How To Choose an Embroidery Machine: A Home Embroidery Machine Buying Guide

Learning how to embroider is an exciting prospect. Embroidery takes basic sewing to a new level, allowing you to create monograms, emblems, and even art on a range of fabrics. But do you know how to choose an embroidery machine? 

Embroidery machines stand out from standard sewing machines thanks to their ability to quickly stitch intricate designs onto your projects. You might be in the market for an embroidery machine for beginners or looking to upgrade your current model. Either way, you need to know how to choose an embroidery machine to ensure you spend your money wisely. 

Follow our in-depth buyer’s guide and learn how to choose an embroidery machine from the SINGER® brand’s extensive collection, based on features, price, and your project goals. 

In Brief: How To Choose an Embroidery Machine — Checklist 

Here’s a quick checklist of things you can look for when choosing an embroidery machine. It’s in a handy table format, so you can print it out or save it to your smartphone. Use it as a quick reference embroidery machine buying guide. If there are features on this list that don’t matter to you, simply cross them off. 

Now let’s move on to our in-depth embroidery machine buying guide, helping you learn how to choose an embroidery machine for your projects. 

Assess Your Embroidery Goals

The first step in learning how to choose an embroidery machine is figuring out what you actually want to do with it. Your embroidery goals will determine the features that are most important to you. 

Project Types 

Firstly, what type of projects are you hoping to embroider? If you want to create items for your personal use, you might not be too concerned about the speed of stitching or how precise the stitch placement is. However, if you plan to give your items as gifts or even branch out into designing your own goods, precision and quality are key factors. 

You also need to consider the size of your projects. Larger projects require an expanded embroidery area or, alternatively, a machine with an optional extension table. If you think you’ll mainly focus on monograms or smaller designs, a machine with a basic embroidery area should be sufficient. 

Consider how often you’ll use the machine. For heavy-duty use, you might need a heavy-duty machine or a multi-needle embroidery machine. Most hobbyists will be happy with a standard combined home sewing and embroidery machine, which can handle light to medium use. 

Finally, think about how complex you want your embroidery projects to be. If you’re aiming to customize and edit designs or even create your own, invest in a machine with those capabilities. 

Skill Level Considerations 

Your skill level is one of the top considerations for choosing an embroidery machine. Absolute beginners should opt for a sewing and embroidery machine that’s intuitive but not so feature-rich that they get overwhelmed. 

If you’re an experienced sewist but new to embroidery, look for machines where it’s easy to switch to embroidery mode and choose designs. Automation, like a start/stop button, needle up/down programmability, and even a needle threader, can make the transition to embroidery easier. 

For advanced embroidery experts, you know what features you want, so invest in a machine that offers everything you need. 

Budget Reality Check 

Set a budget before you dive too deep into learning how to choose an embroidery machine. There’s no point in aiming for a high-end, professional embroidery machine if you only have a budget of $1,000. 

Entry-level machines usually have a price range between $1,000 and $2,700, although prices do fluctuate. For your money, you should still get plenty of built-in stitches and designs, plus all the accessories you need to get started. 

Mid-range options cost between $2,000 and $7,500. The higher the price point, the more features you should expect. Check if these machines include customization features, software, and other ways to help sewists advance their skills. 

Advanced or professional embroidery machines can cost a lot more: anything up to $26,000 at today’s prices. For that money, you should have access to advanced design creation, extended embroidery areas, free arm embroidery, and more advanced features. For example, the HUSQVARNA® VIKING® DESIGNER EPIC™ 3 Sewing & Embroidery Machine is one of the most expensive machines in the SINGER® collection, but includes built-in projection for the most precise design placement, among other impressive features. 

Remember that you’ll need to pay for more than the embroidery machine itself. Consider the cost of thread, fabrics, and any accessories or designs that don’t come with the machine you choose. 

Critical Features To Evaluate 

Figuring out how to choose an embroidery machine means understanding what features you should be evaluating. Look at all these features before you pick embroidery machines from the collection. 

Embroidery Area or Hoop Size 

The embroidery hoop is what keeps your fabric taut and prevents motion that can distort your design. Most modern embroidery machines come with an included hoop, and the size will determine the scope of embroidery design you can produce. You can also purchase additional hoops for many machines. 

