5 best embroidery machines: what to know before you buy
Long gone are the days when sewing work required hours of sitting with eyes glued. Modern embroidery machines are all about comfort, versatility, and technology.
The best embroidery machines provide you with hundreds of stitching patterns, more control, design presets, and a lot more. With so many features, you might find it hard to decide the right one for your design projects.
In this guide, you will go through our top picks for the best embroidery machines available to offer you convenience and productivity. You will get detailed insights on each sewing machine with features, pros and cons, and FAQs.
1. Brother SE600
REASONS TO BUY
- Detailed 3.2-inch color LCD touchscreen
- Efficient 4″x4″ embroidery field or hoop size
- Automatic needle threader
- 103 preset stitch patterns
- Six creative font styles
- Convenient USB port
REASONS TO AVOID
- Expensive machine
- Delivers limited usability
For personal use, the Brother SE600 is one of the most technologically-advanced sewing equipment. Its large, colorful touchscreen display gives you full control while working with embroidery patterns.
To add comfort, the SE600 includes a decent 4 x 4-inch field for stitching and sewing conveniently. That’s the same area where you will utilize many of its versatile features for embroidering to create custom patterns. To achieve customization, you can program it with your own designs via a USB input.
If you do not want to brainstorm yourself with custom designs, then you can select from its preset sewing patterns, in-built designs, and much more. All these features make the Brother SE600 one of the most approachable stitching machines today.
2. Singer 7258
REASONS TO BUY
- Fully-automated machine
- 25-year warranty
- High-end durability
- 100 inbuilt stitch patterns
- 76 embroidery designs
- Easy to use
- Cost-effective embroidery machine
- Impressive 7258 stitches per minute
REASONS TO AVOID
- Offers a short cord for foot pedal
- Flimsy needle threader
The Singer 7258 is an exceptional embroidery machine with reliable performance. In fact, this computerized stitching gadget has been built to last for years. With a multitude of designing features, you can expect it to give you incredible patterns without any issues.
Its LCD might be small, but it still provides you choice for a multitude of stitching patterns with an automated system. This capable embroidery machine is also great, with its super-stitching speed of 7258 stitches every minute, which is also its model number.
The small monochrome display gives you the versatility to program various stitching patterns without much effort. That’s why this product provides you complete.
3. Brother CS7000i
REASONS TO BUY
- 70 inbuilt stitches
- Offers custom layouts
- Conveniently-extended table
- Clear backlit LCD
- 25-year limited warranty
- Lifetime tech support
- Protective hard case
- Anti-jam drop-in bobbin
REASONS TO AVOID
- Occasional tensions in the stitches
The Brother CS7000i is a budgeted embroidery machine that is versatile, user-friendly, and secure for designing several popular sewing patterns. Just like its predecessor, the CS6000i, this newer version incorporates the same productivity with additional stitch designs.
Furthermore, it delivers an automatic yet straightforward interface through its monochrome backlit LCD, where you can select the various stitches, including heirloom, decorative, and quilting, utility, etc.
This computerized stitching machine also offers a full table for giving you more freedom while working. An automated needle threader with anti-jamming top bobbin makes it a decent choice for small business owners.
4. Singer 4423 Heavy Duty
REASONS TO BUY
- Sturdy built
- 23 inbuilt stitch impressions
- 1,100 stitches per minute stitching speed
- Includes diversified list of accessories
- Automatic needle threader
- 25-year limited warranty
REASONS TO AVOID
- Cheap plastic pressure foot
- Hard to carry around
You do not necessarily need an embroidery machine with a display to be the best. That’s what the Singer 4423 claims to be with its heavy-duty framework. This designing tool will give you flexible control over several decent stitching layouts.
It offers you decent stitching speed to accomplish a multitude of projects, such as crafts, quilts, home décor, fashions, etc. To make the setup easier for you, Singer added an automatic needle threader system so that you do not have to risk eye strain while threading.
Furthermore, its design features a dial that you can use for choosing various stitches to operate. The brand includes several accessories with this machine, like needles, bobbins, spool pin, quilting guide, lint brush, foot, etc.
5. Singer Quantum Stylist 9960
REASONS TO BUY
- Convenient Automatic threader
- Simple drop-in bobbin
- Highly-productive Elongated table
- 13 buttonhole styles
- 600 inbuilt stitch patterns
- Versatile Touchscreen LCD
- Top-notch and durable Metal frame
- 18 types of presser feet
REASONS TO AVOID
- Limited pressure feet efficiency
- Expensive
- Average stitching speed
The 9960 is perhaps one of Singer’s most impressive modern sewing models, as it gives you plenty of stitching patterns. It features an elongated and robust body to provide you with ample space for crafting your masterpiece. Adding the word Quantum to its name justifies its performance for contemporary needlework.
