Poolin vs Brother Embroidery Machines
The Poolin EOC05 has the bigger embroidery field, 4 x 9.25 inches against 4 x 4 for the Brother PE545. Pick the Poolin for long designs and a starter kit, and the Brother for a lighter machine with 135 built-in designs.
On this page (17 sections)
- How do the two machines compare on specs?
- The embroidery field: 4 x 9.25 inches against 4 x 4
- Screen and controls: 7 inches against 3.7 inches
- Design transfer and software: Institch against the Brother tools
- Built-in designs and fonts: the Brother gives counts
- What comes in the box: starter supplies against one hoop
- Which machine suits which project?
- Who the Poolin EOC05 fits best
- Who the Brother PE545 fits best
- Who should skip each machine
- Learning curve and help for a first machine
- Size, weight and power: the Brother is lighter
- Caps and hats: plan for a separate hoop
- Stabilizer, thread and needles: what you will rebuy
- Warranty and support: Brother states its terms
- Other machines to weigh before you buy
- Poolin vs Brother embroidery machine: which to pick
The Poolin EOC05 has the larger embroidery field at 4 x 9.25 inches, and the Brother PE545 is the lighter machine at 14.1 pounds. This Poolin vs Brother embroidery machine comparison covers field size, screen, software, box contents, size and warranty.
Both are embroidery only, so neither one sews. If you want one machine that does both, read our Brother SE700 review.
Best for long designs and a starter kitPoolin EOC05 embroidery machine
How do the two machines compare on specs?
The Poolin leads on field size, screen size and box contents, and the Brother leads on weight, built-in designs and stated warranty terms. The table puts the numbers side by side.
| Product | Best for | Embroidery area | Screen | Weight | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poolin EOC05 embroidery machine | long designs and a starter kit | 4 x 9.25 in | 7 in touchscreen | 22 lb | 8.3 |
| Brother PE545 embroidery machine | a lighter first machine | 4 x 4 in | 3.7 in touchscreen | 14.1 lb | 8.6 |
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. The Brother scores 8.6 and the Poolin 8.3, a small gap that comes down to weight, warranty and built-in designs.
The embroidery field: 4 x 9.25 inches against 4 x 4
The Poolin's field covers about 2.3 times the area of the Brother's, and that extra length matters most for name bands, borders and wide motifs. Poolin says the field suits shirts, hoodies, bags and gifts.
The Brother's square 4 x 4 inch field suits small motifs, monograms and short lettering. The Poolin also comes with a 4 x 4 inch hoop, so it can stitch those small designs too.
Poolin vs Brother embroidery machine field size in practice
Measure your largest design first, then compare it with each field. A design longer than 4 inches won't fit the Brother in one hoop, but it can fit the Poolin up to 9.25 inches.
If most of your designs are 4 inches or less, the Brother's field covers them. If you want longer names or borders without splitting a design, the Poolin has the room.
Screen and controls: 7 inches against 3.7 inches
The Poolin has a 7 inch color touchscreen, nearly twice the size of the Brother's 3.7 inch screen. Poolin says the screen gives clear guidance and simple navigation, which makes operation easier for beginners.
Brother's touchscreen lets you drag a design into place, edit it and preview it before you stitch. Both machines use touch controls, so the difference is how much of the design you see at once.
The Brother PE900 has the same 3.7 inch screen with a larger 5 x 7 inch field.
Design transfer and software: Institch against the Brother tools
Both machines take designs over Wi-Fi or USB, but the software behind each one is different. The Poolin runs on Institch OS2 and comes with free inStitch design software for creating and editing designs.
Poolin says you log in to the Institch website to manage your Poolin devices and set up Wi-Fi transfers. It says the software works with Mac and iPad and can import widely used design files.
Brother's free Design Database Transfer software sends files from your PC to the PE545 over a wireless network, and the machine has a USB port for a memory stick. Brother's Artspira app lets you draw a pattern on a phone or tablet, or download patterns and send them to the machine wirelessly.
Poolin names Mac and iPad but not Windows, so ask Poolin first if you use a Windows PC. Whichever machine you pick, stitch designs you have the right to use.
Built-in designs and fonts: the Brother gives counts
The Brother PE545 has 135 built-in designs, 10 fonts and 10 frame patterns. Seven of the fonts are English and three are Japanese.
Poolin doesn't state a built-in design count for the EOC05, so ask before you buy if you want ready-made designs out of the box. If you plan to draw or download your own files, the built-in library matters less.
What comes in the box: starter supplies against one hoop
The Poolin box holds two hoops, 30 pieces of stabilizer and 6 rolls of thread. The Brother box holds one 4 x 4 inch hoop, a few pre-wound bobbins and basic tools.
The Poolin EOC05 includes:
- The machine, with a 4 x 9.25 inch hoop and a 4 x 4 inch hoop
- 6 rolls of thread and 25 prewound bobbins
- 30 pieces of stabilizer
- 9 needles, a thread stand, a USB drive and a tool kit
- An instruction manual and an operation guide
The Brother PE545 includes:
- One 4 x 4 inch embroidery frame set
- Three pre-wound bobbins of white 90 weight embroidery bobbin thread, plus 2 bobbins
- Spool caps, a spool net and a thread spool insert
- A needle set, bobbin clips, scissors, a seam ripper, a cleaning brush and screwdrivers
- A dust cover and an operation manual in English, Spanish and French
Poolin sells the EOC05 in bundles that differ in stabilizer, thread and bobbin counts, so check what your bundle includes before you order.
The Brother box has no stabilizer and only bobbin thread, so plan to buy both stabilizer and top thread. Our guide on whether you need stabilizer for embroidery explains which type to buy first.
