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Brother SE600 vs SE700: Is the Older Model Still Worth Buying?

Last updated Researched from specs, manuals and owner reviews We earn from qualifying purchases
Quick answer

Buy the Brother SE700, about $530. It is the current model, with the same 4 x 4 inch field and 103 sewing stitches as the SE600, plus wireless design transfer and 135 designs instead of 80. Brother lists the SE600 as discontinued, and at about $590 it costs more, so buy it only on clearance.

Brother SE600 Beginner
Brother SE600 Sewing and Embroidery Machine Brother SE600 Sewing and Embroidery Machine $589.99 Check price on Amazon
Brother SE700 Beginner
Brother SE700 Sewing and Embroidery Machine Brother SE700 Sewing and Embroidery Machine $529.99 Check price on Amazon

The verdict

The SE700 is the better buy, and at current prices it is also the cheaper one. It keeps everything that made the SE600 popular, a 4 x 4 inch field, 103 sewing stitches, 10 buttonhole styles and an automatic thread cutter, and adds wireless design transfer and more built-in designs.

Brother marks the SE600 as discontinued. It remains a capable machine, and owners of it have no reason to upgrade to an SE700. The only reason to buy one new is a clearance price well below the SE700.

Brother SE600 vs Brother SE700: side by side

FeatureBrother SE600Brother SE700
PriceAbout $590 (discontinued)About $530
Max embroidery area4 x 4 in4 x 4 in
Built-in designs80135
Lettering fonts9 (per Brother)10
Sewing stitches103103
Buttonhole styles1010 one-step auto-size
Screen3.2 in color LCD touchscreen3.2 x 1.8 in LCD
Design transferUSB port, not wirelessWireless LAN
Max sewing speed710 SPM710 SPM
Automatic thread cutterYesYes

What is the difference between the Brother SE600 and SE700?

Wireless transfer and the design library. The SE700 connects over wireless LAN, so designs travel from your computer or supported Brother apps to the machine without a USB stick. The SE600 has one USB port and no wireless. Brother also lists 135 built-in designs on the SE700 against 80 on the SE600.

The sewing side is the same on paper: 103 built-in stitches, 10 buttonhole styles, 710 stitches per minute, an automatic needle threading system, an automatic thread cutter, 8 feet and a 4 x 4 inch embroidery frame.

Brother SE600 vs SE700: which one to buy by situation (Brother USA specifications)
Your situation[[brother-se600]][[brother-se700]]Reasoning
Buying new at normal pricesSkipBuySE700 costs less and does more
SE600 on clearance well under SE700ConsiderStill goodSave money if USB transfer is fine
Sending designs from a laptop or tabletUSB onlyWireless LANNo stick to lose
Stitching monograms and small motifsYesYesSame 4 x 4 in field
Sewing garments and mendingYesYesSame 103 stitches
Towel borders and sweatshirt frontsNoNoBoth need a 5 x 7 in field
Already own an SE600Keep itUpgrade not neededUpgrade to 5 x 7 instead

Should you skip both and buy a 5 x 7 embroidery machine?

If there is any chance you will want larger designs, yes. The 4 x 4 inch field is shared by both machines and cannot be expanded with a bigger hoop. Owners who stick with embroidery often describe outgrowing 4 x 4 within the first year, once they try towels, baby blankets and sweatshirts.

The Brother SE1900, about $1,129, keeps a combo design with a 5 x 7 inch field and 240 stitches. The Brother SE2000, about $1,470, adds wireless, 193 designs, color sort and jump stitch trimming. Check your favorite designs in the embroidery hoop size calculator before deciding.

Is the Brother SE700 good for beginners?

Yes. It is one of the most common first embroidery machines because it combines a full sewing machine with small-format embroidery at a modest price. Brother lists an advanced needle threading system, an automatic thread cutter and on-screen editing, and the wireless connection removes a common source of beginner frustration: file transfer.

Plan on supplies from the start: a pack of tear-away stabilizer, embroidery needles and a thread set. Our beginner machine embroidery setup lists everything in one place.

Choose Brother SE600 if

  • You find a new SE600 on clearance well below the SE700 price.
  • You are happy transferring designs with a USB stick.
  • You only need a smaller built-in design library.
  • You already own SE600 accessories.

Choose Brother SE700 if

  • You are buying new at normal prices.
  • You want wireless design transfer.
  • You want 135 built-in designs and 10 fonts.
  • You want the current model with ongoing support.

Our Brother combo picks

Prices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

This comparison is drawn from published specifications, owner manuals and the consensus of verified owner reviews, not side-by-side testing.

Safety note: Keep hands clear of the needle and moving embroidery arm while a design stitches, and switch the machine off before changing needles or attaching the embroidery unit.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Brother SE600 discontinued?

Yes. Brother USA marks the SE600 as discontinued on its product page. Remaining new stock still sells through retailers, and Brother support pages and manuals remain useful for owners. The SE700 is the current machine with the same 4 x 4 inch field and 103 sewing stitches, plus wireless LAN and more built-in designs.

Can the Brother SE600 or SE700 embroider a 5 x 7 design?

No. Both the SE600 and SE700 have a maximum embroidery area of 4 x 4 inches, and a larger hoop will not fit their embroidery arm travel. You can split some larger designs and re-hoop, but alignment takes practice. For 5 x 7 inch designs, step up to a machine like the Brother SE1900.

How do you get designs onto the Brother SE700?

The SE700 has wireless LAN, so you can send designs from a computer or supported Brother apps over your home network. Designs need to be in a Brother format, typically PES, and sized for a 4 x 4 inch field. The older SE600 uses a USB port instead, so you copy files to a USB stick first.

Can the Brother SE700 sew quilts?

It can piece quilt tops and quilt small projects such as table runners and baby quilts. The SE700 has 103 stitches and 8 feet, but it is a compact machine, so quilting a large quilt means pushing a lot of bulk through a small space. Many owners piece on it and use its embroidery for quilt labels and small block motifs.

What needles should I use for machine embroidery?

Use embroidery needles, commonly size 75/11, which have a larger eye and a special scarf that reduce thread shredding and skipped stitches with rayon and polyester embroidery thread. Switch to a ballpoint needle on knits. Change needles every few projects on the SE700 or SE600, because a dull needle causes puckering and thread breaks.

Sources

How we research: we compare manufacturer specifications, owner manuals, published standards and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We do not test products in person, and this is researched guidance, not professional advice. Follow your machine manual and pattern, and take care with rotary cutters, hot irons and needles. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.