The 5 Best Sewing Machines of 2024

Best Overall Sewing Machine for Most People

Brother HC1850

The Brother HC1850 is the sewing machine we recommend for just about every at-home sewer, but especially those who value convenience and efficiency in their sewing. It is an exceptionally user-friendly machine that we find to be suitable for beginners but also able to handle more complicated sewing projects that you might take on with more experience, and, in the words of our reviewer, “I can't get over how easy it is to operate!” Another one of our testers noted that when setting up for a stitch, “I think other products make it more confusing than it needs to be, but with this machine, I felt that setup was simplistic and pretty straightforward.” This computerized model offers a selection of 185 stitch options and 8 different buttonhole styles, so you'll likely be able to find the perfect stitch for every project. Our tester liked the easy-to-read numerals on the digital screen, saying, “I find that the large light-up display makes it easy to find the right setting.” Another advantage of having a computerized model is the denoted default settings. The HC1850 makes it easier to remember how you adjusted your stitches and gives you a reference to help determine how you should adjust them for a new project. In terms of adjustability, it has a maximum stitch width of 7mm and a max stitch length of 5mm, both of which provide a greater range of adjustability than many other machines. For reference, lower-scoring products like the Janome MOD-19 offer max stitch width and length of just 5mm and 4mm, respectively.

# of Buttonhole Styles	8
# of Built-in Stitches	185
Automatic Bobbin Winder	Yes
Manufacturer Stated Maximum Sewing Speed (stitches per minute)	850
Computerized?	Yes

We find the 1-step buttonhole sewing process of the HC1850 to be infinitely easier than the 4-step method offered by others like the Janome, however, it can't quite match the quality and consistency offered by some others when making buttonholes. On easy fabrics like cotton muslin, buttonholes come out looking beautiful. However, the needle can jump at the start on many other fabrics, creating an odd off-shoot of the stitching. If your typical sewing projects include items like jackets, dress shirts, or blouses that feature button closures, the Singer 7258 Stylist earned one of the top scores for buttonhole quality and would be a good option to consider. However, if your plans for adding buttonholes are minimal, the HC1850 excels at everything else, and with a reasonable price, we solidly recommend this for pretty much any hobby sewer.

Read more: Brother HC1850 review

Best Bang for Your Buck

Brother CS5055

The Brother CS5055 is a reliable sewing machine that is offered at an attractive price for those who are just starting out on their sewing journey. Throughout our testing period, our favorite part about the CS5055 was how easy it was to use. The stitch setup process is one of the best in the group, and it is comparable to higher-end machines such as the Brother XR9550 in this test. One of our testers said “The threading directions are clearer to me than other machines.” You get numbered directions to follow for placing the bobbin and threading the machine, which is super handy if you are new to the ins and outs of sewing machines or use your machine infrequently and need a quick reminder before getting started. It offers a selection of 60 different stitch styles. This is not a lot compared to the 185 offered by the Brother HC1850, or the eye-popping 600 offered by the Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist. However, 60 stitch options is more than enough to cover your basic sewing and mending tasks. The computerized interface is easy to use, and our testers noted, “Even though the display screen is not backlit, I still found it pretty easy to read.” When it comes to stitch quality, we found that this model produced high-quality stitches with most of our test fabrics. The buttonhole setup is a little more involved, but the quality of the resulting buttonhole is above average compared to other models.

# of Buttonhole Styles	7
# of Built-in Stitches	60
Automatic Bobbin Winder	Yes
Manufacturer Stated Maximum Sewing Speed (stitches per minute)	750
Computerized?	Yes

While there is a lot to like about the CS5055, we were disappointed by the way this machine sewed a zipper. Specifically, we had a lot of trouble with the presser foot not feeling stable. We also had some slight issues with the bobbin tension; the CS5055 bunched up the fabric a bit in a few of our tests. Still, these are minor inconveniences for those looking for a great deal on a new sewing machine, especially for a beginner. If you are okay with spending a bit more, both the Brother CS7000X and the Brother HC1850 offer more precision and features that will be appreciated by more advanced tailors. But if you are new to sewing, or you know you will only be doing light repair work with your machine, then the Brother CS5055 is our top recommendation and a great way to save a little cash.

