There are so many best-rated brands and models of sewing machines today that it is easy to be confused on what the best option is. You may find it difficult to choose among a Janome sewing machine, a Bernina sewing machine and a Juki sewing machine based on features alone. While it might be tempting to go for a singer over a Serger sewing machine simply because the former is a more known brand, you might make a costly mistake.
Factors to Consider While Buying
- Ease of use
- Automatic buttonhole making
- A variety of presser feet
- Many built-in stitches are better than fewer ones
- Autopilot and controllable sewing speed
- Easy bobbin management including top loading
- Portability especially if the frequent movement is required. For this, a handheld sewing machine is the best.
How We Picked and Tested
After scrapping through numerous home sewing magazines, blogs, company websites and customer review platforms, we picked some of the most popular or talked about sewing machines. To get a fairly clear picture, we picked the sewing machines from a wide price bracket (From as high as over $300 to some costing less than $100).
We included both electric and mechanical machines and to be honest, we were curious about the performance of computerized models compared to the rest. We tested the sewing machines in the same conditions. Each machine’s performance was tested on different pieces of fabric. The value of the features of each machine was evaluated by our trusted experts in the industry and the overall ease of use was among the factors that we considered.
Why Trust our Review?
In this review, we relied on the combined knowledge of our in-house team who have been reviewing, researching and writing on issues relating to the apparel industry. We also consulted industry experts including contributors to major sewing magazines and respected sewists.
Brother CS6000i Feature-Rich Sewing Machine
Features
- Like the Brother HC1850, this sewing machine allows easy stitch selection through an LCD display screen. You choose your type of stitch through a stitch selector button and view your settings through the display screen.
- Oversized working table for big projects. This is especially useful for professionals such as quilters or other crafters who need to maneuver through large fabrics and any
- Automatic needle threading that eliminates the hustle of manually finding the eye of the needle
- Controllable sewing speed. The stitch speed slide helps to work with the speed that is most convenient for your particular project.
- Assisted bobbin winding
- An illuminated work area that provides visibility even for dark fabrics
- An inbuilt free arm that is suitable for working on smaller round items such as pant legs.
Pros
- Easy to use machine suitable for home and professional use
- A choice of 60 built-in stitches including special decorative stitches
- An LCD display that allows easy stitch selection
- Easy bobbin thread management
- Comes with an inbuilt compartment for storing accessories
- Versatile for a wide array of functionalities
- It has a 25 years warranty.
Cons
- It has no memory function and therefore loses all settings when turned off
- When sewing on the highest speed setting, the machine is a bit noisy
Singer 1304 Start Free Arm Sewing Machine
Features
- Heavy-duty metal frame for durability
- It has 6 inbuilt stitches for a wide variety of uses. If you are interested in more built-in stitches, you might like the SINGER 3223G
- Easy stitch selection through one-touch dial4. Twin needle sewing for hemming or decoration
- Easy set up and threading through printed diagrams
- It comes with free accessories including presser feet.
Pros
- It comes with a heavy-duty metal frame for durability
- It comes with different presser feet including a special buttonhole foot and zipper foot.
- Easy to use as a result of the simplified threading system and preset stitch length or width adjustments
- Assisted buttonhole making
- It comes with a removable arm that allows easy access to cuffs, hems and other tricky areas to reach.
Cons
- Special needles are required for heavy fabrics such as denim.
- It is only suitable for beginners and for non-complicated projects
SINGER 7258 100-Stitch Stylist Sewing Machine
Features
- Automatic needle threader for easy threading. The whole machine can be threaded in just six seconds saving you time and the hassle
- LED illuminated workspace for ease of visibility
- Simplified creation of buttonholes with six different styles
- Easy bobbin management system. The bobbin is easy to load and monitor as the cover is clear
- Programmable needle operations. This allows you to choose to stop while the needle is up or down for easy fabric removal or for pivoting during appliquéing or quilting
- Up to 100 inbuilt stitches for a wide array of sewing needs
- Start and stop button with speed control for precision stitching
Pros
- Ideal for professional uses such as decorative stitching, quilting or appliquéing
- It has a heavy-duty frame for durability and for consistent stitching
- Easy stitch selection and bobbin management
- Onboard storage compartment for safekeeping of accessories
- The on and off button allows ease of use and the controllable speeds provide precision
- It has 25 years limited warranty
Cons
- The stitch width is only 5mm. There are machines that offer up to 7 mm of stitch width.
