7 Best Brother Embroidery Machines in 2023
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Brother embroidery machines are known for their ease of use, quality stitches, and affordable prices.
I currently own a top-of-the-line Brother embroidery machine and a mid-to-lower-level Brother embroidery machine. I also owned the cheapest Brother embroidery machine on the market for several years before upgrading.
All that to say, I love Brother embroidery machines and don’t know if I’ll ever switch brands.
Want to buy a Brother embroidery machine and don’t know where to start?
Here are seven of the best Brother embroidery machines PLUS what features differentiate them.
Brother Embroidery Machine Comparisons (Differentiating Them)
When deciding which Brother embroidery machine to purchase, it’s essential to put together a list of must-haves for your next machine.
Then, compare the different Brother embroidery machine models to determine which machines offer those features.
Here are some of the ways Brother embroidery machines differ.
1. Embroidery Only vs. Combination Machine
Combination embroidery machines sew and embroider, whereas embroidery-only machines are one-trick ponies. You must have an additional sewing machine if you want to sew.
Generally, when differentiating the entry-level Brother embroidery machines, PE in the model number means embroidery-only, whereas SE designates a combo machine. (This doesn’t always hold for dealer models, and there are exceptions like the LB and NS models.)
2. Hoop Size
The embroidery hoop size is the most important consideration when choosing an embroidery machine.
A larger hoop size costs more but gives you more space to stitch larger designs.
The above picture shows the difference between my 5″x7″ hoop and my 10 5/8″ x 16″ hoop.
That’s a sizeable difference, right?!
However, for reference, the price difference between my two machines with each of those max hoop sizes was also over $10,000!
Don’t worry if a big hoop is not in your budget! I started with a 4″x4″ embroidery machine and wrote a post to describe all the things you can embroider with a 4×4 hoop so you don’t get stuck feeling bad about a smaller hoop.
Now, here’s a brief comparison of current US Brother embroidery machines and their corresponding hoop sizes:
| Brother Machines | Max Hoop Size |
|---|---|
| SE600, SE625, SE630, SE700, SE725 SE400, PE535, PE545, LB5000S, LB5000M, PE550D, NS1750D | 4"x4" |
| SE1900, SE2000, PE800, PE900, NS1150E, | 5"x7" |
| NQ1600E, NQ3600D, NQ1700E, NQ3700D | 6"x10" |
| VM5200 | 8"x12" |
| XE1, XJ1, XE2, XJ2 | 9.5"x14" |
| XP1, XP2, XP3 | 10 5/8"x16" |
[These are mostly new models, and this is not an exhaustive list. I haven’t included many discontinued machines that can be purchased pre-owned.]
3. Design Transfer Method
Old-school embroidery machines had card readers (I do NOT recommend this), but thankfully, technology has evolved to where you can transfer designs much more efficiently.
Newer embroidery machines even have Wi-Fi design transfer rather than a USB port on the side of the embroidery machine.
I recommend at least purchasing an embroidery machine with USB or Wi-Fi design transfer.
Now, my home internet isn’t excellent, and I’ve had issues with designs not transferring all the way, so for important projects, I still prefer using a USB. The same goes for downloading software updates.
Also, while I’m not a Mac user, Brother’s Design Database Transfer to get those designs over wirelessly only works natively on PC as far as I can tell. So, keep this in mind if you’re a Mac user and want to use the Wi-Fi capabilities on your machine.
4. Jump Stitch Trimming
Jump stitches are those annoying little threads that remain when the needle moves from one design section to another.
Starting with the newest Fall 2022 Brother 5″x7″ embroidery machines and larger hoop size machines, you’ll find the option of turning on automatic jump stitch trimming.
My first two embroidery machines did not have jump thread trimming, which wasn’t a huge deal then.
Once I got my larger hoop embroidery machine, the number of jump stitches in designs was so huge that the automatic trimming was SO NICE.
If you have poor hand dexterity or decreased eyesight, I recommend a machine that trims jump stitches.
6. Automatic Needle Threader
Some Brother sewing and embroidery machines have “advanced” needle threaders, whereas others have more “automatic” needle threaders.
The snazzier the machine, the easier it is to have it thread the needle for you, error-free.
7. Built-In Stitches and Designs
If you hate technology and don’t want to create your own embroidery designs or use your computer to download pre-made designs, choose a machine with more built-in embroidery designs and font options.
