You bought a sewing machine to personalize gifts, monogram towels, or maybe stitch your own patches. Then you tried hand embroidery — and quickly realized how long it takes to do anything intricate. You need a machine that does both jobs: sews a straight seam and embroiders a detailed design without swapping machines. That’s where a combo sewing and embroidery machine comes in.
A good embroidery machine balances ease of use with enough features to grow into. Hoop size matters — a 4″ x 4″ field handles smaller projects like shirt pockets, while a 5″ x 7″ field lets you do larger pieces like jacket backs. Built-in designs, connectivity options, and an intuitive screen all save you time. The best machines for embroidery also sew reliably, so you’re not buying two separate machines.
All five picks here are from Brother, a brand that dominates this space. The SE700 is the entry point with wireless connectivity and a touchscreen. The SE2000 offers a larger hoop and automatic jump stitch trimming. There are also bundles that toss in extra hoops and thread. I’ll walk you through each one, point out who each suits best, and share honest trade-offs so you can decide without hype.
Here’s a quick look at how these models compare on the specs that matter most.
| Features | Brother SE700 | SE700 Combo Bundle | Brother SE2000 | SE700 Accessory Bundle | Brother XR9550 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embroidery Field | 4″ x 4″ | 4″ x 4″ | 5″ x 7″ | 4″ x 4″ | No embroidery |
| Built-in Designs | 135 | 135 | 190+ | 135 | None |
| Built-in Stitches | 103 | 103 | 241 | 103 | 165 |
| Connectivity | Wireless + USB | Wireless + USB | Wireless + USB | Wireless | None |
| Screen Size | 3.7″ touch | 3.7″ touch | 3.7″ touch | 3.2″x1.8″ LCD | LCD (non-touch) |
Brother SE700 Sewing
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 AmazonThis is the gateway machine for anyone who wants to try machine embroidery without a huge investment. The SE700 is a true combo that sews and embroiders in one unit. It’s perfect for a home sewer who already knows basic sewing but has never digitized a design. The 4″ x 4″ hoop fits shirt collars, towel ends, and small quilt blocks.
The standout feature is the wireless LAN. You can send embroidery files from your computer using the free Design Database Transfer software, no USB stick needed. The Artspira mobile app lets you draw a pattern on your phone and beam it straight to the machine. The 3.7-inch color touchscreen lets you rotate, resize, and mirror designs before stitching.
The 4″ x 4″ hoop is the biggest limitation. If you want to embroider the back of a denim jacket or a large tote bag, you’ll be moving the hoop around and realigning patterns — not impossible but tedious. The machine also has no automatic thread cutter, so you’ll trim jump stitches yourself.
- 135 built-in embroidery designs, 103 sewing stitches
- Wireless LAN and USB port for file transfer
- Artspira mobile app for custom designs
- Includes 8 sewing feet and embroidery foot
- Drop-in bobbin with jam-resistant design
Best for: Beginners who want a solid, affordable starting point for small embroidery projects and everyday sewing.
Brother SE700 Combo Bundle
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 bundle takes the same base SE700 machine and piles on extras: four embroidery hoops (including 1″ x 2.5″ and 4″ x 6.75″ sizes), 40 spools of polyester thread in assorted colors, plus scissors, seam ripper, and bobbins. If you know you’ll be embroidering a lot of different-sized items, this bundle saves you from buying hoops separately.
The extra hoops are the real value. The 4″ x 6.75″ hoop gives you a longer rectangular field that works well for borders or monogram strips. The tiny 1″ x 2.5″ hoop is good for label-size designs on baby clothes or dog collars. The thread set — 40 spools at 500 meters each — means you won’t run out mid-project for a while.
The trade-off: all the extras add cost, and you’re still limited by the same 4″ x 4″ maximum embroidery field from the base machine. If you already have a collection of thread and hoops, the bundle might be overkill. Also, the accessory bag is basic — don’t expect it to protect the machine during travel.
- Comes with 4 embroidery hoops in multiple sizes
- 40 spools of polyester embroidery thread (500m each)
- Includes 8 sewing feet plus monogramming foot
- Bonus 500 SVG design cards (commercial use)
- Same wireless/Artspira features as base SE700
Best for: Embroidery enthusiasts who want a full kit with thread and hoops from day one, especially those who plan to work in varied hoop sizes.
