Embroidery machines for home use
For home use, a single-needle machine from a major brand is the practical choice: it fits on a table, plugs into a normal outlet and is simple to learn. Pick the field size by the biggest design you plan to make: 4 × 4 in for names and patches, 5 × 7 in for most shirts and towels, 6 × 10 in or more for jacket backs and quilts.
How to choose
| Field size | The single biggest choice. Most home users are happiest with 5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm). |
|---|---|
| Space and weight | Embroidery-only and combo machines fit on a sewing table; multi-needle machines need a sturdy stand and more room. |
| Ease of use | Touch screen, automatic threader and on-screen editing save time and frustration. |
| Support | Popular brands have the most tutorials, designs in the right format and repair options. |
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. Janome Memory Craft 550E
Embroidery only · 14 × 8 in (360 × 200 mm) field · .JEF, .JEF+, .JPX
Janome's largest stand-alone embroidery machine: a 7.9 × 14.2 in (200 × 360 mm) field, four hoops and an extra-wide table in the box. It stitches up to 860 stitches per minute and reads JEF files. One needle, no sewing, USB transfer only.
Who it suits: Good for stitching jacket backs, quilt blocks and long border designs in a single hooping, if you already own a separate sewing machine. Not for anyone who wants one machine that also sews, or who wants Wi-Fi design transfer.
About $2,899–$3,499 new (checked October 2026)
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8. Janome Memory Craft 500E
Embroidery only · 11 × 8 in (280 × 200 mm) field · .JEF
A single-needle, embroidery-only Janome with a 7.9 × 11 in (200 × 280 mm) field and four hoops. It has 160 built-in designs, 6 fonts, a color touchscreen and a top speed of 860 stitches per minute. It reads JEF files by USB and does not sew.
Who it suits: Suits people who want a roomy field for jackets, towels and large monograms and who already have a sewing machine. Not for anyone who needs a hoop longer than 11 in (280 mm), or a machine that also sews.
About $2,099–$2,399 new (checked October 2026)
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9. Janome Memory Craft 400E
Embroidery only · 8 × 8 in (200 × 200 mm) field · .JEF
Janome's entry-level embroidery-only machine: a 7.9 × 7.9 in (200 × 200 mm) field with one SQ20b hoop and an extra-wide table. It has 160 designs, 6 fonts, a color touchscreen and a top speed of 860 stitches per minute. JEF files by USB only.
Who it suits: Fits someone who wants a Janome embroidery machine with a medium square field for home décor, garments and monograms. Not for anyone who needs a field longer than 7.9 in (200 mm), or a machine that also sews.
About $1,399–$1,699 new (checked October 2026)
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10. bernette b79
Sewing and embroidery · 10 × 6 in (260 × 160 mm) field · .EXP, .PES, .DST, .PEC, .JEF, .VP3, .VIP, .HUS, .ZHS
bernette's sewing and embroidery combo with a large 10.2 × 6.3 in (260 × 160 mm) embroidery field, 208 built-in designs, 500 sewing stitches and a 5-inch touchscreen. Designs load by USB only: no Wi-Fi is listed, and it has no cap frame.
Who it suits: Sewists who want one machine for garment sewing, quilting and embroidery up to about 10 × 6 in without moving to a multi-needle machine. Skip it if you want Wi-Fi transfer, finished hats or fast production, since it has one needle.
About $2,299–$2,999 new (checked October 2026)
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11. 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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12. bernette b70 DECO
Embroidery only · 10 × 6 in (260 × 160 mm) field · .VP3, .VIP, .PEC, .HUS, .DST, .EXP, .JEF, .PES
bernette's embroidery-only machine with a large 10.2 × 6.3 in (260 × 160 mm) field, 208 built-in designs, 7 alphabets and a 5-inch touchscreen. Designs load by USB only, and it has no Wi-Fi, no sewing stitches and no cap frame.
Who it suits: A fit for someone who already sews on another machine and wants a dedicated embroidery machine with a roomy 10 × 6 in field and an on-screen editor. Skip it if you want one machine that also sews (look at the b79), need Wi-Fi, or want to embroider finished hats.
About $1,699 new (checked October 2026)
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13. Baby Lock Flare
Embroidery only · 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm) field · .PES, .PHC, .DST · Wi-Fi
Embroidery-only, single-needle machine with a 6-1/4 × 10-1/4 in (160 × 260 mm) field, 293 built-in designs, Wi-Fi for Design Database Transfer and a color touch screen. It does not sew and has no cap frame. Top speed is 850 stitches per minute.
