Is the Explore 3 worth it over the Explore Air 2?

Yes if you want faster cutting and matless Smart Materials. The Air 2 is fine for occasional paper and vinyl work and costs less.

Can it cut without a mat?

Only with Cricut Smart Materials, which feed through the rollers. Ordinary vinyl and paper still need a mat.

The Maker 3 adds deep-cut and knife blades for leather, balsa and fabric. The Explore 3 covers vinyl, paper and iron-on at a lower cost.

The machine, a fine-point blade and housing, a light grip mat, a pen and a small vinyl sample. You supply your own materials after that.

No, the machine works without one. Cricut Access unlocks extra images and fonts, and you can upload your own designs for free.

Vinyl, iron-on, paper, cardstock and some fabric with the right blade. It is not built for thick leather or wood.

At eBay, for $274.99, as of our latest check.

4 stores we checked sell it, including Craft-e-Corner, eBay, Coach Christa, Vinyl and Tulle Supply.

$274.99at eBayChecked 11 h ago

Compared across 4 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when. Store links may earn us a commission.

It checks today's price at every store, compares the alternatives and answers in about a minute.