# Brother vs Janome Embroidery Machine: Beginner Comparison > Brother vs Janome for a first embroidery machine: PE900 and NQ1700E vs Janome MC400E. Field sizes, PES vs JEF files, Wi-Fi, and dealer vs online buying. - Source: https://embroiderywise.com/posts/brother-vs-janome-embroidery-machine/ - Markdown version: https://embroiderywise.com/posts/brother-vs-janome-embroidery-machine.md - Last updated: 2026-10-07 --- - [Home](https://embroiderywise.com/) - [Guides](https://embroiderywise.com/guides/) - Brother vs Janome embroidery machines for beginners Head-to-head # Brother vs Janome embroidery machines for beginners Updated October 7, 2026 By [EmbroideryWise Editorial Team](https://embroiderywise.com/about/) [How we research](https://embroiderywise.com/how-we-research/) Prices are approximate and change often, so check the current price before you buy. ## Key takeaways - Brother PE900: 130 × 180 mm; NQ1700E: 160 × 260 mm; Janome MC400E: 200 × 200 mm; bernette 70 DECO: 160 × 260 mm. - Brother machines use PES (and read DST); Janome uses JEF. Ink/Stitch and Embrilliance Essentials write both. - Brother lists Wi-Fi and Artspira on the PE900 and NQ1700E; the Janome MC400E and bernette 70 DECO list USB only. - Janome points buyers to dealers for pricing; Brother’s warranty requires an authorized US reseller. - The bernette 70 DECO reads eight formats including PES and JEF, a useful third option. ## Our top picks - 1![Brother PE900](https://embroiderywise.com/_astro/brother-pe900.CC-k0xoy_Z1UN3bk.webp)Most beginners: 5 × 7, Wi-Fi, PES files, easy to buy[Brother PE900](https://embroiderywise.com/machines/brother-pe900/)5 × 7 in field · Embroidery only · BrotherCheck pricePrice not verified[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8337QHR?tag=room4205-20) - 2![Brother NQ1700E](https://embroiderywise.com/_astro/brother-nq1700e.CdsFDQQd_Z1aNFat.webp)Brother with a big field: 6 × 10, 850 spm, Wi-Fi[Brother NQ1700E](https://embroiderywise.com/machines/brother-nq1700e/)6 × 10 in field · Embroidery only · BrotherCheck pricePrice not verified[Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KCMBLWT?tag=room4205-20) - 3![Janome Memory Craft 400E](https://embroiderywise.com/_astro/janome-mc400e.CVbDwv3P_1YzdcX.webp)Wants dealer support and a large square 200 × 200 mm field[Janome Memory Craft 400E](https://embroiderywise.com/machines/janome-mc400e/)7.9 × 7.9 in field · Embroidery only · JanomeCheck pricePrice not verified[Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CKCMPDA?tag=room4205-20) - 4![bernette 70 DECO](https://embroiderywise.com/_astro/bernette-70-deco.BtcwIOgO_ZYP9zP.webp)Wants broad file-format support and a 6 × 10 class field[bernette 70 DECO](https://embroiderywise.com/machines/bernette-70-deco/)6.3 × 10.2 in field · Embroidery only · bernetteCheck pricePrice not verified[Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086WSP7HQ?tag=room4205-20) ### On this page 12 sections - [Every spec difference, side by side](#every-spec-difference-side-by-side) - [Field sizes: shape matters, not just area](#field-sizes-shape-matters-not-just-area) - [File formats: PES vs JEF](#file-formats-pes-vs-jef) - [Wi-Fi and design transfer](#wi-fi-and-design-transfer) - [Built-in lettering](#built-in-lettering) - [Dealer vs online buying](#dealer-vs-online-buying) - [Verdict by buyer type](#verdict-by-buyer-type) - [The bottom line](#the-bottom-line) - [Spec comparison](#spec-comparison) - [What to buy](#what-to-buy) - [Related tool](#related-tool) - [FAQ](#faq) ## Before you choose - [Brother PE900 vs NQ1700E: is 6 × 10 worth it over 5 × 7?](https://embroiderywise.com/posts/brother-pe900-vs-nq1700e/) - [Embroidery file formats explained: PES, JEF, DST, VP3 and more](https://embroiderywise.com/posts/embroidery-file-formats-explained/) - [Best embroidery software for beginners: pick by the job you need done](https://embroiderywise.com/posts/best-embroidery-software-for-beginners/) For most beginners, Brother is the easier start: the PE900 (5 × 7) and NQ1700E (6 × 10) add Wi-Fi and Artspira, use the widely sold PES format and are easy to buy online. Janome’s MC400E offers a large 200 × 200 mm