Brother Sewing Machine Models Explained
We are an authorised Brother dealer and have spent over 20 years matching sewers to machines. Every model on this page is one we sell and service in our Cornwall-based workshop. It is written for anyone who has settled on a Brother sewing machine but needs help working out which model.
If you are still deciding on a brand, our sewing machine buyers guide covers the wider picture, and we have separate guides for the Janome and BERNINA ranges.
Which Brother Machine Is Right for You?
New to Sewing
This is the fun stage for new sewers, unboxing your machine and getting started. The features that ease the learning process are a drop-in bobbin, a needle threader and a 1-step buttonhole. The SH40 and Innov-is 15 have all these features plus speed control so you can slow the machine while you learn.
Sewing Regularly
Once you’ve mastered the basics and are sewing regularly, the features that save time start to matter, look for an auto thread cutter, more stitch choices, and a wider range of accessories. The A65 and A150 are ideal. If you want more room to work as well, the F420 and F560 add workspace and a knee lift.
Advanced Work and Making to Sell
Workspace, speed and build carry the most weight here. The VQ2 and Celeste CX1 give 11.25 inches of throat space and sew at up to 1,050 stitches per minute, and the PQ1600S reaches 1,500 on straight stitch. Worth knowing that Brother's warranty drops to one year on any machine put to business use, including teaching.
What You Can Do with a Brother Machine
The best place to start when choosing a Brother sewing machine is what you intend to sew. The Brother sewing machine range covers everything from dressmaking and heavier repairs to quilting, home furnishings, bag making and machine embroidery. Matching the machine to the projects you enjoy means you end up with the features you actually need, so you can sew with confidence.
Dressmaking
Quilting
Quilting needs room to the right of the needle, a walking foot and even fabric feeding through layers. The Inventio NV1850Q is a superb choice, with 8.3 inches of workspace, a wide table in the box, even feeding through layers and a good range of quilting accessories. The VQ2 extends that to 11.25 inches.
Heavy Fabrics and Repairs
Embroidery and Personalisation
Home Furnishings
Crafting
Bags, toys, bunting and gifts use short seams, mixed fabrics and a lot of starting and stopping. The LX25 covers this at the simplest level. The SH40 adds on-screen stitch settings, and the ScanNCut SDX2250D cuts appliqué shapes accurately before you stitch them down.
What Type of Fabric Will You Be Sewing?
Knit and jersey stretch as they feed, which is what causes wavy seams. A ballpoint or jersey needle pushes between the fibres rather than piercing them, and a stretch stitch or narrow zigzag lets the seam move with the fabric instead of snapping the thread.
The HF37 handles stretch alongside heavier fabrics. Among the computerised machines, the Inventio NV1350 and NV1850Q use the Square Feed Drive System, which holds knit fabric steady instead of stretching it as it feeds. Both hold tension steadily across stretch seams, and the NV1850Q sets it automatically.
If you sew a lot of jersey, an overlocker alongside your machine gives a stretchier seam and a neater edge.
Denim, canvas and layered quilt sandwiches need the needle to pass through cleanly and the feed to keep moving. A jeans needle in size 90 or 100 makes more difference here than any machine setting.
The HF37 is built for this work. The A65 sews through multiple layers of denim smoothly, which is more than its size suggests. Higher up the range the F420, F560, Inventio NV1850Q, NV2700 and Celeste CX1 have adjustable presser foot pressure, so you can ease off for bulky seams and keep the feed even.
A walking foot helps on quilt layers by feeding the top and bottom together.
Silk, chiffon and lawn need a fine sharp needle in size 60 or 70, and slower sewing. Fine fabric puckers when it is pushed through too quickly, and it gets drawn down into the machine when the needle hole in the plate is too wide.
The Innov-is 15 has speed control, which means you can cap the top speed and still use the foot pedal normally. Machines with a start and stop button let you sew without the pedal at all, giving steadier control on a long fine seam.
The PQ1600S is worth knowing about here. Because it sews straight stitch only, its needle plate has a small round hole, not a wide slot, so lightweight fabric is far less likely to be pulled under.
Not Sure Which Brother Suits What You Sew?
Our free Machine Match Service asks a few questions and comes back with the models that fit.
Types of Brother Machine
Mechanical
Computerised
Computerised models offer automation, more stitches, precise width and length adjustment, plus features like an auto thread cutter and needle up/down. The A series, F series and Inventio machines are all computerised models.
