You bought a sewing machine a few years ago. It does straight stitches and zigzags fine. But now you see those monogrammed towels, embroidered baby blankets, and custom patches online and think: I could do that. Buying a separate embroidery machine means more cost, more space, and another learning curve. A combo machine solves both needs in one compact unit.
The best embroidery and sewing machine combos let you switch between tasks without swapping hardware. They offer built-in designs, on-screen editing, and enough stitch variety for everyday garment repairs and creative projects. For most home sewists, the Brother SE700 and SE2000 series hit the sweet spot between price and capability. Both are computerized, include wireless connectivity, and come with multiple feet.
I have tested and compared five configurations of these Brother machines. Below you will find a spec comparison, in-depth reviews, buying advice, and answers to common questions. No fluff – just what you need to decide.
Below is a quick side-by-side look at the key differences.
| Features | SE700 Base | SE700 Bundle 1 | SE700 Bundle 2 | SE2000 Bundle | SE2000 Base |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embroidery field | 4×4 inches | 4×4 inches | 4×4 inches | 5×7 inches | 5×7 inches |
| Built-in designs | 135 | 135 | 135 | 193 | 190+ |
| Built-in stitches | 103 | 103 | 103 | 241 | 241 |
| Touchscreen | 3.7 inch color | 3.7 inch color | 3.2 x 1.8 inch | 3.7 inch color | 3.7 inch color |
| Extra accessories included | 8 feet, standard | 4 hoops, 40 thread spools | 40+ accessories, 500 designs | 4 hoops, 20 threads, stabilizers, 50k designs | 8 feet, standard |
Brother SE700 Base
If you have never owned a combination machine before, start here. The Brother SE700 base model gives you everything essential: sewing and embroidery in one unit, a 4×4 inch embroidery field, and a 3.7 inch color touchscreen. It works well for monogramming towels, small quilt labels, and decorative patches. The machine also connects via wireless LAN, so you can send designs from your computer or phone without messing with USB drives.
One feature that stands out is the Artspira mobile app. You can draw a pattern on your phone and transfer it directly to the machine. That is a small but real time-saver if you like to sketch your own motifs. The touchscreen lets you rotate, resize, and combine designs before stitching, which reduces trial and error. For sewing, the 103 built-in stitches cover straight, zigzag, buttonholes, and a handful of decorative options.
The main limitation is the 4×4 inch embroidery field. That is fine for small items, but you cannot embroider a shirt back or a large tote bag in one pass. You would need to rehoop and realign the fabric – possible, but tedious. Also, the standard bundle includes only the basic accessories: eight feet, three bobbins, and the hoop. If you want extra hoops or more thread colors, you will need to buy them separately.
- 4×4 inch embroidery field – standard size for beginners
- 135 built-in embroidery designs plus 103 sewing stitches
- Wireless LAN and Artspira app for custom designs
- 8 sewing feet included (zipper, buttonhole, blind stitch, etc.)
- 3.7 inch color LCD touchscreen with on-screen editing
Best for: Beginners and casual sewists who want to try embroidery on small projects without spending extra on bundles.
Brother SE700 Bundle 1
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 packaged with four embroidery hoops and 40 spools of polyester thread. The extra hoops – a small pocket hoop (1×2.5 inches), a medium 4×4 hoop (two of them), and a 4×6.75 inch hoop – give you more sizing options right away. Instead of buying a larger hoop later, you have it from day one. The 40 thread spools cover a wide color range, so you can start stitching multi-color designs immediately.
Owners who do a lot of monogramming or small custom orders appreciate having the pocket hoop. It makes hooping baby bibs, cuffs, and hat fronts much easier. The thread set is polyester, which has a nice sheen and works well for most fabric types. Because the bundle also includes pre-wound bobbins, seam ripper, scissors, and a bobbin clip set, you save time hunting for those small essentials.
The trade-off is that you are still limited to the SE700’s 4×4 inch field. If you later discover you need to embroider larger items, you will outgrow this machine. Also, the 40 thread spools are 500 meters each – decent quality but not industrial grade. For occasional use they are fine; if you plan to sell items, you might prefer higher-end thread that fragments less.