square field and 860 spm, but it is USB-only, uses JEF files and is sold through dealers. Formats are less of a barrier than they look, since Ink/Stitch and Embrilliance can write both PES and JEF. Brother and Janome are the two names most beginners see first, but they are sold, supported and fed with files in different ways. Brother’s beginner embroidery machines are everywhere online and use PES files; Janome’s are sold mainly through dealers and use JEF. Those differences matter as much as hoop size. This guide compares the beginner-relevant models from each brand, Brother’s PE900 and NQ1700E against Janome’s Memory Craft 400E, and adds the bernette 70 DECO as a third option because it reads both brands’ formats. All specs come from the makers’ pages and documents, checked October 7, 2026. EmbroideryWise did not stitch on these machines. ## Every spec difference, side by side | Spec | Brother PE900 | Brother NQ1700E | Janome MC400E | bernette 70 DECO | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Status | Current | Current | Current | Current | | Machine type | Embroidery-only | Embroidery-only | Embroidery-only | Embroidery-only | | Maximum field | 130 × 180 mm (5 × 7 in) | 160 × 260 mm (6 × 10 in) | 200 × 200 mm (7.9 × 7.9 in) | 160 × 260 mm (6.3 × 10.2 in) | | Field area | 23,400 mm² | 41,600 mm² | 40,000 mm² | 41,600 mm² | | Hoops included | 5 × 7 in frame set | 6 × 10 in and 5 × 7 in | SQ20b 200 × 200 mm, RE20b 140 × 200 mm (Janome’s page also lists SQ14b 140 × 140 mm) | Small, medium and large (5 × 7 cm, 12 × 18 cm, 16 × 26 cm) | | Built-in designs | 193 | 258 | 160 | 208 | | Built-in fonts | 13 | 13 | 6 | 7 | | Maximum speed | 650 spm | 850 spm | 860 spm | 850 spm | | Screen | 3.7” LCD | 4.85” color LCD | Full-color LCD touchscreen (size not stated by Janome) | 5” color touch screen | | Design transfer | USB, Wi-Fi, Artspira | USB, Wi-Fi, Artspira | USB | USB | | Native or listed formats | PES (reads .pes, .dst, .phc, .pen) | PES (reads .pes, .dst, .phc, .pen) | JEF | VP3, VIP, PEC, HUS, DST, EXP, JEF, PES | | Thread cutting | Jump stitch trimming, auto cutter | Automatic thread trimming system | Automatic thread cutter | Automatic thread cutting | | Weight | 17.64 lb | 27 lb | 25.2 lb | Not stated by bernette | | Warranty label | 1/2/25 Year Limited | 2/6/25 Year Premium Limited | Not stated on Janome’s product page | Not stated on bernette’s product page | | How it is sold | Brother and authorized resellers, widely online | Brother and authorized resellers | “Please see Dealer for pricing” | Store locator; dealer network | A note on hoops: our machine summary below lists the two large MC400E hoops (SQ20b and RE20b), and Janome’s current product page also lists a third, the SQ14b, plus an optional RE10b. Confirm the exact box contents with your dealer before you buy, especially if you are comparing bundles. ## Field sizes: shape matters, not just area The PE900 is the 5 × 7 option. The other three are all large-field machines, but their shapes differ: - **Brother NQ1700E and bernette 70 DECO:** 160 × 260 mm. Tall and narrow, good for long designs, larger shirt fronts and 6 × 10 quilt blocks. - **Janome MC400E:** 200 × 200 mm. Square and wide, good for square quilt blocks, round motifs and wide designs. So the right answer depends on your designs. A 190 × 190 mm square design fits the MC400E but not the 160 mm-wide Brother or bernette field. A 250 × 150 mm design fits the 160 × 260 machines (rotated) but not the Janome’s 200 mm square. Check both shapes in the [hoop fit checker](https://embroiderywise.com/tools/hoop-fit/). For beginners whose designs stay under 130 × 180 mm, the PE900 is the most direct match, and it is the starting point in our [beginner machine guide](https://embroiderywise.com/posts/best-embroidery-machine-for-beginners/). The [PE900 vs NQ1700E comparison](https://embroiderywise.com/posts/brother-pe900-vs-nq1700e/) covers when the bigger field pays off. ## File formats: PES vs JEF Each brand has its own native format. Hatch’s format reference lists .PES and .PEC for Brother and Baby Lock, and .JEF (and .SEW) for Janome. Janome says JEF is the default format for all Janome and Elna embroidery machines, with JEF+ as an editable version created in the machine or Janome software. Brother’s support article lists .pes, .dst, .phc and .pen among the formats its machines read. DST is a common commercial format, but Brother notes that DST files carry no thread color information, so colors on screen may not match the design. ### Is JEF a problem? Not much, if you plan for it: - **Buy the right version.