Brother SE2000 Sewing
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 AmazonThe SE2000 is the step-up machine for people who hit the ceiling of the 4″ x 4″ hoop. It offers a 5″ x 7″ embroidery field, which is a big jump in usable area. You can embroider a full shirt yoke, a large tote bag panel, or multiple small designs in one hooping. It also includes 241 sewing stitches and over 190 built-in embroidery designs with 13 fonts.
Two features save real time. Advanced Color Sort reorganizes multi-color designs so you stitch all of one color at once, reducing thread changes. The Jump Stitch Trimming function automatically snips loose threads between design elements — you don’t have to sit there with scissors after every color change. For anyone who embroiders multi-color designs regularly, these are worth the upgrade alone.
The SE2000 is heavier and more expensive. It also shares the same 3.7-inch touchscreen as the SE700, which can feel small when you work with larger designs on screen. The included hoop is 5″ x 7″, but you can buy other sizes separately if needed.
- 5″ x 7″ embroidery field for larger projects
- 190+ built-in designs plus 50 downloadable via Artspira
- Advanced Color Sort reduces color changes
- Automatic jump stitch trimming
- 241 sewing stitches including heirloom and decorative
Best for: Intermediate sewists who need a bigger hoop and want to save time on multi-color embroidery projects.
Brother SE700 Bundle
Brother
Brother SE700 Combo Embroidery & Sewing Machine with 4" x 4" Embroidery Hoop and 40+ Accessories
Brother SE700 4" x 4" Combination Sewing & Embroidery Machine with 40+ Accessories
Buy on AmazonThis is another SE700-based bundle, but it focuses on accessories rather than extra hoops. You get the same SE700 machine plus 40+ accessories like extra bobbins, a seam ripper, scissors, cleaning brush, screwdrivers, and spool caps. It also includes a lifetime support pack from Swing Design, which is a third-party service.
The highlight here is the digital content: 500 Artspira embroidery designs and 310 Artspira fonts. That’s a massive library for someone who doesn’t want to buy designs separately. You also get the Brother Artspira app access (no subscription needed). The bundle comes with two 4″ x 4″ hoops and a 4″ x 6.75″ hoop, but not every small size.
The downsides are similar to the base SE700: the small embroidery field and no automatic thread trimmer. The digital download of designs requires setting up an Artspira account, and some users find the app interface clunky. The lifetime support from Swing Design is nice but not Brother-branded, so warranty claims still go through Brother.
- SE700 machine with 135 built-in designs
- 500 Artspira embroidery designs + 310 fonts
- 40+ accessories including bobbins, tools, and feet
- Lifetime product support from Swing Design
- Wireless LAN and USB connectivity
Best for: Buyers who want a huge design library out of the box and don’t mind a smaller hoop field.
Brother XR9550 Computerized
Brother
Brother XR9550 Computerized Sewing and Quilting Machine 165 Stitches
165 unique built-in stitches: The Brother XR9550 computerized machine includes 110 built-in utility, decorative and heirloom stitches including 8 styles of auto-size buttonholes, plus 55 alphanumeric sewing stitches
Buy on AmazonThis machine is different — it’s a sewing and quilting machine with no embroidery function. I include it because many people buying an embroidery machine also need a strong sewing machine for everyday projects. If you already own a separate embroidery machine or plan to buy one later, the XR9550 is a top-tier sewing companion.
It packs 165 built-in stitches, including 110 utility and decorative stitches plus 55 alphanumeric stitches for monogramming (by sewing, not embroidery). The automatic needle threader and drop-in bobbin make setup fast. The wide table included gives you a larger work surface for quilting or big sewing projects. It also comes with a hard protective cover.
There’s no touchscreen, just an LCD display, so you navigate stitches with buttons. It also has no connectivity for embroidery files — it’s a pure sewing machine. If your goal is embroidery only, skip this one. But if you need a reliable machine for garment construction and quilting while you save up for an embroidery machine, the XR9550 is a solid workhorse.
