The 9 Largest Hoop Embroidery Machines

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. I sometimes receive free products for review. Please read disclosure for more information.

I started with a 4″x4″ hoop embroidery machine and upgraded to a 5″x7″ machine soon after. A few years later, I finally bought a much larger embroidery machine because I desperately wanted to embroider bigger projects.

As I decided which machine to purchase, I put together this reference to organize my thoughts and help like-minded embroiderers in their searches.

Check out this list of the largest hoop embroidery machines available for home use. (And learn which one I decided to invest in!)

The Largest Embroidery Machines

This list includes the single-needle embroidery machines with the largest hoops based on total area first.

I haven’t listed any large hoop multi-needle embroidery machines, as these are not as common for home use and embroidery hobbyists. 

You will probbaly have to visit your local sewing retailer to purchase these top-of-the-line machines. However, knowing which brands offer a large embroidery field on their machines will give an idea of which authorized retailers you need to frequent first. 

Furthermore, many discontinued machines (like the Brother Dream Machine) have large hoop sizes as well.

That said, below are the currently produced models, and the list keeps getting longer because new machines are being released frequently!

1. Husqvarna Designer Epic 3

• Hoop Size: 465mm x 450mm (18 1/4″ x 17 3/4″)
• Embroidery Speed: 1,050 spm

The Husqvarna Designer Epic 3 is the largest embroidery machine with a hoop size of 18 1/4″ x 17 3/4.” (The slightly less-featured Epic 2, Husqvarna Ruby 90, and Sapphire 85 have smaller hoops.)

(You can check out a comparison chart of all Husqvarna Designer machines to see the exact differences and the complete list of their features.)

Designs are transferred via WiFi, and the machines are compatible with mySewnet, Husqvarna’s subscription-based embroidery design service. You also get access to their exclusive JoyOS ADVISOR system, which includes helpful sewing and embroidery tutorials to get you started using your machine successfully. 

Of course, this large embroidery machines has sensor systems and countless automatic features to make sewing and embroidery frustration-free. 

My favorite thing differentiating them from other brands is the ribbon embroidery attachment, which helps you machine embroider with ribbon. (With my machine, I can only do bobbin work with a thin ribbon rather than using it as my top “thread.”)

2. Brother Aveneer EV1 or Baby Lock Radiance

• Hoop Size: 11 5/8″ x 18 1/4″
• Embroidery Speed: 1,050 spm
• Sewing Built-ins: 800 stitches
• Embroidery Built-ins: 1,858 designs on both, but Aveneer includes an additional 217 Disney designs.

The Brother Aveneer EV1 and Baby Lock Radiance were announced at the brands’ August 2024 conventions. Once they premiere in Fall 2024, they will be the largest Baby Lock and Brother embroidery machines on the market. 

Now, Baby Lock and Brother machines are often made at the same factories but with different standards. Thus, they have very similar features, uses, and construction. The Aveneer and Radiance both feature the same extra-large embroidery area and speedy stitching speeds. 

However, there are a few differences between the two manufacturers:

• Baby Lock machines do not include Disney designs. (Note: Disney designs can not be used for commercial purposes.)
• Baby Lock machines are usually a wee bit more expensive at MSRP
• Different trademarked technology and apps; for example, Design Snap and My Stitch Monitor for Brother and IQ Designer and IQ Intuition Monitoring for Baby Lock. 

Now, key differences between the Aveneer EV1 and Baby Lock Radiance from their predecessors, the Brother Luminaire XP3 and Baby Lock Solaris Vision, are:

• Slightly bigger hoop (predecessors at 10 5/8″ x 16″)
• Intelligent Stitch Regulator/StitchSync(keep stitches equal sized and spaced when doing free-motion stitching; probably the only reason I might consider upgrading my XP2!)
• 1″ larger needle-to-arm distance
• More AI technology built-in on the machine and a larger design preview region
• Voice guidance (not a huge selling point for me)
• Buttonhole preview (also not really necessary for me)

Learn more about the Baby Lock Radiance or Brother Aveneer EV1.

3. Janome M17 Professional Sewing and Embroidery Machine

• Embroidery Area: 11.3″x18.2″ with RE46d hoop
• Embroidery Speed: 1200 spm
• Sewing Built-ins: 850 stitches
• Embroidery Built-ins: 1230 designs

Released in April 2022, the Janome M17 Professional Next Generation Combo machine won the largest embroidery area but was soon dethroned in October of 2023 by the Designer Epic 3 and then the Aveneer in 2024.