Some embroidery hoops have measurements in metric, and others don’t. For example, you can purchase a 5-inch x 7-inch hoop, ideal for small-to-medium size embroidery designs. If you want a smaller hoop, you’ll probably purchase a 40mm x 40mm hoop, perfect for embroidering small areas. Use an online measurement converter to ensure you’re purchasing an embroidery hoop that matches the size of the designs you want to work on. 

For larger embroidery designs, you’ll need a machine with an expanded embroidery area and a larger hoop. The PFAFF® creative™ 4.5 Sewing & Embroidery Machine, for example, offers an exceptionally large embroidery area and works with a hoop measuring 14.2 inches x 13.8 inches — one of the largest on the market today. 

Built-In Design Library 

No one, even the most experienced sewists, should invest in an embroidery machine without built-in designs. You want to set up your machine and get started right away, and to do that, you need a machine with a decent stitch catalog and a good variety of embroidery designs. 

The more variety your machine has, the quicker you’ll learn new techniques and get to experiment with more creative projects. Some machines allow you to combine designs and decorative stitches, effectively making their internal design library virtually limitless. 

Consider what design editing features are important to you. Do you want to be able to resize, crop, and rotate designs? Will mirror imaging of stitches be useful to you? 

SINGER® brand (and the related brands PFAFF® and HUSQVARNA® VIKING®) embroidery machines offer varying levels of design customization. On the SINGER® SE9180 Sewing & Embroidery Machine, you can utilize built-in designs and invert stitch patterns. Move up to the higher-spec HUSQVARNA® VIKING® DESIGNER TOPAZ™ 40 Sewing & Embroidery Machine, though, and you can zoom, pan, and rotate designs as needed. 

Connectivity and Design Import 

As well as your built-in designs, you should be able to add more embroidery patterns as needed. Many modern embroidery machines have a USB port, and some come with a dedicated USB stick. You can use this to download designs via your computer and upload them to your embroidery machine. 

More advanced machines may also have wireless connectivity for downloadable patterns. Many of these will require a smartphone app or a subscription to an online service like CREATIVATE™. Different machines may require different file formats, so always check your embroidery machine’s manual for full details. 

Automation and Ease-of-Use 

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced sewist, you don’t want a machine that takes the joy out of embroidery by adding tedious, overwhelming complexity. Automation and intuitive features are the key to a great machine. 

Look for aspects like: 

• Automatic needle threading 

• Automatic thread cutting 

• Thread tension sensors 

• Thread change alerts 

• Color touch screens 

• Intuitive editing features 

Some machines even have built-in assistance guides and tips to make embroidery more accessible. 

Speed and Efficiency 

The speed at which your machine can go determines, to a certain extent, how quickly you can complete projects. Speed is usually given as stitches per minute. Some embroidery machines run at 800 stitches per minute, while others have advanced speeds of up to 1,050 stitches per minute. 

Faster doesn’t always mean more efficient, though. For embroidery and decorative stitches, you might want to slow down for enhanced control and superior stitch quality. Most modern machines allow you to control the speed via the foot control so you can find the right balance for your projects. 

Machine Type 

Most SINGER® embroidery machines are combination sewing and embroidery machines. However, you can get some machines that are solely for embroidery, like the HUSQVARNA® VIKING® PLATINUM™ MN 1000 - Multi Needle Embroidery Machine. These types of machines have multiple thread spools and needles so you can stitch with various colors at the same time. They’re fast and have additional features to support efficiency, such as thread breakage detectors. 

The advantage of a combination sewing and embroidery machine is that you only need one machine for all your sewing needs. The downside is that you do have to manually change thread color and type throughout complex designs. 

With embroidery-only machines, you can program or upload complex designs that the machine can handle without you having to change out the thread mid-project. However, you’ll need a separate machine for hemming, making seams, and performing other standard sewing tasks. 

Build Quality and Reliability 

Choosing an embroidery machine is a big investment, so you want to know you’re getting an appliance that will last. Check the warranty, as this indicates how much faith the manufacturer has in its machines. SINGER® brand embroidery machines, for example, all come with a warranty and have a reputation for durability. 

Consider the weight of the machine and how stable it will be. Heftier machines will require a sturdy, flat surface, but will offer less motion and vibration for high-quality results. Check what the casing is made of. Plastic casing is fine for light to medium use, but heavy-duty users may want to invest in machines with a metal casing that can stand up to repeated and frequent use. 

