The 5 Best Embroidery Machines

Embroidery machines allow you to sew designs onto fabric at a much quicker pace than embroidering by hand. You can use these machines to embroider custom t-shirts, monogram towels, or embellish a jacket. And that's just a quick list. There are so many different ways to use an embroidery machine. You can create things for yourself, or to give as gifts. When you purchase an embroidery machine, make sure to check out the features. You want to see how many built-in designs there are, and make sure it has a USB port so you can upload more designs. If you're in the market for an embroidery machine, here are reviews of five of the best available.

Brother SE600 Computerized Machine

Large Color Touchscreen

You can easily see the design thanks to the large touchscreen display.

Best Overall

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This embroidery machine has a ton of great features. It has a 4-inch by 4-inch embroidery field, and comes with the hoop, embroidery arm, and foot that you need to get started. The work area stays bright thanks to an LED light by the needle. Once you get the hang of the basics, you can create more intricate and customized designs. You can move the designs on the screen, place lettering on an arc instead of a straight line, and preview the thread color before you begin. With over a hundred different stitches built in, you’re sure to find the perfect one for each of your projects. There’s even a free arm to help you do cuffs and sleeves. The touchscreen is large, 3.2-inches, so you can easily see what you’re going to embroider. The automatic needle threader is so easy to use, and really saves time when you have to switch colors multiple times in a design. There’s a USB port so you can easily import design files in .pes format. You can use this machine or sewing and embroidery.

Pros

Touchscreen controls
Over 100 stitches
Has everything you need to get started

Cons

There is a learning curve

Brother PE800 5X7 Embroidery Machine, One Size

Great Built-In Options

This embroidery machine has 138 built-in embroidery designs and 11 built-in fonts, so you have several to get you started.

Best Built-Ins

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You’ll enjoy creating many different projects with this embroidery machine. It features a large 3.2-inch LCD color touchscreen so you can easily program the design you want. The USB port makes is simple to add new embroidery designs and store them in the built-in memory. The 138 built-in designs include flowers, quilt patterns, border patterns, scrollwork and more. There are lots of options available. If you’re trying to add letters to a project, you’ll appreciate the 11 built-in fonts. Of those, seven are English fonts, three are Japanese, and one is Cyrillic. This embroidery machine boosts a generous 5-inch by 7-inch embroidery area, so you can tackle some larger designs. The space makes it easier to use without having to stop and rehoop your project.

Pros

Loads of built-in designs
Large embroidery field
LED light around needle

Cons

Need to use Brother embroidery floss to avoid tangles

Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine + Grand Slam Package Includes 64 Embroidery Threads + Prewound Bobbins + Cap Hoop + Sock Hoop + Stabalizer + 15,000 Designs + Scissors

The Grand Slam Package

The Grand Slam package adds so many great things to this solid embroidery machine.

Best Package Deal

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This is truly an amazing bundle. You’ll get a solid embroidery machine, plus the amazing Grand Slam Embroidery Package. This includes so many accessories you need to get started, including embroidery thread. This set comes with 64 different threads, stored neatly in a thread box. You’ll also receive CDs with 15,000 embroidery designs. You can install these on your computer, and use a USB drive to move them to the machine. So many people have trouble getting the bobbins wound correctly, so this package tries to help. It comes with prewound bobbins. You’ll also get a thread converter, which converts your design colors to the closest matching thread you have programmed. The scissors are perfect for trimming the project, and can be stored safely in the soft case when they’re not in use.

Pros

Great package deal
Comes with 64 different threads
CDs with 15,000 designs

Cons

Some of the designs require a 4-inch by 4-inch hoop, and this machine doesn’t come with that

Brother Machine PE535 80 Built In Designs 9 Font Styles 4″ X 4″ Embroidery Area Large 3.2″ LCD Touchscreen USB Port

Solid Entry Level Machine

If you're just getting started with machine embroidery, this is a good model for beginners.

Best for Beginners

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This embroidery machine is perfect for beginners. It’s got a large touchscreen so you can easily see what your finished design will look like before you start. This model is a stand alone embroidery machine, it cannot be used for regular sewing projects. But, if you already have a sewing machine you love, this is a great option. There are 80 built-in designs, including designs for kids, holiday designs, and more. The nine built-in fonts represent six English fonts and three Japanese ones. You can add more designs with the USB port. The embroidery field is 4-inches by 4-inches, and it comes with the hoop you need to get started.

Pros

Good choice for beginners
Great built-in design selection
Large color touchscreen

Cons

Does not sew

SINGER Quantum Stylist 9985 Computerized Sewing Machine with 960 Stitches, Drop-In Bobbin System & Built-In Needle Threader – Sewing Made Easy

Freehand Embroidery

If you want to do freehand embroidery by machine, this computerized sewing machine will let you.

Best for Freehand

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If you typically do more machine sewing than embroidery, this is a great option. It is a computerized sewing machine with almost 1,000 different stitch options. There are six styles of the alphabet so you can do some basic lettering. The color touch LCD screen will help you navigate the controls and select the options you want. It comes with a darning and embroidery foot, which you will need to put on before using it for embroidery. You don’t program embroidery patterns on this machine, but rather do it by hand. If you go this route, you will need to purchase an embroidery hoop to hold the fabric steady. However, this machine does have the capability to do a lettering font stitch (size 7mm) for personalizing projects and adding monograms.

Pros

Great for freehand embroidery
Can program letters for personalizing projects
Touch LCD screen

Cons

Can’t program embroidery patterns

Frequently Asked Questions

What is embroidery?

Embroidery is the art of using a needle and thread to decorate another piece of fabric. There are many different embroidery styles, but all allow you to create beautiful designs. When you embroider by hand, you use an embroidery hoop to hold your fabric tight. You will need a hoop on your embroidery machine as well, otherwise the material may sag and the design won’t look right.

How do you add new designs to the embroidery machines?

If your embroidery machine allows you to add new designs, make sure you read the owner’s manual for specific directions. Typically, you use the USB port on the embroidery machine to upload new designs. You’d start by getting the designs on your computer. You can purchase designs, or create your own. But, they have to be a specific file type (.pes). Then, you transfer them from your computer to the machine. Then you can upload them onto the embroidery machine’s internal memory, if there is room.