Embroidery machines with a large hoop
A large-hoop machine has an embroidery field of at least 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm), so it can stitch jacket backs, quilt blocks, large towels and bigger lettering in one hooping. Smaller machines can do some big designs by splitting them, but every extra hooping takes time and careful alignment.
How to choose
| Field of 6 × 10 in or more | We list machines whose stitch area is at least 160 × 260 mm (either way round). |
|---|---|
| Hoops in the box | Check which hoops are included: a large field is only useful with the large hoop. |
| Design splitting | For very large designs, software that splits designs across hoopings is still useful. |
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. 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.
3. 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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4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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)
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we write. Disclosure.
7. 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)
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we write. Disclosure.
8. 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.
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: largest field first. Nobody pays to be listed. See how we research.
Frequently asked questions
What is a large hoop on an embroidery machine?
Usually 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm) or bigger. Home machines go up to about 9.5 × 14 in (240 × 360 mm); some multi-needle machines are larger.
Can I put a bigger hoop on a 5 × 7 machine?
No. The embroidery arm limits the field. A bigger third-party hoop does not increase the area the machine can stitch.
Do I need a large hoop?
Only if you want designs bigger than 5 × 7 in without splitting them, such as jacket backs, large quilt blocks or big lettering.