Buying guide
Best sewing and embroidery combination machines
Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick
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Top picks at a glance
Compare them allBest overall
Janome MC1000: 241 designs, 300 stitches, USB
Three hundred sewing stitches and 15 one-step buttonhole styles make it a capable sewing machine too.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkBest value
Brother Innov-is M380D: 181 stitches, 4 x 4 in field
One machine sews and embroiders, with 181 sewing stitches and 10 buttonholes listed.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkMost features
bernette 79: 260 x 160 mm field, 500 stitches
A 260 by 160 mm embroidery field allows large designs in one hooping.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
A combination machine sews like a normal computerised machine, then takes an embroidery unit that slides onto the free arm and moves a hoop under the needle. It saves space and money compared with two machines, but you cannot sew and embroider at the same time, and the embroidery unit has to come off for everyday sewing. The specs that separate combination machines are the embroidery field (which sets the largest design in one hooping), the size of the built-in design library, the sewing stitch count and how you load new designs: USB stick, wireless or app. This guide compares six machines on those points plus weight, using only what each listing states. If you plan to embroider more than you sew, an embroidery only machine with a larger field may suit you better.
All products compared
- Janome MC1000: 241 designs, 300 stitches, USB
- Embroidery field
- 140 x 140 mm
- Embroidery designs
- 241
- Sewing stitches
- 300
- Design transfer
- USB
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - bernette 79: 260 x 160 mm field, 500 stitches
- Embroidery field
- 260 x 160 mm
- Embroidery designs
- 250 plus 10 exclusive motifs
- Sewing stitches
- 500
- Design transfer
- USB
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Brother Innov-is M380D: 181 stitches, 4 x 4 in field
- Embroidery field
- 100 x 100 mm
- Embroidery designs
- 200
- Sewing stitches
- 181
- Design transfer
- Wireless LAN, Artspira app
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Brother Innov-is F540E: 180 x 130 mm and wireless
- Embroidery field
- 180 x 130 mm
- Embroidery designs
- 193
- Sewing stitches
- Not stated
- Design transfer
- Wireless
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Singer SE9180: 7 in screen, lightest here
- Embroidery field
- 170 x 100 mm
- Embroidery designs
- 150
- Sewing stitches
- 250
- Design transfer
- Wi-Fi (mySewnet)
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Singer SE9185: 5 x 7 in field, 250+ stitches
- Embroidery field
- 5 x 7 in (130 x 180 mm)
- Embroidery designs
- 150
- Sewing stitches
- Over 250
- Design transfer
- Wi-Fi (mySewnet)
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
| Product | Embroidery field | Embroidery designs | Sewing stitches | Design transfer | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Janome MC1000: 241 designs, 300 stitches, USB | 140 x 140 mm | 241 | 300 | USB | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| bernette 79: 260 x 160 mm field, 500 stitches | 260 x 160 mm | 250 plus 10 exclusive motifs | 500 | USB | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Brother Innov-is M380D: 181 stitches, 4 x 4 in field | 100 x 100 mm | 200 | 181 | Wireless LAN, Artspira app | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Brother Innov-is F540E: 180 x 130 mm and wireless | 180 x 130 mm | 193 | Not stated | Wireless | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Singer SE9180: 7 in screen, lightest here | 170 x 100 mm | 150 | 250 | Wi-Fi (mySewnet) | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Singer SE9185: 5 x 7 in field, 250+ stitches | 5 x 7 in (130 x 180 mm) | 150 | Over 250 | Wi-Fi (mySewnet) | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.
The products in detail
No. 1 · Janome
Janome MC1000: 241 designs, 300 stitches, USB
A combination Janome with 241 embroidery designs, a 140 by 140 mm hoop, 300 sewing stitches, 15 one-step buttonhole styles, an automatic thread cutter and a full colour touch screen with editing.
In its favour
- Three hundred sewing stitches and 15 one-step buttonhole styles make it a capable sewing machine too.
