Which Brother embroidery machine should you buy?
Start with the line: Brother PE machines only embroider, SE machines sew and embroider, NQ/NS and Innov-is models add larger fields and more features, and PR machines are multi-needle for business. Within a line, pick the field size you need (4 × 4, 5 × 7 or 6 × 10 in and up) and whether you want Wi-Fi.
How to choose
| Line | PE = embroidery only, SE = sewing and embroidery, NQ/NS/Innov-is = bigger fields and features, PR = multi-needle. |
|---|---|
| Field size | 4 × 4 in (PE535/PE545, SE600/SE700 family), 5 × 7 in (PE800/PE900, SE1900/SE2000), 6 × 10 in and larger (NQ, Innov-is, Stellaire). |
| Wi-Fi and app | Newer models connect to Brother's Artspira app; older ones use USB only. |
Machines that fit this need
1. Brother SE700
Sewing and embroidery · 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm) field · .PES, .PHC, .DST, .PEN · Wi-Fi
Brother's current entry-level sewing and embroidery combo. It has a 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm) embroidery field, 135 built-in designs, 103 sewing stitches, Wi-Fi and USB. The small field is the main limit: designs bigger than 4 × 4 in will not fit.
Who it suits: A good fit for beginners who want one machine for everyday sewing and small embroidery such as names, patches and pocket designs. Skip it if you want designs bigger than 4 × 4 in or plan to embroider in volume.
About $550–$600 new (checked October 2026)
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2. Brother SE2000
Sewing and embroidery · 5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm) field · .PES, .PHC, .DST, .PEN · Wi-Fi
Brother's current 5 × 7 in sewing and embroidery combo. It has a 5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm) field, 650 stitches per minute, 193 built-in designs, 241 sewing stitches and Wi-Fi. Only the 5 × 7 in hoop is in the box.
Who it suits: A good fit for someone who has outgrown a 4 × 4 in machine and wants one machine for sewing and larger single-hoop designs such as bigger logos and lettering. Skip it if you need to embroider hats or run production.
About $1,500–$1,600 new (checked October 2026)
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3. Brother PE900
Embroidery only · 5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm) field · .PES, .PHC, .DST, .PEN · Wi-Fi
Embroidery-only machine with a 5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm) field, 193 built-in designs, wireless transfer and the Artspira app. It stitches up to 650 stitches per minute. One needle, a 5 × 7 in hoop in the box, and no official hat frame.
Who it suits: A home embroiderer who wants a 5 × 7 in field and wireless design transfer from a PC or mobile device. Skip it if you need hats, volume production for sale, or a machine that also sews.
About $1,100–$1,180 new (checked October 2026)
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4. Brother PE545
Embroidery only · 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm) field · .PES, .PHC, .DST, .PEN · Wi-Fi
Embroidery-only machine with a 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm) field, 135 built-in designs, a 3.7 in color touch screen, wireless transfer and the Artspira app. Top speed is 400 stitches per minute. Designs bigger than 4 × 4 in will not fit.
Who it suits: A beginner who wants small designs such as monograms, patches and kids' clothes, with wireless transfer. Skip it if you want hats, designs bigger than 4 × 4 in, or sewing features.
About $480–$500 new (checked October 2026)
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5. Brother SE725
Sewing and embroidery · 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm) field · .PES, .PHC, .DST, .PEN · Wi-Fi
The Walmart-exclusive version of the Brother SE700. It has the same 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm) embroidery field, 135 built-in designs, 103 sewing stitches and Wi-Fi, plus an offer of 50 free designs through Artspira. Designs bigger than 4 × 4 in will not fit.
Who it suits: A good fit for beginners who want sewing and small embroidery in one machine and like the free-design offer. Skip it if you need designs bigger than 4 × 4 in.
About $497–$550 new (checked October 2026)
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6. Brother NQ1700E
Embroidery only · 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm) field · .PES, .PHC, .PEN, .DST · Wi-Fi
An embroidery-only machine with a 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm) field, 258 built-in designs, 13 fonts and a 4.85 in color touchscreen. It takes designs by USB or wifi and reads PES, PHC, PEN and DST. It does not sew and has no official cap frame.
Who it suits: A fit for people who want a larger field than 5 × 7 in for bigger designs and combined layouts without moving to a multi-needle machine. Skip it if you also want to sew on the same machine or want to embroider caps.
About $2,399–$2,400 new (checked October 2026)
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7. Brother PRS100
Embroidery only · 8 × 8 in (200 × 200 mm) field · .PES, .PHC, .DST, .PEN
Single-needle, embroidery-only machine with an 8 × 8 in (200 × 200 mm) field, a free arm and an optional Brother cap frame for hats. It stitches up to 1,000 stitches per minute. You change colors by hand, and the cap frame is sold separately.
Who it suits: A home embroiderer or small seller who wants an 8 × 8 in field and a free arm for hats, sleeves and bags without paying for a multi-needle machine. Skip it if you need wireless transfer, automatic color changes, or hats straight out of the box.
About $3,999–$4,499 new (checked October 2026)
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8. Brother VM5200
Sewing and embroidery · 8 × 12 in (200 × 300 mm) field · .PES, .PHC, .DST
Brother's Essence Innov-is sewing, embroidery and quilting combo. It has an 8 × 12 in (200 × 300 mm) embroidery field, 318 built-in designs, 17 embroidery fonts and 715 sewing stitches. There is no Wi-Fi: designs load by USB only, and no cap frame.