Who it suits: A home embroiderer who wants a field larger than 5 × 7 in and wireless design transfer at a single-needle price. Skip it if you need hats, a machine that also sews, or automatic color changes.
About $2,299–$2,529 new (checked October 2026)
Baby Lock machines are mainly sold through local dealers, which often include classes and service.
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14. Elna Air Artist
Embroidery only · 4 × 4 in (102 × 102 mm) field · .JEF · Wi-Fi
Elna's small, app-run, embroidery-only machine. It has a 4 × 4 in (102 × 102 mm) field, plus 260 designs and 12 fonts in the free dot Customizer app, sent over wireless. It has no screen, USB port or larger hoop, so you need a phone or tablet and cannot stitch bigger designs.
Who it suits: A fit for beginners who want to stitch small designs such as names, patches and pocket logos, and who are happy to run everything from a phone or tablet. Skip it if you want a screen or USB port on the machine, designs bigger than 4 × 4 in, hats, or volume work: Elna's manual says it is for household use only.
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15. Bernina B 700 E
Embroidery only · 15.7 × 8.3 in (400 × 210 mm) field · .EXP, .DST, .PES, .PEC, .JEF, .PCS, .SEW, .XXX
Bernina's embroidery-only machine from the 7 Series. It stitches up to 15.7 × 8.3 in (400 × 210 mm) with the optional Maxi hoop, holds 320 built-in designs and runs up to 1,000 stitches per minute. It does not sew, and the largest hoops are extras.
Who it suits: A fit for serious home embroiderers and quilters who want large designs, such as jacket backs and borders, in one hooping and who already own a sewing machine. Skip it if you want one machine that also sews, finished hats, or high-volume work.
About $2,999 new (checked October 2026)
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16. Poolin EOC06
Embroidery only · 8 × 11 in (200 × 280 mm) field · .DST, .DSB
Embroidery-only machine from Poolin with a 7.9 × 11 in (200 × 280 mm) field, 156 built-in designs and a top speed of 860 stitches per minute. It loads DST and DSB files by USB. The field is large for a home machine, but there is no cap frame and no sewing.
Who it suits: A home or small-business embroiderer who wants a large 7.9 × 11 in field on a single machine. Skip it if you need finished hats, a machine that also sews, or PES files without converting them first.
About $1,059–$1,299 new (checked October 2026)
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17. Bernina B 880 PLUS
Sewing and embroidery · 15.7 × 10 in (400 × 260 mm) field · .EXP, .DST, .PES, .PEC, .JEF, .SEW, .PCS, .XXX
Bernina's top-tier sewing, quilting and embroidery machine. It has a 15.7 × 10.2 in (400 × 260 mm) embroidery field, 462 built-in designs, a 7 in touchscreen and up to 1,000 stitches per minute. The large hoops are extras, and it is single-needle.
Who it suits: Experienced sewists and quilters who want one premium machine that sews, quilts and embroiders large designs. Skip it if you only want small monograms on a budget, or if you plan to embroider in volume, where a multi-needle machine suits better.
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18. Singer SE9180
Sewing and embroidery · 6.7 × 4 in (170 × 100 mm) field · .VP3
Singer's current US sewing-and-embroidery machine: 250 sewing stitches, 150 embroidery designs, 10 fonts and a 7 in color touchscreen. The included hoop covers 6.7 × 3.9 in (170 × 100 mm). It reads VP3 files by USB. The field is small.
Who it suits: Suits a sewer who wants one affordable machine for everyday sewing plus small to medium embroidery such as monograms and patches. Not for anyone who needs a large hoop, hats, or files in PES or DST without converting.
About $800–$1,100 new (checked October 2026)
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best size embroidery machine for home use?
A 5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm) field covers most home projects: shirts, tote bags, towels and baby items. Choose 4 × 4 in only for names and small patches, and 6 × 10 in or larger for jacket backs and quilts.
Can I use a home embroidery machine to sell items?
Yes, for small batches. The limit is speed: single-needle machines need a manual thread change for every colour, so larger orders are faster on a multi-needle machine.
Do home embroidery machines need a computer?
No. Built-in designs and fonts work on the machine, and you can load ready-made designs from a USB stick. Some models also take designs over Wi-Fi from a phone app.