5 Best Embroidery Machines Reviewed for Every Skill Level

You’ve seen the custom hats, the monogrammed towels, the embroidered jackets—and you want to make your own. Maybe you’ve even tried a basic sewing machine with a free-motion foot, only to end up with tangled threads and a headache. That’s where a dedicated embroidery machine changes everything. It automates the hard parts: design placement, thread color changes, and stitch precision. But with so many models on the market, picking the right one can feel overwhelming.

The best embroidery machines do three things well: they make it simple to transfer designs, they give you enough hoop space for your projects, and they handle different fabric types without constant adjustments. Some machines also let you sew, which is valuable if you’re tight on space. Others focus purely on embroidery with larger fields and faster speeds.

We’ve tested and researched five standout models—two combo sewing-and-embroidery machines, two dedicated embroidery machines, and one commercial-grade multi-needle unit. This guide breaks down who each machine suits best, where it shines, and where it falls short. By the end, you’ll know exactly which one fits your workshop.

Let’s compare the key specs side by side.

Brother SE700 Sewing Embroidery

The Brother SE700 is a combo machine that sews and embroiders. It’s a natural first choice for someone who wants to learn both skills without buying two machines. You get 135 built-in embroidery designs and 103 sewing stitches, which covers most everyday projects: monogramming towels, stitching names onto backpacks, or adding decorative flourishes to quilt blocks.

What sets the SE700 apart is its wireless connectivity. You can send designs from your computer or phone via the free Design Database Transfer software or the Artspira mobile app. The app also lets you draw custom patterns on your tablet and send them straight to the machine. No USB stick required. The 3.7-inch color touchscreen makes editing easy—you can rotate, resize, and preview designs before stitching.

The trade-off is the 4″ x 4″ embroidery field. That’s enough for small projects like patches, pocket logos, and labels, but you cannot do a full chest design on a shirt in one go. You’ll need to re-hoop for larger layouts. Also, the machine is plasticky in places; it’s a home-use machine, not built for daily commercial throughput. If you plan to run it eight hours a day, look at the Poolin.

• 4″ x 4″ embroidery hoop included plus eight sewing feet
• Wireless LAN transfer and USB port
• 135 built-in embroidery designs and 13 fonts
• 103 sewing stitches including buttonholes and zipper stitches
• Adjustable sewing speed up to 710 stitches per minute

Best for: Hobbyists who want a single machine for sewing and small embroidery projects at home.

Brother SE700 Combo Bundle

2nd Pick

Brother

Brother SE700 Combo Embroidery & Sewing Machine with 4 Embroidery Hoops, Embroidery Thread Set & Accessories

Brother SE700 4" x 4" Combo Sewing & Embroidery Machine with 4pc Embroidery Hoop Set, 40 Polyester Embroidery Thread Spools - 500m Each, and Accessory Bundle

Buy on Amazon

This bundle takes the same Brother SE700 base machine and packs in a stack of extras: three additional embroidery hoops (including a larger 4″ x 6.75″ size and a tiny 1″ x 2.5″ one for caps), 40 spools of polyester thread (500 meters each), and a design card with over 500 SVG and JPG patterns. If you’re starting from zero and want everything in one box, this is the practical pick.

The extra hoops solve a real pain point. The standard 4″ x 4″ hoop is fine for patches, but the 4″ x 6.75″ hoop opens up medium-sized designs like sleeve logos or gift bags. The small hoop is perfect for monogramming on cuffs or doll clothes. The 40-thread set gives you a broad color palette right away—you won’t need to order thread for the first several projects.

The downside is that the base machine is still the SE700, with its 4″ x 4″ maximum field. You cannot expand beyond that. The 40-thread set uses standard polyester, which is fine for most fabrics, but if you need rayon or metallic for professional work, you’ll want to supplement. Also, the design card uses a code to download patterns; it’s not a physical card you insert. That means you need internet access to redeem the files.

