Janome MC9850 vs Bernina 790 Pro Sewing and Embroidery Machine
Buy the Bernina 790 Pro if budget is not the constraint and you want the larger embroidery field, WiFi, and Bernina's stitch precision and Dual Feed. Buy the Janome MC9850 if you want a capable sewing-and-embroidery combo at a far lower price and can live with a smaller hoop and no WiFi. The Bernina's lowest recent price was $9,999.00 on November 1, 2026, against a high of $16,499.00 on October 31, 2026; no Janome price was provided.
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Janome MC9850
Choose the Janome MC9850 if you want 175 built-in designs, a color touchscreen, and automatic thread cutting and tension at a fraction of the Bernina's price.
Pros
- 175 built-in embroidery designs and 200 stitches out of the box
- Automatic needle threader, thread cutter, buttonhole, and tension
- Full-color touchscreen with memorized needle up/down and 91 needle positions
- Handles thick materials like denim, vinyl, and cork
- Sews up to 1,000 stitches per minute
Cons
- No WiFi; design transfer is USB only
- No embroidery module size or large-hoop capability stated
What separates them
| Janome MC9850 | Bernina 790 Pro Sewing and Embroidery Machine | |
|---|---|---|
| Embroidery field | Standard hoop; no module size stated | Embroidery Module L with SDT comes standard, extra-large area |
| Built-in designs | 175 embroidery designs, 200 stitches | Extensive stitch library; design count not stated |
| Screen | Large full-color LCD touchscreen | 7-inch color touchscreen with built-in tutorials |
| Connectivity | USB design transfer | WiFi plus USB |
| Sewing speed | Up to 1,000 stitches per minute | Up to 33% faster SDT embroidery speed |
| Fabric feeding | Extra high presser foot lift; handles vinyl, cork, denim | Bernina Dual Feed for hard-to-manage fabrics |
| Included accessories | Twin needle guard; standard feet | BSR, Reverse Pattern Feet 1C and 1D, Overlock 2A, Buttonhole 3A, Zipper 4D |
Price history
$16,499.00$1,499.00
- Janome MC9850: lowest $1,499.00 on Oct 31 at Lowe's.
- Bernina 790 Pro Sewing and Embroidery Machine: lowest $9,999.00 on Nov 1 at Ken's Sewing Center.
Prices at every store
Janome MC9850
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- Lowe'sCheck price at Lowe's
- TargetCheck price at Target
Bernina 790 Pro Sewing and Embroidery Machine
- Ken's Sewing CenterCheck price at Ken's Sewing Center
- Shop.Berninausa.comCheck price at Shop.Berninausa.com
- Creative Sewing CenterCheck price at Creative Sewing Center
Specs compared
| Spec | Janome MC9850 | Bernina 790 Pro Sewing and Embroidery Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Machine Type | Sewing Machine, Embroidery machine | — |
| Model Name | Memory Craft 9850 | — |
| Usage Type | Domestic | — |
| Embroidery Designs | 175 | — |
| Number Of Stitches | 200 | — |
| Skill Level | Expert-level sewer | — |
| Typical Users | Expert-level sewer | — |
| Automatic Needle Threader | Built-in needle threader | — |
| Computerized | Yes | — |
| Auto Thread Cutter | Yes | — |
Questions and answers
- Which is better for large embroidery projects?
- The Bernina 790 Pro. It ships with the Embroidery Module L and SDT for an extra-large embroidery area, while the Janome MC9850's hoop size is not stated as large.
- Is the Bernina worth the extra money over the Janome?
- If you embroider large designs, want WiFi, and value Dual Feed and the Stitch Regulator, yes. If you mainly sew and do smaller embroidery, the Janome covers the basics for far less.
- Which is easier for a beginner?
- The Janome is the simpler machine, but it is aimed at expert sewers. The Bernina has built-in tutorials yet its advanced features can overwhelm beginners.
- Which handles thick fabrics better?
- The Bernina's Dual Feed is built for hard-to-manage fabrics. The Janome sews denim, vinyl, and cork but notes that super thick material stresses the bobbin.
- Do either connect wirelessly?
- Only the Bernina 790 Pro has WiFi. The Janome MC9850 transfers designs by USB.
- How do their prices compare?
- The Bernina's lowest recent price was $9,999.00 on November 1, 2026, with a high of $16,499.00 on October 31, 2026. No Janome price was provided.