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Spec sheets, side by side

Beginner embroidery machines compared

Every spec below comes from the manufacturer’s product page, checked October 7, 2026. Start with the embroidery field: it decides what you can make.

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All 18 machines at a glance

15 currently listed by their makers. Maximum speed is a stated ceiling, not typical output.
ModelFieldTypeDesignsMax speedTransferShop
bernette 70 DECO6.3 × 10.2 in160 × 260 mmEmbroidery only208850 spmUSBCheck price ↗
bernette 796.3 × 10.2 in160 × 260 mmSewing + embroidery208850 spmUSBCheck price ↗
Brother PE5454 × 4 in100 × 100 mmEmbroidery only135400 spmUSB, Wi-Fi, Artspira appCheck price ↗
Brother SE6304 × 4 in100 × 100 mmSewing + embroidery80—USBCheck price ↗
Brother PP1 (Skitch)4 × 4 in100 × 100 mmEmbroidery only—400 spmBluetooth LE, Artspira app (required)Check price ↗
Brother PE5354 × 4 in100 × 100 mmEmbroidery only80—USBCheck price ↗
Brother SE7004 × 4 in100 × 100 mmSewing + embroidery135400 spmUSB, Wi-Fi, Artspira appCheck price ↗
Brother PE9005 × 7 in130 × 180 mmEmbroidery only193650 spmUSB, Wi-Fi, Artspira appCheck price ↗
Brother SE20005 × 7 in130 × 180 mmSewing + embroidery193650 spmUSB, Wi-Fi, Artspira appCheck price ↗
Brother PE8005 × 7 in130 × 180 mmEmbroidery only138650 spmUSBCheck price ↗
Brother SE19005 × 7 in130 × 180 mmSewing + embroidery138—USBCheck price ↗
Brother PRS100 (Persona)8 × 8 in200 × 200 mmEmbroidery only4451000 spmUSBCheck price ↗
Brother NQ1700E6 × 10 in160 × 260 mmEmbroidery only258850 spmUSB, Wi-Fi, Artspira appCheck price ↗
Brother NQ3550W6 × 10 in160 × 260 mmSewing + embroidery258850 spmUSB, Wi-Fi, Artspira appCheck price ↗
Brother PR680W8 × 12 in200 × 300 mmEmbroidery only1001000 spmUSB, Wi-FiCheck price ↗
Janome Memory Craft 98506.7 × 7.9 in170 × 200 mmSewing + embroidery175800 spmUSBCheck price ↗
Janome Memory Craft 400E7.9 × 7.9 in200 × 200 mmEmbroidery only160860 spmUSBCheck price ↗
Singer SE9180170 × 100 mm100 × 170 mmSewing + embroidery150450 spmUSB, Wi-Fi (see note)Check price ↗

Embroidery-only machines

bernette 70 DECO embroidery machine, official product photo

bernette 70 DECO

Best for: Beginners who want a large field and broad file-format support in an embroidery-only machine.

  • Field6.3 × 10.2 in (160 × 260 mm)
  • TypeEmbroidery only
  • Built-in designs208
  • Max speed850 spm
  • TransferUSB

Why pick it

  • Large 160 × 260 mm field
  • Three hoops included
  • Reads many formats, including PES and JEF

Think twice if

  • No wireless transfer mentioned
  • 7 built-in fonts
  • Embroidery-only
Brother PE545 embroidery machine, official product photo

Brother PE545

Best for: Beginners who already own a sewing machine and mainly want monograms, names, patches and small motifs.

  • Field4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)
  • TypeEmbroidery only
  • Built-in designs135
  • Max speed400 spm
  • TransferUSB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app

Why pick it

  • Embroidery-only, so you are not paying for sewing features you may not need
  • Wireless transfer and Artspira support, which the PE535 lacked
  • 135 built-in designs and 10 fonts cover first projects

Think twice if

  • 100 × 100 mm field limits design size
  • Max speed of 400 spm is lower than the 5 × 7 models
  • Cannot sew seams; you still need a sewing machine
Brother PP1 (Skitch) embroidery machine, official product photo

Brother PP1 (Skitch)

Best for: Phone-first crafters who want a compact, app-driven machine for small designs.