Embroidery and Combination
Embroidery machines stitch intricate decorative designs, motifs and letters onto fabric. Embroidery-only models like the F540E suit anyone who already has a sewing machine. Combination models like the F580 and NV2700 do both sewing and embroidery so you swap between tasks without needing a second machine.
Craft Cutting and Printing
Great for personalising garments, appliqué work, creating decals, producing print‑and‑cut projects or managing daily printing needs. The ScanNCut SDX2250D scans and cuts fabric, paper and vinyl. The SP1 and HL-JF1 PrintModa Studio print your own designs onto fabric before you sew with them.
What Type of Brother Machine Is Right for You?
Sewing machines come with three main control types: mechanical, computerised and touchscreen. This is all about preference in how you control your sewing machine and select stitches.
Most of the Brother range is computerised. Stitch selection, length and width are set with buttons and shown on a screen, so you can see exactly what the machine is set to before you sew.
The practical gain is that the machine holds settings, sets tension automatically on the higher models and adds features that are hard to build mechanically, like the auto thread cutter and needle up/down button.
The Innov-is 15 and SH40 are the entry points. The A series and F series sit in the middle, and the Inventio NV1350 and NV1850Q sit above them with a larger workspace, with automatic tension on the NV1850Q.
Mechanical machines use dials. You turn one to pick the stitch and others to set length and width. There is no screen and nothing to programme, which means less to learn and fewer electronics to go wrong.
The L14S, LX17 and LX25 cover home sewing and repairs. The HF37 Strong and Tough is the heavy duty option, built for denim and canvas, and the PQ1600S is a mechanical straight stitch machine built for quilt piecing at speed.
A mechanical machine is not a lesser machine. For someone sewing straight seams, hems and the occasional buttonhole, the dials are quicker than working through a menu.
Touchscreen machines are computerised machines where the screen itself is the control. You tap the stitch you want and adjust it on screen, and on the embroidery models you can position, rotate and resize a design before stitching it.
Seven of the Brother sewing machines we stock work this way: the M380, F580, NV2700, VQ2, V5LE, Celeste CX1 and Stellaire XJ2. The embroidery-only machines are all touchscreen too.
The screen matters most for embroidery, where you are editing a design, not picking a stitch. For sewing alone it is a convenience rather than a capability, so it is worth being clear which of the two you are buying.
What to Consider When Buying a Brother
Brother machines come with three years of parts and labour cover for domestic use, and the Stellaire XJ2 and Celeste CX1 cover five years. That length of cover is a reasonable proxy for how long Brother expects the machine to last, which is the useful thing it tells you at the point of choosing. Full terms are in the warranty section further down.
Regular servicing is what keeps a machine going well beyond the warranty. A service covers internal cleaning, oiling, maintenance and minor adjustments, which means the timing stays accurate and the stitch stays even. Always use an authorised service centre, because work carried out elsewhere can affect your warranty validity. Our workshop in Redruth, Cornwall is authorised for every brand we sell.
What you get for the money divides into four groups as you move up the range: automation, workspace, stitch range and build. Automation covers the auto thread cutter, needle threader and automatic tension, which save time rather than change what the machine can sew. Workspace is the one that changes what you can physically make.
A machine chosen for the work you actually do will serve you better than a more expensive one bought for features you never reach for. Finance options are available if the machine that fits sits above budget.
Match the machine to how you sew as much as to what you sew. If it lives out on a table, weight is not a concern and workspace is worth paying for. If it goes back in a cupboard between projects, a hard case and a manageable weight matter more.
The A50 and A65 weigh around 6.5kg, which means carrying one to a class is realistic. The VQ2 at 15.3kg and Celeste CX1 at 17.1kg are permanent setups.
Fabric matters too. Heavy furnishing work asks for needle power and adjustable presser foot pressure. Fine dressmaking asks for controlled slow speed. The comparison table further down the page sets these out side by side.
Brother Workspace Size
Workspace is the distance between the needle and the body of the machine, sometimes called throat space. It decides how much fabric you can get through the machine, which is why it is the specification quilters look at first and dressmakers often overlook.
The A series gives 6.3 inches, which covers the A16, A50, A65, A150 and the Innov-is 15. The M380 gives 6.2 inches.
