If you are shopping for an embroidery machine that will not break the bank, the Brother PE535 is one of the first models you will encounter — and for good reason. It is consistently one of the most affordable dedicated embroidery machines on Amazon, and after analyzing 100 verified owner reviews, it is clear that budget does not mean bad. Here is everything you need to know before buying.
What 100 Real Owners Say About the Brother PE535
The Brother PE535 holds a strong 4.5 out of 5 average across exactly 100 verified Amazon reviews. A full 88% of owners give it a 4- or 5-star rating. Only 3% leave a 1-star review. That is a solid satisfaction profile for any home machine, let alone one that often sells for just over $500.
What Owners Love
Dozens of reviews simply say they “love” this machine — not just “like” or “it’s fine.” For any price point, that kind of emotional response means a lot.
Owners consistently call this machine easy to set up and start embroidering quickly, even with zero experience. Many first-timers report finishing their first project the same day they unbox it.
Several buyers report using this machine for monogramming, personalized gifts, or small-batch embroidery sales right out of the gate.
Owners explicitly point out how much machine you get for the money. Several mention finding it on sale or using a payment plan, making it an even better deal.
What Owners Don’t Like
Some customers ordering “new” report getting units that had been opened, returned, or were missing accessories. Inspect your machine immediately upon arrival.
A notable number of machines arrive with issues out of the box — defective switches, frozen mechanisms, or error messages on first power-up. Most buyers who exchange get a working unit.
The included manual is widely criticized as confusing, sparse, or poorly translated. Most successful owners recommend YouTube tutorials instead.
In Their Own Words
“I’m a beginner to embroidery, and wanted a not too pricey machine to start. I put this in my save for later list and bought it when the price dropped to slightly over [$500]. Also bought additional machine designs, thread, filled bobbins, various types of stabilizer and additional needles. Make sure your know the thread specs for the machine so that you buy the right weights of thread. I’ve only embroidered 4 items and have gone through two bobbins already. I can’t stress how much you need to read the manual AND watch the YouTube videos. I already have a Brother sewing machine, so threading this”
“I have never used an embroidery machine before, always doing it by hand. Now that I have arthritis, I needed to switch to something a bit easier. The PE535 is easy to use and I have not had any issues with it at all. I did watch various YouTube videos to learn how to thread it and do the basic commands. The touchscreen is simple, but does not always respond to touch, so you may have to tap it several times to get it to do what you want. Other than that, I have no complaints. Just make sure that you watch videos before hand and think about what you want it to do. I really didn’t think much abou”
“As a beginner, this machine has been an excellent machine to start with! Although it only has a 4×4 hoop, I basically take multiple 4×4 designs and build one big design. I’m JUST learning how to embroider so with these being just my first 3 projects I don’t think I did too bad, but I’m still very new and learning. They were just for family (: The 49ers lettering was an applique with heat vinyl. Never had an issue. I just got an embroidery software to help with making my own lettering so that’s been very helpful as the machine fonts are pretty limited. I will say, if you are just thinking of em”
“If you want to learn machine embroidery without spending a ton of money, this is your machine. It’s modestly priced and relatively small, for this type of machine. So if space is a limiting factor, this is also a good choice. Things to know; 1) This is a embroidery-only machine. It does not do regular sewing. 2) If you want to do regular sewing as well, you either need a separate sewing machine (which I already have) or a combo machine. Brother makes a number of these, and some are available on Amazon. 3) It has a number of designs and alphabets installed in its memory, but you are not limited”
“So I ordered this machine, and yes it was used But it shows up with this mess. Then it is missing things I need to be able to see even if it sews. It had all that thread wrapped the bobbin winding post, DONT buy used it is costing me more money then if I had just ordered a new one. And at this point I don’t even know it it works. No manual, and it is registered to someone else’s so I can’t even register it to get it serviced! I only saved fifty bucks! I didn’t realize the difference which is on me but to get it and it is missing things that you need to be able to even create it not good”
“Was all ready to start my first project! Got all my materials, got everything set up, plugged it in and when I turned on the power this is what I saw 🙃 so there’s that. I’m going to send it back and try for another one. Hopefully I can edit this later with a better review. EDIT: been about 3 weeks since I returned the machine and Amazon is certainly not in a rush to refund me. In the meantime my husband bought the SE600 machine and honestly it’s the better purchase. There is a lot more support for it, so if you can, spend the extra to get the better version of this machine.”
The Bottom Line From 100 Owners
If you are willing to supplement the confusing manual with YouTube videos — and you buy new from a trusted seller — the Brother PE535 delivers an impressive embroidery experience for the price. 88% of owners give it 4 or 5 stars, and the praise is genuine: people love this little machine.
The main trade-offs are the 4×4 hoop limitation and the atrocious instruction manual. Neither is a dealbreaker if you plan ahead. The 4×4 area handles patches, monograms, and small designs perfectly. And for the manual — well, YouTube exists for a reason. Nearly every successful owner says the same thing: skip the booklet, watch a good tutorial, and you will be embroidering within an hour.
