Brother SE700 vs SE2000: Is the 5 x 7 Hoop Worth $940 More?
Buy the Brother SE700, about $530, if you want monograms, small motifs and everyday sewing: 4 x 4 inch field, 135 designs and 103 stitches with wireless transfer. Buy the Brother SE2000, about $1,470, if you want larger designs: 5 x 7 inch field, 193 designs, 241 stitches, color sort and jump stitch trimming.
Brother SE2000 Sewing and Embroidery Machine $1,469.99 Check price on Amazon The verdict
The SE2000 is the better buy for anyone who already knows they love embroidery, because the 5 x 7 inch field decides what you can make far more than any other spec. The SE700 is the better buy for curious beginners, since a 4 x 4 inch field covers monograms, patches and small designs for about a third of the price.
What costs a sale: the hoop size is fixed by the machine. You cannot buy a bigger hoop later for the SE700 and stitch 5 x 7 designs, so buyers who outgrow 4 x 4 end up replacing the machine. If there is a real chance you will want towels, sweatshirt fronts or quilt blocks, skip the step.
Brother SE700 vs Brother SE2000: side by side
| Feature | Brother SE700 | Brother SE2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | About $530 | About $1,470 |
| Max embroidery area | 4 x 4 in | 5 x 7 in |
| Built-in designs | 135 | 193 |
| Embroidery fonts | 10 | 13 |
| Sewing stitches | 103 | 241 |
| One-step buttonholes | 10 styles | 10 styles |
| Screen | 3.2 x 1.8 in LCD | 3.7 in color LCD |
| Speed | 710 SPM sewing | 850 SPM sewing, 650 SPM embroidery |
| Color sort and jump stitch trimming | Not listed | Yes |
| Weight / warranty | 15.06 lb, 1/2/25 year limited | 20.5 lb, 1/2/25 year limited |
What size embroidery hoop do you need?
The embroidery field is the largest area a machine can stitch in one hooping. On the SE700 that is 4 x 4 inches, and on the SE2000 it is 5 x 7 inches. That extra 1 by 3 inches sounds small, but it more than doubles the stitchable area, from 16 to 35 square inches.
| Project | Typical design size | [[brother-se700]] 4 x 4 in | [[brother-se2000]] 5 x 7 in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monogram on a towel or napkin | 2 to 3.5 in | Yes | Yes |
| Left-chest logo on a shirt | 3 to 4 in | Yes | Yes |
| Patches and badges | 2 to 4 in | Yes | Yes |
| Bath towel border design | 5 to 7 in wide | No | Yes |
| Child T-shirt or sweatshirt front | 5 to 7 in | No | Yes |
| 6 in quilt block motif | 5 to 6 in | No | Yes |
| Adult jacket back | 8 to 12 in | No | No, needs a larger field |
Use our embroidery hoop size calculator to check a specific design against each field before buying.
What else does the Brother SE2000 add over the SE700?
Brother lists color sort and jump stitch trimming on the SE2000. Color sort reorders a multi-color design so you change thread fewer times, which matters when you combine lettering and motifs on one layout. Jump stitch trimming cuts the loose threads that travel between sections, which saves snipping by hand afterward.
The SE2000 also has a larger 3.7 inch color screen, 7.4 inches from needle to arm, 241 sewing stitches and a published 650 SPM embroidery speed. Both have wireless LAN for sending designs from a computer, an advanced needle threading system and 8 included feet. Brother lists an automatic thread cutter on the SE700 too.
Is there a middle option between the Brother SE700 and SE2000?
Yes. The Brother SE1900, about $1,129, has the same 5 x 7 inch field with 138 designs, 11 fonts, 240 sewing stitches and a 3.2 inch screen, without the wireless transfer of the SE2000. If you already own a sewing machine you like, the embroidery-only Brother PE900 gives you a 5 x 7 inch field, 193 designs, color sort and wireless for about $1,180.
For much larger designs, the Brother NQ1700E moves up to a 6 x 10 inch field and 258 designs. Our embroidery-only vs combo comparison explains when a separate machine makes more sense.
Choose Brother SE700 if
- You want to try embroidery without a big investment.
- You mostly stitch monograms, names, patches and small motifs.
- You want one compact machine for sewing and small embroidery.
- You are buying for a teen or a gift.
Choose Brother SE2000 if
- You want towels, sweatshirt fronts and quilt block designs.
- You stitch multi-color designs and want color sort and jump stitch trimming.
- You want 241 sewing stitches and a larger color screen.
- You would rather buy once than outgrow a 4 x 4 field.
Our Brother embroidery picks by hoop size
Brother SE700 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
$529.99A 4 x 4 in combo with 135 designs, wireless and 103 stitches for about $530.
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Brother SE1900 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
$1,128.95A 5 x 7 in field and 240 stitches for about $1,129.
Check price Brother SE2000 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
$1,469.99A 5 x 7 in field with color sort, jump stitch trimming and wireless.
Check price
Brother Innov-is NQ1700E Embroidery Machine with BES Blue Software
$2,399.99A 6 x 10 in embroidery-only machine with 258 designs.
Check pricePrices 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.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use a 5 x 7 hoop on the Brother SE700?
No. The Brother SE700 has a maximum embroidery area of 4 x 4 inches, and the machine arm limits how far the hoop can travel, so a larger hoop will not work. Some embroiderers split larger designs and re-hoop, which takes careful alignment. If you want 5 x 7 designs regularly, the SE2000 or SE1900 is the practical answer.
Is the Brother SE2000 worth it over the SE700?
Do the Brother SE700 and SE2000 have wireless?
Yes. Brother lists wireless LAN on both the SE700 and SE2000, so you can send designs from a computer or supported Brother apps instead of carrying a USB stick. Wireless also allows software updates. Designs must be in a format the machine reads, typically Brother PES files, so check any purchased design includes that format.
How fast do the Brother SE700 and SE2000 embroider?
Brother publishes a 650 stitches per minute embroidery speed for the SE2000, and a 710 SPM sewing speed for the SE700 without a separate embroidery figure on the page we checked. A 7,000 stitch design at 650 SPM takes about 11 minutes of stitching, plus time for each thread color change. Use our embroidery stitch count calculator to estimate.
Can the Brother SE2000 sew quilts and garments?
Yes. With the embroidery unit removed, the SE2000 is a full sewing machine with 241 stitches, 10 one-step buttonhole styles and 8 included feet, and Brother lists 7.4 inches from needle to arm. It handles garments and small quilts comfortably. Remember a combo cannot sew while it embroiders, so a long design ties up your only machine.
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.