For embroidery hobbyists and beginners, purchasing an expensive embroidery machine is unnecessary. So, an embroidery machine under $500 will be a good choice for you. On the one hand, it has all the features you need. And on the other hand, you don’t need to spend too much money. But what is the best under $500 embroidery machine? Read this guide, you will find the one for yourself.
Best Embroidery Machine Under $500 Reviews
1. Brother RLB 6800 – Budget-friendly
Basic Parameters:
- Manufacturer: Brother
- Dimension: 19.8 x 15.4 x 14.9 inches
- Shipping Weight: 23.2 pounds
- Work Field: 4”x 4”
- Installed Designs: 70
- Installed Stitches: 67
- Fonts: 5
- Warranty: 25 years
Review:
This is a two-in-one machine. Although it has a cheap price, you can complete many linds of work with its help.
As an embroidery machine, it has 70 built-in embroidery designs, containing 5 embroidery alphabets and 120 frame patterns. They can fulfill your basic needs. Whether you want to decorate your fabrics or monogram, this device can meet your requests. Additionally, it is a machine that can make progress, as you can import designs directly from your computer.
Besides, it also has an easy-to-view back-lit, touch screen LCD. Thus, before you are going to embroider, you can view your designs on that, and this function will cut down your possibility of making a mistake. Quite beginner-friendly, right? By the way, there is an elementary embroidery area, 4” x 4”. Although it is not large, it can meet your daily embroidery needs.
On the other hand, like a sewing machine, it has many excellent sewing features. First, the body of it is lightweight and compact, so it is easy for you to bring it out. And also, because this machine does not have too many extra complex functions, it is easy to use, especially for those who are not familiar with electronic tools. This machine can improve your work efficiency significantly. Also, its price is meager, less than $300.
- Low price
- Computer connectivity
- LCD touch screen
- Easy to use
- Portable
- Limited features
- Only suitable for beginners
2. Brother PE535 – With Cheap Price
Basic Parameters:
- Manufacturer: Brother
- Dimension: 16.5 x 7.8 x 12 inches
- Shipping Weight: 23.1 pounds
- Work Field: 4”x 4”
- Installed Designs: 80
- Installed Stitches: 0
- Fonts: 9
- Warranty: 25 years
Review:
This is a beginner-friendly embroidery combo machine. It is prevalent in the embroidery field as it is cheap but has various useful functions.
First, this device has a small and lightweight body. So it is a portable embroidery machine, and beginners can take it to embroidery lessons without any pressure, which is very practical. And also, as the space it occupies is not too large, putting it at home is the right choice too.
Besides, there are 80 embroidery designs built in this machine, plus with 9 fonts. Whatever embroidery designs you need, you can find it in this device. What’s more, you can also use these built-in fonts to do some monograms. If you don’t like the earn-in designs, you can also import more designs you are favorite via USB ports. It has built-in memory which can store these designs.
Additionally, as the best embroidery machine for beginners, it has a lot of functions suitable for novices. On the one hand, it has a large 3.2” LCD touch screen, allowing you to preview and edit your designs before stitching. On the other hand, it comes with tutorial videos and an easy needle threading system. All these features can help you start embroidering smoothly.
- Reasonable price
- LCD touchscreen display
- Automatic needle threader
- Built-in memory
- Portable
- Easy to use
- Basic embroidery area
- Embroidery only
- Just for beginners
3. Brother PE500 – Best for Kids
Basic Parameters:
- Manufacturer: Brother
- Dimension: 20.2 x 15 x 15.1 inches
- Shipping Weight: 21.9 pounds
- Work Field: 4”x 4”
- Installed Designs: 70
- Installed Stitches: 0
- Fonts: 5
- Warranty: 25 years
Review:
This is a less than $500 embroidery machine for home use, suitable for kids and women. You may wonder why it is ideal for kids or women. Come on, guys, Of course, because of its pink and compact body. I think its cute body will attract almost every kid or the lady at first glance.
Then let us talk about its features. First, its body is lightweight and compact, so whether you put it at home or carry out, it’s great. Otherwise, it has 70 built-in embroidery designs, enough for your daily requirements. If you feel less, you can also import more designs you like through the computer connection. Brother offers you thousands of embroidery patterns, and you can download them from iBroidery.com.
