7 BEST Sewing Machines Under $200 in 2023

Last Updated on January 10, 2023

Are you looking for the best sewing machines under $200? In this guide, we will show you our top picks!

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If you believe you can’t get a decent sewing machine for under 200 dollars, think again. There are plenty of decent, reliable, and durable sewing machines in this price range, and they are great for beginners and advanced sewists alike.

All of the best sewing machines under $200 we recommended on this post are good for home use. They have enough built-in stitches (some more than one hundred and thirty), automatic features, and all the basic functions you need.

One of the most important aspects of a sewing machine is its built, which will determine how long it will last and how much use you will get out of it. It also determines the fabrics that they can handle.

So, even when getting a budget sewing machine, it is crucial to go for quality first, and that is entirely possible.

 

The Best Sewing Machine Under $200

1. Brother CS6000i

If you have done even a little bit of research into sewing machines, you’ve heard of Brother. They are pioneers in offering quality devices for fair prices, and they have the most extensive range of products on the market.

Brother has sewing, quilting, embroidery machines, as well as computerized ones. They go from a hundred dollars to a thousand and have different features and aspects, meeting every need.

The CS6000i comes with sixty built-in stitches, including decorative ones and buttonholes. Among its automatic aspects, we can mention the needle threader and LCD screen, which fantastic to easily select stitches.

All in all, it is surprising that a machine this good costs less than a couple of week’s groceries!

2. Brother ST371HD

This Brother model is strong, tough, and durable. With thirty-seven built-in stitches, including a buttonhole, this is one of the best sewing machines under $200 to get.

It tackles heavy fabrics, like denim or leather, so you can trust it will work well in any circumstances. To choose between stitches simply turn the dial on the side, or even use the drop feed feature to sew on the free motion.

The free arm lets you do sleeves and tubes with no effort, and there is also a jam-resistance mechanism that increases productivity.

As you can see, there are a lot of features for a machine budget, and this is why it is one of our favorites for versatile use.

3. SINGER | Heavy Duty 4423

The Singer 4423 is a heavy-duty model. That means that it is made with heavy fabrics in mind. This is great to sew curtains, pillows, and any household item that does not use delicate and flimsy material.

The presser foot of this machine, however, makes it very easy to control the pressure you use. That means you can also sew on light fabric with success.

The 4423 model has an extremely strong motor, and it reaches one thousand stitches per minute. This is even more than you need for homework, but it is nice to know you can finish a project super fast if you want to.

A machine that can work leather purses and cotton shirts with the same level of quality is an asset in our book!

4. Singer 7258 Computerized

Yes, that’s right, it’s possible to get a computerized sewing machine on a budget! We hope you are ready to be impressed because this sewing machine has features galore!

With a push of a button, you can choose among one hundred different stitches. The needle is threaded automatically, and there is a thread cutter that makes changing bobbins much easier.

Speaking of bobbins, this is one of the few machines that have a clear and see-through bobbin case. This little detail ensures you can always see how much thread you have left, a very reassuring aspect.

Don’t worry about a dim workplace, this Singer model even has a built-in Led light that illuminates the working table very well.

Some extra features include programming the needle to stop up or down, stop winding the bobbin as soon as it is filled, and display to selection and view the stitches. Features galore remember?

5. Janome 2212

Janome is right behind Brother and Singer in terms of quality and name brand. In fact, many experienced sewists swear by their products.

This specific one is an entry-level sewing machine, it is a mechanical model with twelve built-in stitches, one of them being the essential buttonhole. There is a stitch chart, a dial to choose among them, and a length adjuster.

This is a quick machine with all the essentials but none of the flourishes – if that is what you want it is a great choice! It comes with a set of extras that is much appreciated, like extra bobbins, replacement needles, and additional feet.

When you are finished with it, store all the accessories inside a slide-out compartment in the machine itself. To start it, simply plug in and go!

6. Brother XM2701 Lightweight

This Brother model is a very lightweight and portable sewing machine. It is perfect for beginners since it’s very user-friendly and simple, but advanced sewists also appreciate the straightforward design.

The working area is brightened by a LED light, there are twenty-seven built-in stitches – clearly marked on the dial, and an automatic needle threader.

Accessories include six feet, a three-piece needle set, four bobbins, and even an instructional DVD. This is the best sewing machine under $200 to get for your everyday sewing needs, especially simple clothes, and mending.

All Brother machines come with a very useful manual, and responsive customer service is part of the package. 

7. Luby Sewing Machine for Beginners

Luby may not be a big name in the sewing machine game, but this sewing machine is worth a mention. This is a convenient sewing machine, friendly to use and very easy to set up.

There are twelve built-in stitches, a LED light, and simple buttons to change stitches or speed. There is no automatic thread cutter, but a useful small blade on the back so you can do it yourself.

Another unique feature is the battery design – you can choose to use the cable to power it from a plug, or work with the battery and carry it literally anywhere.

This is not a heavy machine, so we don’t recommend it to be used on thick fabrics, but it will do wonders on light ones. As a plus, it is very cute, with a lilac front detail and flowers on the foot!

 

Buying Guide for the Best Sewing Machine Under $200

Size and weight

Some sewing machines are full of accessories, features, and capabilities, but are also very bulky and heavy. If you have a small space or if portability is an issue, make sure to read through the measurements and weight specifications of the device you want.

This will save you a lot of trouble in the future.

Built-in stitches

Built-in stitches are an absolute necessity for sewing machines. Everyone needs different types of stitches for different projects. The most basic ones are zig-zag and straight, and they are used for finishings and mendings.

If you do garments, covers, or anything that needs buttons, you absolutely need a buttonhole stitch. Plus, decorative stitches are fantastic to get creative and embellish projects.

Controls

How do you change from one stitch to the other? How do you choose stitch length? How do you control the pressure used? As sewing can be a repetitive task, usability is very important.

Look for dials, buttons, and feet that are ergonomic and easy to use.

Sewing speed

This is something that changes from person to person. In commercial sewing, it is crucial that the project is done as soon as possible. Home use, however, doesn’t have this type of demand.

Most domestic sewing machines reach the one thousand mark of stitches per minute, so it is up to you to decide if you want more than that.

Automatic or not

Even mechanical sewing machines can have automatic features. They make our life much easier and can speed up the project by a lot. Our favorite automatic features are the needle threader, end-of-stitch needle and foot stopper, and thread cutter.

Presser’s feet

One foot just will not do for all your sewing needs. Machines usually include an all-purpose one and a buttonhole one, but if you are planning to do other specific works, like zipper and overlock, you should check if they come too.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to expect from a budget sewing machine?

Expect a reliable, durable sewing machine that performs all the basic actions, like sewing household items, garments, and mending clothes. Do not expect to do embroidery with it or to sew at 2000 stitches per minute.

How do I make sure my sewing machine will last a long time?

It is crucial to always keep your sewing machine covered when not in use. Also, keep a look at your needles, they perform so much work and do become dull quickly.

This can damage the sewing machine if you don’t change them enough. If you think there’s lint accumulating inside, the best way to clean it is with compressed air, and it is a good idea to oil the mechanisms inside.

The number of times you use it will determine how often you oil it.

What types of fabric can I sew with a budget sewing machine?

If your sewing machine does not have the expression “heavy-duty” in its name, it is likely that it is best suited for light materials, like cotton or polyester.

If they can handle leather or denim, this will be specified in the description.