# Best embroidery machines for hats and caps Source: https://threadandfeed.com/best/best-embroidery-machine-for-hats Publisher: Thread & Feed. Picks are chosen from what each Amazon listing states, not from hands-on tests. Method: https://threadandfeed.com/how-we-pick A finished baseball cap is curved, stiff at the front and has a seam down the middle, so it will not lie flat in a normal hoop. Machines built for hats use a cap driver: a curved frame that rotates the cap under the needle, usually on a tubular free arm. The wider the rotation, listed as 220 or 270 degrees, the further around the side of the cap you can stitch. Single-needle home machines can only embroider hats if they have a free arm and a cap frame, and the design area on a cap is small. Machines that list only a hat hoop may clamp the hat flat, which works for unstructured caps and beanies but not for structured fronts. This guide compares eight machines on their cap system, needle count, listed speeds and embroidery area, using only what each Amazon listing states. Multi-needle machines also change colors on their own, which matters for logo orders. ## Picks ### 1. Smartstitch S-1501 Ultra Embroidery Machine with 15 Needles, 1200SPM Max Speed, 12" Touch Screen, Wifi available, 20"x14" Embroidery Area, Beast Machine Embroidering Cap, Hat, Structured Hats and more Needles: 15; Cap system: Upgraded cap driver, 270 degree rotation; Listed speed: 1,200 SPM max; Max flat field: 20 x 14 in; Cap field: Not stated A 15-needle commercial machine whose listing leads with hats: a cap driver made of reinforced nylon and carbon fiber, a raised needle plate and 270 degree cap rotation for structured hats. It suits a cap-focused shop. What the listing offers: - The listing describes an upgraded cap driver of reinforced nylon plus carbon fiber and a raised needle plate. - A 270 degree cap rotating system reaches further around the cap sides than a 220 degree system. - Laser positioning, automatic color change and thread break detection are stated. Limits to know: - The listing does not give a separate cap speed or cap embroidery field. - Returns require keeping the wooden pallet and packing, per the listing, so plan storage space. ### 2. BAI The Mirror 15 Needle 20"x14" Large Area Commercial Embroidery Machine,1200 SPM High Speed & 850 SPM on Hats,Institch OS5 Intuitive Control,Software Included,Local Tech Support Needles: 15; Embroidery area: 20 x 14 inch; Max speed: 1,200 spm flat, 850 spm caps; Cap support: Structured caps listed; Screen: Not stated (Institch OS5 touchscreen) A 15-needle commercial machine that lists a stable 850 stitches per minute on structured caps and 1,200 on flats, with the Institch OS5 touchscreen and local tech support. It suits shops mixing hats and shirts. What the listing offers: - The listing gives a specific cap speed, 850 SPM on structured caps, which few listings state. - Local technical support and free training are included, according to the listing. - Fifteen needles reduce thread changes on multi-color logos. Limits to know: - The cap frame rotation angle and cap embroidery area are not stated. - It is one of the most expensive machines here. ### 3. Poolin EOX 15-Needle 20" x 14" Large Embroidery Area Needles: 15; Embroidery area: 20 x 14 inch; Max speed: 1,200 spm flat, 850 spm caps; Cap support: 270 degree cap system; Screen: 9 inch touchscreen A 15-needle machine with a 270 degree cap system that the listing says supports front, side and back placement and 3D puff, plus a 9 inch touchscreen and wireless DST/DSB transfer. What the listing offers: - The listing names front, side and back cap placement and 3D puff on its 270 degree system. - Speeds are stated for both flats, 1,200 SPM, and caps, 850 SPM. - Automatic color changes, thread trimming and laser positioning are listed. Limits to know: - Cap embroidery area is not given in the listing. - Design transfer uses DST or DSB files, so you need digitized designs in those formats. ### 4. Ricoma EM-1010 Commercial Embroidery Machine for Small Business, 10-Needle, 10.1" Touchscreen, Automatic thread trimmer, 3D Cap/Flat/T-Shirt/Fabric Embroidery, Not Including Steel Stand Needles: 10; Embroidery area: 12.2 x 8.3 inch; Max speed: Not stated; Cap support: 220 degree cap system; Screen: 10.1 