Brother PE800 vs PE900: Pros & Cons

Embroidery enthusiasts and small business owners often find themselves comparing the Brother PE800 vs PE900 when looking for a reliable machine. These two models are popular choices in the world of embroidery, offering a range of features to suit different needs and skill levels. Understanding the differences between these machines can help you make an informed decision that aligns with your creative goals and budget.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Brother PE800 vs PE900, breaking down their key features, stitch quality, and ease of use. We’ll explore how these machines stack up against each other in terms of performance and functionality. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of which embroidery machine might be the better fit for your specific requirements, whether you’re a hobbyist or a budding entrepreneur in the embroidery space.

Key Features Comparison

When comparing the Brother PE800 vs PE900, it’s essential to examine their key features to determine which machine best suits your embroidery needs. Let’s break down the main differences between these two popular models.

Embroidery field size

Both the Brother PE800 and PE900 offer a generous embroidery area, allowing you to create larger designs with ease. The PE900 boasts a 5″ x 7″ maximum embroidery field, providing ample space for most projects. This size is ideal for creating intricate designs, monograms, and larger embellishments. The PE900 also has a 7.4″ distance from needle to arm, giving you plenty of room to maneuver your fabric and work comfortably.

Built-in designs and fonts

The Brother PE900 takes the lead in this category with an impressive array of built-in designs and fonts. It features over 190 built-in embroidery designs, including decorative patterns, ornate letters, and flowers. Additionally, the PE900 comes with 13 built-in fonts, comprising 9 English, 3 Japanese, and 1 Cyrillic font. This variety allows for greater creativity and customization in your projects.

The PE800, while still offering a good selection, has fewer built-in options. It includes 138 designs in total, with 38 built-in designs featuring floral, holiday, and decorative patterns. The PE800 also has 11 fonts, but only 7 are English, with 3 Japanese and 1 Cyrillic font. Both machines offer 10 frame shapes and 14 border styles, giving you options for framing your designs.

Connectivity options

One of the standout features of the Brother PE900 is its wireless LAN connectivity. This function allows you to receive software update notifications directly on your machine. Moreover, you can send embroidery files from your computer to the machine using the free downloadable Design Database Transfer software, eliminating the need for a USB drive.

The PE800, while not equipped with wireless capabilities, still offers USB connectivity. You can easily transfer designs using a USB flash drive, which is a straightforward and reliable method for both machines.

Automatic features

Both the Brother PE800 and PE900 come with several automatic features that enhance user experience and efficiency. These include:

1. Automatic thread cutter: This feature trims excess thread jumps within the color, saving time and ensuring a neater finish.
2. Automatic needle threader: A small lever with a hook catches the thread and pulls it through the needle, making threading quick and easy.
3. Quick-set, top-drop bobbin: The bobbin is easily wound on top of the machine and installed from the top of the embroidery workspace.
4. Automatic default tension: When restarted, the machines reset to a default thread tension setting.

The PE900 has an additional feature called Color Sort, which adjusts the order of multi-color embroidery designs to reduce color changes and improve efficiency.

LCD touchscreen

Both machines are equipped with color LCD touchscreens that allow for easy design selection and editing. The PE900 features a sharp 3.7″ LCD display, enabling on-screen editing functions such as letter editing, enhanced zoom, resizing, rotating, repositioning, and combining designs.

The touchscreen on both models allows you to:

1. Select from built-in designs, character patterns, or frame patterns
2. Use your own patterns saved in the machine’s memory or on a USB drive
3. Edit patterns by changing size, rotating, mirroring, adjusting thread density, and more
4. Combine embroidery patterns, letters, and frames
5. Add letters to an arc for curved text designs

In conclusion, while both the Brother PE800 and PE900 offer impressive features, the PE900 edges ahead with its larger built-in design library, additional fonts, and wireless connectivity. However, the PE800 still provides a robust set of features that may be sufficient for many embroidery enthusiasts. Your choice between the two will depend on your specific needs, budget, and the importance of wireless connectivity in your embroidery workflow.

Stitch Quality and Performance

When comparing the Brother PE800 vs PE900, stitch quality and performance are crucial factors to consider. Both machines offer impressive capabilities, but there are some subtle differences worth noting.

Embroidery speed

The Brother PE800 and PE900 both boast a maximum embroidery speed of 650 stitches per minute. This impressive speed allows you to complete projects efficiently, whether you’re working on small designs or larger, more intricate patterns. The ability to control the stitching speed gives you flexibility based on your comfort level and the complexity of your design. This feature is particularly useful when you’re tackling challenging projects or working with delicate fabrics.

Stitch precision

Both machines deliver excellent stitch precision, but some users have reported that the PE900 operates a bit more smoothly than the PE800. This smoother operation can result in more consistent stitching, especially on curved parts and intricate designs. However, it’s important to note that stitch quality can also depend on factors such as thread type, fabric, and proper machine setup.

