Machine guide
Best Brother embroidery machines: PE, SE, Innov-is and PR compared
Picked from Amazon listings, not hands-on tests. How we pick
Top picks at a glance
Compare all picks
Closest match for the job
Brother SE2000 sew and embroider, 5 x 7 inch field
Combines a 5 x 7 inch embroidery field with 241 sewing stitches in one machine.
See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Most for the money on paper
Brother PE900 embroidery-only, 5 x 7 inch field
5 x 7 inch field and a 7.4 inch needle-to-arm space, per the listing.
See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Most complete listing
Brother Innov-is NQ1700E, 6 x 10 inch field
6 x 10 inch field ties the NQ3550W for the largest of the home models here.
See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Brother sells embroidery machines from a few hundred dollars to over twelve thousand, and the family letters tell you a lot once you know them. PE models are embroidery-only. SE models add a sewing machine. The Innov-is NQ machines step up to a 6 x 10 inch field. Persona is a single-needle machine with a free arm and cap frame, and the PR Entrepreneur line is multi-needle. The biggest practical difference is field size: 4 x 4 inches limits you to small motifs and monograms, 5 x 7 inches covers most shirt and tote designs, and 6 x 10 inches takes jacket backs and larger quilt blocks. This chart compares each model by the facts its listing states: maximum embroidery field, wireless transfer, screen size, built-in designs and whether it also sews. Start with the field you need, then pick the cheapest model that meets it.
Compare the picks
- Brother SE2000 sew and embroider, 5 x 7 inch field
- Family
- SE (sewing and embroidery)
- Max field
- 5 x 7 in
- Wireless transfer
- Yes, WLAN
- Screen
- 3.7 in color LCD
- Brother PE900 embroidery-only, 5 x 7 inch field
- Family
- PE (embroidery only)
- Max field
- 5 x 7 in
- Wireless transfer
- Yes, WLAN
- Screen
- 3.7 in color LCD
- Brother Innov-is NQ1700E, 6 x 10 inch field
- Family
- Innov-is NQ (embroidery only)
- Max field
- 6 x 10 in
- Wireless transfer
- Yes, Wi-Fi
- Screen
- 4.85 in color touch
Brother Innov-is NQ3550W sew and embroider, 6 x 10 inch- Family
- Innov-is NQ (sewing and embroidery)
- Max field
- 6 x 10 in
- Wireless transfer
- Yes, WLAN
- Screen
- 3.67 in color touch
Brother SE700 sew and embroider, 4 x 4 inch field- Family
- SE (sewing and embroidery)
- Max field
- 4 x 4 in
- Wireless transfer
- Yes, WLAN
- Screen
- 3.7 in color LCD
Brother PR680W Entrepreneur 6 needles, 30 x 20 cm- Family
- PR Entrepreneur (multi-needle)
- Max field
- 30 x 20 cm
- Wireless transfer
- Yes, Wi-Fi
- Screen
- 10.1 in touch
Brother PE545 embroidery-only, 4 x 4 inch field- Family
- PE (embroidery only)
- Max field
- 4 x 4 in
- Wireless transfer
- Yes, WLAN
- Screen
- 3.7 in color touch
Brother Persona PRS100 free arm with cap frame- Family
- Persona (single needle, free arm)
- Max field
- Not stated
- Wireless transfer
- Not stated
- Screen
- Not stated
| Pick | Family | Max field | Wireless transfer | Screen | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother SE2000 sew and embroider, 5 x 7 inch field | SE (sewing and embroidery) | 5 x 7 in | Yes, WLAN | 3.7 in color LCD | - | Amazon |
| Brother PE900 embroidery-only, 5 x 7 inch field | PE (embroidery only) | 5 x 7 in | Yes, WLAN | 3.7 in color LCD | - | Amazon |
| Brother Innov-is NQ1700E, 6 x 10 inch field | Innov-is NQ (embroidery only) | 6 x 10 in | Yes, Wi-Fi | 4.85 in color touch | - | Amazon |
| Brother Innov-is NQ3550W sew and embroider, 6 x 10 inch | Innov-is NQ (sewing and embroidery) | 6 x 10 in | Yes, WLAN | 3.67 in color touch | - | Amazon |
| Brother SE700 sew and embroider, 4 x 4 inch field | SE (sewing and embroidery) | 4 x 4 in | Yes, WLAN | 3.7 in color LCD | - | Amazon |
| Brother PR680W Entrepreneur 6 needles, 30 x 20 cm | PR Entrepreneur (multi-needle) | 30 x 20 cm | Yes, Wi-Fi | 10.1 in touch | - | Amazon |
| Brother PE545 embroidery-only, 4 x 4 inch field | PE (embroidery only) | 4 x 4 in | Yes, WLAN | 3.7 in color touch | - | Amazon |
| Brother Persona PRS100 free arm with cap frame | Persona (single needle, free arm) | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | - | Amazon |
Facts are taken from each Amazon listing. Prices are checked daily and shown with their date.
The picks in detail
Pick 1 · Brother
Brother SE2000 sew and embroider, 5 x 7 inch field
See price on AmazonThe PE900's embroidery features in a combo machine: 5 x 7 inch field, color sort, jump stitch trimming and Wi-Fi, plus 241 sewing stitches and 8 sewing feet.
What the listing offers
- Combines a 5 x 7 inch embroidery field with 241 sewing stitches in one machine.
- Includes 8 sewing feet and a hoop, per the listing.
- Same Advanced Color Sort and jump stitch trimming as the PE900.
Limits to know
- Costs more than the PE900 if you already own a sewing machine.