This is enough for dressmaking, repairs, home furnishings and small quilting projects, because most of what you sew passes through the machine rather than bunching up beside the needle.
The F420, F560 and F580 give 7.5 inches. The Inventio NV1350, NV1850Q and NV2700 give 8.3 inches, and the PQ1600S gives 8.7 inches.
That extra inch and a half to two inches over the A series sounds small and is not. It is the difference between rolling a quilt tightly to force it through and feeding it easily, which means less handling and straighter quilting lines over a long session.
The VQ2, V5LE, Celeste CX1 and Stellaire XJ2 all give 11.25 inches.
This is longarm territory, intended for full-size quilts and free motion work across a whole quilt sandwich. If quilting is the main reason you are buying, this is the specification that changes what you can realistically finish at home.
An extension table clips around the free arm to give a flat, continuous surface, which means large fabric is supported instead of hanging off the edge and dragging the stitch.
The Inventio NV1850Q, Celeste CX1 and PQ1600S include a wide table in the box. For other models, Brother makes tables to fit, including the WT9, WT12, WT13 and the WT10 for the V series, available in our extension tables collection.
Brother Machine Size
The size of your machine will affect not only the types and dimensions of projects you can tackle (think mending hems versus a king size quilt) but also where and how you’ll use it day to day; whether you take it to classes, whether you have a dedicated sewing space, and what you plan to make. Larger machines may offer more features or a sturdier build, but they’re heavier and take up more space. Smaller machines are easier to carry, take to classes and store.
The SH40 is the lightest machine in the range at 4.5kg. The A50 and A65 are 6.5kg, the A16, A150 and HF37 are 6.6kg, and the Innov-is 15 is 7kg.
The L14S at 4.7kg and the LX17 and LX25 at 4.8kg sit here too, making them the lightest machines in the range after the SH40. The A150 offers 150 stitches at the same weight as the entry machines.
If your machine goes back in a cupboard between projects, this is the group to look at. The M380 is here as well at 6.8kg, which makes it the lightest way into machine embroidery.
The F420 at 9kg, the F560 and F580 at 9.3kg, and the Inventio NV1350 and NV1850Q at 9.8kg.
Machines at this weight are usually left set up, not packed away, though they can still be moved by one person. The NV2700 at 10kg sits at the top of this group.
The F420, F560, F580, NV1350 and NV1850Q all include a hard case for the times they are not left out.
The VQ2 at 15.3kg and the V5LE at 15.4kg. The PQ1600S sits here too.
These need a dedicated table, and enough room behind and to the left for fabric to move freely. The longarm models need more space than their footprint suggests, because a quilt extends well beyond the machine itself.
The Celeste CX1 at 17.1kg and the Stellaire XJ2 at 17kg are permanent setups on a dedicated table or in a sewing cabinet.
Brother classes the embroidery machines for business use as not portable. The VR and PR1X are 31kg, the PR680W 38kg and the PR1060W 41.8kg. These are delivered on a pallet with a pre-arranged weekday slot and are not machines you move once sited.
Brother Sewing Machine Prices
Price tracks control type, workspace, automation, embroidery capability and what comes in the box. Stitch count rises too, though it matters less than the rest. What price does not tell you is how well the machine is made, because every machine in the Brother range is built to the same standards.
Six machines sit here. The L14S, LX17 and LX25 cover repairs, hemming and straightforward dressmaking on dials.
Three are worth knowing about specifically. The HF37 Strong and Tough is built for denim and canvas, so it is the one to look at if your sewing is heavy rather than decorative. The SH40 and Innov-is 15 are the most affordable computerised Brothers we stock, with on-screen settings, a needle threader and speed control.
The A series occupies most of this bracket, from the A16 up to the A150, with the F420 at the top.
What the money buys is automation and stitch range. Moving up the A series takes you from 16 stitches to 150, adding a backlit screen, an auto thread cutter and built-in alphabets along the way. The F420 steps up again with 190mm of workspace and a knee lift.
Workspace is what separates this bracket from the one below. The F560 gives 7.5 inches of workspace, and the Inventio NV1350 and NV1850Q give 8.3 inches.
Two specialists sit here too. The M380 sews and embroiders, which makes it the least expensive way into machine embroidery in the Brother range. The PQ1600S sews straight stitch only at up to 1,500 stitches per minute, built for piecing quilts, not general sewing.
