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5 Best Sewing Machines – (Reviews & Buying Guide 2023)
Looking for the best sewing machine in 2023? Well, the top rated choice becomes increasingly difficult when you have so many brands and models available to choose from. When buying the ideal product for home, the first thing you need to do is to analyze your precise requirements. You need to ask yourself the right set of questions to pick the most appropriate fit on the market.
Here you go:
Who is going to use the sewing machine?
Are you buying it for yourself or someone else. What is your level of experience with sewing? Are you beginner, intermediate or advanced user? Your current status will help you determine the make, size, model, stitching options, overall budget and other features.
How much money you have allocated?
When deciding to buy a sewing product, it is very important to allocate a suitable budget first. The availability of budget can increase or decrease your range of options from the best brands. Overall, the price of each machine varies deeply based on its features, built-quality and brand reputation.
With a limited budget, you cannot shop the best sewing machine available on the market. It’s never a good idea to pick the cheapest item made up of plastic and low-quality materials. Such products are never going to last in the long run. It’s best to spend whatever you can to pick a high-quality make and model that does not disappoint your expectations. Most the good sewing machines for home fall under mid-range price point, so you can buy a reliable product with confidence.
What kind of projects your machine is likely to undertake for now and future?
It is very important to pick a features-enriched sewing machine that is going to fill your current and future needs. No matter if you are beginner or professional, your machine must carry all the required features. There’s no point of buying a cheap and lightweight model that’s likely to break down or unable to sew your thicker garments. It will eventually annoy you and create frustration. So, it is best to invest in a top-notch product after weighing out your expectations and requirements.
How often you will be using it?
If you are just starting with sewing, you might not be using your machine much often. However, as you get more experienced, you will be quilting and sewing a lot. So, when purchasing a sewing machine, also keep in consideration your future use. It is better to invest in a high-quality machine to also get the advanced features that you’ll probably use in future. Majority of the top sewing brands offer a very long warranty, so you can consider it a long term investment. It’s best to invest in a sturdy product providing an inside solid metal frame with reliable plastic parts.
What are the number of stitches and accessories you need?
In our buying guide, we have reviewed models that stitch as low as 12 options to as many as 600 stitches. There are variety of designs and styles you can create with each of these options. No matter if you want to go with zig zag, straight or seamstress, the machine can get it done for you.
There is a huge variety in lengths and widths, shapes and styles that look truly awesome. However, the main question is “are you going to use them at all?” If you just need the basic sewing, why you need to spend on the extra features? When it comes to the accessories, the best sewing machines come with relatively large number of attachments. It is because you do not have to buy each of them separately. These accessories basically take capabilities of your machine to the next level.
When shopping, you must always look for the accessories offered by the manufacturer. If you need to buy separately, always try to get the original accessory rather than third party parts. Some of the main accessories include: presser feet, blind hem foot, zipper foot, buttonhole foot, walking foot, embroidery foot, etc.
Once you have answered the above five questions, you are almost done to choose the right sewing appliance for home. We picked up the top 5 best sewing machines on the market to fit you precise needs. Each of these products come from the most reputed and trusted sewing brands. They provide lot of value for your money and fulfill sewing and quilting needs of majority customers.
Comparison Chart: Best Sewing Machines of 2023
In our comparison chart, you’ll find some basic information about all the products that are further down in our review section. You can compare and analyze all their features to help you narrow down the perfect choice. We’ve kept also kept this same order of products in our review section, so that it is easy for you to reference when you scroll down the guide.
The Brother CS6000i is our top-rated pick and most popular model on the market right now. What makes it best are the wide range of useful features available at the modest price. You will love the automatic needle threader and adjustable sewing speed that gives you better control while sewing and quilting. It provides a whopping 850 stitches per minute speed on a wide table that makes it quite user-friendly to carryout complex projects. One of our favorite features is the built-in free arm that enables you to sew sleeves, pants and other tricky stuff.
Although, the CS6000i is lightweight but doesn’t feel cheap due to plastic and metal components. We like it’s overall built-quality and innovative design. As far as its overall working is concerned, it’s an amazing workhorse. It is likely to suit both beginners and advanced users. The machine is perfect for home use and very reliable. However, don’t expect to sew leather and upholstery on the machine as it’s definitely not going to work.
When it comes to the price, this sewing machine is extremely affordable. However, you must not get confused with the lower price as this machine offers excellent value for the money. There are many top of the line features offered in CS6000i, which make it a recommended buy for 2023. For example, you can create buttonholes on jacket, sew zippers, perfectly sew sleeves and other cylindrical items. When it comes to bobbin winding and threading, it is also very straightforward. You just need to place the bobbin appropriately in the right position and you’re done.
It features an easy to use stitch selector displayed on a nice LCD screen. When sewing, you can easily see the wide and bright work area with help of embedded light. There is also a numbered diagram and adjustable sewing button which enables you to smoothly thread and control speed according to your requirement.
