Brother · Embroidery only · 5 × 7 in
Brother PE900 review: specs, pros, cons & who it’s for
- Embroidery field
- 5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm)
- Machine type
- Embroidery only
- Built-in designs
- 193
- Max speed
- 650 spm
- Design transfer
- USB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app
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The short verdict
Choose it ifBeginners who already sew (or do not need to) and want room for T-shirt fronts, totes and most popular design sizes.
Skip it ifAnyone who needs to sew seams on the same machine, or who needs designs bigger than 5 × 7 inches in one hooping.
Overview
The PE900 is Brother’s current 5 × 7 embroidery-only machine. Brother lists a 5 × 7 inch embroidery area (180 × 130 mm in the manual), 193 built-in embroidery designs, 13 built-in fonts and speeds up to 650 stitches per minute.
Over the discontinued PE800 it adds wireless design transfer and Artspira support, jump stitch trimming and more built-in content. Brother also says it works with an optional 4 × 7 inch magnetic frame.
For most beginners who already own a sewing machine, the PE900 is the machine to compare everything else against: it covers the 5 × 7 design size most digitizers sell, without paying for sewing functions.
Lineup note: The PE900 succeeded the PE800 (now discontinued). Both have a 5 × 7 field and 650 spm; the PE900 adds Wi-Fi, Artspira, jump stitch trimming and more designs.
Brother PE900 specifications
| Machine type | Embroidery only |
|---|---|
| Max embroidery field | 130 × 180 mm (5 × 7 in) |
| Built-in embroidery designs | 193 |
| Built-in fonts | 13 |
| Max embroidery speed | 650 stitches per minute |
| Display | 3.7" LCD touch panel |
| Design transfer | USB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app |
| Native file format | PES |
| Notable features | Jump stitch trimming · Color sort · Advanced automatic needle threading |
| Status | Listed on the manufacturer site |
Pros and cons
Strengths
- 5 × 7 field fits most popular design sizes
- Up to 650 spm
- Wireless transfer, Artspira and jump stitch trimming
- 193 designs and 13 fonts built in
Limitations
- No sewing functions
- Single needle: you re-thread for every color
- Designs over 130 × 180 mm need splitting and re-hooping
Brother PE9005 × 7 in · Embroidery only · Wi-Fi
Check price on Amazon ↗Will your designs fit?
The 5 × 7 in label is rounded. The real limit is 130 × 180 mm. Measure the stitched design, not the fabric or the outside of the hoop, and remember a design can sometimes fit after a 90° rotation. Use the hoop fit checker with this machine preselected.
How it compares
Read our full comparison: Brother PE800 vs PE900: is the upgrade worth it?.
| 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 ↗ |
| Brother PE800 | 5 × 7 in | Embroidery only | 138 | 650 spm | USB | Check price ↗ |
| Brother PE545 | 4 × 4 in | Embroidery only | 135 | 400 spm | USB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app | Check price ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What size designs can the Brother PE900 embroider?
Brother lists a maximum embroidery field of 130 × 180 mm (about 5.1 × 7.1 in), marketed as 5 × 7 in. A design must fit inside that field; a larger design needs splitting in software and re-hooping, or a machine with a bigger field.
Can the Brother PE900 sew as well as embroider?
No. The Brother PE900 is embroidery-only. It stitches designs in a hoop but does not replace a sewing machine for seams, hems or repairs.
How do you get designs onto the Brother PE900?
Brother lists these transfer options: USB, Wi-Fi, Artspira app. The native format is PES. Always check that a purchased design is supplied in a compatible format and at a size that fits the 5 × 7 in field.
How many built-in designs does the Brother PE900 have?
Brother lists 193 built-in embroidery designs and 13 built-in lettering fonts. Built-in designs are enough for first projects; most people eventually buy or download additional designs.
Is the Brother PE900 good for beginners?
Beginners who already sew (or do not need to) and want room for T-shirt fronts, totes and most popular design sizes. It is less suited to: anyone who needs to sew seams on the same machine, or who needs designs bigger than 5 × 7 inches in one hooping. This verdict is based on published specifications, not hands-on testing.
How we evaluated it
We compare published manufacturer specifications against beginner needs: design size, sewing vs embroidery workflow, design transfer and built-in content. We have not tested this machine hands-on, and we never invent ratings. Read our methodology.