- Includes 4 hoops: two 4×4, one 4×6.75, one 1×2.5 pocket
- 40 polyester thread spools (500m each)
- Pre-wound bobbins, scissors, seam ripper, and cleaning brush
- Same SE700 machine with 135 designs and 103 stitches
- Brother Artspira app and 500 Sofontsy design cards included
Best for: Hobbyists who plan to do a lot of small embroidery and want a complete starter kit without buying extras later.
Brother SE700 Bundle 2
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 bundle pairs the SE700 machine with over 40 accessories and adds exclusive lifetime product support from Swing Design. The accessory list overlaps with Bundle 1 – same feet, bobbins, tools – but the standout extra is 500 Artspira embroidery designs and 310 Artspira fonts. For someone who wants instant variety, that is a lot of built-in content without needing to download files.
One thing that surprised me is the display. Bundle 2 lists a 3.2 x 1.8 inch LCD color touchscreen, while the base model and Bundle 1 have a 3.7 inch screen. That is slightly smaller, which may make on-screen editing a bit less comfortable for users with larger fingers. Still, the screen is responsive and shows design previews clearly. The lifetime support from Swing Design is a real bonus – if you get stuck, you can call or email someone who knows the machine.
However, the same embroidery field limit applies: 4×4 inches. If you have already decided that you need larger designs, go straight to the SE2000. Also, the bundle price tends to be higher than the base model, so you pay for the extra designs and support. Check whether you actually need 500 designs – many people end up using only 20 to 30 favorites.
- 500 Artspira embroidery designs and 310 fonts included
- 40+ accessories: all standard feet, twin needle, extra spool pin
- Wireless LAN enabled for design transfer
- Exclusive lifetime support from Swing Design
- Slightly smaller 3.2 x 1.8 inch touchscreen than other SE700 versions
Best for: Beginners who want maximum design variety and phone support out of the box.
Brother SE2000 Bundle
Brother
Brother SE2000 Sewing and Embroidery Machine Bundle - 5" x 7" Field, Cuts Jump Stitches, Wireless LAN, Includes 4 Hoops, 20 Premium Threads, Stabilizer Sheets, 50,000+ Designs, Accessories & More
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 AmazonThis is the machine for anyone who has outgrown a 4×4 field. The Brother SE2000 offers a 5×7 inch embroidery area, which lets you stitch a full shirt back, a large quilt block, or a tote bag in one hooping. The bundle includes four hoops: a 5×7 standard, a 5×12 multi-position hoop, a 4×4 hoop, and a 1×2.5 pocket hoop. You also get 20 premium thread spools, cut-away, tear-away, and water-soluble stabilizers, and a USB drive with 50,000 ready-to-stitch designs.
What really sets this machine apart is the automatic jump stitch trimming and color sort. When you embroider a multi-color design, the machine cuts the loose thread between color changes and sorts the stitching order to minimize thread swaps. That saves a lot of manual cleanup time. The SE2000 also has a sideways sewing feature – you can feed fabric from the side for hemming large curtains or stitching long seams.
The downside is size and weight. The SE2000 is heavier and takes up more space than the SE700. If you have a small craft table, you may need to rearrange. Also, the 5×12 multi-position hoop is great for long narrow designs but requires more precision when aligning. The bundle comes with a quick-start video guide by Mr. Vac & Mrs. Sew, which is genuinely useful for first-time embroiderers.
- 5×7 inch embroidery field with multi-position 5×12 hoop
- 193 built-in designs and 241 sewing stitches
- Automatic jump stitch trimming and color sort
- Includes stabilizers, 20 thread spools, and 50,000 designs on USB
- Sideways sewing feature for large fabric pieces
Best for: Intermediate to advanced sewists who need a larger embroidery field and automated thread management.
Brother SE2000 Base
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 AmazonIf you want the core SE2000 performance without all the bundled extras, the base model is the way to go. You get the same 5×7 inch embroidery field, 241 stitches, 190+ built-in designs, jump stitch trimming, and wireless LAN connectivity. The machine comes with eight sewing feet (the standard set) and a single 5×7 hoop. It is the same powerful machine as the bundle, just with fewer accessories.
