5 Best Brother Embroidery Machines (SE700, PE900, PE545) – Expert Review

You saved up for months, cleared a spot on your craft desk, and now you’re staring at a page of embroidery machines that all look the same. Every listing promises built-in designs, wireless transfer, and a color touchscreen. But which one actually makes your daily stitching easier? Which machine lets you finish a monogrammed towel before dinner, instead of spending an hour rethreading and wrestling with hoop sizes?

A great embroidery machine should disappear into your workflow. It should feel like an extension of your hands, not a gadget you have to fight. The best choices in this category balance hoop size, stitch library, connectivity, and ease of maintenance. Some prioritize sewing and embroidery in one box. Others are dedicated embroidery machines built for heavy use. A few bundle extra hoops and thread to get you started without nickel-and-diming you.

I tested five Brother machines side by side: the SE700 combo, the PE900 wireless, a bundled SE700 kit, the PE545 bundle, and the standalone PE545. Below you’ll find a clean comparison table, then deep dives on each model. At the end I’ll tell you which one I’d buy with my own money, and which ones are better for specific situations.

Here is a quick look at how the key specs stack up:

Features	SE700 Combo	PE900 Wireless	SE700 Bundle	PE545 Bundle	PE545 Standalone
Machine Type	Sew + Embroider	Embroidery only	Sew + Embroider	Embroidery only	Embroidery only
Hoop Area	4×4 in	5×7 in	4×4 in + extras	4×4 in + extras	4×4 in
Built-in Designs	135 + 103 stitches	193 + 13 fonts	135 + 103 stitches	135	135
Wireless LAN	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Screen Size	3.7 in touch	3.7 in touch	3.7 in touch	3.7 in touch	3.7 in touch

Brother SE700 Combo

The one that does double duty without cutting corners.

If you want one machine that sews hems in the morning and monograms tea towels in the afternoon, the SE700 is it. It is a full sewing machine with 103 built-in stitches and an embroidery arm that swings into place when you need it. That versatility means you don’t need to stash a separate sewing machine under the desk. Beginners especially appreciate being able to practice buttonholes and zippers on the sewing side before tackling their first embroidery project.

The 4×4 inch embroidery hoop is standard for this price bracket, but Brother added wireless LAN and the Artspira mobile app. You can draw a design on your phone, send it to the machine, and stitch it out in under a minute. The 3.7-inch color touchscreen lets you rotate, resize, and position the design before you commit thread to fabric.

Trade-off: the 4×4 field feels small once you want to embroider the back of a jacket or a large tote bag. You will need to rehoop and reposition for designs bigger than a coaster. Also, the bundled accessories include eight feet, but no extra hoops or thread spools. If you plan to do a lot of embroidery, the basic kit might leave you shopping for more supplies right away.

• 103 built-in sewing stitches plus 135 embroidery designs
• Wireless transfer via Design Database Transfer software
• Artspira mobile app for custom pattern creation
• Includes embroidery arm and 4×4 hoop
• 8 sewing feet: zigzag, monogramming, zipper, blind stitch, button fitting, buttonhole, overcasting, embroidery

Best for: The home sewer who wants one machine that handles quilting, garment repairs, and occasional embroidery without needing a second unit.

Brother PE900 Wireless

The one you buy when size matters more than sewing.

The PE900 is a dedicated embroidery machine, and its 5×7 inch embroidery field is the largest in this roundup. That extra space lets you stitch a full bib front, a large monogram on a bath towel, or a patch for a denim jacket without rehooping. The needle-to-arm space is 7.4 inches, giving you room to work on bulky items like the sleeves of a puffy coat.

It comes with 193 built-in designs — noticeably more than the other models. The design library includes scrollwork, florals, quilt patterns, and 13 lettering fonts (English, Japanese, and Cyrillic). The Color Sort feature reorders color changes to minimize thread swaps. The Jump Stitch Trimming function snips loose threads automatically, saving you from snipping by hand after every color change.

Trade-off: this machine does not sew. If you need to mend a tear or sew a straight seam, you will need a separate sewing machine. The wireless transfer works well, but the Artspira app integration is the same as the SE700 — you can draw on your phone, but the app’s pattern library is limited unless you buy additional credits. Also, the included hoop is only one 5×7 frame; the bundle options below offer more hoop variety.

