5 Best Cheap Embroidery machines in 2023

It’s only rational to be scared and overwhelmed when starting a new hobby or a side hustle. Your mind has tons of questions and doubts regarding the technicalities and intricacies involved in the process.

Also, as a startup, there’s always doubt about investing in the products you would need down the line.

Well, if you are looking to venture into the embroidery business, guess you are in luck today. That’s because here we will review the 5 best cheap embroidery machines you can buy in 2023.

But why embroidery machines?

Because while there are various other core elements you may need to purchase, including supplies and accessories, those aren’t worth as much as the embroidery machine. Plus, once you have the right embroidery machine at your disposal, you can always pick and choose supplies and accessories according to the machine.

That’s why below we have come up with the best cheap embroidery machines that won’t break the bank and help you in getting started with your newly found embroidery passion.

And just before we start our list, I believe it’s important to address that “cheap” doesn’t necessarily have to be negative. In fact, as we move on, you will see that most of the embroidery machines in the list aren’t “cheap” in true meaning. Rather, these are more of a “budget machine” that will fit your bill while enabling you to get started with your embroidery work.

So, without any ado, let’s get started with the 5 best cheap embroidery machines you can buy in 2023.

5 Best Cheap Embroidery Machines in 2023

1. Brother LB5000M

If you are a fan of superheroes, this machine will definitely catch your eye at first look. That’s because it comes with faceplate designs covering our loved superheroes, including Marvel, Star Wars, and others.

Well, besides the appearance, the Brother LB5000M comes with some great features and functionalities, including a 3.2-inch full-color touchscreen. You also get some pretty decent workspace measuring 4” x 4”, so you won’t have any issues working with large embroidery designs. The touchscreen allows you to view the design before actually embroidering it, so you can always make necessary adjustments; as and where required.

The Brother LB5000M embroidery machine has 80 built-in designs, including superhero themes. Apart from the designs, you get over 100 stitches and 9 built-in fonts, so you have all key elements at your disposal to get started.

There’s also a USB port, which you can use to upload external designs (in case you don’t want to use any built-in design). Also, the automated needle threader makes embroidering a breeze for beginners.

Pros

• Easy to thread
• Intuitive and simple operation
• Easy-to-use computerized stitches

Cons

•  A rather confining hoop
• Can’t be used for cap/hat embroidery

2. Brother SE1900

The Brother SE1900 is yet another great embroidery machine to buy in 2023 that combines sewing and embroidery features.

The Brother SE1900 has tons of features that make it one of the best cheap embroidery machines to buy in 2023, including a 3-inch touchscreen, a rather massive workspace of 5x7 inches, and a relatively high stitching speed of 850 stitches per minute (STM). The large workspace of the machine makes it ideal for undertaking large embroidery projects.

Apart from the massive workspace, the Brother SE1900 comes with 240 built-in stitches, 11 fonts, 10 frame shapes, and 8 unique sewing feet. However, things have just started. The Brother SE1900 package comes with button fitting, monogramming, overcasting, buttonhole, zipper, blind stitch, zipper, and embroidery feet (pretty much everything you would need to get started). Last but not least, you got the USB port to upload any external design you wish to embroider.

Pros

• Highly intuitive design for easy operations
• Great for beginners
• Seamless switching between stitching and embroidery
• Massive workspace

Cons

• Not the best choice to embroider on thick fabrics like leather
• The 5” hoop size might be too large for the liking of many users

3. Janome Memory Craft 400E

The Janome Memory Craft 400E stands tall and high as one of the best cheap embroidery machines for beginners. Some of the more impressive features of this machine include an outstanding touchscreen, a state-of-the-art needle threader, and a rather impressive automatic thread cutter. The machine comes with 160 built-in designs and 6 exclusive fonts, which can be used for monogramming.

Moving on, the machine allows monogramming in up to 3 letters. Also, the massive workspace 7.9” x 7.9” makes it great for handling large embroidery projects. Not to forget, the touchscreen is highly versatile and gives you enough options to review and make any corrections to the designs before starting the embroidery.

Pros

• Adjustable speed during embroidery work
• Automated thread cutter
• Advanced needle threader
• USB support

Cons

• Only comes with a single hoop size
• Higher price compared to some of the other machines on this list

4. Singer Quantum Stylist 9960

Next up on our list of the best cheap embroidery machines to buy in 2023 is the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960. This is a great machine, which you can either buy as a standalone product or buy as a package with some handy accessories.

The Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 is a fully computerized embroidery machine, which means you will be left dreaming of getting more embroidery done. The machine comes with tons of stitches along with a great collection of fonts, making embroidery easier and a lot more fun.

The Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 comes with an automated needle threader; thus, you are always ready to get started. Also, it would be a great injustice, not to mention all the accessories you can get as part of the package. If you decide to go with the package, you get access to many supplies, including rolled hems, blind hems, button sewing, and much more.

The Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 is a rather powerful machine, which means you won’t have any problem working with any sort of fabric, including thicker materials like leather.

Pros

• Over 950 stitches
• Top-loading bobbin
• Great for embroidering on all fabrics
• Automatic needle threader
• Large workspace
• Fully computerized

Cons

• Not ideal for quilting
• A rather confined needle area that can be hard to reach manually

5. Brother PE800

Well, the last on our list of the best cheap embroidery machines to buy in 2023 is the Brother PE800. Just to add background context, this machine has already bagged the Women’s Choice Award in 2018 as the top embroidery machine. So, yeah, you can already tell that we are dealing with some pretty professional stuff here.

The machine comes with a large LCD touchscreen designed to give you easy control over many machine operations. You can also review the designs and make necessary adjustments before embroidering. The machine also has USB support so that you can upload any external design of your choice. Also, you get 130+ built-in designs (pretty cool in themselves).

Perhaps, the most striking feature of the Brother PE800 embroidery machine is its ability to mirror images or resize design sizes. The 5” x 7” inches workspace is pretty decent for carrying out large embroidery work. Plus, you get 11 built-in fonts, along with an automated needle threader, to make things streamlined for you.

Pros

• USB support for external designs
• Large embroidery workspace
• 130+ built-in design

Cons

• Disappointing customer service
• Machine may stop threading itself

Conclusion

I believe the Brother SE600 is the clear choice for those looking for an exceptional embroidery experience. Its color touchscreen offers unparalleled precision and control, allowing you to bring your designs to life easily. The ample workspace allows for even the most ambitious projects to be tackled easily, and the high praise from fellow embroiders is a testament to its performance and durability.

Not only is the Brother SE600 packed with features, but it is also priced competitively, making it an excellent value for any crafter. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, the Brother SE600 has everything you need to take your embroidery to the next level.

So, stop wasting any more time searching for the perfect embroidery machine. The Brother SE600 is the ultimate machine that perfectly balances performance, durability, and affordability.

However, the ultimate choice will depend on your usage and personal preferences. Nonetheless, it’s time to make the smart choice by investing in the right embroidery machine today and start creating beautiful, professional designs that will make you stand out from the rest.