8 Best Cheap Sewing Machine – Reviews & Buying Guide

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Are you looking for the best cheap sewing machine? Then check out our reviews of the top sewing machines under $500 & choose the best.

If you want to learn how to sew or are looking for a new sewing machine, this list of the best cheap sewing machines will help narrow down your search and find one that meets all your needs. 

First, you need to know what to look for before buying a sewing machine.

Best Cheap Sewing Machine Buying Guide

If you’re looking to purchase a sewing machine but don’t have a large budget, it can be difficult choosing one that fits your needs. 

Your best bet is to go with the world’s most reputable brands and not all of them are worth purchasing. We’ve compiled this buyer’s guide so that you know what features to look for in any given model!

What To Look For In A Cheap Sewing Machines

Automatic Threading

Some sewers are looking for a cheaper way to get started sewing or have been sewing their whole lives. 

The best inexpensive machines will give them the opportunity to focus on what they enjoy most about needlework, like gliding over the fabric in search of stitches and having fun with modern features that include more feet than before.

Built-In Stitches

The more built-in stitches you have, the greater range of projects you can work on. We’ve seen products that offer hundreds but most people find this to be excessive. 

Beginners will usually start with 10 for their needs and then consider what they might want in the future as sewing becomes something they enjoy or are good at it.

LED Light

Sewing in straight lines can be hard, but you don’t have to worry about that with our recommended products. They come equipped with an LED light which will help guide your way and prevent any accidents or mishaps while sewing!

Stitch Chart

Sewing for beginners can be tough. It’s important to know what your project will look like before you start sewing it, especially when working with quilting and larger projects! 

For this reason, brands that offer more built-in stitches often display their stitch charts on the side of the machine so you don’t have any surprises halfway through a large design.

Stitches Per Minute

If you are looking to get started with sewing, then choosing a machine that can handle many stitches per minute is key. 

Speed and reliability will be the most important factors when it comes down to picking out your new sewing partner; make sure they have at least 1,000 stitches per minute capability without compromising on either one of these areas first!

Different Sewing Feet

Brother is one of the most popular brands for sewing machines and they tend to give you a lot of accessories with your purchase so you can tackle different sewing projects. 

Some of their standard varieties include buttonhole foot, zipper foot, straight stitch- even more!

Free Arm

A sewing machine that can be modified to sew different types of fabrics is something that most beginners find useful. This makes it much easier for you to obtain the perfect hem, even if your project doesn’t require a sleeve or cuff.

Adjustable Speed

With adjustable speeds, you can ease your way into sewing with a gentle introduction. As you grow more confident, it’s easy for the speed of your foot pedal to match how hard or soft you want things—with adjustments made at any time!

Instruction Manual

You’re going to need an instruction manual for your sewing machine if you want one that can do a lot of things. 

Some brands have apps and DVDs to help me get started, but my favorite are the machines with helpful tutorials on YouTube or other online videos so I don’t even have to buy anything!

Portability 

Some sewing machines are bulky and heavy, so it is important to consider one that can be easily moved around the house or workspace. 

However, this doesn’t mean you should let size dictate your decision because smaller ones may not have as much power as bigger projects.

In a hurry? Here are our top 3 cheap sewing machines:

Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine

Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine
9.7/10

Best Seller

SINGER | Start 1304 Sewing Machine

SINGER | Start 1304 Sewing Machine
9.5/10

Best Budget

Brother CS6000i Sewing Machine

Brother CS6000i Sewing Machine
9.1/10

Best Overall

From basic models with only a few features to more advanced ones made by well-known brands like Singer, there’s something here for everyone at any skill level!

So, read on to learn about the high-quality, yet still cheap, best sewing machines on the market now!

  1. Brother CS6000i: Best Cheapest Sewing Machine
  2. Brother XM2701: Best Cheap Portable Sewing Machine
  3. Singer Start 1304: Best Cheap Sewing machine For Beginners
  4. Brother XR3774: Best Cheap Sewing machine For Quilting
  5. Singer Heavy Duty 4411: Best Cheap Heavy Duty Singer Sewing Machine
  6. Husqvarna Viking Jade 20: Best Cheap Sewing And Embroidery Machine
  7. Varmax Mini: Best Cheap Mini Sewing Machine
  8. Janome 2212: Best Cheap Sewing Machine For Making Clothes

Best Cheap Sewing Machines in 2024

Without further ado, here are reviews of some of the most affordable sewing machines.

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1. Brother CS6000i: Best Cheapest Sewing Machine

Brother CS6000i 

When it comes to sewing machines, you have a lot of choices. 

