Best Embroidery Machines for Hats and Caps
The best embroidery machines for hats and caps include the Poolin EOM 15-needle for a full cap kit and 15 needles, the Smartstitch S-1001 for a compact 10-needle machine with a cap device, and the FUJA FJ-1001 for moving up from a single-needle machine.
On this page (11 sections)
- How we picked these six machines
- The six best embroidery machines for hats in detail
- Single-needle or multi-needle for hats
- Cap tools and cap hoops
- What else these machines stitch besides caps
- Keeping a cap steady while you stitch
- Size, weight and power
- Thread, stabilizer and what comes in the box
- Designs and file transfer
- What to ask before you buy a hat machine
- Which embroidery machine for hats to buy
Caps are the hard part, because a cap's curved bill can't lie flat in a standard hoop. Home machines like the Brother PE800 and PE900 stitch flat designs in a 5 x 7 in hoop, so they need a separate cap hoop for caps.
This guide covers six machines, from multi-needle models that include cap tools to two home Brother machines. Each card shows what comes in the box and what you still need for hats.
Our picks at a glance
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How we picked these six machines
We compared each machine on the cap tools in the box, needle count, hoop area and machine type. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
For hats, cap tools counted most, so a machine with a cap station or cap device in the box scores above one that needs cap parts bought later. The S-1201 Plus is the exception to watch, since Smartstitch says it can stitch caps but doesn't state which cap parts come with it.
Needle count and hoop area came next. A single-needle machine stops for every thread change, while the multi-needle machines here switch colors on their own.
| Product | Best for | Needles | Hoop area | Machine type | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poolin EOM 15-needle | a full cap kit and 15 needles | 15 | 14.2 x 9.5 in | Commercial, multi-needle | 9.2 |
| Smartstitch S-1001 | a compact 10-needle machine with a cap device | 10 | 9.5 x 14.2 in | Commercial, multi-needle | 9.0 |
| FUJA FJ-1001 | moving up from a single-needle machine | 10 | 9.5 x 14.2 in | Commercial, multi-needle | 8.9 |
| Smartstitch S-1201 Plus | a bigger hoop with 12 needles | 12 | 12 x 16 in | Commercial, multi-needle | 8.8 |
| Brother PE900 | a home machine with wireless transfer | 1 | 5 x 7 in | Home, single-needle | 8.7 |
| Brother PE800 | a simple home start on flat designs | 1 | 5 x 7 in | Home, single-needle | 7.8 |
The six best embroidery machines for hats in detail
The Poolin EOM scores highest because it has the most cap tools in the box and the most needles. The Brother PE800 scores lowest because it has the fewest built-in designs and the smallest screen here, and caps need a separate cap hoop.
Poolin EOM 15-needle
- 15 needles
- Cap station, cap drive and 2 cap hoops in the box
- Front, side and back cap embroidery, Poolin says
- Built-in laser positioning
- Works with foam for 3D puff, Poolin says
15 needles and the most cap parts in the box in this guide. Poolin says the EOM suits home studios and small embroidery shops.
Pros
- 15 needles cut down on color stops
- Cap station, cap drive and 2 cap hoops in the box
- Laser positioning for placing repeat designs, Poolin says
Cons
- At 165 lb and 59 in tall, it needs a fixed spot and help to move
- More needles and cap parts to keep track of than a home machine
The Poolin EOM is the pick for a full cap kit and 15 needles. It has a 14.2 x 9.5 in embroidery area and ships with a cap station, a cap drive and two cap hoops.
Poolin says its wide-angle cap system supports front, side and back embroidery on structured and unstructured hats, and that it works with foam for raised 3D puff designs. Poolin also says the built-in laser positioning helps place repeat designs consistently.
It suits a studio or small shop with a fixed spot for a 165 pound machine. The box also holds four spools of 4,000-yard thread, 25 prewound bobbins and 50 pieces of 12 x 12 in cut-away stabilizer, so you start with supplies in hand.
The drawback is size. At 165 pounds and 59 inches tall, it needs a fixed spot and help to move.
Smartstitch S-1001
- 10 needles
- 9.5 x 14.2 in embroidery area
- 7 in touchscreen
- Cap embroidery device in the package
- Auto thread trimming and color change
A 10-needle machine with a cap embroidery device in the package. Smartstitch says its manuals and video training help new owners get started.
Pros
- Cap embroidery device in the package
- 10 needles with auto color change
- Smartstitch calls it compact and light
Cons
- At 93 lb, it needs a fixed spot on its stand
- 7 in screen is smaller than the S-1201 Plus screen
The Smartstitch S-1001 is the pick for a compact 10-needle machine with a cap device. It has a 9.5 x 14.2 in embroidery area and a 7 in touchscreen, and Smartstitch says the package includes a cap embroidery device, T-shirt frames, a stand and a starter kit.