If this machine had been on the market when I purchased my Luminaire XP2, I may have purchased it instead of my current embroidery machine. Why?

It has the highest max embroidery speed, a huge embroidery hoop, and a large workspace at 13.5.” (I do think Brother machines are still the easiest to use, which is my very biased opinion, of course.)

And, for quilters, this machine combines many of the well-loved features of the Janome Continental sewing and quilting machine and adds the embroidery component.

If you love quilting, check out these features:

1. AcuStitch Regulator so your free-motion quilting can mimic longarm quilting a bit more. 
2. Ruler Work Mode to easily use templates during quilting. 
3. AcuFeed Flex Plus fabric feeding system using a dedicated motor. 
4. QuiltBlockAdvisor feature to help with cutting measurements.

And those are just a few things this super awesome large sewing and embroidery machine can do!

4. Pfaff Creative Icon 2

• Hoop Size: 350 x 360mm (13.78″ x 14.11″)
• Embroidery Speed: 1,050 spm
• Sewing Built-ins: >800 stitches
• Embroidery Built-ins: >800 designs

Another awesome high-end embroidery machine, the Pfaff Creative Icon 2–and the original Creative Icon, for that matter–has a maximum embroidery size that’s the same as the Husqvarna Epic 2 and other close-to-top-of-the-line embroidery machines. 

Now, the largest hoop included with the Creative Icon machine is only a 360mm x 260mm (~10″x14″ hoop), but you can purchase the Grand Dream Hoop, which allows you to use that entire embroidery area of 14.11″ x 13.78.”

A sewing and embroidery combination machine also, the Creative Icon features the most advanced patented technology that Pfaff has available. 

For instance, WiFi connectivity, mySewnet cloud storage, and the ImageStitch app to auto-digitize images with your phone. 

Their ActivStitch technology, which helps your machine sense and regulate its embroidery with no user input, is also one more cool feature. 

5. Brother Innov-is Luminaire XP3 or Baby Lock Solaris Vision

• Hoop Size: 10 5/8″ x 16″
• Sewing Speed: 1,050 spm
• Embroidery Speed: 1,050 spm
• Sewing Built-ins: 869 built-in stitches on the Luminaire (1514 total stitches on the Solaris Vision per their website)
• Embroidery Built-ins: 1,362 designs–and 192 Disney designs–on the Luminaire (901 built-in designs on Solaris Vision)

The Luminaire XP2 is the embroidery machine in my craft room right now! (I have the XP3 update on it, though.) The Baby Lock equivalent with this hoop size is the Solaris Vision.

While the Husqvarna Designer is technically the embroidery machine with the largest hoop based on area, the Brother XP3 still offers a rectangular hoop with a 16″ side, almost 2″ larger than the largest side on the Designer machine hoops.

This means embroidering longer, skinnier designs is possible with the XP3 or Vision.

The main reason I bought a machine with a giant hoop was to embroider larger projects. For instance, in my Anita Goodesign Doll House Quilt above, I used my 10 5/8″ x16″ hoop to embroider the largest block size, which was 10 5/8″ x 16″. 

This wouldn’t have been possible with two of the large hoop embroidery machines listed earlier due to their more square hoop dimensions.

Now, as a combination machine with one of the largest embroidery fields and a more extensive workspace areas (13.1″), the Luminaire XP3 and Solaris also have a large color LCD touch screen that even embroiderers with poor near vision should be able to read. 

My favorite feature of high-end Brother embroidery machines is ‘Quiltbroidery,’ which makes continuous quilting effortless. 

Other fun things include mobile monitoring, auto-digitizing with My Design Snap (so-so results compared to manual digitizing with software, of course), and all sorts of laser, camera, and light help features. These help line up designs and blanks for the best professional results.  

I also really love how the built-in projector displays embroidery designs on the hooped fabric for preview for both of these machines. Then, you can edit the location and other design properties to achieve “Precise Embroidery Placement.”

And, unless you plan to create intricate embroidery designs, you can get away without embroidery software on your computer in many cases, thanks to onscreen editing and customization technology. 

Also, as someone who used to spend more time than I’d like to admit tediously unscrewing the needle plate on my machine to clean or remove thread nests, I can’t even express how much time I have saved having a needle plate that is removed at the touch of a button. 