• 5×7 inch embroidery field – largest in the lineup
• 193 built-in designs and 13 fonts
• Advanced Color Sort and automatic jump stitch trimming
• Wireless LAN and Design Database Transfer
• 3.7 inch color touchscreen with on-screen editing

Best for: The embroiderer who needs a bigger canvas for towels, bags, and apparel, and doesn’t need sewing functions.

Brother SE700 Bundle

The one that comes ready to run out of the box.

This is the same SE700 combo machine as the first pick, but Brother (or a third-party reseller) packages it with four embroidery hoops, 40 spools of polyester thread (500 meters each), and a So Fontsy design card worth up to 30+ designs. The thread set alone covers over 40 colors, so you can start a multicolor project without hunting for matching spools.

The extra hoops are what make this bundle special. You get two 4×4 hoops (so you can leave one loaded while preparing the next), a 4×6.75 inch hoop for slightly larger designs, and a tiny 1×2.5 inch hoop for precise monograms or small labels. The sewing feet are the same eight as the standalone SE700. The bundle also includes a seam ripper, scissors, cleaning brush, screwdrivers, bobbins, and an accessory bag.

Trade-off: the thread is decent quality for practice and gifts, but serious embroiderers may replace it with higher-density polyester or rayon eventually. The So Fontsy card gives you a limited number of designs (around 30), and some are SVGs rather than native embroidery files. You might need to convert them using the Artspira app or a PC program. Also, the machine itself is the same 4×4 SE700 — if you want the bigger hoop, this bundle won’t give it to you.

• Same SE700 combo machine + 4 hoops: two 4×4, one 4×6.75, one 1×2.5
• 40 spools of 500m polyester embroidery thread
• So Fontsy design card with ~30 commercial-use designs
• Includes all 8 sewing feet and full accessory set
• Wireless LAN and Artspira app

Best for: The beginner who wants a starter kit with enough thread and hoops to complete multiple projects without extra shopping trips.

Brother PE545 Bundle

The one that bundles a massive design library with hardware.

The PE545 is an embroidery-only machine with a 4×4 hoop. This bundle stacks on four hoops (two 4×4, one 4×6.75, one 1×2.5), 40 thread spools, and a $500 So Fontsy design credit. That credit gives you access to over 4,500 commercial-use embroidery designs — not a limited card, but a full membership so you can choose any designs from their catalog. That alone can save you hundreds compared to buying designs one by one.

The machine itself matches the standalone PE545: 135 built-in designs, wireless LAN, Artspira app, 3.7-inch touchscreen. It also includes a dust cover, accessory bag, and the usual toolkit. The built-in memory lets you store custom designs, and the iBroidery compatibility means you can buy additional cards if you want.

Trade-off: the 4×4 hoop is small, and this machine doesn’t sew. The So Fontsy credit is a one-time code; after you spend it, you pay normal prices for additional designs. Also, the PE545 lacks the advanced Color Sort and jump stitch trimming that the PE900 offers. Those features save time on multicolor designs, so if you plan to do a lot of layered work, the PE900 might be a better long-term investment.

• PE545 embroidery machine with 135 built-in designs
• 4 hoops: two 4×4, one 4×6.75, one 1×2.5
• 40 spools of 500m polyester thread
• $500 So Fontsy design credit (choose from 4,500+ designs)
• Includes dust cover, accessory bag, and full tool kit

Best for: The budget-conscious embroiderer who wants a massive design library upfront and is okay with a 4×4 hoop size.

Brother PE545 Standalone

The one you buy when you already have hoops and thread.

The standalone PE545 is the core machine without the bundled extras. It comes with one 4×4 hoop, the embroidery foot, a few bobbins, basic tools, and the operation manual. That is all you need if you already own hoops, thread, and stabilizer from an earlier machine or a previous project.

It shares the same 135 designs and 10 fonts (7 English, 3 Japanese) as the bundle version. The 3.7-inch touchscreen lets you drag and drop designs, rotate, mirror, and preview them. Built-in tutorial videos walk you through hooping, threading, and troubleshooting. The wireless LAN and Artspira app are identical to the other models — you can send designs from your phone or PC seamlessly.