When I was first starting out and looking for the best cheap sewing machine available, Brother seemed like an excellent option because they are both reliable and offer more than most in this price range with 60 built-in stitches (more than any other brand), 7 different buttonhole styles, automatic needle threader among others.

The CS6000i sewing machine’s backlit LED display makes navigating and changing settings a breeze. It is perfect for anyone, no matter what their skill level or experience with a sewing machine might be! 

The wide table allows you to use it for quilting as well which can open up many new creative possibilities in your projects. 

And the adjustable speed will allow beginners to get used to how this particular model works before increasing its intensity – once they’re ready, of course!

What You’ll Like:

  • Automatic needle threader
  • Free arm for sewing sleeves
  • Large table for bigger projects
  • Adjustable speeds
  • 25-year limited warranty
  • Brilliant value

What You’ll consider:

  • none

Also Read: Brother CS6000i Review

2. Brother XM2701: Best Cheap Portable Sewing Machine

Brother XM2701 – Top-Rated Mechanical Machine

This sewing machine is perfect for beginners, but it’s also a great choice if you have some experience!

It has 27 built-in stitches and an automatic one-step buttonhole stitch to make your life easier.

Most budget sewing machines include a 4-step manual buttonhole, meaning you have to create the buttonhole yourself in four stages. 

Stitch length and width are adjusted on top of your rower by dials at either side; this means that 27 built-in stitches exist each one being able to adjust stitch lengths or dimensions giving 63 different functions.

The Brother XM2701 sewing machine is perfect for those who want more from their new machine. It comes with 6 included presser feet, which will allow you to do more complicated tasks like hemming and creating an invisible seam. 

And don’t forget about the automatic needle threader! This feature makes things easier because it doesn’t break easily when in use; be careful though, as this can happen if too much pressure is applied while using the tool. 

The quick-set top drop-in bobbin that’s jam-resistant only needs one step less than a traditional manual setup – what could be better?

What You’ll Like:

  • Easy to set up & use
  • Automatic needle threader
  • 27 built-in stitches
  • 6 presser feet
  • 800 stitches per minute
  • LED Lights
  • 25 year limited warranty

What You’ll consider:

  • It may be “more” sewing machine than some users want

Also Read: Brother XM2701 Review

3. Singer Start 1304: Best Cheap Sewing Machine For Beginners

SINGER Start 1304 – Best Singer Mini Sewing Machine

The Singer Start 1304 is one of the best sewing machines for kids and beginners.  It features 6 built-in stitches with a pre-set stitch length and width.  

It also comes equipped with 3 standard sewing feet, making it perfect for any beginner to start practicing their skills without worrying about being too advanced or expensive as they develop their abilities in this craft!

There’s nothing complicated about this machine! It only has the basics, so it’s perfect for beginners.

If you know sewing is going to be your thing, then upgrade to a more featured mechanical or computerized model when ready.

What You’ll Like:

  • Easy to use and set up
  • Limited choices so less likely to get confused when making sewing choices
  • Free arm sewing 
  • Inexpensive
  • 750 stitches per minute
  • Light and portable
  • Stitch selection is visible

What You’ll consider:

  • No automatic needle threading

Also Read: Singer 1304 Review

4. Brother XR3774: Best Cheap Sewing Machine For Quilting

Brother XR3774

The Brother XR3774 sewing machine is the best choice for you if want a good beginner starter model.  

It includes 37 built-in stitches (a total of 74 stitch functions including several decorative ones) and has an expandable wide table that provides ample space to work on quilting projects or large garments.

This affordable quilting sewing machine comes with 8 different presser feet to do almost any project. 

The XR3774 is the best cheap sewing machine for quilting because it includes two-foot attachments perfect for quilt making, the walking foot, and a general-purpose needle feed that feeds evenly through thicker layers of fabric.

This sewing machine is for the overworked seamstress, who needs an automatic needle threader and quick-set bobbin. But it also has a fast one-step buttonhole function to help make that last-minute alteration effortlessly!

What You’ll Like:

  • Best For beginners
  • Extendable wide table 
  • Extra quilting presser feet make it best for quilting
  • 37 built-in stitches
  • 25-year limited warranty

What You’ll consider:

  • More expensive!

Also Read: Brother XR3774 Review

5. Singer Heavy Duty 4411: Best Cheap Heavy Duty Singer Sewing Machine

SINGER Heavy Duty 4411

No list of the best cheap sewing machines would be complete without a Singer or two, and this is one of their easiest products to use. 