  • Field4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)
  • TypeEmbroidery only
  • Max speed400 spm
  • TransferBluetooth LE, Artspira app (required)

Why pick it

  • Compact and app-driven
  • Magnetic 4 × 4 frame included
  • No computer or USB stick needed

Think twice if

  • Artspira app required to operate it
  • No screen for on-machine editing
  • 4 × 4 field only
Brother PE535 embroidery machine, official product photo

Brother PE535

Best for: Bargain hunters buying used or remaining stock who only need small designs and are fine with USB.

  • Field4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)
  • TypeEmbroidery only
  • Built-in designs80
  • TransferUSB

Why pick it

  • Simple embroidery-only machine
  • Automatic thread cutting
  • Can be found used or as remaining stock

Think twice if

  • Discontinued by Brother
  • USB only, no wireless
  • 4 × 4 field only
Brother PE900 embroidery machine, official product photo

Brother PE900

Best for: Beginners who already sew (or do not need to) and want room for T-shirt fronts, totes and most popular design sizes.

  • Field5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm)
  • TypeEmbroidery only
  • Built-in designs193
  • Max speed650 spm
  • TransferUSB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app

Why pick it

  • 5 × 7 field fits most popular design sizes
  • Up to 650 spm
  • Wireless transfer, Artspira and jump stitch trimming

Think twice if

  • No sewing functions
  • Single needle: you re-thread for every color
  • Designs over 130 × 180 mm need splitting and re-hooping
Brother PE800 embroidery machine, official product photo

Brother PE800

Best for: Buyers who find one used or as remaining stock at a clear discount and are happy with USB transfer.

  • Field5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm)
  • TypeEmbroidery only
  • Built-in designs138
  • Max speed650 spm
  • TransferUSB

Why pick it

  • 5 × 7 field and 650 spm, the same as the PE900
  • Large used market
  • Simple USB workflow

Think twice if

  • Discontinued by Brother
  • No wireless or jump stitch trimming
  • Brother’s data conflicts on the font count (11 vs 7)
Brother PRS100 (Persona) embroidery machine, official product photo

Brother PRS100 (Persona)

Best for: Hobbyists and small sellers who want hats, sleeves and bags on a single-needle machine with a free arm.

  • Field8 × 8 in (200 × 200 mm)
  • TypeEmbroidery only
  • Built-in designs445
  • Max speed1000 spm
  • TransferUSB

Why pick it

  • Cap frame capable with a free arm
  • 8 × 8 field and up to 1,000 spm
  • Six frames included

Think twice if

  • Single needle despite the commercial styling
  • USB only, no wireless listed
  • Brother’s page lists both 445 and “over 405” designs
Brother NQ1700E embroidery machine, official product photo

Brother NQ1700E

Best for: Beginners who already know they want bigger designs (jacket backs, larger quilt blocks) without re-hooping.

  • Field6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm)
  • TypeEmbroidery only
  • Built-in designs258
  • Max speed850 spm
  • TransferUSB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app

Why pick it

  • 6 × 10 field: about 78% more area than 5 × 7
  • Up to 850 spm
  • Both 6 × 10 and 5 × 7 frames included

Think twice if

  • No sewing functions
  • More machine than many beginners need
  • Still single needle
Brother PR680W embroidery machine, official product photo

Brother PR680W

Best for: People starting an embroidery business who need hats, faster multi-color runs and less babysitting.

  • Field8 × 12 in (200 × 300 mm)
  • TypeEmbroidery only
  • Built-in designs100
  • Max speed1000 spm
  • TransferUSB, Wi-Fi

Why pick it

  • Six needles with automatic color changes
  • Cap frame capable
  • 8 × 12 field and up to 1,000 spm

Think twice if

  • A big step up in cost and footprint
  • More to learn than a home machine
  • Overkill for occasional hobby use
Janome Memory Craft 400E embroidery machine, official product photo

Janome Memory Craft 400E

Best for: Beginners who want a large square field and plan to grow into bigger designs, and are comfortable with USB.

  • Field7.9 × 7.9 in (200 × 200 mm)
  • TypeEmbroidery only
  • Built-in designs160
  • Max speed860 spm
  • TransferUSB

Why pick it

  • Large 200 × 200 mm field
  • Up to 860 spm
  • At least two hoops included

Think twice if

  • USB only, no wireless
  • Only 6 built-in fonts
  • JEF format: buy or convert designs accordingly

Sewing + embroidery combos

bernette 79 sewing and embroidery machine, official product photo

bernette 79

Best for: Sewists who want a large embroidery field, 500 sewing stitches and broad format support in one machine.

