Brother Embroidery Machine Comparison Chart

Of the 6 Brother models in our chart, 4 are in production: the SE700, PE900, SE2000 and Skitch PP1. Pick the hoop class first, 4×4 in (100 × 100 mm) or 5×7 in (130 × 180 mm). Then choose between sewing plus embroidery and embroidery only.

Chart

Brother embroidery machines we track

6 machines

All4×45×7Sewing + embroideryEmbroidery onlyCurrent

Brother embroidery machines by hoop class

Model	Type	Hoop	Status	Note
Brother SE700	Sewing + embroidery	4×4 in (100 × 100 mm)	Current	—
Brother PE900	Embroidery only	5×7 in (130 × 180 mm)	Current	Embroidery only; the embroidery unit detaches
Brother SE2000	Sewing + embroidery	5×7 in (130 × 180 mm)	Current	—
Brother PE800	Embroidery only	5×7 in (130 × 180 mm)	Discontinued	No Amazon link: third-party sellers only
Brother Skitch	Embroidery only	4×4 in (100 × 100 mm)	Current	Magnetic 4×4 frame; designs come through the Artspira app
Brother SE600	Sewing + embroidery	4×4 in (100 × 100 mm)	Discontinued	See what replaced it

Hoop sizes and status checked against Brother spec pages on 2026-10-25.

Filter the chart by hoop class, type or status. Each row links its values to a Brother page check on 2026-10-25.

Our assumptions

• Every value comes from a Brother USA product page or manual, checked on 2026-10-25.
• Hoop fields are Brother's listed mm. We never convert the inch class name into mm.
• Where Brother's own pages disagree, or give no number, we leave the cell as not listed.
• Speeds are Brother's maximums in stitches per minute. Real stitching is slower on dense areas.
• We cover features Brother lists in a spec table. Connectivity and screen details are left out until we confirm them per model.
• Status means whether Brother USA lists the model as current or discontinued.

Key takeaways

Two hoop classes cover every home model here. The SE700, SE600 and Skitch take 4×4 in. The PE900, SE2000 and PE800 take 5×7 in.

The 5×7 in models stitch faster. Brother lists 650 spm on the PE900 and SE2000, and 400 spm on the SE700 and Skitch.

Design counts follow the same split. The two current 5×7 in models list 193 built-in designs. The SE700 lists 135. The Skitch relies on an app instead of a built-in list.

Two models are discontinued: the PE800 and SE600. Each has a current model with the same field. The PE900 replaces the PE800 and the SE700 replaces the SE600, by type and field.

Brother embroidery machines with hoop field, designs, speeds, stitches and status

Model	Type	Field (mm)	Designs	Embroidery spm	Sewing spm	Stitches	Status
SE700	Sew + embroider	100 × 100	135	400	710	103	Current
PE900	Embroidery only	130 × 180	193	650	—	—	Current
SE2000	Sew + embroider	130 × 180	193	650	850	241	Current
Skitch PP1	Embroidery only	100 × 100	Via Artspira app	400	—	—	Current
PE800	Embroidery only	130 × 180	138	Not listed	—	—	Discontinued
SE600	Sew + embroider	100 × 100	80	Not listed	710	103	Discontinued

Hoop class: the first filter

The hoop class sets the largest design you can stitch in one hooping. On these home models, you cannot raise it by buying a bigger hoop. Brother lists the largest class each one takes.

A 4×4 in field is 100 × 100 mm. That suits patches, small logos and napkin corners. A 5×7 in field is 130 × 180 mm. That adds left-chest logos with text, towel borders and tote panels.

Use our hoop size finder if you have design files already. Type the sizes and it returns the smallest class that fits. Then come back to this chart for models in that class.

Larger classes exist. Brother lists 160 × 260 mm for 6×10 in and 200 × 300 mm for 8×12 in. None of the six home models here take them.

Pick by project

Patches and small badges sit well inside 100 × 100 mm. A 4×4 in model handles them, and the smaller hoop grips fabric closely.

Shirts are the most common first project. A left-chest logo is often 75 to 100 mm wide. With a line of text under it, it can pass 100 mm tall. That pushes many shirt designs to 5×7 in.

Towels and tea towels usually take a border or a monogram. Borders often run 150 to 170 mm long, so they need 5×7 in. Single initials fit 4×4 in.

Tote bags vary. A small motif fits 4×4 in. A full panel uses most of the 130 × 180 mm field.

Quilt blocks are often larger than 180 mm. Many quilters split designs or move up to a 6×10 in machine. None of the six home models here take that class.

Sewing plus embroidery, or embroidery only

Combo models sew and embroider in one body. In our chart that is the SE700, SE2000 and SE600. You attach the embroidery unit to embroider and remove it to sew.