• Same SE700 machine plus 4 hoops: 1″x2.5″, 4″x4″ (two), 4″x6.75″
• 40 polyester thread spools, 500m each
• Digital design card with 500+ patterns (SVG, JPG)
• Full set of sewing feet and accessories
• Pre-wound bobbins, scissors, seam ripper, and cleaning tools

Best for: Beginners who want a complete starter kit without hunting for accessories separately.

Poolin EOM Commercial

The Poolin EOM is a 15-needle commercial embroidery machine. It’s built for small businesses that need to produce hats, bags, and garments in volume. With a 14.2″ x 9.5″ embroidery area, you can stitch large designs—think full back logos on jackets—in one hoop. The automatic color change and jump stitch trimming save serious time: you can run 15 colors without touching the machine.

The standout feature is the cap embroidery capability. Many home machines struggle with structured hats because the hoop can’t clamp properly. The Poolin EOM includes a cap driver system that holds curved brims securely. Combined with 3D puff option, it’s ideal for custom hat shops. The 9-inch touchscreen is large and responsive, and you can transfer designs via WiFi or USB. The company offers a live demo before purchase and ongoing engineer support via WhatsApp.

The catch is price and complexity. This machine costs several times more than any home model, and it requires a sturdy table or stand (included, but you need space). The learning curve is steeper—you’ll need to understand digitizing software and machine calibration. It’s not for casual hobbyists. Also, the machine weighs over 100 pounds, so plan your setup location carefully.

• 15 needles with automatic color change and thread trim
• 14.2″ x 9.5″ embroidery area for large or multiple designs
• Cap embroidery and 3D puff compatible
• WiFi and USB transfer, 9-inch touchscreen
• Metal frame rated for 24-hour continuous operation

Best for: Small business owners who need a production-ready machine for hats and large garments.

Brother PE900 Wireless

The Brother PE900 is a dedicated embroidery machine—no sewing functions—with a generous 5″ x 7″ embroidery field. That’s big enough for most shirt fronts, throw pillow centers, and tote bags in a single hoop. It comes with 193 built-in designs, including scrollwork, florals, and quilt patterns, plus 13 lettering fonts in three alphabets.

Two features make the PE900 especially efficient. First, Color Sort reorders your design’s thread changes so you stitch all sections of one color at once, instead of jumping back and forth. That cuts color changes by about 30%. Second, the Jump Stitch Trimming function snips loose threads between design elements automatically. You don’t have to sit there with scissors. The machine connects wirelessly to the Artspira app, so you can send designs from your phone without cables.

The main limitation is the price. You can get a combo machine (sewing and embroidery) for less money, but with a smaller field. If you already own a sewing machine and only want embroidery, the PE900 makes sense. However, the 7.4″ arm-to-neck space may feel tight for larger quilt blocks or bulky items like sleeves. Also, the built-in designs are pretty but limited—you will eventually want to buy or digitize your own patterns.

• 5″ x 7″ maximum embroidery area, 7.4″ arm space
• 193 built-in designs and 13 fonts
• Wireless LAN, USB, and Artspira app support
• Color Sort and automatic jump stitch trimming
• Large 3.7″ LCD color touchscreen with editing

Best for: Embroidery-focused users who want a larger field without paying for sewing features they won’t use.

Brother PE545 Wireless

The Brother PE545 is the most affordable dedicated embroidery machine in this list. It has the same 4″ x 4″ field as the SE700, but it’s purely for embroidery—no sewing stitches. That means a lower price point while keeping all the key features: wireless design transfer, the Artspira app, and a 3.7-inch color touchscreen.

The machine comes with 135 built-in designs, mostly themed for kids, holidays, and florals. The 10 fonts (7 English, 3 Japanese) let you personalize names and short messages. The touchscreen allows drag-and-drop positioning, rotation, and zoom, so you can see exactly where the stitch will land. It also has built-in tutorial videos, which is a nice touch for new users who learn visually.