Which machine suits which project?
The Poolin suits long designs and the Brother suits light handling and ready-made designs, and small motifs work on either one. The table matches common first projects to each machine.
| Project | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Monogram or small pocket motif | Either | Both stitch a 4 x 4 inch area, and the Poolin ships a 4 x 4 inch hoop |
| Name band or long border | Poolin | The 9.25 inch length stays in one hoop |
| Stitching ready-made designs with no computer | Brother | 135 built-in designs and 10 fonts |
| A machine you move often | Brother | 14.1 pounds against 22 pounds |
| Designing on a Mac or iPad | Poolin | Poolin names both in its software notes |
Who the Poolin EOC05 fits best
The Poolin fits someone who stitches long designs and wants a larger screen and starter supplies in one box. It is the better pick when your first projects are name bands, borders or wide motifs.
Poolin says the EOC05 suits personal projects like clothing, accessories, home decor and gifts. It also says the machine is not intended for commercial mass production.
If that matches your plans, the field size and the supplies in the box are a strong fit. Our Poolin EOC05 review covers the machine in more depth.
Who the Brother PE545 fits best
The Brother fits someone who wants a lighter machine for small motifs and a ready-made design library. Monograms, small motifs and short lettering fit comfortably in its 4 x 4 inch field.
At 14.1 pounds, the PE545 is easier to move between a table and a storage spot. It ships with 135 built-in designs and 10 fonts, so you can start stitching without drawing or importing a file.
Who should skip each machine
Skip the Poolin if you want a light machine, a stated warranty term or a built-in design library. Skip the Brother if you stitch designs longer than 4 inches or want starter supplies in the box.
Skip both if you want to sew as well, since neither one works as a sewing machine. A combo machine is the better fit for that.
Learning curve and help for a first machine
Both makers offer beginner help, and both point you to video lessons. Brother says the PE545 includes tutorial videos and an easy needle threading system.
Poolin says it offers personalized one-on-one training, a user group and YouTube tutorials. The box includes several ways to reach its team.
Whichever you choose, start with a scrap of fabric, a sheet of stabilizer and the hoop you plan to use. Run a small motif before you stitch on a gift or a finished item.
Size, weight and power: the Brother is lighter
The Brother weighs 14.1 pounds and the Poolin weighs 22 pounds, so the Brother is easier to lift and put away.
The Poolin measures 21.5 inches wide, 10.8 inches deep and 8.7 inches high. The Brother stands 12.09 inches high and takes up 16.5 by 7.76 inches of table.
The Poolin is corded electric, so plan for an outlet near your table. Brother says the PE545 is intended only for use in the US at 120 volts, and other use voids the warranty.
Caps and hats: plan for a separate hoop
Neither machine comes with a cap frame, so hats need a separate cap hoop that names your exact model. Check that compatibility line before you order.
Our hat embroidery machine guide covers machines built with caps in mind.
Stabilizer, thread and needles: what you will rebuy
Both machines need stabilizer, thread and needles over time, and the Poolin box covers more of that on day one. Our embroidery needle guide explains when to change needles on either machine.
Unplug the machine before you change a needle, and cut thread with snips rather than pulling it. Keep fingers clear of the needle while the machine runs.
Warranty and support: Brother states its terms
Brother's warranty covers the chassis for 25 years, the electronic parts for 2 years, and parts and labor for 1 year. Brother also says it provides technical support for the life of the PE545.
Poolin doesn't state a warranty term for the EOC05, so ask Poolin for the terms before you buy. Read Brother's full terms on its US site too.
Other machines to weigh before you buy
If 4 x 4 feels small, the Brother PE900 has a 5 x 7 inch field, and if you want to sew too, the Brother SE700 is the combo option. Our Brother SE700 vs PE900 comparison sets those two side by side.
New to embroidery? Start with our beginner machine guide.
For more choices at this budget, see the best beginner embroidery machines roundup. If you need more than personal projects, see the home business machine roundup, since Poolin says the EOC05 is not built for commercial mass production.
Poolin vs Brother embroidery machine: which to pick
Pick the Poolin EOC05 for longer designs and a starter kit, and pick the Brother PE545 for a lighter machine with built-in designs.
Pick the Poolin EOC05 if:
- Long names, borders or wide motifs are your main work
- A 7 inch touchscreen matters to you
- You want two hoops and a starter kit in one box
Pick the Brother PE545 if:
- Small motifs and monograms are your main work
- You will move the machine often, since it weighs 14.1 pounds
- You want 135 built-in designs and 10 fonts ready to use
Choose by field size first, then weight, then the screen you prefer. Both are reasonable first machines, so the brand name should matter least.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, the Poolin EOC05 or the Brother PE545?
Neither is better for every buyer. The Poolin has the longer 4 x 9.25 inch field, a 7 inch screen and more starter supplies, while the Brother weighs 14.1 pounds and has 135 built-in designs, so choose by field size and how much weight you want to lift.
Can either machine sew, or only embroider?
Both are embroidery only, so neither one works as a regular sewing machine. If you want one machine that sews and embroiders, look at the Brother SE700 combo, which has 103 built-in sewing stitches, and read our Brother SE700 review for the details.
How much bigger is the Poolin embroidery field?
The Poolin field is 4 x 9.25 inches and the Brother field is 4 x 4 inches, so the Poolin area is about 2.3 times larger. Check your largest design before you order, since the field sets the biggest design you can stitch in one hoop.
Which machine is easier to move?
The Brother PE545 is easier to move at 14.1 pounds, while the Poolin EOC05 weighs 22 pounds and measures 21.5 inches wide. Measure your table and your storage spot before you decide, and ask a second person to help if you will lift the Poolin often.
