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Ultimate Review of The Best Monogramming Machines in 2023

Best Monogramming Machines

Monogramming machines are much sought-after by home embroiders. Why not? These machines are considered as the entry points into the world of embroidery. But what is monogramming? In simple terms, it’s the process of embroidering initials (letters/ alphabets) on different materials. 

It’s no surprise that entrepreneurs start small and start at home. However, even if you start sewing by hand, you’ll need a machine to get things faster and better. Monogramming machines make it super easy to take up and finish projects sooner. This will bring you more exposure, and that means more business. 

A full-fledged embroidery machine can be complex and hard to operate without actual practice and experience. Starting with a monogramming machine (the one for beginners) and then investing in a high-end model would be a good idea. 

Also, you have to consider other factors, such as whether you want to double it up as a sewing machine or not. And what about the brands? Which one should you choose? How will you know that a particular model is right for you? 

Well, there is hardly any reason to worry. We are here with a detailed list of the top 5 best monogramming machines in the market. We have also compiled a buying guide to assist you in making the right decision. 

Let’s not wait any longer now. Oh, monogramming machines are also called embroidery machines (which can get confusing at times). 

Quick Comparison Table!

Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine

4.8

4.8/5
Brother Embroidery Machine, PE770

4.6

4.6/5
Janome Horizon Memory Craft 9850 Embroidery and Sewing Machine

4.5

4.5/5
Brother SE600 Sewing and Embroidery Machine

4.3

4.3/5
Bernette 38 Swiss Design Computerized Sewing Machine

4.0

4/5

The Best Monogramming Machines For The Money

Best Monogramming Machines for the money

#1 Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine - EDITOR'S CHOICE

4.7/5
4.2/5
4.8/5

One of the best in the market, PE800 is efficient, reliable, has a range of features, and is affordable. It is the best machine for home users. Whether you do embroidery at home or run a small home-business, this machine will cater to all your needs. 

You can use the built-in designs or import new ones from USB drives and computers. You can edit the designs to create new ones. While you cannot store the new ones in the machine (it has no storage space), you can save them on your computer. With excellent stitching quality, this model gives you all that you expect from a monogramming machine. 

Features & Benefits

Design 

PE800 has a sleek, trendy, and elegant frame that is attractive and durable. The model comes with 138 built-in designs and 11 lettering fonts to choose from. The 3.2-inch LCD touchscreen makes it easy for you to select, edit, and stitch the designs on the material. 

The machine has an automatic needle threader, programmed thread trimmer, a well-lit work area, and a USB port to connect to memory cards, computers, and USB drives. It has an embroidery field of 5” * 7”. The machine runs at 650 stitches per minute and is perfect for home business owners. 

Performance 

You get exclusive access to the embroidery software of Brother when you buy the machine. You can download the designs and work on them as you like. All you need to do is follow the instructions mentioned on iBroidery.com. 

The 11 fonts include 7 English, 3 Japanese, and 1 Cyrillic. Apart from the fonts and designs, it also has 14 border styles and 10 shapes of frames. And guess what? You can combine embroidery designs with monogramming and use them together. You can change the size of the designs depending on how you want them. You can create mirror images as well. 

Ease of Use

As we’ve mentioned above, this machine is just as easy to use. Despite being a computerized embroidery machine (yes, it doesn’t sew), it can be used by beginners and professionals. The features are flexible, the instructions are detailed, and the process is not complicated. 

One thing you’ll need to keep in mind is the quality of the threads you use. Invest in good quality so that the threads won’t break often. It’s only when the threads’ quality matches that of the machine’s quality is that you’ll get the desired result. The model doesn’t have Disney designs, but you sure can download them from elsewhere or buy them and use them from your computer.  

Pros

Cons

#2 Brother Embroidery Machine, PE770 - Best for Embroidery Patches

4.6/5
4.3/5
4.6/5

PE770 is the previous model of PE800. While it is not as great, it surely has enough good features to stand in second place on our list. Many users who own this model say that it’s worthy of its price. Isn’t that what we look for? 

This one also is an embroidery-only model. However, it is still easy to use for beginners and professionals. Also, the brand offers a 25-year limited warranty on the machine. That’s super cool, right? You know you can trust the machine to support your home business and help it grow. 

Features & Benefits

Design 

The machine doesn’t look as cute as PE800, but it is sturdy, reliable, and durable. It has 136 built-in designs and 6 monogramming fonts. You can mix up the fonts and designs and come up with new patterns. The LCD touchscreen is black and white. It does cause some issues with editing the designs and finalizing them. Black and white screen tends to make the designs look more like blobs of ink. 

That said, once you get used to it, you’ll find it easier to edit the designs. The embroidery area is 5” * 7”; big enough for you to work on larger projects without too much effort. 

Performance 

The model also offers 10 shapes of frames and 12 border styles. You can import more through the USB drive. One area this model scores is the built-in memory. You can save your designs in the machine instead of having to rely on connecting it with the computer. It has an automatic threader and an automatic cutter. 