One user compared the stitch quality of both machines using identical materials and settings. They found that while both produced high-quality results, the PE800 sample actually had a slightly better appearance on the back of the embroidery. This suggests that stitch precision can vary depending on the specific project and settings used.

Thread tension

Proper thread tension is crucial for achieving professional-looking embroidery results. Both the PE800 and PE900 offer adjustable tension settings, allowing you to fine-tune the balance between the top and bobbin threads.

The PE800 features an automatic default tension setting, which resets each time the machine is restarted. This can be helpful for maintaining consistency across projects. You can then adjust the tension on the LCD screen to match the needs of your specific project. Once you’ve found the ideal tension for a particular design, you can save that value with the pattern for future use.

For both machines, it’s recommended to start with a tension setting around 3.6 and adjust as needed. Some users have found that lowering the tension to around 2.4 or 2.6 works well for their projects. The ideal tension should result in about 60% of the bobbin thread visible on the bottom of the fabric, with a small amount of the top thread peeking through.

Noise levels

While both the PE800 and PE900 produce some noise during operation, users have reported that the PE900 tends to run a bit quieter and smoother than the PE800. This difference in noise level might be a consideration if you plan to use your machine frequently or in shared spaces.

It’s worth noting that unusual noises can sometimes indicate issues with the machine. If you hear any strange sounds, it’s best to stop embroidering immediately and check for potential problems such as thread jams or loose parts.

In conclusion, both the Brother PE800 and PE900 offer excellent stitch quality and performance. While the PE900 might have a slight edge in terms of smooth operation and noise levels, the PE800 still delivers impressive results. The choice between these two machines will ultimately depend on your specific needs and preferences. Regardless of which model you choose, proper maintenance, thread selection, and tension adjustment will play crucial roles in achieving the best possible stitch quality and performance.

Ease of Use and Learning Curve

When comparing the Brother PE800 vs PE900, it’s essential to consider how user-friendly these machines are, especially for beginners. Both models offer features that make embroidery accessible, but there are some differences to note.

Setup process

Setting up either the Brother PE800 or PE900 is relatively straightforward. Both machines come with clear instructions in their operation manuals. The PE900, however, has an additional step in its initial setup: connecting to a wireless network. This feature allows users to receive software update notifications directly on the machine and transfer designs wirelessly from a computer.

For both models, the basic setup involves plugging in the machine, winding the bobbin, and threading the needle. The PE900 has an Advanced Automatic Needle Threading feature, which makes the threading process even more efficient compared to the PE800.

User interface

Both the Brother PE800 and PE900 feature a color LCD touchscreen, making it easy to navigate through designs and settings. The PE900 boasts a sharp 3.7″ LCD display, which allows for enhanced on-screen editing capabilities. Users can perform tasks such as letter editing, zooming, resizing, rotating, repositioning, and combining designs directly on the screen.

The interface on both machines is intuitive, with clear icons and menus. However, the PE900’s wireless connectivity adds an extra layer of functionality to the user interface. Users can access and transfer designs more easily, making the overall experience smoother.

Included accessories

Both machines come with a range of accessories to get users started right away. The PE900’s accessory package includes:

1. Embroidery foot “Q” (pre-installed)
2. Needle set
3. Four bobbins (one pre-installed)
4. Seam ripper and scissors
5. Cleaning brush and screwdrivers
6. Spool caps (large, medium, and small)
7. Embroidery frame set (5″ x 7″)
8. Embroidery bobbin thread
9. Accessory bag and dust cover
10. Operation manual and quick reference guide

These accessories provide everything needed to start embroidering right out of the box. The inclusion of multiple tools and spare parts helps users maintain their machine and handle various embroidery tasks.

Tutorials and support

Brother offers extensive support for both the PE800 and PE900 models. The machines come with detailed operation manuals and quick reference guides. Additionally, Brother provides online resources, including video tutorials and FAQs, to help users get started and troubleshoot common issues.

The PE900 has an advantage in this area due to its wireless connectivity. Users can receive software update notifications directly on the machine, ensuring they always have access to the latest features and improvements.

For those new to embroidery, both machines are suitable for beginners. However, the PE900‘s additional features, such as wireless connectivity and the Artspira app compatibility, may require a slightly steeper learning curve. The app allows users to create and transfer designs wirelessly, adding another dimension to the embroidery process.

In conclusion, while both the Brother PE800 and PE900 offer user-friendly experiences, the PE900 edges ahead with its advanced features and connectivity options. The choice between the two will depend on the user’s comfort level with technology and their desire for additional functionality. Regardless of the choice, both machines provide a solid foundation for embroidery enthusiasts to grow their skills and creativity.

Key Differences Between Brother PE800 and PE900

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Conclusion

Whether you opt for the PE800 or the PE900, you’ll have a reliable tool to bring your creative visions to life. Remember that proper maintenance, thread selection, and tension adjustment play key roles to achieve the best possible results, regardless of which model you choose.