** Many design shops offer several formats per design. Pick JEF for a Janome and PES for a Brother. - **Convert with software.** Embrilliance Essentials saves PES, JEF, EXP, VP3, XXX, HUS and DST and runs natively on macOS and Windows. Ink/Stitch, a free extension for Inkscape, writes DST, EXP, JEF, PES, VP3, XXX and more. - **Watch free design packs.** Some free downloads come in one format only. Conversion usually solves this, but check before you rely on a specific file. Our guides to [embroidery file formats](https://embroiderywise.com/posts/embroidery-file-formats-explained/) and [beginner embroidery software](https://embroiderywise.com/posts/best-embroidery-software-for-beginners/) go deeper. ### Where bernette fits The bernette 70 DECO avoids most format questions. bernette’s 2026 brochure lists VP3, VIP, PEC, HUS, DST, EXP, JEF and PES, and the product page says it is compatible with most embroidery design formats without converting files in software. If you have a mixed library from different brands, or inherit designs from a friend with another machine, that is a real advantage. ## Wi-Fi and design transfer Brother lists Wi-Fi, USB and its Artspira app on both the PE900 and NQ1700E, so you can send designs from a computer or phone without a flash drive. The Janome MC400E and bernette 70 DECO list USB transfer, and neither product page mentions wireless. USB works fine; it just means saving to a stick, walking to the machine and loading the file. See [how to transfer designs to your machine](https://embroiderywise.com/posts/how-to-transfer-embroidery-designs-to-machine/) for the steps. If phone-based design work is important to you, Brother is the clear choice among these four. ## Built-in lettering Brother’s PE900 and NQ1700E each list 13 built-in fonts. Janome lists 6 monogramming fonts on the MC400E (with 2- and 3-letter monogramming), and bernette lists 7 embroidery alphabets. If you plan to monogram without buying lettering software, the Brother machines give you more to work with. If you already use software for lettering, the built-in count matters much less. See [the best machine for monogramming](https://embroiderywise.com/posts/best-embroidery-machine-for-monogramming/). ## Dealer vs online buying This is one of the biggest practical differences between the brands. Brother sells through its own store and a wide network of retailers, including online. Brother’s home sewing warranty statement says the warranty is void if you did not buy from an authorized Brother reseller in the US, and it applies only to the original buyer. Buying online is fine; just make sure the seller is authorized and keep the dated receipt. Janome lists no price for the MC400E online and says “Please see Dealer for pricing,” with a dealer locator on its site. bernette also points buyers to a store locator. What a dealer can offer, and what to ask about: - Setup help and a first lesson or class. - Somewhere local to take the machine for service. - Trade-in or upgrade paths later. - How warranty claims are handled for that brand. Online buying tends to be more convenient and easier to compare. Dealer buying tends to come with more support. Decide which you value more, then compare like with like. ## Verdict by buyer type | Buyer | Pick | Why | | --- | --- | --- | | First machine, designs up to 5 × 7, wants Wi-Fi | Brother PE900 | Covers common design sizes, easy to buy, PES files | | Wants a large field and Wi-Fi | Brother NQ1700E | 160 × 260 mm, 850 spm, Artspira | | Wants a local dealer and square quilt blocks | Janome MC400E | 200 × 200 mm field, 860 spm, dealer support | | Has designs in many formats | bernette 70 DECO | Reads eight formats including PES and JEF | | Wants