Without any doubt, the Brother CS6000i is one of the best sewing machine for home use. It enables you to carry out multiple DIY projects and create decorative designs. We also love the good number of accessories, quick start guide and instructional DVD included with machine. It comes with a solid warranty to back-up its high-quality manufacturing.
What’s really great about Singer 9960 is the ability to use large range of stitching functions. There are 600 stitches offered which consist of basic, stretch and decorative types. You will definitely love this machine for sewing, quilting, crafting and home decor projects. The overall body of this Sewing Machine feels very solid and durable. Its main frame is built with high-quality metal to provide nice alignment of internal parts and superior performance.
Additionally, you will also find 5 built-in stylish fonts to carryout customized projects. The mirror imaging and stitch elongation features enable you to take your creativity to the next level. The Singer 9960 also comes with thirteen step-1 buttonholes. When using the product, the automatic needle threader takes care of the entire threading process. The sewing is real quick and offers you more control with 850 stitches per minute speed. There are also impressive number feet and important attachments included in the accessories.
Even better, the Singer 9960 is loaded with top drop-in bobbin system to make insertion much easier. You will also love the clear cover to precisely view thread supply of bobbin. Just like other machines reviewed so far, it also provides a large working area with help of extension table. When it comes to stitch selection, it’s quite easy to choose on front panel of machine. In order to make your selection simpler, the 8 commonly used stitches are displayed on the panel.
When compared to others, the 9960 enables you to switch towards electronic twin needle. This handy function reduces stitching width while sewing. Majority of the functions provided in the unit are truly automatic. Just like Brother products, it is bundled with 25 years of warranty.
The Brother Project Runway is slightly pricier version than CS6000i. It offers 70 stitches to perform custom decorative styles on garments. You will also love the 7 one-step buttonholes feature to auto fit custom buttons. There is generous variety of accessories included such as 7 types of feet for zippers, blind hems and buttons, etc. The high-quality and reliability of stitching is ensured via top thread and bobbin. You will surely like the wide range table to provide you a nice surface area to generate professional-looking results with improved control.
It is a computerized sewing machine that also features an LCD display. You can quickly adjust the stitch size on screen according to your requirement. Our favorite feature on the machine is Quick-set bobbin. With this nice feature, you bobbin always stay in the right place to deliver reliable stitching results every time. The auto-needle threader is another great feature which pushes thread right through eye of needle. When sewing and quilting, you won’t have difficult time working on dark fabrics due to LED light focused on working area.
When compared to others, we found the feed system quite exceptional. It helps create reliable stitching in smooth and accurate way. The free-motion quilting makes your quilting projects a lot easier and fashionable.
Just like other models, the Brother Project Runway also comes with 25 years limited warranty. There are many great features on this sewing machine, which makes it one of the top-rated choice for beginners as well as pro users.
#4. Perfect for Beginners: Janome 2212 Sewing Machine
The Janome 2212 is one of the basic and most affordable models available on the market right now. If you are on budget and want to buy an entry-level sewing machine, we highly recommend the Janome 2212. It is very user-friendly for beginners who like to only use the key functions at an amazing price. Some of the main features include the manual selector dial for 12 built-in stitches. The four-step button hole enables users to create easy buttonholes. The machine also comes with free arm and wide table area for comfortable sewing.
It helps customize stitch lengths with help of dialer. The maximum width of each stitch can be adjusted to 5mm while full length is 4mm. Locking stitches on the machine is made easy with reverse layer switch. The machine itself is fairly small and compact, which makes it highly portable option. Even better, you do not need a lot of space to sew and quilt on the Sewing Machine.
Overall, the Janome 2212 is a reliable product that doesn’t disappoint the end-users. It is manufactured by one of the best sewing machine brands in the world. And, they stand behind each of their products with a solid 25 year warranty. It’s a great buy and provides good value of money especially for newbies and beginners.
#5. Most Expensive: Juki HZL-F600 Computerized Quilting & Sewing
The Juki HZL-F600 is one of the most expensive options on our comparison chart. It is definitely costly but offers all the great features you can expect from a top-notch brand. The machine itself is a workhorse that can be used for professional as well as household use. You won’t get disappointed when it comes to sewing curtains, hemming, mending and quilting. And the switching is also very quick from one function to another.
No matter if you want to sew a simple garment or king size curtain, the Juki HZL-F600 can get it done. It is equipped with 2 LED lights to make your vision flawless during stitching. Unlike other machines, it comes with a separate bobbin motor for the winder. With this nice feature, you do not need to stop for bobbin filling.
This machine combines plenty of other great features, which makes it a highly-rated sewing product. You won’t ever complain in terms of performance and quality, when using the HZL-F600. The only reason why we ranked it lower was the higher price point. Although, this is not a drawback of the machine as you always get what you pay for.
I hope you liked of our handpicked list of top 5 sewing machines. All of these models are top picks from best brands in the world. We also evaluated features of each machine in terms of latest pricing on the market. Majority of our picks offer the best value for money to the consumer. Some of these products may only offer the basic functionality but it also comes at the most affordable price. There is always an ideal sewing machine for everyone out there but you just need to find it. I hope our review made your final choice a lot easier.
