Buying your first embroidery machine can be hard. To make the choice a bit easier, here is a list of budget embroidery machines that cost $4,000 or less (before tax) for you to research. The listed prices are current as of September 2023. Brother and Baby Lock embroidery machines tend to be more intuitive than some of the other brands. Only machines with a 5″ x 7″ or larger hoop size are listed, as 4″ x 4″ hoop machines are not recommended if you already know you will like machine embroidery.
You will also need between $300 and $500 in supplies to begin. Supplies include embroidery scissors, a selection of embroidery threads, needles, embroidery bobbin thread (or pre-wound bobbins), and stabilizer. Please read our article on suggested starter supplies.
Brother PE800
- embroidery only machine
- 5″ x 7″ max hoop size
- speeds up to 650 stitches per minute
- does not cut jump stitches
- price typically ranges from $800 to $1,000
- sold on Amazon and online (not considered a dealer machine)
- considered a budget machine and some dealers will not accept this as a trade in
Brother PE900
- embroidery only machine
- 5″ x 7″ max hoop size
- speeds up to 650 stitches per minute
- cuts jump stitches
- color sorting
- wifi enabled
- price is typically $1,149.99
- sold on Amazon and online (not considered a dealer machine)
Brother SE1900
- combo sewing/embroidery machine
- 5″ x 7″ max hoop size
- speeds up to 650 stitches per minute
- does not cut jump stitches
- price typically ranges from $999 to $1,299 (one time inventory close out price was $599 when this model was being discontinued)
- sold online and at dealers
Brother SE2000
- combo sewing/embroidery machine
- 5″ x 7″ max hoop size
- speeds up to 650 stitches per minute
- cuts jump stitches
- color sorting
- wifi enabled
- price is typically $1,499
- introduced in 2023 to replace the Brother SE1900
- sold online and at dealers
Baby Lock Bloom
- combo sewing/embroidery machine
- 5″ x 7″ max hoop size
- includes 5″ x 12″ multi-position hoop
- speeds up to 650 stitches per minute
- cuts jump stitches
- price typically ranges from $2,499 (introduced fall 2022)
- wifi enabled
- sold online and at dealers
Brother NS1250E
- embroidery only machine
- 5″ x 7″ max hoop size
- speeds up to 650 stitches per minute
- cuts jump stitches
- color sort feature
- price typically ranges from $1,299 to $1,999
- wifi enabled
- introduced fall 2022
- sold at dealers
Brother NS1150
- embroidery only machine
- 5″ x 7″ max hoop size
- speeds up to 650 stitches per minute
- automatic thread cutter
- does not cut jump stitches
- price typically ranges from $699 to $899
- sold online and at dealers
Brother NS2750D
- combo sewing/embroidery machine
- 5″ x 7″ max hoop size
- includes 5″ x 12″ multi-position hoop
- speeds up to 850 stitches per minute
- automatic thread cutter
- cuts thread at the end of each color / does not cut jump stitches of the same color
- price typically ranges from $1,058 to $1,499
- sold online and at dealers
- knee lifter included
Brother NS2850D
- embroidery only machine
- 5″ x 7″ max hoop size
- speeds up to 850 stitches per minute
- cuts jump stitches
- My Custom Stitch (creates and saves stitch patterns)
- color sort feature
- wifi enabled
- 55 pre-installed licensed Disney designs
- price typically ranges from $2,499 to $2,999 (introduced fall 2022)
- sold at dealers
Brother NQ1600e or Baby Lock Flourish 2
- embroidery only machine
- 6″ x 10″ max hoop size (160mm x 260mm)
- speeds up to 850 stitches per minute
- cuts jump stitches
- price is typically $1,499
- sold online and at dealers
- discontinued at the end of 2021
Brother NQ1700e or Baby Lock Flare
- embroidery only machine
- 6″ x 10″ max hoop size
- speeds up to 850 stitches per minute
- cuts jump stitches
- color sort feature
- price typically ranges from $1,999 to $2,499
- sold online and at dealers
- wifi enabled
- introduced fall 2021
Brother NQ3600D
- combo sewing / embroidery machine
- 6″ x 10″ max hoop size
- speeds up to 850 stitches per minute
- cuts jump stitches
- price is typically $2,999
- sold online and at dealers
- includes licensed, pre-installed Disney designs for personal use
Brother Persona PRS100 or Baby Lock Alliance
- embroidery only machine
- 8″ x 8″ max hoop size
- speeds up to 1,000 stitches per minute
- cuts jump stitches
- color sort feature
- free arm single needle machine
- price typically ranges from $3,999
- sold online and at dealers
- model recently discounted (in 2023) due to new models being released
- introduced fall 2015
Janome 400e
- embroidery only machine
- 7.9″ x 7.9″ max hoop size
- speeds up to 860 stitches per minute
- cuts jump stitches
- price typically ranges from $1,299 to $1,399
- sold online and at dealers
Janome Memory Craft 9850
- combo sewing/embroidery machine
- 6.7” x 7.9” (170mm x 200mm) max hoop size
- speeds up to 800 stitches per minute
- costs $1,899 to $2,499
- cuts jump stitches
- sold online and at dealers
Janome 500e
- embroidery only machine
- 7.9″ x 11″ max hoop size
- speeds up to 860 stitches per minute
- cuts jump stitches
- costs $2,349 to $2,999
- sold online and at dealers
Bernette B70 Deco
- embroidery only machine
- 6″ x 10″ max hoop size
- speeds up to 850 stitches per minute
- cuts jump stitches
- costs $1,699 and up
- sold online and at dealers
- cutwork tool available
Bernette B79
- combo sewing / embroidery machine
- 6″ x 10″ max hoop size
- speeds up to 850 stitches per minute
- cuts jump stitches
- costs $2,199 and up
- sold online and at dealers
- includes 2 Bernina Toolbox software modules *
- includes extension table for sewing *
*These items may not be included in all machine packages
Husqvarna Viking Designer Topaz 40
- combo sewing / embroidery machine
- 6″ x 9.5″ max hoop size
- speeds up to 800 stitches per minute
- cuts jump stitches
- costs up to $3,599
- sold only at dealers
- includes Premier+ free embroidery software
- comparison chart at Husqvarna Viking website
- manual for Topaz 40
Husqvarna Viking Designer Topaz 50
- combo sewing / embroidery machine
- 8″ x 14.25″ max hoop size
- speeds up to 800 stitches per minute
- cuts jump stitches
- costs $2,999 to $4,399
- sold only at dealers
- includes Premier+ free embroidery software
- comparison chart at Husqvarna Viking website
- manual for Topaz 50
DISCLAIMER: All information is presented on an “as is” basis, and the information included repored here to the best of our research ability. Prices change, and official dealer websites may be unclear or include incorrect information at the time of publication. The information on this website is presented strictly as a guide for your own additional research. You should confirm all machine information with your own embroidery machine dealer or at the appropriate manufacturer’s website. We are not associated with any embroidery or sewing machine manufacturer or dealer, and we make no warranties of any kind or type.