4 Best Professional Sewing Machines (That Are Not Industrials)
It’s a funny thing, but when I’m asked what the best professional sewing machines are, my initial response is to always suggest one of the industrial sewing machines I have owned and used as a fashion designer and sample maker.
The problem with that of course is that they are large, heavy and quite cumbersome if you don’t have much space available to you.
So, for those who would like a machine that can pass for a professional sewing machine, but are lacking the space for an industrial with built-in table, the four sewing machines below will be perfect for you.
But before we dive into all the juicy details, let’s first consider what you’re likely to need in a professional sewing machine, and why I’m only sharing straight stitch versions here today!
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means that I may receive a fee at no extra cost to you if you purchase a recommended product. I only recommend items I have experience with.
What To Expect From A Professional Sewing Machine
The differences between a professional and domestic sewing machine should be the functionality, speed and reliability offered.
With domestic sewing machines, we’re used to being able to sew straight stitches, zigzag stitches, buttonholes and much more on top. With a professional standard we’d expect to have different machines for those tasks.
You might then wonder why not just get a dedicated industrial machine for each task, and that again comes down to cost and size:
- Industrial standard sewing machines can be very large and very expensive
- Professional standard ones are more wallet friendly and smaller in size
So although industrial machines may make more sense, being able to move professional sewing machines around – even storing them in cupboards when not in use! – often makes more sense.
So what can we expect in terms of functionality for professional sewing machines?
Material
I would only consider a sewing machine to be a professional (non-industrial) type if it were made from metal. There is no place for plastic here.
Speed
I don’t expect professional sewing machines to be as fast as industrial machines, but they should be much faster than a standard home sewing machine. I would expect speeds between 1500-1600 stitches per minute.
Straight Stitch
A professional sewing machine should have only one task, and in the options here, that is a straight stitch only. No zig zags, no buttonholes, and definitely no embroidery stitches!
Knee Lifter
If you have ever used an industrial sewing machine, you’ll know that one of the best things about them (other than the speed they sew at) is the integrated knee lifter. This makes it so much quicker to work on a project, as you end up not faffing about raising and lowering the presser foot with your hands. Genius and essential.
Industrial Rotary Hook
Sewing machines come with either rotary or oscillating hooks. The first is what we want, because it’s a faster system than oscillating.
4 Professional Sewing Machines Available Now
Now that we’ve covered all you need to know about choosing one, let’s look at what I believe are the best professional sewing machines available right now. And note that I’m sharing these in cost order, lowest to highest.
1. Brother PQ1500SL
I’ve owned and loved all my Brother sewing machines. I started with a very basic ‘jeans’ model (which I ended up gifting to someone else as my skills and needs grew), my overlocker is also a Brother, and the best machine I ever owned was the Brother machine mentioned in my article on industrial sewing machine types.
The Brother PQ1500SL is an astonishingly good machine at a very good price point and should at least be considered by anyone looking for a more professional machine.
It weighs just shy of 30lbs so is solid enough to allow for high speed sewing. It can sew up to 1500 stitches per minute, but it has no speed control function – you’ll need to be confident in using the treadle to get the speed you want.
The addition of the table means that you can easily sew larger pieces of work. For me this is clothing, but there are many professional quilters who will love this feature (as well as the option for free motion quilting)
2. Juki TL2010Q
I think by now we’re aware of how highly I rate Juki sewing machines. The Juki TL2010Q is a great professional sewing machine at just a smidge more than the Brother.
Made from die cast aluminum it weighs in at 11.5kg which is just over 25lbs – it isn’t as heavy as the Brother, but it will still hold steady for high speed sewing.
The Juki can sew 1500 stitches per minute and the stitch quality is good. What I love about this machine is that it comes with a walking foot. I love a walking foot, so this is always a plus for me!
3. Janome 1600P-QC
The first on my list which doesn’t make industrial sewing machines, Janome is a very popular sewing machine brand in the UK, and for good reason.
The Janome 1600P-QC is another fantastic machine available in the US. If you’re in the UK, the updated version is the Janome HD9 which they don’t seem to have in the US yet. The Janome 1600P-QC is all metal – as we would expect! – weighing in at almost 29lbs.
The QC is marketed at quilters – in part because of the size of the throat area of 9” x 5.5” and partly due to the higher stitch rate of 1600 per minute!
It doesn;t come with much in the way of accessories however and this is something to consider as the cost of additional items can add up.
4. Elna Elnite EF1
A brand which is well known and very respected, I have not personally used an Elna but the Elna Elnita EF1 has had some great feedback from professionals who I have spoken with.
It’s a popular sewing machine for professionals who have their own small sewing studio as it can sew 1600 stitches per minute, has the same features discussed throughout but also looks rather good too. As in, it is the most beautiful mint green color which would make me happy to see every day!
It’s the heaviest on our list at 32 lbs so definitely not a machine that you would be lifting and moving often, but I’m swayed by the style of it. It’s the most beautiful machine I’ve seen in a while!
