Embroidery machines
Reviews and buying guides from $299 beginner machines to multi-needle business gear — all on the same 10-point scale.
Best embroidery machines
The main guide — every machine scored on one scale, $299 to $24,000.
Read → GuideBest for beginners
Which hoop size to start at, and why not to buy on design count.
Read → BusinessBest for a small business
When single-needle stops paying and multi-needle starts.
Read → Review · 7.4Brother PE535 review
The most-searched first machine — a 4×4 starter, honestly scored.
Read → Review · 8.6Brother PE800 review
The discontinued 5×7 workhorse — still the used-market value pick.
Read → Review · 8.4Brother PE900 review
The PE800's wireless successor — the 5×7 to buy new.
Read → Review · 8.1Ricoma machines review
Ten needles for under half a six-needle Brother — but weigh the support model.
Read →Common questions
What is the best embroidery machine under $1000?
Under $1,000 you have real choices. To learn cheaply, the Brother PE535 at a 4×4 field is the value pick around $299–$399. For a 5×7 field, buy a used PE800 near $700 or the current PE900 new. If you also want to sew, the SE2000 combo covers both. Our main guide ranks the trade-offs.
What is the difference between a 4×4 and a 5×7 embroidery field?
The field is the largest area a machine stitches in one hooping. A 4×4 field fits left-chest logos, names and small monograms. A 5×7 field fits most back-of-shirt designs and larger appliqué. It is the first spec to decide, because owners outgrow a 4×4 far more often than they wear one out.
Do embroidery machines also sew, or do I need a combo machine?
Dedicated embroidery machines like the Brother PE535, PE800 and PE900 embroider only. If you want one machine that both sews and embroiders you need a combo, such as Brother’s SE-series: the SE700 at a 4×4 field or the SE2000 at 5×7. Combos trade a little embroidery polish for the convenience of one machine.