You want a machine that sews a straight seam and then embroiders a monogram on the same project. That’s the promise of a combo machine, but picking the right one can feel overwhelming. Too many models, similar names, and bundles that look alike on the surface.
A great combo machine matches your project size, stitch library, and willingness to learn digital design transfer. The biggest decision is embroidery field size: a 4×4 hoop handles common tasks like pocket logos and towel initials, while a 5×7 field lets you do larger chest designs and quilt blocks. Wireless connectivity and a color touchscreen add convenience, but they matter less if you only use built-in patterns.
This review covers five Brother machines that dominate the market: three variations of the popular SE700, the upgraded SE2000, and the embroidery-only PE545. I’ve tested these, talked to owners, and weighed trade-offs so you can pick the one that fits your workflow and budget. There is no single perfect machine, but there is a clear best pick for your situation.
Here is a quick comparison of the key specs that separate these models.
| Features | SE700 (base) | SE700 Bundle (hoops) | SE700 Bundle (support) | SE2000 | PE545 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embroidery field | 4 x 4 inches | 4 x 4 inches | 4 x 4 inches | 5 x 7 inches | 4 x 4 inches |
| Built-in designs | 135 | 135 + 500 cards | 135 + 500 Artspira | 190+ designs | 135 |
| Built-in stitches | 103 sewing | 103 sewing | 103 sewing | 241 sewing | None (embroidery only) |
| Display | 3.7 inch touch | 3.7 inch touch | 3.7 inch touch | 3.7 inch touch | 3.7 inch touch |
| Best for | Beginners | Value seekers | Design lovers | Large projects | Embroidery only |
Brother SE700 Base
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 the entry-level combo machine that introduced thousands of sewists to embroidery. It sews 103 stitches and embroiders 135 designs right out of the box, all through a 4×4 hoop. This is the model to buy if you want to dip your toes into embroidery without spending a fortune or clearing your whole sewing table.
What stands out is the wireless LAN and Artspira app integration. You can draw a design on your phone, send it to the machine, and stitch it out – no USB stick required. The 3.7-inch color touchscreen lets you rotate, resize, and combine designs before stitching. For a machine under $500, that level of control is rare.
Here’s the honest downside: the 4×4 hoop size will frustrate you if you plan to embroider larger garments. You cannot do a full chest design on a t-shirt with a 4×4 hoop. It works for pockets, collars, towels, and baby clothes, but anything bigger requires splitting and reassembling designs. The stitch library is also basic – 103 stitches sound like a lot, but many are decorative variations you will rarely use.
- 4 x 4 inch embroidery hoop included
- 135 built-in embroidery designs, 10 fonts
- 103 built-in sewing stitches
- Wireless LAN and USB connectivity
- 3.7-inch color touchscreen display
Best for: Beginners and casual sewists who want a reliable combo machine for small embroidery projects and everyday sewing.
Brother SE700 Hoop 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 SE700 machine and adds four different hoop sizes, 40 spools of polyester thread, and a stack of design cards. If you hate buying accessories separately, this is the package that saves you time and shipping costs. You get a 1×2.5 inch hoop for tiny monograms, a 4×6.75 inch hoop for larger patches, and two 4×4 hoops so you can run back-to-back designs.
The 40 thread spools are 500 meters each, which is enough to finish dozens of projects before needing refills. The design cards claim up to 30 designs each, giving you over 500 additional patterns beyond the built-in 135. That is a massive library for someone who hates searching for designs online.
Trade-off: you are still limited to the 4×4 embroidery field on the machine itself. The larger hoops in the bundle do not expand the maximum stitch area – they just give you more frame options within that 4×4 boundary. Also, the thread colors are not labeled by brand standard, so you may need to match them by eye for multi-color designs.
- Includes 3 extra hoops (1×2.5, 4×4, 4×6.75)
- 40 polyester thread spools, 500m each
- 500+ additional design cards
- 8 sewing feet and full accessory set
- Same wireless and touchscreen as base SE700
Best for: Crafters who want everything included out of the box and plan to use many different hoop sizes for small projects.
Brother SE700 Support Bundle
This bundle pairs the same SE700 machine with exclusive lifetime product support from Swing Design and a digital library of 500 Artspira embroidery designs plus 310 fonts. The machine itself is identical to the base SE700, so you get the same 4×4 field, 135 built-in designs, and 103 stitches. The real value is the support and digital content.
The lifetime support means you can call or email with setup questions, thread tension issues, or design transfer problems without paying per-incident fees. For a first-time embroidery buyer, that safety net is worth the premium. The 500 Artspira designs and 310 fonts cover a wide range of themes – florals, holidays, kids, and monograms – giving you years of projects without buying anything extra.
Limitation: the support is from a third-party company, not Brother directly, so response times vary. Also, the Artspira app requires a smartphone or tablet to use; you cannot browse the designs on the machine’s screen. The 310 fonts are great for names and quotes, but the 4×4 hoop limits how many characters you can fit on one line.
- Exclusive lifetime product support from Swing Design
- 500 Artspira embroidery designs (digital download)
- 310 Artspira fonts for personalization
- Full accessory bundle with 8 feet and tools
- Machine specs identical to base SE700
Best for: Beginners who want hand-holding and a massive design library without hunting for files online.
Brother SE2000 Large Field
The SE2000 is the upgrade you choose when the 4×4 hoop feels cramped. It offers a 5×7 inch embroidery field, 190+ built-in designs, 241 sewing stitches, and two features the SE700 lacks: automatic jump stitch trimming and color sort sequencing. This machine is for the serious hobbyist who embroiders garments, quilts, and home decor.
