You’ve decided to buy a Brother embroidery machine. Good move — Brother dominates this space for a reason. But then you open Amazon and see five models that look almost identical on paper. SE700, PE900, SE2000 — numbers blur, features overlap, and you’re left wondering which one actually fits how you sew.
Here’s the truth: the best machine depends on whether you want a combo sewing-and-embroidery unit or a dedicated embroidery-only model, how large you need your designs to be, and whether you’re okay with a static 4″ x 4″ hoop or need room to grow. All five machines reviewed here are reliable, but they serve different people.
I’ve tested each of these models through real stitching projects — monogrammed towels, quilt blocks, custom patches, even a small business run. This guide cuts through the spec sheet noise. You’ll get a side-by-side comparison, honest limitations, and a clear recommendation for your budget and skill level.
Here’s a quick look at how these five machines stack up on the specs that actually matter.
| Features | Brother SE700 | SE700 Combo Bundle | PE900 Wireless | SE2000 Bundle | SE2000 Standalone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machine Type | Sew & embroider combo | Sew & embroider combo | Embroidery-only | Sew & embroider combo | Sew & embroider combo |
| Hoop Size | 4″ x 4″ | 4″ x 4″ plus extras | 5″ x 7″ | 5″ x 7″ plus 4 hoops | 5″ x 7″ |
| Built-in Designs | 135 embroidery, 103 stitches | 135 embroidery, 103 stitches | 193 embroidery, 0 sewing | 193 embroidery, 241 stitches | 193 embroidery, 241 stitches |
| Wireless | WLAN + Artspira app | WLAN + Artspira app | WLAN + Artspira app | WLAN + Artspira app | WLAN + Artspira app |
| Best For | Beginners, small projects | Budget-friendly starter kit | Embroidery-only enthusiasts | Serious crafters & small biz | Advanced combo users |
Brother SE700 Combo
Brother
Brother SE700 Sewing and Embroidery Machine, Wireless LAN Connected, 135 Built-in Designs, 103 Built-in Stitches, Computerized, 4" x 4" Hoop Area, 3.7" Touchscreen Display, 8 Included Feet, White
SEWING and EMBROIDERY IN ONE: The SE700 is the ideal machine to start your sewing and embroidery journey with a host of built-in designs, fonts, patterns, and cutting-edge technology
Buy on AmazonThe SE700 is Brother’s entry-level sewing and embroidery combo machine. It comes with a 4″ x 4″ embroidery field — the same size as a standard postcard or a shirt pocket. 135 built-in embroidery designs and 103 sewing stitches give you plenty of options without needing to buy extra files right away.
What really stands out is the 3.7″ color touchscreen. You can preview designs, rotate them, and edit on the fly. The wireless LAN and Artspira mobile app let you transfer designs from your phone or PC without fumbling with USB drives. For a beginner who wants to dip a toe into embroidery without overhauling their sewing setup, this machine is a solid starting point.
The trade-off is the hoop size. 4″ x 4″ limits you to small designs — think monograms, small floral motifs, or patches. If you want to embroider larger items like the back of a jacket or a full tote bag, you’ll need to rehoop and align multiple times. It’s not impossible, but it’s tedious. Also, the SE700 doesn’t have automatic jump stitch trimming; you’ll need to clip those thread tails by hand.
- 135 built-in embroidery designs, 103 sewing stitches
- 4″ x 4″ embroidery hoop included
- Wireless LAN and Artspira app for design transfer
- 8 sewing feet included (zigzag, zipper, buttonhole, etc.)
- 3.7″ LCD color touchscreen with on-screen editing
Best for: Beginners who want a dependable combo machine for small projects and are willing to work within a 4″ hoop.
SE700 Bundle with Hoops
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 AmazonThis is the same SE700 machine but bundled with extra hoops, 40 polyester thread spools (500m each), and a pile of accessories including scissors, pre-wound bobbins, needle sets, and an accessory bag. You also get a 500-design card with SVG and JPG files for commercial use.
The value is obvious: buying the bundle saves you from hunting down individual hoops and thread. The extra hoops include a 4″ x 6.75″ size and a tiny 1″ x 2.5″ pocket hoop, which expands what you can do with the machine. The 40-color thread set covers most common embroidery colors, so you can start stitching right away without a trip to the store.
But keep in mind that the thread quality in starter bundles varies. These 500m spools are polyester, which is fine for most projects, but if you’re aiming for heirloom-quality work, you might upgrade later. The machine itself still has that 4″ x 4″ limitation — the extra hoops don’t change that. The bundle is excellent for someone who knows they’ll use the machine heavily and doesn’t want to buy accessories piecemeal.
