Best Embroidery Machines
This list covers embroidery-only machines and sewing and embroidery combination machines. Every machine is bought at full retail, and the ranking opens once 10 of them are fully reviewed. See how we test →
How we make money: we earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never affects scores or rankings. We buy every machine ourselves, and no brand sees a ranking before it is published.
We have not named a best embroidery machine yet, because none in this category has finished testing. A ranking opens once 10 are fully reviewed. First in line for testing: Brother SE700.
Embroidery machines we have tested so far
No embroidery machine has finished testing yet. The Brother SE700 is among our first priority machines.
Every embroidery machine we cover
Fully reviewed machines come first, ordered by Overall Score. Machines marked Coming Soon have not been tested yet and are listed so you can follow them, not because we recommend them.
What to look for in an embroidery machine
Embroidery-only or combination
Embroidery-only machines, such as the Brother PE535 and PE800, stitch designs but cannot sew seams. Combination machines, such as the Brother SE600, SE700 and SE1900, switch between embroidery and regular sewing. If you only have room or budget for one machine, a combination machine covers both jobs.
Embroidery field size
The embroidery field is the largest area a machine can stitch in one hooping, and manufacturers list it in inches, for example 4 x 4 or 5 x 7. A larger field means fewer re-hoopings for big designs. We report the manufacturer's figure in each review.
How designs get onto the machine
Check how the machine loads designs, such as by USB stick, cable or wireless, and which file formats it accepts. This decides how easily you can use designs you buy or create.
Built-in designs matter less than they look
Large built-in design counts look impressive on the box, but most people soon use their own designs. Field size and how easily designs load usually matter more over time.
How we test embroidery machines
Every machine we cover is bought at full retail. Combination machines go through our full sewing protocol. Before this ranking opens, we will publish exactly how embroidery output is assessed on our How We Test page.
- Sewing protocol
- Combination machines are tested on quilting cotton, chiffon, denim, canvas and tooling leather, with measured speed, noise and setup time, like every sewing machine we cover.
- Setup
- Setup is timed from sealed packaging to first stitch, with the manual consulted as a first-time buyer would.
- Ranking
- The ranking opens once 10 embroidery and combination machines are fully reviewed, ordered by Overall Score.
Questions about embroidery machines
Should I buy an embroidery-only machine or a combination machine?
If you also want to sew garments, quilts or repairs, a combination machine does both jobs. If you already own a sewing machine you like, an embroidery-only machine puts all of its budget into embroidery.
What embroidery field size do I need?
A 4 x 4 inch field suits small designs such as monograms and patches. Larger fields, such as 5 x 7 inches, handle bigger designs in one hooping. Each review lists the manufacturer's figure.
Can an embroidery machine sew regular seams?
Only combination machines can. Embroidery-only machines stitch designs inside a hoop and do not sew seams.
Which embroidery machines are you testing first?
The Brother SE700 is among our first priority machines. Use the Notify Me button on any machine below to get an alert when its review goes live.
When will this ranking open?
Once 10 embroidery and combination machines are fully reviewed. Until then, this page shows every machine we cover and its testing status.
Other best sewing machine lists
How scores are produced
Every reviewed machine is scored across 8 weighted categories: Stitch Quality (25%), Ease of Use (20%), Heavy Fabric Performance (15%), Speed & Power (10%), Noise Level (10%), Build Quality (10%), Value (5%), Accessories (5%). SPM measured by stopwatch. Noise in dB(A) at 1 metre. Setup time from sealed box to first stitch. Full methodology →