Best Multi-Needle Embroidery Machines in 2023

If you are serious about starting your own at-home embroidery business, you are going to need a multi-needle embroidery machine that fits your scope.

What kind of volume do you expect to complete each day? How many design options do you want to offer? What size area do you want to be able to cover? These are all questions you will need to consider.

Whether you are looking for a professional embroidery machine or one to use at home for personal use, this article is here to guide you.

• Janome MB-4S
• Janome MB-7
• Juki Tajima Sai

There are many advantages to using a multi-needle embroidery machine. Those advantages include less threading and rethreading, easier hooping, more reliable tension, speed, and of course, better-looking stitches.

However, embroidery machines with multiple threads can be expensive. There are numerous brands, makes and models on the market and it can be overwhelming. How do you know which machines will be the most reliable and fit within the scope of what you will need?

In this article, we are here to help you make a big decision that will affect every facet of your at-home embroidery business. Below are our top five favorite multi-needle embroidery machines for starting your own at home embroidery business.

Best Multi-Needle Embroidery Machine Reviews of 2023

For a more in-depth embroidery machine review that is more than just the bullet points, check out our full detailed guide below.

#1 – Janome MB-4S Four-Needle Embroidery Machine

If you are looking for the best multi-needle embroidery machine under $5000, then the Janome MB-4S is for you. The Janome multi-needle embroidery machine is one of the cheapest multi-needle embroidery machines on the market.

It is lightweight weighing only 20.5 kilograms but still contains many of the same features found on the larger machines. This machine is professional, seamless, and versatile.

Some of the best features include resizing options ranging from 80% – 120%, an auto thread cutter for efficiency, and a total of four available Janome hoops. If you are looking to expand your creativity, you also have the option of six industrial-standard Tajima hoops.

The backlit LCD screen is there for easy control and visibility and for you to see all of your uploaded design options. Design options including 50 pre-set fonts, 10 monogramming of two and three letters, and the efficient editing and placement of your design with the Drag and Drop technology.

Feel free to explore all the different color changing options for your favorite threads Janome, Robinson-Anton, Madeira, and Mettler. Easily switch between any color your design requires with a different color on each of the standard Janome hoops. Or load a single color on multiple needles to increase speed for designs and patterns that require a lot of surface area to be filled with a single color.

The rotation capabilities of the Janome MB-4S four-needle embroidery machine allow you to move by 1% increments from one to 90-degree increments, both clockwise and counterclockwise.

The only real downside of this machine is the fact that it only has four needles. So, if you are working on big projects, or want to put out a large number of products, it may be a bit more time-consuming. Also, with only a one-year warranty, it might make someone skeptical of the guaranteed longevity of its construction and operation.

However, for smaller projects, the Janome MB-4S four-needle embroidery machine is ideal and we highly recommend it.

#2 – Janome MB-7 Seven-Needle Embroidery Machine

Janome has outdone themselves with this seven-needle embroidery wonder! Janome has taken everything that we love about their equipment and given us seven times as much production capacity with their patented seven needle embroidery system. The Janome MB-7 showcases all the features of the Janome MB-4S.

The best about the Janome MB-7 embroidery machine is the fact it seamlessly integrates professional industry-standard formatted file designs such as. jef, .jef+, and .dst. You can use the fifty built-in embroidery designs and 10 fonts or upload your own into your machine with the handy USB port. With these kinds of capabilities, your design opportunities and options are only limited by your imagination.

With the additional needles, by having seven rather than four, you can easily obtain a maximum stitch speed of 800 stitches per minute. That stitch speed is ideal for your larger projects or if you are in a crunch to make a deadline.

And who could forget about the EZ frames? Multi-needle embroidery machines with EZ frames are ideal for those difficult-to-hoop items. The adhesive on the backing easily holds your intended embroidered item in place while the machine is working.

To apply the EZ frames, simply apply the adhesive backing to the underside of the frame. Make sure you apply the EZ frames with the sticky side facing up.

There are not many negative things to say about the Janome MB-7 embroidery machine other than the fact it is only covered by a one-year warranty. When making such a large purchase, someone just starting with their first at-home embroidery business might want to be reassured with a longer warranty.

