Want to buy a sewing machine for Under $200? Then you have come to the right place. Our reviews show you what models you should choose based on their features.
Sewing is one of the best relaxing and creative hobbies. At the same time, it is quite beneficial.
So, all fashion enthusiasts want to get a sewing machine according to their skill level. Before that, they have to consider the budget restriction.
Numerous high-quality models are expensive. It does not mean that you can’t get a great one at a reasonable rate.
If you choose wisely, you will find the best sewing machine under 200 for sure. It may not have too many extra features but give a satisfying performance.
Some people think that an affordable sewing machine has many inconveniences such as jamming, short stitches, high noise level, skipped stitches, etc. It is not true at all. We are presenting seven units to show you how gracefully they work.
Best Sewing Machines Under $200 – (Editors’ Top Picks)
Features At A Glance
- Stitch length and width adjustability
- 1100 stitches per minute speed
- Three needle positions
- Automatic buttonhole
- Free arm service
- 11 pre-set styles
| Easy to Install 4.7/5 | Versatility 4.5/5 | Durability 4.4/5 |
| Easy to Use 4.5/5 | Easy to Learn 4.6/5 | For Beginners 4.7/5 |
Product information:
| Brand Name | SINGER |
| Color | Gray |
| Material | Metal |
| Weight | 14.5 Pounds |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Is Electric? | Yes |
| Assembly Required? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
Product Description:
Singer is undoubtedly one of the ruling sewing machine brands. And this model proves the brand’s worth
A durable interior main frame increases the machine’s lifespan. It will remain solid and functional throughout the years. If anyone wants the best heavy-duty sewing machine under $200, she should consider buying this one.
Users will get free-motion sewing opportunities so that they can sew in any direction using this machine. It comes with a free arm to work with cuffs, hems, collars, and other hard-to-reach sections. It helps to prepare those parts quickly.
With the top drop-in bobbin, it produces superior-quality stitches. Anyone can insert, set, and remove the bobbin quite easily.
There are 11 stitch options for basic sewing. We can select any as well as adjust the stitch width, length, etc.
It also offers reverse sewing with minimum effort. These features make this device a suitable tool for regular and creative work.
Features At A Glance
- Customizable zigzag width
- 860 SPM highest speed
- Several built-in stitches
- Manual tension control
- Free arm convertible
- 3-piece feed dog
| Easy to Install 4.6/5 | Versatility 4.5/5 | Durability 4.5/5 |
| Easy to Use 4.5/5 | Easy to Learn 4.6/5 | For Beginners 4.3/5 |
Product information:
| Brand Name | Janome |
| Color | White |
| Material | Metal |
| Weight | 6.88 Kilograms |
| Power Source | Treadle Powered |
| Is Electric? | Yes |
| Included Accessories |
|
Product Description:
It is a top-level mechanical sewing machine with 12 built-in stitches. One of the stitches is a four-step buttonhole that offers great well-shaped holes for adding buttons, laces, ribbons, etc. All options are quickly accessible with an easy-to-use dial. You will get the desired pattern in just a single step.
Similarly, it provides scopes for zigzag width adjustment and speed adjustment. 860 SPM is the highest speed offered by this tool.
The maximum stitch length and width are 4mm and 5mm, respectively. You can’t customize the foot pressure, though. As it adjusts the thread tension manually depending on the garment, you don’t have to worry about it.
A thread cutter is present there. Once you finish your project, it trims off the yarn quickly. It saves time and effort. Lastly, we want to mention more useful properties such as a 3-piece feed dog, snap-on presser foot, effective bobbin winder, retractable spool pins, and many more.
Features At A Glance
- Efficient bobbin winding process
- Free arm stitching platform
- Brightly lit working space
- Reverse sewing system
- Jam-resistant bobbin
- 17 style options
| Easy to Install 4.1/5 | Versatility 4.5/5 | Durability 4.5/5 |
| Easy to Use 4.3/5 | Easy to Learn 4.5/5 | For Beginners 4.1/5 |
Product information:
| Brand Name | Brother |
| Maximum Sewing Speed | 800 |
| Display Type | None |
| Feed Dog Points | 6 |
| Dimensions | (W” x D” x H”): 5.87″ x 15.31″ x 12.01″ |
| Weight | 14.551 lbs |
| Built-In Stitch Selections | 17 |
| Stitch Length (mm | 4 |
| Stitch Width (mm) | 5 |
| Included Accessory |
|
Product Description:
Sewing becomes a more fun activity with this appliance. It comes with an extension table, which we like the most. It is very supportive to handle big projects or quilting. The additional space enables free-motion sewing without fabric damage, scratches, crinkles, etc.
