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Buying guide

Brother sewing machines compared

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

    Brother FS100WT: 100 stitches, free motion foot

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

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  • Best value

    Brother FS200CE: 200 stitches, walking foot, hard case

    Two hundred stitches and two lettering styles give the widest decorative choice in this guide.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Most features

    Brother Innov-is M380D: adds 100 x 100 mm embroidery

    One machine sews and embroiders, with 181 sewing stitches and 10 buttonholes listed.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Brother sells more sewing machines in the UK than almost anyone, and the range can look confusing because model names change often. Broadly, the FS models are computerised machines with a screen, lots of stitches and bundled extras such as a wide table, while the Innov-is line steps up to features like an automatic thread cutter, needle up or down, better feeding and, on some models, embroidery. The jump in price usually buys convenience and build rather than more stitches. This guide lines up seven Brother machines by range, stitch count, buttonhole styles, the key extra each one adds and weight, using only what each listing states. Use it to see what each step up actually gets you before you choose between a well equipped FS and an entry Innov-is.

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 FS100WT: 100 stitches, free motion foot

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.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Brother FS100WT Free Motion Embroidery/Sewing and Quilting Machine

No. 2 · Brother

Brother FS200CE: 200 stitches, walking foot, hard case

A feature heavy Brother with 200 stitches including two lettering styles and eight one-step buttonholes. A walking foot, concealed zipper foot, wide table and hard case come in the box.

In its favour

  • Two hundred stitches and two lettering styles give the widest decorative choice in this guide.
  • A walking foot is included, which helps with quilting layers and slippery fabrics.
  • The wide table and hard case are both listed as included.

Good to know

  • The listing does not mention speed control or needle up or down.
  • Stitch width and length limits are not stated.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Brother FS200CE Sewing Machine, 200 stitches, 2 lettering, Wides Table...

No. 3 · Brother

Brother Innov-is M380D: adds 100 x 100 mm embroidery

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.
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Listing title: Brother Innovis M380D Sewing and Embroidery Machine

No. 4 · Brother

Brother Innov-is A65: entry Innov-is with thread cutter

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. 5 · Brother

Brother Innov-is F420: thread cutter and box feed

An Innov-is with an LCD display, automatic bobbin winding, an automatic thread cutter and a rectangular feed system the listing says helps with jerseys and other materials. A solid all round garment machine.

In its favour

  • The rectangular feed is listed as helping jersey and other materials feed evenly.
  • An automatic thread cutter and a user friendly LCD display are listed.
  • At 10 kg it sits firmly on the table over thick seam allowances.

Good to know

  • The listing gives very few details, with no stitch count or buttonhole styles.
  • Included presser feet and accessories are not listed.
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Listing title: Brother Innov-is F420 Sewing Machine

No. 6 · Brother

Brother FS40WTS: 40 stitches with wide table

The entry FS model here, with 40 stitches, a one-step buttonhole, a backlit LCD, speed control, an automatic needle threader, a drop-in bobbin and a wide table extension.

In its favour

  • A wide table extension is included, useful for quilting and large pieces.
  • Speed control, a backlit LCD and an automatic needle threader are listed.
  • Zigzag, buttonhole, zipper, blind stitch and monogramming feet are included.

Good to know

  • Forty stitches is the shortest list in this lineup.
  • No thread cutter or walking foot is listed.
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Listing title: Brother FS40WTS Sewing Machine with Wide Table

No. 7 · Brother

Brother Innov-is A80: needle up/down and twin needle

A heavier Innov-is with 80 stitch programs including eight buttonhole variants, needle up or down, a twin needle mode, LED lighting and a hard cover. It suits regular garment and home sewing.

In its favour

  • Needle up or down and a twin needle mode are listed, useful for corners and twin needle hems.
  • Eight buttonhole variants give a choice of styles for shirts, coats and knits.
  • At 10 kg it is the heaviest machine here, so it should stay put on the table.

Good to know

  • Parts of the listing are poorly translated, so check the exact feature list with the seller.
  • A speed slider is not clearly mentioned in the listing.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Brother Innov-is A80 Sewing machine, LCD screen and LED lighting White

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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.