The 10 Best Sewing Machines for All Skill Levels

Best Overall : Singer Stylist 7258 Sewing Machine

4.7

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The Singer 7258 is a mid-tier sewing machine that’s ideal for both beginners and more advanced sewists. The computerized model, which is made by one of the most trusted sewing machine brands, features 100 different stitches, ranging from basics like zigzag to intricate decorative stitches that will add pizazz to your projects. During testing, we loved that this sewing machine automatically adjusts the stitch length, width, and tension to match the stitch, but you can also manually adjust these settings as needed. 

This Singer sewing machine comes with a variety of accessories, including eight different presser feet—you’ll get the general purpose foot, zipper foot, blind hem foot, buttonhole foot, and more. Speaking of buttonholes, the machine can help you make six different styles, such as the basic bartack style, round end, and keyhole. Our tester noted that it’s extremely easy to select the type of buttonhole desired and change to the necessary presser foot, and the brand also offers online video resources, as well as an owner’s class, to walk you through the machine’s various functions. 

There are plenty of other noteworthy features, as well. The Singer 7258 has a built-in needle threader, a programmable needle—you can choose if it stops in the up or down position—a free arm, and mechanical speed control. Our only real complaint is that the machine solely comes with a plastic dust cover, so if you want a hard cover to protect your investment, it needs to be purchased separately. Besides that, this machine is a reliable and well-priced option that can handle a wide variety of sewing tasks and is sure to please both novice and expert crafters alike.

Best Budget: Janome Easy to Use Sewing Machine

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The Janome Easy to Use Sewing Machine is a budget-friendly option for novice crafters or anyone who just needs basic functionality. The machine features 15 different stitch options and one four-step buttonhole, and you can manually adjust the stitch length and tension via dials on the front of the machine. Oh, and did we mention that it comes in several bright, cheery colors? It’s sure to be a vibrant addition to your sewing space. 

The Janome Sewing Machine has two retractable spool pins on top, and it can accommodate all thread types, including large thread cones. It has a front-loading bobbin system, and there’s a step-by-step loading guide right in the bobbin area—a useful detail for beginners. A removable storage compartment gives you access to a free arm, and the machine comes with four different presser feet, including ones for zippers and blind gems. Other accessories include bobbins, needles, a seam ripper, and a darning plate, but it’s worth mentioning that there’s no automatic needle threader or thread cutter—you’ll have to do both the old-fashioned way.

Best Splurge: Bernette B77 Sewing and Quilting Machine

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If you’re an advanced sewist looking to upgrade to a better machine, the Bernette B77 is a worthwhile splurge. This high-end machine boasts 500 different stitches, which you can select via its touchscreen display, and it includes a whopping 17 buttonhole options, 133 decorative stitches, and 35 quilting stitches, as well as a deep throat that can accommodate bulky projects. Whether you’re making clothing, quilting, or craft projects, this machine can handle anything you throw at it. 

While using this sewing machine, you can select and optimize stitches on the 5-inch color touchscreen, but you can also change the stitch length and width via knobs on the front of the machine. It has an integrated dual feed, also known as a walking foot, that ensures your material is being fed evenly from above and below. This feature is ideal for sewing several layers of fabric or fine materials, as it helps to prevent puckering. Other noteworthy features include an automatic tie-off and thread cutter, a semi-automatic needle threader, and programmable foot control with a back-kick function.

The main painpoint of this sewing machine is its electrical components—while the brand offers a 10-year warranty on the machine’s materials and workmanship, the electrical parts are only covered by a 2-year warranty. Additionally, the high-tech nature of the touchscreen makes it signficantly more expensive to repair. 

Best Heavy-Duty: Sailrite Ultrafeed LS-1 BASIC Walking Foot Sewing Machine

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For heavy-duty applications, you’re going to need a sewing machine like the Sailrite Ultrafeed LS-1. This unit is designed to tackle thick, heavy fabric, such as canvas, denim, leather, and upholstery fabrics, but it only offers a single straight stitch—if you want the ability to create zigzag stitches, you can upgrade to the Sailrite Ultrafeed LSZ-1. Despite its basic design, this sewing machine is unmatched in terms of durability, and it can stitch through up to 10 layers of canvas at once. 

The Sailrite Sewing Machine has a mechanical walking presser foot that feeds fabric through at a consistent speed for even stitching, and its spring-loaded lever makes it quick and easy to switch stitching directions. Plus, the presser foot features a built-in welting tunnel for sewing piping and its needle is offset, allowing you to sew zippers without changing the foot. The machine comes with a wooden base to provide stability as you work, as well as a thread stand, bobbins, and other necessary accessories. 

Because this sewing machine must be manually adjusted, it can take some time to get used to the tension setting. You can increase the versatility of the machine by purchasing additional accessories—such as a binder attachment or alternative presser feet—but many of these tools are fairly expensive.