The Brother website includes the full XP3 specifications and a comparison to similar models. See the Baby Lock Solaris Vision’s features on Baby Lock’s website as well. 

6. Bernina 8 Series

• Hoop Size: 15.7”×10.2″ with optional Jumbo Hoop
• Sewing Speed: 1,200 spm
• Embroidery Speed: 1,000 spm
• Sewing Built-ins: 1,764 built-in stitches and 19 buttonholes
• Embroidery Built-ins: 462 designs and 12 fonts

The Bernina 8 Series includes the Bernina 880 Plus and Bernina 880 Plus Crystal Edition, among others. There are slight differences between these machines, but the specifications above are specifically for the 880 Plus. 

Both of these machines are embroidery and sewing machines all in one. 

The largest hoop size included with the Bernina 880 is the 145x255mm hoop.

But, you can purchase an extra-large embroidery hoop (the Jumbo Hoop) to take advantage of the 15.7″x10.2″ maximum embroidery area. 

To accommodate such a large hoop, these machines have an ample 12″ work area or throat space, meaning they’re perfect if you’re an avid quilter also. (Rolling a large quilt for free-motion stitching is very difficult on standard home sewing machines.)

As a high-end Bernina machine, these both include the standard automatic needle threader and automatic thread cutter for both sewing AND embroidery.

The presser foot also lifts and lowers automatically at the beginning and end of seams and thread colors. 

Fun perks of this machine include the Bernina dual feed and stitch regulator and a jumbo bobbin so you can stitch humongous embroidery designs without having to reload.

You can read more about the current Bernina 8 Series here. 

7. Brother Stellaire Innov-is XE2 and XJ2 (also XE1 and XJ1)

• Hoop Size: 9.5″x14″
• Sewing Speed: 1,050 spm
• Embroidery Speed: 1,050 spm
• Embroidery Built-ins: 727 designs and 24 fonts (Disney included!)

These Brother machines feature a 9.5″x14″ hoop size, but the Brother XE1 and XE2 are embroidery only, and the Brother XJ1 and XJ2 are combination machines. 

These machines feature many of the same technologies as the Luminaire, but just “less” of most things. There are slightly fewer built-in designs, fewer stitch options, and fewer super-special perks like Quiltbroidery.

However, these machines still feature the My Design Snap mobile app and My Design Center, which provide perfect design placement and create your own designs from images. 

This machine is excellent for starting an embroidery business where perfection is essential for happy customers!

It’s much less expensive than the Luminaire (about 2/3 of the price when I purchased it) but still has many time-saving features like the LED pointer on the embroidery foot.  

When sewing on the XJ1 or XJ2, the large 11 1/4″ workspace area is great for quilters, and there are hundreds of stitches and other perks of the sewing machine portion. 

Check out Brother’s brochure highlighting these machine features. 

Also, as the XE1 and XJ1 machines are phased out and replaced by the newer XE2 and XJ2 options, you may find some great clearance deals at your local dealers on the earlier model.

8. Baby Lock Altair and Baby Lock Meridian

• Hoop Size: 9.5″x14″
• Sewing Speed: 1,050 spm
• Embroidery Speed: 1,050 spm
• Embroidery Built-ins: 494 designs and 30 fonts
• Sewing Built-ins: 771 stitches

The Brother XE1 and XJ1 are similar to the Baby Lock Meridian and Altair, while the XE2 and XJ2 are similar to the Baby Lock Meridian 2 and Baby Lock Altair 2.

The Baby Lock Altair is the sewing and embroidery combination machine, whereas the Meridian is the embroidery-only version. 

These machines both have the same 11 1/4″ workspaces and 9.5″x14″ embroidery fields as the Brother counterparts as well as many other similar functions. 

Compared to the Brother machines, though, there are fewer built-in embroidery designs (this is not a Disney embroidery machine) included and a few other minor differences. 

As with the Baby Lock Solaris 2, IQ Designer and IQ Intuition technology are included with the machine purchase. 

I love how most of these large hoop embroidery machines have wireless design transfer and so many onscreen editing and custom design creation possibilities!

9. Bernina 7 Series

• Hoop Size: 15.7”×8.3 with Maxi Hoop
• Sewing Speed: 1,000 spm
• Embroidery Speed: 1,000 spm

The Bernina 7 Series includes machines like the Bernina 700 E, 740, 790 Plus, 790 Plus SE, 790 Pro, 770 QE, 770 QE E, and 770 QE Plus. These are all sewing and embroidery machine combos. 

