Best home embroidery machines for hobbyists

Top pick: Brother SE700 — the easiest place to start. It sews and embroiders, has a 4"x4" hoop and 135 built-in designs, and it's the model most hobbyists learn on, with a big user base and strong ratings.

Who the others suit:

• Brother SE600 — the budget twin of the SE700; same 4"x4" hoop, slightly fewer designs, plenty for monogramming and small gifts.
• Brother SE1900 — a step up for someone who wants a bigger embroidery field and more stitches without jumping to a pro machine.
• Brother PE900 — embroidery-only, so pick it if you already own a sewing machine and want a better hoop and screen.
• POOLIN EOC05 / EOC03 — 2-in-1 machines with a 4"x9.25" hoop at a low price; good value, smaller brand support.
• POOLIN EOC06 — a wide 11"x7.9" field and 7" touchscreen for ambitious hobbyists.
• PFAFF Creative Expect 350 — for sewists who want PFAFF stitch quality and embroidery in one.
• Smartstitch S-1201 Plus — a 12-needle machine only if you're turning a hobby into small-batch production.