Brother NQ1700E: hoop size, file formats and specs
Also written: NQ-1700E, NQ 1700E, Innov-is NQ1700E, Innov-ís NQ1700E, Innovis NQ1700E
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.
The Brother NQ1700E is a embroidery-only machine with a 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm) embroidery field. It reads .PES, .PHC, .PEN, .DST files and gets designs by USB stick or Wi-Fi, and has 258 built-in designs and 13 lettering fonts.
NQ1700E hoop size and embroidery area
The NQ1700E 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.
In the box: 6" × 10" hoop (extra large) (6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm)), 5" × 7" hoop (large) (5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm)).
Optional from Brother: 4" × 4" hoop (medium) (4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)), Small frame (about 1" × 2.5") (2.4 × 0.8 in (60 × 20 mm)).
Check if your design fits the NQ1700E
What file format does the NQ1700E use?
The NQ1700E reads .PES, .PHC, .PEN and .DST files. You load designs by USB stick or Wi-Fi, and the Artspira app works with it. Designs in other formats (for example .JEF or .EXP) need converting first with embroidery software.
Where to buy the Brother NQ1700E
About $2,399–$2,400 new (checked October 2026)
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Brother NQ1700E specs
| Type | Embroidery only |
|---|---|
| Embroidery field | 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm) |
| Hoops included | 6" × 10" hoop (extra large) (6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm)); 5" × 7" hoop (large) (5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm)) |
| Optional hoops | 4" × 4" hoop (medium) (4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)); Small frame (about 1" × 2.5") (2.4 × 0.8 in (60 × 20 mm)) |
| Cap frame | No |
| File formats it reads | .PES, .PHC, .PEN, .DST |
| Design transfer | USB stick or Wi-Fi |
| App | Artspira |
| Built-in designs | 258 |
| Lettering fonts | 13 |
| Screen | 4.85 in, colour, touch screen |
| Max embroidery speed | 850 stitches per minute |
| Weight | 27 lb (12.2 kg) |
| Released | 2021 |
| Status | Sold new |
| Typical price | About $2,399–$2,400 new (checked October 2026) |
| Skill level | Intermediate |
Who the NQ1700E is for
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.
Strengths
- 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm) embroidery field, with 6 × 10 in and 5 × 7 in hoops in the box
- Wifi transfer through Design Database Transfer (no USB needed), plus a USB port
- 4.85 in color touchscreen with on-screen editing and a realistic preview
- 258 built-in designs, 13 fonts and 140 frame-pattern combinations
- Reads four file types: PES, PHC, PEN and DST
Limits
- Embroidery only: it does not sew
- Single needle, so you change thread color by hand
- Top speed of 850 stitches per minute is lower than Brother's Stellaire2 (1,050)
- Brother lists no cap frame for it
Good to know: Brother's manual lists the largest area as 26 × 16 cm (H × W), which Brother markets as 6 × 10 in. The manual also shows 4 × 4 in and 1 × 2-1/2 in frames as sold separately with some models; Brother US does not list them on the NQ1700E page, so check availability with a dealer. Brother's 5 × 7 in magnetic frame (SAMF180) lists the NQ1700E as compatible. The manual gives about 20 lb (9 kg) without the embroidery unit and 27 lb (12 kg) with it; the weight shown is the machine with the unit attached. Brother US shows a 4.2 × 2.4 in screen size (width × height), about 4.85 in on the diagonal.
Listed in our buying guides
Frequently asked questions
What hoops come with the Brother NQ1700E?
Two hoops come in the box: a 6 × 10 in hoop (160 × 260 mm) and a 5 × 7 in hoop (130 × 180 mm). The 6 × 10 in hoop matches the machine's full embroidery field.
Is there a magnetic hoop for the Brother NQ1700E?
Yes. Brother's 5 × 7 in magnetic frame (SAMF180) lists the NQ1700E as compatible. Brother's pages do not show a magnetic frame for the full 6 × 10 in field.
What file formats does the Brother NQ1700E read?
Brother's manual says it reads PES, PHC, PEN and DST files. Designs can be up to 26 × 16 cm (about 10-1/4 × 6-1/4 in).
Does the Brother NQ1700E have wifi?
Yes. When connected to a wireless network, you can send designs from a PC with Brother's free Design Database Transfer software, with no USB needed. It also has a USB port for a flash drive.
How much is the Brother NQ1700E?
Brother does not show a price on its US page. The dealers we checked sold it new at the same price on 2026-10-15, so see the price range on this page.
Similar machines
- Embroidery only
Baby Lock Flare
6 × 10 in field
.PES, .PHC, .DST · Wi-Fi
$2,299–$2,529 new
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Brother PRS100
8 × 8 in field
.PES, .PHC, .DST, .PEN
$3,999–$4,499 new
- Embroidery only
Janome Memory Craft 400E
8 × 8 in field
.JEF
$1,399–$1,699 new
- Embroidery only
Janome Memory Craft 500E
11 × 8 in field
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$2,099–$2,399 new
- Embroidery only
Brother PE800
5 × 7 in field
.PES, .PHC, .DST
Discontinued
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Brother PE900
5 × 7 in field
.PES, .PHC, .DST, .PEN · Wi-Fi
$1,100–$1,180 new
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.