Is the Explore Air 2 good for beginners?

Yes. It is one of the simplest Cricut machines to set up and learn, and the Design Space app walks you through projects. Most people are cutting within an hour.

How is it different from the Explore 3?

The Explore 3 cuts faster and works with mat-free Smart Materials. The Air 2 needs a mat for most materials and is slower on large jobs, but it handles the same core materials.

Can it cut fabric and thick materials?

It cuts bonded fabric and specialty materials like glitter paper and cork. It does not have the Maker's rotary blade or deep-cut tool, so very thick materials are out of reach.

Does it need to be plugged in to a computer?

No. It connects over Bluetooth to the Design Space app on Windows, Mac, iOS or Android. A computer or phone is still needed to design and send cuts.

What comes in the box?

The machine, a fine-point blade and housing, a pen, a light-grip mat, a welcome card and a sample of vinyl. Materials and extra tools are sold separately.

What sizes can it cut?

It cuts up to 12 inches wide by 24 inches long with a mat. The machine itself measures about 7 by 21 by 6 inches.

What do buyers say about the Cricut Explore Air 2 Die-Cutting Machine Daybreak?

Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 2,213 ratings.

Where can I buy the Cricut Explore Air 2 Die-Cutting Machine Daybreak?

6 stores we checked sell it, including Walmart, Mercari, Whatnot, eBay, Poshmark.

Cricut Explore Air 2 Die-Cutting Machine Daybreak

Best price now

$150.00at MercariChecked 38 min ago

Compared across 6 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Mercari

Cricut Explore Air 2 Die-Cutting Machine Daybreak

Best price now

$150.00at MercariChecked 38 min ago

Compared across 6 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Mercari

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Price facts

Lowest price today: $150.00 at Mercari (checked Nov 15, 2026).
Checked at 6 stores.

Our take on the Cricut Explore Air 2 Die-Cutting Machine Daybreak

The Cricut Explore Air 2 is a desktop die-cutting machine that cuts, scores and draws on cardstock, vinyl, iron-on, glitter paper, cork and bonded fabric. It connects over Bluetooth and runs on the free Cricut Design Space app for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, which holds thousands of images, fonts and ready-to-make projects. It is the simpler, cheaper sibling of the Explore 3 and Maker lines: it lacks the Maker's rotary blade and deep-cut tools and the Explore 3's faster cutting and mat-free Smart Materials support. Owners rate it highly as a first machine, though some find it slow on big jobs and limited to the 12-inch mat width.

Best forFirst-time craftersCard and vinyl projectsCustom T-shirts with iron-onHome decor and small gifts

Pros

Cuts a wide range of materials, from cardstock to bonded fabric
Bluetooth wireless connection to the Design Space app
Large built-in library of images, fonts and projects
Simple setup and gentle learning curve
Compact footprint for a desk or craft table

Cons

Slower than the Explore 3 on large cuts
No rotary blade or deep-cut tool like the Maker
Needs a mat for most materials; no mat-free Smart Materials
Design Space requires an internet connection for many tasks
Blade and mat wear add ongoing cost

Cricut Explore Air 2 Die-Cutting Machine Daybreak prices at every store

MercariNew
In stock
$150.00Checked 38 min ago
Visit Mercari
WhatnotNew
Availability unknown
$150.00Checked 38 min ago
Visit Whatnot
eBayPre-owned
Availability unknownSold by 61gaming
$166.68Free shippingChecked 38 min ago
Visit eBay
PoshmarkNew
Availability unknown
$175.00Checked 38 min ago
Visit Poshmark
BlueDogInkNew
Availability unknown
$254.80Checked 38 min ago
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WalmartNew
Out of stock
$169.00Free shippingChecked 38 min ago
Visit Walmart

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Cricut Explore Air 2 Die-Cutting Machine Daybreak price history

Lowest price we've seen: $150.00 on Nov 15 at Whatnot. Tracked across 5 stores since Nov 15.

What reviewers say

4.4 / 52,213 ratings

Owners rate it 4.4 out of 5 and mostly praise how easy it is to learn and how cleanly it cuts vinyl and cardstock. Complaints center on speed, the reliance on the Design Space app and the cost of replacement blades and mats.

What people mention

Ease of usePraisedOwners say beginners get cutting within an hour of unboxing.
Cut qualityPraisedReviewers report clean edges on vinyl, cardstock and iron-on.
SpeedCriticisedSeveral owners find it slow on big or intricate jobs compared with newer models.
Design Space appMixedUsers like the project library but call the software clunky and dependent on an internet connection.
Running costsCriticisedReplacement blades and mats are a recurring expense owners mention.

About the Cricut Explore Air 2 Die-Cutting Machine Daybreak

The Cricut Explore Air 2 is a die-cutting machine for crafters. It cuts materials from cardstock, vinyl and iron-on to specialty materials such as glitter paper, cork and bonded fabric.

It can be used for projects like cards, custom T-shirts and home decor. You can use thousands of images, fonts and ready-to-make projects, or create your own design from scratch.

It works with the free Cricut Design Space app, available for iOS, Mac, Windows and Android. Additional in-app purchases are available and sold separately.

Type: Die-cutting machine (bundle)
Color: Daybreak
Dimensions: 7.00" x 21.00" x 6.00"
Materials cut: Cardstock, vinyl, iron-on, glitter paper, cork, bonded fabric
Software: Cricut Design Space app (free)
Compatibility: iOS, Mac, Windows, Android

Specifications

color: OtherSource
actual_color: DaybreakSource
size: 7.00" x 21.00" x 6.00"Source

Questions and answers

Is the Explore Air 2 good for beginners?: Yes. It is one of the simplest Cricut machines to set up and learn, and the Design Space app walks you through projects. Most people are cutting within an hour.
How is it different from the Explore 3?: The Explore 3 cuts faster and works with mat-free Smart Materials. The Air 2 needs a mat for most materials and is slower on large jobs, but it handles the same core materials.
Can it cut fabric and thick materials?: It cuts bonded fabric and specialty materials like glitter paper and cork. It does not have the Maker's rotary blade or deep-cut tool, so very thick materials are out of reach.
Does it need to be plugged in to a computer?: No. It connects over Bluetooth to the Design Space app on Windows, Mac, iOS or Android. A computer or phone is still needed to design and send cuts.
What comes in the box?: The machine, a fine-point blade and housing, a pen, a light-grip mat, a welcome card and a sample of vinyl. Materials and extra tools are sold separately.
What sizes can it cut?: It cuts up to 12 inches wide by 24 inches long with a mat. The machine itself measures about 7 by 21 by 6 inches.
Where is the Cricut Explore Air 2 Die-Cutting Machine Daybreak cheapest?: At Mercari, for $150.00, as of our latest check.
What do buyers say about the Cricut Explore Air 2 Die-Cutting Machine Daybreak?: Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 2,213 ratings.
Where can I buy the Cricut Explore Air 2 Die-Cutting Machine Daybreak?: 6 stores we checked sell it, including Walmart, Mercari, Whatnot, eBay, Poshmark.