Read more: Brother CS5055 review

Best Premium Pick

Juki HZL-F300

The Juki HZL-F300 was our favorite overall sewing machine, showing some of the best sewing performance we have seen throughout our testing. It earned the highest overall score of the entire group with one reviewer saying, “I'm impressed, this machine is a powerhouse!” Not only does it handle basic stitches with ease and efficiency, but it also runs quickly and easily through more challenging materials, like multiple layers of denim, double-layered quilting batting, and almost anything else we tossed at it. It attached zippers with ease but was beaten out in this test by both the Janome 3160QDC-T and the Janome MOD-50. Its max speed is 900 stitches per minute, so if your hands can keep up, you are guaranteed a fast turnaround time. In addition to its impressive stitching capabilities, it also has one of the best scores for ease of use. Our testers especially loved the needle threading system. Our testers claim, “For all intents and purposes, it's almost fully automatic,” with our lead tester Austin Palmer saying, “It's great, fast, and the easiest one I have used.” Exceptional lighting and the fully automated thread cutter on the Juki are the icing on the cake for us.

# of Buttonhole Styles	16
# of Built-in Stitches	106
Automatic Bobbin Winder	Yes
Manufacturer Stated Maximum Sewing Speed (stitches per minute)	900
Computerized?	Yes

It offers 16 different buttonhole styles, which is more than any other machine we tested. However, we were less impressed with the quality of the results. That's not to say the buttonholes are bad (the Juki still performed above average in this metric), but they aren't on par with what we saw in other stitches made by this machine. We had a hard time finding anything else to complain about when using the Juki HZL-F300, but unfortunately, all of this performance comes at a premium price. It is a considerable investment that may be more suitable for someone who frequently sews and is very dedicated to the craft. Users looking to undertake small projects or the occasional patch would be much better served by some of the other machines in our lineup, which retail for considerably less, like the Brother HC1850. Or, if you want over 600 stitch types and want to save some money, check out the Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist. However, if you want top-tier performance from your machine and plan to use it to its full capabilities, the Juki will not disappoint.

Read more: Juki HZL-F300 review

Best for Serious Stitch Options

Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist

The Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist is an excellent machine that is capable of tackling even the most complex sewing projects. With 600 available stitch options (600!), it has enough variety to satisfy even the pickiest sewer. It also offers 13 button-hole styles, fantastic work lighting, and a well-designed automatic thread cutter. Despite the complexity of the machine, our tester says, “I found it relatively easy to set up and use,” and it scores on par with the Brother CS5055 in this metric. Now, on to the real advantage of the Quantum Stylist: the sewing performance. This model earned high marks on all of our many stitching evaluations, performing especially well in our zipper, multilayer denim, and blind hem tests, earning the top score in all three. In terms of stitch variety, our reviewer mentioned, “I love all the interesting and unique stitches this machine can produce.” We think it will catch the eye of anyone who likes to add decorative stitching to their sewing projects. Lastly, we were also impressed with the ease and quality of the buttonholes on this machine, tying with the Singer 7258 Stylist as one of our favorites for this task.

# of Buttonhole Styles	13
# of Built-in Stitches	600
Automatic Bobbin Winder	Yes
Manufacturer Stated Maximum Sewing Speed (stitches per minute)	850
Computerized?	Yes

But be careful not to get in over your head; our testers cautions, “I would only recommend all of this customization to someone who has the experience to know how to handle it.” We did have some problems with the default tension settings and had to make some tweaks to get it just right. Additionally, the needle threading and bobbin winding processes were only average and not as intuitive as the Juki HZL-F300. If a balance of ease and performance is what you're after, that is the model we recommend. To top it off, the instruction manual for the Quantum Stylist is also a bit clumsy to read; the layout requires a lot of flipping back and forth to find, read, and follow directions. Overall, this machine will probably be appreciated the most by those with a lot of sewing experience under their belts. That said, if you are up for the challenge, we actually consider the Singer 9960 easy to use relative to the complexity this machine is capable of. If you've been dreaming of more stitches to embellish and accent your projects, the 9960 Quantum Stylist is a fantastic option.

