Best automatic knitting machines for panels and tubes

Top pick: addi Express Kingsize — the only machine here that does both jobs properly: 46 needles knit flat panels up to about 17.7″ wide and tubes up to about 13.8″ across, in yarns from US 6 to 11. It's hand-cranked rather than motorised, but it's the reliable workhorse people keep for years.

Who the others suit:

• addi Express (standard) — same flat-and-circular design in a smaller, lighter package; good if you mostly make hats, socks and narrow panels.
• Sentro 48 / 40-needle — cheap way to try machine knitting; fine for simple tubes and scarves, but plastic and limited on wide panels.
• Silver Reed SK840 — a true flat-bed machine for garment-grade panels and stitch patterns; the choice if panels are the priority and budget is large.
• Caydo i-cord machine — only for cords and trims, not panels or tubes.

Skip the tiny 22-needle toys unless you want a craft kit for a child.