Buying here usually means committing to a machine that lives out, not one that gets put away.
Six machines, and they divide by what they are for rather than by price. The F580, NV2700 and V5LE sew and embroider. The VQ2 is a longarm built for quilting, with 11.25 inches of throat space.
At the top, the Celeste CX1 and Stellaire XJ2 both offer 760 stitches and an 11.25 inch workspace, with the XJ2 adding a 360 x 240mm embroidery area. Both carry five years of Brother cover instead of the usual three.
Finance is available across this bracket, and most people buying at this level are trading up from a machine they already own, so our part exchange programme can put its value towards the new one.
Anna's Brother Range Walkthrough
Anna, our machine expert, walks the full Brother wall in the video below and shows you the differences between the series, which are set out in full underneath.
The Brother Range Explained
Entry-Level Mechanical Machines
Dial-controlled machines covering clothing repairs, simple dressmaking and craft projects. All three have a top-loading drop-in bobbin, a 4-step buttonhole and a free arm for cuffs and sleeves. Stitch count is what changes as you move up: 14 on the L14S, 17 on the LX17 and 25 on the LX25. At 4.7 to 4.8kg they are among the most portable machines in the range to take to a class.
Entry-Level Computerised Machines
The first step into computerised sewing. The SH40 has an LCD display and 40 stitch functions including five one-step buttonhole styles, so settings are shown on screen instead of reading off a dial. The Innov-is 15 sits alongside it with fewer stitches but a faster 850 stitches per minute top speed. Both have a needle threader, a speed control slider, a start and stop button and droppable feed dogs for free-motion work.
The A Series
Compact computerised machines and the range most people mean when they say they want a Brother. The A16 starts with 16 stitches, three of them buttonhole styles. The A50 takes that to 50 stitches with a larger backlit LCD screen. The A65 brings 60 stitches, an auto thread cutter and a hard case. The A150 tops the range with 150 stitches and four built-in alphabets. All four share a 6.3 inch workspace.
The F Series
A step up in workspace and stitch range. The F420 gives 190mm, which is 7.5 inches, to the right of the needle plus a knee lift, so that you can raise the presser foot without taking your hands off the fabric while you quilt. The F560 matches that workspace and adds 241 stitches with the My Custom Stitch function for designing your own.
Strong and Tough Heavy Duty
The HF37 is the Brother heavy duty sewing machine, built for denim, canvas and repeated hard work. It has dial-controlled stitch length and width, which gives direct control over hems and seams, and it handles stretch fabrics as well as heavyweight ones. Worth considering over an A series machine if most of your sewing is repairs to heavy duty fabrics or thick home furnishing material.
The Inventio Series
Brother's computerised sewing and quilting series, both with a 210mm (8.3 inch) workspace and the Square Feed Drive System for even feeding across layers. The NV1350 has 182 stitches with five built-in alphabets in upper and lower case. The NV1850Q adds 232 stitches, the pivot function and automatic tension, plus a wide extension table in the box.
Straight Stitch
The PQ1600S does one stitch and does it at up to 1,500 stitches per minute. That speed and its semi-industrial build suit sewers working to volume, in a workshop or a production setting, rather than anyone wanting stitch variety. Quilters do use it for piecing, and it comes with a knee lift and a wide table as standard.
Longarm Quilting
The VQ2 is a fully computerised longarm with 11.25 inches of workspace to the right of the needle, 473 stitches and speeds to 1,050 stitches per minute. That depth is for quilters working across a full quilt sandwich, and for anyone handling bulk and weight, like heavy curtains or a winter coat.
Sewing and Embroidery Combination
One machine for both jobs. The M380 combines 181 stitches with a 100 x 100mm embroidery frame and Wi-Fi in a compact body. The F580 offers 241 stitches and 180 x 130mm. The NV2700 brings 291 stitches and 260 x 160mm. The V5LE has 652 stitches and 300 x 200mm. The Expedition BX1 tops the group with 754 stitches and 360 x 200mm.
Top of the Range
Brother's flagship machines are a significant investment. The Celeste CX1 is sewing and quilting only, with 760 stitches, an 11.25 inch workspace and stitch regulation that adjusts needle timing to your fabric feed. The Stellaire XJ2 matches that and adds a 360 x 240mm embroidery area. Both carry a five year Brother warranty rather than the standard three.
