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Ultimate Review of The Best Sewing Machine for Home in 2023

Best Sewing Machine For Home

Do you remember how your mother would take out her sewing machine to stitch up a tear or create a new dress for you? Or did she prefer to hand-stitch and embroider in her free time? Either way, stitching has been a part of almost every household. 

We see more and more people showing interest in sewing at home. People want to learn the art. They want to rely on themselves to sew things. The convenience of having a sewing machine at home cannot be undermined. 

Sewing machines used at home serve a different purpose. They are lightweight and used for smaller projects. The stitching time is limited to a maximum of a few hours per day. Even if you are a small-time businessperson working from home, you would be mostly using the advanced home sewing machine rather than the industrial one. 

What if you are a beginner? What if you have just decided to invest in a sewing machine? Which model should you buy? How much should you pay? What features should the sewing machine have? How do you know that the model you liked is indeed the best in the market? 

Questions like these only manage to confuse us. Though the internet is full of information, you may not always end up with answers to the questions. What you need a comprehensive guide where the top 5 best sewing machines for home are discussed. You will need to check out the factors to keep in mind when making a decision. 

Brands like Singer, Brother, Janome, Juki, and Kenmore have a wide range of sewing machines. Each brand has countless models catering to varying needs. 

That’s why we’ve got everything covered for you. Continue reading the blog, and you’ll know which sewing machine is the best for home use after going through this article. 

Quick Comparison Table!

SINGER Quantum Stylist 9960 Computerized Portable Sewing Machine

4.8

4.8/5
Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine

4.6

4.6/5
SINGER Start 1304 Sewing Machine for Beginners

4.5

4.5/5
Brother HC1850 Sewing and Quilting Machine

4.3

4.3/5
JUKI MO644D Portable Serger

4.0

4/5

The Best Sewing Machines For Home For The Money

Best Sewing Machine For Home for the money

#1 SINGER Quantum Stylist 9960 Computerized Portable Sewing Machine - EDITOR'S CHOICE

4.7/5
4.2/5
4.8/5

Singer has always been considered a good brand for home use. The price range is affordable, and the life span of the sewing machine is good. Quantum Stylist 9960 is a computerized model that can be used for stitching and monogramming. The best part is that despite being an advanced model, the sewing machine is easy to use. Beginners do not have to worry about messing up with this one. You can learn how to stitch and embroider at the same time. Yes. This machine is convenient for both purposes. Isn’t that great? What else does it offer? Let’s see below.  

Features & Benefits

Design 

Quantum Stylist 9960 is a good-looking sewing machine that is sturdy enough for home stitching needs. You can even take up a few commercial projects from time to time. It does have a few flimsy components, but they don’t cause trouble. 

What we love about the machine is the 13 presser feet that accompany the unit. Yes. 13 different presser feet. Imagine just how versatile this machine is. Add to it the 600 built-in stitches with 5 fonts for monogramming, you’ve got a useful beauty on your hands. The mirror image is yet another feature we love to use. 

Performance 

This model delivers the kind of results you expect. It has an automatic needle threader and a thread trimmer. The bobbin comes with a transparent cover and has to be loaded from the top. That’s easy, right? One issue some people do have is with the needle. The stitching always ends with the needle down. That said, the lever to adjust the needle movement is handy. 

You can control and adjust the stitching speed to suit your abilities. And you don’t need to use the foot pedal to do this (it’s computerized, remember?). That makes this a suitable model for people of all age groups. Don’t be afraid to let your teenager or your granny give this a try. 

Ease of Use

We already said that the model has been designed for beginners as well. Just read through the manual and understand the operations. The LCD display screen is black and white and shows the details about presser feet and built-in stitches. We can hardly expect a touchscreen for this price, isn’t it? 

The monogramming seems to be not as good as it should be. But that’s fine. Not everything we stitch needs to be of professional quality. However, the model does come with an extension table for you to practice embroidery on larger projects. This machine is best for learning the craft. 