Brother LS2125i Easy-to-use Sewing Machine
Unlike the Brother CS6000i, this sewing machine comes with less ostentatious features but don’t dismiss it just yet. It is one of the best deals on sewing machines as it costs way less than $100 while having many useful features. It is one of the best-rated sewing machines on many eCommerce platforms.
Features
- 10 built-in stitches suitable for essential sewing, quilting or for decorative purposes
- Automatic and easy creation of buttonholes in just four steps
- It has a tension control dial that controls the tension of the sewing during stitching
- 3 different foot controls that are easy to switch with just a click
- Free tools and accessories such as screwdrivers, a darning plate, needles, etc
Pros
- Easy stitch selection through a built-in dial
- Easy bobbin winding system
- Comes with a free arm that is helpful when working with cuffs and sleeves
- It has guided easy instructions on threading.
- 25-year limited warranty6. It is lightweight and portable
Cons
- It is not ideal for professionals
- It does not come with a thread cutter which is a bit inconveniencing
SINGER 4423 Heavy Duty Extra-High Sewing Speed
Features
- The fast sewing speed of up to 1,100 stitches in a single minute.
- 23 built-in stitches for basic to advanced uses including decorative purposes
- Drop-in bobbin that is easy to insert and remove
- Clear view cover to monitor bobbin thread length
- The stainless steel bedplate for smooth fabric feeding
Pros
- Easy buttonhole making in just one step
- You can complete projects in the shortest time possible thanks to a high stitching speed
- The strong metal frame that prevents skipping during sewing
- Automatic needle threader that prevents eye strain or the hassle of manual threading
- It comes with 4 presser feet to suit a variety of needs such as adding button, holes zippers, etc
- It comes with a 25 years limited warranty
Cons
- Although the machine is heavy-duty, the needles do not seem heavy duty. They break as easy as other machines
- Having only 23 built-in stitches limit the versatility of this model.
SINGER 9960 Quantum Stylist Sewing Machine
Features
- Versatility at its best; 600 built-in stitches
- Automatic buttonhole making with 13 customizable designs in just 1 step
- Automatic needle threader with easy management bobbin system
- Electronic auto pilot stitching with easy speed control
- Stich editing functionality
- LCD screen display stitch information and other messages
- Start and stop button in addition to a foot controller
- Sewing light for illumination in low light conditions
Pros
- Programmable needle up-down allows easy fabric management
- The impressive stitch options make this one of the most versatile sewing machine costing less than $300
- Autopilot setting and speed control allows precision when working on a delicate project
- With stitch editing, you can customize the stitch pattern and have exact results
- It comes with 19 presser feet making it appropriate for professionals working on advanced projects
- It has an automatic thread cutter to save time
Cons
- The machine has a relatively small working space and may not be very suitable for large projects
- It is quite bulky and is not easily movable3. It is quite pricey
SINGER 4411 Heavy Duty Extra-High Sewing Machine
Features
- Heavy-duty metal frame for durability and consistent stitching
- Smooth fabric feeding as a result of a stainless steel plate
- High stitching rate of 1,100 stitches per minute
- Easy management bobbin system that features a clear cover for easy thread monitoring
- 11 built-in stitches to suit a variety of needs6. Four presser feet to suit different purposes
Pros
- It has a high stitching speed so you can finish projects faster
- You can be able to automatically create buttonholes in just 4 steps
- It is easy to operate
- You can adjust the presser foot pressure for ease of working with different fabrics
- It comes with free useful accessories
Cons
- This machine is limited in versatility2. It is not suitable for advanced professional uses
Brother XL2600I Sew Advance Mechanical Sewing Machine
Not many sewing machine brands are light and at the same time, compact and sturdy. The Brother XL2600I is one of those exceptions and is almost similar to the Brother XL2610. It is easily portable yet strong and durable. It is one of those sewing machines that are good for beginners while at the same time offering more advanced functionalities. Although it does not come with all the bells and whistles, it comes with more features than most beginner sewing machines.