The stitching rate is 650 SPM, which is good enough for home users. The model can be used to embroider hats, bags, kerchiefs, etc. with equal ease. You just need to use the right kind of hoop. The biggest advantage of this model is that you can embroider on patches and stitch them onto the actual project. 

Ease of Use

You can check the instructions manual to understand how to operate the unit. You can also check out iBriodery.com for more details and instructions. The website also has licensed characters from Disney and Nickelodeon. 

The machine comes with a dust cover, embroidery arm, needle set, cleaning brush, power cord, and more accessories you’ll need. Just remember that maintenance is important. If you don’t regularly use and service the machine, it’ll start troubling you. 

Pros

Cons

#3 Janome Horizon Memory Craft 9850 Embroidery and Sewing Machine - Best Multi Needle Machine

4.4/5
4.5/5
4.5/5

The top two models were embroidery-only versions, right? It’s time to check out a dual model now. Janome is yet another famous brand in the market. It has a range of sewing and embroidery machines that cater to different users. 

Memory Craft 9850 is precise and reliable. It is so good that you can work on lace without using a stabilizer. That’s awesome, right? And the brand offers a 25-year warranty on mechanical parts, a 5-year warranty on electrical parts, and one year of labor. However, the model is expensive. 

Features & Benefits

Design 

Janome 9850 looks as study as it has been designed. If you want to use a single machine for sewing and embroidery, you don’t have to look further than this model (given that you have the budget). It is a multi-needle model that makes it easy to use different colored threads at once. 

The unit comes with a presser foot, embroidery foot, darning foot, and double feeder foot. It has a USB port to connect to the computer or memory card to copy, edit, and save the designs. The unit also has a built-in memory of 3 MB, where you can store the new designs you’ve created. 

Performance 

The LCD touchscreen has a color display. It is big enough for you to edit the designs and give your instructions for the machine to follow. Being a computerized model, it does its job to perfection.

Moreover, the machine has a stitching speed of 1000 SPM and an embroidery speed of 800 SPM. It stands steady even when you are stitching at the highest speed. It has an automated threading feature along with an automatic buttonhole opener. You don’t have to change the dial. Switching between different needles can be done quickly and effectively. 

Ease of Use

This model is not for beginners. It is quite complex to use (due to the array of features it has) and needs the experience of a professional. If you’ve used Janome before, you’ll find it easier to use this model. 

The foot pedal is sensitive to pressure. And with multiple needles, you know why being careful is crucial, right? The font colors on the LCD display can be changed. You can choose between red, blue, and white. The bobbin is easy to set once you know how to do it. The embroidery size is 6.7” * 7.9”. 

Pros

Cons

#4 Brother SE600 Sewing and Embroidery Machine - Best Dual Machine

4.3/5
4.5/5
4.3/5

We have the third model by Brother on the list. But this one is a dual machine that supports sewing and embroidery. Thankfully, it is not as expensive as Janome. Another advantage of this model is that even beginners can use it without too much trouble. 

That said, this model is not a heavy-duty machine. It works well for home use and for small businesses, but if you need to work on larger projects frequently, this model will not be enough. It does have most features that other monogramming machines have, so that’s a plus. 

Features & Benefits

Design 

When it comes to looks and design, SE600 doesn’t disappoint. It’s cute and sturdy. It has a 3.2” LCD color touchscreen where you can see the designs and edit them. It has 103 built-in stitches and 80 embroidery designs to choose from. The 2.0 USB port allows you to connect to the computer or the internet to download more designs. 

It has 6 built-in fonts and a 4” * 4” embroidery work area. Compared to the previous models on the list, the work area is small and thus allows only small to medium projects. The set up is quick and easy. Simply follow the instructions. 

Performance 

With an automatic needle threader and cutter, you save a lot of time and energy. The jam-resistant bobbin is another bonus. The bobbin is a drop-in model and not loaded from the side as with some other models. 

It has built-in LED lights in case you need extra brightness when working. Stitching dark colors on dark material can be difficult without proper light, isn’t it? The model also has a free arm to stitch the cuff and sleeves easily. The stitching speed is 710 SPM. The embroidery speed is 400 SPM. Both are convenient for beginners. The sliding speed controller allows you to adjust the stitching speed.

Ease of Use

Do you know that you can also quilt using this machine? Yep. You can’t quilt large ones but surely can work on smaller ones. The manual is quite detailed and tells you which needle should be used for which material. Following the instructions will ensure that you get the best results. 

Once you edit the designs, make sure to save the changes. If not, the changes will be lost when you turn off the machine. You’ll have to start from first again. The brand offers a 25-year limited warranty on the machine along with free technical support for life. That’s a good deal, isn’t it? 

Pros

Cons

#5 Bernette 38 Swiss Design Computerized Sewing Machine - Best Sewing Machine with Monogramming Feature

4.2/5
4.6/5
4/5

Last on our list is a sewing machine that also has a monogramming feature. Unlike the other models until now, this one cannot be used for embroidery. It is predominantly a computerized sewing machine with monogramming abilities. 