4” x 4” is the size of the embroidery field of this machine. Although it is not too large, it can fulfill your basic embroidery needs. Besides, the fabrics that it can embroidery on are wide-range. From silk to cotton, with the help of this device, you can achieve excellent works.
Additionally, as a beginner-friendly machine, it has installed bilingual tutorials. So you can start embroidering more smoothly. Besides, it has a lot of additional functions which are easy to use, like automatic needle threader and so on.
- Automatic needle threader
- Lightweight body
- Computer connectivity
- LCD touchscreen
- Winding system
- Black and blue LCD
4. Brother SE600 – Best Home Use Embroidery Machine Under $500
Basic Parameters:
- Manufacturer: Brother
- Dimension: 21.2 x 15.5 x 16.5 inches
- Shipping Weight: 26.1 pounds
- Maximum Embroidery Speed: 710spm
- Work Field: 4”x 4”
- Installed Designs: 80
- Installed Stitches: 103
- Fonts: 6
- Warranty: 25 years
Review:
This is a trendy Brother embroidery and sewing machine. And also, the price of it is meager. So, in my opinion, this is an ideal combo embroidery machine for budget and home use.
First, from the list of parameters, we can know that it is a machine in a small size. So you can use it in many aspects. Carrying it out or putting it at home? If you like, you can do it. Otherwise, it is a combo machine containing sewing and embroidery functions. There is no need for you to spend extra money on a sewing machine. On this level, purchasing this machine is a cost-effective behavior.
Additionally, there are a lot of earn-in patterns, including 80 built-in designs and 103 built-in stitches. Although the number of these designs is not too much, it can fulfill most of the beginners’ appetites. If you worry that you may not like these built-in patterns, it is equipped with USB connectivity. You can import more designs you want in it.
Also, it has a color touch screen. It is a very eye-catching and useful function. On that, you can change or preview your designs. Just by moving your fingers, and you can achieve these operations. Really convenient, right?
- Smart color LCD touch screen
- Portable
- USB connectivity
- Budget-friendly
- Automatic needle threader
- Super bright LED-lit work area
- Doesn’t have its own software
- Not very durable
5. Brother PE550D – Disney Embroidery Machine
Basic Parameters:
- Manufacturer: Brother
- Dimension: 16.5 x 7.8 x 12 inches
- Shipping Weight: 23.1 pounds
- Work Field: 4” x 4”
- Installed Designs: 125
- Installed Stitches: 0
- Fonts: 9
- Warranty: 25 years
Review:
This is a lovely and charming embroidery only machine for Disney lovers. It features a colorful body and printed Disney patterns. Every Disney lover will be attracted at first glance.
First, just like the machines that I have reviewed above, this machine has an able and lightweight body, allowing you to carry it out or put it at home easily. No matter which way you choose, it is very convenient.
Then, I’d like to introduce the built-in designs it has. On the one hand, it has 125 built-in embroidery designs, containing 45 Disney designs and 6 fonts. These designs are enough to meet your daily embroidery requirements. However, if you want more, as it has a built-in memory function, you can also download more designs to import in PE550D via a USB memory stick. By the way, Brother brand offers you a website created by them, iBroidery.com. You can download designs from them according to your likeness.
Besides, its 3.2” sew smart color LCD touch screen is also very eye-catching and practical. With this function, you can preview your designs before stitching. Additionally, you can also achieve editing function through this touch screen. You can resize, move, and mirror the designs before embroidering. So it gives you a chance to show your talents fully.
Also, as an easy-to-use embroidery machine, this machine has a lot of other convenient functions, for example, automatic needle threader, and so on. And your embroidery procedure will be more smooth with this machine.
- USB port
- Built-in memory
- English/Spanish operation manual
- Sufficient accessories
- Disney patterns
- No sewing
6. Brother PE800 – Best for Home Business
Basic Parameters:
- Manufacturer: Brother
- Dimension: 21.8 x 19 x 19.1 inches
- Shipping Weight: 30.1 pounds
- Maximum Embroidering Speed: 650spm
- Work Field: 5”x 7”
- Installed Designs: 138
- Installed Stitches: 0
- Fonts: 11
- Warranty: 25 years
Review:
This is a highly acclaimed embroidery machine. Almost everyone who used it around me praised it. Compared to the devices I referred to above, the price of this machine is slightly higher, above $500, but below $600. This may be somewhat higher than your budget, but not much higher.
