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Best Embroidery Machines

Updated June 2022
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
SINGER Legacy SE300 Embroidery Machine
SINGER
Legacy SE300 Embroidery Machine
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Best Detail
Bottom Line

A high-speed machine that comes with great features, including snap-on hoops and automatic needle threading.

Pros

Work quickly with up to 700 embroidery stitches per minute. Plenty of built-in stitches and designs, plus USB stick design transfer.

Cons

Expensive, and some owners complain about machine quality and durability.

Best Bang for the Buck
Uten 2685A Sewing Machine
Uten
2685A Sewing Machine
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Easy to Use
Bottom Line

A sewing machine with clear controls for many functions.

Pros

Offers 200 stitches, 100 letters, and 8 types of automatic buttonholes. Features an LCD screen, buttons, and a key for stitch patterns. Compact size for portability. Threads needles automatically. Has twin needles and easy upper bobbin drop-in.

Cons

May be lacking some features that are offered by other products.

Heureux Sewing Machine
Heureux
Sewing Machine
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Feature-packed
Bottom Line

An easy-to-use machine with a wide variety of options.

Pros

Offers a clear key for stitch options on the machine. Has 200 built-in stitches and 8 automatic buttonhole styles. Comes with number and letter stitch options. Bobbin loads on top and twin needles can be adjusted. Threads needles automatically.

Cons

May jam occasionally.

Janome Memory Craft 9850 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
Janome
Memory Craft 9850 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

This quality machine is made to last and lends itself to both sewing and embroidery projects.

Pros

Has 200 built-in stitches, 6 1-step buttonholes, and 175 built-in embroidery designs. A favorite feature among buyers is the monogramming function. Touchscreen panel is considered user-friendly and easy to read. Users can store custom designs on a USB drive and create them on the machine.

Cons

Built-in designs are generic. Included hoops won't handle large projects.

Singer 4452 Heavy-Duty Sewing Machine
Singer
4452 Heavy-Duty Sewing Machine
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Best Performance
Bottom Line

A powerful and fast sewing machine with various stitch choices.

Pros

Offers 1,100 stitches per minute and 7 presser feet. Automatically threads needles and sews custom-sized holes for buttons. Drop feed can be adjusted for different tasks. Has a visible bobbin system with upper drop-in.

Cons

May not be as durable as some other options.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Buying guide for best embroidery machines

You can't fight it, technology is changing the world. At one time, embroidery was a craft that required considerable skill and patience. Now, with the right embroidery machine, even a novice can open up shop, bill himself as an expert, and effortlessly produce intricate works of art. But there are certain features you need to make that dream a reality.

You want an embroidery machine that not only comes equipped with a wide variety of stitches, fonts, and designs, but is expandable and programmable to be nearly limitless in its flexibility. An automatic threader, a large embroidery area, and a digital display are all desirable options. A multi-needle model is a hefty investment, but worth it if you stitch a lot of multi-colored designs.

If you're too excited to wait, consider purchasing one of the highly recommended models that we've listed. If you'd like some embroidery tips and a more in-depth explanation of the features you need most, continue reading.

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If you'd rather not use a computer too much, look for an embroidery machine that allows you to edit designs on its built-in screen.

What are embroidery machines and how do they work?

If you didn’t guess from the name, embroidery machines are machines that do embroidery. They look similar to regular sewing machines but are more high tech.

The machine's onboard computer contains a range of preprogrammed patterns and fonts (and most models allow you to add more via your computer, a USB stick or WiFi), which it embroiders into fabric automatically, with minimal user intervention.

All the user has to do is set up the fabric on the hoop, select a design, change the spool of thread as needed, then clip the threads, and remove the fabric from the hoop when the machine has done its work.

Types of embroidery machines

You can find two main types of embroidery machines on the market: single needle and multi-needle. Here we learn more about each.

Single needle embroidery machines

As the name suggests, single needle embroidery machines have just one needle on the head.

  • Pros: Tend to be fairly easy to use, readily available online and in sewing shops, much more affordable than multi-needle models.

  • Cons: Much slower to finish more complex designs with multiple colors, since you need to manually change the thread each time you move onto a different hue.

  • Price: Basic models can cost as little as $200 to $300, but you need to pay closer to $400 or $500 if you want to advance beyond an entry-level model — high-end machines can cost more than $1,000.

Multi-needle embroidery machines

Multi-needle embroidery machines have multiple needles (usually between four and eight) on the head.