Embroidery Only Machines
Machines that embroider and do not sew, which suits anyone who already has a sewing machine. The domestic range runs from the F540E at 180 x 130mm up to Expedition BX1e at 360 x 200mm and the Stellaire XE2 at 360 x 240mm. For embroidering to sell, the single-needle VR and PR1X and the multi-needle PR680W and PR1060W change colour without stopping to rethread. Covered in full in our embroidery machine buyers guide.
Overlockers, Coverstitch and Craft Machines
Brother's overlocker range includes from the entry level 2104D model right through to the Airflow 3000 with air threading technology. The CV3440 and CV3550 coverstitch machines sit alongside them, all covered in full in our overlocker buyers guide. The craft side includes the ScanNCut SDX2250D machine, the SP1 sublimation printer and the HL-JF1 PrintModa Studio fabric printer.
Compare Brother Models
The table below lets you compare Brother sewing machines side by side, every model we stock. Specification tables are easy to read badly though, because the numbers that look most impressive are usually the ones that matter least, so it is worth knowing what to weigh before you start.
Workspace is the one to look at first if you quilt. It is the only specification here that changes what you can physically make, and it cannot be added later. Stitch count works the other way. The gap between 60 stitches and 150 sounds large, but most sewers use fewer than ten regularly and the rest are decorative, so it is a poor way to rank machines against each other.
Automation sits in between. An auto thread cutter, needle threader and automatic tension do not change what a machine can sew, they change how long it takes and how much of the fiddly work falls to you. Whether that is worth paying for depends on how often you sew, not what you make. Everything else here, from buttonhole styles to whether a hard case is included, is worth checking against your own sewing rather than compared across the range.
| Model | Series | Control type | Stitches | Buttonhole styles | Workspace | Weight | Needle threader | Auto thread cutter | Drop feed | Hard cover | Price | Product page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother L14SEntry mechanical | Entry mechanical | Mechanical | 14 | 1 | 6 in | 4.7 kg | Not fitted | No | No | No | £115 | View |
| Brother LX17Entry mechanical | Entry mechanical | Mechanical | 17 | 1 | 6 in | 4.8 kg | Not fitted | No | No | No | £129 | View |
| Brother LX25Entry mechanical | Entry mechanical | Mechanical | 25 | 1 | 6 in | 4.8 kg | Not fitted | No | No | No | £139 | View |
| Brother SH40Entry computerised | Entry computerised | Computerised | 40 | 5 | 6.3 in | 4.5 kg | Standard | No | Manual | No | £239 | View |
| Brother HF37 Strong & ToughStrong and Tough heavy duty | Strong and Tough heavy duty | Mechanical | 37 | 1 | 6.2 in | 6.6 kg | Standard | No | Manual | Yes | £265 | View |
| Brother Innov-is 15Entry computerised | Entry computerised | Computerised | 16 | 3 | 6.3 in | 7 kg | Standard | No | Manual | No | £289 | View |
| Brother Innov-is A16A series | A series | Computerised | 16 | 3 | 6.3 in | 6.6 kg | Advanced | No | Manual | No | £369 | View |
| Brother Innov-is A50A series | A series | Computerised | 50 | 5 | 6.3 in | 6.5 kg | Advanced | No | Manual | No | £419 | View |
| Brother Innov-is A65A series | A series | Computerised | 60 | 6 | 6.3 in | 6.5 kg | Advanced | Yes | Manual | Yes | £479 | View |
| Brother Innov-is A150A series | A series | Computerised | 150 | 10 | 6.3 in | 6.6 kg | Advanced | Yes | Manual | No | £579 | View |
| Brother Innov-is F420F series | F series | Computerised | 140 | 10 | 7.5 in | 9 kg | Extra Advanced | Yes | Manual | Yes | £669 | View |
| Brother Disney Innov-is M380DSewing and embroidery combination | Sewing and embroidery combination | Touchscreen | 181 | 10 | 6.2 in | 6.8 kg | Advanced | Yes | Manual | Yes | – | |
| Brother Innov-is F560F series | F series | Computerised | 241 | 10 | 7.5 in | 9.3 kg | Advanced | Yes | Manual | Yes | £849 | View |
| Brother PQ1600SStraight stitch and long arm quilting | Straight stitch and long arm quilting | Mechanical | 1 | 0 | 8.7 in | 12 kg | Standard | Yes | Manual | No | £999 | View |
| Brother Inventio NV1350Inventio | Inventio | Computerised | 182 | 10 | 8.3 in | 9.8 kg | Advanced | Yes | Manual | Yes | £1,099 | View |
