Brother and Janome are the two most recommended embroidery machine brands, and choosing between them is one of the most common decisions new buyers face. After comparing their lineups across price ranges, here is an honest breakdown of where each brand excels and where it falls short.
Brand Overview
| Factor | Brother | Janome |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Japan (Nagoya) | Japan (Tokyo) |
| Price range | $500 – $12,000+ | $1000 – $6,000+ |
| Best known for | Value, software, community | Build quality, stitch precision |
| Design format | PES | JEF |
| Community size | Largest online | Strong but smaller |
| Wireless models | Yes (SE700, PE900) | Limited |
| Multi-needle | PR series (6, 10 needle) | MB series (4, 7 needle) |
Where Brother Wins
Price to performance ratio. Brother consistently offers more features per dollar. The PE535 is the most affordable quality embroidery machine on the market, and the SE700 combo machine is hard to beat for versatility at a competitive price point. Need everything out of the box? The SE700 bundle pairs the machine with thread, hoops, and accessories so you can start stitching the same day.
Also consider the Brother PE545: the WiFi-enabled version of the PE535. See the PE545 vs PE535 comparison for the full breakdown. If you want everything ready to go, the PE545 bundle includes the machine plus 4 embroidery hoops, 40 spools of thread, and 230+ accessories.
Software and connectivity. Brother has invested heavily in wireless design transfer, mobile apps (Artspira), and cloud design libraries. Most Janome machines still rely on USB transfer.
Community and support. Brother has the largest online embroidery community. Facebook groups, YouTube tutorials, and free design libraries are abundant. When you get stuck at 11 PM, someone in a Brother group has had the same problem.
Design format availability. PES (Brother’s format) is the most widely supported format on third-party design sites. More free designs are available in PES than any other format.
Where Janome Wins
Build quality. Janome machines feel more solid and are built to last longer under heavy use. The metal frames and precision engineering are noticeable compared to Brother’s lighter plastic housings on consumer models.
Stitch quality. Janome consistently produces slightly cleaner, more precise stitches, especially on delicate fabrics and detailed designs. The difference is subtle but visible to experienced embroiderers.
Hoop size on mid-range models. Janome offers larger hoop sizes at lower price points. The MC400E gives you a 7.9×7.9 inch area at a price where Brother offers only 5×7.
Noise level. Janome machines generally run quieter, which matters if you work in a shared living space or embroider at night.
Head-to-Head Comparisons
Entry-Level: Brother PE535 vs Janome MC400E
| Spec | Brother PE535 | Janome MC400E |
|---|---|---|
| Price | around $500 (prices vary by retailer) | premium home-machine pricing (varies by retailer) |
| Hoop size | 4×4 in | 7.9×7.9 in |
| Built-in designs | 80 | 160 |
| Touchscreen | Yes (3.2 in) | Yes |
| Auto threader | Yes | Yes |
| Our pick | Brother PE535 for the lower starting cost; Janome MC400E if you specifically need a much larger embroidery field at home | |
Check Current Brother PE535 Price at Amazon
Check Current Janome MC400E Price at Amazon
Mid-Range: Brother PE900 vs Janome MC500E
| Spec | Brother PE900 | Janome MC500E |
|---|---|---|
| Price | around $1,200 MSRP (prices vary by retailer) | around $2,400 MSRP (prices vary) |
| Hoop size | 5×7 in | 7.9×11 in |
| Built-in designs | 193 | 160 |
| Wireless | Yes | No |
| Stitch quality | Excellent | Best in class |
| Our pick | Brother PE900 for most users (value + wireless); Janome MC500E if hoop size or stitch precision is your priority | |
Check Current Brother PE900 Price on Amazon
Check Current Janome MC500E Price on Amazon
Commercial: Ricoma EM-1010 vs Janome MB-7
| Spec | Ricoma EM-1010 | Janome MB-7 |
|---|---|---|
| Needles | 10 | 7 |
| Max area | 12×8 in | 9.4×7.9 in |
| Speed | 1200 SPM | 800 SPM |
| Cap frame | Included | Included |
| Price | $5,499.00 (prices vary) | $5,999.00 (prices vary by retailer) |
| Our pick | Ricoma EM-1010 for speed and value; Janome MB-7 if stitch precision and build quality matter most | |
Check Janome MB-7 Price at Amazon
Check Current Ricoma EM-1010 Price at Amazon
The Bottom Line
Choose Brother if: You want the best value, care about wireless connectivity, want the largest community for support, or are buying your first embroidery machine.
Choose Janome if: You prioritize build quality and longevity, want the best possible stitch precision, need a larger hoop size without paying premium prices, or plan to use the machine heavily for years.
Both brands make excellent machines. You genuinely cannot go wrong with either. The best choice depends on which factors matter most to your specific situation.