Embroidery-only models do not sew. That is the PE900, PE800 and Skitch PP1. They suit you if you already own a sewing machine.

The choice comes down to your table and your current machines. One combo saves space. Two machines let you sew and embroider at the same time.

Our PE900 vs SE2000 page works through this choice at 5×7 in. It is the most common fork for new buyers.

Combo trade-offs

A combo saves table space and a second purchase. That is the main case for the SE700 and SE2000.

The trade-off is one job at a time. While the machine embroiders, it cannot sew. For one project, that is fine. For batches of 10 or more, a separate sewing machine keeps work moving.

Switching modes also takes a few steps. You attach the embroidery unit, hoop the fabric and load the design. Then you remove the unit to sew again. Batching all sewing first, then all embroidery, keeps switches down.

Embroidery-only models avoid the switch. They also leave your sewing machine free. If you sew a lot already, the PE900 or Skitch fits beside it.

Built-in designs

Brother lists 193 designs on the PE900 and SE2000. The PE800 lists 138 and the SE700 lists 135. The SE600 lists 80.

Built-in designs matter most in your first months. After that, most people stitch files they buy or make. Every file still has to fit the hoop field.

The Skitch PP1 works differently. Brother lists no built-in count. Its designs come through the Artspira app, so plan on a phone or tablet with it.

Where the Skitch PP1 fits

The Skitch PP1 is the odd one in the chart. It is embroidery-only, takes a 4×4 in field of 100 × 100 mm and uses a magnetic frame, per Brother.

Brother lists 400 spm for it, the same as the SE700. It has no built-in design count. Designs come through the Artspira app instead.

So it suits a buyer who already sews and wants small designs, and who is happy to work from a phone or tablet. If you want designs on the machine itself, look at the SE700 or PE900.

Spare hoops by class

A spare hoop lets you hoop the next piece while one stitches. For batches, that cuts waiting between pieces.

Buy spares for your model, not just your class. Frames from other brands may not attach, even at the same size. Brother lists the frames that fit each machine.

Store spares flat and away from heat. A warped inner ring will not grip fabric evenly. Replace a cracked ring rather than taping it, since tape lets the fabric slip during stitching.

Two hoops are enough for most home batches. Hoop the next shirt while the current one runs, then swap. With 20 pieces, that saves a few minutes on each swap.

Embroidery speed

Brother lists 650 stitches per minute for the PE900 and SE2000. It lists 400 for the SE700 and Skitch PP1. Current pages give no figure for the PE800 or SE600.

Speed shapes batch time. A 6,500-stitch logo takes 10 minutes at 650 spm and about 16 minutes at 400 spm. Color changes and hooping add more.

For one gift, the gap hardly matters. For 20 shirts, it adds up to about 2 hours of extra stitching at 400 spm.

Batch time by model

Here is a worked example with round numbers. Take a 6,500-stitch left-chest logo and 20 shirts.

At 650 spm, each logo stitches in 10 minutes. At 400 spm, it takes about 16 minutes. Add about 5 minutes per shirt for hooping and thread changes.

That gives roughly 5 hours on the PE900 or SE2000. On the SE700 or Skitch it is about 7 hours. Both 4×4 in models also need the logo to fit 100 × 100 mm.

For a single shirt, the gap is 6 minutes. Speed is a tie-breaker for most home users, not a first filter.

New or used, by model

The four current models are sold new. Buying new keeps the full box: embroidery unit, hoop, manual and accessories.

The PE800 and SE600 are found used or as old stock. Each can still be a sound machine. Ask to see a full design stitch out before paying.

For a used model, check that the embroidery unit and its hoop come with it. A combo without its unit only sews. An embroidery-only model without its unit does nothing.

Older models from the second table carry the same advice. Match the model plate to the listing. Then check the values above against the Brother page for that model.

The sewing side of combos

The SE2000 lists 241 built-in stitches and 850 spm for sewing. The SE700 and SE600 both list 103 stitches at 710 spm.

Embroidery-only models leave this row blank, since they do not sew. If you own a sewing machine you like, this row matters less.

Stitch count is a rough guide. Most daily sewing uses a few straight, zigzag and buttonhole stitches. More stitches mostly add decorative options.

In production or discontinued

Brother USA lists the SE700, PE900, SE2000 and Skitch PP1 as current. It lists the PE800 and SE600 as discontinued.

Discontinued models turn up used or as old stock. They can still work well. Test one before you buy, and check that the embroidery unit and hoop come with it.

Each discontinued model in the chart has a current match with the same field. That pairing is ours, by type and hoop class.

