With a sewing machine, you can make anything you want from clothing to quilts to toys. Portable ones are even more versatile since they take up less room in your home, making them great for apartments. Of course, they are also much more portable, making them ideal for those who travel frequently and like to take their sewing projects with them or seamstresses who travel to their clients. Instead of just randomly buying a sewing machine and hoping it does what you want, learn how to buy the best portable sewing machine.
Table of Content
Comparison chart of the best portable sewing machine
| Product image | Name | Origin | Weight | Warranty | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Janome DC2021 Sewing Machine | Taiwan | Not listed | 25 Years on Mechanical Parts, 2 Years on Electrical Parts and 1 Year Labor | $$$ | 5.0 |
 | Brother HC1850 Computerized Sewing and Quilting Machine | China | 10.1lbs | 25 year limited warranty | $$ | 4.7 |
 | Brother cs6000i 60-Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine | Not listed | Not listed | 25 year limited warranty | $$ | 4.6 |
 | Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine | Vietnam | Not listed | 25 year limited warranty | $$ | 4.6 |
 | Brother SE400 Combination Computerized Sewing Machine | Not listed | 10.9lbs | 25 year limited warranty | $$ | 4.5 |
 | SINGER 4423 Sewing Machine | USA | 14.5lbs | 25 year limited warranty | $$ | 4.3 |
 | SINGER 4411 Sewing Machine | Taiwan | 14.5lbs | 25 year limited warranty | $$ | 4.3 |
 | SINGER 2277 Tradition Sewing Machine | Not listed | 15lbs | 25 year limited warranty | $$ | 4.2 |
Explore the best portable sewing machine options
With a clearer idea of what to look for in the best portable sewing machine, it is time to take a look at some of the top options on the market. These models span a range of brands, features, and budgets so you should easily be able to find one that matches your requirements.
#8 – SINGER 2277 Tradition Sewing Machine With Automatic Needle Threader
Singer is another big brand in the sewing machine industry and this model is actually very affordable. The automatic needle threader will save you a great deal of time. There is also a fully automatic one-step buttonhole for professional results. You can adjust the stitch width and length to meet your fabric’s needs. The 23 built-in stitches include a buttonhole, 9 decorative stitches, 7 stretch stitches, and 6 essential stitches. The machine was built to work with 110 volts in the U.S. and Canada and has a heavy-duty metal frame to maintain durability.
#7 – SINGER 4411 Heavy Duty Extra-High Sewing Speed Sewing Machine With Metal Frame And Stainless Steel Bedplate
This machine is very affordable, from a reliable brand, and can complete 1,100 stitches every minute for professional speed. The heavy-duty interior metal frame provides skip-free sewing and reliability. There is a stainless steel bed plate to smoothly feed the fabric. The 11 built-in stitches include stretch, essential, and decorate ones as well as an automatic four-step buttonhole. The top drop-in bobbin system is easy and there is a clear cover for simplicity.
#6 – SINGER 4423 Heavy Duty Extra-High Sewing Speed Sewing Machine With Metal Frame And Stainless Steel Bedplate
This best portable sewing machine from Singer is nearly identical to the previous model, but more advanced. There are 23 built-in stitches that include 6 basic ones, 4 stretch ones, and 12 decorative ones as well as the buttonhole. Other than that, it still has the same 1,110 stitch per minute speed, heavy duty metal frame, and one-step buttonhole along with snap-on presser feet.
#5 – Brother SE400 Combination Computerized Sewing And 4×4 Embroidery Machine With 67 Built-In Stitches, 70 Built-In Designs, 5 Lettering Fonts
This Brother machine is a bit more expensive than the previous model, but that is because it is a portable sewing machine as well as an embroidery machine, reducing the tools you need. The machine can sew, embroider, quilt, and more with the ability to embroider four-inch squares. The LCD touchscreen display is easy to view and backlit. Use it to access the 70 built-in embroidery designs, 5 lettering fonts, and 67 sewing stitches. As a computerized machine, you can also purchase thousands of additional embroidery designs via iBroidery.com or more to update the machine. There is a one-touch automatic thread cutter as well. Like the other models, you get free phone support, a 25-year warranty, and a bilingual user manual.
#4 – Brother XM2701 Lightweight, Full-Featured Sewing Machine With 27 Stitches, 1-Step Auto-Size Buttonholer, 6 Sewing Feet, And Instructional DVD
Yet another of the best portable sewing machine choices from Brother, this one is lightweight to make it even more portable. It still has the warranty, DVD, user manual, and technical support. This sewing machine has 27 stitches built in, including the one-step auto-size buttonholer, stretch stitches, zigzag stitches, decorative stitches, and blind hem. There are also 6 feet which are easy to change, including for buttons, blind stitches, narrow hems, zigzags, zippers, and buttonholes. The machine also has an LED work area, built-in needle threader, and top drop-in bobbin that is jam resistant.
#3 – Brother CS6000i Feature-Rich Sewing Machine With 60 Built-In Stitches, 7 Styles Of 1-Step Auto-Size Buttonholes, Quilting Table, And Hard Cover
Leading the portable sewing machines is this one with an excellent value. There is a convenient compartment on the machine’s arm for storing accessories. You easily select the stitch and adjust the width and length of it via the LCD display. There is also a stop/start button so you can choose whether or not to use the foot control that is included. There are also variable speeds, a top drop-in bobbin, the 25-year limited warranty, free phone support, and a bilingual user manual.
