We surveyed more than 2,800 embroidery machine owners in August 2020 to get the inside track on everything from ease of use to durability and value for money, so you can find out which embroidery machine brands are rated best and worst by those who use them.
If you're considering buying a best embroidery machine uk read on to find out more about the brands, how they're rated by its customers and how much you should expect to pay.
Our results show that not all embroidery machines are created equal – there's a big difference between those brands at the top of the table and those at the bottom when it comes to their overall Which? customer satisfaction score.
For each brand you can find out:
How durable the brand is – we ask embroidery machine owners to rate how durable their machines have been.
How owners rate it – how satisfied owners are with their brand of embroidery machine, and whether they would recommend it to a friend. Brands are given a customer score based on this.
Our verdict – we tell you, in a nutshell, what owners think of the brand.
embroidery machine brands rated
The table below reveals Which? customer scores for each of the embroidery machine brands rated in our survey, and shows which embroidery machine brands customers are most likely to have experienced problems with.
You can also see star ratings for factors such as ease of use and value for money, so you can see each brand's pros and cons and compare their strengths and weaknesses.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the brands in the table below. log in to unlock the scores now. If you're not already a member, join Which? to access the results.
Table notes Ratings are based on answers from 2858 respondents who took part in our online survey in August 2020 about their current embroidery machines, bought in the last 10 years.
Which Customer score Based on respondents' overall satisfaction with the brand and likelihood to recommend.
Build quality, durability, portability, ease of use, value for money, overall rating We ask owners to rate their brand of embroidery machines for all these elements
Sample sizes Bernina (314), Brother (389), Elna (149), Frister & Rossman (168), Husqvarna (113), Janome (531), John Lewis (77), Jones (68), Pfaff (81)
Popular embroidery machines brands explained
We've pulled together our unique customer insight to give you an in-depth look at each brand.
The highest scoring embroidery machine brand has an excellent customer satisfaction score of 88% while the brand at the bottom of the table doesn't reach 70%.
Only one brand gained a full five-stars for build quality, and one for durability, while two brands scored a very poor one star for portability. If you plan on moving your embroidery machine around a lot, these could be worth avoiding.
Bernina embroidery machines: ranges and prices
Swiss company Bernina was founded in 1893. It focuses on the premium segment of the market and claims that Swiss precision is at the core of every Bernina embroidery machine.
It offers foundation courses in embroidery at its London embroidery Centre, which come free with the purchase of the majority of its overlockers and embroidery machines.
You can purchase a Bernina via their independent online embroidery shop or from a variety of other stores such as Jaycotts and Tysew.
Bernina has a range of around 13 embroidery machines plus other machines for quilting and embroidery, and overlockers. According to the company, the entry level Bernina 325 is your new go-to machine, while the Bernina 880 Plus – the company's most sophisticated machine – should provide embroidery pros with almost limitless possibilities.
Bernina embroidery machines
For beginners: The Bernina 215 (£549) is an entry-level model
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embroidery machines in Bernina's 2 Series are the most basic you'll find from this company – they're the simplest and most straightforward to use, but you can choose to upgrade them with new accessories as you progress. The cheapest model available is the Bernina 325 – at £749 it's a lot more expensive than entry-level embroidery machines from other manufacturers.
The 3 Series is also suitable for beginners, and you can use these embroidery machines for quilting projects, too. At around £749, you'll find the Bernina 325 the cheapest in this range, while the Bernina 335 (£995) is the most expensive.
The 5 Series, 7 and 8 Series are designed for pros; you can sew, embroider or quilt using these feature-packed machines. Prices for the more compact models in the 5 Series start at £1,995 for the Bernina 540, while prices in the 7 Series start at £2,850 (Bernina 720).
The newest addition to the range is the Bernina 880 Plus (£7,900). It includes full automated threading, an extended free arm and extra embroidery features.
Brother embroidery machines: ranges and prices
Japanese brand Brother is a major manufacturer of competitively priced embroidery and embroidery machines. These range from embroidery machines starting at around £100 that are suitable for beginners, through to high-specification semi-professional embroidery machines for small businesses.
A notable feature of the Brother brand is the number of features that it includes on even its most basic machines. You'll often find its machines online and in stores such as Argos, John Lewis and Hobbycraft.
Brother has a range of 18 embroidery machines, six embroidery machines and six models that combine both features. It also has embroidery machines for other craft projects, such as quilting.
Brother's range of embroidery machines is suitable for beginners right up to professionals. The cheapest and most basic model is the L14S, which costs £990 and is aimed at beginners performing basic alterations and repairs.
Fully computerised embroidery machines, such as the Innov-is A150 (£449) are aimed at those who have some embroidery experience.