A Complete Buying Guide for Sewing Machines
The best sewing machine can be chosen from any top brand. It all depends on your needs and expected quality of the product. Some of the reputable brands include Brother, Janome, Singer and Juki. If you want best of the best, just stick with Brother and Janome. And, if you expect to get a mid-range option, Singer and Juki are some of the good options for the money. These are all top brands and deliver what’s rightly expected from a high-quality product.
What Important Features to Look for When Buying A Sewing Machine?
Heavy Weight Vs. Light Weight
The first thing to consider is built-quality and overall construction of the sewing machine. When buying a product, you must pay attention to its weight. There are mainly two types of machines, some are heavy weight while others are light. In order to do perfect stitching, you need a heavier model that doesn’t vibrate while sewing. If your unit is too light, you are likely to have problem with missing stitches as it can shake abnormally. The whole sewing process will become painful and uncomfortable to continue. On the other hand, if you pick a bulky sewing machine you are likely to end up doing all the work in single place. It will definitely become your worst portable option, if you prefer to move around.
Automatic Thread and Needle adjustment
You are likely to break lots of needles and threads when using a low-end sewing machine. Having features like automatic thread tension adjustment is a blessing when sewing. This same process can be done manually as well but it’s much better to have auto function to keep all your focus on sewing. If you don’t pay attention, you are likely to mess up thread and needles all the time. So, you must search for the highest-rated model that comes with automatic thread and needle adjustment features.
Bobbin Installation
The top sewing machines on the market come with easy bobbin installation system. All you need is to pick up the bobbin and adjust it from the top. The process doesn’t need to be complicated. You can start the sewing once all is fixed. Just find a good machine that come with automatic winding system. For best results, look for a system that does not utilize the needle mechanism.
Types of Sewing Machines
There are many types of machines available out there. You need to pick the best choice to fit your needs. Here are some of the types:
Manual
Electronic
Computerized
Serger or Overlocking Machines
Embroidery Machines
Serger or Overlocking:
This is a common sewing machine. It helps you finalize the sewing project.
Embroidery Machines:
The embroidery products not only offer the basic function but also enable you to do beautiful embroidery on demand. With these machines you can take your sewing skills to the next level and push garments quality to the top.
All in One Machines:
These are the most expensive sewing machines as they combine all the major functions into one unit. When compared to others, these machines are a better long-term investment as you don’t need to upgrade in future. Once bought, you have got all the features of a top-notch appliance at your disposal. Just learn and take action! Your skills are likely going to improve over a certain period of time. It all takes a bit of practice and implementation of what you’ve learnt so far. What all-in-one machines do is to combine the Serger, embroidery and stitching options in a single ultimate tailoring product.
Which Type Should I Choose?
Well, this all depends on your sewing needs. If you are a beginner, you can pick the most affordable option from Serger machines. In case, you already gained some sewing experience, we would recommend you to go with all-in-one sewing product. It is much better choice in the long run. Do check our in-depth reviews to come up with the most suitable pick.
By now, you possibly picked up a specific type of sewing machine to choose from. The next step is to select the most reliable brand. A good brand is likely to make your sewing experience much pleasant and comfortable.
There are multiple top brands and each one comes with their own specific advantage.
For example:
Brother: Top-Notch embroidery and real good for beginners and advanced users.
Bernina: Focused on embroidery for professional and advanced users.
Janome: It is an emerging Japanese brand and offers great value in their finished products. There’s a whole range of versatile and efficient products offered by Janome at very affordable rates.
Juki: Good value of money in terms of features and overall-built quality.
Singer: Reliability and high quality. Never lets you down in terms of speed and performance. Mid-range users prefer singer sewing equipment.
With a good machine, you have a safe and enjoyable experience. The top sewing brands on the market come with plenty of safety features in their models. There are fewer chances to get your finger pinched when using an automatic sewing machine. It comes with auto commands for needles to make your sewing fun.
Price Vs. Quality
If you are looking for top-notch quality, you can expect the pricing to be on the higher-end. There are mid-range models also available but their quality is also normal. Always remember the fact that you get what you pay for. If you are on a budget and just need the basic features, you can get a good option at minimal price. The low-end products are more suited for beginners or someone who just need to use the basic features.
The entry-level sewing machines are never expected to perform more advanced functions. For top-of-the-line features and quality, you also need to pay the premium price. The top rated machine brands offer their flag-ship models at reasonable prices to grab maximum market share. Their quality to price ratio is always high, so always pick the best sewing machine from a trusted and well-reputed brand.
Paul is a compulsive tinkerer and inventor who loves writing about latest machines technology. He is especially inclined towards home improvement, exercise and outdoor equipment that every sports enthusiast and house dweller would love to get their hands on.
are the wide range of useful features available at the modest price. You will love the automatic needle threader and adjustable sewing speed that gives you better control while sewing and quilting. It provides a whopping 850 stitches per minute speed on a wide table that makes it quite user-friendly to carryout complex projects. One of our favorite features is the built-in free arm that enables you to sew sleeves, pants and other tricky stuff.
