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Buying guide

Best sewing machines under £500

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 all

  • Best overall

    Janome HD3000BE: heavy metal body with walking foot

    At 9.53 kg with a metal body it stays steady over thick seams and bulky bags.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Best value

    Janome 360DC: 60 stitches and a 7 mm zigzag

    A 7 mm zigzag width gives bolder satin and decorative stitches than 5 mm machines.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Most features

    Brother FS100WT: 100 stitches plus wide table

    A wide table and a free motion embroidery foot are included, ready for patchwork and free motion work.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

The middle of the market is where most people end up once they know they enjoy sewing. Here you choose between two different kinds of machine. Computerised models give you a screen, more stitches, speed control and often needle up or down or an automatic thread cutter. Mechanical models with metal bodies give you fewer stitches but a heavier, steadier machine that copes well with denim and canvas. Neither is better in general; it depends whether you sew garments with lots of buttonholes or bags, jeans and furnishings. This guide compares six machines on type, stitch count, buttonhole, the one extra that sets each apart, and weight, using only what each listing states. Every pick sits under the price in the title at the time of writing, though prices move.

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 · Janome

Janome HD3000BE: heavy metal body with walking foot

A metal bodied Janome with 18 stitches, a one-step buttonhole and a 6.5 mm stitch width. This Black Edition adds a walking foot, open toe foot and free motion foot, plus a stated 25 year limited warranty.

In its favour

  • At 9.53 kg with a metal body it stays steady over thick seams and bulky bags.
  • The bonus kit adds a walking foot, quarter inch foot, open toe foot and free motion foot.
  • Extra presser foot lift and a convertible free arm are listed for bulky items and jeans hems.

Good to know

  • Eighteen stitches is a short list if you also want decorative work.
  • There is no speed slider or screen; control is through the pedal.
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Listing title: Janome HD3000BE Sewing Machine, Metal, Black

No. 2 · Janome

Janome 360DC: 60 stitches and a 7 mm zigzag

A compact computerised Janome with 60 utility and decorative stitches, six buttonholes, a 7 mm zigzag width and a large LCD that shows tips for the chosen stitch. A hard cover is included.

In its favour

  • A 7 mm zigzag width gives bolder satin and decorative stitches than 5 mm machines.
  • Adjustable presser foot pressure and a 7 segment feed dog are listed for even feeding.
  • Six presser feet are listed, including zipper, satin, blind stitch and automatic buttonhole feet.

Good to know

  • There is no automatic thread cutter in the listing.
  • At 5.5 kg it is light, so it may shift when sewing heavy layers.
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Listing title: Janome Decor Computer 360 DC Sewing Machine

No. 3 · Brother

Brother FS100WT: 100 stitches plus wide table

A 100 stitch Brother with a lettering style, quick set drop-in bobbin, drop feed, start/stop and speed limiting. It comes with a wide table, a hard case and a free motion embroidery foot.

In its favour

  • A wide table and a free motion embroidery foot are included, ready for patchwork and free motion work.
  • Start/stop and speed control with speed limiting help beginners stay in control.
  • One hundred stitches and a lettering style give plenty of decorative choice.

Good to know

  • The number and type of buttonholes are not stated in the listing.
  • Needle up or down and a thread cutter are not mentioned.
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Listing title: Brother FS100WT Free Motion Embroidery/Sewing and Quilting Machine

No. 4 · Janome

Janome 423S: metal body, made in Japan

A mechanical Janome with 24 stitches, an automatic one-step buttonhole, variable width and length, a robust metal body and a hard cover. Country of origin is listed as Japan.

In its favour

  • A robust metal body at 8 kg suits denim, curtains and everyday repairs.
  • An automatic one-step buttonhole is unusual on a simple mechanical machine.
  • Drop feed is listed for freehand embroidery and darning.

Good to know

  • No needle threader, screen or speed control is mentioned in the listing.
  • The presser feet in the box are not listed.
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Listing title: Janome 423S Sewing Machine

No. 5 · Brother

Brother Innov-is A65: auto thread cutter at mid price

An Innov-is model with 60 stitches, an automatic thread cutter, a one-action needle threader and a start/stop button. A hard case and a 3 year manufacturer warranty are listed.

In its favour

  • The auto thread cutter trims threads at the end of a seam, which saves time on long projects.
  • A one-action needle threader and start/stop button keep setup and control simple.
  • The listing states a 3 year manufacturer warranty and a hard case.

Good to know

  • The listing does not say how many buttonhole styles are included.
  • Needle up or down positioning is not mentioned in the listing.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Brother Innovis A65 sewing machine

No. 6 · JUKI

Juki HZL-LB5020: compact with needle up/down

A compact computerised Juki with 20 stitch patterns, an LCD screen, needle up or down positioning and a 7 point feed dog. It suits beginners who want a few grown-up features without a long menu.

In its favour

  • Needle up or down positioning makes turning corners and pivoting curves far easier.
  • The listing states a 7 point feed dog system and variable speed override for steady feeding.
  • Drop feed, a drop-in bobbin and a bright LED light are all listed.

Good to know

  • Twenty stitches is a short list if you want decorative stitches later.
  • The listing does not state which presser feet are included.
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Listing title: Juki HZL-LB5020 Computerized Sewing Machine

Read before you buy

More buying guides: Beginner 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.