If you want to try your hand at embroidery as well, models such as the Innov-is 440e (£799) combine this feature in a compact embroidery machine. Depending on how much you want to invest, you could pay up to £6,499 for the Innov-is XJ1 – designed for those who are, as Brother says: 'serious about embroidery '. With a price tag to match at £6499.
Elna embroidery machines: ranges and prices
Elna has always believed that embroidery should be fun. For this to happen embroidery machines needed to be easy to use, versatile and modern. Back in 1940, the first Elna was introduced – imaginatively named the Elna #1. It claims to be the first compact, portable electric embroidery machine with a free arm.
It claims it was the first company to introduce a whole host of special features to embroidery machines, such as the automatic needle threader, heirloom stitches as well as the first overlock stitch on a home embroidery machine (in 1963). Since then Elna has gone on to create industrial and domestic embroidery machines that are truly international.
There are 21 embroidery machines in its range, including compact beginner models, such as the Sew Fun, computerised embroidery machines for more advanced sewers and specialised machines for embroidery and quilting.
Click through our gallery to see a selection of Elna embroidery machines, from standard models to machines that are suitable for more advanced projects.
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You’ll find Elna embroidery machines in specialist shops such as Tysew. The Elna Sew Fun (£119) is a basic practical embroidery machine that is billed as being ‘user-friendly’ and an ultimate partner for beginners. This machine has 15 different stitches, including buttonhole, stretch stitches and triple stitches. The length of stitches can be altered, and other useful features include a embroidery light, instant reverse lever and large-view stitch display to help.
The Elna Star (£369) is a compact machine that still houses a number of great features you’d find in a full sized model, so Elna says this is a perfect model for those sewers who are on the move a lot. It has an easy-to-view stitch library, the stitches can be adjusted in length and width, plus there’s 20 stitches to experiment with, and a whole host of accessories included.
If you're looking for something more advanced, then the Elna eXperience 580 is perfect for those who want to sew, quilt or do patchwork. This machine has an array of stitches to choose from, (120 in total), plus seven styles of automatic button hole to choose from and speeds of up to 820 stitches per minute.
Elna has three new machines in its range: the eXcellence 680+ and 580+ and the eXperience 550. The machines in the eXcellent range provide an extensive range of features for the highest embroidery efficiency. The newest machine in the eXperience range is an all-round embroidery machine with an LCD display screen and between 50 and 280 stitches to choose from, depending on which version you opt for; it can handle an array of different fabrics with ease, it says.
Frister & Rossman embroidery machines: ranges and prices
Frister & Rossman embroidery machines date back to 1864, when they were founded in Berlin. And it has ties with rival sewembroidery ng machine company Singer, as F&R embroidery machines were imported by Singer.
The brand is now owned by embroidery Machines Direct (SMD).Today, you’ll find a couple of embroidery machines, overlockers and steam presses in its range on the SMD website
Frister & Rossman has just two embroidery machines listed on its website via SMD, along with an overlocker and several steam presses. You’ll find more models on sale via eBay, secondhand.
Singer embroidery machines: ranges and prices
The American brand Singer has been synonymous with embroidery since 1851. It introduced the world's first zig-zag machine and the first electronic machines. It provides a wide range of domestic and commercial embroidery machines.
Singer machines are widely available, especially through well-known stores such as Amazon, Currys, Hobbycraft and John Lewis. The company also has its own online store, Singer Direct.
Its been creating models that encourage people who are new to embroidery , such as the models in its Standard and Tradition ranges, as well as launching a 'embroidery assistant' app.
Singer offers more than 20 embroidery machines. Click through our gallery to see a selection, from compact beginners' models to heavy-duty embroidery machines and models suitable for embroidery.
The most compact models are in Singer's Standard and Tradition ranges. These are also the cheapest models, starting at a very reasonable £106 for the Standard 1507, which you'll find in retailers such as Currys.
Singer's Simple, Talent and Heavy Duty ranges are all standard mechanical embroidery machines, which are medium size and have extra features, such as one-step and four-step buttonhole functions. The stitching speed is also faster. These machines cost more than the compact models, and can cost up to £600.
If you're looking for a embroidery machine that will also be able to handle sewing, you'll need to look at Singer's XL range. However, for premium features you should expect to pay a premium price: the Singer Futura XL400 is £749, 0hile the newest and most advanced machine, the Singer XL 420 Futura costs £1,099.
How we researched embroidery ng machines
In September 2020, we asked more than 900 Which? members about the embroidery machine they own and their experience of owning and using it. This covered areas from durability
The scores exclude responses from those who have owned their embroidery machine for more than 10 years. The overall customer satisfaction scores are based on how satisfied customers of each brand are and whether they'd recommend the brand to a friend.
I am a passionate craftsmen who loves to sew and embroider designs with craziness.