Personalized hats are great souvenirs, uniforms, gifts, and merchandise among other things so making them can also be a great business idea. Offering such services may seem complicated at first but once you learn that all you really need is the right equipment, specifically the best embroidery machine for hats, and the basic knowledge in customizing such items, then you can already give the process a shot.
If you’re already knowledgeable and skilled in using a sewing machine then the learning curve for an embroidery machine shouldn’t scare you anymore. Want to know which embroidery machines you should consider or get to know better?
Below are a few that we can confidently recommend.
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Are You Looking For Best Embroidery Machine for Hats? Here’s What You Need to Consider
While our list above will surely give you a good idea of which products are great to get and what to expect from the best embroidery machine for hats, it’s understandable if you still can’t choose one. There are lots of great options available, so it’s understandable if you want more information to ensure that you’ll make the right call.
To help you with this, we’ve rounded up 5 important features you should look at to ensure that you’ll end up with the right product:
Large Working Area
To make sure that you have enough room to embroider a hat, look for units that can accommodate a whole hat. It should at least fit a 5”x7” hoop so you can be sure that it can fit a hat. Of course, you can also go for a unit with an available hat hoop but if you’re on a tight budget, this size would be the minimum that you should work with.
750 Stitches per Minute
Embroidery machines include their stitch speed in their listings because it’s an effective indicator of how powerful the machine’s motor can be and how efficient you can be when using the said product. For those who wish to offer commercial services, it’s recommended that you go for products that can make at least 750 stitches per minute. With this speed, you can already make good time with every piece you’ll work on.
Automatic Threader
Home use embroidery machines only really have one needle so you will need to change up the threads pretty often. To help you save some time and effort in the process, get a unit that has an automatic threader so you don’t have to keep fussing with your machine just to complete a single design.
Display Option and Connectivity
It may be true that lots of people were able to embroider with machines that didn’t have computers in them in the past but ones that do offer such great convenience nowadays that it would be a shame not to take advantage of them. Simplify the process for you by opting for something that will let you upload designs through a USB port and with an LCD display. With these, you won’t struggle during setups.
Reliable Brand
Last but not least, you should only go for a machine that is made by someone reliable. There are so many makers of embroidery machines nowadays but not all of them are trusted and known for their quality and performance.
Avoid the ones that you can’t find any information about or don’t have a service center in your area. They will not be able to guarantee great performance and you won’t get good after-sales support for their products, so they might just cause you more grief than be actually useful.
These are just some of the most basic things you should look for in a reliable embroidery machine for hats. You can also add the features you need or want to have that you think will make the work simpler for you. Then take your budget into consideration, and you can be sure to narrow down your options or maybe even pinpoint the very item that’s right for you without kicking up too much fuss.
Reviews of the Best Embroidery Machine for Hats 2020 – (Editors’ Choice)
1. Brother, SE600 – Best Sewing Machine for Sewing Patches on Hats
There are lots of great options when it comes to embroidery machines but allow us to ease you into your options by starting with a more basic, modern option, the Brother SE600. This product is a popular pick due to its friendly price tag and a wide range of convenient features, making it a solid starter option for many.
The main draw of this machine is its computerized control system that can simplify the design process for users. Its touchscreen LCD color display and USB port will allow you to view and access designs with great ease.
It also has several automatic features that will make your work easier. It has 103 built-in stitches and 6 lettering fonts that you can use for quick jobs. You can also benefit from the automatic needle threader and the start and stop sewing buttons.
Since this machine is not an industrial machine, it doesn’t have multiple needles or a large work area. But even if it only comes with a 4×4” hoop, it can still be useful for embroidering hats. In any case, if you don’t necessarily need the speed and power, it can still prove to be a sufficient pick.
Features at a glance
- 2-in-1 sewing and embroidery machine
- Touchscreen color LCD
- Built-in stitches (103) and fonts (6)
- LED-lit 6.4″”(W) x 4.1″”(H) work area
- USB port
- Automatic needle threader
2. Brother PE800 – Best Embroidery Machine for Beginners
If you’re looking for an embroidery only machine, then the Brother PE800 would be a great starter choice. This product has everything you need in a well-rounded home embroidery machine and offers a bit more than what the SE600 that is listed above. It’s also capable of handling more complex designs so it’s definitely a step up from the previous machine.
