Singer vs. Brother Sewing Machine Review: Which is the Better Brand For You?
Singer vs. Brother? Good question.
Anyone who is in the market for a new sewing machine will have likely heard the names Singer and Brother before, as they are two of the leading brands in the sewing industry. They share a few similarities but there are some key differences that set them apart.
This article is going to examine these differences and compare these top brands to see which one is going to be the better choice for you and your sewing needs. From beginner to experienced or professional sewer, both brands have a lot to offer.
Just so you know you’re in the right place, we’ll be looking at sewing machines that are designed for home use in this article, not industrial sewing machines. These would require a whole new article of their own, so if you enjoy this one then let us know in the comments!
The Highlights
So, here’s a basic rundown of which type of machines, Singer vs. Brother, are the best for different types of sewing.
- Standard sewing machines – Brother and Singer tend to take turns pulling ahead by mere stitches.
- Sergers – Again, both brands are pretty evenly matched.
- Beginner models – Singer models tend to be the easier machine to get to grips with, as they feature a simpler user interface and lack some of the more advanced features. If you’re new to sewing, we recommend a Singer model as it’s the best brand to learn on.
- Quilting machines – This category goes to Brother, with machines that offer more advanced features that are great for quilting and various other sewing techniques for the more experienced sewer, as well as offering technology and computerized features.
- Embroidery machines – Just like quilting machines, sewers who are looking for a machine to embroider with should choose one from the Brother collection, as the advanced features are perfect for complicated embroidery techniques.
The History of Singer Sewing Machines
A classic American company, Singer has been producing sewing machines since 1851 starting in a town right next to Nashville.
Mass-production was one of their innovations and they were one of the first companies to take advantage of this so they could bring home sewing to the masses. They were so reliable they were known as family heirlooms.
Singer has a wide variety to offer with sewing machines for both beginners (a category in which this brand does particularly well) and more experienced sewers, embroidery machines, quilting machines, and their classic Singer sergers. In total, there are 18 computerized models and several options which are very beginner-friendly.
The History of Brother Sewing Machines
Joining the likes of Singer in 1908, Brother started bringing out sewing machines in Japan and it wasn’t long before it had well and truly established itself on the sewing scene, changing their name to what they’re known as in 1962.
Brother swiftly built a reputation that held their sewing machines in good standing in terms of computerized and digital sewing machines. They excel at producing embroidery and quilting machines, with a goal to always innovate in their technologies.
The Main Similarities Between Singer vs. Brother
The main thing these two sewing machine manufacturers have in common is that they’re household name brands with a long-standing reputation and a market that’s big enough to accommodate them both, especially when they go back and forth in terms of which is better.
Each brand has a variety of models to choose from for the complete beginner to the more experienced sewer, and the keen embroiderer or quilter. Their machines are relatively easy to use and you can use them to carry out multiple sewing projects to fuel your hobby.
If you need some direction in order to get started, both brands actually offer useful videos and tutorials on their social media channels, which they’re pretty active at responding to.
You can find them on Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter, although they haven’t quite found their way onto Tik Tok yet, or alternatively, you can contact their customer support team. They both offer fantastic customer services and you can easily get in touch via their website.
The Main Differences Between Singer vs. Brother
Really, finding the perfect sewing machine will come down to what you’re looking to get out of your machine, but there are a few important features to consider which should help you make your decision.
It’ll be a bit of a generalization between two line ups, but this will hopefully give you a clue as to what to keep an eye out for in your sewing machines.
The main difference between Singer vs. Brother is the features they have to offer the user, and how advanced their technology is.
As we’ve briefly mentioned already, Brother machines tend to come with more tech-friendly features and you’ll have a wider range of settings to play with, often alongside additional built-in pre-set stitch or embroidery patterns.
When it comes to reliability, Singer is where we’d put our money as they produce durable sewing machines that are built to last. They’re simpler in terms of technology which means there’s less to go wrong, and they’re often little workhouse machines that will last you years.
Brother takes the win on affordably priced embroidery machines as they have plenty of options available on the market to choose from.
The Best Brand for Heavy-Duty Sewing Machines
In each line-up you’ll find a dedicated range of durable sewing machines that offer a more heavy-duty performance for more intense and demanding workloads.
These are reinforced by a metal support framework and the motor is less likely to burn out, even when sewing through particularly thick layers.
