Handi Quilter Amara ST vs Bernina Q 20 Sit-Down Longarm

Both are 20-inch-throat sit-down longarms, so the choice comes down to speed, table and controls. The Handi Quilter Amara ST is faster at 2,500 stitches per minute, has a bigger 7-inch touchscreen and a longer 10-year casting warranty, and its Lift Table adjusts height. The Bernina Q 20 runs at 2,200 stitches per minute but brings 50 LEDs, three stitch-regulator modes and Bernina's digital tension adjustment, and its Horn lift table expands from 36 x 45 to 36 x 77 inches. Owners of both praise stitch quality; the Amara ST suits quilters who want speed and a large screen, the Q 20 suits those who want Bernina's tension control and a wider table.

• Choose the Handi Quilter Amara ST if you want the faster machine, a large color touchscreen and a height-adjustable lift table in a sit-down setup.
• Choose the Bernina Q 20 if you want Bernina's digital tension adjustment, three stitch-regulator modes and a Horn table that expands to 77 inches wide.