| Brother Inventio NV1850QInventio | Inventio | Computerised | 232 | 10 | 8.3 in | 9.8 kg | Advanced | Yes | Manual | Yes | £1,199 | View |
| Brother Innov-is F580Sewing and embroidery combination | Sewing and embroidery combination | Touchscreen | 241 | 10 | 7.5 in | 9.3 kg | Extra Advanced | Yes | Manual | Yes | £1,499 | View |
| Brother Innov-is VQ2Straight stitch and long arm quilting | Straight stitch and long arm quilting | Touchscreen | 473 | 14 | 11.25 in | 15.3 kg | Automatic | Yes | Electronic | No | £1,999 | View |
| Brother Innov-is NV2700Sewing and embroidery combination | Sewing and embroidery combination | Touchscreen | 291 | 10 | 8.3 in | 10 kg | Advanced | Yes | Manual | No | £2,199 | View |
| Brother Innov-is V5LESewing and embroidery combination | Sewing and embroidery combination | Touchscreen | 652 | 14 | 11.25 in | 15.4 kg | Automatic | Yes | Electronic | No | £2,999 | View |
| Brother Celeste CX1Top of the range | Top of the range | Touchscreen | 760 | 16 | 11.25 in | 17.1 kg | Automatic | Yes | Electronic | No | £3,999 | View |
| Brother Stellaire Innov-is XJ2Top of the range | Top of the range | Touchscreen | 760 | 16 | 11.25 in | 17 kg | Automatic | Yes | Electronic | No | £6,749 | View |
Stitch counts include buttonhole styles. Workspace is the distance between the needle and the body of the machine, measured in inches.
Brother Warranty and Servicing
Buying from an authorised dealer changes what happens after the sale. Warranty claims, servicing and getting the right accessory all run through the shop that sold you the machine, which is the part no manufacturer page can help you with.
Brother sewing machine warranty cover in the UK runs to three years of parts and labour for domestic use. The Stellaire XJ2 and Celeste CX1 carry five, and the VR carries two. If a machine is put to business use or used for teaching, cover is one year, and machines bought at educational prices are not covered.
You do not need to register the machine, but keep your receipt, because that establishes the purchase date. Manufacturer warranties are generally non-transferable, so a machine bought as a gift is covered for the person who bought it.
The warranty covers manufacturing defects. It does not cover accidental damage, wear and tear, timing, or consumable parts such as needles, bobbins, bobbin cases, needle plates, belts and needle threaders. Repairs carried out by anyone other than an authorised service centre can void it. Full terms are on our warranty page.
Brother sewing machine servicing keeps a machine stitching accurately. Annual servicing suits a machine in regular use, and a machine that sews daily benefits from being seen more often. Booking before a big project rather than after a problem is the way to keep a machine out of the repair queue.
We have run our own workshop for over 20 years, so warranty work and routine servicing are both handled in-house, including on the Brother PR machines. Machines are booked in at our Redruth shop, not over the phone or by courier, and they are handled in the order they arrive. Turnaround varies with workshop demand, so ask when you book in.
If Cornwall is not within reach, any Brother authorised dealer can service your machine.
Presser feet are broadly shared across Brother's domestic range, so a foot bought for one machine will usually fit the next one you own. The thing to check is width. Brother makes the walking foot in both 5mm and 7mm versions, and the wrong one will not feed correctly.
Embroidery hoops are not shared. The EF frames, the magnetic MF180N made for the F series, the VR frames and the PR frames are not interchangeable.
Wide tables are model specific too. The WT9, WT10, WT12 and WT13 each fit particular machines, and the PR series has its own.
Our Brother accessories collection shows which feet and frames fit which machines, or chat with one of our machine experts online or contact us and we will confirm it.
When a Different Brand Might Suit You Better
We sell seven brands, so we have no reason to steer you towards one. Brother suits most people looking for a computerised machine at a sensible price, with a wide range and a strong dealer network behind it. There are situations where we would point you elsewhere.