Each of these machines is suitable for a range of projects, but if you’re looking for a machine that’s going to help you rapidly work through your ‘to be sewn’ pile then the Singer 4411 is ideal as it delivers very fast sewing speeds. It’s high-powered with a built-in thread cutter that is easy to use, 11 built-in stitches, but it doesn’t come with an automatic needle threader.
If you care less about computerized functions but you still want to keep up with fast sewing needs, then the Singer 4423 is also a sewing machine worth having on your radar. It has an automatic threader unlike the Singer 4411, as well as a 1-step buttonhole and 23 built-in stitches.
Alternatively, the Singer 4432 is a great general purpose option with powerful capabilities and excellent versatility and value for money, but again, it comes without some of the extras that some people might want to have on their machines. In this case, look for a computerized model.
If you can’t bear to part with Brother even when you’re due a new sewing machine, then you might consider the Brother ST371HD or the Brother ST531HD which both offer durable, reliable performance even when dealing with trickier fabrics or a heavy workload.
The Best Brand for Budget Sewing Machines
Singer and Brother both manufacture some really great affordable sewing machines so that they can cater to those who are on a lower budget.
They really prove that although you may think that a higher cost equates to higher quality, this really doesn’t have to be the case.
The Singer 1304 (also called the Singer Start) is also a great option for a budget friendly sewing machine.
If you are someone who’s looking to spend a little less on a sewing machine, the Brother XM2701 is an excellent choice, offering a more diverse range of features compared to a Singer machine in the same budget bracket.
Not only are these two sewing machines great for those on a budget, but they’re also a superb choice for beginners who are still learning the craft. Set them up straight out of the box, do a quick read-through of the instructions manual and you should be good to go.
They also share the fact that they’re both lightweight, so either one would be easy to transport if you’re going to be traveling between more than one location with your machine.
The Brother XM2701 is equipped with more built-in stitches offering 27 different types, including a one-step buttonhole. We wrote a Brother XM2701 review to provide the full scoop.
The Singer 1304 has 6 built-in stitches to offer. It also has the easier-to-use top drop-in bobbin compared to the front-load bobbin of the Singer 1304, so this round goes to Brother. For more information and deeper details check out our review of the Singer 1304 here.
A Closer Look at 2 top Sellers: Brother SE600 & Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist
These two sewing machines are customer favorites, receiving impressively high reviews across the board.
The SE600 brings 103 sewing stitches and 80 built-in embroidery design templates, as well as six lettering fonts to choose from including 600 stitches and 5 alphanumeric fonts. (This is a great, affordable machine. We wrote all about it in our Brother SE600 review. Check it out for more details.)
To carry out these tasks clearly, the SE600 has a large color LCD screen which is much more advanced than what the Singer 9960 has to offer. The 9960 wins in terms of speeds, however, completing 850 per minute compared to the 710 stitches per minute produced by the Brother SE600, which is over 100 stitches slower.
For embroidery only or more intricate designs, you’d benefit more from the Brother SE600.
We recommend going for the Singer 9960 if you’re looking to sew with speed, as there’s a fairly steep increase in the number of stitches per minute that it can push through. Read more about the Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist in our full review here.
The Finishing Touch (a.k.a Our Final Thoughts)
As you can see, it can be quite difficult to choose between Brother and Singer when it comes to deciding on which sewing machine you should go for. I’ll always have a special place in my heart for Singer, since my first sewing machine was a Singer confidence. That baby is way over ten years old and works like new. My first embroidery machine was/is a Brother brand and I LOVE it.
Like we’ve already said, it’ll largely come down to what you’re looking for and your personal preferences, but here is one last thing we thought we would reiterate before we wrap this article up.
Singer and Brother are the top selling, most reputable, most reliable sewing machine brands out there. You really can’t go wrong with one over the other. Choose the machine that best suits your preferences – sewing vs. embroidery, cost, intended use – and if you go with Singer or Brother, we are confident you will end up with a great machine that enables you to design and create whatever you are dreaming of.
Bonus Best Seller: Brother CS6000i Sewing and Quilting Machine
Fun fact: Amazon’s overall top choice is the Brother CS6000i Sewing and Quilting Machine, which you can’t go far wrong with by all accounts. You can check it out our CS6000i review of it here or click on a link below to read more reviews on Amazon.
Happy sewing machine shopping!
