Technological advancements and the introduction of embroidery machines have taken the sewing world by storm.
There is now the possibility to embroider much quicker than in previous years, where embroidering and sewing were typically done by hand.
Multi needle embroidery machines can turn your embroidery workplace into a real money maker. All the pros swear by it.
I’ve reviewed some of the best multi needle embroidery machines currently available on the market, all to help you decide on the best product to purchase for your projects or embroidery business.
Which embroidery machine is right for me?
There are a few of my personal favorite multi-needle embroidery machines that are currently available on the market. I’ve put them into categories below:
Top Pick
Janome MB-7
The Janome MB-7 is my top pick as the best multi-needle embroidery machine.
You can keep black and white on the top spools all the time, all while having room for 5 other colors.
The Janome model reads various embroidery file formats easily.
Online Resource
Because this Janome embroidery machine is really popular, you can find lots of videos on YouTube offering demonstrations – you can even access these videos straight from the remote screen attached.
Indicator
The multi needle machine gives you feedback, so if you’ve threaded it wrong (and let’s face it, you might the first time), it will tell you there’s a problem.
It will also stop sewing if there are any thread issues – it’s like embroidering with a personal assistant!
Best multi needle embroidery machine for home use
The Janome MB-4S is the best of the embroidery machines for home use, coming with a wide range of designs and built in computer screen.
Features
It comes with everything you need to get started on your embroidery journey.
It’s much shorter than other multi-needle machines, offering a unique appearance.
The large Janome 5.7” remote computer touch screen can control several other machines should you need to link it up to more.
The bright LED lights keep your workspace illuminated so you can work at all times of the day.
Accessories
It comes with a huge amount of Janome accessories included in the package, including bobbins, needles and a lint brush for cleaning.
Best Commercial Multi Needle Embroidery machine
Melco Amaya Bravo
You can use this machine for fancy stitches, micro chenille, basic logos and embroidery art.
Melco Amaya Bravo
The Melco Amaya Bravo is the best machine for business in a commercial field. It uses an acti-feed system for the 16 needles which feed the thread through the system giving professional embroidery.
You can link this up to four machines through the system so that they will embroider at the same time.
Quality
The Amaya Bravo machine has been made to meet high demand with the wide range of products it can facilitate seamlessly.
It can be purchased with or without the cart, but weighing 165lbs, I wouldn’t want to risk moving it without a cart.
It even includes a small embroidery business startup guide and is a professional embroidery machine.
Best For The Money
SWF MAS 12-Needle Embroidery Machine
Takes technology to the next level and could be a great upgrade from a single head.
SWF MAS 12-Needle Embroidery Machine
The MAS 12-needle embroidery machine by SWF is the best multi-needle embroidery machine for the money. At the higher price range out of all products reviewed, this is really worth the money.
This would be the perfect start up machine for a small business.
Convert Pictures To Designs
You can easily transfer digital pictures to embroidery at the click of a button on-screen, so you could even upload photographs of people or places you’ve been for a real personalized gift.
The wifi router will plug directly into your machine.
It comes with a generous accessory supply kit, including 5 sets of embroidery hoops, extra bobbins, needles and a stabilizer.
It’s suitable for home and commercial use, with a heavy duty adjustable rolling stand for you to move around your workspace.
Top Multi-Needle Embroidery Machine
Janome MB-4S
The Janome MB-4S is a 4 needle embroidery machine.
This bundle includes lettering hoops and hat hoops.
Although it’s a home embroidery machine, it is a fairly complex multi-needle machine and can reach sewing speeds of 800 stitches per minute, a trait normally found in an industrial machine, like the ones I reviewed here.
Features
You can use 4 different colored threads simultaneously without interrupting your work on this Janome.
There’s an automatic tension system which is easy to thread, following the color-coded paths.
The welcome addition of an automatic needle threader and thread cutter allows the needle to cut jump threads between letters.
Designs
There are 50 built in embroidery Janome designs for you to use if you’re not feeling particularly inspired.
There is a USB port you can use for your own downloaded or built designs. The machine has a memory of 3MB and can easily store 100 alternatives you can import yourself!
Compatible with 6 standard hoops, this multi needle embroidery machine comes with 10 different lettering fonts.
Embroidery Field
The large embroidery field is perfect for bringing your designs to life. The bobbin is around 40% larger than a regular bobbin for less thread changes, and there is a dedicated bobbin motor.
This means you won’t have to unthread the machine when reloading the bobbin, and can even reload bobbins while the machine is in use.
Specs
- Needles: four needles
- Inbuilt designs: 50
- Embroidery area: 9.4 x 7.9”
- SPM: 800
Pros
- 3MB memory storage.
- Compatible with other brand hoops.
