Top 6 Expert-Tested Embroidery Machines for 2023
Embroidery machines have changed a lot over the years. They now offer features that appeal to both beginners and experienced pros.
User-friendly interfaces and advanced design tools are common, and the market’s honestly packed with options. If you want to make your embroidery projects easier, there’s probably a machine out there that fits.
This article highlights some of the best embroidery machines available today. We’ve based these picks on hands-on testing and expert reviews.
Whether you’re after something affordable or a high-end model that does it all, you’ll find some useful info here.
Table of Contents
Top Embroidery Machines for Every Skill Level
Picking the right embroidery machine can really change how your projects turn out. Here are a few top picks that shine in different categories:
Brother SE2000: Best Overall
The Brother SE2000 works as both an embroidery and sewing machine. With its large 5″ x 7″ embroidery area, you can tackle a wide range of designs.
Uploading designs is simple—just go wireless or use a USB port. The touchscreen makes it easy to tweak your designs, and it comes loaded with accessories.
- Weight: 38 lbs (with all included accessories)
- Built-in designs: 193 designs and 13 fonts
- Custom designs: Yes, wirelessly or via USB port
- Machine type: Single needle
It struggles a bit with thick fabrics, but features like automatic thread cutting and speed controls make things smoother. Needle up/down is a nice touch too. For more details, check out the Good Housekeeping guide.
Brother SE600: Best Budget-Friendly Option
The Brother SE600 is a solid pick if you want something affordable and dependable. It costs under $600 and offers a 4″ x 4″ embroidery area—smaller, but it gets the job done for most projects.
The big color LCD screen helps you preview and edit designs. With a drop-in bobbin, bright workspace, and adjustable speeds, it’s very beginner-friendly.
- Weight: 15.6 lbs
- Built-in designs: 135 designs and 10 fonts
- Custom designs: Yes, via USB port
- Machine type: Single needle
It’s lightweight and easy to carry, so you can bring it to classes or group meetups. The controls are straightforward, and the price is right for folks just starting out.
Baby Lock Altair 2: Best for Advanced Users
If you’re serious about embroidery, the Baby Lock Altair 2 packs in advanced features. It has a huge 10.1-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth, so uploading custom designs is a breeze.
You get four hoops and a massive workspace that fits hoops up to 9.5″ x 14″.
- Weight: 47.6 lbs (with all included accessories)
- Built-in designs: 534 designs and 30 fonts
- Custom designs: Yes, wirelessly or via USB port
- Machine type: Single needle
It’s a great choice for advanced users who need a machine for complex projects. The touchscreen is intuitive, and the selection of built-in designs is impressive.
Janome MB-7: Best for Small Businesses
If you’re thinking about selling your embroidery designs, the Janome MB-7 is worth a look. This multi-needle machine can thread seven needles in advance, so you can work faster with multiple colors.
It handles designs up to 9.4″ x 7.9″ and lets you upload designs via USB.
- Weight: 50 lbs
- Built-in designs: 50 designs and 10 fonts
- Custom designs: Yes, via USB port
- Machine type: Multi needle (7 needles)
The independent bobbin winder lets you prep bobbins while the machine embroiders. The big LCD screen and bright LED lights make it easy to keep an eye on your work.
Bernette B79: Best for Large Projects
The Bernette B79 is a standout for big embroidery projects. It comes with a large work table and a 10″ x 6.3″ hoop, so you can handle oversized designs.
This machine cranks out up to 1,000 stitches per minute, which is pretty impressive.
- Weight: 47 lbs (with all included accessories)
- Built-in designs: 208 designs
- Custom designs: Yes, via USB port
- Machine type: Single needle
You can program features like tie-off and automatic thread cutting, which saves time. It does take a bit to learn everything, but that’s normal with advanced machines.
Brother PE535: Best for Beginners
Some embroidery machines are bulky, but the Brother PE535 keeps things light and still gives you a 4″ x 4″ embroidery field. It has an LCD screen for viewing your designs in color and a USB port for custom uploads.
- Weight: 15 lbs
- Built-in designs: 80 designs and 9 fonts
- Custom designs: Yes, via USB port
- Machine type: Single needle
Setup is simple, and it’s easy to use, which is great if you’re just starting out. It handled floral designs and text well in testing, so it’s reliable and user-friendly.
How to Choose the Right Embroidery Machine
When picking an embroidery machine, keep a few things in mind:
Features
Think about whether you want to upload your own designs, need different hoop sizes, or want automatic thread cutting. Check what accessories come with it, and see if the features match the price.
Ease of Use
Setting up a machine can be tricky at first. Look at how clear the manual is and how easy it is to change hoops, pick designs, thread the needle, and adjust tension or speed.
Performance
Try out several embroidery designs—florals, text, whatever you like—to see how well the machine handles them. Watch for any mistakes or issues with the stitching.
If your machine can sew as well, test out the sewing functions too.
Size
If you plan to bring your machine to classes or meetups, go for a smaller model. Bigger machines can weigh over 50 pounds, so keep that in mind.
Sewing Ability
Some embroidery machines double as sewing machines, but not all do. Most single-needle embroidery machines can sew as well.
Hoop Options
The hoop size limits how big your designs can be. Most machines offer hoops between 4 and 10 inches long.
Designs
Most embroidery machines come with a selection of built-in designs. But honestly, you aren’t stuck with just those.
Plenty of machines include a USB port, so you can upload your own custom designs. Some of the fancy ones, like the Baby Lock Altair 2, even let you upload designs wirelessly over Bluetooth—which is pretty cool, if you ask me.
If you want to dig deeper into top embroidery machines, check out the Good Housekeeping guide.