Cricut Explore 3 Review: The Smart Cutting Machine for Everyday Crafters

Is the Cricut Explore 3 the right cutting machine for your craft projects? If you’re an everyday crafter who loves working with vinyl, iron-on (HTV), and cardstock, this machine might just be your new best friend. In our in-depth Cricut Explore 3 review, we cover its key features, performance, and overall value to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your creative space in South Africa.

What Makes the Cricut Explore 3 Stand Out?

The Explore 3 is positioned as Cricut’s workhorse for the most popular crafting materials. It’s faster and smarter than its predecessors, bringing commercial-grade speed to the home crafter.

Key Features:

• Up to 2x Faster Cutting: Compared to the Explore Air 2, the Explore 3 cuts with impressive speed, especially when using Smart Materials.
• Smart Material Compatibility: This is a game-changer. Use Cricut’s Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, and Smart Paper Sticker Cardstock without a mat, allowing you to cut single designs up to 3.6 meters long.
• Versatility with 100+ Materials: While it shines with Smart Materials, it can still cut over 100 other materials with a mat, including specialty vinyl, glitter cardstock, and bonded fabric. Our guide on what materials cutting machines can handle explains this in more detail.
• Ease of Use: Paired with the intuitive Cricut Design Space software, the Explore 3 is incredibly beginner-friendly.

Performance and Real-World Use

We put the Explore 3 to the test with the materials you’ll use most often.

• Vinyl & HTV: Cutting vinyl decals and iron-on designs is where the Explore 3 excels. The speed is noticeable, and the cuts are precise and clean. The matless cutting feature saves time and simplifies the process for large projects.
• Cardstock: It handles standard and heavy cardstock with ease, making it perfect for card making, scrapbooking, and party decorations.
• Print Then Cut: The enhanced sensor allows for Print Then Cut on white and coloured paper, perfect for making custom stickers. For a deep dive, check out our guide on mastering Print Then Cut.

Who is the Cricut Explore 3 Good For?

The Cricut Explore 3 is an excellent choice for:

• Hobbyists and Everyday Crafters: If your projects primarily involve vinyl, HTV, and paper, this machine has all the power you need.
• Small Business Owners: Perfect for creating custom decals, t-shirts, and labels efficiently as part of a printing startup system.
• Beginners: Its user-friendly interface and straightforward operation make it one of the easiest machines to learn.

However, if you need to cut thick materials like wood, leather, or chipboard, you’ll need to look at its more powerful sibling. See how they stack up in our Cricut vs. Silhouette comparison guide.

Final Verdict: A Smart Choice for Mainstream Crafting

The Cricut Explore 3 is a fantastic machine that delivers on its promise of speed, convenience, and ease of use. For the vast majority of crafters, its capabilities are more than enough to bring creative ideas to life. It strikes the perfect balance between power and simplicity, making it a top contender for the best all-around cutting machine for everyday projects.

Ready to start creating? Shop the Cricut Explore 3 at Maker’s Supply and get everything you need, from the machine to essential accessories, delivered to your door.