- Upper thread and optical bobbin thread sensors are listed, warning you before you run out.
- Ten presser feet are listed, including quarter inch, blind hem, overedge and zipper feet.
Good to know
- A 140 by 140 mm field is mid sized; larger designs need splitting.
- Embroidery speed is listed at 660 stitches a minute, so big designs take time.
Listing title: Janome Memory Craft MC1000 Sewing & Embroidery Machine
No. 2 · Bernette
bernette 79: 260 x 160 mm field, 500 stitches
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.
Listing title: bernette 79 Harry Potter
No. 3 · Brother
Brother Innov-is M380D: 181 stitches, 4 x 4 in field
A combination Brother with 200 embroidery designs including 65 Disney designs, 11 fonts, a 100 by 100 mm field and wireless LAN with the Artspira app, plus 181 sewing stitches.
In its favour
- One machine sews and embroiders, with 181 sewing stitches and 10 buttonholes listed.
- Wireless LAN and the Artspira app make getting new designs onto the machine simple.
- Sixty five Disney designs are built in, which suits children's clothes and gifts.
Good to know
- A 100 by 100 mm field limits you to small motifs and names.
- At 10.9 kg it is heavy to move between tables.
Listing title: Brother Innovis M380D Sewing and Embroidery Machine
No. 4 · Brother
Brother Innov-is F540E: 180 x 130 mm and 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.
Listing title: Brother Innovis F540E Embroidery Sewing Machine
No. 5 · Singer
Singer SE9180: 7 in screen, lightest here
A sewing and embroidery Singer with 150 designs, 10 fonts, 250 sewing stitches, a 170 by 100 mm hoop, a 7 inch colour touch screen and Wi-Fi design transfer through mySewnet.
In its favour
- A 7 inch colour touch screen is the largest in this guide and easy to read.
- mySewnet Wi-Fi sends designs wirelessly and gives progress notifications on a phone.
- Endless hoop capability is listed for continuous borders.
Good to know
- Embroidery speed is listed at 450 stitches a minute, slower than its sewing speed.
- The listing does not say whether mySewnet features need a subscription; check before buying.
Listing title: Singer SE9180 Embroidery Machine, White
No. 6 · Singer
Singer SE9185: 5 x 7 in field, 250+ stitches
A computerised Singer combination with 150 embroidery designs, 10 fonts, a 5 by 7 inch area and over 250 sewing stitches, plus Wi-Fi for the mySewnet design library.
In its favour
- A 5 by 7 inch area gives room for larger designs than 4 by 4 inch machines.
- Over 250 sewing stitches are listed alongside the embroidery features.
- Wi-Fi links to mySewnet, which the listing says gives access to 8,000 designs.
Good to know
- The listing does not say whether mySewnet access needs a subscription.
- Included feet and accessories are not listed.
Listing title: Singer SE9185 Combi Sewing & Embroidery Machine - Computerised 150 Bui...
Read before you buy
- Why are embroidery machines so expensive?Why embroidery machines cost more than sewing machines: hoop drives, motors, screens, design libraries, field size and the jump to multi needle machines.
- Embroidery stabiliser: which type for which fabricWhich embroidery stabiliser to use: tear-away, cut-away, wash-away and heat-away explained by fabric, plus choosing bobbin thread for machine embroidery.
- Embroidery machine vs sewing machineEmbroidery machine vs sewing machine: hoop and design file embroidery against decorative stitches, and when a sewing and embroidery combination fits best.
- Embroidery hoop sizes and fields explainedEmbroidery hoop sizes explained: common fields from 100 x 100 to 200 x 300 mm, what designs fit in each, and how to split designs that are too large.
- Embroidery file formats and software explainedEmbroidery file formats explained: PES, JEF, EXP, DST and VP3, which brands read which, how to get designs onto a machine and how to convert files safely.
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.