Smartstitch says it stitches denim, canvas, leather, vinyl, caps, shoes and bags from DST or DSB files sent by USB or Wi-Fi. Automatic color change and thread trimming handle the stops between colors.
Smartstitch also offers manuals, video training and an online member club for new owners. It weighs 93 pounds and sits on a stand, so plan a fixed spot and a clear path before it arrives.
FUJA FJ-1001
- 10 needles
- Top speed of 1,200 stitches per minute
- Cap station, cap drive and cap ring included
- Starter kit with thread, bobbin case and stabilizer
- 1 year limited warranty
A 10-needle machine that includes cap parts and a starter kit. FUJA says it can help new owners with setup by Amazon message after delivery.
Pros
- Cap station, cap drive and cap ring included
- Starter kit covers a first test stitch
- Auto color change and thread trimming
Cons
- At 289 lb, it is the heaviest machine here
- Smaller 9.5 x 14.2 in area than the S-1201 Plus
The FUJA FJ-1001 is the pick for moving up from a single-needle machine. It has 10 needles, a 9.5 x 14.2 in embroidery area and a top speed of 1,200 stitches per minute.
It ships with a cap station, a cap drive, a cap ring and flat hoops, so the cap tools are in the box. The starter kit adds a needle, thread, stabilizer and a bobbin case, which covers a first test stitch.
FUJA says it can walk new owners through unpacking, threading, tension and cap setup by Amazon message after delivery. It also gives the machine a 1 year limited warranty.
The drawback is weight. At 289 pounds it's the heaviest machine here, and it ships freight on a wooden pallet, so plan for two people to move it.
Smartstitch S-1201 Plus
- 12 needles
- 12 x 16 in embroidery area
- 10 in touchscreen
- Wifi and USB file transfer
- Auto color change and thread trimming
The largest embroidery area of the multi-needle machines here. Smartstitch says caps are among the items it can stitch.
Pros
- Largest area of the multi-needle machines here
- 12 needles with auto color change
- 10 in touchscreen with Wifi transfer
Cons
- Smartstitch doesn't state which cap parts come in the box
- More needles to learn than a home single-needle machine
The Smartstitch S-1201 Plus is the pick for a bigger hoop with 12 needles. Its 12 x 16 in embroidery area is the largest of the multi-needle machines in this guide, roughly 40 percent more than the 9.5 x 14.2 in area on the S-1001.
Smartstitch says it has the largest area of any machine with fewer than 15 needles and the lowest noise, and that it can stitch caps among other items. It has a 10 in touchscreen, Wifi and USB transfer, and automatic color change and thread trimming.
The catch for hats is the cap setup. Smartstitch doesn't state which cap parts come in the box, so confirm that before you buy.
Brother PE900
- 193 built-in designs
- Wireless LAN file transfer
- 5 x 7 in hoop
- 3.7 in touchscreen
- Color Sort and jump stitch trimming
A home single-needle machine with wireless transfer and 193 built-in designs. Caps need a separate cap hoop, and no cap hoop we compared names the PE900.
Pros
- Wireless file transfer from a computer
- 193 built-in designs and 13 fonts
- Color Sort reduces color changes, Brother says
Cons
- Each color is still a manual thread change
- No cap hoop we compared names the PE900
The Brother PE900 is the pick for a home machine with wireless file transfer. It's an embroidery-only machine with a 5 x 7 in hoop, 193 built-in designs and 13 fonts.
Brother says the PE900 connects over a wireless LAN, so you can send designs from a computer without a cable. Color Sort reorders multi-color designs to cut color changes, and the Artspira app adds 50 free designs.
For caps, the PE900 needs a separate cap hoop. No cap hoop we compared names this model, so find one that does before you plan on caps.
The drawback is that each color is still a manual thread change, even with Color Sort.
Brother PE800
- 138 built-in designs
- 5 x 7 in hoop
- 3.2 in color touchscreen
- USB port
- 11 built-in fonts
A simpler home Brother with 138 built-in designs and a 5 x 7 in hoop. A cap hoop that names the PE800 exists, but it is an extra purchase.
Pros
- Automatic needle threader
- On-screen tutorials for threading and setup
- USB port for importing designs
Cons
- Fewer built-in designs and a smaller screen than the PE900
- Caps need a separate cap hoop
The Brother PE800 is the pick for a simple home start on flat designs. It's an embroidery-only machine with 138 built-in designs, 11 fonts and a 5 x 7 in hoop.
