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Singer 4452 Heavy Duty Review

An average machine with some nice features but a higher price than we think is warranted
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Singer 4452 Heavy Duty Review (Adjusting the tension is simple, just a matter of turning a dial.)
Adjusting the tension is simple, just a matter of turning a dial.
Credit: Laura Casner
Price:  $310 List
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Manufacturer:   Singer
By Ruth Bruckbauer and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Jun 12, 2023
57
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#13 of 15
  • Sewing - 45% 5.1
  • Ease of use - 35% 6.2
  • Buttonholes - 20% 6.4

Our Verdict

Not everyone is going to be sewing clothes for their children or grandchildren, so we wanted to include a couple of heavy-duty sewing machines for those who need to repair duffel bags, backpacks, sails, or outdoor furniture cushions. We had hoped that the Singer 4452 Heavy Duty would be one that we wanted to tell all our friends about, but alas. This sewing machine fell to the bottom of our test suite after an average performance overall and a low score in our sewing tests. Combine that with the heftier price page, and this just isn't a machine we would recommend.
REASONS TO BUY
Light provided by the machine is excellent
REASONS TO AVOID
No included paper manual
Editor's Note: We reviewed and updated this article on June 12, 2023, to include relevant comparisons to other sewing machines we've tested and more results from our latest round of testing.

Compare to Similar Products

 
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 $310 List
$199.99 at Amazon
$260 List
$259.99 at Amazon
$300 List$240 List
$239.99 at Amazon
$150 List
$149.70 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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79
75
75
72
Star Rating
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Bottom Line This average machine has some good features but is costly for what it is and how it performsA 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 stitchingA user-friendly model that works well on all the basics except for buttonholes, and comes at an affordable priceA beginner would really like this machine since it's easy-to-use and inexpensive
Rating Categories Singer 4452 Heavy Duty Brother HC1850 Singer 7258 Stylist Brother CS7000X Brother CS5055
Sewing (45%)
5.1
7.8
7.5
7.4
6.8
Ease of use (35%)
6.2
9.3
7.8
9.2
8.0
Buttonholes (20%)
6.4
5.6
7.2
4.8
6.8
Specs Singer 4452 Heavy Duty Brother HC1850 Singer 7258 Stylist Brother CS7000X Brother CS5055
# of Built-in Stitches 32 185 100 70 60
# of Buttonhole Styles 1 8 6 7 7
Automatic Bobbin Winder Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Manufacturer Stated Maximum Sewing Speed (stitches per minute) 1,100 850 750 750 750
Computerized? No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Buttonhole Sewing (number of steps) 1-Step 1-Step 1-Step 1-Step 1-Step
Maximum Stitch Width 6mm 7mm 6mm 7mm 7mm
Maximum Stitch Length 4mm 5mm 4.8mm 5mm 5mm
Thread Cutter Built-in Built-in Built-in Built-in Built-in
Cover Soft No Soft Hard No
Free Arm Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Measured Weight 14.5 lbs 10.5 lbs 14.6 lbs 10.4 lbs 10.8 lbs

Our Analysis and Test Results

While one of the higher-end models of the Singer Heavy Duty line, the 4452 felt a little overpriced relative to its performance. This lackluster performance does not merit its list price, and even though it can usually be found at a discounted price, it still feels like a stretch to justify its cost.

Performance Comparison


singer 4452 heavy duty - the heavy duty part of the singer heavy duty didn't really live up...
The heavy duty part of the Singer Heavy Duty didn't really live up it its name.
Credit: Laura Casner

Sewing


The 4452 did not deliver a standout performance in our sewing tests. We compared each product's performance on a handful of different stitches over nine different fabrics. We found that the straight stitch, zigzag stitch, scallop stitch, and attaching a zipper were the most disappointing. This machine performed well on the long straight stitch, except that it had a tendency to bunch up on our cotton test swatch.

The 4452 Heavy Duty struggled even more on the zigzag stitch, producing some of the lowest quality stitches out of all the tested machines. This problem appeared to be rooted in the inconsistent top thread tension, alternating between too loose or too tight and bunching up the fabric. The scallop and blind hem stitch quality rated even lower, and sewing multiple layers of denim was just awful. In fact, in the denim test, the stitches were tiny, even at the longest setting, and at one point, bent the needle so that it hit the presser plate. This is not what we would expect from a machine with “heavy-duty” in the name.

singer 4452 heavy duty - this sewing machine has great lighting, but the results of our...
This sewing machine has great lighting, but the results of our stitch tests were underwhelming.
Credit: Laura Casner

Ease of Use


The 4452 Heavy Duty is a relatively simple machine, so it scored a little above average in this category. It doesn't have a lot of features to confuse a newer sewist, so it's a safe bet for a newbie.

singer 4452 heavy duty - simple, clean lines and knobs with which to choose the stitches.
Simple, clean lines and knobs with which to choose the stitches.
Credit: Laura Casner

The directions on this machine are simple enough, but the mechanical stitch selection system is initially confusing. This machine also lacks recommendations for which presser foot is the most effective for different stitches, despite everything else being clearly labeled. That said, with a little experience, it all becomes manageable — as with most things.

The 4452 scored lower than we expected for stitching. However, we were pleasantly surprised at how awesome the labeling was for the stitch setup, and threading the machine and bobbin is simple and easy to execute. The tension adjustment is also simple, just a matter of turning a dial, and the lightning is top-notch.

Adjusting the tension is simple, just a matter of turning a dial.
Adjusting the tension is simple, just a matter of turning a dial.
Good, clean, clear lighting with this sewing machine.
Good, clean, clear lighting with this sewing machine.
Turning a dial makes adjusting this machine's settings easy and the bright light effectively illuminates projects.

Buttonholes


The Singer 4452 Heavy Duty earned a respectable score for setting up buttonholes by lining them up in the correct location. As this is a mechanical machine, it requires slightly more setup than the others, requiring you to drop a lever down and set it to act as a stop. This machine also does not shut off automatically, so you'll need to pay attention so it doesn't keep sewing long past the end of your buttonhole.

singer 4452 heavy duty - threading the singer heavy duty.
Threading the Singer Heavy Duty.
Credit: Laura Casner

Should You Buy the Singer 4452 Heavy Duty?


We felt that the 4452 was overall only an average machine with an above-average price. There are better options, especially for a beginning seamstress or tailor. Even if you're specifically after the “heavy duty” functionality, this model just can't quite deliver.

singer 4452 heavy duty - most things on this machine are clearly labeled.
Most things on this machine are clearly labeled.
Credit: Laura Casner

What Other Sewing Machines Should You Consider?


Despite the higher price, the Singer 4452 Heavy Duty landed very near the bottom of our lineup. It has some nice features that don't justify the cost, and the performance doesn't live up to the robust name. Though it's not specifically a heavy-duty machine, the Brother HC1850 offers excellent performance for about the same price and is one of our favorite machines to use. If you love the Singer name, consider the Singer 7258 Stylist, which did very well in all our metrics and costs about the same as the 4452. If you're ready for an upgrade, the Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist is a top-tier machine that creates 600 beautiful types of stitches, superb buttonholes, and is easy to use.

Ruth Bruckbauer and Austin Palmer