Cricut Explore Air 3 Release Date

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Introducing the all NEW Cricut Explore 3! The best-selling cutting machine is now smarter, faster, and better than ever!

Cricut Explore 3 on desktop with pink vinyl and "bride" shirt

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Open Cricut Maker 3 and Cricut Explore 3 on wood work table

Cricut Explore 3 will be available online on June 10th and in stores on June 27th!

The Explore is Cricut's best-selling cutting machine for good reason, and now, the brand new Cricut Explore 3 allows you to get even bigger and bolder than ever with your crafting!

The Cricut Explore combines the power of a professional machine with the simplicity of Cricut, and now, Explore 3 is even smarter and faster than ever! Let's dive in and take a look at all of the features of the Cricut Explore 3 – what's new? and what can it do?

Introducing the All-New Cricut Explore 3!

The power of a professional machine. The simplicity of Cricut.

Cricut Explore 3 with long cut of vinyl on wood work table

What's New? How is Cricut Explore 3 Different than Other Explore Models?

First and foremost, Cricut Explore 3 can now cut MATLESS! 🎉🎉🎉

YES! You heard that right! With new 13″ wide Smart Materials like Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, and Smart Paper, the Explore 3 can cut up to 12 feet in length without a mat! Simply load the Smart Material into the machine and you're ready to go!

Smart Materials will be available in a wide variety of different colors and finishes in 3-foot, 9, 12, 21, and up to 75-foot long rolls!

Roll holder on Cricut Explore 3 machine with gold vinyl

The new Cricut Roll Holder (sold separately; compatible with both Explore 3 and Maker 3) holds large rolls of Smart Vinyl and Smart Iron-On in place during cutting and even has a handy built-in trimmer! The Roll Holder is not necessary for use, but it is extremely helpful for managing bulky, long rolls, keeping them in place and perfectly aligned while cutting long cuts.

Feeding blue Smart Iron-On into Cricut Explore 3

The new Smart materials also allow the Cricut Explore 3 to cut up to 2x faster than the Explore Air 2 at speeds of up to 8 inches per second when cutting Smart Materials! That's super speedy!

Faster, longer cuts means that you can create oversized projects with ease, or create a whole bunch of projects for your entire group in one simple pass! It's so easy!

Of course, the Cricut Explore 3 will also still work with your classic cutting mats and over 100 different kinds of materials, too! (Enhanced cutting speeds are exclusive to the Smart Materials, though.)

What Can the Cricut Explore 3 Do?

Cricut Explore 3 can cut, write, draw, score, and foil with over 100+ different compatible materials!

Click here for a full list of materials that can be cut with the Cricut Explore 3.

Black and white welcome sign beside a red front door with wreath

Cricut Explore 3: Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Differences Between the Cricut Explore Models?

The key differences between the Cricut Explore Air 2 and the Cricut Explore 3 are speed, cut length, and the ability to cut Smart Materials without a mat. Cricut Explore Air 2 is limited to a 12″ x 24″ mat size for cutting, but the new Cricut Explore 3 can cut at lengths of up to 12 feet long with new Smart Materials! The Cricut Explore 3 cuts Smart Materials at speeds up to 2x faster than the Cricut Explore Air 2.

The Explore 3's materials settings are now integrated into the software, which allowed Cricut to remove the dial from the machine for a sleeker and more refined body. Cricut Explore 3 also got a sensor upgrade, so it now has the ability to cut Print then Cut projects on colored paper in addition to white paper.

Why did Cricut drop "Air" from the Explore name? Can it no longer connect via Bluetooth?

Bluetooth connectivity has become standard for all new Cricut cutting machines, so the company felt that it was no
longer necessary to call it out in the product's name. The Explore 3 will connect via Bluetooth as easily as ever!

Cricut Explore 3 on wood work table surrounded by assorted rolls of vinyl materials

What Types of Smart Materials Work with Cricut Explore 3?

The Cricut Explore 3 is compatible with:

Smart Vinyl (available in a wide variety of colors, effects, and material lengths in both removable and permanent adhesives)
Smart Iron-On (available in solids, glitter, and holographic varieties)
Smart Paper Sticker Cardstock (backed with double-sided adhesive that allows you to skip the glue for mess-free projects – just peel and stick!)

Cricut does not currently offer a 13″ wide Smart Material for Infusible Ink, but I hope that's coming in the future!

Will I Lose My Cartridges, Projects, or Uploaded Images if I Upgrade to the Cricut Explore 3?

No. Your cartridges (image sets), projects, and uploaded images are linked to your Cricut ID in the Cricut Cloud, not to a machine. Use the same Cricut ID as usual and you'll still have access to all your content with your Cricut Explore 3.

White woman and boy making cards with Cricut Explore 3

The new Cricut Explore 3 is perfect for beginning and advanced crafters alike, and now, you have even more ways to make each of your craft projects uniquely and creatively YOU!

I can't wait to see what you'll create with your new Cricut machine! What are you going to make first?

Check Out These Other Cricut Project Ideas!

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