Best embroidery machine under $1,000: four picks by project size

Prices are approximate and change often, so check the current price before you buy.

Our top picks

  1. Brother PE545
    Best embroidery-only under $1,000Brother PE5454 × 4 in field · Embroidery only · Brother
    Price not verifiedCheck price on Amazon
  2. Brother SE700
    Best Brother sewing + embroidery comboBrother SE7004 × 4 in field · Sewing + embroidery · Brother
    Price not verifiedCheck price
  3. Singer SE9180
    Widest field under $1,000Singer SE9180170 × 100 mm field · Sewing + embroidery · Singer
    Price not verifiedCheck price
  4. Brother PP1 (Skitch)
    Cheapest, app-onlyBrother PP1 (Skitch)4 × 4 in field · Embroidery only · Brother
    Price not verifiedCheck price

For most people the best embroidery machine under $1,000 is the Singer SE9180 ($799.99 on Singer’s site) if you want a wider field, or the Brother SE700 ($579.99) if you want a sewing combo with Brother support. For embroidery only, the PE545 ($499.99) is the pick. The Brother 5 × 7 models compared here are above $1,000. Prices below were checked on October 11, 2026 on each manufacturer’s US site. Embroidery machine prices move with sales, so treat them as a snapshot.

Which embroidery machines cost under $1,000?

MachineTypePrice (checked Oct 11, 2026)FieldBuilt-in designsSource
PP1 SkitchEmbroidery-only, app-driven$379.99 sale (was $529.99)4 × 4 inVia appBrother USA
PE545Embroidery-only$499.994 × 4 in135Brother USA
SE700Sewing + embroidery$579.994 × 4 in135Brother USA
SE9180Sewing + embroidery$799.99 sale (was $999.99)170 × 100 mm150Singer

PP1 Skitch

Type
Embroidery-only, app-driven
Price (checked Oct 11, 2026)
$379.99 sale (was $529.99)
Field
4 × 4 in
Built-in designs
Via app
Source
Brother USA

PE545

Type
Embroidery-only
Price (checked Oct 11, 2026)
$499.99
Field
4 × 4 in
Built-in designs
135
Source
Brother USA

SE700

Type
Sewing + embroidery
Price (checked Oct 11, 2026)
$579.99
Field
4 × 4 in
Built-in designs
135
Source
Brother USA

SE9180

Type
Sewing + embroidery
Price (checked Oct 11, 2026)
$799.99 sale (was $999.99)
Field
170 × 100 mm
Built-in designs
150
Source
Singer

Which one is the best pick?

Pick the SE9180 if your designs run wider than 4 inches, such as a banner-style name or a wide chest logo. It is the only machine in this shortlist with a field wider than 4 × 4. Its trade-offs are covered on its machine page.

Pick the SE700 if you also want to sew and prefer Brother’s wireless and Artspira workflow.

Pick the PE545 if you already own a sewing machine and want embroidery only, at the lowest price that is not a sale price.

Pick the PP1 only if you are happy running everything from a phone.

Why are Brother’s 5 × 7 machines not here?

They cost more. The PE900 was $1,179.99 and the SE2000 $1,299.99 on the same date. If you are choosing between a 4 × 4 machine and saving longer for a 5 × 7, read our hoop size guide. Our under $500 guide covers the cheapest end.

What about discontinued models?

The Brother PE800 and SE1900 are discontinued; Brother’s site showed them out of stock. They turn up used, with warranty coverage that needs checking with the seller, which our budget guide explains.

Spec comparison

Manufacturer specifications, checked October 2026. Maximum speed is a ceiling, not typical output.

MachineFieldTypeDesignsMax speedTransfer
Brother PE545100 × 100 mm (4 × 4 in)Embroidery-only135400 spmUSB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app
Brother PP1 (Skitch)100 × 100 mm (4 × 4 in)Embroidery-only—400 spmBluetooth LE, Artspira app (required)
Brother SE700100 × 100 mm (4 × 4 in)Combo135400 spmUSB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app
Singer SE9180100 × 170 mm (170 × 100 mm)Combo150450 spmUSB, Wi-Fi (see note)
Brother PE900130 × 180 mm (5 × 7 in)Embroidery-only193650 spmUSB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app

Frequently asked questions

What is the best embroidery machine under $1,000?
It depends on field size. The Singer SE9180 ($799.99 on Singer’s site, October 11, 2026) offers a 170 × 100 mm field; the Brother SE700 ($579.99) is a 4 × 4 sewing combo with Wi-Fi; the PE545 ($499.99) is the embroidery-only choice.
Can I get a 5 × 7 machine under $1,000?
Neither of the Brother 5 × 7 models compared here is under $1,000 new. The PE900 was $1,179.99 and the SE2000 $1,299.99 on October 11, 2026. The SE9180’s 170 × 100 mm field is wider than 4 × 4 but narrower than a full 5 × 7.
Are these prices permanent?
No. The SE9180 ($999.99 list) and PP1 ($529.99 list) were on sale when checked. Confirm the current seller price before buying; manufacturer prices may differ from retailer prices.

Sources

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