  • Field6.3 × 10.2 in (160 × 260 mm)
  • TypeSewing + embroidery
  • Built-in designs208
  • Max speed850 spm
  • TransferUSB

Why pick it

  • Large 160 × 260 mm field in a combo
  • 500 sewing stitches
  • Reads many formats

Think twice if

  • No wireless transfer mentioned
  • 7 built-in fonts
  • Larger machine to store
Brother SE630 sewing and embroidery machine, official product photo

Brother SE630

Best for: Beginners who want one machine for sewing and small embroidery, and are happy to use a USB stick.

  • Field4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)
  • TypeSewing + embroidery
  • Built-in designs80
  • TransferUSB

Why pick it

  • One machine for sewing and small embroidery
  • 103 sewing stitches for garment and home sewing
  • Simple USB workflow

Think twice if

  • 4 × 4 field only
  • No wireless transfer listed
  • “480 designs” includes 400 downloads, not built-in designs
Brother SE700 sewing and embroidery machine, official product photo

Brother SE700

Best for: Beginners who want sewing plus small embroidery in one machine, with wireless design transfer.

  • Field4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)
  • TypeSewing + embroidery
  • Built-in designs135
  • Max speed400 spm
  • TransferUSB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app

Why pick it

  • Sews and embroiders in one footprint
  • Wireless transfer and Artspira app support
  • 135 built-in designs and 10 fonts

Think twice if

  • 4 × 4 field limits design size
  • 400 spm max embroidery speed
  • Switching between sewing and embroidery means attaching the embroidery unit
Brother SE2000 sewing and embroidery machine, official product photo

Brother SE2000

Best for: Beginners who want one machine for both sewing and 5 × 7 embroidery.

  • Field5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm)
  • TypeSewing + embroidery
  • Built-in designs193
  • Max speed650 spm
  • TransferUSB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app

Why pick it

  • Sewing and 5 × 7 embroidery in one machine
  • 241 sewing stitches
  • Wireless transfer, Artspira and jump stitch trimming

Think twice if

  • Embroidery field no larger than the PE900
  • You cannot sew and embroider at the same time
  • Converting between modes takes setup
Brother SE1900 sewing and embroidery machine, official product photo

Brother SE1900

Best for: Buyers who find one used or as remaining stock and want 5 × 7 embroidery plus sewing on a budget.

  • Field5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm)
  • TypeSewing + embroidery
  • Built-in designs138
  • TransferUSB

Why pick it

  • 5 × 7 embroidery plus 240 sewing stitches
  • Large used market

Think twice if

  • Discontinued by Brother
  • USB only, no wireless
  • Brother’s published data conflicts on designs, fonts and thread cutting
Brother NQ3550W sewing and embroidery machine, official product photo

Brother NQ3550W

Best for: Sewists who want one machine with a large 6 × 10 embroidery field.

  • Field6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm)
  • TypeSewing + embroidery
  • Built-in designs258
  • Max speed850 spm
  • TransferUSB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app

Why pick it

  • 6 × 10 field plus 291 sewing stitches
  • Up to 850 spm
  • Wi-Fi, Artspira and USB

Think twice if

  • Smaller screen than the NQ1700E
  • Included hoop list comes from a shared Brother accessories document
  • More machine than many beginners need
Janome Memory Craft 9850 sewing and embroidery machine, official product photo

Janome Memory Craft 9850

Best for: Sewists who want a larger-than-5 × 7 field in a combo machine from Janome.

  • Field6.7 × 7.9 in (170 × 200 mm)
  • TypeSewing + embroidery
  • Built-in designs175
  • Max speed800 spm
  • TransferUSB

Why pick it

  • 170 × 200 mm field in a combo
  • Up to 800 spm
  • Two hoops

Think twice if

  • Only 2 built-in fonts
  • USB only
  • JEF format
Singer SE9180 sewing and embroidery machine, official product photo

Singer SE9180

Best for: Sewists who like a large touch screen and mostly embroider small-to-medium designs.

  • Field170 × 100 mm (100 × 170 mm)
  • TypeSewing + embroidery
  • Built-in designs150
  • Max speed450 spm
  • TransferUSB, Wi-Fi (see note)

Why pick it

  • Large 7" color touch screen
  • 170 × 100 mm field is wider than 4 × 4
  • Sewing and embroidery in one

Think twice if

  • Loads VP3 files only
  • Not a 5 × 7 field (100 mm tall)
  • Singer’s pages conflict on Wi-Fi