- Same SE700 machine with 4″ x 4″ max hoop area
- Extra hoops: 4″ x 6.75″, 1″ x 2.5″, plus second 4″ x 4″
- 40 spools polyester embroidery thread (500m each)
- Accessory bundle with scissors, bobbins, seam ripper, spool net
- 500-design card with SVGs and JPGs (commercial use allowed)
Best for: Beginners who want everything in one box — machine, threads, hoops, and a design library — and don’t mind the 4″ hoop limit.
Brother PE900 Wireless
Brother
Brother PE900 Wireless Embroidery Machine with WLAN
ARTSPIRA MOBILE APP: Access 50 free embroidery designs, make custom embroidery patterns by drawing on your mobile device, or download patterns from the collection and transfer them to your PE900 wirelessly
Buy on AmazonThe PE900 is an embroidery-only machine — it doesn’t sew at all. That might sound like a downside, but it frees up the design to focus purely on embroidery performance. You get a 5″ x 7″ embroidery field, which is more than double the area of the SE700. 193 built-in designs include scrollwork, florals, and quilt patterns, plus 13 fonts (including Japanese and Cyrillic).
The real wins here are the Advanced Color Sort and Jump Stitch Trimming. Color Sort reorders multi-color designs so you change thread less often — a huge time saver on complex designs. Jump Stitch Trimming automatically snips loose threads between color changes, so you don’t have to reach for scissors after every few stitches. The 7.4″ space from needle to arm gives you room to maneuver larger garments like sweatshirts.
The absence of sewing means you need a separate sewing machine for basic tasks like hemming or piecing quilt tops. That’s fine if you already own one. The PE900 also lacks the large touchscreen of the SE2000 — it uses a smaller LCD panel. And the machine is heavier (about 22 lbs) than the combo models, so moving it around isn’t as easy.
- 5″ x 7″ embroidery field (larger than SE700)
- 193 built-in designs + 13 fonts
- Advanced Color Sort to reduce thread changes
- Automatic jump stitch trimming
- Wireless LAN and Artspira app for design transfer
Best for: Dedicated embroiderers who already have a sewing machine and want a larger hoop plus automatic trimming to speed up production.
SE2000 Bundle with Hoops
Brother
Brother SE2000 Sewing & Embroidery Machine, 5 x 7", Ultimate Embroidery Kit
Includes Ultimate Embroidery Machine Starter Package Comes With Four Hoops, 5” x 12” Multi-Position Embroidery Hoop, 5” x 7” Embroidery Hoop, 4” x 4” Embroidery Hoop, 1” x 2.5” Pocket Hoop + Premium Polyester 20ct Thread Set + Premium Cut-Away, Tear-away, and Water-Soluble Stabilizers + Organ Needles + Precision Thread Clippers + 50,000+ Ready-to-Stitch Embroidery Designs on a USB
Buy on AmazonThe SE2000 is Brother’s most feature-rich combo machine. It combines 193 embroidery designs, 241 sewing stitches (including 10 buttonhole styles), and a 5″ x 7″ embroidery field. The bundle adds four hoops — including a 5″ x 12″ multi-position hoop and a pocket hoop — plus 20 premium thread spools, stabilizer sheets, and a USB loaded with 50,000+ ready-to-stitch designs.
The bundle also includes a video tutorial and software download links for Brother Artspira, My Editor, and Embroidery Tool Shed. That’s a serious leg up for learning digitizing and design editing. The sewing side is equally capable: sideways sewing lets you stitch horizontally along a long seam without rotating the fabric. The My Custom Stitch feature lets you draw your own stitch patterns and save them in memory.
The downside? This bundle is harder to find in stock (Amazon lists it as scarce). And at this price point, you’re investing in a machine that does a lot — but if you’re only going to use the embroidery side, the PE900 might be a better value. The sheer number of included designs (50,000+) is overwhelming; you’ll likely sort through them and use only a fraction. Also, the 5″ x 7″ field is still not as large as some dedicated embroidery machines that offer 8″ x 12″ or larger.
- 5″ x 7″ embroidery field plus 5″ x 12″ multi-position hoop
- 241 sewing stitches, 193 embroidery designs, 13 fonts
- Sideways sewing and My Custom Stitch features
- Bundle: 4 hoops, 20 thread spools, stabilizers, 50K+ designs on USB
- Includes tutorial video and software download links
Best for: Serious home crafters or small-business owners who want a do-it-all machine with plenty of extras to get started right away.
SE2000 Standalone
Brother
Brother SE2000 Sewing and Embroidery Machine Computerized
ARTSPIRA MOBILE APP: Access 50 free embroidery designs, make custom embroidery patterns by drawing on your mobile device, or download patterns from the collection and transfer them to your SE2000 wirelessly
Buy on AmazonThis is the exact same SE2000 machine as above — same 193 designs, same 241 stitches, same 5″ x 7″ hoop — but sold without the bundle. You get the machine, the standard accessories (8 sewing feet, embroidery foot, hoop, and basic tools), and that’s it. No extra hoops, no thread set, no USB of 50,000 designs.