Read more: Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist review

Best High-Value Buttonhole Maker

Singer 7258 Stylist

If you are new to sewing or are looking for a good all-around machine, the Singer 7258 Stylist is a great choice. This machine is among the easiest to use and set up, and it has a respectable library of stitches that should cover most projects (100, to be exact). One of our favorite parts about the 725 Stylist is the buttonholes it produces. Our testers noted excellent stitch quality and appreciated the straightforward one-step process. The ease of the buttonhole sewing method is one of the best in the group, and our tester explains, “it makes some of the tidiest, most functional buttonholes I have seen.” This is only matched by the Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist. However, unlike the 9960, the 7258 Stylist is relatively beginner-friendly. It has a built-in thread cutter, a semi-automatic needle threading process, and an automatic bobbin winder that makes it easy for beginners to get up and running with their first sewing project without major frustration. However, we think it is also capable of keeping veteran users happy as well. It performed above average in all of our sewing evaluations and stood out specifically in our blind hem and multi-layer denim tests. After using this machine for a variety of tasks, our testers admit that “Amateur and veteran users will have no problem quickly and efficiently working through their projects with this sewing machine.”

# of Buttonhole Styles	6
# of Built-in Stitches	100
Automatic Bobbin Winder	Yes
Manufacturer Stated Maximum Sewing Speed (stitches per minute)	750
Computerized?	Yes

While the stitch quality on this machine is quite high, it isn't the best we tested (the Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist and the Brother HC1850 tied for that honor). It also performed just average in our zipper test, and we found the work light to be a bit dim compared to other machines like the Brother CS7000X. Still, the stitches produced by the Singer 7258 are sufficient for most projects, and its ease of use and modest price tag make it an enticing option for anyone looking for a sewing machine that they can learn on but won't outgrow. However, it's not the only solid choice for the budget-conscious sewer, and if you want to save a few more bucks and buttonholes aren't something you often need to work on, check out the Brother CS5055. But if you want a hassle-free and competent machine that will make neat buttonholes in almost any project, the Singer 7258 Stylist is the model we recommend.

Read more: Singer 7258 Stylist review

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	82	Juki HZL-F300 Best Premium Pick	$1,499
	79	Brother HC1850 Best Overall Sewing Machine for Most People	$260
	78	Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist Best for Serious Stitch Options	$650
	76	Juki HZL-LB5100	$699
	75	Singer 7258 Stylist Best High-Value Buttonhole Maker	$300
	75	Brother CS7000X	$240
	74	Brother XR9550	$230
	72	Brother CS5055 Best Bang for Your Buck	$150
	71	Janome 3160QDC-T	$999
	70	Janome MOD-50	$599
	64	Brother GX37	$130
	60	Bernette 35	$299
	57	Singer 4452 Heavy Duty	$310
	57	Janome MOD-19	$399
	51	Singer M3500	$220

How We Test Sewing Machines

We spent hours scouring the market for the best at-home sewing machines before purchasing the most promising models and putting them head-to-head in a long series of rigorous tests and side-by-side comparisons. In our quest to find the best, we enlisted the help of both expert sewing machine users and complete novices. We had them try out each product and get a feel for how easy they are to set up and operate. We then made thousands of different stitches on various fabric types, rating and judging their quality in appearance and consistency. We played with the settings to see how adjustable each model is. And we used each machine's buttonhole attachment and function to compare the process of creating a buttonhole and the quality of the finished product. We have been reviewing and testing these products for years, creating thousands of stitches along the way. You can read our full testing breakdown here.

We use the same series of tests on each machine, divided across three key metrics. Each of these metrics includes detailed sub-metrics and a variety of unique tests so we can fully assess each stitch type and feature. These metrics are divided as such:

• Sewing (9 separate tests, 45% of overall score weighting)

• Ease of Use (6 separate tests, 35% weighting)

• Buttonholes (4 separate tests, 20% weighting)

Why Trust GearLab

Our in-house lead tester, Austin Palmer, has been extensively testing sewing machines from day one and has logged hundreds of hours doing everything from hemming jeans to machine embroidery. Backing up Austin and adding her testing expertise to this category is Senior Review Analyst Jessica Riconscente. She is a lifelong tinkerer with a passion for product development and an eye for detail. They are joined by seamstress and author Ruth Bruckbauer, who has had a lifelong passion for sewing. She originally learned how to sew at age nine from her mother when she made a purple corduroy skirt. She continued to sew and eventually made her children's and husband's clothing, moved on to prom and bridesmaid dresses, and now does expert tailoring on bridal and bridesmaid dresses and other clothing. Her real love, though, is quilting, and she makes stunning one-of-a-kind art pieces from cloth. Finally, this review benefits from the brainpower of Maggie Nichols. With a scientific background and a penchant for details, Maggie played a key role in deciphering charts and collating data to help transform pages of data into the helpful assessments presented to you here.