One of the most important features the PE800 has is its spacious working area. With a 5×7” hoop, it can already comfortably fit a regular-sized hat. It can also already complete larger designs, allowing you to create a wider variety of outputs.
This machine will also prove to be very satisfactory to those who want to try different designs. With 138 built-in designs, including frames and patterns, as well as 11 font designs, you have a lot to work with on the equipment itself. It also has a built-in memory aside from its USB port, so you can also opt to store designs right on your embroidery machine. Topped with a large color LCD, you can also easily look up and choose designs you want to use with great ease.
As this machine can also create designs at 650 stitches per minute, you can already get good efficiency with it. While it’s not as fast as industrial machines, it won’t feel too slow, especially if you don’t need to make large batches anyway.
Features at a glance
- Color touchscreen LCD with memory
- USB port
- Built-in designs (138) and fonts (11)
- 5×7” embroidery field
- LED-lit working area
- 650 stitches per minute
3. Brother PE550D – Best Brother Embroidery Machine
Disney fans should certainly look into the Brother PE550D Embroidery Machine since it’s a licensed, machine that will let you stitch up various Disney-related designs. Out of 125 built-in designs, 45 are Disney-themed so you can easily add such motifs to your garments. You can also purchase more online for additional designs.
A notable thing about the Brother PE550D is that even though it’s a licensed machine with a wide range of advanced features, it’s not as expensive as one would expect. This may be because it has a rather small work area of 4×4”, so it might not be ideal for it to have higher prices.
In any case, aside from its Disney-themed designs, it’s also very notable for its on-screen editing capabilities. While other embroidery machines in this price point can only allow drag and drop editing, the PE550D also allows lettering, curved text, and other minor editing right on the touchscreen LCD. This makes it extra convenient for those who like to come up with or need to fix designs on the spot.
It’s also notable that this machine has a built-in memory. Usually, units with this feature are more expensive. So if you want to save a design so you can re-use it later, you don’t have re-do it on a computer as you can just save the one you just used right on your embroidery machine.
Features at a glance
- 2-in-1 sewing and embroidery machine
- Color touchscreen LCD with memory
- Built-in designs (125, 45 Disney-themed, additional purchase possible), fonts (6 English, 3 Japanese)
- USB port
- 4×4” LED-lit working area
- On-screen editing
4. Brother SE600 – Best Sewing Machine for Making Clothes
An option for a handy home sewing and embroidery machine would be the Brother SE600 Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine. This 2-in-1 product will let you whip up sewn and embroidered garments with great ease and convenience.
With a small working area, you can expect this product to have a friendly price tag than many others on this list. What it might lack in working space, it more than makes up for in functionality. For embroidery, it comes with 80 designs but with 103 built-in stitch designs, you can certainly do a lot with it. Since it also comes with a USB port, you virtually have access to an unlimited number of designs.
It’s also important to note that this machine can do 710 stitches per minute. This is already way faster than the other domestic sewing and embroidery machines on this list. With this speed, you can already whip up designs in littler time than when using regular embroidery machines.
Why go for the Brother SE600, you might be wondering? The most compelling reason is the fact that it’s very easy to use. Even those without prior sewing and machine-embroidery experience can get the hang of its use in no time.
Features at a glance
- 2-in-1 sewing and embroidery machine
- 4×4” working area
- Color touchscreen LCD
- Built-in designs (80), stitches (103), buttonholes (8)
- USB port
- 710 stitches per minute
5. Brother PE535 – Best Embroidery Machine for Experts
Another embroidery-only machine that you can consider is the Brother PE535 Embroidery Machine. This home embroidery equipment will let you whip up a wide range of classic designs that are not bigger than its 4×4” working area.
Like the SE600, the PE535 is a pretty basic unit that gets the job done. Its built-in designs may be very simple and classic but since it has a USB port, you can certainly change things up with this machine. You don’t really have to be limited by its 80 pre-programmed designs because you can easily use others with the help of a USB device.