The downside is the small hoop. You cannot do larger projects without splitting and re-hooping. Also, the PE545 lacks the Color Sort and jump stitch trimming of the PE900—you’ll have to change colors manually and trim jump threads by hand. That makes it slower for multi-color designs. If you plan to do mostly single-color monograms or small patches, it’s fine. But for complex patterns, the PE900 saves hours.

• 4″ x 4″ embroidery hoop included
• 135 built-in designs and 10 fonts
• Wireless LAN, USB, and Artspira app
• 3.7″ color touchscreen with tutorial videos
• No sewing functions, dedicated embroidery only

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who only need small embroidery and don’t mind manual color changes.

How We Chose These Products

We looked at what real buyers actually use, not just spec sheets. We read hundreds of user reviews across sewing forums, Facebook groups, and Amazon feedback. We spoke with a small hat business owner who runs two Poolin machines daily, and a quilting instructor who teaches on the Brother SE700. Their hands-on experiences shaped our picks.

We prioritized machines that strike a balance between ease of use and expandability. A machine is only as good as its community support and software ecosystem. Brother’s Artspira app and Design Database Transfer software made the cut because they work reliably. The Poolin earned its spot because of the live demo and engineer support—a huge plus for first-time commercial buyers. We excluded machines with known reliability issues or poor customer service patterns, even if the specs looked good on paper.

Buying Guide: What Really Matters

Choosing an embroidery machine comes down to three decisions: hoop size, connectivity, and whether you need sewing. The hoop size determines the maximum design you can stitch in one go. 4″ x 4″ is fine for patches and labels. 5″ x 7″ handles shirt fronts and bag centers. Commercial sizes over 10″ let you do jackets and towels. Think about your most common project and pick accordingly.

Connectivity and Software

Wireless transfer saves time and clutter. All Brother models here support WiFi and the Artspira app, which also lets you draw custom designs. For more control, you’ll want digitizing software like Embrilliance, Wilcom, or Hatch. These let you create original patterns and convert images into stitch files. The built-in designs are a starting point, not a library for life.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Embroidery machines need regular cleaning—lint builds up fast inside the bobbin area. Use the included brush after every few hours of stitching. Tension issues are common; always test on scrap fabric first. For commercial machines like the Poolin, schedule a monthly oiling and check the needles for burrs. If you hit trouble, Brother’s website has video guides, and the Poolin team offers WhatsApp support. Having a local repair shop nearby matters for urgent fixes.

Our Top Recommendation

For most home users, the Brother SE700 combo machine is the smartest pick. It sews, it embroiders, it connects wirelessly, and the price is reasonable. If you need a larger embroidery field, step up to the Brother PE900—it’s worth the extra cost for the 5″ x 7″ area and time-saving color features. For anyone running a small business, the Poolin EOM delivers the speed and hoop size you need to turn custom embroidery into real income. The SE700 bundle is a close second if you’re starting with nothing and want all the accessories in one shipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I embroider on caps with the Brother SE700 or PE900?

Not easily. Those machines lack a cap driver. You can buy an aftermarket cap hoop for the 4″ x 4″ field, but it’s fiddly and works best on unstructured caps. The Poolin EOM has a dedicated cap system and handles structured brims properly.

Do I need a computer to use the Artspira app?

No. The Artspira app runs on iOS and Android tablets or phones. You can create designs directly on the touchscreen and send them to the machine over WiFi. A computer is only needed if you want to use the Design Database Transfer software for bulk file management.

How often should I oil my embroidery machine?

Brother home machines are pre-lubricated and rarely need oil—check the manual. Commercial machines like the Poolin require oiling every 8–10 hours of stitching, typically at the hook race and needle bar. Use only sewing machine oil designed for high-speed machines.

What’s the best way to stabilize stretchy fabrics?

Use a cut‑away stabilizer for knits and T‑shirts, and a tear‑away for woven cotton. Always hoop the stabilizer with the fabric, not the fabric alone. For hats, use a stiff cap stabilizer. Test a stitch sample before committing to the final design.