- Compact in size.
Cons
- Have to purchase the remote computer screen separately.
- Learning curve to get started.
Top Pick
Janome MB-7
The Janome MB-7 is a 7-needle home use embroidery machine, good for mid to entry level embroiderers.
The machine comes with 50 built in designs for you to fiddle with on the remote computer screen, and a built in memory to save your own embroidery designs you import through the USB port.
You can use the embroidery file formats of .jef+, .jef and .dst.
Remote Display
The optional remote Janome screen can be detached and connected to a computer via the USB cable.
The on screen editing functions include resize, rotate, flip, save, re-edit, zoom and duplicate.
The bobbin is accessible while the hoop is still on the machine, which makes it so you don’t have to interfere with your work whilst you re-thread the machine.
Indicator
A stitch-time out indicator will stop the machine from running when the thread in the bobbin has run out.
It will trim during embroidery with jump threads and the machine comes with 10 different built in fonts. Customers report the built in stitches are crisp and clean, and overall well formed.
Size
This machine is fairly small in size, so if you are starting a small business, you might not have the space for an extra large machine.
Overall, this unit doesn’t have a huge footprint and will sit on a small desk. This is one great mini machine to start with.
Specs
- Needles: 7
- Inbuilt designs: 50
- Embroidery area: 9.4 x 7.9”
- SPM: 800
- Machine size: 17.7" x 25.6" x 26.8"
- Weight: 50lbs
Pros
- Small enough to be a home embroidery machine.
- Read files easily.
- Large embroidery space.
Cons
- It’s loud when in use.
- Could be challenging to find a dealer near you.
Best For The Money
SWF MAS 12-Needle Embroidery Machine
Takes technology to the next level and could be a great upgrade from a single head.
SWF MAS 12-Needle Embroidery Machine
The SWF MAS 12 needle embroidery machine takes technology to the next level and could be a great upgrade from a single head.
The advancements on this machine set it apart from its competitors.
While being compact in size, this machine will help you make projects at 1000 stitches per minute – wowza!
Display
It has a full color LCD touch screen control panel, which is packed with smart features.
You can pick up the stylus and draw a design to be embroidered for a real personal touch. The software makes use of a smart system, allowing the user to turn digital photos and images into embroidery designs.
USB Port
If that’s not enough, you can plug in your USB or connect straight to the internet with an Ethernet cable.
This will let you seamlessly transfer over images straight to the embroidery machine.
Extra helpful features
It features automatic thread trimming and a free-hand stitch function, which is easy to use. It has been built with users in mind, opening up new revenue streams and helping increase productivity.
There is a barcode scanner included to make it easy to upload pre-bought designs, or you can plug in your USB or computer directly.
Feedback
Customers are generally happy with the service and shipment of this product. They say the customer support before purchase was of high quality.
The SWF MAS machine comes with multiple sized hoops, including a hat hoop, free online training and support for the rest of the life of the machine.
Specs
- Needles: 12
- Embroidery area: 14 x 9”
- SPM: 1000
- Unit dimensions: 30 x 32 x 34”
- Weight: 90lbs
Pros
- Smart systems turn digital files into embroidery designs.
- Barcode scanner.
- Quick shipment.
Cons
- Repairs can be time consuming.
- Hard to get tech help.
Best Commercial Embroidery Machine
Melco Amaya Bravo
You can use this machine for fancy stitches, micro chenille, basic logos and embroidery art.
Melco Amaya Bravo
The Melco Amaya Bravo embroidery machine offers 16 needles, meaning a higher output rate, at 1100 spm.
It has a wide cap frame of 14.25” and an extra large sewing field of 16.1” x 15.7”. You can use this machine for fancy stitches, micro chenille, basic logos and embroidery art. It comes with over 500 built in embroidery designs; and 25 fonts.
Applique
There’s an applique tool for fiddly appliques, and you can rotate your design by 1° increments.
It has a small cylindrical arm, allowing you to embroider on the smallest of products.
The open bobbin means you can re-wind the bobbin while the machine is in use, all without stopping your embroidery work. Great if you plan on using this as an applique sewing machine.
Portability
The machine can be attached to a cart for maneuverability, similar to some portable units I’ve seen..
Networking should be easy with this product! If you are using it for commercial use, you can link this to up to 4 other embroidery machines with the multi-head configuration.
Editing Features
Additional editing features appear limitless. You can view the stitches in 3D, undo / redo an unlimited amount of times, and you can draw slowly or fast depending on how confident you feel in your art skills.
You can change the units of measurement from inches to metric, and there’s an autosave backup system if the power crashes during editing or embroidering.
