Brother SE700 Sewing and Embroidery Machine Review
This Brother SE700 review finds a sewing and embroidery combo with a 4 x 4 inch field, best for a beginner who wants both skills in one machine. Skip it if most of your designs need a bigger hoop than 4 x 4 inches.
On this page (15 sections)
- Brother SE700 review: the short answer
- Who the Brother SE700 suits
- Brother SE700 specs at a glance
- The 4 x 4 inch field is the main limit
- Built-in designs, fonts and stitches
- Sewing features that a combo adds
- Transfer designs and the Artspira app
- Setup, size and power
- Warranty terms to know before you buy
- What the Brother SE700 does well
- Where the SE700 falls short
- Who should skip the Brother SE700
- Before you order: a short checklist
- Alternatives to the Brother SE700
- Brother SE700 review: our verdict
The Brother SE700 is a sewing and embroidery combo, so one machine handles both jobs. This Brother SE700 review covers what it does well, where the 4 x 4 inch field gets in your way, and who should pick something else.
We compared the specs for the SE700 and checked each feature against what a first-time buyer usually needs. Bundles that add extra accessories are also sold, but the machine is the same one covered here.
Brother SE700 review: the short answer
The SE700 is a practical first machine for a beginner who wants sewing and embroidery together. Its 4 x 4 inch embroidery field is the main limit.
Brother SE700 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
- 4 x 4 in embroidery field
- 135 built-in designs and 10 lettering fonts
- 103 built-in sewing stitches
- Wireless transfer and a USB port
- Color touchscreen
- 8 sewing feet included
- 15.6 lb
One 15.6 lb machine for sewing and embroidery, with a 4 x 4 inch field for monograms, small motifs and patches.
Pros
- Sewing and embroidery in one machine
- 135 built-in designs to practice with
- Wireless and USB file transfer
- Automatic needle threader and thread cutter
Cons
- The 4 x 4 inch field limits design size
- Caps need a separate cap hoop
- Wireless transfer depends on your network and device
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. The SE700 scores 8.5 because it covers two jobs with 135 built-in designs and 103 stitches, while the 4 x 4 inch field caps design size.
Who the Brother SE700 suits
The SE700 suits a beginner who wants to sew and embroider without buying two machines. It also suits a small sewing space, since one machine covers both jobs.
New to embroidery? Read our embroidery machines for beginners guide before you compare models.
- A first-time buyer who wants to learn sewing and embroidery on one machine.
- Someone who hems, mends and sews small projects, then wants monograms or small embroidery on the same machine.
- A shopper who plans to stitch initials, small logos and patches.
- A buyer who wants to send designs from a computer or phone over a wireless network.
Brother SE700 specs at a glance
The SE700 has a 4 x 4 inch embroidery field and weighs 15.6 pounds. The table lists the specs that matter most when you compare it with other beginner machines.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Sewing and embroidery combo |
| Embroidery field | 4 x 4 in, with an included hoop |
| Built-in embroidery designs | 135, with 10 lettering fonts |
| Built-in sewing stitches | 103, including 10 styles of one-step auto-size buttonholes |
| Screen | Color touchscreen |
| Connections | Wireless LAN and a built-in USB port |
| Sewing speed | Up to 710 stitches per minute, says Brother |
| Included sewing feet | 8 |
| Weight | 15.6 lb |
| Size | 16.5 x 7.76 x 12.09 in |
| Power | 120 volts, sold for US use |
The 4 x 4 inch field is the main limit
The SE700 stitches inside a 4 x 4 inch area, so every design has to fit that size. A design larger than that won't stitch in one hoop.
That size works for monograms, initials and small motifs. For larger designs, you'll need a machine with a bigger field, such as the Brother PE900 with its 5 x 7 inch field.
Brother SE700 field size and the hoop you get
Brother includes a 4 x 4 inch embroidery frame set with the machine, so you can start with the field size it's built for. Check the size of any design file before you stitch it.
Our hoop sizes guide explains how hoop areas differ and how to match a design to the hoop you have. It also covers magnetic hoops, such as the MagnaHoop set sold for the SE700.
Built-in designs, fonts and stitches
The SE700 comes with 135 built-in embroidery designs, 10 lettering fonts and 103 built-in sewing stitches. That gives you material to practice with before you buy any design files.
Start with a few simple designs on scrap fabric before you stitch a gift or a project you care about. The lettering fonts suit names and monograms.
Brother describes the 10 buttonhole styles as one-step and auto-size.
Sewing features that a combo adds
The sewing side adds 8 included feet, an automatic needle threader and an automatic thread cutter. That covers common jobs for a beginner who wants both skills on one machine.
The feet are the zigzag, zipper, buttonhole, blind stitch, overcasting, button fitting and monogramming feet, plus an embroidery foot.
Brother says the SE700 sews at up to 710 stitches per minute. That's the top speed, so start slower while you learn.
The automatic needle threader pushes the thread through the needle eye for you. Brother also describes the drop-in top bobbin as jam resistant.
Transfer designs and the Artspira app
You can move designs to the SE700 over a wireless network, through its USB port or with the Artspira app. Each route suits a different setup.