You can make every type of design using one or more of its 17 stitches (utility, decorative, 4-step buttonhole). Each of them has a different significance.
For example, buttonhole stitch is for making holes; blind hem stitch is for professional-looking hems. Changing the patterns requires a turn in the selector dial. It is as simple as adjusting a ceiling fan’s speed by rotating the regulator.
Then you are all set. The bobbin will deliver consistent jam-resistant sewing performance. Consequently, skip-free, even stitches will appear on your fabric.
If you struggle with sleeves sewing, the integrated free arm will help you out. You can monitor all seams because of the brightly lit working area. Thus, you can use dark thread on dark fabrics and still check the stitch quality.
Features At A Glance
- Automatic threader, one-step buttonhole
- Adjustable pressure of the presser foot
- Drop feed for free-motion working
- User-friendly, lightweight
- Sufficient built-in stitches
- Radiant LED light
| Easy to Install 4.3/5 | Versatility 4.6/5 | Durability 4.2/5 |
| Easy to Use 4.1/5 | Easy to Learn 4.3/5 | For Beginners 4.6/5 |
Product information:
| Brand Name | Juki |
| Built-In Sewing Patterns | 21 |
| Maximum Sewing Speed | 750 |
| Needle Threader | Automatic |
| Stitch Count | 21 |
| Max Stitch Width | 7mm |
| Max Stitch Length | 4mm |
| Included Presser Feet | 4 |
Product Description:
The Juki HZL-353ZR-C is a compact mechanical tool. It utilizes a powerful motor that can complete 750 stitches per minute.
Note that you may have to lower the pace for heavy fabrics. The machine will remain stable regardless of your materials. All cherish this extraordinary characteristic in their sewing machine.
You will be surprised to know that it has 21 stitches. Such diversity is rare in affordable models. Plus, a one-step buttonhole function is there. It makes nice buttonholes depending on the button’s diameter.
A LED light is added to the machine, which radiates a wide distance. As a result, you will be able to keep your eyes on the seams as you proceed.
We find the included free arm very useful when it comes to preparing collars, pant hems, and other awkward jobs. The same goes for the pressure adjustability of the presser foot; we can pick the correct pressure based on the clothes’ type. It leads to the most beautiful stitches with no damage.
Features At A Glance
- Included tools and essentials
- Spacious accessory storage
- Adjustable stitch dimension
- Integrated darning plate
- Various stitch choices
- Front-loading bobbin
| Easy to Install 4.7/5 | Versatility 4.6/5 | Durability 4.5/5 |
| Easy to Use 4.7/5 | Easy to Learn 4.5/5 | For Beginners 4.2/5 |
Product information:
| Brand Name | Baby Lock |
| Stitch Count | 15 |
| Thread Tension | Manual |
| Max Stitch Length | 4mm |
| Thread Cutter | Built-in |
| Included Presser Feet | 4 |
| Built-in stitches | 15 |
Product Description:
Although most Baby Lock products are expensive, this one is a sewing machine under $200. But it does not compromise any quality. Its 15 built-in stitches are a perfect set to add a unique touch to all works. Also, it enables us to change stitch length from 0 to 4mm as our design demands.
It has excellent ways of handling additional things. First of all, let’s talk about the buttonholes. It finishes all sides properly and with ease. Secondly, it offers free arm sewing for pants, long sleeves, and so on. Sewists only need to replace the flatbed with the free arm. Thirdly, it covers a darning plate for implementing free-motion mechanisms.
We noticed only one problem with such a front-loading bobbin. They don’t produce clean stitches like their drop-in counterparts.
This lightweight model is an ideal sewing device for traveling or bringing to classes, and clubs. Grab it by the handle and carry it anywhere you like. Don’t forget to take the other essentials if necessary. You will get three bobbins, a darning plate, needles, and installation tools in this deal; no need to spend more bucks on them.
Features At A Glance
- Included snap-on presser feet
- Diagrams-printed threading
- Controllable thread tension
- Pre-set length and width
- Quick stitch selection
- Automatic buttonhole
| Easy to Install 4.7/5 | Versatility 4.5/5 | Durability 4.6/5 |
| Easy to Use 4.6/5 | Easy to Learn 4.5/5 | For Beginners 4.6/5 |
Product information:
| Brand Name | Singer |
| Stitch Count | 13 |
| Thread Tension | Manual |
| Stitches Per Minute | 750 |
| Max Stitch Width | 5mm |
| Thread Cutter | Built-in |
| Needle Threader | Manual |
| Included Presser Feet | 4 |
| Maximum Sewing Speed | 750 |
Product Description:
Our second winner is also from the Singer brand. It has a total of 13 stitches. Eleven of them are common patterns, one is decorative, and the other one is the buttonhole stitch. The buttonhole gives us nice, clean, and similar buttonholes in just four steps. You can choose any by turning a dial.