Its 3.2 in color touchscreen previews your design before you stitch, and an automatic needle threader pushes the thread through the eye. Brother adds on-screen tutorials and a USB port for importing your own designs.
For caps, the YEQIN cap hoop insert names the PE800 and needs the outer hoop part from Brother's SA443 or SA444 hoop. That's an extra purchase on top of the machine, so count it in before you start.
The drawback is that it has fewer built-in designs and a smaller screen than the PE900, so it suits a simpler start.
Single-needle or multi-needle for hats
Multi-needle machines keep several thread colors ready, and a home single-needle machine stops for every color change. That's the main difference for hats.
The EOM, S-1001, FUJA and S-1201 Plus hold 10 to 15 colors and switch between them on their own. A home Brother stops for each color, so every new color on the cap is a manual thread swap.
Count the colors in your usual design before you decide. Ten needles hold ten colors, so a design with eight colors fits, while one with 14 colors suits the 15-needle EOM.
The single-needle and multi-needle machines compared explains the split in more detail.
Embroidery machine for hats at home or in a shop
A home machine takes less room and less setup, while a multi-needle machine cuts the stops between colors. If you already own a home machine, can a home embroidery machine stitch hats explains what it needs.
If you're still choosing your first machine, embroidery machines for beginners covers the home options before you look at commercial models.
If hats are part of a small shop, our best embroidery machines for a home business list and the guide to choosing an embroidery machine for small business cover that decision.
Cap tools and cap hoops
The EOM, S-1001 and FUJA include cap tools, while the two home Brothers need a separate cap hoop. The table shows what each machine's data says about cap parts.
| Machine | Cap parts in the box |
|---|---|
| Poolin EOM 15-needle | Cap station, cap drive and 2 cap hoops |
| Smartstitch S-1001 | Cap embroidery device |
| FUJA FJ-1001 | Cap station, cap drive and cap ring |
| Smartstitch S-1201 Plus | Smartstitch doesn't state this |
| Brother PE900 | None, 5 x 7 in hoop |
| Brother PE800 | None, 5 x 7 in hoop |
A cap hoop clamps the bill of the cap and attaches to your machine's outer hoop, so it has to name your model. Our cap hoop guide covers which models each hoop names and the outer hoop it needs.
The hoop areas in the comparison table are for flat designs. None of these machines gives a cap embroidery area in its data, so ask the maker for that number before you plan a large design.
Cap hoops for the home Brothers
Only the YEQIN cap hoop insert names the PE800 in our data, and it needs the outer hoop part from Brother's SA443 or SA444 hoop. No cap hoop we compared names the PE900.
What else these machines stitch besides caps
The multi-needle machines here also stitch flat items, so a cap machine can double as a shirt and bag machine. The home Brothers stitch flat designs in a 5 x 7 in hoop.
Poolin says the EOM handles polos, uniforms, T-shirts, hoodies, jackets, tote bags, towels and patches. FUJA says its machine handles caps, T-shirts, patches, leather items, denim, shoes, bags and uniforms.
Smartstitch says the S-1001 and S-1201 Plus stitch denim, canvas, leather, vinyl, caps, shoes and bags.
Poolin and FUJA both mention 3D puff, a raised style of design worked over foam. Poolin says the EOM works with foam for it, and FUJA lists 3D puff among the items it can create.
Keeping a cap steady while you stitch
Pull the sweatband back before you tighten the clamp, since it can stitch to the cap by mistake. Our stabilizer picks for knits, towels and hats cover the options for the cap fabric.
Needles are sharp, so keep fingers clear of a running machine and unplug before you change a needle. Keep stabilizer scraps away from pets.
Size, weight and power
The two Brother home machines are the smallest and lightest here, and the FUJA is the heaviest at 289 pounds. The table gives each machine's footprint in inches.
| Machine | Size (D x W x H) |
|---|---|
| Brother PE800 | 10.48 x 18.48 x 12.81 in |
| Brother PE900 | 17 x 10 x 12 in |
| Smartstitch S-1201 Plus | 22 x 17 x 29 in |
| Poolin EOM 15-needle | 21.3 x 28.4 x 59 in |
| Smartstitch S-1001 | 25 x 34 x 33 in |
| FUJA FJ-1001 | 25 x 33 x 34 in |
The weights are 17.6 pounds for the PE800, 21 pounds for the PE900, 93 pounds for the S-1001, 165 pounds for the EOM and 289 pounds for the FUJA. The EOM is the tallest at 59 inches, which matters if your room has a low ceiling.