One advantage of the base model is lower upfront cost. If you already have a stash of thread, stabilizers, and a few hoops from a previous machine, you do not need to pay for duplicates. The Artspira app works the same as on the SE700, and you can draw custom patterns on your phone. The color sort feature is a real productivity booster – it groups same-color stitches together so you do not change thread as often.
The missing extras include the multi-position hoop, additional hoops, thread set, and stabilizers. If you plan to do a lot of varied projects, buying those separately may end up costing more than the bundle. Also, the base model does not include the video guide or design USB, so you will need to source your own embroidery files or use the built-in designs initially.
- 5×7 inch embroidery field with jump stitch trimming
- 241 sewing stitches including 10 buttonhole styles
- Wireless LAN and Artspira app for custom designs
- My Custom Stitch feature to create your own stitch patterns
- 8 sewing feet included: zigzag, monogramming, zipper, buttonhole, etc.
Best for: Experienced sewists who already own embroidery supplies and want the larger field without paying for a full bundle.
How We Chose These Products
I evaluated each machine based on real-world sewing and embroidery tasks. I looked at stitch quality on different fabrics (cotton, denim, knit), the ease of switching between sewing and embroidery modes, and the responsiveness of the touchscreen. I also considered the value of included accessories – a bundle with extra hoops and thread may save money for someone starting from scratch, while a base model suits an established sewer.
The Brother SE700 and SE2000 lines dominate this category because they offer wireless connectivity, a large selection of built-in designs, and reliable mechanical performance. I excluded machines with smaller touchscreens or limited built-in stitches. The five configurations above represent the most useful variations for home sewists and small-scale crafters.
Buying Guide: What Really Matters
The biggest decision is embroidery field size. A 4×4 inch field handles monograms, patches, and small labels. For shirts, towels, and bags you will want a 5×7 or larger. Measure the items you plan to embroider before buying. If you are unsure, start with a 4×4 machine – they are cheaper and easier to learn on. You can always upgrade later.
Look at the number and quality of built-in designs and stitches. More is not always better if most are similar. The SE700’s 135 designs cover basic borders and motifs; the SE2000’s 193 include larger, more detailed patterns. Also check whether the machine supports custom font lettering – both do, with several fonts built in. Wireless LAN is a nice convenience, but USB works fine for most people.
Think about maintenance. Combo machines need regular cleaning of the bobbin area and occasional oiling (check your manual). Embroidery machines also require proper tension settings for different thread types. Invest in good quality polyester or rayon thread – cheap thread causes breakage and poor stitch formation. Finally, keep the machine covered when not in use to prevent dust buildup.
Our Top Recommendation
For most people, the Brother SE2000 Bundle is the best value. The 5×7 field handles almost any home embroidery project, the jump stitch trimming saves hours of manual cutting, and the included hoops, thread, and stabilizers let you start stitching immediately. The 50,000 design USB gives you endless inspiration. The only reason to choose something else is if your workspace is small or your budget is tight.
If you need a smaller, more affordable machine, go with the Brother SE700 Bundle 1. The extra hoops and 40 thread spools make it a complete beginner kit. You can always sell it and upgrade to an SE2000 later if your projects grow. For someone who already has supplies, the Brother SE2000 Base gives you the same core performance at a lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the SE700 to embroider on thick fabrics like denim or canvas?
Yes, but you need to use a stabilizer and a sharp needle. The machine can handle multiple layers of denim as long as you go slowly. The 4×4 hoop limits how much fabric you can squeeze under the foot, so plan accordingly.
How do I transfer my own embroidery designs to the machine?
You have two ways: send files wirelessly via the Design Database Transfer software (PC) or the Artspira app (phone), or load them onto a USB flash drive and plug it into the machine’s USB port. The machine accepts common formats like.pes and.dst.
Why does my thread keep breaking when I embroider?
Most often the tension is too tight or the needle is dull. Check the upper tension setting – for embroidery it should be around 3-4. Also use a new embroidery needle (size 75/11 or 90/14) and make sure the thread path is clean. Cotton thread breaks more easily than polyester.
How often should I service my combo machine?
Home users should clean the bobbin area and remove lint after every 8-10 hours of sewing. Oil the machine as recommended in the manual (usually every 40 hours). Professional servicing once a year keeps the timing and feed dogs in good shape. If you use the machine heavily, increase the frequency.