Juki HZL-F300 Review

The Juki HZL-F300 earned a top spot in our lineup by being a heavy-duty workhorse of a sewing machine, the only one we tested that could handle tricky fabrics and complex tasks this well. Juki Corporation is a Japanese manufacturer of industrial and domestic sewing machines and is ranked as the number one sewing machine manufacturer in the world. In our testing, the Juki lived up to this reputation by consistently earning top marks for ease of use and sewing ability. However, the price tag on this machine also matches the high performance. So if you think that the Juki is the machine for you, be prepared to spend some serious coinage.

Price aside, with top or near the top scores in almost every category, we were blown away by this machine's sewing speed and strength. We tested each machine on eight different fabrics, and except for a couple of stitches on one or two of the fabrics, the sewing on this Juki was a breeze.

Sewing

What really struck our reviewers about the Juki HZL-F300 was how well it went through multiple layers of denim. Our denim test consists of sewing through eight layers of 12 oz fabric, and we were so impressed with the machine's ability to power through the denim that we awarded a perfect score for that test. Even if you aren't patching denim, this test is indicative of the machine's ability to work through other tough materials. You may need to fix a strap on a backpack or duffel bag, or repair a leather bag; this machine will be perfect.

Not everyone will be sewing through thick, heavy fabrics, though. More typical is sewing using a basic straight stitch, basting stitch, and zigzags. Most people will only be using those stitches for the vast majority of their sewing, and we're pleased to say the Juki HZL-F300 rated very highly in this area.

The only stitch where the Juki scored just so-so was scallop stitches; getting the tension right on some of the more delicate fabrics we used was difficult. If you don't use a scallop stitch often, then this may not bother you, but it is one part of the complete picture of how this machine functions.

Zippers can be a major make-or-break feature of a sewing machine. Almost everyone who sews knows at least one person who goes to great lengths to avoid incorporating a zipper in their projects — maybe this is you. Oftentimes it is either too intimidating to figure out how to properly place a sew, or the machine itself makes it more of a pain than is warranted. If this is you, you'll be glad to know that the Juki HZL-F300 did not have this problem. In fact, it scored very well in our zipper test.

Not everything the Juki HZL-F300 does is perfect. Our testers had trouble with some stitches, finding that the tension was off on some finer materials. This is something you will need to spend some time and play with if you sew quite a bit with silks and chiffons, but for most people, it's not going to be a problem.

Ease of Use

No matter how expensive, powerful, or fancy a sewing machine is, you've only wasted your time and money if you can't figure out how to use it. Not only is the Juki among the easiest to use of the machines we tested, but the stitch quality also makes it worth the invested time to learn. This was the easiest machine to thread out of our entire lineup, and the thread cutter and lighting were also top-notch.

A small legend on the Juki shows a solid line (for machine threading) or a dotted line (for bobbin threading) and has numbers and arrows to help you too. And if you still get lost, there is a panel on top that flips up and provides lots of additional information, such as stitch selection and which presser foot to use with each selected stitch. At first this can seem overwhelming, but it's all well-organized. The three main stitch selection buttons give you various options using pictures, numbers, and letters within each stitch category.

The bobbin loads from the top on the HZL-F300, and it also has a small diagram you can follow. Rewinding the bobbin is super easy and very quiet, yet the bobbin rewinding tests we conducted came out unevenly loaded each time. So while the bobbin is easy to rewind and load into the sewing machine, it still scored just average in our testing.

This machine also has semi-automatic needle threading, which is huge for the older generation. You just hook the thread into the grip and then press a lever — and the machine does the rest. No more bending over trying to line up the end of the thread with the eye of the needle. This alone may be worth the price if it's something with which you struggle. The thread cutter is also fully automatic and perfectly placed.

For one of our testers, the lighting is one of the most important features of a sewing machine. The light on the HZL-F300 is clear, bright, and placed in the best possible location. There is a slight shadow on the needle penetration area, but not enough to make a difference.

One final thought. The instruction manual must be clear and understandable, or you will be disinclined to use your sewing machine. Juki seems to understand this and has written a user manual with lots of information, is cleanly laid out, and has wonderful stitch selection instructions.

Buttonholes

Buttonholes are another one of those things that most sewists can do just fine but that others try to avoid at all costs. Too many beautiful projects have been tossed aside because of ruined buttonholes.

The HZL-F300 scored slightly better than average in our buttonhole tests. The machine comes with a plate that clamps onto filmy, slippery fabrics to help keep them in place while working on your buttonhole. And this machine also has 16 different styles and sizes of buttonholes, far more than any other sewing machine we tested.

Should You Buy the Juki HZL-F300?

While the Juki HZL-F300 carries a hefty price tag, the pros far outweigh the cons if you are a serious sewer. Our testers also really appreciate that the foot pedal has a place at the bottom around which you can wrap the cord — a small detail, but one we appreciate. This machine has all the performance and features we could possibly want and is an excellent option if you're looking to level up your sewing game and can afford the premium price.

What Other Sewing Machines Should You Consider?