lots of built-in lettering | Brother PE900 or NQ1700E | 13 fonts vs 6 or 7 | | Needs sewing too | None of these | See our [sewing and embroidery combo guide](https://embroiderywise.com/posts/best-sewing-and-embroidery-machine-combo/) | ### Choose Brother if… You want the easiest path: wireless transfer, a common file format, plenty of built-in lettering and online buying. Start with the PE900 unless you already know you need more than 5 × 7. ### Choose Janome if… You have a dealer nearby you trust, you value in-person support, and the MC400E’s square 200 × 200 mm field matches your projects. Plan on buying or converting designs to JEF. ### Choose bernette if… You want a 160 × 260 mm field with the widest built-in format support of the four and are fine with USB. ## The bottom line Brother wins on convenience for most beginners: Wi-Fi, PES, more fonts and easy online buying. Janome’s MC400E is a strong large-field machine for people who want a dealer relationship and square designs. Formats are a solvable problem with Embrilliance or Ink/Stitch, and the bernette 70 DECO sidesteps it entirely. To narrow it further, try our [machine finder](https://embroiderywise.com/tools/machine-finder/). ## Spec comparison Manufacturer specifications, checked October 2026. Maximum speed is a ceiling, not typical output. | Machine | Field | Type | Designs | Max speed | Transfer | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Brother PE900](https://embroiderywise.com/machines/brother-pe900/) | 130 × 180 mm (5 × 7 in) | Embroidery-only | 193 | 650 spm | USB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app | | [Brother NQ1700E](https://embroiderywise.com/machines/brother-nq1700e/) | 160 × 260 mm (6 × 10 in) | Embroidery-only | 258 | 850 spm | USB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app | | [Janome Memory Craft 400E](https://embroiderywise.com/machines/janome-mc400e/) | 200 × 200 mm (7.9 × 7.9 in) | Embroidery-only | 160 | 860 spm | USB | | [bernette 70 DECO](https://embroiderywise.com/machines/bernette-70-deco/) | 160 × 260 mm (6.3 × 10.2 in) | Embroidery-only | 208 | 850 spm | USB | ## What to buy The supplies this guide calls for, with what to check before buying. Prices change often — confirm with the seller. - **[Small USB flash drive](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=usb+flash+drive+8gb&tag=room4205-20)** — The most universal way to move designs from computer to machine. - **[Cut-away stabilizer](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cut+away+embroidery+stabilizer+medium+weight&tag=room4205-20)** — Permanent support for knits, T-shirts, sweatshirts and anything that stretches. - **[Tear-away stabilizer](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tear+away+embroidery+stabilizer&tag=room4205-20)** — Temporary support for stable wovens such as canvas, denim, twill and quilting cotton. ## Related tool Try the [Embroidery machine finder](https://embroiderywise.com/tools/machine-finder/): Answer five questions and get a spec-based shortlist. Free, no signup. ## Don't guess. Calculate. - [🧵 Machine Finder](https://embroiderywise.com/tools/machine-finder/): which machines fit your projects - [▱ Hoop Fit Checker](https://embroiderywise.com/tools/hoop-fit/): will your design fit the field - [◷ Stitch Time Calculator](https://embroiderywise.com/tools/stitch-time/): how long a design takes to stitch - [📊 Compare every machine](https://embroiderywise.com/machines/): sortable spec table ## Frequently asked questions ### Can a Janome machine read PES files? Janome lists JEF as the default format for its embroidery machines, and the MC400E page lists .JEF. Convert PES designs to JEF with software such as Embrilliance Essentials or Ink/Stitch, or buy the JEF version from the design shop. ### Is Brother or Janome better for beginners? Brother is usually the simpler start because its beginner machines add Wi-Fi and Artspira, PES is a common download format, and Brother machines are easy to buy online. Janome makes sense if you value a local dealer or want the MC400E’s large square field. ### Does the Janome MC400E have Wi-Fi? Janome lists a USB port for