Embroidery Machine Guide

Bernina · Embroidery only · Specs checked October 2026

Bernina B 700 E: hoop size, file formats and specs

Also written: B700E, 700 E, 700E, Bernina 700E, Bernina 700 E, Bernina 700 Embroidery, BERNINA B 700

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.

The Bernina B 700 E is a embroidery-only machine with a 15.7 × 8.3 in (400 × 210 mm) embroidery field. It reads .EXP, .DST, .PES, .PEC, .JEF, .PCS, .SEW, .XXX files and gets designs by USB stick or USB cable to a computer, and has 320 built-in designs and 18 lettering fonts.

B 700 E hoop size and embroidery area

The B 700 E can stitch a design up to 15.7 × 8.3 in (400 × 210 mm) in one hooping, which is the 8 × 14 in size. That is the field limit: a larger hoop from another maker will not let it stitch a bigger area.

B 700 E field8 × 126 × 105 × 74 × 4
The B 700 E field (filled) next to standard hoop sizes, drawn to scale.

In the box: Large oval hoop (about 10 × 5.7 in) (10 × 5.7 in (255 × 145 mm)), Medium oval hoop (about 5.1 × 3.9 in) (5 × 4 in (130 × 100 mm)), Small oval hoop (about 2.8 × 2 in) (2.8 × 2 in (72 × 50 mm)).

Optional from Bernina: Midi hoop (10.4 × 6.5 in (265 × 165 mm)), Mega hoop (15.7 × 5.9 in (400 × 150 mm)), Maxi hoop (15.7 × 8.3 in (400 × 210 mm)).

Fits in one hooping at typical size: left chest, full front, pocket, sleeve, beanie, towel, baby onesie, baby bib, tote bag, pillow cover, quilt block, patch.

Check if your design fits the B 700 E

What file format does the B 700 E use?

The B 700 E reads .EXP, .DST, .PES, .PEC, .JEF, .PCS, .SEW and .XXX files. You load designs by USB stick or USB cable to a computer. Designs in other formats (for example .VP3) need converting first with embroidery software.

Where to buy the Bernina B 700 E

About $2,999 new (checked October 2026)

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Bernina B 700 E specs

TypeEmbroidery only
Embroidery field15.7 × 8.3 in (400 × 210 mm)
Hoops includedLarge oval hoop (about 10 × 5.7 in) (10 × 5.7 in (255 × 145 mm)); Medium oval hoop (about 5.1 × 3.9 in) (5 × 4 in (130 × 100 mm)); Small oval hoop (about 2.8 × 2 in) (2.8 × 2 in (72 × 50 mm))
Optional hoopsMidi hoop (10.4 × 6.5 in (265 × 165 mm)); Mega hoop (15.7 × 5.9 in (400 × 150 mm)); Maxi hoop (15.7 × 8.3 in (400 × 210 mm))
Cap frameNo
File formats it reads.EXP, .DST, .PES, .PEC, .JEF, .PCS, .SEW, .XXX
Design transferUSB stick or USB cable to a computer
Built-in designs320
Lettering fonts18
Screen7 in, colour, touch screen
Max embroidery speed1000 stitches per minute
Weight30.9 lb (14 kg)
Released2016
StatusSold new
Typical priceAbout $2,999 new (checked October 2026)
Skill levelIntermediate

Who the B 700 E is for

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.

Strengths

  • A 15.7 × 8.3 in (400 × 210 mm) embroidery field with the optional Maxi hoop, over three times the area of a 5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm) field
  • Three oval hoops come in the box: large 255 × 145 mm, medium 130 × 100 mm and small 72 × 50 mm
  • Embroiders at up to 1,000 stitches per minute, with a front-loading Jumbo bobbin that holds 70% more thread than a standard bobbin
  • 7 in color touchscreen, 320 built-in designs, 18 embroidery alphabets and a 10 in (254 mm) space to the right of the needle
  • Pinpoint Placement lines up a design from two points on the screen, and the machine recognizes the attached hoop by itself

Limits

  • The 400 × 210 mm field needs the optional Maxi hoop; the biggest hoop in the box is 255 × 145 mm (about 10 × 5.7 in)
  • Embroidery only: it has no sewing stitches, so you still need a separate sewing machine
  • Single needle, so you change the thread by hand for each color
  • No Wi-Fi and no cap frame are listed; designs come in by USB stick or a USB cable to a PC

Good to know: Bernina's own website blocked fetching, so these specs come from Bernina's 2016 US brochure and instruction manual for the BERNINA 700 (hosted on a US dealer's server) and from dealer spec pages that copy Bernina's US listing. Those documents are dated 2016 and call the machine the B 700; US dealers now sell it as the B 700 E (or 700E). The 400 × 210 mm figure is Bernina's stated maximum embroidery field and it is reached with the optional Maxi hoop. Bernina also lists Mega hoop (400 × 150 mm) and Jumbo hoop functions for it; on this machine the Jumbo hoop is limited to the same 400 × 210 mm field. The Midi hoop is listed by a dealer as compatible, and its 265 × 165 mm size comes from that dealer's hoop listing. The large oval is shown by Bernina as 145 × 255 mm, which is 255 mm wide; the other two ovals are listed in the same wide-first way in the brochure. File formats: Bernina's brochure names .exp as the machine's format and its manual advises converting other files with the free ArtLink software, while US dealer tables copying Bernina's page list eight formats (.exp, .dst, .pes, .pec, .jef, .pcs, .sew and .xxx), which are used here. One dealer page lists the model under sewing machines, but Bernina's manual covers embroidery only. One dealer shows a current new price; another gives no price and sells in store.

How the B 700 E compares

Listed in our buying guides

Frequently asked questions

What is the embroidery size of the Bernina B 700 E?

The maximum embroidery field is 15.7 × 8.3 in (400 × 210 mm), reached with the optional Maxi hoop. The largest hoop in the box is the large oval at about 10 × 5.7 in (255 × 145 mm).

Which hoops come with the Bernina B 700 E?

Three oval hoops: large (255 × 145 mm), medium (130 × 100 mm) and small (72 × 50 mm). The Maxi (400 × 210 mm) and Mega (400 × 150 mm) hoops are optional, and dealers list the Midi hoop (265 × 165 mm) as compatible.

What embroidery file formats does the Bernina B 700 E read?

US dealer spec tables list .exp, .dst, .pes, .pec, .jef, .pcs, .sew and .xxx. Bernina's brochure names .exp as its format, and its manual suggests the free ArtLink software to prepare other files. Load designs from a USB stick or send them over a USB cable.

Can the Bernina B 700 E sew?

No. It is an embroidery-only machine with an embroidery module, and Bernina's manual covers embroidery only. You need a separate sewing machine for garments and quilt piecing.

Can the Bernina B 700 E embroider hats?

Bernina lists no cap frame for the B 700 E, so it is not set up for finished caps. Its hoops are made for flat fabric, and its free arm lets you embroider tubular items such as sleeves and pant legs.

Sources

Specs come from Bernina's own pages and manuals, checked October 2026. Prices are typical ranges, not live prices. We are not affiliated with Bernina. See how we research.