Side-by-side comparison · Specs checked October 2026

Brother PE535 vs Brother PE180D

The PE180D has the bigger embroidery field: 4.3 × 4.3 in against 4 × 4 in.

Which should you buy?

Choose the PE535 if you do a lot of lettering (9 built-in fonts vs 3).

Choose the PE180D if you want the bigger embroidery field (4.3 × 4.3 in vs 4 × 4 in).

PE535 vs PE180D: specs side by side

SpecBrother PE535Brother PE180D
TypeEmbroidery onlyEmbroidery only
Embroidery field4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)4.3 × 4.3 in (110 × 110 mm)
Hoops included4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)4.3 × 4.3 in (110 × 110 mm)
File formats.PES, .PHC, .DST.CARD
Design transferUSB stickMemory card
Built-in designs80—
Lettering fonts93
Sewing stitchesDoes not sewDoes not sew
Cap frameNoNo
Screentouchtouch
Released2017—
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Typical price——

Bold marks the higher number where more is better. Prices are typical new ranges, not live prices.

Embroidery field: PE535 vs PE180D

PE180DPE535
PE535: 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm). PE180D: 4.3 × 4.3 in (110 × 110 mm). Drawn to scale.

The field is the biggest design each machine can stitch in one hooping. Bigger designs have to be split into parts. Check a design size.

PE535

A fit for someone who only embroiders small items such as names, pockets and monograms. Skip it if you want designs bigger than 4 × 4 in, wireless transfer, or a machine Brother still sells new.

Discontinued: you will mostly find it used or refurbished.

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PE180D

A fit for someone who finds a used unit, or already owns Brother cards, and wants simple small embroidery such as names, pockets and cuffs. Skip it if you want to load your own designs from a computer or stitch anything bigger than about 4.3 × 4.3 in.

Discontinued: you will mostly find it used or refurbished.

We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we write. Disclosure.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Brother PE535 and the PE180D?

The PE180D has the bigger embroidery field: 4.3 × 4.3 in against 4 × 4 in.

Is the PE180D better than the PE535?

It depends on what you need. Pick the PE180D if you want the bigger embroidery field (4.3 × 4.3 in vs 4 × 4 in); pick the PE535 if you do a lot of lettering (9 built-in fonts vs 3).

Do the PE535 and PE180D have the same hoop size?

No. The PE535 stitches up to 4 × 4 in and the PE180D up to 4.3 × 4.3 in in one hooping.

Can the PE535 and PE180D use the same design files?

Not directly. Convert designs to the format each machine reads with embroidery software.

More comparisons

Full specs and sources: Brother PE535 · Brother PE180D. We are not affiliated with any maker.