Embroidery machine buying guides
Choose by what you want to make. Each guide explains what matters, then lists the machines that meet clear criteria.
Most people should decide in this order: field size (what is the biggest design you will stitch?), sewing too or embroidery only, then budget. Hats and selling are special cases where a cap frame or multi-needle machine matters most.
- 39 machines
Embroidery machines for beginners
How to choose a first embroidery machine: hoop size, built-in designs, file formats, Wi-Fi and price range, with beginner-friendly models compared side by side.
- 21 machines
Embroidery machines for hats and caps
Which embroidery machines can stitch finished hats? Cap frames, multi-needle vs single-needle, design sizes for caps, and the machines that support them.
- 23 machines
Embroidery machines for a small business
Starting an embroidery business? Compare multi-needle and single-needle machines by needles, field size, cap frames and price, and what they cost to run.
- 3 machines
Cheap embroidery machines (around $500 or less)
Looking for an affordable embroidery machine? Compare the lowest-priced models from major brands by hoop size and features, and what you give up.
- 52 machines
Embroidery machines with a large hoop
Embroidery machines with a 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm) field or larger, compared by field, hoops, formats and price, for jacket backs, quilts and big designs.
- 43 machines
Sewing and embroidery combo machines
Compare sewing and embroidery combo machines by field size, sewing stitches, file formats and price, and see when an embroidery-only machine is better.
- 22 machines
Embroidery machines for home use
Home embroidery machines compared by field size, ease of use, Wi-Fi and price range, with what each size can make and which models still sell new.
- 40 machines
Embroidery machines for making patches
Which embroidery machines are good for making patches? Field sizes, how many patches fit per hooping, satin borders, and the machines that suit it.
- 40 machines
Embroidery machines for t-shirts and sweatshirts
Embroidery machines for shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies: field sizes for left-chest and full-front designs, flatbed vs free-arm, and the models that suit each.
- 39 machines
Embroidery machines for quilting
Embroidery machines for quilters: large fields for quilt blocks, edge-to-edge quilting in the hoop, combo machines that also piece, and the models that suit it.
- 33 machines
Embroidery machines for monograms and names
Embroidery machines for monograms, names and personalization: built-in fonts, lettering tools, field sizes and the models that make lettering easy.
- 18 machines
Multi-needle embroidery machines compared
Multi-needle embroidery machines compared by needles, field size, cap frames, speed and price range, with how they differ from single-needle home machines.
- 17 machines
Which Brother embroidery machine should you buy?
Brother embroidery machines compared by line: PE (embroidery only), SE (sews too), NQ/NS and Innov-is, and multi-needle PR, with field sizes and price ranges.
- 40 machines
Embroidery machines for towels
Embroidery machines for towels: the field sizes towel designs need, how to stop stitches sinking into the pile, and the machines that suit towel work.