Starting any new business can be an overwhelming and intimidating experience. Usually, you will be taking on new and substantial debts. Only having a one-year warranty on your main piece of capital can be a deterring factor when deciding which machine is best for you.

The Janome MB-7 Embroidery Machine is the best multi-needle embroidery machine for home use and we strongly recommend it, especially if this is your intended use.

#3 – Juki Tajima Sai 8 Needle Embroidery Machine

You might be already familiar with Juki sergers and sewing machines. Now, Juki has introduced one of the highest-quality multi-needle embroidery machines available. This is one of the best multi-needle embroidery machines on the market due to having some of the largest hoops available. This Juki multi-needle embroidery machine would be perfect for any embroidery business.

Some of the best features of the Juki Tajima Sai 8 needle embroidery machine are the countless advanced technological features it contains. The Tajima Writer Plus software package comes complete with over 1,000 built-in designs.

The laser pointer allows you to ensure all your designs will be accurately stitched allowing for efficiency. Last, the ability to find patterns on the internet and import them into the machine is an ingenious feature of this machine.

Another one of those technological features is the font capabilities. Not only does the machine have 6 built-in fonts and 30-plus fonts built into the Tajima Write Plus software package, but you can load any font of your choice directly from your PC. That gives you unlimited capacity when it comes to font capabilities.

And if you still are not impressed with the technological features of this Juki embroidery machine, the underlay options included in the software allow for parallel, perpendicular, and contour capabilities.

For the more mechanical features, you have the incredible thread breakage detection. If any of the eight threads break, the machine automatically stops. Once the string is replaced or repaired, the auto-save function continues exactly where it left off.

One of the negative aspects of the Juki Tajima Sai 8 needle embroidery machine is even though it may come in a compact package, it still weighs a blustering 82 pounds. However, if you are not planning on moving the machine around the shop, then it really will not be an issue.

Overall, we highly recommend this machine for embroidery shops that want to be blown away by a machine’s technological capabilities and still be provided with all the mechanical necessities to turn out product efficiently.

Again, the only downside to this machine is the sheer size and weight, however, that should be somewhat expected if you are running your own embroidery business.

If you are looking for the best multi needle embroidery machine that is going to give you insane production speed, countless technological features, and is covered by the best warranty in the industry, then the Juki Tajima Sai 8-needle embroidery machine is for you.

#4 – Pfaff Creative Stylist MN 110 10 Multi Needle Embroidery Machine

This Pfaff multi-needle embroidery machine is one of the best single head multi-needle embroidery machines on the market, boasting itself as the best embroidery machine for caps and large projects.

So, why is the Pfaff Creative Stylist MN 110 the best embroidery machine for large projects? With 10 needles in a single head design, you can rest assured that this machine will operate quickly and efficiently at a rate of 1,000 stitches per minute.

Also, with a separate “Bobbin Winder Set”, you can wind bobbins while the machine is stitching so you can work without disruption. This feature will save you time and allow you to focus on your large projects.

Built for embroidery on hats and caps, the machine comes with a 220-degree wide-angle cap system so you can embroidery around any cap with ease. Additionally, the Pfaff MN 110 machine will automatically flip your design 180 degrees whenever the cap driver is attached, so you do not have to.

Some of the key technological features that set this machine apart from others are the five built-in LED lights that provide superior visibility, the USB port, and the fact this machine can read VP#, PfFF, and DST embroidery designs. The “Smart Save” feature also will save your life in case the machine should stop working due to a power outage or for any unforeseeable circumstance.

One more feature that is an important asset to have is the 20-year warranty. Rest assured you are investing in a product that will be covered for any reason.

#5 – Melco Amaya Bravo Single Head 16 Needle Professional Embroidery Machine

This affordable multi-needle embroidery machine is perfectly designed for small shops. Comes with a helpful “Business Start-Up Kit” (PDF file), 1,500 designs, and all the software you need to digitize and operate this machine.

As a 16-needle embroidery machine, it is surprisingly versatile and fully adjustable to accommodate from baseball caps to sheer nylon fabric and even heavy-duty leather. Thick to thin, this is a top embroidery machine for leather, hats, and shirts.

