For most people, the best embroidery machine for beginners is the Brother PE900. It is an embroidery-only machine with a 5x7 inch hoop, 193 built-in designs, and wireless design transfer. If you want to spend less, the Brother PE545 does the same job with a smaller 4x4 hoop. If you want a bigger stitching area, look at the Janome Memory Craft 400E or the bernette 70 DECO.
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The biggest choice is hoop size, because it limits how large a design you can stitch in one hooping. A 4x4 hoop handles monograms, small quilt labels, and patches. A 5x7 hoop also fits many smaller quilt block designs and larger lettering. Use the Hoop Checker below to see which machines can stitch the designs you have in mind.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks
| Machine | Largest design | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Brother PE900 | 5 x 7 in | Best overall for beginners |
| Brother PE545 | 4 x 4 in | Lowest price |
| Janome Memory Craft 400E | 7.9 x 7.9 in | Larger square designs and quilt blocks |
| bernette 70 DECO | 6.3 x 10.2 in | The largest designs on this list |
| Brother SE700 | 4 x 4 in | Sewing and embroidery in one machine |
Embroidery Hoop Checker
Enter the width and height of a design you want to stitch. The checker shows which standard hoop it needs and which machines on this page can stitch it in one hooping.
Embroidery Hoop Checker
Type the size of a design, as listed by the shop you buy it from. The checker finds the smallest standard hoop it fits and the machines on this page that can stitch it in one hooping.
Embroidery Hoop Checker by QuiltGearHQ.com. Free to use. Hoop sizes are the stitching areas the makers list. Always check the design file and your machine's manual before you stitch.
The Best Embroidery Machines for Beginners
Each pick comes from the maker's specs and the product listing. Prices change often, so check the current price before you buy.
Best Overall: Brother PE900
An embroidery-only machine with a 5x7 inch hoop and Wi-Fi design transfer.
- Fits many smaller quilt block designs
- Free Artspira app sends designs
- Embroiders only, no sewing
- More than twice the price of the PE545
The Brother PE900 is an embroidery-only machine with a 5x7 inch hoop. Brother lists 193 built-in designs, 13 fonts, a 3.7-inch color LCD screen, and a top speed of 650 stitches per minute. You can send designs over Wi-Fi with Brother's free Artspira app or load them from a USB stick.
The 5x7 hoop is the main reason it is our top pick. It fits many smaller quilt block designs, larger names, and small pictures that will not fit a 4x4 hoop. It costs more than twice as much as the PE545, but you may soon want more room than a 4x4 hoop gives.
Best Budget: Brother PE545
A low priced embroidery-only machine for monograms, labels and patches.
- The lowest price on this list
- Same Wi-Fi transfer as the PE900
- Designs limited to 4x4 inches
- Top speed of 400 stitches per minute
The Brother PE545 is the lowest-priced pick here. It is embroidery-only with a 4x4 inch hoop, 135 built-in designs, 10 fonts, and a 3.7-inch color screen. Like the PE900, it takes designs over Wi-Fi or from a USB stick.
A 4x4 hoop is enough for monograms, initials, quilt labels, and patches. The limit is that it cannot stitch anything larger in one hooping, and Brother lists its top speed at 400 stitches per minute, slower than the PE900.
Best for Larger Square Designs: Janome Memory Craft 400E
An embroidery-only machine with a 7.9 x 7.9 inch square stitching area.
- Square hoop suits quilt blocks
- Optional hat hoop sold separately
- Uses JEF design files
- No Wi-Fi transfer
The Janome Memory Craft 400E is an embroidery-only machine with a 7.9 x 7.9 inch stitching area. It comes with two hoops, a 7.9 x 7.9 inch square hoop and a 5.5 x 7.9 inch hoop. Janome lists 160 built-in designs, 6 monogram fonts, a top speed of 860 stitches per minute and USB design transfer.
The large square hoop suits quilters because many quilt block designs are square. Janome also sells an optional hat hoop for this machine. It uses Janome's JEF design format, so check that the designs you buy come in that format.
Best for the Largest Designs: bernette 70 DECO
An embroidery-only machine with about a 6.3 x 10.2 inch stitching area.
- Largest stitching area here
- Reads most common design formats
- The most expensive pick
- Amazon listing is a bundle with extras
The bernette 70 DECO has the largest stitching area on this list, about 6.3 x 10.2 inches. bernette lists 208 built-in designs, 7 fonts, a 5-inch color touchscreen, a top speed of 850 stitches per minute, and USB transfer. It comes with three hoops, and the machine reads most common design formats.
The Amazon listing is a bundle with extra embroidery tools. It is the most expensive pick here, so it makes the most sense if you already know you want large designs, such as big quilt blocks or jacket backs.
Best If You Also Want to Sew: Brother SE700
A sewing and embroidery machine in one, with a 4x4 inch hoop.
- One machine for sewing and embroidery
- Saves space and money
- Designs limited to 4x4 inches
- Smaller embroidery area than embroidery-only picks
The Brother SE700 combines sewing and embroidery in one machine. It has 103 sewing stitches, plus a 4x4 embroidery hoop with 135 built-in designs and 10 fonts. Designs transfer over Wi-Fi from Brother's free tools.
