Embroidery machines for a small business
For selling embroidered products, a multi-needle machine is usually worth it: it switches thread colours by itself, runs unattended, and takes cap frames and larger hoops. A single-needle home machine can work for a side hustle with small orders, but every colour change is manual.
How to choose
| Needles | Six to ten needles cover most logos without re-threading; more needles help when you run many colours. |
|---|---|
| Speed and unattended running | Production time is money. Multi-needle machines can keep stitching while you prepare the next item. |
| Field size and frames | Look at the largest field, the cap frame and tubular/sleeve frames for the products you plan to sell. |
| Dealer support | Multi-needle machines are often sold through dealers who offer training and service. Factor this into the price. |
Machines that fit this need
1. 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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2. Janome MB-4S
Multi-needle · 4 needles · 9.5 × 8 in (240 × 200 mm) field · .JEF, .JEF+, .DST
Janome's single-head, four-needle embroidery machine for home use. It stitches a 9.4 × 7.9 in (240 × 200 mm) field at up to 800 stitches per minute, reads JEF, JEF+ and DST, and takes Tajima-style hoops. A 5.7 in remote screen runs it.
Who it suits: Suits people who stitch several colors per design, or caps and shirts, and want fewer thread changes than a one-needle machine. Not for anyone who needs a field wider than 9.4 in (240 mm) or wants a machine that also sews.
About $4,999 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.
3. 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.
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we write. Disclosure.
4. Baby Lock Array
Multi-needle · 6 needles · 12 × 8 in (300 × 200 mm) field · .PES, .PHC, .PHX, .DST · Wi-Fi
Six-needle machine with a 7-7/8 × 11-3/4 in (200 × 300 mm) field, up to 1,000 stitches per minute, a crosshair positioning laser and a phone alert app. Four hoops come in the box. Baby Lock sells cap frames as options, and it does not sew.
Who it suits: A hobbyist stepping up to production, or a small shop that wants six colors loaded at once and a large field for hats, jackets and bags. Skip it if a single-needle machine covers your projects.
About $13,249–$14,574 new (checked October 2026)
Baby Lock machines are mainly sold through local dealers, which often include classes and service.
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we write. Disclosure.
5. Brother PR1055X Discontinued
Multi-needle · 10 needles · 14 × 8 in (360 × 200 mm) field · .PES, .PHC, .DST, .PEN · Wi-Fi
Discontinued 10-needle machine with an 8 × 14 in (360 × 200 mm) field, a 10.1 in color touch screen, wireless LAN and up to 1,000 stitches per minute. Cap frames are optional. Brother US marks it discontinued and now lists the PR1060W as its 10-needle model.
Who it suits: A shop or serious hobbyist who wants ten colors loaded at once and a long 8 × 14 in field for hats, jackets and borders. Check dealer stock and warranty terms first, because Brother US lists it as discontinued.
Discontinued: you will mostly find it used or refurbished.
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
Can I start an embroidery business with a single-needle machine?
Yes, for small orders and personalised items. The limits are speed and manual colour changes, so most people upgrade to a multi-needle machine once orders grow.
How many needles do I need?
Six needles handle most logos; ten or more reduce re-threading when you run many colours or several jobs in a day.
What does it cost to run an embroidery machine?
Besides the machine, budget for stabilizer, thread, needles, bobbins, maintenance and design or digitizing software. See our cost guide for typical ranges.