  • Pros: Automatically changes colors, so no need to change threads manually. Tend to be faster and more precise than single needle models.

  • Cons: Fewer multi-needle models are available so there's less choice and they're harder to find.

  • Price: Between $2,500 and $10,000 — but bear in mind, these are professional-quality machines.

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Did you know?
A decent single needle embroidery machine will more than suffice for home use — it's mostly professionals who use multi-needle models.
STAFF
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Considerations for selecting an embroidery machine

Maximum embroidery area

The maximum embroidery area is the amount of space in which you can embroider a design. Basic embroidery machines tend to have smaller maximum embroidery areas than high-end models.

Check the specifications of the embroidery machine you're considering to find the maximum embroidery area and decide whether it's large enough to fit your needs.

Stitches per minute

The speed of an embroidery machine is measured in stitches per minute — the more stitches per minute a machine can do, the more quickly it will get through a design.

You can find embroidery machines that work at anywhere between 300 and 1,000 stitches per minute, with anything from 650 upwards considered high speed.

Throat width

The throat width is the term given to the amount of space between the body of the machine and the needle.

The bigger the throat width of an embroidery machine, the more likely it is to have a large maximum embroidery area, as there's more room to fit a larger hoop.

"Some embroidery machines allow you to combine more than one design on a screen, so the machine can stitch the whole thing in one pass, rather than forcing you to reset the machine and do the second part of the design separately."
STAFF
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Number of designs

All embroidery machines come with a number of built-in designs and fonts.

Basic models tend to have just a few fonts, and fewer than 50 pre-programmed designs, whereas high-end models can have 10 to 12 fonts and well over 100 built-in designs.

Of course, you always have the option of downloading designs online, or creating your own using special software, but some people find it easier to use the pre-programmed designs, and therefore like to have a larger number to select from.

Automatic threader

If you find threading needles a chore, look for an embroidery machine with an automatic threader, which threads your needle for you at the press of a lever.

While it's a time-saver for anyone, this is an especially useful feature for anyone with dexterity issues, or those with sight problems that make it more difficult to thread a needle.

Hoop sizes

A hoop is what holds your fabric taut so the embroidery turns out even. Hoops come in a range of different sizes, with some of the most common being 4” x 4”, 5” x 7”, 6” x 10”, and 8” x 12” — though not all embroidery machines have a large enough embroidery area to facilitate all these sizes. Some machines come with a range of different hoops, but sometimes you have to buy them separately.

Digital display

The digital display screen is where you scroll through, select, and (in some cases) edit your designs. The best embroidery machines have fairly large digital displays so you can see your designs in more detail and can edit them more easily.

"When embroidering towels, we recommend using an iron-on stabilizer on the reverse of the towel to help get a sharp design."
STAFF
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Tips

  • Some embroidery machines allow you to put a curve or arch in your fonts, which gives you more design freedom than simply having straight lettering.

  • If you're completely new to the world of embroidery machines, look for models that have an automated help feature, teaching you how to use them right there on the machine's screen.

  • Make sure you know how to hoop your fabric correctly. If it's loose or wrinkled in the hoop, the design won't turn out right.

  • Cut the thread between any jump stitches as you go along to avoid it getting tangled in the machine and causing problems.

  • If you buy stabilizer on the roll, be sure to flatten it out before use. Either press it between the pages of a heavy book for 24 hours, or use an iron if you need it more quickly.

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Check your embroidery machine to see if it requires any specific maintenance or care — for instance, some models need regular oiling.

FAQ

Q. Can I use my embroidery machine for regular sewing?

A. Some basic embroidery machines also double up as regular sewing machines. The trouble is, these machines tend to do both jobs worse than units designed to do one job or the other. What's more, most (though certainly not all) people interested in buying an embroidery machine already have a regular sewing machine, so they don't need the sewing function, anyway.

Q. Do I need a computer to use an embroidery machine?

A. While it's not essential you have a computer to use your embroidery machine, it will certainly give you more design options. Embroidery machines come with a set number of preprogrammed fonts and patterns, but you can find thousands more to download online, plus you can design your own, if you have the right software. So, if you don't use a computer, your choices will be much more limited.

Q. Do I need any special skills to use an embroidery machine?

A. You don't need any special skills to use an embroidery machine, as it does all the work for you. That said, you'll find it easier getting started if you already know how to use a sewing machine, as you'll know how to thread needles on a machine, change the spools of thread, and so on.