The short answer
The Janome Memory Craft 550E stitches 7.9 x 14.2 in on one needle, the Brother NQ1700E gives 6 x 10 in with wireless transfer, and the BAI Mirror reaches 13.8 x 19.7 in on 15 needles for owners who can set it up themselves.
Our verdict
Top Picks
A large design needs a large embroidery field: the area the machine stitches in one hooping. Splitting a design across hoopings does not enlarge it. Below are seven embroidery machines for large designs sold on Amazon, each with its maximum field and its source.
Finder
Find a machine for your large designs
Pick the kind of machine and a price tier. The suggestion is our editorial starting point, drawn from the seven machines below, not a test result.
Price tier legend: $ = entry level, $$ = mid-range, $$$ = premium, relative to the machines in this guide.
Compare the picks
Compare the large-field embroidery machines
Max field is the largest design the maker (for Janome, its dealers) says the machine stitches in one hooping.
MC 550EBest Large Single-NeedleEmbroidery only, large designs17.9 x 14.2 in$2,999.00 Prime
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
NQ1700EBest 6 x 10 in BrotherEmbroidery only, large designs16 x 10 in$2,299.99
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
MC 500EBest 7.9 x 11 in JanomeEmbroidery only, large designs17.9 x 11 in$2,099.00
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
B79Best Sew-and-Embroider ComboSewing too, large designs16.3 x 10.2 in$2,299.00
Evidence: Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab (Emma Seymour), this exact model
EOC06Best Budget Large FieldEmbroidery only, large designs17.9 x 11 in$1,399.99
Evidence: a buyer's summary of the owner group, plus forum warnings about support
PR680WBest Brother Multi-NeedleMulti-needle, caps with add-on frame68 x 12 in$12,599.99
Evidence: Brother specs only; no independent review or forum owner report naming the PR680W found
BAI MirrorLargest Field HereMulti-needle, caps, large designs1513.8 x 19.7 in$6,400.00
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
How We Chose Machines for Large Designs
How this guide was built
built from manufacturer pages and operation manuals, Janome dealer pages, Amazon listings, one published lab test, a dealer technician’s buying guide, two sewing blogs and owner reports in forums; we have not tested these machines ourselves.
What decided the picks
- Maximum embroidery field in one hooping, from Brother, bernette, Poolin and BAI, or Brother’s operation manuals (NQ1700E, PR680W). Janome’s site blocked our reader, so the Janome figures come from authorised dealer World Weidner’s comparison chart and dealer Janome Junkies.
- Needles, hoops included, file formats and design transfer, sourced per spec.
- Availability: in stock on Amazon, new, when we checked on 10 November 2026.
Where the evidence comes from and what forum owners advise
Where the evidence comes from
Good Housekeeping’s Emma Seymour tested 13 sewing and embroidery machines in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, judging features, ease of use and stitch performance; the Bernette B79 is the only one of our picks among its six recommendations. For the other six we found no independent test.
What forum owners advise
In an r/MachineEmbroidery thread from a buyer who needs “at least a 6×10 working area”, sugarmagnolia2020 writes, “you need to stick with brands that have dealers in your area so you can get lessons and support.” Cale Schoenberg, the sewing machine technician who wrote dealer Meissner Sewing’s guide, sums up the size question: “Buy the biggest embroidery field you can reasonably afford.”
Detailed Reviews
Janome Memory Craft 550E, Best Large Single-Needle
Home embroiderers who want the biggest one-hooping field of these single-needle picks, for quilt blocks and panels.
$2,999.00 from AmazonAs of Nov 11, 03:27 UTCVerdict
The largest single-needle field of these picks, 7.9 x 14.2 in, in an embroidery-only machine.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. r/Machine_Embroidery, Thoughts on Janome MC 550E and larger embroidery areas in general?: MC 550E.
World Weidner’s chart lists a 7.9 x 14.2 in maximum field with the RE36b hoop of that size in the box, 180 designs and 860 stitches per minute; Janome Junkies adds design import “via USB or direct connection to your computer”. In an r/Machine_Embroidery thread, witchdaggr, who bought one, says “I use the largest 200x360mm most frequently and there’s no loss of stitch accuracy.” CandylandCanada, another owner, adds: “This could be a perception issue, but it seems as though Brother owners enjoy a more trouble-free experience.”