Analysis and Test Results

To determine our award winners and the overall scoring, we divide our testing process into three weighted rating metrics: Sewing, Ease of Use, and Buttonholes. Each of these metrics is weighted based on its significance to these products. These machines have been put through the wringer to help you find your perfect match. Our sewing and ease of use metrics were subdivided into dozens of individual tests calculated into an overall score for each contender. Read on to see our breakdown of these tests and learn which machines performed best and on what tasks.

What's the Best Value?

Though we never consider the price of a product in its scoring, the cost makes a big difference in your decision of which model to purchase. While you might expect more expensive sewing machines to perform better, our tests reveal that this correlation is not always true. Some low-cost units outperformed models two or three times their price, making them high-value sewing machines.

The Brother CS5055 is a great example of a high-value machine. This model performs well in all areas and is easier to use than many others. Solid performance, user-friendliness, and low cost make it an excellent model for beginners. The Brother HC1850 is an exceptionally high-value sewing machine. It outcompetes all but one other unit in our lineup yet has a price tag well below average. It's easy to use, has many helpful features and settings, and is one of our favorites — even before considering its low relative cost. That said, if you are looking for the best of the best and are willing to pay for it, your first choice should be the Juki HZL-F300, as it earned the best overall score of our entire group.

Sewing

We rated and compared each sewing machine's sewing performance and stitch quality. This is the most significant of our testing metrics, accounting for 45% of each machine's final score. To evaluate each machine, we selected 6 different stitch patterns and used them across 4 different types of fabric, including satin, silk, cotton jersey, and chiffon. To gauge each model, we looked for visually appealing, consistent stitches with proper tension and minimal fabric bunching. The chart below shows the top performers on the different fabrics when using a basic running stitch.

Running Stitch Performance on Different Fabrics

Product	Satin	Silk	Cotton Jersey	Chiffon
Juki HZL-F300	10	7	8	10
Brother HC1850	9	9	9	7
Juki HZL-LB5100	9	7	7	10
Brother CS7000X	8	8	8	8
Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist	7	7	9	8
Bernette 35	8	6	9	7
Brother CS5055	7	7	9	7
Janome 3160QDC-T	6	8	9	7
Brother XR9550	6	8	9	7
Singer 4452 Heavy Duty	6	7	9	7
Brother GX37	5	7	9	7
Singer 7258 Stylist	5	9	7	7
Janome MOD-50	8	7	4	7
Janome MOD-19	8	6	5	7
Singer M3500	6	6	7	7

The Juki HZL-F300 proved itself to be one of the best at sewing across the board. Using the machine's default settings, it did very well with all our stitch tests except the scallop stitch on cotton jersey, which needed some setting tweaks to get it right due to the fabric's stretchiness. This machine also did an amazing job with our basting and quilting challenges and stitched through eight layers of 12-ounce denim easily. It installed zippers fabulously and consistently produced neat, clean, even rows of whatever stitch we needed. Also among the top scorers is the Juki HZL-LB5100, which performed wonderfully on delicate chiffon fabric.

When sewing stretchy cotton jersey, satin, or chiffon with the Bernette 35, the fabric would bunch up a little, but in the blind hem assessments, this machine was on the high side of the entire group. The Bernette delivered a terrific blind hem on every type of fabric we used, only bested by the Singer 7258 Stylist and the Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist. The 9960 offered good stitches on almost every fabric and grabbed the top spot for the blind hem. That said, it did struggle a bit more than the top models with delicate fabrics like chiffon.

The Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist also did very well with denim and performed quite well on fabrics like a stretch cotton jersey — though it sometimes really struggled with chiffon. Not only is the Quantum Stylist is an impressive machine due to its excellent performance across basic stitches, but also for the ease with which it tackles challenges like zipper installation, thick material seams, and quilt batting, and its almost overwhelming 600 stitch options.

The Brother HC1850 is another top contender for sewing like a pro. It produced impressively flat running and basting stitches on smooth, shiny satin and silk and breezed through other common stitches with few hiccups. Its triangular and scalloped stitches needed a little tweaking of the thread tension to make them just right. But this machine, too, sailed through multi-layer denim projects and quilt batting without any issues. It wasn't our favorite at zipper installation, but it managed to get through those pretty well after a few practice runs. And we loved being able to decorate our projects with 185 available stitch options.

