Sewing machines have exploded in popularity over the past few years, due to the fact that they actually feature miniature computers inside, which make them more user-friendly than traditional machines. This makes them easier to operate and whole lot more intuitive for a generation who has grown up with computers in just about every aspect of their lives. So, if you’re searching for a machine that can do just about everything you need, you’re probably going to want to go with one of the best computerized sewing machines available today. And we have them right here.
So, what did we look for when rating the best of the best? We obviously took into consideration how easy it was for beginners to use, as plenty of you are beginners, which can make sewing intimidating for many. Aside from that, we looked into how various types of stitching and/or embroidery patterns the machine offered. Speed controls are important as well, and having plenty of control options boosted products up on our list. Finally, we also included “extra” features that could be a “make-it-or-break-it” situation for plenty of consumers, as well as us. We ended up with top 5 picks, and the Brother HC1850 deserved to be our Editor’s Choice.
More features: one built-in monogramming sewing font, detachable wide table, adjustable sewing speed
The Brother HC1850 made it number one on our list because it’s absolutely one of the best on the market today, making it the top choice for many beginners, intermediate, and advanced sewists. Not only that, but we really had to get picky with trying to find a con, and in the end, the only possible negative we could find really wasn’t even a negative.
It performs wonderfully with sewing just as well as with quilting, yet is still very affordable. One of the features that really set it apart is how easy it is to use. The included instructional DVD provides crystal clear direction on how to operate your new sewing machine, and is much easier to follow than a booklet. However, they also have included a bilingual user manual, should you like to delve in.
The white LED lights illuminate the working area, and a back-lit LCD screen make it the best computerized sewing machine to use at night. The maximum stitching speed is comparable with more expensive models, and the speed control slider only adds to the ease of use. With 14 built-in quilting stitches functions, as well as a wider detachable table, you can quilt much more easily. Featuring 130 included stitches, you have a ton of decorative stitch functions, garment construction stitches, quilting functions, heirloom stitches, and auto-buttonholes. Not only that, but you’ll receive a built-in monogramming sewing font function. Easily adjust the width, length, tension, and everything else you need, without having to struggle to figure out how to do so. The commands are quite simple.
In addition to all of these wonderful features, it’s also very affordable. It’s just a few dollars’ difference between this and the CS6000i, which is our best budget product.
The only possible downfall of the product is the fact that it is so lightweight. For beginners, a solid, clunky machine is often easier to use, as it will stay in place better. However, this depends on personal preference, and it can actually be an advantage for those who often needs a portable sewing machine to take with them.
More features: exclusive advanced thread trimming, independent bobbin winder, saves up to 70 patters
The Juki F600 is the best home machine money can buy, in our, and many others’ opinions. On this machine, you can go from hemming, sewing curtains and drapes, quilting, and garment sewing in flawless transition. Literally, whatever you need to sew, you can do it easily on here.
It’s not the most flashy-looking machine out there, but it has a lot to offer. Just look at the whopping 225 stitches, 900 stitch-per-minute maximum speed, and as much as 10 attachable presser-feet it offers! Not only that, but it also features impressive four monogramming font options.
It’s quite easy to work on with a large LCD display, so squinting is a thing of the past. The large work surface and high arm make working with thick fabric suddenly twice as easy. With their box feed technology, they ensure whatever you’re working on doesn’t shift or shrink, improving accuracy while working on both light and heavy materials.
So, are there any downsides? Sure! No machine is perfect, is it? First of all, it does come with a pretty hefty price tag. That’s not to say it’s not worth it, of course. Second, it’s not ideal for beginners. The feature-packed sewing machine requires absolute attention and can be complicated to program stitches with so many options if you’re just starting out.
Overall, however, it’s a brilliantly-made and perfect sewing machine for advanced sewers. It can fulfill every single one of your needs and will ensure you see high-quality, professional results every single time, no matter what your goal is. For this, we had to make it the best upgrade pick on the market today.
More features: adjustable sewing speed, hard machine case included
We’ll be honest – the Brother CS6000i wasn’t our absolute favorite, but for such a low price, it’s a rather high-quality one that we liked using. If you’re looking for an extremely affordable machine to get you through your project quickly and easily, then this is it. It’s actually one of the fastest on the market today, operating up to 850 stitches per minute. However, while it’s not super loud, it was notably louder than most others that we’d tried – similar to a dishwasher.