Software and Computer Integration 

Basic sewing and embroidery machines may not have any software capabilities, instead relying on the built-in designs or ones you upload via the USB port. Others may include downloadable software that allows you to convert embroidery file formats or even edit designs. 

Check whether the machine comes with free software, as it is on all SINGER® brand machines. You may need to pay for additional subscriptions to services like CREATIVATE™, but these can often save you money by avoiding the charges for individual pattern or design downloads. 

There are versions of SINGER® brand machine software for both Mac and Windows machines, and you won’t need specialist settings or high-tech specs to run them. 

Your Decision-Making Matrix 

Figuring out how to choose an embroidery machine is easier when you have a clear decision-making matrix. Follow these steps every time you’re in the market for a new embroidery machine. 

Step 1: Define Your Primary Use Case 

Start by asking yourself, “What do I want to embroider?” 

List your project types and ensure you’re considering what you might want to move onto in the future, as well as what you’ll be embroidering right now. Think about garments, accessories, home décor, and what techniques you’ll need to approach those projects confidently. 

Step 2: Identify Must-Have Features 

Now that you know what you want to sew, use that to prioritize features. For example, if design customization is your priority, you need the ability to zoom, crop, rotate, or combine designs. You may also want a color touchscreen or connected creative software. Likewise, if you know you want to work on larger projects, then a wider embroidery space should be a top priority for you. 

Step 3: Set Your Budget Range 

Set a budget based on your desired feature list. Take a look at the above “Budget Reality Check” section to get a feel for what features you should expect at each price point. If possible, give yourself a margin in case you discover a machine that has everything you need and is just outside your set budget. 

Step 4: Evaluate Growth Potential 

Don’t limit yourself by starting too small, but don’t invest in a top-of-the-line embroidery machine aimed at professionals if you only want to sew monograms. While the thought of all those features at your fingertips can be thrilling, it’s a waste of money if you don’t use them. You may be better off buying a mid-range machine and having cash leftover to spend on thread, fabrics, and other accessories. 

Of course, you may plan to expand your embroidery skill set and have big ambitions of taking on complex projects. Investing in a top-spec embroidery machine now could save you money versus buying multiple machines over the lifetime of your embroidery journey. 

Step 5: Compare Your Top Choices 

By this point, you should know what you want from an embroidery machine and how much you want to spend. Browse SINGER®’s complete embroidery machine lineup and compare machines side by side to weigh up their features.   

Singer Embroidery Machine Lineup Overvie

Now you know what to look for in embroidery machines, it’s time to look at some specific models. The SINGER® brand and its associated brands offer an impressive range of sewing and embroidery machines. To help you out, we’ve broken them down into simple categories so you can compare features across SINGER®’s collection. 

Best for Complete Beginners 

Beginner-appropriate sewing and embroidery machines should be easy to set up and get started with. Look for intuitive interfaces like touchscreens, but avoid machines with overwhelming amounts of customization features. 

The SINGER® SE9180 Sewing & Embroidery Machine is a great choice for beginners, especially those who are new to embroidery. It includes a free 30-day trial of CREATIVATE™, and it has 150 built-in embroidery designs and 10 fonts for easy text creation. There’s a large, seven-inch touchscreen, automatic needle threading, and full design transfer capability. You could start by sewing simple monograms and progress to t-shirt embroidery or customizing other garments. 

The HUSQVARNA® VIKING® DESIGNER TOPAZ™ 40 Sewing & Embroidery Machine is highly rated and ideal for both beginners and passionate hobbyists. It comes with free downloadable software that grants access to design thumbnails and various embroidery file formats. The color touchscreen provides an intuitive interface, with the option to use the included stylus to edit designs for full customization. Create a tote bag and personalize it as a lovely handmade gift — just one project that’s easy to do with this machine. 

Best for Hobbyists and Frequent Crafters 

As you progress with your craft, you’ll want more from your embroidery machine. Mid-range models support frequent crafters and more experienced hobbyists, balancing more advanced features with value. 

Consider the HUSQVARNA® VIKING® DESIGNER JADE™ 35 Sewing & Embroidery Machine. This machine has a large sewing space, instantly expanding the number of projects you can approach. The Exclusive SEWING ADVISOR™ helps you set everything up quickly, ready to work on garments, quilts, and more. 