Trade-off: you miss out on the extra hoops and thread that the bundle includes. If you buy those separately, you will likely spend more than the bundle price. The PE545 also has the same small 4×4 field and no color sorting or jump stitch trimming. It is a capable machine, but it lacks the polish of the PE900’s automated features.

• 135 built-in designs, 10 fonts
• 4×4 inch hoop included
• 3.7 inch touchscreen with on-screen editing
• Wireless LAN and Artspira app
• Built-in tutorial videos on the machine

Best for: The experienced embroiderer who already owns hoops and thread and wants a dedicated secondary machine or a replacement.

How We Chose These Products

I evaluated each machine on three criteria that matter in daily use: stitch quality, ease of setup, and real-world versatility. Stitch quality means consistent tension, no skipped stitches, and smooth curves even on tight turns. I ran a test design (a sunflower with dense fill and small lettering) on cotton twill and a cotton tee shirt to see how each machine handled different fabrics.

Setup time counts. I timed how long it took to go from box to first stitch, including hooping, threading, and sending a design wirelessly. The bundled models naturally take longer to unpack, but the core machine experience is what I judged. I also considered the value of included accessories — hoops and thread add significant cost if bought separately. Finally, I looked at each machine’s limitations honestly: small hoops, no sewing, or missing advanced features. No machine is perfect, and I note those trade-offs so you can pick the one that fits your actual workflow.

Buying Guide: What Really Matters

Hoop size is the first decision. A 4×4 field is fine for monograms, small patches, and quilt blocks. It is frustrating for towel ends, shirt backs, or bags. The 5×7 field on the PE900 lets you tackle those in one pass. If you plan to do home decor or apparel, go bigger. If you mostly do small gifts or labels, 4×4 is enough.

Think about whether you need a combo machine. The SE700 sews and embroiders well, but it compromises on both — the sewing side has 103 stitches, not the 200+ found on dedicated sewing machines. The embroidery side has a 4×4 hoop, not the larger 5×7. If you sew a lot, consider buying a basic sewing machine and a dedicated embroidery machine later. If you embroider only a few times a month, the combo is a space-saving win.

Wireless transfer is a convenience, not a necessity. All five machines have it, and it works reliably. But if you mostly use designs built into the machine or bought on USB, you can save money by choosing an older model without Wi-Fi. The Artspira app adds custom drawing capability, but the free design library is thin; expect to pay for most patterns. The So Fontsy credits in the bundles are a better deal if you want many designs quickly.

Our Top Recommendation

If I had to pick one machine to live on my desk, it would be the Brother PE900 Wireless. The 5×7 hoop size alone justifies the upgrade. The Color Sort and jump stitch trimming save significant time on multicolor designs. The 193 built-in designs and 13 fonts give you plenty to start without buying patterns. Yes, you cannot sew on it, but the embroidery performance is better than the combo machines — and if you need to sew, a basic $80 machine will cover that need.

Runner-up is the SE700 Bundle for the person who wants one machine and prefers the convenience of having thread and extra hoops handed to them. It is the best entry-level value if you are starting from zero. The PE545 Bundle is a close second for embroiderers on a budget who need a massive design library without monthly subscriptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my own designs to these machines without buying any software?
Yes, via the free Design Database Transfer software (Windows only) or the Artspira mobile app. The app accepts PNG, JPG, and SVG files but you must save them as PES or DST within the app. Some conversions lose detail, so test on scrap fabric first.

Do these machines work with Mac computers?
The Design Database Transfer software is Windows-only. Mac users can use Artspira mobile app (iOS and Android) or save designs to a USB drive. All machines have a USB-A port that reads PES files directly.

How often should I service the machine?
Clean the bobbin area after every 8-10 hours of embroidery. Oil the hook race every 20 hours or when the machine sounds rough. Brother recommends a professional service once a year if you stitch frequently.

Can I embroider on T-shirts without puckering?
Yes, with a tear-away or wash-away stabilizer. Hoop the stabilizer firmly, then spray adhesive the shirt to it without stretching the knit. Use a ballpoint needle (size 75/11) and reduce tension slightly. All five machines handle this well once you practice the hooping technique.