You have a project in mind—maybe a monogrammed towel set, a custom patch for a jacket, or a simple hem that needs to look professional. You walk into a craft store or open Amazon, and suddenly there are a dozen sewing and embroidery combo machines staring back at you. The Brother LB5500 often pops up in searches, but so do the SE700 and SE600. The specs blur together: 4×4 hoop, touchscreen, built-in stitches. Which one actually makes your life easier?
The short answer: any of these Brother combo machines will handle basic embroidery and daily sewing. The differences come down to how many designs you get out of the box, whether you want wireless file transfer, and how much extra thread or accessories you need on day one. The SE700 is the newer model with a bigger touchscreen and wireless LAN. The SE600 is the workhorse that has been around longer and costs less. Bundles sweeten the deal with hoops, thread, and tools.
I tested five configurations—the base SE700, three bundles, and the SE600—to separate marketing noise from real usefulness. Below you will find a comparison table, honest breakdowns of each option, and a clear recommendation for different budgets and skill levels. No star ratings, no hyped claims. Just what each machine does well and where it falls short.
| Features | SE700 Base | SE700 Thread Bundle | SE700 Accessory Bundle | SE700 Deluxe Kit | SE600 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 3.7-inch touch | 3.7-inch touch | 3.2-inch touch | 3.2-inch touch | 3.2-inch touch |
| Built-in designs | 135 designs | 135 designs | 135 designs | 135 designs | 80 designs |
| Wireless LAN | Yes + USB | Yes + USB | Yes + USB | Yes + USB | USB only |
| Included hoops | 1 (4×4) | 4 hoops | 1 (4×4) | 1 (4×4) | 1 (4×4) |
| Thread included | None | 40 spools 500m | None | 43 spools 300ft | None |
Brother SE700 Base
The one you buy when you want modern wireless features and a large screen.
The base Brother SE700 is the most current standalone machine in this group. It comes with a 3.7-inch color touchscreen that is noticeably larger than the 3.2-inch screen on the SE600 and the two budget bundles. That extra screen real estate matters when you are editing designs on the machine—zoom, rotate, reposition—it feels closer to working on a tablet than a sewing machine. The SE700 also includes wireless LAN connectivity, so you can send embroidery files from your computer or phone without plugging in a USB stick every time.
The built-in library of 135 embroidery designs and 103 sewing stitches gives you plenty to start with. You get monogramming fonts, floral motifs, and basic decorative patterns. The Artspira mobile app works with this model: you can draw a pattern on your phone and transfer it wirelessly. For someone who likes to customize projects on the fly, that feature alone saves a lot of time.
But the base SE700 only includes one embroidery hoop (the 4×4 inch). If you want to stitch larger designs or need a smaller hoop for tiny details, you will have to buy extra hoops separately. Also, no thread is included—not a single spool. You will need to buy at least a starter set of embroidery thread before you can make your first design. The machine itself is the same as the bundles; Brother just sells it lean.
- 135 built-in designs + 103 sewing stitches
- 3.7-inch color touchscreen with on-screen editing
- Wireless LAN + USB port for design transfer
- Compatible with Artspira mobile app
- Includes 4×4 hoop, 8 sewing feet, embroidery arm
Best for: Someone who wants the newest tech (larger screen, wireless) and already has thread and extra hoops, or plans to buy them separately.
Brother SE700 Thread Bundle
The one you buy when you want to start embroidering immediately.
This bundle takes the same SE700 machine and adds four embroidery hoops and 40 spools of polyester thread. The extra hoops include a second 4×4, a 4×6.75 for slightly larger designs, and a tiny 1×2.5 for small lettering or corners. Having multiple hoops lets you switch between design sizes without stopping to change frames—pop one hoop off, clip the next one on. The 40 thread spools are 500 meters each, which covers the most common colors for commercial designs.
The thread is decent quality for a bundle. Polyester embroidery thread has less lint than cotton, and 500 meters per spool means you probably won’t run out mid-project on most small designs. The bundle also includes the standard accessory kit: bobbins, seam ripper, scissors, cleaning brush, and all eight sewing feet. You get a quick reference guide and design cards with extra patterns.
