Best embroidery machines for beginners under $400

Start here: the Brother PE570. It's a dedicated embroidery machine, not a sewing machine that also embroiders — 135 built-in designs and a 4" x 4" hoop mean you can hoop a monogram or small motif and go, without learning to sew first. That's the shortest path from box to first finished project.

Who the others suit:

• Brother BM3850 — if you want one machine for both sewing and light embroidery, and you'd rather spend the savings on thread and stabilizer.
• Portable 17-stitch machine — for occasional decorative stitching and small craft projects where space is tight.
• Brother SE700 — the step up if you already know you'll want a bigger design library and sewing in one machine; it's over the cap, so it's a "save a bit longer" pick rather than a beginner buy.

A note on the category: most true embroidery machines start around this price, so a 4" x 4" hoop is the realistic beginner standard. If you later want to stitch larger designs, that's the upgrade to plan for.