Specs (linked: Memory Craft 550E)
- Needles and field: 1 needle, 7.9 x 14.2 in (World Weidner; Janome Junkies)
- Hoops: RE36b 7.9 x 14.2, SQ20b 7.9 x 7.9, RE20b 5.5 x 7.9, SQ14b 5.5 x 5.5 in (World Weidner)
- Formats: JEF, JEF+, JPX (World Weidner)
- Sold by: Amazon.com, when we checked on 10 November 2026
Pros
- 7.9 x 14.2 in hoop included, the largest single-needle field of these picks
Cons
- One needle: every colour is a manual thread change
- No wireless transfer listed by either dealer
Who should buy it
Home embroiderers who want the biggest one-hooping field of these single-needle picks, for quilt blocks and panels.
Brother NQ1700E, Best 6 x 10 in Brother
Brother users moving up from 5 x 7 in who want wireless transfer.
$2,299.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 11, 03:27 UTCVerdict
A 6 x 10 in field with wireless transfer and 258 built-in designs.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. r/MachineEmbroidery, Thoughts on the Brother NQ1700E?: NQ1700E.
Brother lists a 6 x 10 in maximum area, 8.3 in from needle to arm, 258 designs and wireless Design Database Transfer; the manual gives a 26 x 16 cm pattern limit. The linked listing adds BES Blue software. In an r/MachineEmbroidery thread, AmberEmbroidered says, “I’ve had mine for almost 3 years now, I think I’ve hit over 10million stitches already. Works great”. GohanGOAT adds, “It has been great for me.” Meissner’s technician recommends this size class: “If your budget allows, I recommend 6″ x 10″. You won’t outgrow that for a while.” It is also a pick in our small business guide.
Specs (linked: NQ1700E with BES Blue software)
- Needles and field: 1 needle, 6 x 10 in (Brother); 26 x 16 cm pattern limit (manual)
- Hoops: not stated in our sources for the linked box
- Formats: PES, PHC, PEN, DST (manual)
- Sold by: Mr. Vac & Mrs. Sew, when we checked on 10 November 2026
Pros
- Wireless design transfer and a 6 x 10 in field on one needle
Cons
- Joint smallest field of these picks: the manual’s 26 x 16 cm equals the B79’s 260 x 160 mm
- Embroidery only; it does not sew
Janome Memory Craft 500E, Best 7.9 x 11 in Janome
Embroiderers who want a field near 8 x 11 in and stay with single-needle Janome machines.
$2,099.00 from AmazonAs of Nov 11, 03:27 UTCVerdict
The 550E’s sibling with a 7.9 x 11 in field and 160 designs.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. r/Machine_Embroidery, Is the Janome 500E a good first machine?: MC 500E (bought used).
World Weidner’s chart lists a 7.9 x 11 in maximum field with a hoop of that size in the box, 160 designs and 860 stitches per minute. In an r/Machine_Embroidery thread, Itchy_Equipment4400 reports, “I got a used 500e 6 months ago and it made 2.5 million stitches since then without a problem.” FastTyper56, who also started on it, says “I ended up wishing I had just spent a little more and purchase a used multi-needle”, because they embroider sets of small items or designs with many colour changes. Blogger Samantha Lee Walker, who test-drove a new 500E in 2015, notes “The largest hoop that comes with the 500E is 200x280mm.”
Specs (linked: Memory Craft 500E)
- Needles and field: 1 needle, 7.9 x 11 in (World Weidner)
- Hoops: RE28b 7.9 x 11 in and SQ20b 7.9 x 7.9 in (World Weidner); Janome Junkies (500E LE) and Samantha Lee Walker list four
- Formats: JEF (World Weidner); Janome Junkies (500E LE) adds JEF+ and JPX
- Sold by: Zentra, LLC, when we checked on 10 November 2026
Pros
- 7.9 x 11 in field in a single-needle, embroidery-only body
Cons
- Smaller field than the 550E
- One needle, so multi-colour designs mean thread changes
Who should buy it
Embroiderers who want a field near 8 x 11 in and stay with single-needle Janome machines.
Bernette B79, Best Sew-and-Embroider Combo
Sewists who want one machine that sews and embroiders designs up to 6.3 x 10.2 in.
$2,299.00 from AmazonAs of Nov 11, 03:27 UTCVerdict
The only pick that sews too, with a 6.3 x 10.2 in field, and the only one of our picks Good Housekeeping recommends after its lab test.