Who it suits: A fit for sewists and quilters who want one machine for everyday sewing plus large embroidery such as jacket backs, quilt blocks and big appliqué, and who are fine moving designs by USB. Skip it if you want Wi-Fi or an app, need to embroider finished hats, or plan to run orders in volume.
About $5,499–$5,500 new (checked October 2026)
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9. Brother Stellaire XE1
Embroidery only · 9.5 × 14 in (240 × 360 mm) field · .PES, .PHC, .PHX, .DST, .PEN · Wi-Fi
Brother's first-generation Stellaire embroidery-only machine (2019). It has a 9.5 × 14 in (240 × 360 mm) field, 727 built-in designs, a 10.1 in touchscreen, up to 1,050 stitches per minute and wifi. It does not sew, and Brother lists no cap frame.
Who it suits: A fit for serious hobbyists and home businesses that want a very large single-needle field and wifi. Skip it if you want one machine that also sews (Brother's XJ1 adds sewing) or need a multi-needle machine for production.
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10. Brother NQ3700D
Sewing and embroidery · 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm) field · .PES, .PHC, .PEN, .DST · Wi-Fi
A sewing and embroidery combo with a 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm) embroidery field, 313 built-in designs (55 Disney/Pixar), 291 sewing stitches and Wi-Fi. It is single-needle, has no official cap frame, and reads PES, PHC, PEN and DST files.
Who it suits: A fit for sewists who want one machine for everyday sewing and quilting plus bigger embroidery than the usual 5 × 7 in field, such as large designs and combined layouts. Skip it if you only want to embroider (the NQ1700E has the same field without sewing), want to embroider finished caps, or plan to embroider in volume.
About $3,999–$4,999 new (checked October 2026)
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11. Brother Luminaire XP3
Sewing and embroidery · 10.7 × 16.1 in (272 × 408 mm) field · .PES, .PHC, .PHX, .DST, .PEN · Wi-Fi
A high-end Brother sewing, embroidery and quilting combo. It has a 10 5/8 × 16 in (272 × 408 mm) embroidery field, four hoops in the box, 1,554 built-in designs, 869 stitches, a stitch-preview projector and Wi-Fi. The price is the main limit.
Who it suits: A fit for serious hobbyists, quilters and home businesses that want very large embroidery and full sewing on one machine. Skip it if you only stitch small designs, want a low price, or need a multi-needle machine for volume.
About $20,999 new (checked October 2026)
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12. Brother Stellaire XE2
Embroidery only · 9.5 × 14 in (240 × 360 mm) field · .PES, .PHC, .PHX, .DST, .PEN · Wi-Fi
Brother's current embroidery-only Stellaire2 model: 9.5 × 14 in (240 × 360 mm) field, 889 built-in designs (101 Disney/Pixar), 26 fonts, a 10.1 in touchscreen and up to 1,050 stitches per minute. Reads PES, PHC, PHX, DST and PEN, with wifi. It does not sew.
Who it suits: A fit for serious hobbyists and home businesses that want a very large single-needle field and wifi. Skip it if you want to sew on the same machine (Brother's XJ2 does both) or need a multi-needle machine for production.
About $8,449–$8,500 new (checked October 2026)
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13. Brother PR680W
Multi-needle · 6 needles · 12 × 8 in (300 × 200 mm) field · .PES, .PHC, .DST, .PEN · Wi-Fi
Six-needle machine with an 8 × 12 in (300 × 200 mm) field, a 10.1 in color touch screen, wireless LAN and up to 1,000 stitches per minute. Four hoops come in the box. Cap frames are optional extras, and the price is several times that of a single-needle home machine.
Who it suits: A hobbyist moving up to production, or a small shop that wants six colors loaded at once and a large 8 × 12 in field for hats, jackets and bags. Skip it if a single-needle machine covers your projects.
About $12,999–$13,629 new (checked October 2026)
Multi-needle machines are often sold through dealers who include setup and training; compare dealer packages too.
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14. Brother PR1060W
Multi-needle · 10 needles · 14 × 8 in (360 × 200 mm) field · .PES, .PHC, .PHX, .DST · Wi-Fi
Ten-needle machine with an 8 × 14 in (360 × 200 mm) field, a 10.1 in color touch screen, a built-in camera view, wireless LAN and up to 1,000 stitches per minute. Four hoops come in the box; cap frames are extra. It costs about double Brother's six-needle PR680W and weighs about 92 lb.
Who it suits: A small shop or serious hobbyist ready for production who wants ten colors loaded at once and a long 8 × 14 in field for jacket backs, home decor and hats. Skip it if a single-needle machine covers your projects, or if you lack the space and budget for a 92 lb machine.
About $24,200–$25,700 new (checked October 2026)
Multi-needle machines are often sold through dealers who include setup and training; compare dealer packages too.
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we write. Disclosure.
Order: machines still sold new first, then by how many people search for them. Nobody pays to be listed. See how we research.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Brother PE and SE machines?
PE machines are embroidery-only. SE machines are sewing and embroidery combos: the same embroidery field as the matching PE model, plus a full sewing machine.
Which Brother embroidery machine is best for beginners?
Most beginners start with a 4 × 4 in SE or PE model, or a 5 × 7 in PE900 or SE2000 if the budget allows the bigger field.
Do all Brother embroidery machines use the same files?
Yes, they all read Brother's .PES format, and most also read .DST. Check each machine page for the full list.