The 5 Best Starter Sewing Machines
Five Starter Sewing Machines, including Brother and Janome, compared for fabric handling, stitch options and workspace.
Our top 5 starter sewing machines
Swipe to compare price, rating and best use →
| Product | Price | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
01 Brother XM2701Details ↓ | $149.00 | 4.6/5Amazon | Best overall |
02 Janome MOD-15 Easy-to-Use Sewing Machine with 15 StitchesDetails ↓ | $179.00 | 4.5/5Amazon | Best value |
03 Brother SM1400 14-Stitch Sewing MachineDetails ↓ | $119.99 | 4.6/5Amazon | Best for everyday use |
04 JUKI HZL-G220 Sewing MachineDetails ↓ | $999.00 | 4.4/5Amazon | Best for extra features |
05 Bernette B35 Sewing Machine Swiss Design with 23 StitchesDetails ↓ | $399.00 | 4.2/5Amazon | Best alternative |
01 — Brother
Best overallBrother XM2701
Brother Sewing Machine XM2701 lists 27 stated built-in stitches and an automatic needle threader, plus a free arm. The stated stitch count shows pattern range, not motor strength; check the stitches used for your fabric. A needle threader can speed setup; confirm it works with the needle sizes you expect to use. A free arm helps feed cuffs and sleeves around the needle. Compare motor guidance and presser-foot clearance with the fabric you actually sew; stitch count alone is not enough.
View on Amazon ↗Reasons to buy
+Brother Sewing Machine XM2701 lists 27 stated built-in stitches and an automatic needle threader, plus a free arm.
Reasons to avoid
−Compare motor guidance and presser-foot clearance with the fabric you actually sew; stitch count alone is not enough.
02 — Janome
Best valueJanome MOD-15 Easy-to-Use Sewing Machine with 15 Stitches
Janome MOD-15 Easy-to-Use Sewing Machine with 15 Stitches lists 15 stated built-in stitches and a free arm, plus a buttonhole setting. The stated stitch count shows pattern range, not motor strength; check the stitches used for your fabric. A free arm helps feed cuffs and sleeves around the needle. Compare motor guidance and presser-foot clearance with the fabric you actually sew; stitch count alone is not enough.
View on Amazon ↗Reasons to buy
+Janome MOD-15 Easy-to-Use Sewing Machine with 15 Stitches lists 15 stated built-in stitches and a free arm, plus a buttonhole setting.
Reasons to avoid
−Compare motor guidance and presser-foot clearance with the fabric you actually sew; stitch count alone is not enough.
03 — Brother
Best for everyday useBrother SM1400 14-Stitch Sewing Machine
Brother SM1400 14-Stitch Sewing Machine lists 14 stated built-in stitches and a buttonhole setting. The stated stitch count shows pattern range, not motor strength; check the stitches used for your fabric. Compare motor guidance and presser-foot clearance with the fabric you actually sew; stitch count alone is not enough.
View on Amazon ↗Reasons to buy
+Brother SM1400 14-Stitch Sewing Machine lists 14 stated built-in stitches and a buttonhole setting.
Reasons to avoid
−Compare motor guidance and presser-foot clearance with the fabric you actually sew; stitch count alone is not enough.
04 — JUKI
Best for extra featuresJUKI HZL-G220 Sewing Machine
JUKI HZL-G220 Sewing Machine lists an automatic needle threader and stated denim handling, plus a buttonhole setting. A needle threader can speed setup; confirm it works with the needle sizes you expect to use. Denim claims need checking at folded hems, where the seam can be several layers thick. Compare motor guidance and presser-foot clearance with the fabric you actually sew; stitch count alone is not enough.
View on Amazon ↗Reasons to buy
+JUKI HZL-G220 Sewing Machine lists an automatic needle threader and stated denim handling, plus a buttonhole setting.
Reasons to avoid
−Compare motor guidance and presser-foot clearance with the fabric you actually sew; stitch count alone is not enough.