Evidence: Independently reviewed, exact model. Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab (Emma Seymour): B79.
Bernette says “You can embroider motifs with up to 260 x 160 mm without re-hooping”, with three hoops, 208 designs and 850 stitches per minute for embroidery. In Good Housekeeping’s test, Seymour writes, “The massive work table and the largest hoop size, at 10″ x 6.3″, accommodates oversize embroidery designs”, and “After testing, this was one of my favorite machines”. Good Housekeeping’s listed con: “Takes time to master new features.” Our combo machine guide has more combos.
Specs (linked: B79)
- Needles and field: 1 needle, 6.3 x 10.2 in, 160 x 260 mm (bernette)
- Hoops: three included; bernette does not name which three
- Formats: “most embroidery design formats” (bernette); transfer by USB (Good Housekeeping)
- Sold by: Zentra, LLC, when we checked on 10 November 2026
Pros
- Sews and embroiders, with a 6.3 x 10.2 in field
Cons
- Good Housekeeping found it “Takes time to master new features”
- Smaller field than the Janome and Poolin picks
Who should buy it
Sewists who want one machine that sews and embroiders designs up to 6.3 x 10.2 in.
Poolin EOC06, Best Budget Large Field
Hobbyists on a budget who want a big field and can troubleshoot without a local dealer.
$1,399.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 11, 03:27 UTCVerdict
A 7.9 x 11 in field at the lowest tier here, with one buyer’s second-hand summary of mixed owner reports, and forum warnings about support.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. r/Machine_Embroidery, Recommendation and why: EOC06, via a buyer’s summary of its owner group.
Poolin lists a 7.9 x 11 in area, “200+ Built-in Designs & 8 Fonts” and Wi-Fi or USB import; Poolin’s EU page reads “DST & DSB (Other types will have to be converted)”. In an r/Machine_Embroidery thread, Im-Vector-Oh-Yeah, who ordered one and read its Facebook group, reports “Some people had endless problems. Others were able to overcome the problems quickly. But either way, it appeared that the machine was temperamental.” eekay233 (ownership not stated) writes, “Stay away from Poolin if you value your time and money.” We searched for an independent written review and found videos, store pages, Facebook posts and customer reviews, not a test.
Specs (linked: EOC06)
- Needles and field: 1 needle, 7.9 x 11 in (Poolin)
- Hoops: 5.5 in (two), 7.9 in, 7.9 x 11 in (Poolin)
- Formats: DST, DSB (Poolin EU)
- Sold by: PooLin Embroidery Machine (brand storefront), when we checked on 10 November 2026
Pros
- 7.9 x 11 in field and Wi-Fi transfer at the lowest tier in this guide
Cons
- A buyer summarising its owner group calls it temperamental but says Poolin’s engineers appeared to post there to help; forum commenters warn about support
- Reads only DST and DSB without conversion (Poolin EU)
Who should buy it
Hobbyists on a budget who want a big field and can troubleshoot without a local dealer.
Brother PR680W, Best Brother Multi-Needle
Brother owners moving to multi-needle work on large flat designs who want Brother support.
$12,599.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 11, 03:27 UTCVerdict
Six needles and an 8 x 12 in field, with Brother’s laser placement, at the top price tier.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Brother PR680W product page and operation manual.
Brother lists 6 needles, an 8 x 12 in maximum area, up to 1,000 stitches per minute and a laser crosshair “Accurate to +/- 0.5 mm from needle drop”. The manual lists four frames in the box, the largest 300 x 200 mm, and an optional cap frame set. We found no independent review or forum owner report naming this exact model (we did not grade its Amazon customer reviews); our search returned videos, seller pages and retailer customer reviews.
Specs (linked: PR680W)
- Needles and field: 6 needles, 8 x 12 in (Brother); largest frame 300 x 200 mm (manual)
- Hoops: 300 x 200, 180 x 130, 100 x 100, 60 x 40 mm (manual)
- Formats: PES, PHC, PHX, DST, PEN (manual)
- Sold by: iShopTops, when we checked on 10 November 2026
Pros
- Six needles hold six colours, so designs with up to six colours need no thread changes
Cons
- Highest price of these picks when we checked on 10 November 2026
- Cap frame sold separately (manual)
Who should buy it
Brother owners moving to multi-needle work on large flat designs who want Brother support.
BAI Mirror, Largest Field Here
Experienced embroiderers who need the biggest field of these picks and can tune a commercial-style machine themselves.