One of the most enticing features of the Melco Amaya Bravo 16-needle embroidery machine is that it comes with the “Servo motor”. This motor is known industry-wide for the fact that it works longer, works harder, and is faster than other embroidery machines in the same class.

If you are running your own small business, the last thing you need is for your machine to go down on you during a crunch to make a deadline.

Any unexpected shutdown of operations is an unwanted and costly event, but the shutdown of your machine is one that will cost you the most. With the “Servo moto”, you can rest that the machine will be able to operate for long hours and still keep turning out product.

Melco is known for making machines that sew without the use of tension. With its patented thread feeding system, your thread will automatically feed through the machine allowing you to work quickly, and without interruption.

This machine contains so many upsides that it is hard to find a downside. The lack of a display is something that can be seen as irritating. To load your designs into the machine, the use of a PC or laptop is required. Most businesses have a computer, however, having a computer dedicated solely to the purpose of operating this machine could create another expense for an embroidery shop.

However, that being said, this machine is still perfect for anyone looking at an affordable multi needle embroidery machine for small shops.

Multi-needle vs Single-needle Embroidery Machines, Which is Right for Me?

Single Head, Single-needle Machines

This kind of embroidery machine looks strikingly similar to a traditional sewing machine. Much like your grandmother’s sewing machine, it has a flat bottom, removable embroidery unit, one head, single needle, thread, and bobbin.

The modern versions are computerized and programmable. These types of machines only have one point of hoop attachment and its hoop capacities are much smaller than most multi-needle units. Its user-friendliness, availability and affordability keep this classic in the market as a good entry-level machine.

However, these machines are not industrial and as such, are limited in efficiency and capacity from their multi-needle counterparts. Specifically, the main drawback of a single needle is it can only hold one color at a time. Therefore, each time your design calls for a color change, you must manually replace the thread which makes your embroidery work much slower, cumbersome, and time-consuming.

Furthermore, embroidering things like pants pockets requires that you remove the pocket first from the pants, embroider it and then reinstall or attach the pocket in its proper position on the pants.

Single Head, Multi-needle Embroidery Machines

These former industrial beasts feature anywhere from 4 to 16 needles. The more needles, the more options of colors and threads. Unlike their single-needle counterparts, the multi-needle machines allow for simultaneous applications of color which allows for faster design work.

The fact that you do not have to manually change the thread to change colors makes this an incredibly versatile and efficient process. As the old saying goes, “Time is money”.

These machines produce a more precise finished product, faster and therefore more efficiently. A single-head multi-needle embroidery machine comes with a larger hoop size which allows for embroidery work on things like pockets without having to remove the said pocket.

These multi-needle units also often come with a special frame which allows for easy embroidery of hats and baseball caps. This typically is an embroidery machine for small businesses.

The major downside of multi-needle embroidery machines is cost and size. The impressive capabilities come with a larger price tag and can be quite heavy or bulky.

What Brands of Multi-Needle Embroidery Machines Should You Consider?

They say that the “Cream rises to the top”. The sewing and embroidery world is a tight-knit community who are educated and knowledgeable consumers, and they talk! One might be tempted to stray away from well-known, tried and true brands in an effort to save a few dollars.

However, there was a reason that your grandmother had a Singer sewing machine. Brands that we have come to know, and trust do so with producing a reliable and consistent product.

Here are the major players in the market which have proven themselves to be a solid trustworthy brand.

Janome

Founded on the 16th of October in 1921 in Tokyo Japan, Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd. has been around the block. Janome in Japanese means, “Eye of the snake.” Janome sewing and embroidery machines have a good reputation and are not usually considered cheap.

As our grandmothers used to say, “A stitch in time saves nine.”, or “A penny saved is a penny earned.” The Janome machines not only save stitches but pennies. Janome multi-needle embroidery machines are an investment that will last years, and possibly generations.

Juki

Another Japanese company, this one founded in 1938 in Tokyo. They have traditionally been a manufacturer of industrial sewing and embroidery machines. However, in recent years they have taken their experience, reputation, and expertise to the home consumer market. They have worked hard to maintain a sterling reputation and are notorious for good consumer reviews and ratings.

