Brother · Embroidery only · 6 × 10 in
Brother NQ1700E review: specs, pros, cons & who it’s for
- Embroidery field
- 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm)
- Machine type
- Embroidery only
- Built-in designs
- 258
- Max speed
- 850 spm
- Design transfer
- USB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app
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The short verdict
Choose it ifBeginners who already know they want bigger designs (jacket backs, larger quilt blocks) without re-hooping.
Skip it ifAnyone whose projects fit 5 × 7, or who needs sewing in the same machine.
Brother NQ1700E video review
Video by Embroidery Legacy on YouTube. Independent creator content, shown as a reference. It is not part of our scoring.
Overview
The NQ1700E is Brother’s current 6 × 10 embroidery-only machine. Brother lists a 6 × 10 inch embroidery area (26 × 16 cm in the manual), 258 built-in designs, 13 lettering fonts, speeds up to 850 stitches per minute and a 4.85 inch touch screen.
Brother’s accessories document lists both a 26 × 16 cm extra-large frame and an 18 × 13 cm (5 × 7) frame, so you can use the smaller hoop for smaller designs.
It is a step up in field, speed and screen size from the PE900. It only makes sense if your projects actually need more than 5 × 7.
Brother NQ1700E specifications
| Machine type | Embroidery only |
|---|---|
| Max embroidery field | 160 × 260 mm (6 × 10 in) |
| Built-in embroidery designs | 258 |
| Built-in fonts | 13 |
| Max embroidery speed | 850 stitches per minute |
| Display | 4.85" color LCD touch screen |
| Design transfer | USB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app |
| Native file format | PES |
| Notable features | Automatic thread trimming system · 6 × 10 and 5 × 7 frames included |
| Status | Listed on the manufacturer site |
Pros and cons
Strengths
- 6 × 10 field: about 78% more area than 5 × 7
- Up to 850 spm
- Both 6 × 10 and 5 × 7 frames included
- Wi-Fi, Artspira and USB
Limitations
- No sewing functions
- More machine than many beginners need
- Still single needle
Brother NQ1700E6 × 10 in · Embroidery only · Wi-Fi
Check price on Amazon ↗Will your designs fit?
The 6 × 10 in label is rounded. The real limit is 160 × 260 mm. Measure the stitched design, not the fabric or the outside of the hoop, and remember a design can sometimes fit after a 90° rotation. Use the hoop fit checker with this machine preselected.
How it compares
The machines below are the closest alternatives by field size and workflow.
| Model | Field | Type | Designs | Max speed | Transfer | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother NQ1700E | 6 × 10 in | Embroidery only | 258 | 850 spm | USB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app | Check price ↗ |
| Brother PE900 | 5 × 7 in | Embroidery only | 193 | 650 spm | USB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app | Check price ↗ |
| Brother NQ3550W | 6 × 10 in | Sewing + embroidery | 258 | 850 spm | USB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app | Check price ↗ |
| bernette 70 DECO | 6.3 × 10.2 in | Embroidery only | 208 | 850 spm | USB | Check price ↗ |
| Janome Memory Craft 400E | 7.9 × 7.9 in | Embroidery only | 160 | 860 spm | USB | Check price ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What size designs can the Brother NQ1700E embroider?
Brother lists a maximum embroidery field of 160 × 260 mm (about 6.3 × 10.2 in), marketed as 6 × 10 in. A design must fit inside that field; a larger design needs splitting in software and re-hooping, or a machine with a bigger field.
Can the Brother NQ1700E sew as well as embroider?
No. The Brother NQ1700E is embroidery-only. It stitches designs in a hoop but does not replace a sewing machine for seams, hems or repairs.
How do you get designs onto the Brother NQ1700E?
Brother lists these transfer options: USB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app. The native format is PES. Always check that a purchased design is supplied in a compatible format and at a size that fits the 6 × 10 in field.
How many built-in designs does the Brother NQ1700E have?
Brother lists 258 built-in embroidery designs and 13 built-in lettering fonts. Built-in designs are enough for first projects; most people eventually buy or download additional designs.
Is the Brother NQ1700E good for beginners?
Beginners who already know they want bigger designs (jacket backs, larger quilt blocks) without re-hooping. It is less suited to: anyone whose projects fit 5 × 7, or who needs sewing in the same machine. This verdict is based on published specifications, not hands-on testing.
How we evaluated it
We compare published manufacturer specifications against beginner needs: design size, sewing vs embroidery workflow, design transfer and built-in content. We have not tested this machine hands-on, and we never invent ratings. Read our methodology.