Our discontinued models page goes through each older model and its closest current match.

Older models you may see

Used listings often show models older than our main chart. The table below lists five, with only the values Brother states without conflict.

Treat these as identification help, not buying advice. A used machine depends on its condition more than its spec sheet.

Discontinued Brother embroidery models with the values Brother still lists

Model	Type	Field	Listed value	Status
PE535	Embroidery only	4×4 in class	80 built-in designs	Discontinued
PE770	Embroidery only	130 × 180 mm	136 built-in designs	Discontinued
SE625	Sew + embroider	4×4 in class	103 stitches, 710 spm sewing	Discontinued
SE1900	Sew + embroider	130 × 180 mm	240 stitches, 850 spm sewing	Discontinued
PR1050X	10-needle	360 × 200 mm	699 designs, 1,000 spm	Discontinued

The PR1050X is a different kind of machine. It has 10 needles and a 360 × 200 mm field. It suits small businesses more than home starters. Our single-needle vs multi-needle page covers that step.

Reading a Brother spec page yourself

Brother pages change, so it helps to read them yourself before you buy. Five lines matter most.

First, the embroidery area. Look for the mm value, not just the inch class. Brother lists 100 × 100 mm for 4×4 in and 130 × 180 mm for 5×7 in.

Second, the included hoops. Some models ship one hoop. Others list several sizes in the box.

Third, built-in designs, and fourth, maximum embroidery speed. Both sit in the spec table on most pages.

Fifth, status. Discontinued models often keep a page that says so. If it does, expect used or old stock only.

What we leave out, and why

Some features appear in product titles but not in a clear spec row. Wireless transfer, screen size and font counts are common examples.

Where Brother's own page and manual give different numbers, we do not pick one. The SE1900 design count and some font counts fall in that group.

We add a column once each model has a clear, dated value from Brother. Until then, check the Brother page for any feature you need.

How to use this chart to pick

• Size your largest regular design in mm. Over 100 mm on a side points to 5×7 in.
• Decide if you need sewing in the same body. If not, look at the embroidery-only rows.
• Filter to current models unless you can test a used one in person.
• Compare design count and speed only after hoop class and type.
• Open the Brother page for your shortlist and recheck the values on the day you buy.

At 4×4 in, the SE700 is the current combo and the Skitch PP1 the current embroidery-only model. At 5×7 in, the SE2000 is the current combo and the PE900 the embroidery-only model.

If you want a single pick to start from, the SE2000 covers both jobs at 5×7 in. If you already sew on a machine you like, the PE900 covers the embroidery side.

Common questions

Which Brother embroidery machine has the largest hoop here?

The PE900, SE2000 and PE800 all list a 5×7 in class, 130 × 180 mm. The PR1050X in the older table lists 360 × 200 mm, but it is a 10-needle machine.

Why do some cells say Not listed?

Brother's current page gives no figure for that value, or its pages conflict. We leave the cell blank instead of guessing.

Is the Skitch a 4×4 machine?

Yes. Brother lists a 100 × 100 mm field with a magnetic frame. It is embroidery-only.

Do the SE700 and SE600 share a hoop class?

Yes. Both list 4×4 in, 100 × 100 mm. The SE600 is discontinued.

How often is this chart updated?

We recheck Brother pages before each update and show the check date on every value.

Read next

• Embroidery hoop size finder
• Brother PE900 vs SE2000
• Brother PE800 vs PE900

Sources

1. Brother USA, SE700 product and specification page (4×4 in field 100 × 100 mm, 135 designs, 103 stitches), checked 2026-10-25.
2. Brother USA, PE900 product and specification page (5×7 in field 130 × 180 mm, 193 designs, 650 spm), checked 2026-10-25.
3. Brother USA, SE2000 product and specification page (5×7 in field 130 × 180 mm, 193 designs, 241 stitches, 850 spm sewing), checked 2026-10-25.
4. Brother USA, Skitch PP1 product page (4×4 in field 100 × 100 mm, 400 spm, designs through the Artspira app), checked 2026-10-25.
5. Brother USA, PE800 product page and manual (5×7 in field 130 × 180 mm, 138 designs, listed as discontinued), checked 2026-10-25.
6. Brother USA, SE600 product page (4×4 in field 100 × 100 mm, 80 designs, 103 stitches, listed as discontinued), checked 2026-10-25.
7. Brother USA, PE535, PE770, SE625, SE1900 and PR1050X product pages and manuals, checked 2026-10-25.
8. Brother USA, embroidery hoop and frame accessory pages (field sizes in mm for the 4×4, 5×7, 6×10 and 8×12 in classes), checked 2026-10-25.