Pros

Cons

#2 Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine - Best for Beginners

4.6/5
4.3/5
4.6/5

How can we not have a model from Brother on the list, especially when we are talking about the best sewing machine for home? XM2701 has been designed for beginners. Even as you master the craft, you can retain this machine to use as a secondary unit. The model comes for a highly affordable price. While that is encouraging for newbies, it also means that the unit is made of plastic.

We suppose that’s the reason Brother offers a 25-year limited warranty along with free telephone customer service. That should ease your mind, right? 

Features & Benefits

Design 

Weighing just a little over 12 pounds, XM2701 is a compact sewing machine with versatile use. It can easily be carried to any place. It has a floral pattern on the frame that makes it appear attractive and cute. With 27 built-in stitches, you should have enough variety to keep your creative side happy. 

There’s one big knob on the side with numbers written on it. All you need to do is turn it to choose the stitch design you want. There’s a reverse stitch lever right in the front. You won’t have any trouble with reinforcing stitches. 

Performance 

You can also use this machine for quilting. It doesn’t work as great as the high-end models, but that’s to be expected. Your initial quilting projects will be quite successful, so that should be enough for now. Be careful when you stitch denim on this model. It hasn’t been designed for heavy-duty work.

The automatic needle threader is a lifesaver. If you spend the first few minutes setting it up, the machine will do the rest. The brand provides 6 presser feet along with the unit. You can always buy extra feet if and when you need them.  

Ease of Use

Do you know that the drop-in bobbin is jam resistant? Yep. This is such an essential feature for beginners. Jammed bobbins have more than once damaged the sewing machines. You don’t have to worry about it anymore. The unit also has an LED light, but it isn’t that bright. If you want to stitch at night, you’ll need more than this dim LED to help you. 

However, the machine is extremely quiet. You can continue stitching even when your folks decide to go to bed. You won’t risk waking up the kiddo. Oh, we forgot to add about the free arm that makes quilting an easy job. All in all, this is a fair deal for the price. 

Pros

Cons

#3 SINGER Start 1304 Sewing Machine for Beginners - Best for the Price

4.4/5
4.5/5
4.5/5

Singer Start 1304 is exactly what it claims to be- a basic sewing machine, which everyone would love to start their sewing career with. It is affordable, durable, and reliable. It doesn’t have many features or built-in stitches, but that’s to be expected. What we are looking for in this machine is ease of use and durability. We want the machine to last long enough to help us learn the craft. The brand promises the required life span and more. How? Well, it comes with a 25-year limited warranty. 

Features & Benefits

Design 

This is the smallest or rather the most lightweight sewing machine on our list. It weighs just 9.8 pounds and can be carried just about anywhere. The terms reliable and dependable have been used by more than one customer when talking about this model. That should tell us that Singer ensured to deliver a quality product for a limited price. 

The model has just 6 built-in stitches. But these are what we usually require- straight, zigzag, satin, scallop, blind hem, and a four-step buttonhole. The machine may not have many features, but it does come with a lot of accessories. From a seam ripper to a set of needles, dual spool pins, 15 bobbins, three presser feet, and many more. 

Performance 

The stitching speed of the model is 750 SPM. It’s neither too slow nor too fast and seems to be perfect for beginners. Do you know that the model has an automatic bobbin winder? Yup, that’s cool, isn’t it? One aspect we love about this model is the extra high presser feet. 

You can stitch heavy materials like denim on this machine. Despite its less weight, the unit will not vibrate when working on thicker fabrics. That’s because it is made of metal. The stitch length and width are preset and fixed. You can remove the extension table and use the free arm for hemming trousers, sleeves, etc. 

Ease of Use

Be it threading the needle or using the machine to sew various fabrics, you won’t find any difficulty in operating this model. The user manual helps explain the parts and operations. If you still have any questions, you can always look up videos on the internet to understand how it works. 