Quality of Common Stitches

Product	Basic	Basting	Zigzag	Scallop
Brother HC1850	8.5	9.8	8.8	7.0
Juki HZL-F300	8.8	8.8	8.0	5.3
Juki HZL-LB5100	8.3	7.9	8.5	6.0
Brother GX37	7.0	6.8	8.3	8.0
Brother XR9550	7.5	8.0	7.3	7.0
Bernette 35	7.5	7.5	8.0	6.0
Brother CS7000X	8.0	7.5	7.0	6.3
Singer 7258 Stylist	7.0	7.3	7.5	6.8
Brother CS5055	7.5	7.5	7.3	5.8
Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist	7.8	7.8	7.0	5.3
Singer M3500	6.3	7.0	7.3	5.0
Janome MOD-19	6.5	6.3	6.3	6.0
Singer 4452 Heavy Duty	7.3	7.3	5.0	4.5
Janome MOD-50	6.5	6.5	5.0	4.8
Janome 3160QDC-T	7.5	7.5	3.5	3.5

The Juki HZL-LB5100 also impressed us during our testing. This machine made exceptionally flat, even stitches in every stitch option we tested. It only fell slightly short in our satin testing, where it dropped a few stitches in otherwise perfect seams. The Singer 7258 Stylist is another of our favorites. This machine has 100 stitch options that all did an above-average job at every one of the six basic stitch types we tested.

We appreciate the Brother XR9550 because the machine automatically sets the length and width once you choose your stitch. Adjusting these predetermined settings is as easy as pressing the +/- buttons. The Brother CS7000X is another solid stitcher, with 70 stitch options and good default settings, making it a great option for novice machine users.

To test the versatility of these models on different types of sewing projects, we sewed through multiple layers of heavy denim, embellished quilting projects with dual batting layers, and installed zippers. These tasks can be a bit trickier than sewing a straight line through simple fabric, so if you plan to use your machine for quilting projects or to alter your denim jeans that just don't fit quite right, these are important scores to note.

Sewing Performance on Specialty Materials

Product	Multi-Layer Denim	Zipper	Quilting
Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist	10.0	10.0	7.7
Juki HZL-F300	10.0	9.0	8.5
Janome 3160QDC-T	8.0	10.0	8.0
Janome MOD-50	8.0	10.0	6.7
Juki HZL-LB5100	9.5	8.0	6.9
Janome MOD-19	9.0	8.0	7.3
Singer 7258 Stylist	10.0	6.0	7.7
Brother CS7000X	9.0	6.0	7.8
Brother XR9550	8.0	6.0	8.2
Brother HC1850	8.0	6.0	7.5
Bernette 35	6.0	7.0	7.8
Singer M3500	7.0	6.0	7.2
Brother CS5055	7.0	4.0	8.2
Brother GX37	4.0	5.0	7.5
Singer 4452 Heavy Duty	2.0	4.0	6.3

Each machine has a specific presser foot for attaching a zipper, though some were better than others. We used this foot for each of these machines to sew a zipper onto a test swatch of fabric — on some machines, the presser foot cleared all parts of the zipper and attached it cleanly. Others collided with components of the zipper, causing the stitches to become uneven and tangled on top of each other. The Janome 3160QDC-T, Janome MOD-50, Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist, and Juki HZL-F300 were exceptional with zipper installation — if your work will involve a lot of them, strongly consider one of these models.

After taking into account the full gamut of tests and evaluations, the Juki HZL-F300 came out as one of the top machines, providing excellent results in nearly every test we could throw at it. The Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist and the Brother HC1850 came in close behind, and if you want a machine that shows all-around great performance in tackling every type of stitch, from basic to complex, we recommend one of these three.

Ease of Use

Next, we rated and compared the convenience and ease of operation of each sewing machine, which accounted for 35% of their final score. The two factors we deemed the most important in this metric are stitch and bobbin setup. We judged the quality and clarity of the printed labels on each device and the convenience and readability of the display screens, knobs, and buttons. We considered the ease of winding and loading bobbins. However, we know there is a lot more to most of these machines, so we collected supplementary info by comparing additional convenience features like the needle threading mechanism, the thread cutter, the needle stop position settings, and the quality of the integrated work light. The chart below shows the scoring breakdown for just stitch setup and bobbin use.