If you are a beginner: this is the lowest-risk way to enter machine embroidery. Budget the savings toward thread, stabilizer, and spare needles, and do not expect to embroider large jacket backs. For personalized gifts, small crafts, and learning the craft, the PE535 is the best value in the entry-level category.
Brother PE535 Specs
| Spec | Brother PE535 |
|---|---|
| Type | Embroidery only |
| Max embroidery area | 4×4 inches |
| Built-in designs | 80 designs + 9 font styles |
| Max stitch speed | 400 SPM |
| Connectivity | USB only (no wireless) |
| Display | 3.2-inch color LCD touchscreen |
| Auto needle threader | Yes |
| Drop-in bobbin | Yes |
| Weight | ~13.2 lbs |
| Warranty | 25-year limited |
Check Current Brother PE535 Price on Amazon
What the Brother PE535 Does Well
1. The Best Value in Entry-Level Embroidery
At around $500, the PE535 delivers real embroidery capability at a price that is approachable for hobbyists. Owners consistently say they expected less for the money and were pleasantly surprised. It is the machine you buy when you want to try machine embroidery without risking a $700+ investment.
2. Genuinely Beginner-Friendly
With 25 owners specifically mentioning ease of use, the PE535 is one of the most approachable embroidery machines available. The threading path is color-coded, the automatic needle threader simplifies setup, and the touchscreen walks you through each step. First-timers who have never touched an embroidery machine report finishing projects the same day they unbox it.
3. Lightweight and Compact
At roughly 13 pounds, the PE535 is easy to move between rooms or store in a closet when not in use. For crafters with limited space, this is a real advantage over heavier machines that need a permanent setup.
4. USB Design Import
While it lacks wireless connectivity, the USB port lets you import your own .pes designs from a computer. Third-party design sites like Etsy and Creative Fabrica have thousands of 4×4-compatible designs. It is not as convenient as WiFi, but it works reliably.
Where the Brother PE535 Falls Short
1. The Manual Is the Machine’s Biggest Weakness
The #1 complaint from PE535 owners is the included instruction manual. It is described as confusing, poorly translated, and insufficient for a complete beginner. Nearly every satisfied owner recommends ignoring the booklet and learning from YouTube tutorials instead. If you are the type who needs a well-written printed guide, expect initial frustration.
2. Embroidery Only — No Sewing
This is strictly an embroidery machine. You cannot sew hems, buttonholes, or do basic stitching on it. Several buyers did not realize this before purchasing. If you need both functions, the Brother SE700 is the combo machine to look at.
3. The 4×4 Hoop Is a Hard Limit
A 4×4 inch embroidery area handles patches, monograms, and small designs comfortably — but anything larger requires re-hooping or is simply impossible. The 10 owners who specifically complained about hoop size almost all said the same thing: “I wish I had bought a bigger one.” If larger designs are in your plans, consider the Brother PE900 with its 5×7 hoop.
Who Should Buy the Brother PE535?
- Absolute beginners testing the waters — lowest-cost way to try machine embroidery
- Hobbyists who make small items — patches, monograms on onesies, small bags, doll clothes
- Gift givers on a budget — a thoughtful, creative gift that does not break the bank
- People with limited craft space — it is light enough to store in a closet between projects
Who Should Skip It?
- Anyone who also needs sewing — the Brother SE700 does both
- People who want to embroider larger than 4×4 — look at the PE900
- WiFi users — the PE545 is the WiFi version of this machine
- People who need great printed instructions — you will rely on YouTube for everything
Brother PE535 vs Alternatives
| Spec | PE535 | PE545 | PE900 | SE700 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Embroidery only | Embroidery only | Embroidery only | Combo |
| Hoop | 4×4 | 4×4 | 5×7 | 5×7 |
| Designs | 80 | 135 | 193 | 103 |
| Wireless | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sewing | No | No | No | Yes (135 stitches) |
| Best for | Budget/beginner | Beginner + WiFi | Dedicated embroidery | Sewing + embroidery |
Final Verdict
The Brother PE535 is not a flawless machine. The manual is weak, the 4×4 hoop demands realistic expectations, and occasional quality control hiccups happen. But when you weigh what 100 verified owners have to say — 88% giving 4 or 5 stars, 70% giving the full 5 — the pattern is clear: this machine makes beginners happy.
It turns craft-curious people into embroidery enthusiasts. For around the price of a nice dinner out, you get a real embroidery machine that thousands of owners swear by. If you are ready to start your embroidery journey without a big financial commitment, the PE535 is the smart buy.
If you want wireless design transfer, step up to the Brother PE545. If you want a larger hoop, the PE900 is the natural upgrade. But if you want the cheapest quality embroidery machine worth buying, this is it.
Check Current Brother PE535 Price on Amazon
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