Since the stitch width and length are pre-set, you don’t have to worry about them. The presser foot’s pressure will be changed automatically as well. Your cloth won’t face any damage or puckering. The only thing you need to set according to the working materials is the thread tension. It is mandatory for producing nice, even, straight stitches.
Threading can be a daunting job for many of us. Not anymore. The manufacturers added printed diagrams all over the machine’s body. Simply follow them correctly, and your threading will be done in a minute!
Other remarkable features are quick-release snap-on presser feet, free arm, presser foot lifter, double-needle compatibility, double-needle positions, innovative thread cutter, etc. You won’t get any chance to complain.
Factors To Consider While Buying A Sewing Machine Under $200
Making a cheap purchase does not mean that you have to sacrifice these awesome features:
Durable yet portable
Many models have metal mainframes, which makes the internal and external parts super study. Buy them once, and they will serve you for a lifetime.
As you can assume, they are heavy and not portable. On the other hand, some are lightweight and portable but they degrade faster.
They may not even last a year. You should better find a device having both attributes.
A lot of people order sewing equipment for only home projects or don’t travel with them.
They can skip the portability factor. But there is no way to neglect the longevity of a machine.
Number and type of stitches
No golden rule describes how many stitches a professional-grade machine should have. It actually depends on your projects. Five to seven stitches are enough for regular sewing. If you want to explore higher creativity levels, you will need more.
We have noticed that a couple of machines have tons of features but lack some most important ones. Therefore, make sure to have all of the required patterns in your selected one.
It must include straight, zigzag, reverse, buttonhole, stretch, and blind hem settings for ordinary works. Moreover, they have to be accessible easily. Nobody wants to struggle, stand up or move from his current place just for reaching a selection dial.
Good controls
A sewing machine offers various customizable features such as:
- Speed: A device can’t work with different materials at the same pace. If you still insist, it may lead to fabric damage or machine failure, or both. That’s why you have to adjust the speed with respect to the fabric.
- Presser feet’ pressure: Like the speed, the pressure should be changed when you choose another garment. Only then, your machine will give equal, skip-free stitches.
- Tension: Tension defines how tight your thread is. If somebody threads the machine too tight, she will receive the puckered fabric in return. Contrarily, too loose threading also gives crazy results.
- Stitch dimensions: Half of us like to control the stitch length and width, while the rest prefer pre-set stitch dimensions. If you fall in the former category, prioritize units that give at least 0 to 4mm length, and width adjustability scopes.
- Feed dog: A few models permit us free-style embroidery, which is called darning as well.
Time-saving features
We all know that machine sewing is way faster than hand sewing. These features will reduce the time even more:
- Printed diagrams: Threading without proper directions is not an easy task. New sewists generally fail to thread the machine after spending an extended period. Designers add defined arrows, lines, and dots that show the way of threading. Users have to follow the marks. In this way, they can finish threading quickly.
- Buttonholes: Your machine must include perfect guidelines on how to form buttonholes. It doesn’t matter how many steps the process takes. Appliances excluding the buttonhole attachment function will kill your precious time.
- Automatic threader: It threads the needles for your convenience. You barely have to do anything.
- Thread cutter: It cuts the thread when you finish your work.
- Automatic tension control: The machine adjusts controls by itself.
Convenient features
- Extension table: Bulky jobs, embroidery, and quilting can not be done in small areas. We need additional room for this purpose. An extension table adds more workspace if necessary. You can add or remove as per your preferences.
- Free arm: It is a narrow work area where you can sew cuffs, collars, and other complicated shapes. Customers may need to detach the accessory tray to expose it.
- Free-motion sewing: We not only sew in straight lines but also in all directions. Machines with darning plates provide this advantage.
- Presser feet: Determine how many arrive with the main product. Each foot is for a specific job. If the package covers all, you can do many tasks conveniently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Conclusion
You are at the end of our top picks’ in-depth reviews. As you can see, each product on the list has the qualities to be the best sewing machine under 200. They will operate well for simple designing, cloth repairing, and crafts projects. Most importantly, you can still enjoy a lot of benefits along with the basic ones. What else does a buyer need?
Decide the factors you want to have in your machine. You can take suggestions from the buyer guide. Look closely at the specification, properties, functionalities, and versatility of these devices. Select one that fits the majority of your requirements.