That said, most users hardly had to take the stress of learning the operations. This machine is simple, way too simple to terrify or overwhelm a newbie. The tension adjustment control is automated. You don’t have to think about handling that either. 

Pros

Cons

#4 Brother HC1850 Sewing and Quilting Machine - Best Quilting Machine for Beginners

4.3/5
4.5/5
4.3/5

HC1850 is a sewing and quilting machine that is highly useful for beginners. The stitch quality is good and strong. The machine can stitch through various fabrics without any issue. With 130 built-in stitches and one monogramming font, you can try a lot of new projects on this one. The brand offers a 25-year limited warranty, showing that the unit is durable and reliable. 

Features & Benefits

Design 

The unit is yet another lightweight model weighing just 10.14 pounds. It is compact and can be easily carried from one place to another. The machine has an LCD screen where you can see the designs, instructions, and errors that make it easy to use this model. This is a computerized model (or rather a semi version) that makes sure that you are using the right presser foot for the design and fabric you selected. 

The extension table can be attached when you start quilting. The machine has 14 quilting functions and a free motion arm. The initial projects will most probably appear average and ordinary, but as you practice, you’ll see how good the machine is and how fast your skill is improving. 

Performance 

The machine is sturdy enough to sew through thicker fabrics like denim. But the needle has to be changed. Replace the needle with a stronger one, and you’ll find that stitching denim is also easy. The automatic needle threader saves time and energy. There is no automatic thread cutter or tension control, so you’ll have to do it on your own.

The model isn’t silent, but it’s not too loud either. We’ve noticed that we could listen to music when using this machine. The sound will increase when you work on embroidery, though. But since there is only one monogramming font, you are likely to use this as a sewing and quilting machine rather than for embroidery. 

Ease of Use

The machine comes with both a booklet and a DVD user manual. The booklet is detailed and lists clear instructions and tips for beginners. Most of your doubts will be answered in the user manual. You just have to sit and read it. 

Though the machine has a stitching speed of 850 SPM, you can adjust and lower it to three different speeds. Start with the lowest and increase the speed as you gain confidence. The bobbin is a drop-in model, and the case is transparent. You won’t have any trouble with that. The LED light is an added advantage. 

Pros

Cons

#5 JUKI MO644D Portable Serger - Best Serger for Beginners

4.2/5
4.6/5
4/5

The last sewing machine for home on our list is a serger machine by Juki. A serger is the one that provides overlocking stitches to seal the ends of the fabric. While sergers are not for beginners (they can be quite complicated), this model is aimed at newbies. It can also be used by professionals, of course. If you have started accepting commissions from home, this sewing machine will serve you quite well. 

Features & Benefits

Design 

You must have noticed that this model is shaped a little differently from others. That’s because it doesn’t cater to quilting or embroider. There is hardly any work area for large projects. But the purpose of this model is quite different. 

MO644D has an effective knife system that automatically cuts the fabric as you sew. It creates attractive patterns on the fabric. By collecting the cut away pieces, you can use them for patchwork and other creative jobs. The machine weighs around 18 pounds and is easily portable. Just take care of the antenna-like thread holders at the top. 

Performance 

This is the fastest model we have on our list. The stitching speed is 1500 SPM, that’s perfect for home professionals. The unit comes with a multi-purpose foot presser that makes a versatile use. The machine has quite a few attractive features, such as adjusting tension control, stitch length and width, and a differential feed. 

The 2-3-4 thread system provides a wide range of stitching options. Some of them are-

4-thread overlock, 3-thread overlock, 3-thread narrow overlock, 3-thread flatlock, 3-thread rolled hem, 2-thread overcast, and 2-thread rolled hem. You can also use the machine for beading, piping, cording, blind stitching, adding elastic, and more. 

Ease of Use

This serger model is quite a beginner and user-friendly. It has 12 built-in stitches and a built-in seam guide that makes it easy for you to accurately get the seam allowances. There is an adjustable dial that allows you to change differential feed, tension control, and fabric stitch width even when you are using the machine. 