As far as stitch patterns go, it comes with 60, which is pretty average; not too low, nor particularly high. Each stitch has an auto setting which can be accessed on the LCD screen. The integrated speed control slider is very handy and makes sewing easier, as you can sew at the same speed regardless of how hard the pedal is pressed.
Threading is much faster now, thanks to the Needle Position Key, which moves the needle to its highest and lowest point. In addition, you’ll also find an automatic needle threader, an LED light for work in all kinds of lighting, an extension table for big projects, as well as a sharp thread cutter. If that weren’t enough, they’ve also thrown in a bunch of extra feet.
So, if it has all of these great features at such a low price, why isn’t it at the top of our list? The truth is, that while it’s unarguably an excellent value, there’s a pretty sharp learning curve when it comes to really understanding how the machine works. While the included instructions help, generally speaking, it’s just not the easiest product to use. If you’re looking for the best budget sewing machine, though, this is still an excellent option.
More features: 6 alphanumeric fonts, mirror imaging and elongation function with stitch editing
Is a high number of stitches your main priority in what to look for with your new machine? Then you can’t get better than the SINGER Quantum Stylist 9985. If you thought the first couple of products had a lot of stitches, you won’t be able to wrap your mind around the fact that this one features enormous 960 stitches! On top of that, it also comes with 13 foot accessories and 13 buttonhole styles. Use it for sewing, quilting, crafting, and much more.
With the color LCD screen, it’s easy to navigate among the number and image of your stitch, the length, width, tension, and more. The automatic needle threader can have the whole machine threaded in literally seconds, saving you time. Mirror Imaging and Stitch Elongation allow you more creativity, and less restraint, to encourage you to create projects you never thought possible.
Things going too slow for you with your current machine? Then check out the maximum sewing speed of 850 stitches-per-minute, where long seams are no issue at all. With two StayBright LED lights, you can work well even in dimly-lit areas, and for a larger working area, they’ve thoughtfully included an extension table great for quilting.
However, everything comes at a price. Due to the huge amount of stitches included, it can be tedious scrolling through the vast number. And we saw some users engaged in quilting mentioned that there’s a design flaw – they couldn’t use the quilting bar with the walking foot.
Despite that, we found that this machine is easy to operate and would be a perfect fit for those engaged in various sewing projects.
More features: 4 x 4-inch embroidery capability, 70 built- in embroidery designs, with 5 lettering fonts
The Brother SE400 made our favorite, for many reasons. It is extremely affordable, and is packed full of high-end features. No matter whether you’re an absolute beginner or a seasoned pro, you can rest assured that this sewing machine will be able to serve your needs. It can sew just as well as embroider, with 67 built-in stiches, 70 designs, and 5 lettering fonts. While there aren’t as many stitches as some competitor products, it’s perfect for the average user.
The ultra-bright LED light helps you work night or day, and the LED touchscreen clearly displays all setting, to allow you to work how you’d like, with ease. You can even connect it to the computer, in case you want to import any designs online! Clocking in at a mere 10.9 pounds, it’s also pretty easy to transport and move around, as opposed to some of the clunkers most others are.
There are a couple of potential downsides, however. One of them is the fact that the LCD screen is in black-and-white, rather than color. In addition, you can only display 6 items at a time, which can be time-consuming scrolling through the 67 stitches. Finally, the presser’s pressure is non-adjustable, which limits some users a bit.
With a 25-year limited warranty, though, if there’s anything that isn’t operating up to your standards, you’re not risking much! If you’re looking for an overall excellent computerized sewing machine with both sewing and embroidery capabilities at a pretty affordable price, then look no further than the Brother SE400.
Before you make the final decision on the best computerized sewing machine for you, it’s important to be fully aware of each aspect of the machines, and what to look for. Below, we’ve included a user-friendly buying guide to ensure all of your questions are answered.
A computerized sewing machine is perfect for sewists of all skill levels. They generally feature a notably shorter learning curve than manual machines, and are much easier and faster to use, with less room for error. You simply input what you want to perform, and it does it. You’ll find gems such as dozens (sometimes hundreds) of built-in stitches, alphanumeric fonts, various types of buttonholes, Mirror Imaging, Stitch Elongation, and so much more.