With 9960, you have a wide range of options for designing projects. Furthermore, you can count on its flexible touchscreen display to input your sewing requirements and let it give you the desired layouts.
The 9960 gives you the comfort of enjoying embroidery work without the need to be present at the work table pressing its foot, as it has an auto-pilot feature. On top of that, it includes an automated threader too.
What To Consider Before Buying An Embroidery Machine?
To find the best embroidery machine, you need to look for specific features in them. Here are a few:
Usability
If you are a beginner, and want to use a machine without much effort, then a computerized one would be suitable for you. Such devices are much easier to use than manual ones, as these have inbuilt designs to simplify your project (Source)
Throat Width
Throat width is the space between the machine’s body and the needle. Beginners might neglect this feature, but it is a crucial characteristic to make embroidery work easier.
Embroidery Field or Hoop Size
For small projects, a small hoop size would be sufficient, but if you have to deal with larger projects, then you need a larger embroidery field to complete your project conveniently.
Computerized Editing
High-end machines offer you the flexibility of editing your designs right on the unit without a hassle. It is possible because of the use of custom design software meant to provide you with complete control over your chosen designs.
If you want to create intricate designs that require detailed mapping before acquiring the actual product, then choose computerized embroidery machines for high-end results.
Here is a video on the use of digital editing in these smart machines.
Additional Features
Besides the usual machine work, you might want to have an appliance that gives you multipurpose features. For instance, you might be looking for a machine that not just offers you embroidery work, but also quilting or sewing. Do note that hybrid devices will be more expensive than standard ones.
Fonts and Stitch Designs
If you want to experiment with stitches and embroidery designs, then choose an appliance that gives you flexibility for your project. Several computerized models include a plethora of stitches, maps, and even font styles for you to combine and get intriguing results.
Automatic machines with LCD screens are provided with these inbuilt designs for you to use at will. Do consider this option if you want variety (Source).
Accessories
Finally, look for machines that have tools to give you more productivity in your work. For example, you might want to choose a unit with a quilting table or presser feet that gives you more flexibility. Choose embroidery tools that provide you with options to attach and use accessories on them.
What Is Difference Between A Computerized Embroidery Machine And A Mechanical Sewing Machine?
A mechanical machine is an enhanced version of a basic sewing model that gives you a little bit more flexibility at working with a few types of stitches and buttonhole styles. You operate it using the traditional knobs and threading features like the old ones.
On the other hand, computerized ones tend to offer you an advanced piece of equipment built with a variety of stitches and designs. In addition, these are fully-automatic, which means they will provide you with complete control over your work.
While mechanical machines are comfortable, simple to use, and more affordable, computerized ones are flexible, accurate, and incorporated with automated features. People who want to have a traditional approach go for mechanical ones (Source).
Whereas, people who want to experiment with their designs for personal or professional use stick with contemporary smart sewing appliances.
Do I Need A Computerized Sewing Machine?
Your need for a highly-advanced sewing machine depends on your project requirements. If your work involves basic sewing patterns, with occasional repairs, then a mechanical one can do the job favorably.
However, if you want a machine that gives you diversity and versatility, then feel free to buy a computerized sewing machine. Such tools provide stitch presets, full control, and automated modes for giving you high productivity while working on them (Source).
Furthermore, a smart embroidery machine will also have multiple modes, such as sewing, quilting, etc., to provide you the complete package in one tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I Create My Own Designs With An Embroidery Machine?
Yes, you can do that. Some smart machines available nowadays work just like 3D printers, where you feed it data, and it transforms your creativity into reality. Such machines have USB ports where you can plug in a custom design (which needs to be in a compatible format) to control it completely.
With the help of colored LCDs present on such devices, you can even have a look at the final product before executing the command on the sewing machine. That’s how impressive these machines have become in the present world.
Q. How Much Does An Embroidery Machine Cost?
Embroidery machines are available at a variety of prices based on the features and manufacturer brand. You can expect a decent automated embroidery sewing machine that may cost you around $80.
However, you do have some compact models available nowadays, that cost you as little as $30. These might be a bit flimsy and should be avoided if you do not have regular machine work to be done.
Furthermore, you also have machines that can take care of not just embroidery, but other work as well, like sewing, quilting, etc., which makes them quite versatile. Such machines can cost you at least $250. This price can go even above $350 as there are plenty of models available nowadays that include impressive features with computerized LCDs to offer complete customization.
Our Verdict
No doubt you have plenty of models to choose from, but our pick for the best embroidery machine has to be the Brother SE600. Its state-of-the-art features let you create unique designs, whether they involve sewing, stitching, quilting, and much more.
If this machine is out of your budget, then you might want to go for the Brother CS7000i, which is also a versatile option for high productivity at a lower budget. It might not have a colored screen like the SE600, but it gets the work done without any issues.