Best for Small Business Owners or High-Volume Use 

If you want to embroider at scale or require pure precision, you need a higher-end machine. Look for high stitch speeds, professional features, and reviews that mention reliability and durability. 

The PFAFF® creative™ 4.5 Sewing & Embroidery Machine offers extreme levels of customization for fully bespoke designs. It has one of the largest embroidery areas, making it versatile for all types of projects. It also has 480 built-in stitches, 270 embroidery designs, and an enhanced top speed of 1,050 stitches per minute for increased efficiency. 

Questions To Ask Before You Buy 

Here are some questions to ask yourself  before you commit to your purchase: 

• What's the largest design size I want to create? 

• How often will I use this machine? 

• Do I need sewing capabilities as well as embroidery designs? 

• Do I have space for this machine, and can I transport it? 

• What's my realistic total budget for the machine and any accessories? 

• What learning resources are available for this model? 

• What's included and what will I need to buy separately? 

• What's the warranty and support situation? 

Combine these questions with the decision matrix and feature checklist for a virtually infallible way to choose the best embroidery machine for you. 

Common Selection Mistakes To Avoid 

Learn from others’ mistakes by avoiding these common pitfalls when choosing an embroidery machine: 

• Choosing based on price alone: The cheapest machine is not necessarily the best value, and the most expensive isn’t necessarily the right one for you. Use your decision-making matrix rather than focusing solely on price. 

• Overestimating how much you'll use advanced features: Don’t buy a top-of-the-range machine if you won’t use the incorporated features. 

• Underestimating the importance of hoop size: If you want to work on larger projects, you will have to invest in a machine that supports a larger hoop size. 

• Ignoring workspace constraints: Check the dimensions and weight of every machine you research. Remember, you also need space for storing thread, fabric, and accessories. 

• Not factoring in the learning curve: If you want to get started right now, the most advanced machine could be a very frustrating purchase. 

• Forgetting about ongoing costs: You’ll need to buy threads, materials, replacement needles, and other accessories, plus any subscriptions you sign up for. 

• Skipping hands-on research: Don’t solely rely on information on the manufacturer’s website. Read user reviews, watch videos showing the machine in use, and see if there are any in-store demos you can attend. 

Most of these tips might seem like common sense, but they could save you a lot of time and money. 

How To Choose an Embroidery Machine: FAQs 

Is the most expensive embroidery machine the best? 

Not necessarily. The best embroidery machine for you is one that supports your project goals with features relevant to you. 

Can’t I just embroider using a standard sewing machine? 

Sewing machines don’t have embroidery capabilities. Experienced sewists can use drop feed features for free-form embroidery on a standard sewing machine, but this is very challenging and imprecise. 

Should I buy an embroidery-only machine? 

This comes down to personal preference. If you have a trusted sewing machine that you love and want to expand into advanced embroidery, a dedicated embroidery machine might be a great choice. They’re not ideal for beginners or those who don’t want to invest in two separate machines. 

What’s the best embroidery machine for beginner sewists? 

If you’re an absolute beginner or new to embroidery, consider the SINGER® SE9180 Sewing & Embroidery Machine. It has everything you need to get started with embroidery. 

Do I need an embroidery machine with the highest stitch speed? 

Faster stitch speeds are ideal for those focused on efficiency and high-volume output. Hobbyists and beginners don’t need to worry about stitch speed as much. 

Will an embroidery machine come with everything I need to get started? 

No, you will always need to purchase some fabric, thread, and stabilizers. Some machines may come with small samples of these, but not enough to complete an entire project. 

Next Steps: Making Your Choice 

Now you know how to choose an embroidery machine based on features, price, and more. Remember to follow your decision-making matrix so you don’t miss any key features that are critical to your project goals. Explore the full lineup of SINGER® sewing and embroidery machines before you make your decision. Each one has different features and functionality, so make sure you know what you want and how much you have available to spend. 

To help you out, when you shop on the SINGER® brand website, you can click the “compare” box next to any of the available machines. Click two or more, and a red “Compare” button will appear. Click here to see the machines’ key features listed side-by-side.

You can also check out user reviews, and remember to utilize the checklist at the top of this embroidery machine buying guide, adding or removing features as needed. 

Ready to get even more creative? Explore SINGER®'s embroidery machine collection to find your perfect match.