecosystem, even if you eventually upgrade.

Does the Cricut Explore Air 2 need a computer?

How to set up with Design Space

Yes — you need a computer or a mobile device running Cricut Design Space. The machine connects via USB or built-in Bluetooth. Once the software is installed, you can design projects offline, though an internet connection is required for initial setup and to download updates (Cricut Help Center).

Can I use it with a smartphone?

Yes — Design Space is available on iOS and Android. You can design, edit, and send projects to the Explore Air 2 wirelessly from your phone. Cricut’s documentation confirms Bluetooth pairing works with both iPhones and Android devices.

What to watch

Tablets and phones work well for simple designs, but complex multi-layer projects are easier to manage on a computer with a larger screen.

The catch: Design Space is cloud-based for many features, so a stable internet connection is important for accessing fonts, images, and updates.

How much is a Cricut Explore Air 2 worth today?

New price vs used price

Cricut currently lists the Explore Air 2 at $149 (sale) with a stated value of $249 (Cricut). Used prices typically range from $100 to $200 depending on condition and included accessories (Reddit community discussions). Machines with extra blades, mats, and tools command higher prices.

What affects resale value?

  • Condition of the cutting mat, blade housing, and rollers
  • Inclusion of original USB cable and power supply
  • Availability of newer models: as more people upgrade to Maker 3, Explore Air 2 prices trend downward
Bottom line: If you can snag one for under $120 used with accessories, it’s a steal. New at $149, it’s still the cheapest entry into Cricut’s ecosystem.

The implication: resale value has held up better than expected because the machine remains relevant for its target use.

Specifications table

Eight specifications, one takeaway: the Explore Air 2 hits the sweet spot for lightweight cutting without the high price of adaptive-tool machines.

Specification Value
Release Year 2016
Cutting Width 12 inches (30.48 cm)
Max Materials 100+
Bluetooth Yes (built-in)
Fast Mode Up to 2× faster
Software Cricut Design Space (free)
Max Cutting Pressure 400 grams-force
Tool Holders Dual

Pros and cons (quick view)

Already covered above within the “Is it worth it?” section — but here’s the condensed verdict for the busy reader.

Upsides

  • Lowest entry price in the Cricut lineup
  • Fast Mode speeds up routine cuts
  • Wireless operation via Bluetooth
  • Massive community support

Downsides

  • Cannot cut fabric or thick materials
  • No Smart Material support
  • Louder than newer machines
  • Limited future-proofing for advanced features

How to set up your Cricut Explore Air 2

  1. Unbox and plug in the machine, then turn it on.
  2. Download and install Cricut Design Space from Cricut’s website on your computer or mobile device.
  3. Connect the machine to your device via USB or Bluetooth (pair using your device’s Bluetooth settings).
  4. Create a free Cricut ID or log in, then follow the on-screen setup wizard to register the machine.
  5. Load a cutting mat with your chosen material, select the material setting in Design Space, and send a test cut.

The pattern: setup takes about 15 minutes, and once Design Space is installed, you can cut offline — the machine doesn’t require constant internet after setup.

Timeline: Cricut Explore Air 2 through the years

  • 2016 — Cricut Explore Air 2 launched (Cut, Cut, Craft!)
  • 2017 — Cricut Maker released with rotary blade for fabric cutting (TauNee Everett)
  • 2025 — Explore Air 2 still available on Cricut.com at $149 sale price (Cricut)

Clarity: what’s confirmed and what’s still uncertain

Confirmed facts

  • Cuts 100+ materials including cardstock, vinyl, iron-on (Cricut)
  • Bluetooth and USB connectivity (Cricut)
  • Fast Mode achieves 2× faster cutting/writing (Cricut Help Center)
  • Released in 2016 (Cut, Cut, Craft!)
  • Current price $149 new on Cricut.com (Cricut)

What’s unclear

  • Whether Cricut will continue selling the Explore Air 2 indefinitely
  • If future Design Space updates will add new features for this older model
  • Exact production end date (if any)

What experts and users say

“Cricut Explore Air 2 works with 100+ materials including cardstock, vinyl, and iron-on.”

— Cricut official product page

“Cricut Explore Air 2 is equipped with Fast Mode for cutting and writing up to 2× faster.”

— Cricut Help Center

The paradox: Cricut’s own marketing confirms the Explore Air 2 still meets their quality standards, even while they sell more expensive machines alongside it.

Summary: should you buy a Cricut Explore Air 2 in 2025?

The Cricut Explore Air 2 remains a solid choice for anyone whose projects stay within the world of vinyl, iron-on, and cardstock. It’s faster than the original Explore, costs less than the Maker, and still enjoys full software support. For budget-minded crafters in the US and Europe looking to start a side gig or explore a new hobby, the $149 price is hard to beat. If you ever plan to cut fabric or thick materials, you’ll outgrow it quickly — but for lightweight crafting, the Explore Air 2 is still the bargain it was nine years ago.

For small business owners running a vinyl decal shop, the choice is clear: buy the Explore Air 2 and invest the savings in materials and inventory, or step up to the Maker if your product line includes fabric items.

Additional sources

thesimplycraftedlife.com, slayathomemother.com, tlycblog.com, reddit.com, youtube.com

For those considering an upgrade, the Cricut Maker 4 review offers a detailed comparison of the latest models.

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Frequently asked questions

What type of blades does the Cricut Explore Air 2 use?

It uses the fine-point blade (standard), and you can also use the deep-point blade for thicker materials like chipboard and magnet sheets. The machine is compatible with all Cricut Explore-series blades (Cricut Help Center).

Can the Cricut Explore Air 2 cut fabric?

No — it lacks a rotary blade. Fabric cutting requires the Cricut Maker or Maker 3 (Made It Mikayla).

Does the Cricut Explore Air 2 require a subscription?

No subscription is required to use the machine. Cricut Access (optional) gives you access to a larger library of images, fonts, and projects (Cricut).

How do I update the firmware on my Cricut Explore Air 2?

Firmware updates are handled automatically through Cricut Design Space. When you connect the machine and open the software, it will prompt you to install any updates (Cricut Help Center).

Is the Cricut Explore Air 2 compatible with Cricut Smart Materials?

No — Smart Materials are designed for the Explore 3 and Maker 3 and don’t require a cutting mat. The Explore Air 2 always requires a cutting mat (Cricut Help Center).

Can I use the Cricut Explore Air 2 without an internet connection?

Yes — after installing Design Space on a computer or iOS device, you can design and send projects to the machine offline. An internet connection is only needed for the initial setup and for accessing online content (Cricut Help Center).

What is the maximum cutting width of the Cricut Explore Air 2?

It cuts up to 12 inches wide (the width of the standard cutting mat). The machine can also cut smaller strips on 6-inch mats (Cricut).