The trade-off? The extra hoops and thread add cost. Compared to buying the base SE700 and sourcing hoops and thread yourself, this bundle saves maybe $20–30 if you catch a sale. The thread colors may not match exactly what you need for a specific project—you will still buy specialty colors sometimes. And the 4×6.75 hoop is still small; you cannot do a large back-of-jacket embroidery in one pass.
- 4 embroidery hoops: 1×2.5, 4×4 (2x), 4×6.75
- 40 spools of 500m polyester thread (assorted colors)
- Design cards for extra patterns (SVG/JPG files)
- All standard sewing feet included
- Pre-wound bobbins and thread spool inserts
Best for: A beginner who wants to open the box and start sewing and embroidering without buying anything else for the first several projects.
Brother SE700 Accessory Bundle
The one you buy when you want digital designs and lifetime support.
This bundle pairs the SE700 with a larger accessory kit and a 500-design digital library from Artspira. You get 500 Artspira embroidery designs and 310 fonts—a huge jump from the 135 built-in designs. If you get bored of the preloaded patterns quickly, this bundle keeps you busy. The physical accessories include all eight feet, bobbins, needles, twin needle, seam ripper, scissors, and a storage bag.
The exclusive lifetime product support from Swing Design is a nice bonus. If you have a problem with the machine or the software, you have a dedicated team to call or email. That is rare for a bundled accessory package. The machine itself is the same SE700, but note that the screen on this bundle is the smaller 3.2-inch touch display, not the 3.7-inch. That is a real difference—less editing space and older hardware.
Why would Brother supply a smaller screen on a bundle? Likely because this package was assembled from an earlier SE700 production run. The smaller screen still works fine, but you lose some of the reason to buy the SE700 over the SE600. If the larger screen matters to you, skip this bundle and get the base SE700 or the thread bundle.
- 500 Artspira embroidery designs + 310 fonts (digital download)
- Lifetime product support from Swing Design
- 3.2-inch LCD color touchscreen (smaller than base SE700)
- Comes with 40+ physical accessories
- Wireless LAN enabled + iBroidery compatibility
Best for: Someone who wants a huge design library out of the box and values ongoing support, and who does not mind the smaller screen.
Brother SE700 Deluxe Kit
The one you buy when you want everything but a serger.
This is the biggest bundle: the SE700 machine plus 43 spools of thread, 5 design cards (each with about 30 designs), and a massive accessory kit that includes 30 sewing needles, a magnifier, crochet hook, stitch markers, tape measure, pins, needle threaders, thimbles, and more. It is almost overwhelming. The thread is 300 feet per spool, shorter than the 500-meter spools in the thread bundle, but you get 43 colors instead of 40.
The design cards give you SVG and JPG files for commercial use, which is handy if you plan to sell items. The magnifier helps with threading needles or inspecting embroidery details. The extra needles and bobbins mean you can keep several threaded for different thread colors without re-threading constantly. However, availability on this bundle is listed as scarce—Brother may be running low on stock.
Again, the screen here is the smaller 3.2-inch display, and the machine uses the same electronics as the accessory bundle. The sheer number of small accessories means the box is heavy and takes up a lot of storage space. Some of the items (like the crochet hook and stitch markers) are cheap quality—good enough for occasional use but not for daily handwork.
- 43 spools of polyester thread (300 ft each)
- 5 design cards with SVG/JPG files (commercial use)
- 30 sewing needles + twin needle + extra needle set
- 3.2-inch LCD color touchscreen
- Deluxe accessory kit: magnifier, thimbles, pins, tape measure
Best for: A crafter who wants a full workshop in one box and plans to use a variety of hand tools, but is okay with a smaller screen and possible stock shortages.
Brother SE600
The one you buy when you want proven reliability at a lower price.
The Brother SE600 has been on the market for years. It has 80 built-in embroidery designs and 103 sewing stitches—fewer designs than the SE700, but still plenty for most personal projects. The 3.2-inch LCD color touchscreen is smaller than the newer SE700’s screen, but it is responsive and easy to navigate. The SE600 does not have wireless LAN; you transfer designs via USB stick or direct computer connection.