If you’re after a high-speed and high-powered equipment, you might want to get a move on in this list because the PE535 is a classic home embroidery machine. It can only do 400 stitches per minute which can be quite slow if you intend to mass-produce embroidered hats and other garments.
Features at a glance
- 4×4” working area
- Color touchscreen LCD with memory
- Built-in designs (80), fonts (6 English, 3 Japanese)
- USB port
- Adjustable speed settings
- 400 stitches per minute
6. Brother SE1900 – Best Durable Embroidery Machine
When you catch a glimpse of the Brother SE1900, you won’t instantly know that it’s a fully loaded machine that can do a lot for you. Under its unassuming facade, however, is a feature-packed piece of equipment that you can use to sew, quilt, and embroider. It’s certainly a highly-coveted pick for many home crafters and sewers, as well as those who whip up garments of different kinds as a side hustle.
There are several things that will make you give this product a close consideration. For starters, it has ample workspace for hats and other garments with its 5×7” sewing area. This will allow you to whip up a lot of different designs and works, so you can already do a lot with this machine.
Then there’s its built-in features. With 138 designs, 11 fonts, and a whopping 240 stitches, you can certainly do a lot of different pieces and embellishments with it. Combine these with its free-range sewing and the fact that you can upload designs using its USB port and you can virtually do anything with this machine.
Additional accessories are also available for this model. You can get a cap hoop, sock hoop, thread converters, and other add-ons that can further expand its functionality and make it a lot easier to use.
Features at a glance
- 3-in-1 machine for sewing, quilting, and embroidery
- Built-in designs (138), fonts (11), and stitches (240)
- Free-range sewing
- Color touchscreen LCD
- Adjustable stitch speed
- Accessories available
7. Brother LB5000M Marvel – Best Professional Machine
More of a Marvel fan? Then instead of opting for the Disney-themed pick above, go for the Brother LB5000M Marvel Sewing & Embroidery Machine. As its name suggests, it’s a Marvel-themed machine that will let you wear your fandom with pride, from the machine itself with its interchangeable faceplates to its embroidery designs.
Featuring 10 Marvel-themed embroidery designs with 10 more downloadable designs, you can definitely wear your love for your favorite MCU character or superhero like a badge of honor. You can combine this with 80 other designs or more since this machine also has a USB port.
Ease of use is another thing you can expect from this pick. With its automatic threader, you don’t need to fuss in changing threads every so often. Some minor editing can also be done in its onboard LCD screen, so if you don’t want to deal with a computer software to edit a design you want to whip up right away, you don’t have to fuss about it anymore.
While its working area is pretty limited, it’s still a worthy pick, especially if the user is a newbie. This machine is easy to work with and its functionalities won’t be too overwhelming for those who are still trying to master a skill.
Features at a glance
- 2-in-1 sewing and embroidery machine
- 4 interchangeable Marvel-themed faceplates
- Color touchscreen LCD
- USB port
- 4×4” work area
- Built-in designs (80, 10 Marvel plus 10 downloadable designs), fonts (9), and stitches (103)
8. Janome Horizon Memory Craft 12000 – Best Commercial Embroidery Machine for Hats
Ready to take your sewing, embroidering, and quilting to the next level? The Janome Horizon Memory Craft 12000 Embroidery and Sewing Machine might tickle your fancy. This is an industrial-grade pick so you can be guaranteed that it will take your garments to the next level.
One look at this machine and you’ll know that it’s not an ordinary piece of equipment. For starters, its LCD screen is more than double the size than the ones listed above. Its build also looks sturdier with its primarily stainless steel material. Then, there’s also the number of its built-in designs and stitches which are about triple than what our other picks offer.
It’s also safe to say that this machine is way more functional than most of the items above. It allows on-screen editing as well as stitch creation, can connect to a PC, and will let you adjust its stitch speed. Its working area is also double the size as the others above and it has simplified many small details that will make it more convenient to work with. With these, it can really be suitable for mass production.