importing designs and does not list wireless transfer for the MC400E. The Brother PE900 and NQ1700E list Wi-Fi, USB and Artspira. ### Which has the bigger field, the NQ1700E or MC400E? They are close in area but different in shape: the NQ1700E is 160 × 260 mm (tall) and the MC400E is 200 × 200 mm (square). Long designs fit the Brother better; wide, square designs fit the Janome better. ### What does buying from a dealer get you? Janome directs buyers to dealers for pricing, and dealers are the people you go back to for setup questions and service. Ask each dealer what classes, support and warranty handling they include before comparing prices. ## Sources - [Brother PE900 product page and specifications](https://www.brother-usa.com/p/sewing-embroidery/PE900) - [Brother NQ1700E product page and specifications](https://www.brother-usa.com/p/sewing-embroidery/NQ1700E) - [Janome Memory Craft 400E product page](https://www.janome.com/product/memory-craft-400e/) - [Janome: embroidery formats (JEF, JEF+, JPX)](https://www.janome.com/create-learn/janome-embroidery-formats/) - [bernette 70 DECO product page](https://www.bernette.com/en-US/models/bernette-70-deco) - [bernette b70 series brochure 2026 (PDF)](https://www.bernette.com/assets/uploads/general/Downloads/Brochure/7-Series/2026/bernette_DINA5_b70-Series_brochure_low-res_EN-US.pdf) - [Brother support: design format types the machine will read](https://help.brother-usa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/123343/~/design-format-types-that-the-machine-will-read) - [Brother support: precautions for DST files](https://support.brother.com/g/b/faqend.aspx?c=us&faqid=faqh00100271_002&lang=en&prod=hf_lb5000eus) - [Ink/Stitch: supported file formats](https://inkstitch.org/docs/file-formats/) - [Embrilliance Essentials](https://www.embrilliance.com/essentials) - [Hatch: file formats by machine brand](https://help.hatchembroidery.com/portal/en/kb/articles/what-file-formats-does-hatch-embroidery-v2-v3-read-and-write) - [Brother home sewing limited warranty statement (PDF)](https://www.brother-usa.com/VirData/Content/en-US/HAD/WarrantyDocuments/WarrantyStatements/HomeSewing.pdf) Our #1 pick Most beginners: 5 × 7, Wi-Fi, PES files, easy to buy ![Brother PE900](https://embroiderywise.com/_astro/brother-pe900.CC-k0xoy_Z1l7lfJ.webp) ### [Brother PE900](https://embroiderywise.com/machines/brother-pe900/) - 5 × 7 in field - Embroidery only - Up to 650 spm - Wi-Fi Beginners who already sew (or do not need to) and want room for T-shirt fronts, totes and most popular design sizes. Check price Price not verified today's price on Amazon [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8337QHR?tag=room4205-20)[Read the full review](https://embroiderywise.com/machines/brother-pe900/) [🧵 Not sure which fits? Find your embroidery machine in 60 seconds.](https://embroiderywise.com/tools/machine-finder/)[📊 Compare every machine Sortable chart of all beginner machines.](https://embroiderywise.com/machines/) ## Keep reading [Head-to-head ### Brother PE900 vs NQ1700E: is 6 × 10 worth it over 5 × 7? Brother PE900 vs NQ1700E: 5 × 7 vs 6 × 10 field, 650 vs 850 spm, 3.7" vs 4.85" screen. Full spec table, what the bigger field fits, and who should upgrade. Updated Oct 7, 2026](https://embroiderywise.com/posts/brother-pe900-vs-nq1700e/)[Explainer ### Embroidery file formats explained: PES, JEF, DST, VP3 and more Every common embroidery file format by brand, stitch files vs working files, and exactly which format to download for Brother, Janome, bernette and Singer machines. Updated Oct 7, 2026](https://embroiderywise.com/posts/embroidery-file-formats-explained/)[Best picks ### Best embroidery software for beginners: pick by the job you need done Beginner embroidery software compared by job: free lettering in Embrilliance Express, editing in Essentials, Artspira, and digitizing in Hatch, PE-DESIGN or Ink/Stitch. Updated Oct 7, 2026](https://embroiderywise.com/posts/best-embroidery-software-for-beginners/) Most beginners: 5 × 7, Wi-Fi, PES files, easy to buy PE900 Check price Price not verified [Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8337QHR?tag=room4205-20)