Specs
- Needles: 16
- Inbuilt designs: 500+
- Embroidery area: 16.1 x 15.7”
- SPM: 1100
- Unit dimensions: 28.5 x 37.4 x 29”
- Weight: 165lbs
Pros
- DesignPro and software included.
- High stitch per minute.
- Extra large embroidery field.
Cons
- Higher end of price range.
- Heavy to move if not on a cart.
Juki Tajima Sai
A compact machine engineered with space in mind so there’s no wasted space in your creative area.
Juki Tajima Sai
The Juki Tajima Sai has been engineered with space in mind. There cannot be an inch of wasted space in your creative area, and that’s really been considered with its compact design.
Features
The Tajima Sai software comes with the machine and can convert text to embroidery data that can be edited easily from the large 7” LCD screen display.
You can input text and add embroidery design to one of the 6 integrated lettering fonts, which can be resized three times on the LCD screen.
The laser pointer makes the start point and tracking easier and should save you guesswork before a stitch.
Speed
During heavy embroidery, the satin stitch doesn’t drop to less than 600 spm, so work can be finished faster.
A thread detection system catches thread breakage in any of the 8 upper threads and under thread during operation and will automatically stop working.
Stabilizer
A stabilizer rod is a permanent feature of the machine, meaning it won’t have to be disassembled everytime the hat hoop is attached.
Included are two hoops: one large and one small for larger creative vision and for small projects.
Specs
- Needles: 8
- Inbuilt designs: 1300
- Embroidery area: 7.8” x 11.8”
- SPM: 800
- Unit dimensions: 22” x 26” x 23”
- Weight: 82lbs
Pros
- Huge number of designs included.
- Compact.
- Feature-rich.
Cons
- Heavy for size.
- Slower than other models.
What are multi-needle embroidery machines?
If you are unfamiliar with a multi needle machine, it’s an embroidery machine that can be threaded with multiple spools at the same time.
Therefore, when a needle machine is stitching out an embroidery design, the machine moves to the next needle and stitches out that color without stopping.
The user has to re-thread each time the thread color changes when using a regular embroidery machine, doing so with the matching thread for the pattern.
What’s the difference between single needle embroidery machines and multi-needle embroidery machines?
A multi needle embroidery machine has many different needles (typically between 6-16), each threaded to a different color.
Single Needle
A single needle machine looks just like a traditional machine but with a flatbed bottom. There is only a single needle which is made up of bobbin, needle and other metal parts.
The embroidery arm holding the hoop will move, whilst the needle stays stationary.
A single needle embroidery machine only has one point of hoop attachment and usually has smaller hoop capabilities than a multi-needle embroidery machine.
Multi Needle
A multi needle machine can change the opportunities for an embroiderer, as they often have two points of attachment and much larger hoop capabilities than a single needle machine.
It will change the thread colors by itself after you have programmed the spools to the remote screen computer.
You still have to attach the fabric to a hoop or clamp it if you are embroidering on a cuff or cap.
How will I choose the best multi-needle embroidery machine for me?
Before you upgrade from a single head, consider the number of colors you use during embroidery.
- If you use lots of colors, it would be better to invest in a multi needle embroidery machine, as a single head might not be as good for more complex designs.
- If you only embroider simple designs, you could consider a product with fewer needles – say a 4 needle embroidery machine.
- Check out the features of the SWF MAS from our Best For the Money Category.
You need to consider purpose and price, so how much do you want to spend?
Unless you have an unlimited amount of money, you will have to budget for your embroidery machine.
Below, I have compiled a list of points for deliberation when deciding which multi needle embroidery machine is best for you.
Things to consider
Purpose
If you will be using your multi-needle sewing embroidery machine for intensive labor and high production, or at least thinking about evolving a home embroidery business, some embroidery sewing machines can connect to multiple machines at the same time.
Therefore, if you were to start an embroidery business and then expand for a higher output, you could connect more than one machine up to produce the same product.
Price
The machines vary in price, just like in wide format laminators, some going into the tens of thousands of dollars. Unless you have an unlimited amount of money, you will need to set a budget.
Bear in mind it’s not only the cost of the machine you have to consider.
Accessories such as clamps and additional hoops, different color threads and stabilizers can inflate production costs drastically.
TIP
You may want to consider insurance that will cover the machine, and you should especially consider coverage if you use the machine for home business.
Warranty
You don’t want to invest in a multi-needle sewing and embroidery machine without a service agreement or warranty.
Make sure you have the support you need and understand it in case of any malfunctions.
TIP
Find out where your local dealer is and check that you will be covered for warranty repairs there. You don’t want to travel across the state for new parts.
Quality
Most machines are actually of the same quality, which you’d expect at such a high price tag.
Don’t invest thousands more in a product just because of the brand name, as most embroidery machines perform many of the same functions equally well.