Ease of Use Key Metrics

Product	Stitch Setup	Bobbin Use
Brother CS5055	9.0	6.0
Brother GX37	6.0	9.0
Brother HC1850	9.0	6.0
Juki HZL-LB5100	7.5	7.0
Janome 3160QDC-T	8.0	6.0
Juki HZL-F300	7.0	7.0
Brother XR9550	9.0	5.0
Brother CS7000X	9.0	5.0
Janome MOD-50	8.0	5.0
Singer 7258 Stylist	7.0	5.0
Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist	7.0	5.0
Bernette 35	4.0	7.0
Singer 4452 Heavy Duty	6.0	5.0
Singer M3500	4.0	6.0
Janome MOD-19	4.0	4.0

The Brother machines we tested took the cake in this metric, proving to be some of the easiest models we have used. We liked the Brother CS5055 specifically for the ease of the stitch selection process. With intuitive selections and precise controls (no fiddling around with imprecise knobs), this machine makes it easy to select your settings and get sewing. These settings will definitely be appreciated by beginner sewers, but we get the feeling that more advanced tailors won't complain about the more streamlined process either.

The Brother XR9950 is similarly easy to use as the other Brother machines we tested, though its thread cutter only facilitates cutting in a single direction, and its light creates some distractingly dark shadows to the left side. The Janome 3160QDC-T has intuitive and straightforward labels and directions printed on the machine for easier adjustments and general use. It also has a fully automated thread-cutting mechanism, which we think is wonderful to use. The Juki HZL-LB5100 is another fantastically straightforward machine, with a large display and settings that are easy to scroll through once you understand the arrow button system.

The Janome MOD-50 has a similar stitch selection setup as the Janome 3160QDC-T, making it easy to select your stitch and get sewing. The thread cutter is also located in a position that's quite natural for the hands while sewing. The Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist can feel overwhelming at first, with its 600 stitch options, but common stitches are available on quick select buttons, and scrolling through all the available options takes no longer than any other computerized model we tested. This is also one of the few models in our lineup with a fully automated thread cutter.

The Singer 7258 Stylist is also quite easy to use, with customizable options and easy-to-learn features. However, we're less in love with its light — though bright, it's angled in a way that creates very dark and distracting shadows.

The heavy-duty sewing machines we tested were the Singer 4452 Heavy Duty and the Juki HZL-F300. We were really disappointed in the Singer — while it has awesome labeling, stitch selection capabilities, and lighting, it lacks in overall performance. On the other hand, the Juki gave a top-notch performance for all our ease-of-use tests. It took top scores for its light, needle stop feature, thread cutter, and needle threading.

Finally, the Brother GX37 was our top contender for bobbin winding tests. The process is clearly labeled on the machine, and our thread wound up evenly every time. The bobbin could be a bit fuller when the process is finished, but overall, everything was top-notch, and loading everything was easy.

Overall, the Juki HZL-F300, Brother HC1850, and Brother CS7000X are three of the most user-friendly sewing machines we've tested. The Juki HZL-F300 stands out for being surprisingly easy to select the stitch and settings you want from a large number of options. It also has a nearly automated needle threader, a fully automated thread cutter, and one of the best lights of any model around. The Brother machines have fewer options and aren't as automated, but they set themselves apart from the rest with exceptionally easy-to-use interfaces and buttons that make them some of the easiest for beginners to understand and feel confident using.

Buttonholes

A buttonhole might be the most frustrating and time-consuming activity while sewing, but it can also give your garment or project that finished look. We carefully tested each sewing machine for ease of setup and finished quality for buttonholes. We made buttonholes of different sizes and on different fabrics, rating them on their overall consistency and attractiveness, as well as the ability to be cut open after sewing for the actual button to pass through.

Each sewing machine has a presser foot specifically designed for buttonholes, with an adjustable size that matches your button and indicator marks to align on your project. It is much easier to execute a 1-step buttonhole than a 4-step buttonhole, and, fortunately, all but one of the sewing machines we tested had a 1-step buttonhole. The only 4-step buttonhole process we tested was on the Janome MOD-19, which proved to be far more of an ordeal than the rest and much harder to get right.

We sewed button holes on three different types of fabrics to see how each machine was able to handle a range of materials from sturdy cotton muslin, to delicate silk. The chart below shows the performance breakdown among all the machines we tested, and which materials they handled best when it came to button holes.