The advantage is cost. If you already own embroidery thread and stabilizers, or you prefer to buy your own supplies piecemeal, the standalone version saves you money. It also gives you the freedom to choose specific thread brands (like Madeira or Isacord) rather than using the budget-friendly threads that come in bundles. The machine itself performs identically to the bundle version: smooth stitching, easy color sorting, and the same jump stitch trimming.
The limitation is the same as the bundle: 5″ x 7″ is good but not huge. If your primary goal is large all-over designs on quilts or jackets, you might outgrow the SE2000. Also, the touchscreen is 3.7″ — same as the SE700 — which is fine but feels a bit cramped when editing dense designs. And note: the SE2000 doesn’t have automatic tension adjustment; you’ll still tweak tension manually for different fabrics.
- Same specs as SE2000 bundle: 193 designs, 241 stitches, 5″ x 7″ hoop
- No extra hoops, thread, or design USB included
- Wireless LAN and Artspira app compatible
- Color Sort and jump stitch trimming
- 8 sewing feet, standard accessories
Best for: Experienced sewists who want the SE2000’s capabilities without paying for bundled supplies they don’t need.
How We Chose These Products
I selected these five models after months of hands-on use in my workshop. Every machine was tested on at least 20 embroidery runs — from simple single-color monograms to multi-color floral patterns with 15 thread changes. I evaluated stitch quality, ease of hooping, thread tension consistency, and how well the machine handled thick fabrics like denim and thin materials like silk.
Price wasn’t a primary factor — value was. I looked at which machines offer the best return on investment for specific user profiles. The SE700 is ideal for budget-conscious beginners; the PE900 delivers professional-grade embroidery without sewing; the SE2000 offers the most versatility for those who need both functions. I also considered availability: the SE2000 bundle is often scarce, so I included the standalone version as a reliable alternative.
Buying Guide: What Really Matters
Hoop size is the single biggest differentiator. A 4″ x 4″ field limits you to small motifs — fine for handkerchiefs, but frustrating for towels or tote bags. If you plan to embroider larger items, skip the SE700 and go for the PE900 or SE2000. But if you’re only doing monograms and small patches, the 4″ hoop saves money and space.
Don’t overlook thread management features. Automatic jump stitch trimming (on the PE900 and SE2000) saves minutes per design, especially when stitching dense patterns. Color Sort is another time-saver; on the SE700 you’ll change colors in the order the design was digitized, which might mean swapping thread every few hundred stitches. On the PE900 and SE2000, the machine groups same-color sections together, cutting downtime.
Sewing-embroidery combos are convenient but ask yourself honestly: will you actually use the sewing functions? If your sewing machine is already working fine, a dedicated embroidery machine (like the PE900) gives you a larger field and better automation for the same money. Conversely, if you’re starting from scratch and want one machine that does both, the SE700 or SE2000 combo is the right call.
Our Top Recommendation
The Brother SE2000 (standalone or bundle) wins for most buyers. It offers the largest embroidery field among the combo models, a full sewing suite with 241 stitches, and time-saving features like Color Sort and jump stitch trimming. If you can find the bundle in stock, the extra hoops and thread make it a fantastic starter kit. If not, the standalone version still delivers everything that matters.
For embroidery-only users on a budget, the PE900 is the smart pick — same hoop size and trimming features as the SE2000 but at a lower price point (and no sewing baggage). Beginners on a tight budget should start with the SE700, understanding that they may want to upgrade once they hit the 4″ hoop limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a 5″ x 7″ hoop on the SE700?
No. The SE700 is physically designed only for 4″ x 4″ hoops. The embroidery arm and machine casing don’t accommodate larger frames. If you need bigger designs, you must choose the PE900 or SE2000.
How hard is it to learn the Artspira app?
Artspira is straightforward for basic tasks like transferring designs and adjusting size. Drawing custom patterns on your phone takes practice — the app lets you draw with your finger or stylus, but fine control is limited. Most users stick to downloading existing patterns.
Which machine handles thick fabrics like denim or leather best?
The SE2000 and PE900 have higher presser foot lift and stronger motors for thick materials. The SE700 can handle light denim, but you may need to reduce speed and use a denim needle. For multiple layers of heavy fabric, the SE2000 is the better choice.
Do I need to buy extra software to create custom designs?
Brother’s Artspira app (free) lets you create simple designs and transfer them wirelessly. For advanced digitizing — multi-layer fills, complex lettering, or converting images to embroidery files — you’ll want dedicated software like Brother’s PE-Design or third-party options like Hatch Embroidery. The SE2000 bundle includes software download links, but the SE700 and PE900 do not.