I rarely use my built-in designs (and I have over 1,000) because I prefer to create my own.
Lastly, Brother has exclusive rights and licensing to Disney embroidery designs, so if you want to be able to stitch Disney designs, you must buy a Brother Disney embroidery machine or plan to download designs from Brother’s iBroidery store.
8. Budget
How much does an embroidery machine cost?
You’d be surprised at the range to get started with machine embroidery!
My first Brother embroidery machine ran less than $300 (purchased way before pre-pandemic inflation), and my most recent machine was five figures. (I paid more for it than my current SUV is worth!)
Having a larger budget gets you more features, but I started embroidery when I was flat-broke and happily made do with my small embroidery machine.
9. Artspira Compatibility
One of Brother’s significant Fall 2022 improvements to their line of embroidery machines was the Artspira app.
After I groaned and moaned about issues I had with it and finally got mine set up, I can see the perks of having a machine with this compatibility.
Brother Embroidery Machines for Beginners: A Note
My unpopular opinion is to NOT buy a top-of-the-line embroidery machine if you are a beginner.
Why?
First, I guarantee you will make all sorts of mistakes when you start embroidering.
In my first six months of use on my entry-level machine, I broke my needle threader, nicked my throat plate irreversibly doing something clueless, and wound way too much bobbin thread underneath the spindle more times than I can count.
Having an affordable machine makes those mistakes SO MUCH LESS horrifying.
Second, if it turns out embroidery is too tricky or not your cup of tea, you haven’t invested a year’s worth of mortgage into an expensive machine.
Last, the top-of-the-line Brother embroidery machines are LOADED with features that are difficult to understand for beginners. My manual for mine is almost 500 pages long, and even sometimes I get confused using some of the features.
While Brother Luminaire XP3 might be the “best” Brother embroidery machine with the most features, I don’t think it’s for everyone, especially beginners! Also, before you purchase, make sure to try it in-store to ensure you can figure out how to use it.
Best Brother Embroidery Machines Reviews
There is no one BEST Brother embroidery machine for everyone, so pick what will work best for your circumstances! Seriously, don’t go into debt over this decision just because someone told you that a $5k+ machine is all you’ll be happy with.
With that out of the way, my list of Brother embroidery machine reviews is below. But first, a few notes.
First, I’ve listed only home-use embroidery machines. If you are looking for a Brother multi-needle embroidery machine with a free arm, I recommend the Brother PRS1055X. It has 10 needles and a bigger hoop size than the Brother PR680W or PR670E.
Second, I have not listed discontinued models. If you check your local dealer, you might be able to snag a great deal on a pre-owned machine.
Last, these are the US model numbers. Other countries may have different model numbers for similar machines.
1. Brother PE900 Embroidery Machine
| Feature | Specs |
|---|---|
| Embroidery Field | 5"x7" |
| Embroidery Designs | 193 designs |
| Maximum Embroidery Speed | 650 stitches per minute |
| Design Transfer | Wi-Fi or USB |
The newest Brother 5×7 embroidery-only machine, the Brother PE900, is the “one to beat” of the 5×7 embroidery machines.
Not only is it Wi-Fi enabled (which means you have the option to transfer purchased or created designs from your computer without a USB), it automatically trims jump stitches.
And, it’s compatible with Brother’s newest embroidery app, Artspira. (As mentioned earlier, the launch had some bugs to work out, but I have high hopes that this could be awesome for embroidery and cutting machine users.)
If you’re worried the 5″x7″ embroidery field is too small, you can also use the 5″x12″ repositionable hoop with the Brother PE900 to stitch a design in two smaller sections. (Just use software to split a bigger design.)
The price is much higher than its predecessor, the Brother PE800, but I think the automatic jump stitch trimming is such a time saver that it’s worth the extra investment if you plan to embroider frequently.
Also, just to point out again, the Brother PE900 is an embroidery-only machine, meaning you cannot use it for regular sewing. You will need a separate sewing machine for all sewing tasks.
2. Brother PE545 Embroidery Machine
| Feature | Specs |
|---|---|
| Embroidery Field | 4"x4" |
| Embroidery Designs | 135 built-in |
| Design Transfer | Wi-Fi or USB |
The Brother PE545 improves upon the Brother PE535 and will likely one day replace it.