Best Portable: Magicfly Portable Sewing Machine

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You can take your crafting on the go with the Magicfly Portable Sewing Machine. Not only is this sewing machine compact and extremely lightweight, making it ideal for travel, but it offers dual power options, allowing you to plug it into a standard outlet or use four AA batteries. If you’ve ever wanted (or needed) to sew while off-the-grid, this is definitely the option for you!

Overall, the Magicfly’s design is quite simple, offering 12 basic stitches and three presser feet that allow you to sew buttons and zippers. It comes with three needles for fabrics of various thicknesses—though, the manufacturer warns that the machine doesn’t perform well on thin or soft fabric—as well as an extension kit to expand your work area. The machine has a threading guide printed right onto the body, which is helpful for beginners, but keep in mind that it doesn’t feed the fabric through the machine, so you’ll need to advance the material manually.

Best for Quilting: Singer 7285Q Patchwork Quilting Machine

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There are several special features that you should look for in a sewing machine if you plan on using it for quilting—adjustable stitch settings, multiple presser feet, and a large throat that can fit bulky projects, just to name a few. The Singer 7285Q Patchwork Quilting Machine checks all these boxes and more, as it’s designed specifically with quilters in mind. It offers 100 different stitches and an extra-high presser foot lifter to accommodate thick fabrics, and it comes with 11 presser feet, including a quarter-inch foot, walking foot, satin stitch foot, and darning/embroidery foot.

You can make your stitch selection on the machine’s LCD screen, adjusting the stitch length and width, and there's even an option to set the maximum sewing speed. The needle can be programmed to stop in the up or down position, and the machine also comes with an extension table to help support large projects. Plus, when you’re working on other sewing projects, the Singer 7285Q has six buttonhole options, as well as a tie-off button and high-speed stitching up to 750 stitches per minute. 

While this Singer sewing machine is a great value and has many features for quilters, it does have a few shortcomings. Its built-in light isn’t the best, and you’ll likely need a supplementary light source as you work. Additionally, the throat is 5.5 inches wide, which is good for most projects but might be a little tight when you’re working on large quilts.

Best for Making Clothes: Janome 4120QDC Computerized Sewing Machine

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For those who like to make their own clothing, the Janome 4120QDC offers an unbeatable combination of versatility, precision, and power. It offers 120 different stitches, including alphabet fonts in American, European, and Cyrillic, and it comes with seven presser feet, including a zigzag foot, zipper foot, buttonhole foot, blind hemming foot, and more—basically, everything you need to create beautiful handmade garments. 

This sewing machine is controlled by an easy-to-read LCD screen with a touchpad on the side for easy navigation. It has a removable storage compartment that turns the machine into a free arm for those times you need to stitch small openings, and its Superior Plus Feed system delivers more even stitching. The machine can even remember stitch patterns, as well as whether you want the needle to stop in the up or down position. The one major downside is that the machine doesn’t automatically adjust tension when you switch stitches—depending on your skill level, this might not be a big deal, though.

Best for Beginners: Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine

4.6

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For your first sewing machine, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better option than the Brother XM2701. While it’s not the cheapest product available, it’s ideal for beginners thanks to its modest stitch selection, intuitive operation, and overall versatility. During testing, we liked that this machine was easy to operate, even for those who are new to sewing, and it has useful features such as a jam-resistant bobbin, automatic needle threader, and an auto-size buttonhole. 

You can adjust the stitch setting on this machine via the front dial, and a numbered threading diagram right on the machine guides you through the setup process. There are dials on top of the machine to adjust the stitch length and tension, and there’s a removable storage compartment that allows you to access a free arm, which is ideal for sewing small openings, such as a shirt sleeve or pant cuff. Because this sewing machine is compact, it’s not the best choice for large projects, such as bulky quilts, and our tester did note that the accessories often fall out of the storage compartment. 

Best for Embroidery: Brother SE1900 Sewing and Embroidery Machine

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The Brother SE1900 Sewing and Embroidery Machine isn’t cheap, but it’s one of the top options for anyone who wants to be able to create stunning embroidered creations. This machine has a spacious 5 x 7” embroidery field, and it comes programmed with 138 embroidery designs, as well as 11 fonts. It has a built-in memory that allows you to import additional designs, and you can adjust the size, colors, and orientation of your motifs using the unit’s touchscreen. 

In addition to its embroidery capabilities, this sewing machine has 240 stitches and comes with eight presser feet, including ones for buttonholes, zippers, overcasting, blind stitching, monogramming, and more. The machine has an automatic needle threader and lets you create your own custom sewing stitches, if desired, and it even comes with a knee lifter to keep your hands free as you work. One quirk to be aware of is the machine doesn’t like certain flash drives, forcing you to reformat them. However, once you find a device that’s compatible with the machine, you shouldn’t have any issues.