This machine not only comes with 11 built-in stitches but also has an easy stitch selector dial that allows you to choose from all sorts of decorative stitching patterns for your next project. 

It’s perfect if you’re just starting out in fashion because it doesn’t overwhelm beginners like other brands might do! 

The 4411 Sewing Machine by Singer may look heavy-duty at first glance since it’s made with a sturdy metal body and robust build, but don’t let appearances fool you: it features a buttonhole feature so intricate projects such as crafts are possible too!

This sewing machine is the perfect investment for you if you are looking to buy a new one. 

With its adjustable needle position, powerful motor, and all of its other features this will be super easy to use! It also has an app that comes with it so you can get help while using the product which makes things even easier.

What You’ll Like:

  • 11 built-in stitches
  • Is capable of 1,100 stitches a minute
  • Top drop-in bobbin
  • Includes 4 presser feet

What You’ll consider:

  • A little louder than some models but this is down to the power

Also Read: Singer Heavy Duty 4411 Review

6. Husqvarna Viking Jade 20: Best Cheap Sewing Embroidery Machine 

Husqvarna Viking Jade 20

The Husqvarna Viking Jade offers you beginner-friendly features, such as a built-in guide for your fabric type.

This is great if you are new to sewing and want some help finding the right setting on this machine.

You will also have access to 70 preloaded embroidery designs once you get used to using them more often!

This machine’s portability is one of its best features. It can pack up quickly and easily because it has a power cord that you just have to wrap around the pedal, which makes it easy for travel or when visiting friends. 

The downside? This unit weighs more than other models so be prepared if you’re trying to lug this thing with your luggage!

What You’ll Like:

  • 82 Stitches
  • 7 Presser Feet
  • 29 Needle Positions
  • 8” Sewing Space

What You’ll consider:

  • Bobbin Jams While Tying Off
  • Small Display

7. Varmax Mini: Best Cheap Mini Sewing Machine

Varmax Mini Sewing Machine – Best Portable Sewing Machine

The Varmax Mini sewing machine is a miniature and budget-friendly option for the occasional user. 

It doesn’t have all of the features that you would find on most full-size machines, but it does do what it’s intended to: help with small projects!

The Varmax Mini is a miniature sewing machine that can be used for various projects, such as clothing. 

It is especially great if you have kids because it makes sewing quick and easy with the included foot pedal or an on/off button.

Sewing can seem like a daunting task, but for those looking to sew basic projects without any complicated stitches or features that complicate the process. This beginner-friendly sewing machine is perfect! 

However, if you do plan on being more adventurous with your creations and want something capable of handling zigzag stitching too – this may not be the best option.

What You’ll Like:

  • Easy to use & set up
  • Super inexpensive
  • User friendly 
  • Very portable
  • Comes with an extension table for a larger workspace

What You’ll consider:

  • Only a straight stitch
  • No reverse stitch

8. Janome 2212: Best Cheap Sewing Machine For Making Clothes

Janome 2212 – Best Janome Mechanical Sewing Machine - Best Budget Sewing Machine for Advanced Sewers

For those who are sick of looking at screens all day, a manual sewing machine is a perfect answer. 

The Janome 2212 Sewing Machine may be simple and inexpensive for beginners but it can still handle basic tasks like repairs or alterations with ease.

This machine is a perfect option for beginners and experienced seamstresses alike. The stitch selection dial, along with the bobbin hook, makes it easy to figure out how your sewing project will turn out before you finish it. 

Plus this mid-size workhorse includes plenty of features like an included storage space underneath so you can keep your materials handy while getting creative!

What You’ll Like:

  • Feels well-built & solid
  • Easy to use with clear instructions
  • Lightweight and compact
  • Not too expensive
  • Easy to thread
  • Good basic stitches
  • Capable of sewing through multiple layers of fabric
  • Well priced

What You’ll consider:

  • No automatic needle threader
  • No presser foot pressure adjustment

Overall Verdict

And there you have it! A large selection of cheap sewing machines that don’t sacrifice quality. 

The Brother CS6000i Computerized Sewing and Quilting Machine is the best all-around cheap sewing machine available. 

With an automatic threader, a free arm feature, adjustable speeds, and more it’ll suit most people’s needs for both quilting projects among others with 60 built-in stitches -more than many in its price range.

Henry Leo

Henry Leo (Founder)

Henry Leo has a Master’s Degree in fashion Designing & has worked as a test analyst in textiles. He is a regular writer for websites & magazines.

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