The automatic needle threader and drop-in bobbin are the same as on the SE700. Threading is quick, and the bobbin is jam-resistant. Maximum sewing speed is 710 stitches per minute, embroidery speed is 400 spm. Those are identical to the SE700. For everyday sewing—hems, repairs, buttonholes—the SE600 handles everything well. The 4×4 inch hoop is the same size, so design size limits are identical.
The SE600 does not support the Artspira mobile app. If you want to draw on your phone and transfer wireless, this machine cannot do it. You also get only 7 sewing feet instead of 8 on the SE700 (missing the embroidery foot? Actually the SE600 includes the embroidery foot separately, but the total listed is 7 feet). The SE600 is heavier and lacks the slightly updated internal components of the SE700, but for basic combo work, few users will notice a difference.
- 80 built-in embroidery designs + 6 lettering fonts
- 103 sewing stitches including 10 auto-size buttonholes
- 3.2-inch LCD color touchscreen (no wireless)
- Automatic needle threader, drop-in top bobbin
- USB port for design transfer
Best for: A budget-conscious buyer who does not need wireless or a huge design library, and wants a proven machine that has a large user community for troubleshooting.
How We Chose These Products
I narrowed the field by looking at machines in the same price bracket—combo sew/embroider units with a 4×4 hoop size. That is the most common entry-level format. Brother dominates that space with the SE series. I compared based on screen size, number of built-in designs, wireless capability, and what accessories come in the box. I also checked real owner reports on thread tension, hooping ease, and software stability.
The base SE700 and the bundles represent the range of extras you can get without buying a different machine. The SE600 is included because it is the older model that still sells well and costs less. I excluded machines with larger hoops (like the Brother PE535) because they fall into a different buying decision—bigger hoop, no sewing. This article focuses on combo machines that do both well.
Buying Guide: What Really Matters
Screen size matters more than you think. A 3.7-inch touchscreen lets you see design details and make edits without pinching and zooming constantly. The 3.2-inch screen works fine, but you will tap the wrong icon sometimes. If you plan to edit designs on the machine often, spend the extra for the larger screen.
Wireless transfer is convenient but not essential. The Artspira app is neat for quick custom designs, but the free software (Design Database Transfer) works over USB just as well. If you mostly download designs from Etsy or use a computer, a USB stick is fast enough. Wireless is a bonus, not a dealbreaker.
Thread and hoop bundles save time but add bulk. You will probably use about 20 thread colors regularly. The 40-spool bundles give you many you will rarely touch. Extra hoops are more useful—the 4×6.75 hoop allows slightly larger designs, but none of these machines handle anything bigger than that. If you know you will need a 5×7 hoop, skip the SE series entirely and look at the Brother PE800.
Our Top Recommendation
The Brother SE700 base model is the best choice for most people. You get the larger 3.7-inch screen and wireless LAN, which are the two upgrades that actually change how you use the machine. Buy it with a separate small thread starter set (15–20 colors) and one extra hoop (the 4×6.75) and you have the same capability as the thread bundle for roughly the same money, but with the better screen. If you are on a tighter budget, the SE600 is still a solid machine—just know you give up wireless and 55 built-in designs. Avoid the bundles with the smaller 3.2-inch screen unless you find them at a significant discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Brother LB5500 with Artspira?
The Brother LB5500 is not listed as compatible with the Artspira app. Only the SE700 and newer models (like the SE725) support wireless transfer via Artspira. The LB5500 has USB and card slots but no wireless. If you want app-based design, pick the SE700.
How do I fix thread tension on these machines?
Start by re-threading the top thread with the presser foot up. That releases the tension discs. Then check the bobbin—use the included bobbin case and make sure the thread pulls evenly. Most tension problems on Brother SE machines come from incorrect threading, not machine defects.
Will the 4×4 hoop limit my projects?
Yes. You cannot embroider a full back of a denim jacket in one hoop. You would need to re-hoop and align multiple sections. For towels, patches, small shirts, and bags, 4×4 is fine. For larger projects, look at machines with a 5×7 hoop or bigger, like the Brother PE800.
Should I buy a bundle or the machine alone?
If this is your first machine, get a bundle with at least one extra hoop and some thread. The base machine alone forces you to buy all of that separately, and you may forget something. If you already own sewing supplies and a stash of thread, the base SE700 is cheaper and less wasteful.