Buying guides
Best embroidery machine under $1,500: 5 × 7 picks and what to skip
Under $1,500 you can buy a 5 × 7 Brother PE900 ($1,179.99) or SE2000 ($1,299.99). Prices checked Oct 11, 2026, with when the cheaper picks are the smarter buy.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It does not change the price you pay. How we handle links.
Our picks at a glance
Full pros, cons & specs for each ↓Quick answer
Under $1,500 the best embroidery-only machine is the Brother PE900 ($1,179.99 on Brother USA): 5 × 7 field, 193 designs, 650 spm. If you also sew, the SE2000 ($1,299.99 on sale, listed $1,499.99) adds sewing. Do not spend this much if your designs stay under 4 × 4 inches.
- The PE900 ($1,179.99) is the 5 × 7 embroidery-only pick; the SE2000 ($1,299.99 on sale) is the 5 × 7 combo.
- Both have a 130 × 180 mm field, 193 built-in designs and 650 spm embroidery speed.
- The SE2000 was $1,299.99 on sale, down from $1,499.99. At list price it is not under $1,500 by much.
Jump to a section
Our shortlist
Brother PE900
Best for: Beginners who already sew (or do not need to) and want room for T-shirt fronts, totes and most popular design sizes.
- Field5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm)
- TypeEmbroidery only
- Built-in designs193
- Max speed650 spm
- TransferUSB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app
Why pick it
- 5 × 7 field fits most popular design sizes
- Up to 650 spm
- Wireless transfer, Artspira and jump stitch trimming
Think twice if
- No sewing functions
- Single needle: you re-thread for every color
- Designs over 130 × 180 mm need splitting and re-hooping
Brother SE2000
Best for: Beginners who want one machine for both sewing and 5 × 7 embroidery.
- Field5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm)
- TypeSewing + embroidery
- Built-in designs193
- Max speed650 spm
- TransferUSB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app
Why pick it
- Sewing and 5 × 7 embroidery in one machine
- 241 sewing stitches
- Wireless transfer, Artspira and jump stitch trimming
Think twice if
- Embroidery field no larger than the PE900
- You cannot sew and embroider at the same time
- Converting between modes takes setup
Singer SE9180
Best for: Sewists who like a large touch screen and mostly embroider small-to-medium designs.
- Field170 × 100 mm (100 × 170 mm)
- TypeSewing + embroidery
- Built-in designs150
- Max speed450 spm
- TransferUSB, Wi-Fi (see note)
Why pick it
- Large 7" color touch screen
- 170 × 100 mm field is wider than 4 × 4
- Sewing and embroidery in one
Think twice if
- Loads VP3 files only
- Not a 5 × 7 field (100 mm tall)
- Singer’s pages conflict on Wi-Fi
Prices below were checked on Brother’s and Singer’s US sites on October 11, 2026. They change with sales.
Which embroidery machines cost under $1,500?
| Machine | Type | Price (checked Oct 11, 2026) | Field | Designs | Max embroidery speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PE900 | Embroidery-only | $1,179.99 | 5 × 7 in | 193 | 650 spm |
| SE2000 | Sewing + embroidery | $1,299.99 sale (was $1,499.99) | 5 × 7 in | 193 | 650 spm |
| SE9180 | Sewing + embroidery | $799.99 sale (was $999.99) | 170 × 100 mm | 150 | 450 spm |
| SE700 | Sewing + embroidery | $579.99 | 4 × 4 in | 135 | 400 spm |
| PE545 | Embroidery-only | $499.99 | 4 × 4 in | 135 | 400 spm |
PE900
- Type
- Embroidery-only
- Price (checked Oct 11, 2026)
- $1,179.99
- Field
- 5 × 7 in
- Designs
- 193
- Max embroidery speed
- 650 spm
SE2000
- Type
- Sewing + embroidery
- Price (checked Oct 11, 2026)
- $1,299.99 sale (was $1,499.99)
- Field
- 5 × 7 in
- Designs
- 193
- Max embroidery speed
- 650 spm
SE9180
- Type
- Sewing + embroidery
- Price (checked Oct 11, 2026)
- $799.99 sale (was $999.99)
- Field
- 170 × 100 mm
- Designs
- 150
- Max embroidery speed
- 450 spm
SE700
- Type
- Sewing + embroidery
- Price (checked Oct 11, 2026)
- $579.99
- Field
- 4 × 4 in
- Designs
- 135
- Max embroidery speed
- 400 spm
PE545
- Type
- Embroidery-only
- Price (checked Oct 11, 2026)
- $499.99
- Field
- 4 × 4 in
- Designs
- 135
- Max embroidery speed
- 400 spm
Which one should you buy?
Choose the PE900 if you have a sewing machine and want the larger field. Choose the SE2000 if you want one machine for both. Our PE900 vs SE2000 comparison goes through the differences.
When is a cheaper machine the better buy?
When your designs fit 4 × 4 inches. The PE545 and SE700 cost $500 to $700 less than the PE900. See the under $1,000 guide for that range, and the hoop size guide to test your own projects against each field.
What is not on this list?
This shortlist compares the Brother and Singer models above. Other brands, including Janome and bernette, were not price-verified for this comparison, so their absence does not mean they are above $1,500. Multi-needle machines are outside this shortlist.
Spec comparison
| Model | Field | Type | Designs | Max speed | Transfer | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother PE900 | 5 × 7 in | Embroidery only | 193 | 650 spm | USB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app | Check price ↗ |
| Brother SE2000 | 5 × 7 in | Sewing + embroidery | 193 | 650 spm | USB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app | Check price ↗ |
| Singer SE9180 | 170 × 100 mm | Sewing + embroidery | 150 | 450 spm | USB, Wi-Fi (see note) | Check price ↗ |
| Brother SE700 | 4 × 4 in | Sewing + embroidery | 135 | 400 spm | USB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app | Check price ↗ |
| Brother PE545 | 4 × 4 in | Embroidery only | 135 | 400 spm | USB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app | Check price ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best embroidery machine under $1,500?
For embroidery only, the Brother PE900 at $1,179.99 on Brother USA (checked October 11, 2026). For sewing plus embroidery, the Brother SE2000 at $1,299.99, which was a sale price against a $1,499.99 list.
PE900 or SE2000?
They share the 130 × 180 mm field, 193 designs and 650 spm. The SE2000 also sews, with 241 stitches; the PE900 does not. The SE2000 costs about $120 more at the prices we checked.
Is a 5 × 7 machine worth it over a 4 × 4?
If you want designs larger than 4 × 4 for T-shirts or totes, yes. Small monograms and patches fit a 4 × 4 machine that costs several hundred dollars less.
Sources & method
This guide is compiled from manufacturer documentation and specialist sources, not hands-on testing. We link every source so you can check it. Specifications change, so confirm details against your exact model manual. How we research.