You can use the stitching speed controller to adjust the speed to lower speed in two stages. The foot controller can be used to adjust the speed as per your convenience. The lesser pressure you put, the lower will be the speed. The company offers only a 60-day warranty for spare parts, so we just have to hope that they last. 

Pros

Cons

Best Sewing Machine For Home Buying Guide

Best Sewing Machine For Home buying guide

A buying guide will help you consider each sewing machine from various perspectives. Depending on how and why you want to use the machine, you’ll be able to tick the boxes and decide on a model that suits most of your stitching requirements. 

How Skilled are You?

This is, of course, the first factor you should consider. Some home sewing machines are extremely complex. If you are a beginner, buying something like that is not a good choice. You might end up not using the machine or damaging it. But if you are an embroiderer or a quilter, you will need a sewing machine that offers additional features like free arm quilting, monogramming, etc. 

Computerized or No? 

computerized sewing machine is expensive. But it also has many automatic features. You can rely on the machine to suggest presser feet, set designs, thread the needle, and so on. But these machines are not easy to use. If you have never touched a sewing machine until now, starting with a computerized model doesn’t seem like a good idea. 

Mechanical and Electrical 

We don’t get to see too many mechanical models anymore. Operating the machine by hand is exhausting. The electrical models are highly preferred by both beginners and professionals. The machine comes with a foot pedal and a motor. The pressure you put on the foot pedal will decide the stitching speed of the sewing machine. Both your hands will be free so that you can use them to adjust the fabric you are working on. The machine has dials and knobs to control the speed, stitch length and design, etc. 

Serger Machines 

Sergers are overlocking sewing machines. The main purpose is to sew/ join the ends to two or more fabrics so that the stitches don’t come apart. These are mostly used by tailors to complete the stitching job. The sergers can have anything between one thread-overlocking stitch and 5 threads-overlocking stitches. 

Weight and Dimensions 

Sewing machines for home are smaller, compact, and lightweight. They are designed for portability and ease of use. If you plan to attend sewing classes, you’ll need a machine you can easily carry to the center. It should fit in smaller spaces without causing too much trouble. 

Features 

The features of a sewing machine depend on the brand and the model chosen. High-end models have more features that make stitching easier. Built-in stitches, automatic buttonholer, needle threader, foot pedal, etc. are some features you have to consider. 

Accessories 

Does the brand provide a soft case or a hard case to protect the machine when not in use? Does the brand provide extra bobbins, a screwdriver, a set of needles, additional presser feet, etc.? The brands offer basic accessories with every model. But check out for the ones that offer a little extra. 

Noise Levels 

Sewing machines are said to produce around 60 dB to 80 dB when in use. The heavy-duty industrial models produce higher sound (more than 70 dB). But sewing machines for the home should have lesser noise. You should be able to use the machine at home without ending up with a headache. Some models have been designed to be so silent that you hardly hear any noise. 

Stitching Speed and Adjustments 

The stitching speed of a home sewing machine doesn’t have to be high. Anything around 500 SPM (Stitches Per Minute) is going to be good enough unless you are a home professional. In that case, a model with 1000 SPM or more would be more suitable. A sewing machine that allows you to adjust the stitching speed as per your convenience is definitely the right choice. 

Product Warranty 

Even if you are going to invest only a few hundred dollars instead of thousands, you cannot ignore the warranty offered by the brand. The sewing machine has to work until you develop your skills and outgrow the current one to buy a better model. The company has to offer a limited warranty of at least 2-3 years, if not more.

Wrap Up: Our Choice

wrap up

Are you still not sure which sewing machine to buy? We would recommend SINGER Quantum Stylist 9960 Computerized Portable Sewing Machine for home use. 

As we have detailed its features and benefits above, you would be aware that it has a lot to offer to beginners and home users. It is one of the best sewing machines for home and is absolutely worth the price. 

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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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