Embroidery Machine Guide

Brother · Embroidery only · Specs checked October 2026

Brother NQ1600E: hoop size, file formats and specs

Also written: NQ-1600E, NQ 1600E, NQ1600, Innov-is NQ1600E, Innov-ís NQ1600E, Innovis NQ1600E

Brother's discontinued embroidery-only machine with a 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm) field, speeds up to 850 stitches per minute and a 4.85 in color touchscreen. It reads PES, PHC and DST from a USB flash drive. It has no Wi-Fi, no sewing and no cap frame.

The Brother NQ1600E is a discontinued embroidery-only machine with a 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm) embroidery field. It reads .PES, .PHC, .DST files and gets designs by USB stick, and has 198 built-in designs and 11 lettering fonts.

Newer model: The NQ1600E has been replaced by the Brother NQ1700E. See what changed

NQ1600E hoop size and embroidery area

The NQ1600E can stitch a design up to 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm) in one hooping, which is the 6 × 10 in size. That is the field limit: a larger hoop from another maker will not let it stitch a bigger area.

8 × 12NQ1600E field5 × 74 × 4
The NQ1600E field (filled) next to standard hoop sizes, drawn to scale.

In the box: 6" × 10" hoop (extra large) (6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm)).

Optional from Brother: 5" × 7" hoop (large) (5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm)), 4" × 4" hoop (medium) (4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)), 6" × 6" square frame (5.9 × 5.9 in (150 × 150 mm)), Border frame (about 4" × 7") (4 × 7 in (100 × 180 mm)), Small frame (about 1" × 2.5") (2.4 × 0.8 in (60 × 20 mm)).

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

Check if your design fits the NQ1600E

What file format does the NQ1600E use?

The NQ1600E reads .PES, .PHC and .DST files. You load designs by USB stick. Designs in other formats (for example .JEF or .EXP) need converting first with embroidery software.

Where to buy the Brother NQ1600E

Discontinued: you will mostly find it used or refurbished. See its successor below.

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Brother NQ1600E specs

TypeEmbroidery only
Embroidery field6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm)
Hoops included6" × 10" hoop (extra large) (6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm))
Optional hoops5" × 7" hoop (large) (5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm)); 4" × 4" hoop (medium) (4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)); 6" × 6" square frame (5.9 × 5.9 in (150 × 150 mm)); Border frame (about 4" × 7") (4 × 7 in (100 × 180 mm)); Small frame (about 1" × 2.5") (2.4 × 0.8 in (60 × 20 mm))
Cap frameNo
File formats it reads.PES, .PHC, .DST
Design transferUSB stick
Built-in designs198
Lettering fonts11
Screen4.85 in, colour, touch screen
Max embroidery speed850 stitches per minute
Weight27.1 lb (12.3 kg)
Released2017
StatusDiscontinued
Skill levelIntermediate

Who the NQ1600E is for

A fit for people who want a large 6 × 10 in field in a single-needle home machine and are fine loading designs by USB. Skip it if you want Wi-Fi, a machine that also sews, finished caps, or a model Brother still sells new.

Strengths

  • 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm) embroidery field, with the matching extra-large hoop listed as included in Brother's quick guide
  • Embroiders at 70 to 850 stitches per minute, and the top speed can be turned down for thin or heavy fabric
  • 4.85 in color touchscreen (4.2 × 2.4 in) with on-screen editing and a realistic preview
  • Reads .pes, .phc and .dst files from a USB flash drive
  • Automatic thread tension and automatic thread cutting, including jump-stitch trim

Limits

  • Embroidery only: it does not sew
  • No Wi-Fi and no memory card reader, so designs go in by USB flash drive
  • Single needle, so you change thread color by hand
  • Brother lists no cap frame for it, so it is not set up for finished hats

Good to know: Brother's manual lists the largest design as 26 × 16 cm (H × W), which Brother markets as 6 × 10 in. Brother's US page conflicts with itself on counts: the headline says 198 built-in designs and 11 fonts, while its spec table says 138 designs and 7 alphabet fonts. The manual gives no totals, but Brother's Embroidery Design Guide has a font chart with 11 entries, which matches the 11 shown here (it gives no design total). The 198 and 11 shown here match Brother US's own feature text (198 designs, 140 frame pattern combinations and 11 lettering fonts), Brother Canada and a dealer page, so confirm final counts with Brother or a dealer. Brother's quick guide lists the extra-large hoop as the only included frame, but its manual says included items can differ by model, and Brother US does not name the hoops in the box, so confirm with the seller. The 5 × 7, 4 × 4 and 1 × 2-1/2 in frames, the 4 × 7 in border frame and the 6 × 6 in square frame are listed as optional accessories. The manual gives about 19.4 lb (8.8 kg) for the machine and 7.7 lb (3.5 kg) for the embroidery unit; the weight shown is the two together. Brother US gives the screen as 4.2 × 2.4 in (width × height), about 4.85 in on the diagonal. Brother US shows the machine as discontinued, and the one US dealer listing we found for it was for a used machine, so no new price is shown. Brother US's product description uses the name Innov-ís NQ1600E and its product data gives an August 2017 launch date. The link to the NQ1700E as its follow-up comes from dealer listings, not from Brother's own pages.

How the NQ1600E compares

Listed in our buying guides

Frequently asked questions

What hoops does the Brother NQ1600E use?

The 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm) extra-large hoop matches the full field, and Brother's quick guide lists it as included. Brother lists 5 × 7 in, 4 × 4 in, 1 × 2-1/2 in, 4 × 7 in border and 6 × 6 in square frames as optional.

Can the Brother NQ1600E embroider hats?

Brother US lists cap frame capability as No for this machine, so it is not set up for finished caps. Its hoops are made for flat fabric.

What file formats does the Brother NQ1600E read?

Its manual says only .pes, .phc and .dst files can be used. Load them from a USB flash drive. Designs must fit within 26 × 16 cm (about 10-1/4 × 6-1/4 in).

Does the Brother NQ1600E have Wi-Fi?

No. Brother lists one USB port and no memory card reader, and its manual describes no wireless transfer. Designs come in by USB flash drive.

Is the Brother NQ1600E still made, and what replaced it?

Brother's US page marks it as discontinued. Dealer listings point to the Brother NQ1700E, which keeps the 6 × 10 in field and adds Wi-Fi and more built-in designs (258 against 198).

Sources

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