The Brother PE545 (and PE535) are two of the least expensive embroidery machines on the market, as they are small embroidery-only machines.
These machines only have a 4″x4″ embroidery area, but you can split designs and stitch in a repositionable 4″x6.75″ hoop if you use software.
What I love about the PE545 is that it’s one of the few 4×4 machines on the market with Wi-Fi design capability. (The PE535 cannot connect wirelessly.)
Lastly, don’t let the smaller number of built-in designs deter you.
You can download any designs you create or find online and transfer them to your machine, as long as they’re in .PES format (or another compatible file format type.)
3. Brother NQ1700E Embroidery Machine
| Feature | Specs |
|---|---|
| Embroidery Field | 6"x10" |
| Embroidery Designs | 285 built-in |
| Max Embroidery Speed | 850 spm |
| Design Transfer | Wi-Fi or USB |
Replacing the older Brother NQ1600E, the Brother NQ1700E has a 6″x10″ max embroidery field and also has Wi-Fi capability for design transfer and use of the Artspira app.
The NQ1700E is another embroidery-only machine, but it has several combination machine counterparts.
For example, the Brother NQ37000D is the 6″x10″ combination option that includes Disney designs, and the Brother NQ3550W is the combination version without the Disney designs.
Besides hoop size, ways the Brother NQ1700E improves upon the Brother PE900 include an increased number of designs, more editing options onscreen, and a faster max embroidery speed (850 stitches per minute vs. 650 stitches per minute.)
4. Brother SE700 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
| Key Features | Specs |
|---|---|
| Embroidery Field | 4"x4" |
| Embroidery Designs | 135 built-in |
| Stitch Options | 103 stitches, 10 buttonhole options |
| Maximum Sewing Speed | 710 stitches per minute |
| Design Transfer | Wi-Fi or USB |
Not to be confused with the Brother PE700 (an old embroidery machine model), the Brother SE700 is the newest Brother 4×4 combination sewing and embroidery machine.
It’s basically the Brother PE545 embroidery-wise, but it can also sew.
As such, the embroidery features are identical to the Brother PE545. (It has Wi-Fi capability, the same number of embroidery designs, etc.)
However, in terms of sewing, there are 103 built-in stitches, 10 buttonhole stitches, and even several sewing lettering fonts. I love that you can set it to do automatic reverse and reinforcement stitching and also clip sewing threads at the end of a seam.
There is also an SE725 version of this machine sold at certain retailers.
5. Brother SE2000 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
| Feature | Specs |
|---|---|
| Embroidery Field | 5"x7" |
| Embroidery Designs | 193 designs and 13 fonts |
| Stitch Options | 241 stitches, 10 buttonhole options |
| Maximum Sewing Speed | 850 stitches per minute |
| Design Transfer | Wi-Fi or USB |
The improvement on Brother’s well-loved SE1900, the Brother SE2000 has all the embroidery features of the Brother PE900 but can also sew.
For example, in addition to the 190 built-in embroidery designs and 13 embroidery fonts, the Brother SE2000 also has 241 sewing stitches and eight sewing presser feet.
Fun for quilters, the Brother SE2000 also has a knee lifter, and the throat space is large enough to do most quilt piecing projects and some free-motion quilting. (Obviously, it’s not a massive throat like the Brother Luminaire or one of Janome’s M17 machines.)
And, like the PE900, the SE2000 trims automatically jump stitches, is wireless LAN enabled, and is compatible with Brother’s Artspira.
It has an automatic needle threader to make threading the needle a breeze, and it’s also easy to set up!
I think this is one of the best Brother sewing and embroidery machines on the market right now for value and features.
I recently purchased the Brother SE2000 (read my full Brother SE2000 review), but I’ve had the Brother SE1900 sewing and embroidery combo, its predecessor, for almost 3 years now.
I’ve loved it and am excited the newer version can connect wirelessly. (You can learn all about my older machine in my Brother SE1900 review, too!)
6. Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine
| Feature | Specs |
|---|---|
| Embroidery Field | 5"x7" |
| Embroidery Designs | 138 designs |
| Maximum Embroidery Speed | 650 stitches per minute |
| USB Connection | Built-in USB port |
The Brother PE800 was a well-loved embroidery machine for a long, long time before being replaced by the Brother PE900.
