Cricut Explore Air 2 vs. Silhouette Cameo 3 are two of the most popular devices in the crafting industry. Design is one of the most crucial points in businesses, production houses, and enterprises today. Crafting is essential to the designing sector of today’s most prominent production houses, and we live in the age of modern technology and its advancement. With the advent of new machines and modern technology, the crafting industry has a new driving force.
Before establishing a successful business and production line in your industry, it is essential to have a good understanding of the various devices available in the Market. This knowledge will let you choose the best machine for your business. They have done the work of a designer, hassle-free and easygoing.
When choosing between these two of the most popular devices, you often need clarification. Below, you will find a detailed comparative study between the two products. This article will significantly help you choose the perfect device for your business.
Cricut Explore Air 2 Vs. Silhouette Cameo 3: A Comparative Study Based on Various Features
The appearance and comfort of the cutting machines
Let us have a look at the design of these cutting devices. The Cricut model is preferable because it is a much more stylish device. The Cameo model is more box-looking with sharp edges. On the contrary, the Silhouette Cameo 3 has introduced several enhancements in its latest edition. Firstly, the LCD screen is now surrounded by a plastic coating. This coating protects the screen.
Regarding size considerations, the Silhouette Cameo 3 is a bit smaller than the Cricut Explore. Most of the available workbenches will fit perfectly in either of the machines. The size doesn’t make any difference here whatsoever. But having a smaller device will give you suitable industry accommodation and be more efficient.
Regarding weight consideration, the Explore model is almost 4 pounds heavier than the Silhouette Cameo 3. You will always want a perfectly working device for your business that is easy to carry. The Explore Model, being light, allows you to carry the device easily. And you should always choose a lighter device for your industry.
Check out the 5 Best Silhouette Cameo 3 Bundle Reviews
Based on integrated software
Both brands have good built-in design software within the devices. Both of them have advantages and disadvantages. Let’s explore which device is best suited for you. The operating software is different for each of the machines described here. First, the Silhouette Cameo 3 Studio has acquired offline software for operating. On the other hand, the Cricut Explore model’s Design Space is integrated with online software. In this age of modernization, you will always want the most technological advancements and comfort.
Here in Silhouette Cameo 3, you will get a CD with your machine. And most laptops and desktops of the present time do not come with a CD-ROM. This device requires an update to its software, which can be accessed over the internet, but the procedure is complicated. On the other hand, the Cricut Explore model has cloud-based software, which is easily accessible on any device. You never have to install or update any component of the software. The cloud automatically does these.
Since we have already talked about the integrated designing application, let us go deeper into the point. So far, it’s safe to say that the Cricut Explore is the better option. It’s because the Design Studio in this model is (much) more accessible and more user-friendly.
The main problem with the Silhouette Studio Software is that the learning procedure is challenging and time-consuming. You will also be required to perform a lot of trials before you get it right. On the other hand, Silhouette Design Studio feels very easy to handle.
Vinyl Cutting Machine Capabilities Compared
The Cricut Explore has got a 350 g of vinyl cutting capability. However, the Silhouette Cameo 3 has a 250g vinyl cutting ability. It can be noticed that the Silhouette model needs to lead the charge within modern innovations. The math is elementary because, you know, the higher the cutting power a machine has got, the better the machine will be able to perform the cutting jobs. Moreover, it can cut into more profound dimensions. It can also handle different materials like balsa wood or leather.
Today, the Cricut model has devices with a 4000-gram cutting ability; still, the Cameo from Silhouette needs to catch up. It is high time Silhouette brought some new, valuable features to their products.
A comparison of their noise levels
That is one of the critical indicators of the quality of all these machines. The Silhouette Cameo 3 machines are loud. You need to get a proper shed or a soundproofing system. If you plan to work with the machines during the evening, I recommend using a different device that is quieter.
The Cricut Explore, on the contrary, has been noticed to produce some noise, but it’s much more within the acceptable range of tolerance. The best material with which you can compare the sound levels of the machines is an old printer.
Based on cutting quality
The Silhouette Cameo 3 has a faster cutting speed. It can apply more force, and unique cutting blades are being used in this device. Thus, the cutting quality of this device is excellent.
On the other hand, the Cricut Explore devices have outdated components for cutting, making them ineffective sometimes.
You will always want good cutting quality for your device. That will boost your production and improve quality. So, in this case, Silhouette Cameo 3 is the one that tops the list.
Price of the necessary accessories
You will always want a cost-effective solution to any problem. You will look to use a device that is a very user-friendly one and whose price of accessories is within your range.
Let us now discuss the accessories pricing of these devices. Cricut Explore devices have the cheapest accessories, so consider this model (to be) executed in your business.
The accessories of the Silhouette Cameo 3 are costly. Cricut Explore is the perfect device to buy if you want to get things on a budget.
On the level of users
It will help if you choose a device wisely for your industry or a small start-up. If you’re looking for household work and a small start-up where you don’t need perfection in dimensions of the cuts and design, then the Cricut Explore is the one to go for. It is also beneficial for beginners since using it is very easy.
If you plan to use the device for industrial purposes, consider a machine with high-quality software. Then this Circuit Explore is the perfect one to have. This will help you quickly meet your bulk production needs and improve your business. That always gives the perfect cuts in the required dimensions and is ideal for running a good company.
Overall Verdict
Choosing between the Camo 3 and the Explorer Air 2 is tricky, as both have positive and great features, so you have to compromise a bit to buy either machine.
If you are a beginner, go for Explorer Air 2. It is straightforward, and the software is better suited for beginners.
The Explorer Air 2 is also suitable for artisans who prefer cutting speed and precision. Remember that you can upload and convert your designs for free with Cricket Design Space software, which is ideal for more advanced artisans.
If you enjoy working on larger projects and prefer designing within the included software, then the Camo 3 is your best choice. It has a larger maximum cut size, and the Silhouette Studio software is extensive and only promises to improve with the next version.
Working with new software often has a learning curve. Learning new programs can be more challenging when you’re accustomed to them. Some programs seem more intuitive to some people than others. That is why there is such a heated debate between Cricket and Silhouette. I could easily design a similar project with both software programs, but cut the design intricately – Cricket won.
Cricket easily beats Silhouette in being able to set up the machine for the first time. If I had to pick a machine, I would choose the Cricket Explorer Air 2. I found the design space software so easy and intuitive to use. I have used it forever for some reason.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Can the silhouette vinyl be used on a Cricut Explore Air 2 vs. a Silhouette Cameo 3?
That is one of the most common questions between these two devices. Since vinyl is a universal chemical, regardless of the type of machine you have, it is suitable for use with the Cricut.
Can Cricut vinyl be cleaned by using a dishwasher?
Currently, no dishwasher in the Market is safe for vinyl. Moreover, the premium vinyl from Circuit is not dishwasher safe. So, it would help if you were careful while buying a cleaner for your Circuit vinyl.
Can the components of the Circuit Explore Air 2 vs. Silhouette Cameo 3 models be interchanged and used?
The cutting mat is a cutting mat for each available machine, so this component is easy to interchange. But for the rest of the ingredients, you should always examine the warranty before going to the interchange. Next, check if the blades are of equal size. Then you can go for interchanging the components of the machines.
Can we perform the cutting operation without a mat on the Cricut model?
Yes, it is possible and effortless if you implement vinyl. You will need to put the device in the correct settings and mode. After that, you must ensure that the rollers on the exterior side hold the vinyl tightly facing downwards. It would also be helpful to consider using around 1 inch of material, as there is no mat for compensating.
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