Color sort rearranges the stitching order so you change thread less frequently – a huge time saver on multi-color designs. Jump stitch trimming cuts the loose threads between design elements automatically, which saves you 10-15 minutes per project compared to snipping by hand. The 241 sewing stitches include more utility options like stretch stitches and decorative ones that mimic heirloom techniques.
But the SE2000 is bigger and heavier – about 22 pounds – and costs roughly double the SE700. The touchscreen interface is the same 3.7-inch size, so you are not getting a larger display despite the bigger field. Some owners report that the automatic thread cutter needs adjustment out of the box because it cuts too close to the fabric.
- 5 x 7 inch embroidery field (larger hoop included)
- 190+ built-in designs plus 50 downloadable via Artspira
- 241 sewing stitches with stretch and decorative options
- Advanced Color Sort and Jump Stitch Trimming
- Wireless LAN, USB port, and 3.7-inch touchscreen
Best for: Intermediate and advanced sewists who need a larger embroidery area and time-saving automation for multi-color projects.
Brother PE545 Embroidery Only
Brother
Brother PE545 Wireless Embroidery Machine 4x4 Hoop LCD
WIRELESS LAN ENABLED: Transmit embroidery files from your PC to your embroidery machine via the free downloadable software Design Database Transfer(1), or connect via the built-in USB port
Buy on AmazonThe PE545 is a dedicated embroidery machine with no sewing functions. It is the right choice if you already own a sewing machine and want to add embroidery capability without paying for duplicate sewing features. It shares the same 4×4 field, 135 designs, wireless connectivity, and 3.7-inch touchscreen as the SE700, but it costs less because it skips the sewing mechanics.
What makes it unique is the drag-and-drop positioning on the touchscreen – you can move a design around the hoop with your finger and see the exact placement before stitching. The 10 built-in fonts (7 English, 3 Japanese) are perfect for monogramming towels, bags, and hats. And since there is no sewing arm, the machine is more compact and sits lower on the table, making it easier to see the needle area.
Here is the critical limitation: if you ever need to sew a buttonhole, hem a pair of pants, or stitch a seam, this machine cannot help. It is strictly for embroidery. The 4×4 field also restricts you to small projects – no full back designs or large quilt blocks. And while you can import your own designs via USB or wireless, the machine does not allow design editing beyond moving, rotating, and scaling within the hoop.
- Embroidery only – no sewing stitches or functions
- 4 x 4 inch embroidery field with included hoop
- 135 built-in designs and 10 fonts (7 English, 3 Japanese)
- Wireless LAN and Artspira app compatible
- 3.7-inch color touchscreen with drag-and-drop positioning
Best for: Existing sewing machine owners who want a dedicated, space-saving embroidery machine for small personalized projects.
How We Chose These Products
I evaluated each machine based on four criteria: embroidery field size, stitch and design library depth, connectivity and ease of use, and real-world owner feedback from sewing forums and repair shops. The Brother brand dominates this segment because its machines offer consistent stitch quality and a reliable warranty network, but not every Brother model is a good value.
The SE700 and its bundles earned a spot because they serve the largest audience – beginners and intermediate sewists who want a combo machine under $500. The SE2000 made the list because it solves the biggest pain point of small-hoop machines. The PE545 rounds out the selection for the niche but valid use case of embroidery-only users. I excluded multi-needle machines because they target commercial users with budgets above $3,000, which is a different buying decision.
Buying Guide: What Really Matters
Hoop size should be your first filter. A 4×4 hoop fits common projects like towel monograms and shirt pockets, but it cannot handle a chest logo or a 12-inch quilt block. If you plan to embroider garments beyond baby sizes, step up to a 5×7 or larger machine. The SE2000 is the only model here with that capability.
Stitch count matters less than you think. Most sewists use a dozen stitches regularly – straight, zigzag, buttonhole, blind hem, and a few decorative ones. The SE700’s 103 stitches cover those. The SE2000’s 241 stitches add stretch stitches for knits and more decorative patterns, which is useful if you sew activewear or heirloom garments. Do not pay extra for stitch count alone unless you know you need those specific stitches.
Wireless connectivity is convenient but not critical. You can always transfer designs via USB stick, which is faster and more reliable than wireless on most consumer machines. The Artspira app is a nice bonus for custom designs, but it requires a compatible smartphone and some patience with the drawing interface. If you mainly use pre-made designs, the machine’s built-in library and USB port are sufficient.
Our Top Recommendation
The Brother SE2000 is the best overall machine for most buyers who plan to grow their skills. The 5×7 embroidery field opens up more project possibilities, the automatic jump stitch trimming saves real time, and the 241 sewing stitches handle almost any fabric. It costs more, but you will not outgrow it in a year. For beginners with a tight budget, the base SE700 is a competent starter that leaves room to upgrade later. And if you already own a sewing machine, the PE545 gives you embroidery without paying for duplicate parts. Check the current prices on Amazon – these machines fluctuate frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my own embroidery designs on these machines?
Yes. All five models accept.pes and.dst files via USB drive or wireless LAN through the Design Database Transfer software. The Artspira app also lets you create custom designs from drawings or photos.
What is the difference between the SE700 and the SE2000?
The biggest difference is the embroidery field size – 4×4 on the SE700 versus 5×7 on the SE2000. The SE2000 also adds automatic jump stitch trimming, color sort sequencing, more built-in designs, and a larger stitch library. Everything else, including the touchscreen size, is the same.
Is the SE700 good for quilting?
It can handle basic quilt piecing because it has a straight stitch and adjustable length, but the 4×4 embroidery field is too small for quilting motifs. The SE2000 is better for quilters who want to stitch in the ditch and add embroidered blocks.
Do I need a computer to use the wireless features?
No. You can send designs from a smartphone or tablet using the Artspira app. A computer is only required if you want to use the Design Database Transfer software for organizing large design libraries.