- Stitch speed is not stated in the listing.
Pick 2 · Brother
Brother PE900 embroidery-only, 5 x 7 inch field
See price on AmazonThe mid-range embroidery-only Brother with a 5 x 7 inch field, 193 designs, Wi-Fi transfer, color sort and jump stitch trimming. The best balance of field size and price in the lineup.
What the listing offers
- 5 x 7 inch field and a 7.4 inch needle-to-arm space, per the listing.
- Advanced Color Sort reorders multi-color designs to reduce thread changes.
- Automatic jump stitch trimming and wireless LAN design transfer.
Limits to know
- Embroidery only, so you still need a separate sewing machine.
- The listing does not mention multiple needles, so plan on manual color changes.
Pick 3 · Brother
Brother Innov-is NQ1700E, 6 x 10 inch field
See price on AmazonThe listing calls it a dedicated large hoop embroidery machine: 6 x 10 inch field, 258 designs, 850 spm, Wi-Fi and BES Blue software in this bundle. For jacket backs and big quilt blocks.
What the listing offers
- 6 x 10 inch field ties the NQ3550W for the largest of the home models here.
- BES Blue embroidery and lettering software is included in the bundle.
- 850 stitches per minute and a 4.85 inch color touch screen.
Limits to know
- Embroidery only; the NQ3550W adds sewing with the same field.
- About double the PE900 price for the larger field.
Pick 4 · Brother
Brother Innov-is NQ3550W sew and embroider, 6 x 10 inch
See price on AmazonA 6 x 10 inch sewing and embroidery combo with 291 stitches, 258 designs, Wi-Fi, BES Blue software and a 5 x 7 inch magnetic hoop in this bundle.
What the listing offers
- Combines the 6 x 10 inch field with 291 sewing stitches in one machine.
- Bundle includes BES Blue software and a 5 x 7 inch magnetic sash frame hoop.
- Long list of included feet, among them free motion open toe quilting and adjustable zipper/piping feet.
Limits to know
- Screen is smaller than the NQ1700E's 4.85 inch display.
- Highest price of the home sewing and embroidery models here.
Pick 5 · Brother
Brother SE700 sew and embroider, 4 x 4 inch field
See price on AmazonThe entry sewing and embroidery combo: 4 x 4 inch field, 135 designs, 103 sewing stitches with 10 buttonhole styles, Wi-Fi and Artspira app support.
What the listing offers
- 103 sewing stitches include 10 one-step auto-size buttonhole styles.
- Wireless LAN transfer and Artspira mobile app for drawing custom designs.
- Eight sewing feet and an embroidery arm are included.
Limits to know
- 4 x 4 inch field limits you to small motifs and monograms.
- No color sort feature is listed, unlike the PE900 and SE2000.
Pick 6 · Brother
Brother PR680W Entrepreneur 6 needles, 30 x 20 cm
See price on AmazonBrother's 6-needle PR Entrepreneur machine with a 30 x 20 cm field, 1,000 spm, a 10.1 inch touch screen and Wi-Fi. For home businesses that run multi-color orders.
What the listing offers
- Six needles run multi-color designs with fewer stops.
- Largest field in this chart at 30 x 20 cm.
- Up to 1,000 stitches per minute and a 10.1 inch touch screen.
Limits to know
- By far the most expensive Brother machine in this chart.
- Only 100 built-in designs, fewer than the home models.
Pick 7 · Brother
Brother PE545 embroidery-only, 4 x 4 inch field
See price on AmazonBrother's lowest-cost Wi-Fi embroidery-only machine with a 4 x 4 inch field, 135 designs and 10 fonts. Suits small logos, names and patches.
What the listing offers
- Lowest price of the Brother embroidery machines in this chart.
- Wireless LAN and Artspira app transfer, plus a USB port.
- Touchscreen with drag and drop editing and built-in tutorial videos.
Limits to know
- 4 x 4 inch field is too small for shirt backs or quilt blocks.
- Embroidery only; the SE700 adds sewing for a small premium.
Pick 8 · Brother
Brother Persona PRS100 free arm with cap frame
See price on AmazonA single-needle embroidery machine with a tubular free arm for caps, sleeves and small shirts. A cap frame and four compact frames for kids' clothes and socks are included.
What the listing offers
- Tubular free arm reaches caps, sleeves and small T-shirts, per the listing.
- Cap frame and driver set plus four compact frames are included.
- Vertical bobbin changes without removing the hoop, and side bobbin winding while stitching.
Limits to know
- The listing does not state the maximum embroidery field or screen size.
- Priced well above the 6 x 10 inch NQ models, so buy it for the free arm and cap work.
Read before you buy
- What you need to start machine embroideryThe starter list for machine embroidery beyond the machine: stabilizers, thread, bobbins, needles, scissors, designs and software, plus what you can skip at first.
- Single-needle vs multi-needle embroidery machinesSingle-needle vs multi-needle embroidery machines: color changes, caps, speed and price, and the point where a hobby machine starts holding a small business back.
- Machine embroidery thread weights and typesWhat 40 wt, 30 wt and 60 wt embroidery thread mean, rayon versus polyester, which bobbin thread to use, and how to pair each thread with the right needle.
- Why machine embroidery puckers and how to stop itWhy machine embroidery puckers and how to stop it: the right stabilizer, hooping without stretching, design density, tension and needle checks, in order.
- Machine embroidery needle sizes and typesWhich embroidery machine needle to use: 75/11 versus 90/14, sharp versus ballpoint, titanium coating, and how to match the needle to fabric and thread.
More guides: Embroidery machines
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