#2 – Brother HC1850 Computerized Sewing And Quilting Machine With 130 Built-In Stitched, 9 Presser Feet, Sewing Font, Wide Table, And Instructional Video
This Brother sewing machine offers an amazing value, making it one of the best portable sewing machine options. It has 130 different stitches as well as a sewing font so you can do basic monogramming on your projects. The machine has eight styles of auto-size one-step buttonholes and a range of stitches designed for quilting, clothing, or even heirloom sewing. There is a stitch flip-card, a detachable foot controller, and eight feet for specialty projects like quilting, buttonholes, blind hems, zippers, and overcasting. It is easy to thread and the machine is very reliable. Those who enjoy quilting will appreciate the detachable wide table, 14 quilting stitch functions, free-motion quilting capabilities, and the spring action quilting foot. The user’s manual is bilingual, you get an instructional DVD, a 25-year limited warranty, and complimentary phone support.
#1 – Janome DC2021 Sewing Machine
This sewing machine is from a reliable brand, Janome. There are 60 different stitches, including six different buttonholes so there should be enough variety for almost everyone. There are also many convenient features such as the speed control slider, easy reverse, and auto-lock button. This machine is stable as well as dependable so you can count on it to last for years to come. It works well on all types of sewing projects from home décor to garments to quilting to scrapbooking. It also comes with multiple additional feet and has a warranty for 25 years on the mechanical parts to protect your investment.
Most important considerations for purchasing Portable Sewing Machine
Many of the features and characteristics you should look for in a portable sewing machine are the same as in their larger counterparts. Others are unique to this particular style of machine. To keep track of anything, pay attention to the following considerations.
Your Budget
As with any sewing machine, you need to think about how much you can afford to spend on a portable model. The good news is that portable machines are frequently cheaper than full-size ones since they are smaller. Even so, you will find an incredible range of options ranging from under $100 to several hundred dollars or even more. You will want to get the best portable sewing machine you can afford but this is only possible if you know what your budget is.
Number Of Stitches
You will also need to consider how many stitches you want to have on your portable sewing machine. The average person will be fine with just a zigzag stitch and a straight one, but you may feel that you need more than this. Some machines will have dozens of stitches while others will have hundreds. Of course, the more stitches your machine has, the more expensive it is likely to be. Because of this, you need to carefully consider your needs so you can stick to budget.
Adjustable Stitch Length
The cheapest sewing machines may not have adjustable stitch lengths but you should always opt for a model with this feature if you can afford it. Ideally, you should be able to adjust the width as well. This way, you can adjust the stitch length based on the project you are working on instead of just making do with what you have. Simply put, adjustable stitch lengths result in higher-quality finished projects.
Attachments
The attachments that come with the best portable sewing machine will vary, but you should always pick a model that at least offers these as separate purchases if you think you may need them at some point. The attachments you need will depend on how you plan to use your machine as well. For quilts, for example, you will need to have a walking foot while those who will make clothes need a zipper foot, a blind hem foot, and a buttonhole foot. In addition to checking whether these attachments come with the machine or if they are available separately, be sure to investigate how much they cost if you do have to buy them and how easy it is to swap out the feet.
Motor
There are a few key considerations when it comes to the motor of the best portable sewing machine. Motors with metal parts will last longer than those with plastic parts, but they will be more expensive to begin with. You will also want to consider the size of the motor. Unfortunately, stronger motors tend to be heavier but you will need these stronger motors if you plan on using your sewing machine often or with heavier fabrics. Because of the weight, most portable sewing machines will use smaller motors, but you can find stronger ones if you know where to look.
Frequency Of Use
To help you figure out the type of motor you need and how much you should budget for the best portable sewing machine, think about how often you will use it. You will probably want a stronger motor and to spend more on extra features if you will sew every day or at least several times a week. If, on the other hand, you will just be using the machine for the occasional project, you won’t want to spend as much.
Manufacturer
Unfortunately, not all sewing machines are created equally. Typically, those made by manufacturers who have been in the industry for longer will have higher quality components or simply function better. If you have a preference for the manufacturer, then go ahead and stick to the brand you know. Otherwise, try to opt for a low-end model of top brands as opposed to high-end models of average brands.
Types Of Controls
Traditionally, sewing machines were controlled mechanically but now you will find numerous options that are completely computerized. These may have programmable stitch sequences, touchscreens, and other gadgets. In terms of portability, mechanical machines are typically lighter since they have fewer parts. They will also be easier and cheaper to maintain. Even so, computerized machines have their advantages, such as stronger, more evenly spaced stitches and better stitch lines. They are also much easier to use and typically have extra power.
Sound
Some sewing machines have a well-deserved reputation for being very loud. While this is fine if you live alone, have thick walls, and plenty of space between your house and your neighbors’, most people will want a quieter machine. Make sure to read reviews to see how loud your sewing machine is before buying. This way, you can be sure it won’t wake up your sleeping spouse, kids, or even neighbors (some machines can really be that loud). Luckily, portable sewing machines tend to be quieter than their larger counterparts because of their smaller motors.
Consider Giving Yourself Room To Grow
If you can afford to do so, consider getting a portable sewing machine that has a few extra features you don’t regularly use yet. This way, you will have the option to expand your skills or try new things without having to buy a new machine and wasting money. Just don’t go overboard and choose a machine that has more than you can handle; you may get intimidated and never use it.
Conclusion
Now all that is left to do is figure out which of the best portable sewing machine models meets your needs. Place your order and you can start working on all the sewing projects you’ve been putting off. Soon you will be making clothes, quilts, toys, gifts, and more.