The downside to the Elna is the higher price point. Being fourth on our list, it’s clearly the most expensive professional sewing machine but it doesn’t actually offer an awful lot more for that price difference.
Which Professional Sewing Machine Is Best?
From the list above, you’ll see that they have varying price points, but otherwise each sewing machine is similar to the others in the list, in terms of speed, functionality and looks. Let’s look at ‘what’ they look like below – I’m hoping that I can get the images of them to display nicely for you!
Brother PQ1500SL
Juki T2010Q
Janome 1600P-QC
Elna Elnite EF1
I started this article by highlighting what we should expect from a sewing machine capable of professional level sewing. So, let’s grade those machines based on those criteria and others.
Choosing For Material
All machines listed here are made from a metal, and their weight makes this very clear. The Juki is the lightest at just over 25 lbs while the Elna comes in at a mighty 32 lbs! While the weight is no indication of quality, it does mean that the sewing machine will be more stable when stitching at high speed.
Winner: Elna
Choosing For Speed
All four machines sew at high speed but only the Brother has no physical option on the machine to control the speed setting. Instead the speed is dictated by the treadle.
On the other hand, the Juki, Janome and Elna all have a speed slider: tortoise, rabbit and hare making it clear which speed setting you’re on.
If you’re comfortable with using your foot to control the speed, then the Brother would be a great match and if you like to have the speed controlled for you, then one of the other sewing machines will probably suit you better.
Winner: Equal
Choosing For Functionality
In all honesty, every machine here is equal in terms of functionality – which is the point. They’re the four best professional sewing machines for a reason – they all provide the standards and functions you would expect!
Winner: Equal
Choosing For Price
Hands down, the Brother is the best professional sewing machine on price alone. It consistently costs less than the other four on the list, and is a reliable and respected sewing machine brand.
Winner: Brother
Choosing For Style
If you’re here for the style of a machine rather than its abilities, then the Elna surely has to be the winner with its mint green coating?
Winner: Elna
Choosing For Accessories
This is the point that is always the deciding factor for me which is why I have left it until last. I don’t like spending large sums of money on sewing machines that come with limited accessories or cost so much individually to add them to my collection that it’s equivalent to paying twice for the machine to do so.
With that in mind, how did our shortlist fair?
Brother: wide table, seven sewing machine feet (including a walking foot which I love for working with sticky fabrics) but the only other presser feet I could find were ‘compatible’ ones. I prefer the originals.
Juki: wide table, six presser feet, and additional Juki own brand feet available at a reasonable price.
Janome: only supplied with one presser foot – stunned! – and the additional Janome feet are almost double the cost of the Brother feet!
Elna: No branded presser feet included, but the Janome feet do fit and work well.
Winner: Juki
Professional Sewing Machine Winner: Juki TL-2010Q
Taking all of the above onboard – and having had great experience with every Juki sewing machine that I have used, I think it’s clear that the Juki TL-2010Q is our winner.
Simply because of the price – it costs more than the Brother but less than the Janome and Elna – and the accessories that it comes with and the availability of others if you want to grow your options.
The number of people who rave about how great this sewing machine is also works in its favor – the Brother is a great machine from a respected sewing machine brand, but is clearly not the best in this list.
Second Place Pro Sewing Machine: Elna Elnita EF1
To be fair, I would have given this sewing machine first place myself – not only does it look amazing, but it’s from a sewing machine brand I have a lot of respect for. The problem is the price. I cannot suggest people spend this much money on the Elna Elnita EF1 sewing machine when you could actually get a really great industrial flatlock machine for the same price. That’s just bonkers.
If after reading through this you have decided that you would actually prefer an industrial sewing machine, do check out my article on the types of industrial sewing machines. It covers more than just the straight stitch machine so is worthy of the reading time before you invest in one.
there’s also my latest article if you consider yourself to be more in need of a sewing machine for an advanced sewer than a professional or industrial sewing machine.
Meanwhile, let me know in the comments your thoughts on the winning machine for you – perhaps you are a professional and have a better suggestion?
Thanks Eve, I think this is a great help. I’ve been think of how to decide between juki and janome. Now it’s easier to decide.
Ah, really glad that this was helpful Rekha! Let me know how you get on! 🙂
I love my 2010Q! The Juki machines are so reliable in my opinion. I own 3, 2010q, NX7 and J350. I mostly quilt and make bags, I own other brands but always tend to use my Jukis.
Good to hear Naomi! I love a Juki too, very reliable workhorses!
Helpful and clear information.
Thanks!
After reading your review, I felt even more pleased with having just purchased an open box Elnita EF1. Since I paid a considerably reduced price for a machine tested by one customer, cost wasn’t a deterrent. Even the amazing speed isn’t critical to me. As a hobbyist garment and handbag sewer, my priorities are stitch quality and the capability to handle heavier fabrics and vinyl. And what a beauty!
Ooooh, you’ve scored a winner there Kim! have fun with it! 🙂