It still hasn’t been discontinued, which is why I recommend it, especially for embroiderers looking to save money and those who don’t care about the extra features of the PE900.
When comparing the PE800 to the PE900, though, the addition of automatic jump stitch trimming on the PE900 is a big selling point, as is the inclusion of wireless LAN connectivity.
However, these features might not mean much to you, so consider this 5×7 computerized embroidery-only machine also.
Read more in my Brother PE800 review.
7. Brother SE600 or SE625 Combination Machine
| Feature | Specs |
|---|---|
| Weight | 14.3 lbs |
| Dimensions | 21.2" x 15.5" x 16.5" |
| Embroidery Field | 4"x4" |
| Embroidery Designs | 80 included |
| Stitch Options | 103 stitches, 10 buttonhole options |
| Maximum Sewing Speed | 710 stitches per minute |
| USB Connection | Built-in USB port |
The Brother SE600 and SE625 are two of the best Brother embroidery and sewing machine combos to start with if you are on a budget. The only differences between the two (read more in Brother SE600 vs. SE625) are the design CD included with the SE625 and the faceplate color.
Now, these two machines don’t have all the Wi-Fi features of the updated Brother SE700, but they’re less expensive if you’re not techy anyway. To import designs, you must use the USB port on the side of the machine.
I started with the Brother SE625 as my first machine, and I had no complaints, except I eventually grew out of the 4×4 hoop and paid off enough student loans to afford a bigger hoop machine.
Now, as a combination machine, the SE600 includes 103 built-in sewing stitches (10 automatic one-step buttonhole options) and seven sewing presser feet.
In terms of embroidery, there are 80 included designs to embroider using the machine’s 4″x4″ maximum embroidery field area.
The color LCD touchscreen is an improvement over the black and white screens of older Brother embroidery machines like the SE400. You can do basic design edits onscreen like changing size and thread colors and combining designs.
Read my in-depth Brother SE600 review to learn more about this option.
Best Brother Embroidery Machines – Final Notes
Obviously, there are many machines I didn’t mention here, especially those that cost more than $3-4k and have larger hoop sizes.
However, I still hope these reviews of the best Brother embroidery machines have helped make your decision process easier.
And, if you still can’t decide, check out my list of best embroidery machines for beginners and best computerized embroidery machines for more options!
Good Morning Aly – Last year we purchased the Brother PE535 and she is ready to upgrade. We are looking at the Brother NQ 1700E. Your article was very informative. Thank you very much.
Thanks. Best wishes with the new machine and the nice, large hoop size!
Thank you. I think I’ve decided on the SE2000 from your info. I specifically want to sew a line of design stitch with a name or saying within the line of stitching. Have I chosen the right machine?
If that design is not intended to be larger than 5″x7″ (and you can purchase it or create it with software or built-in machine designs), then yes!
hi! Any thoughts on the VE2300? Unfortunately, the Brother website does not offer a “Compare” feature. I’m researching the difference between the VE2300 and the NQ1700E. TY!
When I visited my dealer while searching for my new machine, they recommended either the NQ17000E or the bigger hoop Stellaire based on user feedback on the VE2300 for the price vs. feature ratio. (They didn’t even stock the VE2300 as a floor model but did have the combo VM5200). If you have a local dealer, popping in to try out the machines should help a little with making the decision!
Hi I have a Brother’s PB 6800 PRW, an oldie but a goodie ! Paid $325. Have probably worn it out, thinking of not putting money into having it serviced & evaluated & just buying a new one. How would you rate a SE725?
I have not gotten my hands on an SE725 yet, but I did own its predecessor, the SE625, for years and loved it. One big difference between the two is the SE725 has wireless design transfer from a computer.
I also have the SE2000 (5×7 hoop) right now, which has similar WiFi capabilities to the SE725, and it’s a fun, helpful feature!
I would like your advice. I have a Quattro 2 -Innovis 6700D. I know this is an old machine. I have been having several problems with it. I really don’t want to spend any more money fixing it, especially since a dealer is not close by. I’m to the point of trading it in, but I don’t want to spend a lot of money.
What do you suggest? I would like to have a hoop larger than 8×12. Would an used machine be worth while if so which one?
I just want to sew and not be bothered with all these problems. Can you help me?
