Cricut Explore Black Friday 2026: Explore 5, Explore 4 or Air 2?

The Cricut Explore for Black Friday 2026 spans four machines: the Explore Air 2, the Explore 3, the Explore 4 and the Explore 5 from February 2026. All take six tools and cut close to 12 inches wide. The Air 2 needs a mat for every cut; the later three also cut Smart Materials without one.

Where the Explore fits

The Explore sits between the compact Joy and the 13-tool Maker, both covered on the Cricut Black Friday guide. It cuts, draws, scores and applies foil, and it handles vinyl, cardstock, iron-on and paper well. It drags its blade across the material rather than steering it, so it does not take the Maker’s Rotary Blade or Knife Blade. If fabric or basswood is on your list, read the Cricut Maker page first.

Four generations side by side

The Explore 3 kept the Air 2’s six tools and added Smart Materials, which feed straight through the machine. That raised the longest cut from the mat length to 12 feet and made matless cuts faster.

The Explore 4 changed the mat side. Cricut says it cuts up to twice as fast as the previous generation when cutting on a mat. It uses the same 12-inch mats and the same blades as earlier Explore machines.

The Explore 5 has a smaller body than the previous generation, still takes six tools, and loads pens with a snap-in holder. Cricut names vinyl, custom apparel, full-color stickers, cards, magnets and rubber stamps among its typical projects. It comes in Taupe, with a Teal version sold through one craft retailer.

Cricut Explore machines to compare

Check the model name first: Explore Air 2, Explore 3 or Explore 4. Then look at what the listing includes, such as a mat or a starter set of materials.

Shop cricut Explore Black Friday 2026: Explore 4, Explore 3 or Air 2?→

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• Explore 4Browse →
• Explore 3Browse →
• Explore Air 2Browse →
• Explore bundlesBrowse →

Picking a generation

An Air 2 still cuts cards, decals and iron-on, but you will trim long pieces to fit the mat. If you want banners, long wall decals or roll vinyl in one pass, any Explore from the 3 onward is the better fit. Between the Explore 3 and the Explore 4, the difference shows most when you cut on a mat, for cardstock or vinyl that is not a Smart Material. The Explore 5 is the choice if desk space is tight.

Things to confirm in an Explore listing

• The exact name. “Explore Air” and “Explore Air 2” are older machines.
• The bundle. Starter vinyl, iron-on and cardstock vary, and some bundles add pens or a scoring stylus.
• Whether a mat is included, since the Air 2 cannot cut without one.
• For a used machine, the condition of the blade and the mat’s grip, and that the power cable is in the box.