If you are looking for something on these lines, this model is the best option for you. Not all of us want to embroider, right? But we do need a machine with various stitch designs and fonts. That’s where Bernette 38 has gained fame. It has been created for a niche market and carters to their specific requirements. The brand offers a 10-year warranty on the casting and a 2-year warranty on electrical parts and labor. 

Features & Benefits

Design 

The machine has a straight-forward design that does the job effectively. It comes with an extension table if you want to work on larger projects. It also has an automatic threader and cutter, along with a tie-off feature where the thread ties itself at the end of the seam. You don’t have to run the material back and forth to lock the thread. 

Another advantage of this machine is that it doesn’t make much sound. Some sewing machines can give us a headache, but not this one. You can play some tunes as you stitch and can listen to them quite clearly. 

Performance 

The sewing machine has 394 built-in stitches, 8 buttonholes, and 3 fonts. It also comes with an array of accessories- 8 presser feet, 2 large spool disks, 2 small spool disks, a set of needles, 5 bobbins (1 in the machine and 4 extra), a seam ripper, a lint brush, a spool net, a screwdriver, and a hard case. 

The machine runs at 850 SPM, which can be adjusted to suit your requirements and expertise. The LED screen display is clear. All you need to do is pick the kind of style you want to stitch. The machine will tell you which presser foot to use. That’s cool, right? 

Ease of Use

This machine is good for beginners. It comes with a very detailed instruction manual that’ll make it even easy to understand how it works. It can be used to stitch various fabrics, thin and thick. The machine is durable and reliable. 

While it is a bit expensive for a monogramming machine with no embroidery feature, it makes up for the price in the sewing department. If you wish to focus more on sewing and monogramming, you should be happy with this model. 

Pros

Cons

Best Monogramming Machines Buying Guide

Best Monogramming Machines buying guide

Aren’t these some super cool machines we saw on the list? Now, let’s move on to know more about which factors you need to consider when buying a monogramming machine. 

Type of Machine 

Do you want only an embroidery machine? Do you want the machine to sew as well? We can find both kinds in the market. Both are famous too. It depends on us as to which type we want. If you already have a lovely sewing machine, you can invest in only an embroidery machine. But if you wish to use the same for both purposes, you’ll need the combo version. It is definitely more effective. 

Reason for Buying 

Why do you need the monogramming machine? How much work will you be doing each day? What kind of embroidery will you be working on? High-end models are costly because they have loads of features. If you don’t need such a machine, there is hardly any point in investing so much money, right? 

Hoop Size 

The size of the monogram will depend on the size of the hoop. The regular monogramming machines have standard hoop sizes like 4” * 4” or 6” * 6”. But if you want larger initials or designs, you’ll need a machine with a bigger hoop size. 

LCD Screen Size

Well, do you necessarily need machines with large screens? That depends on you. The screen will show exactly where the design will be stitched on the material. While most branded machines have a screen with decent sizes, anything too small will strain your eyes. Especially, if you work for long hours, it could get difficult. Machines with smaller screens are, of course, cheaper. 

USB Port 

Some models allow you to connect to computers. Yep. Some monogramming machines have USB ports. You can plug in a USB drive or connect the machine to the laptop and check the designs. Designers who regularly work on customized pieces need this feature. Imagine a customer bringing a design in a memory card or USB drive. You can directly connect it to the machine, make changes to it, and use it on the material. 

Stitches Per Minute 

SPM or Stitches Per Minute is the stitching speed of the machine. Each machine will have a higher limit beyond which the speed will not increase. If you are going to take orders, you’ll need a machine that runs fast, or at least have an average stitching speed of 600 SPM or so. A lot of models allow you to reduce the speed as per your convenience. 

Built-in Stitches and Designs

Each monogramming machine comes with a set of built-in stitches and designs you can directly use. While the count varies from one model to another, you will need a machine that has a minimum number of designs pre-loaded. The higher the count, the better for you. Isn’t it? 

Brand 

Oh, well, what do we say? Nothing much except that when buying a monogramming machine, always go for the branded version. In fact, pick from the top names like Brother, Janome, etc. Is it any surprise that we have 3 out of 5 models from Brother? 

Additional Features

Brands offer exciting features to attract users. However, you might need only some of those for your work. Take a look at the different features of various models. You’ll get an idea about which ones would be useful for you. 

Wrap Up: Our Choice

wrap up

Are you still unsure of which model to buy? After all, they all seem very good, don’t they? To make it easy for you, we recommend Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine. 

As we’ve already discussed the features and benefits in detail, you’ll know that this model is great for both beginners and professionals who are into monogramming and embroidery. PE800 offers great value for the price and is worth the investment. 

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Lisa Hayden-Matthews

Lisa Hayden-Matthews

An avid Skier, bike rider, triathlon enthusiast, amateurish beach volleyball player and nature lover who has never lost a dare! I manage the overall Editorial section for the magazine here and occasionally chip in with my own nature photographs, when required.

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