Features
- It has 25 built-in stitches for a wide variety of use
- Easy to turn dial for stitch selection
- Easy bobbin management system
- Illustrated machine threading with an automatic needle threader
- Auto-sized buttonholes that can be created in just one step
- Easy sewing of arms and sleeves through the use of built-in free arm
- 4 presser feet
Pros
- It is a versatile sewing machine that can be used for altering and creating new projects
- It has a needle threader for convenient use
- Easy bobbin management
- The thread cutter saves time while working
- Well lit workspace for easy working on fabrics
- 25 years limited warranty
- Easy to turn dial for stitch selection
Cons
- We found that the presser feet pressure is not adjustable
- It is not appropriate for advanced professional use
SINGER 2277 Tradition 23-Stitch Sewing Machine
Features
- It has 23 built-in stitches for a variety of use
- It has a strong metal frame to provide stability during sewing
- Automatic needle threader
- Foot lifter with extra high presser foot for easier stitching of tough fabric
- A dial to adjust the length and width of stitches
- Accessories include 3 presser feet
Pros
- A simple button to select stitches
- You can personalize stitches by adjusting their length and width by the touch of a dial
- Easy access to difficult to reach areas through the use of the free arm
- The built-in stitches allow use over a variety of projects
- It is easy to create buttonholes through just one step
- Automatic bobbin winding system
Cons
- We found the workspace to be a little limiting for quilting or larger projects
- It is a mechanical machine with no computerization
Brother XM2701 Lightweight, Full-Featured Sewing Machine
Features
- 27 built-in stitches for a wide array of use
- Built-in free arm convenient for sewing sleeves and cuffs
- Easy bobbin management system
- Automatic threader
- Auto-sized buttonholes making in just one step
- Stich selection at the turn of a dial
Pros
- It is an easy to use a sewing machine
- You can select stitches easily with a simple dial
- Brightly LED illuminated work area that allows easy working in all environment
- It comes with a variety of sewing feet to suit different needs
- 25 years limited warranty
Cons
- We found the workspace light to be a little dim. Additional lighting may be required in a low light area
- The presser foot pressure cannot be adjusted
Janome Magnolia 7318 Sewing Machine
This sewing machine does not have many advanced features and can be regarded as a beginner machine. Even though it is basic, it is a well-built machine with many important functions and is easy to use.
Features
- Top loading bobbin management system
- Precision fabric control through an advanced feed dog system similar to that of the Kenmore 19106
- 18 built-in stitches including automatic buttonhole stitching
- Easy stitch selection through the turn of a simple dial
- A Storage compartment on the free arm
- Adjustable length and width of stitches
Pros
- There is an easy selection of stitches through the use of a stitch dial
- The stitch chart helps to monitor the stitch being used
- There is a reverse lever that locks stitches in place
- This sewing machine allows selection of width and length of stitches
- It has an easy bobbin management system that is jam-proof
- It is portable and has a carrying handle
Cons
- It is not computerized and needle functions can’t be programmed
- It is not as versatile as other models that offer more stitch options
Brother SE400 Combination Computerized Sewing & Embroidery Machine
Features
- Up to 67 built-in stitches that include basic, advanced and decorative stitches applicable over a range of projects.
- Easy embroidering with a large embroidery area plus installed 70 embroidery designs.
- Touchscreen LCD display for easy selection of settings
- Computer connectivity via USB cable
- Automatic threading system
- Automatic thread cutter
- Brightly Illuminated workspace
- It comes with free useful accessories
Pros
- You can purchase additional designs from the internet and transfer them to your sewing machine
- It allows high precision in designing including editing and resizing
- It has an LCD display for easy controls
- Inbuilt tutorials that are displayed on the LCD
- Easy bobbin management system
- It can be used for a host of purposes including sewing, embroidering, and quilting
Cons
- It is quite pricey
- It is a little complicated to operate and might not be suitable for a beginner
Which Sewing Machine is Best in 2022?
After rigorous testing, research and comparing all these brands we came to the conclusion that Brother CS6000i takes the price home for the best sewing machine for both professional and home use. Unlike other professional machines, it is easy to get around and can be used even by a beginner. At the same time, it is affordable while being generous with the features. Our second and third runners-up are the singer 1304 and the Singer 7258 which exhibited good performance without being too expensive.
- http://www.brother-usa.com
- http://www.singerco.com
- https://sewingmachineiq.com
- http://www.toptenreviews.com
- http://www.consumerreports.org