First, its size is small. So if you want to start an embroidery business at home with this device, it will not occupy too much space, and you can begin embroidery business smoothly. In addition, this machine is different from other regular embroidery designs, it has a larger embroidery area, 5” x 7”. Thus, you can embroider more extensive designs. And also, it means that you can pick up a more comprehensive range of orders.
Besides, from the list of parameters, we can know it is an embroidery only machine with high embroidering speed. So you can achieve more embroidery orders in a fixed time. By the way, it can also be used to embroider on hats if you buy an extra hat specializing hoop.
Then, let’s talk about the embroidery designs this 0ne has. it has 138 earn-in designs and 11 fonts, meeting general embroidery needs. However, if you don’t like installed embroidery designs and want more unique designs, you can use its USB connection to import more designs.
Additionally, it has a lot of other easy-to-use features, like automatic needle threader, super-bright work area, and so on. With these functions, your embroidery procedure will be more smooth.
- Large embroidery area
- USB connectivity
- Computerized
- A lot of embroidery designs
- Hat embroidery available
- LCD touch screen
- Embroidery only machine
- A little costly
Tips
Characteristics of Embroidery Machines Under $500
We all know that the price of embroidery machines can be divided into several levels. And $500 is one of them. So, let’s see the characteristics of embroidery machines, which are less than $500 together.
First, you may know $500 is the lowest level of the prices of embroidery machines. So the machines at this level are almost the regular embroidery machines. They generally have basic features and small bodies, suitable for beginners and home use.
They always have a basic embroidery area, 4” x 4”, which is not large but can meet your basic embroidery needs. Besides, they always have some built-in designs, stitches, and memory. Additionally, the LCD touch screen is also a very practical function of these machines. With it, you can achieve the editing of your designs and show your talents. However, limited to the costs of production, they usually have no more additional features. But for beginners, these features are enough.
In conclusion, machines at this price level always have some basic and necessary functions. But for people who just study embroidery and don’t embroider too complex designs, these machines are enough. However, for professionals or people who want to start embroidery business, machines under $500 cannot fulfill our needs. So, for the beginners who don’t have too much budget, machines at this level are the ideal choice. You can upgrade or change your embroidery machine in the future.
How to Choose the Best Embroidery Machine Under $500?
After reading today’s article, you may wonder how to choose the best embroidery machines at this price range. So, in this part, I’d like to introduce the way to choose the best embroidery machine under $500.
1. Brand
Whenever I am going to purchase a new embroidery machine, I will consider the brand element. As we know, the famous brand always means better product quality, better guidance, and continuous after-sales service. You can use the machines produced by them all the time. And there is no need for you to worry that your manufacturers will collapse when you are still using your embroidery machine. Whenever you meet any problem when you are using your embroidery machines, you can get excellent services.
2. Aim
When you are choosing the best embroidery machine, you need always to think about the aims. Whether you want an embroidery only machine or a combo machine? If you just want a device that can help you embroider, then an embroidery only machine is enough. However, if you want a machine that can achieve both sewing and embroidery, then I think purchasing a combo machine is a cost-effective behavior because there is no need for you to spend money on another sewing machine.
3. USB connectivity
For an embroidery machine, USB connectivity is a crucial function. With the USB connection, you can always import designs you like in it. And you will not be limited by the installed embroidery designs. You can always embroider unique designs.
4. Editing Features
If you don’t want to always use the built-in embroidery designs, having an embroidery machine with editing features is very important. With this function, you can adjust, rotate, or resize your designs. It is a creative function.
5. Additional Features
When you are selecting the best embroidery machine for yourselves, you need to consider whether you need some extra functions, for example, automatic needle threader, super-bright work area, and so on. With these features, your embroidery process will be more smooth. You can choose the embroidery machine according to your requirements.
6. After-sale Service
After-sale service is also an important element that you should consider when you are choosing the best embroidery machine. As we know, for beginners, starting embroidery is not easy. So you may meet many problems when you are embroidering. Having a machine produced by a manufacturer who has excellent after-sale service will help you make progress quickly.
Hot Pick Product Review:
Brother PE535 Embroidery Machine Review
Brother SE600 Embroidery Machine Review
Conclusion
Today, I reviewed the best embroidery machines under $500. Most of them are for beginners and home use. You can choose an ideal embroidery machine according to your situation.