05 — Bernette
Best alternativeBernette B35 Sewing Machine Swiss Design with 23 Stitches
Bernette B35 Sewing Machine Swiss Design with 23 Stitches lists a heavy-duty mechanism and 23 stated built-in stitches, plus mechanical stitch controls. A heavy-duty label is a starting point; confirm needle guidance and clearance at thick seams. The stated stitch count shows pattern range, not motor strength; check the stitches used for your fabric. Mechanical controls provide direct adjustment, but presser feet and needle choices still govern fabric handling. Compare motor guidance and presser-foot clearance with the fabric you actually sew; stitch count alone is not enough.
View on Amazon ↗Reasons to buy
+Bernette B35 Sewing Machine Swiss Design with 23 Stitches lists a heavy-duty mechanism and 23 stated built-in stitches, plus mechanical stitch controls.
Reasons to avoid
−Compare motor guidance and presser-foot clearance with the fabric you actually sew; stitch count alone is not enough.
Price information
Amazon price and availability checked Oct 18, 2026, 5:56 AM Lisbon time. Prices and availability are subject to change; the information shown on Amazon.com at purchase applies.
Our process
How we picked.
We compare five relevant products for different needs, using documented specifications, clear use cases and practical trade-offs. Our goal is to make the differences clear and help you choose with confidence.
- 01Relevance
Each product must fit the guide’s intended use, audience and requirements.
- 02Specifications
We compare the key product details that meaningfully affect the buying decision.
- 03Use case and fit
We compare the intended use, configuration and practical fit of every selected product.
- 04Strengths and limitations
We explain where each option performs best and the compromises to consider.
Good questions
FAQ — Starter Sewing Machines
01What is the best overall pick among these starter sewing machines?+
The Brother XM2701 is our first pick for this guide. Brother Sewing Machine XM2701 lists 27 stated built-in stitches and an automatic needle threader, plus a free arm. It offers the strongest overall balance for this use case.
02Which of these starter sewing machines is the budget-friendly choice?+
The Bernette B35 Sewing Machine Swiss Design with 23 Stitches is our budget-friendly choice for the use case covered by this guide. Check its stated limitations and exact configuration before buying.
03Which of these starter sewing machines is the premium choice?+
The Brother XM2701 is the premium option in this comparison. Consider it when its features and intended use match your priorities.
04How do the Brother XM2701 and Janome MOD-15 Easy-to-Use Sewing Machine with 15 Stitches compare?+
The Brother XM2701 is our stronger overall fit for the “best starter sewing machine” use case. The Janome MOD-15 Easy-to-Use Sewing Machine with 15 Stitches is another option for the use case covered by this guide.
05What should you look for when comparing starter sewing machines?+
Start with the “best starter sewing machine” use case. We then compare , along with the limitations that could make a product unsuitable for your needs.
06Which option is best for the use case covered by this guide?+
The Janome MOD-15 Easy-to-Use Sewing Machine with 15 Stitches is our shortlist choice for the use case covered by this guide. Janome MOD-15 Easy-to-Use Sewing Machine with 15 Stitches lists 15 stated built-in stitches and a free arm, plus a buttonhole setting.
07When should you avoid the Brother XM2701?+
Compare its specifications and intended use with your needs. The other four recommendations cover different budgets, priorities and use cases.
08How should I choose among these starter sewing machines?+
Start with the best-for and skip-if notes, then compare the specifications and trade-offs that matter for your use case.
09How did Few Better choose these starter sewing machines?+
We evaluated five options against the exact search intent, the “best starter sewing machine” use case, relevant specifications, use cases and meaningful trade-offs. Affiliate commission does not determine inclusion or position.
10When was this buying guide last updated?+
This guide was last reviewed on 2026-10-18. Confirm the exact model, configuration and final details on Amazon before purchasing.
The short answer
Start with the Brother XM2701.
It is our first pick for this guide’s exact scope. Choose another option when its stated use case or trade-off better matches yours.
View on Amazon ↗Keep looking
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