Thank you,
Kathy
If you’re looking for bigger than 8″x12″ but don’t want to splurge for a Luminaire, you could consider the Stellaire, which is the Brother 9.5″x14″ hoop machine. The word on the street (unconfirmed at this time) per my dealer is the Stellaire XE1 and XJ1 might be getting upgrades to XE2 and XJ2 later this year. This could be a really great time for you to snag a deal on a new XJ1 or XE1 as dealers clear them out to make room for the new models to come in. (Classroom models are also good to look for and have a huge discount but a low stitch count.)
If you do decide to buy a used machine, I highly recommend purchasing from a dealer rather than through a third party like Facebook, Ebay, etc. unless the machine is certified refurbished with a warranty. At least through a dealer, the machine would have been inspected for issues, so you won’t have to be bothered with problems like it sounds like you’re experiencing now!
Hey Aly! I’m making an all in one comment as opposed to several on separate posts. My mom has sewing and embroidery brother machine. Our school just started uniforms for this school year and I’m wondering how I do the following: get the logo, then how to digitize it, and then upload and use it on my machine….
With 4 kids, I’m thinking this would be more budget friendly vs paying for it x10 items per child. Would love any feedback and advice 🙂
If you can get the logo in an image or vector file format (jpg, png, ai, pdf, svg, etc.) from the school, you can digitize it yourself with software or pay someone to digitize it to a machine embroidery file.
If you’ve never used software before, it’s probably most time efficient to have someone do it for you and shouldn’t cost more than $10-$20 for someone to create that one file, which you can use again and again.
The digitized file you receive will be in PES format (for Brother machines.) Depending on the age and capabilities of your mom’s machine, you can then either transfer the file via cable, USB, or wirelessly to the machine.
Then it’s just simply a matter of taking time to embroider the design on each item.
I hope that helps–let me know if something doesn’t make sense!
Hi Aly,
Can they be used by someone who has 0 experience in sewing? I am thinking of purchasing one of these to start a small business where I can embroider t-shirts or something, will it be easy for me to use them or should I take a course or something in sewing first?
Thanks,
Yes, they can, but there is a learning curve, so I would caution you not to expect to be able to start a business immediately. There is some overlap between sewing and embroidery, but I would also recommend spending your time taking an embroidery course to learn the basics instead of a sewing course.
One of the hardest parts of learning embroidery is learning to digitize, which is the process of creating designs. If you plan to only stitch monograms or designs others have created for you, there’s no need to worry about this. However, if you want to create the designs you stitch yourself, make sure to allot extra time in your startup process for learning to digitize.
Thank you for your very detailed article about these machines. However, I am still confused as to what the difference is between the SE700 and SE725 models. Please advise. Mahalo!
When comparing the Brother SE725 vs. SE700, the SE725 is the Walmart-exclusive model, while the SE700 is found at Amazon and other retailers. The machines are identical in almost everything except the color of the faceplate and the fact that the SE725 comes with a bonus 50 designs that you can download after purchasing.
Hi Aly!
Thank you so much for the detailed reviews it has helped me understand a lot of things. Unfortunately, I’m still having a hard time deciding which machine to get.
* Brother NS1150E (5×7) $852.74
* Brother PE 900 (5×7) $1377.86
With the $500+ price difference…is the PE900 really worth it? I would be coming in as a beginner doing patches for a firefighter academy uniform and it has about 9 colors in it. Considering this academy is a couple years long, it’s worth the investment versus paying an arm and a leg for the uniforms directly.
Please advice… thank you so much 😀
Wow, $500 is a big price difference! How many jump stitches do you see in the embroidery design? If not many, I’d say stick with the less expensive machine, as jump stitch cutting is the biggest improvement on the PE900.
(If you plan to embroider the same design over and over on the patches, the WiFi compatibility of the PE900 isn’t too much of a selling point. And access to Artspira probably isn’t a deal breaker either in your circumstance.)
I had a professional digitize the logo and I was given this information:
Stitches:37,703
Height:4.07 in
Width:4.91 in
Colors:8
Color changes:16
Stops:17
Trims:42
Max stitch:9.8 mm
Min stitch:0.0 mm
Max jump:7.0 mm
Total thread:714.01ft
Total bobbin:273.21ft
Does this mean there’s a lot of jump stitches? lol I definitely want to go with the lower priced model, but after watching a few youtube videos, jump stitches seem like a nightmare
That is a lot of jump stitches. You could always load the design into software and run a stitch simulation. Then you can see where these jumps occur during the stitch out and how large they are to get an idea of how easy (or difficult) they might be to trim yourself!