- 165 built-in stitches, 8 buttonhole styles
- Automatic needle threader
- Drop-in top bobbin, jam-resistant
- Includes wide table, hard cover, 8 feet
- Lifetime technical support from Brother
Best for: Quilters and garment sewists who don’t need embroidery but want a reliable, stitch-rich machine at a reasonable price.
How We Chose These Products
Every machine on this list is from Brother, the dominant brand in home embroidery machines. I focused on models that combine sewing and embroidery in one unit, because that’s what most buyers want. The SE700 is the standard entry point — it appears in multiple bundles, which tells me it’s the most popular. The SE2000 is the clear step-up for bigger hoop sizes. The XR9550 fills the gap for pure sewing.
I evaluated based on hoop size, built-in design count, stitching versatility, connectivity options (wireless vs USB), and screen usability. I also considered real-world use cases: monogramming, small patches, large jacket backs, and multi-color designs. None of the machines here are industrial or multi-needle — these are all single-needle machines, which is fine for home use. Multi-needle machines (like Brother’s PR series) cost thousands and are for professional embroidery businesses. I also looked at bundle value — extra hoops and thread can save money if you’d buy them anyway.
Buying Guide: What Really Matters
Hoop size is the first decision. A 4″ x 4″ hoop handles most shirt pockets, towel ends, and small patches. If you plan to do anything larger — like the back of a denim jacket, a large tote, or multiple designs on a single piece — you want at least a 5″ x 7″ hoop. Moving the hoop for large designs is possible but annoying; you have to line up registration marks carefully.
Built-in designs matter if you don’t want to buy digitized patterns. The SE700 has 135, which is plenty for most people. The SE2000 has 190 plus 50 downloadable — a good step up. But many users eventually buy third-party designs, so a USB or wireless transfer option is essential. Every machine here except the XR9550 has that.
Automatic thread trimming and color sorting are features you’ll appreciate more over time. The SE2000 has both; the SE700 does not. If you plan to stitch multi-color designs regularly, those features save many minutes per project. Also check the needle threading system — all Brother machines here have an automatic threader except you need to confirm for older models. The XR9550 has it. For fabric compatibility: these machines handle cotton, linen, quilting cotton, and medium-weight denim well. Knits require a ballpoint needle and stabilizer. Heavy leather or multiple layers of denim might be tough on a single-needle home machine.
Our Top Recommendation
The Brother SE2000 is the best overall pick for anyone serious about embroidery. The 5″ x 7″ hoop opens up real project possibilities, and the jump stitch trimming plus color sorting make multi-color designs much less tedious. It’s a clear step up from the SE700 without jumping to pro-level pricing. For beginners on a budget, the base Brother SE700 is excellent — start smaller, learn the workflow, and upgrade later if needed.
If you want the most value in accessories, the SE700 Combo Bundle with 40 thread spools and multiple hoops is a strong runner-up. Just be aware you’re still limited to the 4″ x 4″ field. For pure sewing without embroidery, the XR9550 is the best choice in this list if you already have a separate embroidery machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Brother SE700 to embroider on thick fabric like denim or canvas?
Yes, but with preparation. Use a sharp 90/14 needle and a heavy-duty stabilizer, like tear-away or cut-away. The machine’s feed dogs handle medium-weight denim fine, but multiple layers (like a jean seam) may be too thick. Test on a scrap piece first.
What file formats do Brother embroidery machines accept?
Brother machines use the.PES format. You can convert designs from other formats (like.DST or.EXP) using Artspira or third-party conversion software. The built-in USB port also reads.PES files directly from a flash drive.
Do I need special software to create my own designs?
Not necessarily — the Artspira app lets you draw simple patterns and transfer them wirelessly to the SE700 or SE2000. For complex digitizing, you’d need software like Brother PE-Design or third-party options. But for most users, the built-in designs and purchased.PES files are enough.
How often do I need to service a Brother combo machine?
Every 12-18 months depending on usage. If you sew or embroider heavily (more than 20 hours a week), consider annual service. Common signs you need it: thread tension issues, skipped stitches, or unusual noise. You can do basic cleaning (lint removal, oiling) yourself following the manual.