Their research and development departments have gone to great lengths to make their designs “intuitive”. They have stated that if you know how to use a computer and you know how to use a sewing machine, then with a little time, patience and practice their machines will come to life for you.

Their strength of design sews through multiple layers of fabric and even leather. Their stitching is smooth, and their thread very rarely jams or breaks, but if it does, then their smart re-start technology will have you right back on track in no time. Juki multi-needle embroidery machines are world-class and worth every penny.

Pfaff

Ah Pfaff… how we love you. Founded in 1862 in Kaiserslautern, Germany. What do you get when you combine German engineering, European quality, and a track record that you can trust? Pfaff.

Their machines are made to last years and give a near faultless stitch which yields a superior finished product. Some of their deserved advantages are due to their “Integrated Dual Transportation” or IDT system. This unique patented system gives dual fabric feeding with near-flawless performance.

Today Pfaff US owned by Singer and they have a reputation for being one of the strongest sewing and embroidery machines on the market today. Pfaff multi-needle embroidery machines are a treasure to be inherited and passed down for generations.

Brother

Brother is an international corporation started in Japan in 1908. Today their headquarters are in New Jersey, USA. They have a global infrastructure which boasts a million-square-foot distribution center in Tennessee. Their sewing machines are arguably the most popular brand in the United States of America. For that reason, many people think it is an American company, but it is a Japanese company.

Their quality and reliability are world-renowned when it comes to sewing machines, embroidery machines, sergers, cover stitch sergers, and cross-over. Brother multi-needle embroidery machines are first-class in every way.

Babylock

Founded in 1946 in Japan, Babylock’s claim to fame is for manufacturing the world’s first-ever serger designed for home use. A little-known secret is the fact that Brother Company sells its machines to Babylock and they, in turn, put their name on them and market them differently.

Therefore, these days, the roots of Babylock’s quality are found in the Brother brand. They are not known for being as affordable as they have not targeted the lower end of the market. Babylock multi-needle embroidery machines are a beauty to behold.

Husqvarna Viking

In 1689…yes you hear us correctly…1689, a royal arms factory was born in Huskvarna, Sweden. Husqvarna Viking is a worldwide organization that still designs high-end sewing and embroidery machines in Sweden. Their fan base is worldwide and is often extremely passionate about their favorite brand, for good reason. Highly rated among professionals and hobbyists alike.

Today the Husqvarna brand is owned by Singer and is the most-sold brand in places like Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. All of the above are world-renowned for both design and craftsmanship. Husqvarna Viking multi-needle embroidery machines are hard to beat.

Bernina

The company was founded in Steckborn, Switzerland in 1893. This Swiss company named after a local mountain in the Alps is one of the biggest and most trusted European brands around. They produce one of the most high-end products around and are famous for being passed down for generations. Bernina multi-needle embroidery machines are built to last!

Melco

Melco has established itself as the leading embroidery machines in the world. Founded in Arbon, Switzerland, today Melco is a multi-national company with a proven track record for quality and reliability. Their professional-grade embroidery machines are more expensive than their home-use counterparts. Melco multi-needle embroidery machines have a great balance of quality and reliability.

Singer

Singer is an American manufacturer first established in 1851. Today Singer is owned by SVP Worldwide. The Singer sewing machine revolutionized the way that the world created and processed fabrics in the textile industry and at home. Their classic foot pedal design has given access to sewing capabilities in developed and under-developed countries around the world.

Singer acquired the brands Husqvarna and Pfaff making the SVP Group a titan in the sewing and embroidery industry. Singer multi-needle embroidery machines are a blend of tradition and world-class quality.

Brands to Avoid

Vof, Toahine, Oemer, and Jukky. These are cheap Chinese models that are not built to last. When you have the option, always go with a well-known brand as the ones mentioned above or you will spend your time and money waiting for your machine to come out of the repair shop.

Multi Needle Embroidery Machine FAQs

Conclusion

We have come to the end of our journey together. What have you decided? Which is the best multi-needle embroidery machine for your specific needs? Hopefully, this article has helped you to make a clear and informed decision.

We trust that your path has been made straight and you are one step closer to fulfilling your dreams of owning a multi-needle embroidery machine for home or professional use.