$6,400.00 from AmazonAs of Nov 11, 03:27 UTCVerdict
The largest field of these picks, 13.8 x 19.7 in on 15 needles, with owners divided on setup.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. r/Machine_Embroidery, Talk me out of buying a BAI: Mirror, 15 needles.
BAI lists 15 needles, a 350 x 500 mm (13.8 x 19.7 in) field and 1,200 stitches per minute, and says “Hat embroidery remains stable at a speed of 850 spm.” The box holds 11 flat hoops, two cap hoops and a cap driver. In an r/Machine_Embroidery thread, Yit_ says, “I’ve put almost 8 million stitches through it doing hoodies, patches and hats with no major issues.” soundguy64, with a Mirror 1501, writes, “There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t at least mildly regret buying this machine.”
Specs (linked: Mirror, 15 needles)
- Needles and field: 15 needles, 13.8 x 19.7 in (BAI)
- Hoops: 3.5, 4.7, 5.9, 7.8 and 11.4 in (two each), one 21.5 x 14 in, two cap hoops (BAI)
- Formats: DST, DSB (BAI catalogue)
- Sold by: BAI Embroidery Machine (brand storefront), when we checked on 10 November 2026
Pros
- 13.8 x 19.7 in field and 15 needles, the largest field and needle count of these picks
Cons
- One owner reports long setup, tension trouble and support on China’s hours
- Built-in designs not stated on BAI’s page or catalogue
Who should buy it
Experienced embroiderers who need the biggest field of these picks and can tune a commercial-style machine themselves.
Buying a Machine for Large Designs
Field, hoop and split designs
The field is what the machine’s software lets it stitch; a bigger hoop cannot change it. In an r/Machine_Embroidery thread, a Brother SE600 owner who expected large designs learned its limit, and sande16 replied, “you can only stitch the area the onboard computer recognizes.” Ashesnhale added, “There’s a difference between hoop size and stitch area.” Splitting a design or using a multi-position hoop stitches it in sections; it does not enlarge the field. mackara warns, “it’s not easy to get them lined up perfectly”; Natural-Sprinkles-85, who uses a multi-position hoop, says “You can’t tell where the split is.”
Single-needle or multi-needle
Five picks have one needle and stop for each colour change; the PR680W and BAI Mirror hold six and 15 colours.
Space and support
Sewing Machine Fun author Aly advises “Verify the machine will fit in your car” and “Make sure your sewing table is big and sturdy enough”: with the largest hoop, “the space needed behind and in front of the machine is much more”. Plan for local service too. Brother owners moving designs by USB can see our USB stick guide, and our embroidery thread guide covers thread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How big of a design can an embroidery machine do?
In one hooping, only up to its maximum field: among these picks, from about 6.3 x 10.2 in (Brother NQ1700E and Bernette B79, both 26 x 16 cm) to 13.8 x 19.7 in (BAI Mirror).
Q. How do you embroider a large design?
Choose a machine whose field fits the whole design and hoop it once. On a smaller field, embroidery software can split a design; Sewing Machine Fun notes “you can still split larger designs with embroidery software and use a smaller embroidery machine to embroider a large design”, but the forum replies above show that lining the sections up takes care.
Q. What is the largest hoop size available for an embroidery machine?
Sewing Machine Fun (last updated August 2024), ranking single-needle home machines, names the Husqvarna Designer Epic 3 as “the largest embroidery machine with a hoop size of 18 1/4″ x 17 3/4”. Among our picks, the BAI Mirror’s field is the largest at 13.8 x 19.7 in, and its 21.5 x 14 in hoop is bigger than that field.
Q. Does the included hoop give the full field?
Not always. Sewing Machine Fun writes that the Pfaff Creative Icon needs the optional “Grand Dream Hoop” for its full area. Our table lists the hoops included separately.
The bottom line
Final Verdict
Biggest single-needle field of these picks: Janome Memory Craft 550E (check price). Single-needle Brother with Wi-Fi: Brother NQ1700E (check price). A Janome field near 8 x 11 in: Janome Memory Craft 500E (check price). Sewing too: Bernette B79 (check price). Large field on a tight budget, accepting second-hand mixed owner reports: Poolin EOC06 (check price). Multi-needle from Brother: Brother PR680W (check price). The largest field of these picks, for owners who can tune it: BAI Mirror (check price). See every machine type in our embroidery machines hub.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