The largest hoop included with the Bernina 7 Series machines is the 5.8″x10.2″ hoop. However, the largest embroidery area is 15.7″x8.3.” Thus, if you purchase their Maxi Hoop, this machine will stitch larger designs. 

You can still attach and use the Jumbo 15.7″x10.2″ hoop, but the maximum size design this machine will stitch within that is still just 15.7″x8.3.”

These Bernina large embroidery machines all feature the same jumbo bobbin as the 8 series and automatic thread cutting. 

The 7 Series models differ in features such as the number of stitches and built-in embroidery designs and the inclusion of the dual feed or stitch regulator. 

You can check out the Series 7 Overview on the Bernina website. 

10. Janome Memory Craft 550E

• Hoop Size: 7.9″x14.2″ (with magnetic clips)
• Embroidery Speed: 860 spm
• Embroidery Built-ins: 180 designs

While the Janome Memory Craft 14000 has a 9.1″x11.8″ hoop, the Memory Craft 550E’s hoop has slightly more area to it, which is why I’ve listed it here even though it’s not Janome’s “top-of-the-line” embroidery machine. 

This large hoop Janome machine can expand its 7.9″x7.9″ embroidery area to the much larger maximum embroidery field of 7.9″x14.2″ with the larger included hoop that has magnetic clamps.

The MC 550E embroidery-only machine is especially great if your budget doesn’t include a high-end Brother or Baby Lock machine but you still want to embroider large designs. 

This machine is significantly less expensive because it doesn’t include flashy features like onscreen digitizing, WiFi design transfer (it has a built-in USB port), LED positioning, or even a super high embroidery speed.

It has most of the standard features of mid-level embroidery machines but a hoop that’s easily twice the size!

Check out more info on Janome’s website. 

Before Purchasing a Large Embroidery Machine

Learn from my lack of foresight before you decide to buy one of these monster embroidery machines!

1. Verify the machine will fit in your car.

Above is my (desperately-needing-a-wash) SUV that barely fit my new embroidery machine to bring it home! (I embarrassingly had to verify the box measurements at the store to ensure it would fit before purchasing.)

2. Make sure you can carry it.  

I also had to bring along my strapping husband for the purchase because not only was this machine too bulky to fit through our garage door that has a steep corner into our laundry room, but it weighed almost 90 lbs, according to the sewing shop. 

3. Make sure your sewing table is big and sturdy enough. 

Just checking the machine’s dimensions with the embroidery arm attached may not be enough, as I learned!

While my machine fits on my 23″ depth table with no issues, when I attach the largest hoop, the space needed behind and in front of the machine is much more to allow the machine to embroider the very bottom and very top of that hoop. 

Other Big Hoop Embroidery Machine Options

If the big hoop sizes listed above are larger than what you’re interested in, here is a selection of other popular Brother and Baby Lock embroidery machines and their hoop sizes.

Just remember, you can still split larger designs with embroidery software and use a smaller embroidery machine to embroider a large design. 

• 5″x7″: Brother PE800, PE900, SE1900, SE2000, Baby Lock Accord, and Baby Lock Bloom
• 6″x10″: Baby Lock Aventura II, Baby Lock Flare, Baby Lock Flourish II, Baby Lock Vesta, Brother NQ1600E, Brother NQ1700E, Brother NQ3600D, Brother NQ3700D, and Brother NQ3550W
• 8″x8″: Baby Lock Alliance, Brother PRS100
• 8″x12″: Baby Lock Aerial, Baby Lock Pathfinder, Brother VM5200, Brother PRX1, and Baby Lock Capella

Also, check out how embroidery hoop sizes relate to the maximum embroidery area, as the embroidery field and denoted “hoop size” are not exactly the same sizes in some cases. 

Lastly, regarding multi-needle embroidery machines, these industrial machines cost more than their equally-sized hoop single-needle counterparts, take up a larger footprint, and are not known for their ease of use. However, they have a free arm so you can embroider tubular items, they do thread color changes for you, have a cap frame or drive, and they also finish projects more quickly. 

If you want a professional machine to start a business with, a multi-needle machine might be your best option for scaling quickly. Top brands of commercial embroidery machines include Tajima, Barudan, ZSK, Toyota, Melco, SWF, Happy, and more. 

 

For more details, feel free to also check out my list of large throat sewing machines for quilting, which includes many of the machines on this list!