Sewing machines

What's behind our sewing machine Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 17 models in sewing machines to see which ones perform best.
We look for:
  • Overall score
    Overall score is sewing performance and ease of use.
  • Sewing performance
    Combines scores of technical evaluations on sewing seams, stitch types, button holes, hems, zippers insertion, including sewing on a variety of fabric types & weights.
  • Ease of use
    Trained panelists evaluated overall ease of use and features that compose ergonomics of the sewing machine. The test panel evaluated a standard set of activities using a copy of the owner's manual as primary reference.

Connect

Forums

Discuss products and safety with subscribers and fans.

Sewing machine user reviews

Share your reviews and provide valuable feedback to other members and our testers.

Follow Consumer Reports

Recommended sewing machines

Recommended sewing machines are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.
A few hundred dollars buys a good, basic sewing machine that can handle most clothing and crafts projects. More money buys you more automated functions, and a top-of-the-line machine can help you to produce professional-quality designs. If you're looking for information about sewing machines, Consumer Reports is your best resource. Consumer Reports’ sewing machine reviews will give you honest buying advice that you can trust. Use our sewing machine buying guide to discover which features are most important to consider. We also provide unbiased Ratings and sewing machine reviews to help you choose the best dewing machine for your needs.

Sewing machine buying guide


Maybe you're one of the millions of viewers who became hooked on the Bravo TV series "Project Runway." Or maybe you haven't cut into a piece of fabric since junior high school but would like to get back into making your own clothes. If so, you might be surprised by how feature-laden the current generation of sewing machines has become. This sewing machine guide will help you choose.

... Read more

Getting started   |   Types   |   Features   |   Brands

Appliances News

Buyers of Oreck products making health claims to get refunds

Starting this week more than 27,000 consumers who purchased certain vacuum cleaners and air purifiers made by Oreck will be getting checks for $25 from the Federal Trade Commission under an...

The best air conditioning for the hot summer ahead

With some of the warmest months on record, folks took to calling 2012 the year without a winter. But we're certainly going to have a summer. Three-quarters of the nation will experience...

Low-cost refrigerators with high-end appeal

It used to be that spending less on an entry-level refrigerator meant settling for a bare-bones design and limited features. Picture the inside of an old top-freezer, with its wire shelves,...

Some lawnmower claims not up to speed

Self-propelled walk-behind mowers are useful for most lawns under a half-acre, especially if you have any hills. If you don't want to shell out $350 to $600 for the better self-propelled models,...

In rocky housing market, stone countertops still reign

Even in a weak housing market, consumers still prefer countertops with the look of luxury. A recent survey of potential home buyers found that granite or another natural stone was the most...
left arrow right arrow
See also:
Paper towels
23 Tested down arrow
Wet/dry vacuums
23 Tested down arrow
Carpet stain removers
See buying guide down arrow
Carpet cleaners
9 Tested down arrow
Steam mops
10 Tested down arrow
Steam irons
46 Tested down arrow