Latest list of 5 Best Sewing Machines Under $100. Some sewing machines are omitted due to low quality and performance.
You need to be very careful while choosing a sewing machine that costs under $100. The main reason is because there are a lot of crap out there. Some of them won’t even last for a week. So if you are looking for something under $100, you need to choose the one that provides good value for your money. Initially I was looking to compile a list of top 10 Best Sewing Machines Under $100 but was forced to trim the list to 5 because most of them didn’t have the quality I was looking for. This post is compiled after doing quite a lot of research and based on personal experiences. Only the machines that have excellent user ratings are considered.
1. Brother XM2701
You can literally say that XM2701 is the best product release from Brother in 2014. Even though this is a new kid in the town, it is fast growing in reputation. I won’t be surprised if the price increases after it gets established. Features like 27 built-in stitches, automatic needle threader, 1-step buttonhole and drop-in bobbin adds a lot to the usability of the machine. At this price, these are really premium features to be honest. XM2701 is clearly the best sewing machine in the under $100 category. I am not sure how long they will keep the price under $100. This machine is not that basic at all, as a sewer there are lot of things to learn and it allows you the space to grow your creativity.
Cons : The work light could have been brighter.
2. Brother XL2600I
This is the second best sewing machine under $100. XL2600I is a veteran in this price category. It has been in the market for quite a while now. It has been ruling this price category until XM2701 came in. This is the best seller in this price category. It features 25 built-in stitches, automatic needle threader, 1-step buttonhole and drop-in bobbin. If you are under a tight budget, this machine would be a better option over XM2701 as it is few dollars cheaper (the price difference may change with time).
Cons : The user manual is not that easy to understand.
3. Brother LS2125i
This is the least expensive sewing machine in this list. This is also the best least expensive full size sewing machine you can get in U.S. But when you consider the features of the previous two machines, this may look like a sudden downgrade. It comes with 10 built-in stitches, 4-step buttonhole and side loading bobbin.
Cons : LS2125i lacks some of the features that you see in a new generation sewing machine. It lacks automatic needle threader, 1-step buttonhole and drop-in bobbin. These features may not sound much, but it definitely makes a difference in the long run, especially for the beginners. Even though LS2125i lacks some features, it still sells like hot cake, which is a testimony to the quality of the machine. However the pricing needs to be a little bit better, as of now you can get XL2600I if you can spend couple of dollars more.
4. Singer 2259
2259 is the only Singer machine in this list. It has more features than the previous machine. This is the best seller from Singer in the under $100 category. It has 19 built-in stitches, automatic needle threader, 4-step buttonhole and side loading bobbin. I would have loved this machine if the price was a little lower.
Cons : It lacks a drop-in bobbin system and 1-step buttonhole. The reverse button on this machine is placed awkwardly. Also the price is slightly on the higher side especially when you compare it with Brother machines with far more advanced features.
5. Brother XL2610
XL2610 is very similar to the first two sewing machine we discussed in this list except that it lacks a 1- step buttonhole. It has 25 built-in stitches, automatic needle threader, 4-step buttonhole and drop-in bobbin.
Cons : Lack of 1-step buttonhole makes it slightly unpopular. The price is not that justifiable either.
Verdict
This concludes the list of 5 Best Sewing Machines Under $100. All the machines in this list are quality ones, the difference comes down mainly to the user-friendly features on board. You may have noticed that this list is dominated by Brother, the reason is because Brother makes the best sewing machines in under $100 price category. Brother makes the best entry level sewing machines in U.S. The case may be different when you go over $300.
PS: The expensive and least expensive references are based on the price at the time of writing this post. It is subject to change according to shopping seasons.