The best Cricut Explore Air 2 Bundle deals enable you to get a bargain entry-level digital craft machine alongside the materials and tools you need to get making straight away. These bundle offers can save you money overall and make life easier.
The Cricut Explore Air 2 is the older model of this entry-level machine, but it's still capable of being used with 100 materials, including vinyl, paper, wood and fabrics. The only drawback to the Explore Air 2 is it can't be used with Cricut's new Smart Materials and is a little slower than the newer model, the Cricut Explore 3. While I'm focused on the best Cricut Explore Air 2 bundle deals here, below are some standalone machine offers.
To see how the Cricut Explore Air 2 compares to other Cricut machines, see our guide to the best Cricut machines. In summary, however, you can think of it as Cricut's more affordable entry-level cutting machine (although it doesn't just cut, you can also use the best Cricut pens in the device to turn it into a drawing machine).
See our guides to the best Cricut Explore 3 bundles, the best Cricut Joy bundles and the best Cricut EasyPress 2 bundles for more of Cricut's package deals. But below I focus on the best Cricut Explore Air 2 bundle deals you can get right now.
The best Cricut Explore Air 2 bundle deals: US
The best Cricut Explore Air 2 bundle deals: UK
Is Cricut Explore 3 better than Cricut Explore Air 2?
The newer Cricut Explore 3 is very similar to its predecessor. It's more expensive than the Cricut Explore Air 2, and whether you should pay that extra cash depends very much on whether you'll want to use smart materials. These are Cricut's new craft materials that work without a cutting mat, allowing you to load them directly into the machine. They come in a range of material types, including Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, Smart Label Writable Paper, and Smart Label Writable Vinyl.
That said the Explore 3 does also come with a larger portable trimmer and a roll holder, which means that like the more powerful Cricut Maker 3, you can make cuts up to 12 ft (3.6 m) long in one go.
Do you need a computer to use a Cricut Explore Air 2?
While it's best to use a Cricut Explore Air 2 with one of the best laptops for Cricut or the best tablets for Cricut, you can use this machine with your mobile phone – Cricut has new mobile apps. However, this is best for making pre-made designs, you'll need a laptop or tablet if you're making new designs from scratch. If you're after a cheap laptop, consider one of the best Chromebooks for Cricut.
When did the Cricut Explore Air 2 release?
The Cricut Explore Air 2 originally released in 2016, and was replaced in 2022 with the newer Cricut Explore 3.
Is the Cricut Explore Air 2 outdated?
Not exactly. It is the older model of the Explore, replaced in 2022 by the Explore 3, but it can still cut, score, emboss and engrave over 100 materials. The difference is this model is slower than its newer model and can't use Cricut Smart Materials, which means you can cut long lengths of material and still need a cutting mat.
What's the difference between Cricut Maker and Cricut Explore?
The Cricut Maker is Cricut's flagship device. It's the brand's most powerful cutting and drawing machine, suitable for a wide range of commercial projects. However, it's also the most expensive. The Cricut Explore series is designed as a more entry-level range of devices for hobbyists or small businesses that don't need the power of the Maker. Both the Maker and the Explore series offer new devices that can handle Cricut's smart materials – the Cricut Maker 3 and the Cricut Explore 3.
