Handi Quilter Amara ST vs Bernina Q16 Plus ST

The Amara ST is the bigger, faster machine: a 20-inch throat, 2,500 stitches per minute and a 7-inch touchscreen. The Bernina Q16 Plus ST gives up 4 inches of throat and some speed but counters with dual stitch regulators, KickStart foot-free quilting and 50 LEDs. Owners of both praise stitch quality and build; the Amara ST suits quilters who want room for large quilts and long sessions, while the Q16 Plus ST suits those who value Bernina's regulator feel and hands-free control.

• Choose the Handi Quilter Amara ST if you want the widest throat, the highest speed and a large touchscreen for quilting big projects on a sit-down table.
• Choose the Bernina Q16 Plus ST if you want dual stitch regulators, KickStart foot-free quilting and Bernina's stitch quality in a compact sit-down setup.