Quality of Button Holes on Different Materials

Product	Cotton Muslin	Silk	Cotton Jersey
Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist	6	9	7
Singer 4452 Heavy Duty	4	9	8
Brother CS5055	7	4	9
Singer 7258 Stylist	6	9	5
Janome 3160QDC-T	6	5	7
Juki HZL-F300	7	7	4
Juki HZL-LB5100	6	7	5
Brother GX37	5	3	8
Janome MOD-50	7	7	2
Brother XR9550	5	2	6
Brother HC1850	6	4	3
Bernette 35	3	4	4
Brother CS7000X	5	2	3
Janome MOD-19	3	3	2
Singer M3500	1	1	3

The Singer 7258 Stylist and Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist were our top-rated sewing machines at buttonholes, with stellar performance in our tests. Their 1-step process is quite easy and intuitive to execute, though our one gripe came from trying to align the buttonhole in a precise location on the 7258 Stylist, as it can be a little difficult to line up the marks on the presser foot with the marks on the fabric. With a little practice, though, it's simple enough to figure out. We also like that the 9960 Quantum thoroughly reinforced the stitches on the sides, making it one of this lineup's most securely made buttonholes. The finished stitches from both these machines were very clean.

The many Brother models we tested, including the HC1850, CS7000X, XR9550, and CS5055, all have multiple colored indicator lines on their presser feet to help make it easier to line everything up with your fabric. The Brother GX37 only has red lines, so it was a little more difficult to line up at the beginning. It was also far more difficult to see and line things up with the Janome models — the 3160QDC-T, MOD-50, and MOD-19. They all have colorless indentations in the plastic, which are very hard to see unless at the perfect angle. Aside from alignment challenges, the actual buttonhole execution of all three Janome machines we tested was excellent.

The premium Juki HZL-F300 has a sliding button foot, similar to the many other machines we tested. It features indicator lines that aren't quite as nice as those of the Brother machines but still work well enough for simple alignment. It creates beautiful buttonholes, though the sides are rather close together, making it more challenging to cut the hole open after sewing. The Juki HZL-LB5100 has a similar button foot but lacks any colored lines to help with alignment. These indicator lines are simply indented into the plastic, making them more challenging to see.

How to Choose​​ a Sewing Machine

Here are four important buying considerations that are a brief summary of our extensive buying advice article.

How Much Do You Sew?

From beginners to experts, sewing machines offer something for everyone. If you are just starting out on your sewing journey, simpler models with fewer features may be easier for getting started and learning. These basic models are usually more budget-friendly, too. If you are looking to upgrade your current machine, there are plenty of enticing options to help step up your sewing game. Consider how often you sew, your experience, and your intended goals for sewing as a way to help gauge potential machines and narrow down the best options.

What Features Do You Need?

Sewing machines can range from just a few simple features to a plethora of stitch options, embroidery, and auto-stitching features. If you have sewing experience and feel like you're outgrowing your current machine, it's worth looking at new machines with features that will benefit your sewing projects. Determining what features will be useful also comes down to the type of projects you do or have planned. Someone who does lots of decorative stitching will appreciate an auto-stitching feature while someone who sews at a larger scale will appreciate the time-saving feature of an automatic thread cutter. To help guide your selection, consider features that will benefit your personal sewing projects and goals the best.

Mechanical or Computerized?

A mechanical sewing machine uses dials and knobs to operate the stitches and settings. A computerized machine utilizes a computer chip to operate an LCD display by button or touchscreen. Mechanical machines are simpler and often easier to use for beginners and those who only need simple operations, a computerized machine offers more range of control and precise settings but will typically cost more than their mechanical counterparts. If you are unsure which route to go, consider your sewing experience and the complexity of your projects.

What Kind of Projects?

Different projects call for different machines. If you have plans to sew thick, heavy-duty fabrics regularly, you'll wanna make sure your machine has enough power and speed to keep up. In this case, a heavy-duty machine will be more appropriate. Otherwise, a regular sewing machine should be able to handle occasional projects that call for thicker materials such as denim and leather.

Conclusion

Many different sewing machines are available today, and choosing which will best match your intended projects, experience level, and budget can be challenging. We hope that our in-depth testing and analyses have helped you to narrow down which models have the right levels of adjustability, functionality, and sewing prowess to be an asset to your project space. No matter if you're just learning to sew or you've been dazzling your friends and family with professional-looking projects for years, we hope our in-depth review will help guide you to the right sewing machine for your needs and your wallet.