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Buying guide

Best embroidery machines for a small business

Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick

Note: This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Top picks at a glance

Compare them all

  • Best overall

    Brother PE900 bundle: 5 x 7 inch with thread kit

    A 5 by 7 inch field is large enough for cushion fronts, tote bags and bigger motifs.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Best value

    Janome MC100E: 140 x 140 mm with on-screen editing

    On-screen editing includes resize, rotate, flip, arc, duplicate and group.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Most features

    bernette 79: 260 x 160 mm field and USB

    A 260 by 160 mm embroidery field allows large designs in one hooping.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Selling embroidered goods changes what matters in a machine. Repeat orders for names, logos and small batches reward a big field, quick design transfer and as few thread changes as possible. A multi needle machine holds several colours at once and changes between them itself, which is the biggest time saver for logos. Single needle home machines can still work for a small side business if the field is large enough and designs load easily over USB or wireless. Cap and tubular frames matter if you plan hats or bags. This guide compares six machines, from a 12 needle industrial model to single needle machines with 5 by 7 inch or larger fields, on needles, maximum field, built-in designs, design transfer and weight. Every figure comes from the listing. Where a listing does not state the number of needles, a cap frame or a transfer method, we say so, because those are the questions to ask before you take paid orders.

All products compared

Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.

The products in detail

No. 1 · Brother

Brother PE900 bundle: 5 x 7 inch with thread kit

An embroidery only Brother with a 5 by 7 inch hoop area, 193 designs, 13 fonts, wireless design transfer and a 3.7 inch touch screen. This bundle adds thread, needles, bobbins and stabiliser.

In its favour

  • A 5 by 7 inch field is large enough for cushion fronts, tote bags and bigger motifs.
  • Wireless LAN lets you send designs from a computer or mobile device without a USB stick.
  • The bundle includes 80 spools of thread, 100 embroidery needles, pre-wound bobbins and stabiliser.

Good to know

  • It is embroidery only, so you still need a separate sewing machine.
  • The listing does not state the voltage, so confirm it is a UK version.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Brother Elite PE900 Large Embroidery Machine with Wireless LAN Bundle ...

No. 2 · Janome

Janome MC100E: 140 x 140 mm with on-screen editing

An embroidery only Janome with 274 built-in designs, a 5.5 inch square field, on-screen editing (resize, rotate, flip, arc) and automatic thread cutting. A good fit for monograms and motifs.

In its favour

  • On-screen editing includes resize, rotate, flip, arc, duplicate and group.
  • Automatic thread cutting and automatic return after a thread break are listed.
  • The listing states a 25 year limited mechanical and 2 year electrical warranty.

Good to know

  • The listing does not state how designs are transferred.
  • Free arm embroidery needs optional accessories.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Janome Memory Craft 100E Embroidery Machine Only - Max Embroidery 5.5"...

No. 3 · Bernette

bernette 79: 260 x 160 mm field and USB

The top of the range b79 in a Harry Potter edition, with 500 stitches, 250 embroidery designs, a 260 by 160 mm field, Stitch Designer, on-screen editing and USB design transfer.

In its favour

  • A 260 by 160 mm embroidery field allows large designs in one hooping.
  • Five hundred stitches and Stitch Designer for custom stitches are listed.
  • Built-in tutorials cover essential sewing and embroidery topics.

Good to know

  • The themed edition will not suit every buyer.
  • The optional CutWork Tool is sold separately.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: bernette 79 Harry Potter

No. 4 · Brother

Brother Innov-is F540E: 180 x 130 mm, wireless

A combination Brother with a large 180 by 130 mm embroidery area, 193 designs, 13 fonts, wireless connectivity and a 3.7 inch colour touch screen. A 3 year manufacturer warranty is listed.

In its favour

  • A 180 by 130 mm field fits larger designs than most beginner combination machines.
  • Wireless connectivity and an advanced needle threading system are listed.
  • A 3 year manufacturer warranty is stated.

Good to know

  • The listing does not state the number of sewing stitches.
  • At 13.6 kg it needs a sturdy permanent table.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Brother Innovis F540E Embroidery Sewing Machine

No. 5 · HLGKBY

12 needle embroidery machine with cap support

A 12 needle industrial embroidery machine with a 20 by 30 cm area, cap embroidery, a 10 inch touchscreen, colour change and automatic thread trimming, aimed at home businesses and studios.

In its favour

  • Twelve needles let one design run through many colours without rethreading between each one.
  • Hat and fabric embroidery are both listed, with a 20 by 30 cm area for jacket backs and large logos.
  • Stores up to 500 patterns and 200 million stitches, with automatic thread trimming and frame shift.

Good to know

  • The listing states no warranty, which is a real risk for a machine you depend on for income.
  • Design transfer method, weight and dimensions are not reliably stated.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Automatic Sewing Machine with 12 Needles, Industrial Embroidery Machin...

No. 6 · Singer

Singer SE9185: 5 x 7 inch field and mySewnet Wi-Fi

A Singer combination machine with a 5 by 7 inch embroidery area, 150 designs, 10 fonts, more than 250 sewing stitches and Wi-Fi for the mySewnet service.

In its favour

  • Wi-Fi with mySewnet gives access to 8,000 embroidery designs, the listing states.
  • Combines sewing and embroidery, handy for making items as well as decorating them.
  • Ten embroidery fonts cover lettering jobs.

Good to know

  • Single needle, so expect to rethread for every colour.
  • Included hoops and any cap frame are not stated.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Singer SE9185 Combi Sewing & Embroidery Machine - Computerised 150 Bui...

More buying guides: Embroidery machines

Stitch and Hem chooses every product independently, based on what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission on purchases made through the affiliate links above. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.