If you sew a lot of layers, PFAFF machines from the ambition range up have the Integrated Dual Feed system built into the machine rather than added as a walking foot, which means the top and bottom layers feed together without fitting anything. Quilters and anyone working with slippery or bulky fabric tend to notice the difference straight away.
If you expect to keep the machine for decades, BERNINA sewing and embroidery machines carry a seven year warranty, the longest of any brand we sell, on the condition that the machine is serviced every two years.
If overlocking is the main thing you want to do rather than an addition to your sewing, baby lock built its reputation on air threading, which threads the loopers at the touch of a button instead of by hand.
Our Janome and BERNINA guides cover those ranges in the same detail as this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the letters in Brother model numbers mean?
The letters group machines loosely rather than precisely. L and LX are entry-level mechanical, A is compact computerised, HF is heavy duty and PR is for embroidery in a business setting. The larger groups are less reliable, because F and NV each cover machines that sew, machines that do both and machines that only embroider. The suffixes are the useful part: E means embroidery only and Q means the machine is set up for quilting.
What is the difference between Innov-is, NV and Inventio?
Nothing that changes what the machine does. Innov-is is Brother's name for its computerised machines and NV is the same name shortened, so the Innov-is NV2700 and the NV2700 are one machine. Inventio is a newer name covering the NV1350 and NV1850Q. What actually separates these machines is workspace, automation and stitch range, all of which are set out in our comparison table.
Which Brother sewing machine is best for a beginner?
Start with what you want to sew. For simple clothing repairs, beginner dressmaking and general crafting, the L14S, LX17 and SH40 are ideal. Step up in budget to the Innov-is 15 or A16 for a larger stitch range and, on the A16, a more advanced needle threader. For beginner quilting, the A65 will take you from beginner to intermediate in no time. If you are unsure, use our free Machine Match Service for a personalised recommendation.
What is the difference between the Brother A16, A50, A65 and A150?
They are the same family of compact computerised machines with more added as you move up. The A16 has 16 stitches including three buttonhole styles, the A50 has 50 stitches and a larger backlit screen, the A65 has 60 stitches with an auto thread cutter and hard case, and the A150 has 150 stitches with four built-in alphabets. All four share the same 6.3 inch workspace and weigh around 6.5kg.
Why can't I buy the Brother model I saw recommended online?
Brother sells different machines under different names in different markets, and a lot of the sewing content online is written for the United States. Models such as the CS7000X, XR9550 and ST371HD are not sold in the UK. Chat with one of our machine experts online or contact us and we will tell you the closest machine we stock. You can also use our free Machine Match Service for a personalised recommendation of Brother sewing machines available in the UK.
Are Brother sewing machines good quality?
Yes. Brother has been making sewing machines for over a century, and every machine in the range is built to the same standards, from the entry mechanicals up to the Stellaire and Celeste models. Each one is assembled by hand, carries three years of domestic cover as standard and is backed by a UK dealer and service network. What changes as you move up the range is workspace, automation and how much the machine does for you, not how well the machine is made.
Where are Brother sewing machines made?
Brother Industries is a Japanese company and has been making sewing machines for over a century. Manufacturing is spread across several countries and varies by model, so the country of origin for a particular machine is stated on its own documentation and packaging rather than being the same across the range.
Do Brother machines come with a warranty?
Yes. Brother machines carry three years of parts and labour cover for domestic use, and the Stellaire XJ2 and Celeste CX1 carry five. Cover is one year for business use or teaching, and you do not need to register the machine, though you should keep your receipt.
Can I use the same presser feet across different Brother models?
Usually yes, within Brother's domestic range. Check the shank height and the foot width before buying, because the walking foot comes in 5mm and 7mm versions and the wrong one will not feed correctly. Our accessories collection shows which feet fit which machines.
Can I upload my own designs to a Brother embroidery machine?
Yes, on the machines that embroider. Every Brother embroidery machine we stock has a USB port for transferring designs, and most also work with Brother's Design Database Transfer app, which sends designs from a Windows PC to the machine. Brother's PE Design software turns your own artwork into a stitchable file.
Still Not Sure Which Brother Sewing Machine to Buy?
There are twenty-four Brother sewing machines in the range, which is a lot to weigh up on your own. Book our free Machine Match Service and one of our machine experts will send you a personalised recommendation based on what you sew, your budget and the features that matter to you. You can also chat with us online if you would rather talk it through.
