TechGearLab

If you're hoping to save some cash with your sewing machine purchase, the Brother CS5055 is our top recommendation. This model is very user-friendly and produced high-quality stitches with most of our test fabrics. The setup is fast, and choosing your stitches is super easy. It has the standard needle threader and does an average job at winding a bobbin. This machine also has more than enough stitches for most projects and produces a quality buttonhole. 
That said, we were disappointed by its thread cutter and the way this machine sewed a zipper. We also had some slight issues with the bobbin tension; the CS5055 bunched up the fabric a bit in a few of our tests. Still, we think these are minor inconveniences for those looking for a great deal on a new sewing machine, especially for a beginner.
Read more: Brother CS5055 review

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The Juki HZL-F300 was our favorite overall sewing machine, earning the highest score of the entire group. This machine is a power-house, quickly and easily going through many layers of denim or anything else we tossed at it. It has excellent quality stitches, exceptional lighting, and above-average buttonholes, among many other great assets. 
Unfortunately, all of this performance comes at a premium price. This makes the HZL-F300 much more suitable for someone who frequently sews and is very dedicated to the craft. Users looking to undertake small projects or the occasional patch would be much better served by some of the other machines in our lineup, which retail for considerably less. 
Read more: Juki HZL-F300 review

Upgrade Pick

Wirecutter

This quiet, affordable sewing machine stitches a variety of fabrics evenly, with enough speed variation and specialized features for beginners or casual sewers.

The Singer’s quality isn’t as high as that of the Janome picks, but it’s a straightforward machine that can handle a variety of fabrics well, and it’s usually less expensive than the Janome MOD-19.

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Singer's Heavy Duty Sewing Machine Boasts Seamless Use

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This solid, metal-bodied machine is better at sewing through layers of heavier fabrics like denim. It can be a tad trickier for a novice to use, though.

If you are new to sewing or are looking for a supremely easy-to-use machine, the Singer 7258 Stylist is an excellent choice. This machine is one of the easiest to use and set up, and it has a respectable library of stitches that should cover most projects. The buttonholes it produces have excellent stitch quality with a straightforward one-step process. The 7258 has a built-in thread cutter, and its automatic bobbin winder makes it very easy for a beginner to get up and running with their first sewing project without major frustration. Amateur and veteran users alike will have no problem quickly and efficiently accomplishing their desired tasks. 
While the stitch quality on this machine is quite high, it is still outmatched by the Juki HZL-F300. This is something to consider if you need perfect stitches &mdash; but you'll need to be willing to deal with a much more expensive machine. However, the stitches produced by the Singer 7258 are usually sufficient for most projects, and you should consider this model if you are shopping on a budget and want a hassle-free and very competent machine. 
Read more: Singer 7258 Stylist review

Sewing Machine Comparison