Design Database Transfer is free software that sends embroidery files from a PC to the machine over a wireless network. The USB port is the wired option if your network or computer doesn't cooperate.
Brother says wireless transfer needs a wireless network and that compatibility can vary by device and operating system. Check your computer and router before you count on it.
The Artspira app lets you draw custom patterns on a mobile device or download patterns and send them to the machine wirelessly. Brother also describes sharing finished creations on social media as part of the app.
Setup, size and power
The SE700 weighs 15.6 pounds. Brother gives its size as 16.5 x 7.76 x 12.09 inches, so measure your table and the height under any shelf before you order.
Brother says the machine is intended for sale only in the US at 120 volts, and that any other use or sale may void the warranty. Check the voltage before you plug it in.
Keep your fingers clear of the needle while the machine runs, unplug it before you change a needle, and cut thread with snips.
Warranty terms to know before you buy
Brother's limited warranty on the SE700 splits by part: 1 year on parts, labor and accessories, 2 years on electronic components and circuit boards (replacement labor excluded), and 25 years on the chassis casting.
Brother says the original receipt sets the purchase date, so keep it with the box. For the full terms and support, start at Brother USA.
What the Brother SE700 does well
The SE700 does two jobs in one machine, and its touchscreen lets you preview a design before it stitches. Those two points carry most of the case for this machine.
- Sewing and embroidery in one box, with 8 feet and 103 built-in stitches.
- 135 built-in designs and 10 lettering fonts for practice.
- A color touchscreen for on-screen editing and preview.
- Wireless and USB transfer, plus the Artspira app.
- An automatic needle threader and an automatic thread cutter.
For a first machine, one box with both skills means one place to learn the basics.
Where the SE700 falls short
The 4 x 4 inch field is the main drawback, and wireless transfer depends on your home network. Both can change whether this machine fits your projects.
Designs wider or taller than 4 x 4 inches won't fit in one hoop, so bigger logos and large motifs need a bigger field. The PE900 is the closer option if that's your plan.
Caps are the other gap. Most home embroidery machines are single-needle and flat-bed, so caps need a cap hoop or cap frame sold separately, and the hoop must list your model.
Our hat hoops and cap frames guide covers the options. Check each hoop's model list for the SE700 before you buy.
Who should skip the Brother SE700
Skip the SE700 if your designs need more than 4 x 4 inches, or if you already own a sewing machine and only want embroidery.
- You plan to stitch large designs in one hoop. The PE900 review covers the bigger field.
- You already have a sewing machine you like. An embroidery-only machine such as the PE900 may suit you better.
- You plan to stitch caps often. Most home machines are single-needle, so read our single needle vs multi needle guide before you buy.
Before you order: a short checklist
Check your table, your largest design, your network and your hat plans before you order. Each one can change the answer.
- Measure your table and the space around it, including the height under any shelf.
- Check your largest design against the 4 x 4 inch field.
- Confirm your router reaches the machine's spot, or plan to use the USB port.
- Decide whether you need caps. If you do, pick a cap hoop that lists the SE700 by model.
- Buy stabilizer for your fabric before your first project. Our stabilizer guide explains what to buy first.
Alternatives to the Brother SE700
If the SE700 is close but not right, compare it with the PE900 or a wider combo roundup. Each option answers a different need.
The Brother SE700 vs PE900 comparison puts the two Brother machines side by side, with the field size and feature differences in one place.
If you already sew, can you embroider with a regular sewing machine explains what your current machine can and can't do before you buy a combo.
For a wider set of combo machines, see our best sewing and embroidery combo machines roundup. For a budget shortlist, see our beginner roundup for budget machines.
If you're still deciding between the two machine types, embroidery machine vs sewing machine explains the difference in plain words.
Brother SE700 review: our verdict
Buy the SE700 if you want sewing and embroidery in one machine and your designs fit a 4 x 4 inch field. It's a practical first machine for a beginner who wants both skills without a second box.
Pick the SE700 if you are a beginner who wants both skills and mostly stitches small designs. Pick the PE900 if you need a 5 x 7 inch field or you already sew and only want embroidery.
Measure your designs before you order, since the 4 x 4 inch field decides more than any single feature on this list. Read the full warranty terms before you pay, and keep your receipt with the box.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Brother SE700 sew as well as embroider?
Yes, it does both jobs in one machine. It has 103 built-in sewing stitches, including 10 styles of one-step auto-size buttonholes, and 8 sewing feet, while its embroidery side uses a 4 x 4 inch field that suits monograms and small motifs.
What is the embroidery area on the Brother SE700?
The SE700 has a 4 x 4 inch embroidery field, so every design has to fit inside that size. A design larger than 4 x 4 inches won't stitch in one hoop, so check the size of each design file before you start.
Can the SE700 stitch hats and caps?
Not without extra gear, because most home machines are flat-bed and caps need a cap hoop or cap frame sold separately. The hoop must list the SE700 as a compatible model, so read its model list before you order and expect to buy it on top of the machine.
Is the Brother SE700 a good first machine?
For many beginners, yes, because it covers sewing and embroidery in one 15.6 lb machine with a color touchscreen and 135 built-in designs. If you need more than a 4 x 4 inch field, look at the Brother PE900, which has a 5 x 7 inch field.