Brother says both home machines are intended for sale only in the US at 120 volts. Smartstitch doesn't give a weight for the S-1201 Plus, so ask before you plan a spot for it.
Thread, stabilizer and what comes in the box
Each machine ships with some starter supplies, and the amount changes a lot from the home models to the multi-needle ones. The EOM box is the most generous, with four spools of 4,000-yard thread, 25 prewound bobbins and 50 pieces of cut-away stabilizer.
Both Smartstitch machines come with a starter pack of machine embroidery thread, stabilizer and bobbin thread. FUJA's starter kit includes a needle, thread, stabilizer and a bobbin case.
The PE800 box includes a 5 x 7 in embroidery hoop, an embroidery foot, a needle set and embroidery bobbin thread. The PE900 box includes a 5 x 7 in embroidery frame set, four bobbins, a needle set and white 90 weight embroidery bobbin thread.
Thread and stabilizer are the supplies you'll reorder, so the starter amounts only cover your first projects.
Designs and file transfer
The home Brothers come with built-in designs and take files over USB or a wireless link, while the multi-needle machines here are built around DST and DSB files. The file type is the part to plan for before you buy.
The PE800 has 138 built-in designs, and the PE900 has 193 built-in designs plus 50 free designs in Brother's Artspira app. The PE900 can also receive files from a computer over a wireless LAN with Brother's free Design Database Transfer software.
The EOM, FUJA and both Smartstitch machines take DST and DSB files over USB or Wi-Fi. Smartstitch suggests designing in Wilcom, EmbroideryStudio or Hatch, then saving the file as DST.
The EOM adds InStitch digitizing tools and cloud storage, so you can create a design from scratch or convert uploaded artwork into a stitch-ready file.
What to ask before you buy a hat machine
Ask whether the cap tools come in the box, which outer hoop you need and what setup help is included. Those three answers decide most of the fit.
If you already have design files, confirm the machine reads that format, since the multi-needle machines here are built around DST and DSB files.
Setup help and training
Smartstitch says its manuals, video training and member club help new owners, and its engineers can help online after delivery. FUJA offers training videos, and it can run training as a live demo or a video call at a scheduled time.
Poolin says its support team gives online technical guidance after delivery.
Delivery and returns
The EOM, FUJA and both Smartstitch machines ship on a wooden pallet. Poolin and Smartstitch ask you to keep the pallet, inner boxes and bolts for a few days in case of a return, and FUJA asks you to keep them for the first two weeks.
Plan space for those boxes before the machine arrives.
Warranty terms
Poolin gives the EOM a 1-year warranty, and FUJA gives the FJ-1001 a 1-year limited warranty. Brother says the PE800 carries a 25-year limited warranty, plus technical support for the life of the product.
For the PE900, Brother gives 2 years on electronic components, 25 years on the chassis and 1 year on parts and labor.
Which embroidery machine for hats to buy
Start with the cap tools, then pick the needle count that matches how many colors your typical design uses. Those two decisions come before the rest.
- Pick the Poolin EOM if you want cap tools, 15 colors ready and room for a 165 pound machine.
- Pick the Smartstitch S-1001 if you want a compact 10-needle machine with a cap device in the package.
- Pick the FUJA FJ-1001 if you're moving up from a single-needle machine and can handle a 289 pound delivery.
- Pick the Smartstitch S-1201 Plus if you want the largest hoop area and 12 needles, and you'll confirm the cap parts first.
- Pick the Brother PE900 or PE800 if you want a home machine and will buy a cap hoop that names your model.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best embroidery machine for hats?
The Poolin EOM 15-needle is our top pick, since it includes a cap station, a cap drive and two cap hoops in the box. The Smartstitch S-1001 is a compact 10-needle option with a cap embroidery device, and the FUJA FJ-1001 includes a cap station and cap ring.
Can a home embroidery machine stitch hats?
Yes, but only with a cap hoop that names your exact model, because the Brother PE800 and PE900 use a flat 5 x 7 in hoop. Each new color is also a manual thread change, so a home machine suits occasional caps better than a batch of them.
Do multi-needle machines need a separate cap hoop?
Not always, since the Poolin EOM, the FUJA FJ-1001 and the Smartstitch S-1001 include cap tools in the box. Smartstitch doesn't state the cap parts for the S-1201 Plus, so confirm what comes with it before you buy extra cap parts and end up with a duplicate tool.
Is a 10-needle or 15-needle machine better for hats?
The 15-needle Poolin EOM keeps the most thread colors ready and has the most cap tools in this guide. A 10-needle machine like the FUJA FJ-1001 or Smartstitch S-1001 is a smaller step up, so count the colors your typical design uses and choose from there.