It is a good fit if you only have room for one machine. The embroidery side is limited to 4x4 designs. Our guide to the best sewing machine for quilting and embroidery compares combo machines in more detail.
Comparison Table
| Machine | Type | Largest design | Built-in designs | Fonts | Design transfer | Top speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother PE900 | Embroidery only | 5 x 7 in | 193 | 13 | Wi-Fi, USB | 650 spm |
| Brother PE545 | Embroidery only | 4 x 4 in | 135 | 10 | Wi-Fi, USB | 400 spm |
| Janome MC 400E | Embroidery only | 7.9 x 7.9 in | 160 | 6 (monogram) | USB | 860 spm |
| bernette 70 DECO | Embroidery only | 6.3 x 10.2 in | 208 | 7 | USB | 850 spm |
| Brother SE700 | Sewing and embroidery | 4 x 4 in | 135 | 10 | Wi-Fi | 710 spm (sewing) |
Spm means stitches per minute. A higher number means the machine finishes a design faster.
Embroidery Only or a Combo Machine?
An embroidery-only machine does one job. It cannot sew seams. In return, it usually gives you a bigger hoop for the money. For example, the PE900 gives you a 5x7 hoop for less than Brother's current 5x7 combo machine, the SE2000.
A combo machine sews and embroiders. You attach the embroidery unit when you want to embroider, then remove it to sew. It saves space and money if you also need a sewing machine. If you already own a sewing machine you like, an embroidery-only machine is usually the better buy.
What Hoop Size Do You Need?
Hoop size is the most important number on an embroidery machine. A design has to fit inside the stitching area, and a machine whose largest design size is 4x4 cannot use a larger hoop.
4x4 inches (about 100 x 100 mm) is fine for monograms, initials, small quilt labels, patches, and baby items.
5x7 inches (about 130 x 180 mm) fits many smaller quilt block designs, full names, and small pictures on shirts and tote bags.
Larger hoops, such as 7.9 x 7.9 inches or 6 x 10 inches, fit big quilt blocks, jacket backs, and large wall pieces.
If you are not sure, a 5x7 machine is the safe middle choice. It can stitch every 4x4 design too.
File Formats and Software
Embroidery designs come as files, and each brand reads its own format. Brother machines use PES files. Janome uses JEF. DST is a common format many machines can read. Most design shops sell each design in several formats, so pick the one your machine uses.
You do not need to buy software to start. Every machine here has built-in designs and fonts, and you can resize and move them on the screen. Brother's Artspira app has a free version that sends designs to its Wi-Fi machines. Paid software only matters later, if you want to make your own designs from scratch.
What Else You Need
Stabilizer. This backing holds your fabric in place to keep stitches from puckering. Cut-away stabilizer stays on after stitching and is best for stretchy fabric like T-shirts. Tear-away pulls off after stitching and suits towels and regular woven cotton. Wash-away dissolves in water and is often laid on top of towels so stitches do not sink into the loops.
Embroidery thread. Machine embroidery thread is usually 40 weight polyester or rayon, and a 75/11 embroidery needle suits it.
Bobbin thread. Use a light bobbin thread made for embroidery. Brother sells a 60-weight bobbin thread made for its machines.
Needles. A size 75/11 embroidery needle works for light and medium fabrics. Use a 90/14 for medium-to-heavy fabrics like fleece.
Embroidery Machine Questions
What is the best embroidery machine for beginners?
For most beginners, the Brother PE900 is the best choice. Its 5x7 hoop fits many smaller quilt block designs and larger lettering, and it has 193 built-in designs and Wi-Fi transfer. The Brother PE545 is a good lower-priced option with a 4x4 hoop.
Should I get an embroidery-only machine or a combo machine?
Get an embroidery-only machine if you already own a sewing machine, because it usually gives you a bigger hoop for the money. Get a combo machine if you want one machine that does both and you are happy with smaller designs.
What size embroidery hoop should a beginner get?
A 5x7 hoop is the best all-around size. A 4x4 hoop is fine for monograms, labels, and patches, but you may want larger designs once you get started.
Do I need software to use an embroidery machine?
No. Every machine on this list has built-in designs and fonts you can edit on the screen. You can also buy designs online and load them by USB or Wi-Fi. Paid software is only needed if you want to make your own designs.
Can an embroidery machine sew regular seams?
An embroidery-only machine cannot. A combo machine, like the Brother SE700, can do both. You switch between sewing and embroidery by attaching or removing the embroidery unit.
The Bottom Line
Choose your machine by the size of the designs you want to stitch. The Brother PE900 is the best embroidery machine for beginners because its 5x7 hoop covers many projects. The Brother PE545 is the budget choice for monograms and labels. For larger square designs, choose the Janome Memory Craft 400E, and for the largest designs, the bernette 70 DECO. If you need one machine that sews too, the Brother SE700 does both.