Features at a glance
- 3-in-1 machine for sewing, quilting, and embroidery
- Built-in stitches (425), designs (338), and fonts (10)
- Full-color touchscreen LCD with 4MB memory storage and USB port and PC connection via Horizon Link
- Linear Motion Embroidery System
- Adjustable 400-1000 stitches per minute
- 1” x 11.8” maximum embroidery size
- On-screen editing
9. YEQIN Handle Operated Single Needle – Editors’ Favorite Embroidery Machine
Computerized embroidery machines may promise convenience and ease of use but mechanical equipment can still be preferred by others who are used to doing freehand embroidery. This is why we also included the YEQIN Handle Operated Single Needle Chain Stitch Embroidery Machine on this list as it offers a mechanical option to those who just need an embroidery machine to speed up their embroidery process.
With a solid-steel frame and a hand-crank operation, this machine can be considered old-fashioned but it’s not completely outdated. The power this machine holds is still very impressive, guaranteeing great results if you know how to use it effectively, that is.
Note, however, that this product doesn’t include a motor yet. What you’ll get is the machine head only but don’t worry because it’s pretty easy to find a compatible motor for this item.
Features at a glance
- Chain stitch embroidery machine
- Freehand sewing
- Variable stitching speed
10. Janome MB-4S Four-Needle – Best Rated in Embroidery Machines
For a dedicated embroidery machine, check out the Janome MB-4S Four-Needle Embroidery Machine. If you wish to turn your machine embroidery hobby into a full-blown mass-production business, this can be the very tool you need to meet your deadlines and complete your orders efficiently. It’s a very convenient option since you can just set it up and leave it to get the magnificent job done.
What makes it so efficient is its 4-needle design, 800 stitches per minute maximum speed, automated functions, and a powerful computer unit. It can also guarantee store-quality results even without close supervision or high-level skill of the user since you can get the right accessories so you can use it accordingly. Hat hoops, lettering hoops, sock hoops, support tables are available attachments for this machine.
Features at a glance
- 4-needle embroidery machine
- Remote Computer Screen with 3 MB memory storage
- Automatic thread cutter
- Bobbin winding motor
- Up to 800 stitches per minute
- Hat hoop and other kinds of hoops included
Best Embroidery Machine for Hats Comparison Chart
| Model | Stitches | Drop-in Bobbin | Auto Needle threader | Stitches Per Minute | Dimensions | Our pick as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother SE600 | Yes | Yes | 710 | 21.2 x 15.5 x 16.5 inches | Best Sewing Machine for Sewing Patches on Hats | |
| Brother PE800 | Yes | Yes | 650 | 21.75 x 19.02 x 19.09 inches | Best Embroidery Machine for Beginners | |
| Brother PE550D | Yes | Yes | 400 | 16.5 x 7.8 x 12 inches | Best Brother Embroidery Machine | |
| Brother SE600 | Yes | Yes | 710 | 21.18 x 15.51 x 16.54 inches | Best Sewing Machine for Making Clothes | |
| Brother PE535 | Yes | Yes | 400 | 16.5 x 7.8 x 12 inches | Best Embroidery Machine for Experts | |
| Brother SE1900 | Yes | Yes | 650 | 17.6 x 9.5 x 11.8 inches | Best Durable Embroidery Machine | |
| Brother LB5000M | Yes | Yes | 710 | 7.7 x 16.5 x 12 inches | Best Professional Machine | |
| Janome Horizon Memory Craft | Yes | Yes | 1000 | 30 x 28 x 17 inches | Best Commercial Embroidery Machine for Hats | |
| YEQIN Handle Operated Single Needle | Yes | Yes | 800 | 21 x 16 x 10 inches | Editors’ Favourite Embroidery Machine | |
| Janome MB-4S Four-Needle | Yes | Yes | 800 | 14.4 X 25.2 X 20.5 inches | Best Rated in Embroidery Machines |
Conclusion
Finding the best embroidery machine for hats can really seem like a huge undertaking if you don’t know where or what to look for. Once you’ve found the available options, however, it will be easy to see which one suits your needs and matches your skill levels right away. From here, you can already choose your perfect match.
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