inch touchscreen A 10-needle machine for small businesses with a 220 degree cap system for caps, beanies and visors, a 10.1 inch touchscreen and a 1-year Chroma Inspire digitizing subscription. What the listing offers: - The 220 degree cap system is listed for caps, beanies and visors. - Includes a 1-year subscription to Chroma Inspire digitizing software, per the listing. - Automatic color change, thread trimmer and break detection are stated. Limits to know: - The steel stand is not included, according to the title. - The listing does not state stitching speed, and the software subscription runs out after a year. ### 5. Smartstitch S-1201 Plus Embroidery Machine with 12 Needles, 1200SPM Max Speed, 10" Touch Screen, 12"x16" Embroidery Area, Wifi, New Gen of Commercial Embroidery Machine for Flat, Hat, T-shirt and more Needles: 12; Embroidery area: 12 x 16 inch; Max speed: 1,200 spm; Cap support: Caps listed; Screen: 10 inch touchscreen A 12-needle Smartstitch with a 12 x 16 inch field, Wi-Fi and a direct vertical guiding system the listing calls its quietest. Caps are listed among its materials. It suits shops that want caps plus large flats. What the listing offers: - The listing states a direct vertical guiding system for stable, low-noise running. - Twelve needles and automatic color change handle multi-color designs. - Laser positioning and thread break detection are listed. Limits to know: - Caps are listed as a material, but the cap driver type and rotation are not stated. - Returns require keeping the original pallet and packing, per the listing. ### 6. Brother Persona PRS100 Single Needle Embroidery Machine with 4-Spool Thread Stand and PRCF3 Cap Frame and Driver Set Needles: 1; Cap system: Tubular free arm, PRCF3 cap frame and driver; Listed speed: Not stated; Max flat field: Not stated; Cap field: 5 x 2.4 in A single-needle Brother with a tubular free arm, bundled with the PRCF3 cap frame and driver and a 4-spool thread stand. The cap area is 5 x 2.4 inches. It suits home users who want real cap embroidery. What the listing offers: - The listing states a 5 x 2.4 inch cap frame embroidery area with a snap-on hoop. - A tubular free arm reaches caps, small T-shirts and sleeves. - Vertical bobbin can be changed without removing the hoop. Limits to know: - One needle means you rethread for every color change in a logo. - The listing does not state stitching speed or flat embroidery field. ### 7. Smartstitch S-1001 Upgraded Embroidery Machine with 10 Needles, 1200SPM Max Speed, 7" Touch Screen, 9.5"x14.2" Embroidery Area, New Gen of Commercial Embroidery Machine for Flat, Hat, T-shirt and more Needles: 10; Embroidery area: 9.5 x 14.2 inch; Max speed: 1,200 spm; Cap support: Caps listed; Screen: 7 inch touchscreen The smallest and lowest-priced multi-needle here, a compact 10-needle machine with auto trimming, auto color change and self-lubrication. Caps are listed among its materials. It suits a first cap side business. What the listing offers: - The lowest-priced multi-needle machine in this guide. - Auto thread trimming, auto color change and self-lubrication are listed. - Described as compact and light weight for a commercial machine. Limits to know: - The cap system type and rotation angle are not stated in the listing. - The 7 inch screen is smaller than the 9 to 12 inch screens listed on the other Smartstitch, Ricoma and Poolin picks. ### 8. Janome MB-4S Four-Needle Embroidery Machine with included Hat Hoop, Lettering Hoops Needles: 4; Cap system: Hat hoop included (cap driver not stated); Listed speed: Not stated; Max flat field: Not stated; Cap field: Not stated A four-needle Janome sold with a hat hoop and lettering hoops. The listing names a hat hoop rather than a rotating cap driver. It suits small runs of unstructured caps and lettering. What the listing offers: - Four needles let you load four colors at once, fewer changes than a single-needle machine. - A hat hoop is included in the box, per the title. - Lettering hoops are included for names and text on garments. Limits to know: - The listing has no feature details; speed, field and cap system type are not stated. - A hat hoop may not handle structured cap fronts the way a cap driver does. Confirm before buying. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.