TIP
Go to a supply store and test run different models to see which one feels the most comfortable for you.
Display
The multi-needle embroidery machines are controlled through a remote computer screen, which may or may not be included in your package.
The size of the screens can vary immensely.
Accessories
They can be an expensive addition to an already expensive product.
A hat hoop and clamps can cost $300+, depending on the brand.
Make a list of the accessories that you think you might want included.
Think about your current needs and your future needs and try to find a product with a mix of those accessories.
Sewing stitch speed
The motor and the density of the embroidery design determine the spm. Most industrial embroidery machines reach top sewing speeds of 1000 stitches per minute.
The sewing speed should be controllable for you to manage your embroidery, especially at the beginning of your multi-needle embroidery journey.
Needles
The needle number selection varies depending on the machine. If you purchased a machine with 16 needles but only use thread for patterns involving four needles, that’s fine. But it doesn’t work vice versa!
Be mindful of how many colors you use in your embroidery patterns.
You can’t add more needles to a multi-needle embroidery machine.
Most embroiderers usually keep a black and white in the spools, then a plethora of rainbow colors ready to go.
Number of hoops
You want to check that your embroidery sewing machine can accept different hoops of varying sizes. The larger the range number, the better so you are not restricted in one or two hoops sizes.
Automatic threader
This is something I could never live without. It will save you hours of time – can you imagine how hard it can be threading one needle repeatedly?
Yeah, try that 16 times on a multi-needle embroidery machine.
Trust me, you need this.
LED lighting
Pretty self explanatory and goes without reason. The more LED lights the machine comes with, the easier it is for you to see your beautiful sewing embroidery.
One feature that is a must for me is an LED pin pointer, so you can see exactly where the needle will land – especially useful for layering embroidery designs!
Embroidery field
This is the sewing field that you can embroider on. Some machines let you embroider in a sewing field 14 x 16”.
This is the maximum embroidery field – it doesn’t mean you necessarily have to fill that space, but it is the maximum embroidery capacity.
Onboard designs
The machine with the most isn’t necessarily the machine with the best. If there are 600 built in patterns, how many do you think you will like and actually use?
Maybe all of them, but if not you can always edit them or connect your computer up and import your own.
Fonts
If you are a monogramming pro, the more built in fonts could mean more business. Again, you can always import your own fonts for your embroidery prose.
Connectivity
Your multi-needle machine needs to have good connectivity. Ask the supplier if you require internet connection when the machine is in use in order to edit your designs.
FAQs
Who makes the best multi needle embroidery machines for home use?
I like the Brother PR670E and the Janome MB 4S for home use. They both have really good qualities for home use with a modest amount of needles.
Both of them run quietly, great for if you work when people are sleeping! Luckily, both are at an affordable price point.
It’s your decision as to what machine is best for home use depending on the space, purpose and needs.
How do you price embroidery?
Everyone has different circumstances and, therefore, price their embroidery differently.
Some quote embroidery based on the number of stitches.
Typically, the cost per 1,000 stitches varies between 50 cents to $4.00 depending on the design, color changes and garments to be embroidered. With more stitches, the cheaper it becomes.
Time
Another way is to consider the amount of time involved in the process, this way you can set an hourly rate that meets your requirements.
Both ways need to include the cost of your overheads, the materials and the investment in your embroidery machine.
Can a regular sewing machine do embroidery?
Yes, you can embroider using a regular sewing machine! You can trace a design onto a stabilizer and trace along the design with the needle as if you were using a pencil.
No doubt the best embroidery machine will work faster producing quality embroidery, but not everyone wants or can afford an embroidery machine.
If you embroidery infrequently on a small scale, it’s simple enough to do on your domestic sewing machine.
Conclusion
Many people are now earning an income doing the embroidery that they love.
If you are choosing to buy a multi-needle machine for a home based business, make sure you do thorough research to assess that the machine is the best choice for you.
Top Pick
My top pick is the Janome MB-7. It’s a great machine with lots of online help and embroidery designs to get you started.
I like the interactive features it has, while not being too complicated to use.
Best for home use is Janome MB-4 with its automatic tension system.
It’s diverse enough to use multiple hoops and easy to use from the comfort of your home.
Best For Commercial Use
Best for commercial use is Melco Amaya Bravo.
It can meet high demand and link up to 4 other Amaya Bravo sewing embroidery machines for fast production.
Best For The Money
Most worth the money is the MAS 12 needle embroidery machine by SWF.
I love all of the advanced technological features on this, like the digitized built in designs, USB port, and the stylus draw function!
I really hope you find the multi-needle embroidery machine right for you. If you’ve already found one and are looking for embroidery software, check out my review here.
Good luck – you’re going to love owning one!