Related guides: Best Embroidery Machine 2026 | Best for Beginners | Best Commercial Machine
Brand Overview
| Factor | Brother | Janome |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Japan (Nagoya) | Japan (Tokyo) |
| Price range | $500 – $12,000+ | $1000 – $6,000+ |
| Best known for | Value, software, community | Build quality, stitch precision |
| Design format | PES | JEF |
| Community size | Largest online | Strong but smaller |
| Wireless models | Yes (SE700, PE900) | Limited |
| Multi-needle | PR series (6, 10 needle) | MB series (4, 7 needle) |
Where Brother Wins
Price to performance ratio. Brother consistently offers more features per dollar. The PE535 is the most affordable quality embroidery machine on the market, and the SE700 combo machine is hard to beat for versatility at a competitive price point. Need everything out of the box? The SE700 bundle pairs the machine with thread, hoops, and accessories so you can start stitching the same day.
Also consider the Brother PE545: the WiFi-enabled version of the PE535. See the PE545 vs PE535 comparison for the full breakdown. If you want everything ready to go, the PE545 bundle includes the machine plus 4 embroidery hoops, 40 spools of thread, and 230+ accessories.
Software and connectivity. Brother has invested heavily in wireless design transfer, mobile apps (Artspira), and cloud design libraries. Most Janome machines still rely on USB transfer.
Community and support. Brother has the largest online embroidery community. Facebook groups, YouTube tutorials, and free design libraries are abundant. When you get stuck at 11 PM, someone in a Brother group has had the same problem.
Design format availability. PES (Brother’s format) is the most widely supported format on third-party design sites. More free designs are available in PES than any other format.
Where Janome Wins
Build quality. Janome machines feel more solid and are built to last longer under heavy use. The metal frames and precision engineering are noticeable compared to Brother’s lighter plastic housings on consumer models.
Stitch quality. Janome consistently produces slightly cleaner, more precise stitches, especially on delicate fabrics and detailed designs. The difference is subtle but visible to experienced embroiderers.
Hoop size on mid-range models. Janome offers larger hoop sizes at lower price points. The MC400E gives you a 7.9×7.9 inch area at a price where Brother offers only 5×7.
Noise level. Janome machines generally run quieter, which matters if you work in a shared living space or embroider at night.
Head-to-Head Comparisons
Entry-Level: Brother PE535 vs Janome MC400E
| Spec | Brother PE535 | Janome MC400E |
|---|---|---|
| Price | around $500 (prices vary by retailer) | premium home-machine pricing (varies by retailer) |
| Hoop size | 4×4 in | 7.9×7.9 in |
| Built-in designs | 80 | 160 |
| Touchscreen | Yes (3.2 in) | Yes |
| Auto threader | Yes | Yes |
| Our pick | Brother PE535 for the lower starting cost; Janome MC400E if you specifically need a much larger embroidery field at home | |
Check Current Brother PE535 Price at Amazon
Check Current Janome MC400E Price at Amazon
Mid-Range: Brother PE900 vs Janome MC500E
| Spec | Brother PE900 | Janome MC500E |
|---|---|---|
| Price | around $1,200 MSRP (prices vary by retailer) | around $2,400 MSRP (prices vary) |
| Hoop size | 5×7 in | 7.9×11 in |
| Built-in designs | 193 | 160 |
| Wireless | Yes | No |
| Stitch quality | Excellent | Best in class |
| Our pick | Brother PE900 for most users (value + wireless); Janome MC500E if hoop size or stitch precision is your priority | |
Check Current Brother PE900 Price on Amazon
Check Current Janome MC500E Price on Amazon
Commercial: Ricoma EM-1010 vs Janome MB-7
| Spec | Ricoma EM-1010 | Janome MB-7 |
|---|---|---|
| Needles | 10 | 7 |
| Max area | 12×8 in | 9.4×7.9 in |
| Speed | 1200 SPM | 800 SPM |
| Cap frame | Included | Included |
| Price | $5,499.00 (prices vary) | $5,999.00 (prices vary by retailer) |
| Our pick | Ricoma EM-1010 for speed and value; Janome MB-7 if stitch precision and build quality matter most | |
Check Janome MB-7 Price at Amazon
Check Current Ricoma EM-1010 Price at Amazon
The Bottom Line
Choose Brother if: You want the best value, care about wireless connectivity, want the largest community for support, or are buying your first embroidery machine.
Choose Janome if: You prioritize build quality and longevity, want the best possible stitch precision, need a larger hoop size without paying premium prices, or plan to use the machine heavily for years.
Both brands make excellent machines. You genuinely cannot go wrong with either. The best choice depends on which factors matter most to your specific situation.
Related guides: Best Embroidery Machine 2026 | Best for Beginners | Best Commercial Machine