While everyone has different needs and wants, generally speaking, there are some features to look for if you really want an ideal machine. First, you’ll want something that is quick and easy to use. No one wants to hassle with a machine that’s confusing or stubborn, hence the need for a computerized machine. Next, you’ll want a good selection of included stitches. Sixty is a pretty average number, so try to aim for that, or more. Finally, you’ll probably want one that is within your budget, which is definitely a good place to start.
It’s important to know what you’ll be doing with your new machine. Will you be sewing and that’s it? Perhaps you’re a quilting aficionado. Or maybe you want to try it all! We always say it’s better to go for an all-in-one, which is what most machines on our guide are. That way, once you get started on one medium and get curious for another, you won’t have to buy an entire new product.
It’s very important to ensure that your machine is capable of doing whichever method you choose, as if it’s not, it can ruin the fabric.
The Brother HC1850, for example, can do pretty much any sewing you’d like, and the Juki can take your projects to a completely new level, handling almost any fabric, from thin to . If you’re looking to complete both sewing and embroidery projects, we’d recommend choosing a machine with an embroidery capability, since embroidery can be a pretty hard task with a simple sewing machine.
As we’d previously mentioned, you’ll want a machine that’s fast. This is typically measured in SPM, or “stitches per minute”. Ideally, you’ll want one that can perform at least up to 850, however, there are a couple on our guide that can go at a higher speed than that, saving you time and energy, finishing your projects even faster! If you’re a beginner, you may not find this as important, but keep in mind that you’re going to get better and more experienced, and will eventually want to go faster!
If you’re going to be sewing on buttons at all, you’re definitely going to need buttonholes! Did you know that not all buttonholes are created equal? That’s correct; the right one will depend greatly on the fabric being used, as well as the buttons chosen, among other things. While we could go on and on, we’ll just let you know that you’ll want a machine that gives you various buttonhole styles, as the same one most likely isn’t going to work in every situation. Stitches are pretty similar, and the ideal machine should include the following: Chain, Straight, Zigzag, Running, Back, and Satin stitches.
As you may have noticed, most of the above machines come with at least a couple of accessories; the most common being presser feet. Some come with over 10 (such as the Juki HZL-F600), which is absolutely impressive, while others just come with a couple, which may cause you to have to put out some extra money to get the ones you need.
A wide table to increase the amount of work space is also relatively common in the higher-quality products, and is practically necessary if you’re a quilter.
With a couple, you may find some other desirable accessories, such as a knee-lifting lever. They’re definitely something to consider, as once you get your machine, you’re most likely going to want to get some accessories to facilitate your new projects!
While most of the products we have listed are extremely user-friendly, many may choose to sacrifice that luxury to save a few bucks. In our opinion, if you can swing a more expensive machine, do it, as it’s not worth the hassle and time potentially wasted learning a machine that’s just difficult to operate or takes a long time to learn how to use. You don’t want to end up spending money on something you’re hardly or never going to use, right?
There are certain features, in particular, that make a machine easier to use, such as an automatic needle threader. No more do you have to do it yourself. You can have the machine threaded from spool to the needle’s eye, in seconds. A built-in needle threader can also help eliminate eye strain and frustration that can come from manually threading.
The Brother SE400 lets you easily connect to a computer, which can take your stitch options to an entirely new level. Not only that, but almost each sewing machine featured here has LCD lights to allow work in dimly-lit areas.
Pretty much all of the sewing machines worth buying will have at least a couple year warranty. However, plenty have a 25-year limited warranty, which is definitely sufficient, and is comforting when you’re putting out a certain amount of money. It’s nice to have the peace of mind that comes with having a warranty, and a well-made product will have one.
So, have you picked the best computerized sewing machine for you, yet? If not, that’s okay. Allow us to reiterate which ones were our top three favorites. The Brother HC1850 is our absolute favorite, and we struggled to find one that could compete with it. It comes with one built-in monogramming sewing font, detachable wide table for larger projects, and an easily-adjustable sewing speed, among others. The Juki HZL-F600 is our second favorite, due to the fact that it comes with a ton of stitches, operates at an impressive 900 spm, is easy-to-use, and can genuinely do just about anything you need. The only downside, is the very high price. The third is the Brother Sewing and Quilting Machine, CS6000i. It’s a solid machine at an affordable price, which goes head-to-head with more expensive competitors. No matter which one of these genius-made machines you select, you can rest assured you’ll be working with one of the best!
