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Brother CS7000X Review

An easy to use option that meets most basic needs for a reasonable price
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Brother CS7000X Review (The CS7000X is a solid computerized sewing machine that does pretty much everything the hobbyist might want - other...)
The CS7000X is a solid computerized sewing machine that does pretty much everything the hobbyist might want - other than clean buttonholes.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $240 List
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Manufacturer:   Brother
By Jessica Riconscente, Austin Palmer, and Maggie Nichols  ⋅  Jun 12, 2023
75
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#6 of 15
  • Sewing - 45% 7.4
  • Ease of use - 35% 9.2
  • Buttonholes - 20% 4.8

Our Verdict

This surprisingly affordable sewing machine is a solid all-around performer with enough adjustability to tackle most at-home projects that don't involve buttonholes. The Brother CS7000X comes with enough stitch options for basic tasks and solid functionality. An easy-to-use computerized interface makes it simple to select your settings and change thread tension as needed. Though its screen doesn't light up, the project light underneath is one of our favorites. This machine's one downfall is making buttonholes, which don't turn out particularly neat-looking. But for most folks with basic sewing projects, this affordable Brother machine is a solid choice.
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent light
Retractable spool holder
Very easy stitch selection
REASONS TO AVOID
Pedal-less sewing button doesn't light up
Screen doesn't light up
Buttonholes are harder to sew

Compare to Similar Products

 
brother cs7000x
This Product
Brother CS7000X
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Sewing Machine for Most People
Top Pick Award
Best High-Value Buttonhole Maker
 Best Buy Award
Best Bang for Your Buck
Price $240 List
$239.99 at Amazon
$260 List
$259.99 at Amazon
$300 List$230 List
$229.99 at Amazon
$150 List
$129.99 at Amazon
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Bottom Line A user-friendly model that works well on all the basics except for buttonholes, and comes at an affordable priceA simple to use option with lots of stitches, an excellent screen, and an affordable price, but isn't the cleanest buttonhole makerThis is a great machine for just about everyone, although a serious sewist may want a machine with better quality stitchingAn inexpensive, easy-to-use sewing machine that provides consistent sewing but has some trouble with buttonholes and winding the bobbinA beginner would really like this machine since it's easy-to-use and inexpensive
Rating Categories Brother CS7000X Brother HC1850 Singer 7258 Stylist Brother XR9550 Brother CS5055
Sewing (45%)
7.4
7.8
7.5
7.4
6.8
Ease of use (35%)
9.2
9.3
7.8
8.9
8.0
Buttonholes (20%)
4.8
5.6
7.2
4.8
6.8
Specs Brother CS7000X Brother HC1850 Singer 7258 Stylist Brother XR9550 Brother CS5055
# of Built-in Stitches 70 185 100 165 60
# of Buttonhole Styles 7 8 6 8 7
Automatic Bobbin Winder Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Manufacturer Stated Maximum Sewing Speed (stitches per minute) 750 850 750 850 750
Computerized? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Buttonhole Sewing (number of steps) 1-Step 1-Step 1-Step 1-Step 1-Step
Maximum Stitch Width 7mm 7mm 6mm 7mm 7mm
Maximum Stitch Length 5mm 5mm 4.8mm 5mm 5mm
Thread Cutter Built-in Built-in Built-in Built-in Built-in
Cover Hard No Soft Hard No
Free Arm Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Measured Weight 10.4 lbs 10.5 lbs 14.6 lbs 12.1 Ibs 10.8 lbs

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Brother CS7000X is an easy-to-use sewing machine that meets the basic requirements of most in-home sewing projects. It's lightweight, at just 10.4 pounds, and offers 70 stitch options. Though its screen is smaller and doesn't light up, this computerized model is still a very handy and functional option for folks searching to sew on a budget.

Performance Comparison


brother cs7000x - the cs7000x has the right functionality for most basic projects and...
The CS7000X has the right functionality for most basic projects and comes at a reasonable price.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Sewing


Sewing the most basic stitches, like a running stitch and basting stitch, the CS7000X did well across all fabrics. On its default settings, these stitches are the right tension, creating little to no bunching on the many fabrics we tested. On zig-zag stitches and blind hems, some minor tweaks in the top thread's tension make for better stitches.

Stitch samples on delicate chiffon.
Stitch samples on delicate chiffon.
Stitch samples on silk.
Stitch samples on silk.
Comparing basic stitches on delicate chiffon (blue, left) to those on silk (orange, right).

This effect was even more noticeable on scalloped stitches. From the front, these look mostly uniform, but on the back side of the fabric, the lower tension of the top thread is more obvious as it pulls through to the backside. The triangular stitch we tested doesn't quite produce the crisp, straight angles and edges you'd hope for, and some inconsistencies from stitch to stitch along the length of the seam are noticeable. Some tension issues can easily be fixed in the settings of the CS7000X, but others can't.

