If you want to create your own custom embroidery designs – you’re going to need an embroidery machine with a USB port! This is how you upload your designs to the machine. Here are the cheapest embroidery machines for custom designs with USB ports.
Brother PE550D – $439
The Brother PE550D is THE best value in embroidery machines at $439. This little machine offers a 4″x4″ embroidery area, and it has a USB port, allowing you to upload your own custom embroidery designs.
This is a Disney branded machine, and it even comes with 45 free Disney designs if you’re interested in those. However, even if you don’t care about Disney stuff – this machine still has a lot to offer.
You’ll also get 9 built-in fonts (including 3 Japanese fonts), an automatic needle threader, needle up/down feature, and a 3.2 inch color touch screen that will allow you to resize, rotate, and manipulate designs on the machine.
If you’re on a strict budget, this probably the best machine you could get. However, a 4″ x 4″ embroidery area could quickly become limiting when creating custom projects. This size is great if you need a cheap embroidery machine for hats, or an embroidery machine for patch making, but you may be disappointed if you’re dreaming of large sweat shirt or hoodie designs.
Click here to get the best price on the Brother PE550D
Brother SE625 – $369
It’s possible to get the Brother SE625 for even cheaper than the PE550 – but doing so can be a bit tricky. That’s because this is an older machine and you’ll have to find a used model.
That can be easier said than done and stock is often not available. If you can afford to wait, then checking for refurbished stock periodically at online sewing machine dealers could save you some cash.
But, for just a few dollars more – you could pick up a brand new PE550. I’d rather do that than wait around hoping to save a few bucks on a refurbished model they may never appear.
Both machines are 4″ x 4″, but, if you need a machine that can also sew – the SE625 can do just that! In this case, you may want to wait it out.
Click here to check for refurbished SE625 machines
Brother PE800 – $699-$899
The Brother PE800 is one of the most popular embroidery machines on the market. That’s because it’s not only affordable, but it also has a larger 5″ x 7″ embroidery area. This size allows you to complete most projects, making it a more popular pick than the PE550D or the SE625.
I’d recommend this machine if you can afford to up your budget, because while the PE550D is super affordable – the 4″ x 4″ embroidery field will limit what you can make. Investing in a 5″ x 7″, like the PE800, is a better choice I think.
You can pick up a new PE800 for $899, or if you’re lucky and manage to find a used one you could save $200. However, you’ll need to be diligent in checking used machine sites to do that, because this is a very popular model.
Another great thing about the PE800 is that since it’s one of the most popular embroidery machine models there are TONS of tutorials, troubleshooting, and educational videos online to help you learn.
Click here to get the best price on the Brother PE800
Brother NS1150 – $899
Want to know the only negative to the PE800? The machine is so popular that it is frequently out of stock! Fortunately, the NS1150 is a newer and almost identical machine for the same price!
When the NS1150e is compared to the PE800 there are not a ton of differences, but you will get more fonts (including Japanese ones). You will be losing the automatic tension reset and built-in memory, which aren’t big losses, honestly.
This machine is not yet as popular as the PE800, so there are not as many videos out there for it, but operation is very straightforward and Brother machines tend to be very similar in their operation.
This machine also has a 5″ x 7″ embroidery area, and you’ll be able to upload your own custom designs through the USB port with a thumb drive or by connecting the machine to your computer.
It’s a great pick if you need a t shirt embroidery machine for larger designs that does not cost a ton of money, but still offers you great capabilities for custom designs.
Click here to get the best price on the Brother NS1150
Let’s get crafting!