Why can’t I find information on the Brother SE 725? I’m trying to do a comparison with the 625 SE.
Thank you. Love my Brothers. Have 3 girls. Sew Cute, Thankful, and Brenda my latest.
Brother’s website (as well as Walmart’s website, where the SE725 is sold) are the two big locations that will give you all of the information about the Brother SE725.
Hi Aly… I own a TOL Babylock Emb/Sew combo. Frankly, it intimidates me (I am afraid I will break something, so it usually sits).
I just purchased a Brother SE725, as at the low the price point I will not be intimidated, and I can just use it without worrying.
I have been looking for a cap hoop, and the available selections are baffling. If you search for cap hoop SE725, you get a myriad of hits, none of which mention the SE 700/725 … I find this confusing. Any suggestions?
Haha, I own the Brother Luminaire and then a few much less expensive combo machines and always use the entry level machines to try out new techniques bc the thought of messing up my Luminaire is so horrifying…so I totally understand where you’re coming from!
As for hat hoop, the Brother SE600/SE625 use the same hoops as the SE700/SE725, so as long as the cap hoop says it’s compatible with the SE600 or SE625, it should work for your SE725. It usually takes a while for generic embroidery parts manufacturers to incorporate the new models into their product descriptions, which can be so confusing!
I started with a SE 600 and fell in love with the craft. I am now ready for a bigger hoop. I have looked at the PE 900 and the NQ 1700E I’m trying to figure out other than the hoop size (the 900 can go up to a 5 x 12 which is comparable to the 1700) and the price price what the big advantage the 1700 has over the 900? do you have some comments to share?
I actually would love to be able to have an on screen projection (Luminare)simply because I want to use embroidery templates to do quilting. It would be so nice to be able to see where the stitch will start when connecting to the previous template – any advice on this? Or any suggestions on which machine to get if I want to be able to do embroidery and quilting?
One thing to consider is even though the PE900 can do the 5×12 repositionable hoop, you can only use it on designs that can be split. Many in-the-hoop designs (for example, a wallet) can’t be easily split. So, you’d be able to embroider a 5×10 wallet design on the 1700E, but you wouldn’t be able to on the PE900 even with that repositionable hoop.
Also, I LOVE my Luminaire because of the features and highly recommend it if it’s in your budget. If you don’t care about the sewing features, the newest Stellaire XE2 is also pretty awesome also for quilters, and it’s less than 1/2 the price of the Luminaire new bc it’s embroidery only.
Can you please tell me which machine is most similar to the NS1750D? Is it the Se700/se725?
The NS1750D is more similar to the Brother SE600/SE625/SE630 machines. The SE700/SE725 are the updated versions of the SE600/SE625 machines, and as such, have newer features like WiFi design transfer and Artspira compatibility. The SE700/SE725 are most similar to the NS1850D, which is the newer version of the NS1750D.
Hi Aly,
I’m so glad I happened upon you page. I have an LB5000 which I have enjoyed since the pandemic. But I want to upgrade. I found a good deal on an Innov-is NQ1600. I really don’t see much difference in that and the Innov-is NQ1700. The small independent sewing dealer is willing to sell me the newer NQ1700 for $99 more than the NQ1600. Do you think I should do that or save the $99 towards accessories? Either way, it will be bought ‘sight-unseen’ as the dealer is not in my state and will have to be shipped.
One big difference is the NQ1700E is wireless enabled, meaning you can transfer designs directly from your computer to the machine without having to use a USB. The NQ1700 is also Artspira (Brother’s app) compatible and has more built-in designs and fonts. I rarely use the built-in designs or fonts on any of my machines, I transfer my designs via USB since my house WiFi is unreliable, and I don’t care too much for Artspira so far, so those extra features aren’t as crucial for me as they may be for you or other embroiderers.
One other thing to think about is resale value. The NQ1600E is technically “discountinued” from Brother, so if you plan to sell the machine and upgrade to an even larger machine in a few years (ha, story of my life), I think the NQ1700E for only $99 is a much better investment. It will likely resell for more than $99 more than the NQ1600E would in a few years.