The front side of scalloped stitches (arched stitches in the center)...
The front side of scalloped stitches (arched stitches in the center) on silk.
The wrong side of scalloped stitches, showing the top red thread...
The wrong side of scalloped stitches, showing the top red thread pulling through.
By using contrasting colors, it's more obvious to see where the top red thread pulls through to the bottom side (green thread).

The CS7000X sewed through eight layers of 12-ounce denim with no struggles at all. It performed similarly well in our quilting tests, producing the same stitch results through two layers of cotton muslin and two layers of quilt batting as it did through double layers of silk, satin, and cotton jersey. Installing a zipper posed some minor challenges for this machine, as the foot struggled to raise quite high enough for easy passage of the zipper pull. That said, a few practice runs allowed us to learn this machine's quirks and even out the side seams, keeping them nice and close to the teeth.

brother cs7000x - the cs7000x had only minor challenges installing zippers, but...
The CS7000X had only minor challenges installing zippers, but ultimately created straight, tight stitches close to the teeth.
Credit: Maggie Nichols

Ease of Use


Though a selection of 70 unique stitches may not seem impressive when some machines have hundreds, the CS7000X still has more stitches than most sewing machines we tested, and all the right ones for most projects. The screen isn't overly large or lit, but the stitch selection is one of the easiest we've seen. Separate forward and backward buttons let you easily select each numeral on the screen to quickly choose your desired stitch without worrying you'll go past it. The numbers also scroll all the way through, with 9 connecting to 0 and vice versa. This may seem like a small detail, but after using these machines for hours on end, the small details really add up to big differences.

brother cs7000x - select your desired stitch from one of 70 clearly labeled options on...
Select your desired stitch from one of 70 clearly labeled options on the CS7000X.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The bobbin winding mechanism on the CS7000X includes a retractable spool holder on the top. Once getting the hang of this machine's specifics, it is easy to wind the bobbins it comes with. However, the bobbins consistently ended up loaded a bit bottom-heavy. This never affected performance, but it is a noticeable difference and can stop you from loading as much thread as you may want. The thread cutter is located in the middle of the left side, which is a slightly less convenient location than on the back corner, as some models have. Still, it works well once you're used to it.

brother cs7000x - the included bobbins are nice but the winding process regularly...
The included bobbins are nice but the winding process regularly resulted in inconsistent results, as seen on this bottom-heavy example.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente

The needle stop position button is configurable, meaning you can tell the CS7000X if you want it to default to stop in or out of the fabric when pressed — or simply go to the opposite of whatever position it was when you pressed it. The project light on this machine is also one of the best. It's bright, has a wide coverage area, and doesn't create as many distracting shadows as others.

brother cs7000x - the bright light on the cs7000x is one of our favorites.
The bright light on the CS7000X is one of our favorites.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Buttonholes


Setting up the CS7000X to create buttonholes is a straightforward task. The button foot has a slider adjustment that you simply stick the button in. Colored lines on the opposite end of the button foot make it easy to line everything up on your fabric. When the machine has finished making the buttonhole, it stops itself, preventing you from trying to guess where the buttonhole should end.

brother cs7000x - the sliding adjustable button foot makes sizing your buttonhole a...
The sliding adjustable button foot makes sizing your buttonhole a cinch.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

However, like most Brother machines we tested, the CS7000X tends to jump at the start of a buttonhole, placing stitches up to a quarter inch away from the buttonhole itself. In some of our tests, the buttonhole was so tight in the center that we had a difficult time cutting the holes open afterward. This machine struggled to create attractive buttonholes on cotton jersey and silk, leaving uneven stitches and large gaps around the edges. It made decent buttonholes in cotton muslin, though, with mostly clean lines and nearly uniform stitches.

The 1-step buttonhole process was easy, but the buttonholes the CS7000X created aren't the cleanest or prettiest.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Should You Buy the Brother CS7000X?


The CS7000X is a solid budget-friendly sewing machine for most basic at-home projects. It has plenty of stitch options to choose from and an easy-to-use interface. On the flip side, the small, unlit screen isn't the best for troubled eyesight, and it doesn't make the best buttonholes. However, for those looking for an affordable computerized machine, this one is a solid choice.

brother cs7000x - this machine has all the basics for a reasonable price in an...
This machine has all the basics for a reasonable price in an easy-to-use package.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

What Other Sewing Machines Should You Consider?


If you like the sound of the functionality and ease of use of this model but wish it had a larger screen and more interesting stitch options, check out the Brother HC1850. And if buttonholes are a priority, the Singer 7258 Stylist is one of the best at consistent buttonhole creation and offers solid all-around performance. But if you're not hung up on buttons or a large screen, the Brother CS7000X is a very usable, customizable computerized model that can help you save a few bucks.

brother cs7000x - get excited for your next project on the cs7000x.
Get excited for your next project on the CS7000X.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Jessica Riconscente, Austin Palmer, and Maggie Nichols