Embroidery machine comparison chart

Compare the curated machine list by price tier, hoop size, needle count, hat workflow, wireless or USB import, and buyer fit before you shortlist models.

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What this chart is best for

curated machines

hat-capable paths

$399

lowest tracked street price

Prices are planning estimates, not live offers. Confirm current bundles, dealer support, and return terms before buying.

Filter the embroidery machine spec ledger

Use the shared chart filters to narrow beginner machines, sewing and embroidery combo machines, business-ready single needles, and multi-needle systems by the specs that change day-to-day workflow.

12 machines shown

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Machine	Type	Price	Hoop	Needles	Hat	Import	Fit	Retailer
Brother PE545 first embroidery-only machine	Embroidery Only	$399	4 x 4	1	No	Wireless + USB	92 beginner 38 business	Check Brother availability Sponsored link opens in a new tab.
Brother SE700 beginner sewing plus embroidery	Sewing Embroidery Combo	$580	4 x 4	1	No	Wireless + USB	90 beginner 42 business	Check Brother availability Sponsored link opens in a new tab.
Brother PE900 5 x 7 hobby embroidery	Embroidery Only	$999	5 x 7	1	No	Wireless + USB	82 beginner 55 business	Check Brother availability Sponsored link opens in a new tab.
Brother SE2000 sewing plus 5 x 7 embroidery	Sewing Embroidery Combo	$1,499	5 x 7	1	No	Wireless + USB	78 beginner 62 business	Check Brother availability Sponsored link opens in a new tab.
Brother Innov-is NQ1700E larger apparel designs	Embroidery Only	$1,799	6 x 10	1	No	Wireless + USB	70 beginner 68 business	Check Brother availability Sponsored link opens in a new tab.
bernette b79 makers who want BERNINA-family sewing plus embroidery	Sewing Embroidery Combo	$2,299	10.2 x 6.3	1	No	USB import	64 beginner 61 business	Check bernette details Sponsored link opens in a new tab.
Janome Memory Craft 500E large flat embroidery	Embroidery Only	$2,499	7.9 x 11	1	No	USB import	58 beginner 70 business	Check Janome dealer info Sponsored link opens in a new tab.
Janome Memory Craft 550E oversized flat designs	Embroidery Only	$2,999	7.9 x 14.2	1	No	USB import	52 beginner 74 business	Check Janome dealer info Sponsored link opens in a new tab.
Baby Lock Alliance small shops needing free-arm access	Embroidery Only	$4,999	8 x 8	1	Yes	USB import	45 beginner 78 business	Check Baby Lock details Sponsored link opens in a new tab.
Brother Entrepreneur W PR680W Etsy apparel shops moving beyond single needle	Multi Needle	$11,999	8 x 12	6	Yes	Wireless + USB	28 beginner 90 business	Check Brother details Sponsored link opens in a new tab.
Janome MB-7 compact multi-needle home studios	Multi Needle	$9,999	9.4 x 7.9	7	Yes	USB import	34 beginner 84 business	Check Janome dealer info Sponsored link opens in a new tab.
Ricoma EM-1010 startup embroidery businesses	Commercial	$4,999	12.2 x 8.3	10	Yes	Wireless + USB	36 beginner 88 business	Check Ricoma package details Sponsored link opens in a new tab.

Embroidery Only

Brother PE545

$399 estimated

4 x 4

Needles: 1
Hats: Flat work
Import: Wireless + USB
Fit: 92 beginner / 38 business

first embroidery-only machine

Check Brother availability

Sewing Embroidery Combo

Brother SE700

$580 estimated

4 x 4

Needles: 1
Hats: Flat work
Import: Wireless + USB
Fit: 90 beginner / 42 business

beginner sewing plus embroidery

Check Brother availability

Embroidery Only

Brother PE900

$999 estimated

5 x 7

Needles: 1
Hats: Flat work
Import: Wireless + USB
Fit: 82 beginner / 55 business

5 x 7 hobby embroidery

Check Brother availability

Sewing Embroidery Combo

Brother SE2000

$1,499 estimated

5 x 7

Needles: 1
Hats: Flat work
Import: Wireless + USB
Fit: 78 beginner / 62 business

sewing plus 5 x 7 embroidery

Check Brother availability

Embroidery Only

Brother Innov-is NQ1700E

$1,799 estimated

6 x 10

Needles: 1
Hats: Flat work
Import: Wireless + USB
Fit: 70 beginner / 68 business

larger apparel designs

Check Brother availability

Sewing Embroidery Combo

bernette b79

$2,299 estimated

10.2 x 6.3

Needles: 1
Hats: Flat work
Import: USB import
Fit: 64 beginner / 61 business

makers who want BERNINA-family sewing plus embroidery

Check bernette details

Embroidery Only

Janome Memory Craft 500E

$2,499 estimated

7.9 x 11

Needles: 1
Hats: Flat work
Import: USB import
Fit: 58 beginner / 70 business

large flat embroidery

Check Janome dealer info

Embroidery Only

Janome Memory Craft 550E

$2,999 estimated

7.9 x 14.2

Needles: 1
Hats: Flat work
Import: USB import
Fit: 52 beginner / 74 business

oversized flat designs

Check Janome dealer info

Embroidery Only

Baby Lock Alliance

$4,999 estimated

8 x 8

Needles: 1
Hats: Supported
Import: USB import
Fit: 45 beginner / 78 business

small shops needing free-arm access

Check Baby Lock details

Multi Needle

Brother Entrepreneur W PR680W

$11,999 estimated

8 x 12

Needles: 6
Hats: Supported
Import: Wireless + USB
Fit: 28 beginner / 90 business

Etsy apparel shops moving beyond single needle

Check Brother details

Multi Needle

Janome MB-7

$9,999 estimated

9.4 x 7.9

Needles: 7
Hats: Supported
Import: USB import
Fit: 34 beginner / 84 business

compact multi-needle home studios

Check Janome dealer info

Commercial

Ricoma EM-1010

$4,999 estimated

12.2 x 8.3

Needles: 10
Hats: Supported
Import: Wireless + USB
Fit: 36 beginner / 88 business

startup embroidery businesses

Check Ricoma package details

How to read the comparison chart

The best spec is the one that removes a real constraint from your work. A larger hoop matters only when your designs need it; more needles matter when repeat color changes slow paid orders.

Hoop field

A 4 x 4 field works for monograms and small patches. Move toward 5 x 7 for shirts and applique, 6 x 10 or larger for sweatshirt fronts, bags, and larger flat designs.

Needle count

Single-needle machines are cheaper and simpler, but every color change is manual. Multi-needle machines cost more because they reduce labor during repeat logos and batch work.

Hat support

Structured caps usually need a free-arm or multi-needle setup plus the right cap frame. Flat-bed machines can still handle patches, beanies, towels, totes, and most shirt placements.

Import workflow

USB import is enough for most purchased designs. Wireless transfer is useful when you send files often, but it should not outweigh hoop size, service access, or business throughput.

Machine detail pages

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Beginner buying guide

Brother