Best Cheap Sewing Machines 2022 (with great quality).

The best sewing machines in my experience have been Singer and Brother. Both these companies make durable machines that can last you your lifetime. Because they are some of the best machines on the market, they also come at a reasonable cost. This post will break down which machines you can buy at an affordable rate yet durable quality.

To be clear, this is not simply a list of the cheapest sewing machines. It is a list of the most affordable sewing machines with the best quality, from the top renowned companies.

Some things to consider before you make your purchase.

Whether you buy a machine for yourself or as a gift, buying a durable piece of machinery should be the first and foremost most important point in your buying journey.

If possible, I do suggest spending that extra little more when it comes to buying the machine you will use for some years to come. Because in general, the higher the price, the better the machine. However, the machines in this post fit the bill of delivering quality and reliability, while being budget friendly.

Sewing machines, unlike other electronic machines, age like fine wine literally. The more you use them, the smoother they become to use. As my aunt would say, they become as soft as butter. 

I promise it’s true. The more you use sewing machines, the better they become. Of course, you need to keep them well maintained and oil them frequently. 

So for emphasis, the two most important things to consider when buying a budget sewing machine are:

Affordability without compromising quality:

I made a list of durable and reliable sewing machines. A sewing machine should not be so low quality that you won’t use it anyway. 

I have cried tears of blood with poor quality sewing machines. It can be very frustrating when you’re in a particular hurry and the thread bundles up, the stitches are uneven, or it won’t sew at all. Trust me poor quality sewing machines are not worth your mental health and stress.

Price range:

The price range on this list is below $100 to $230. The Amazon prices change from time to time because of sales. I hope when you get here and decide to make a purchase, there is a hot sale waiting for you and your purchase is at a lower cost than the averages I’ve set.

So without further ado, let’s look at some durable and affordable sewing machines.

This list is made in descending order, and the further down you go, the higher the price will become.

If you would like to skip everything and go through the machines, below is a list of all the devices on this list.

• Janome Graceful Gray Basic, Easy-to-Use, 10-Stitch Portable, Compact Sewing Machine with Free Arm only 5 pounds
• Brother CS5055 Computerised Sewing Machine, 60 Built-in Stitches, LCD Display, 7 Included Feet, White
• SINGER | M2100 Sewing Machine With Accessory Kit & Foot Pedal – 63 Stitch Applications
• Juki HZL-353ZR-C Sewing Machine
• Bernette 33 Swiss Design Sewing Machine

The cheapest sewing machine by Janome

Brand: Janome

Colour: Gray and pink

Dimensions:  10.5 x 5 x 9 inches (LxWxH)

Voltage: 110V

Janome makes excellent sewing machines that sew pristinely, and the machines last the test of time. They are usually expensive, but this model is wonderfully reasonable. Do have a look. 

This is a simple to use and understand model. I highly recommend it for beginner sewists and younger sewists. 

It is worth noting that this machine has an even speed that some seasoned sewists may consider slow. Nonetheless, the steady speed is ideal for beginner sewists because a machine that is sewing at seemingly 100 miles an hour can be hard to adjust to for newbies.

There is protective gear in place for small fingers so this would make for a good gift for young sewists. 

Because this is a relatively lightweight machine, it would be suitable for people with back problems who cannot lift the average heavy-duty machine. Great for portability and as a gift to an older adult.

The instructions are super simple. The button and daily system make this machine incredibly easy to understand. Below are a few quick pointers you can sift through.

Pros

• Great for beginners and young sewists
• Even speed (not super fast)
• Easy to use and understand the sewing settings
• lightweight (5 pounds)
• 11 built-in stitches
• Clear cover for the top drop-in bobbin 

Cons

• Not a great purchase for expert sewists

The best Brother sewing machine on a budget

Brand: Brother

Colour: White

Dimensions: 16.26 x 6.65 x 12.21 inches (LxWxH)

Voltage: 110V

Brother is known to be one of the best sewing machines, and the company has been around for well over 100 years. Here is a beautifully reasonable priced sewing machine that can do embroidery and sew. Nonetheless, the sewing capability of this machine is probably the most multipurpose and all-rounded sewing machine that you can buy on a budget.

The bobbin system is anti-jam and will load without any hassles. Probably the best part about this sewing machine is that it has an automatic threading system. This is great for people with poor eyesight, and honestly, as someone who doesn’t even use spectacles, I’d enjoy an automated threading system.

There is a built-in bobbin winding system. You can make buttonholes of different sizes, and there is an LCD screen. It’s a next-level sewing machine within a low price range.

Pros

• 60 different built-in stitch applications including the following features:
  • Utility
  • Decorative
  • heirloom
• 7 one-step auto-size buttonholes
• Automatic needle threader
• Drop-in bobbin system
• A metal frame and fixed needle bar for a cleaner stitch
• There is a comfortable arm area for a more comfortable working space
• Free arm design that enables sewing sleeves and designing with ease
• Accessories included:
  • 7 sewing feet
  • 4 bobbins
  • A needle set
  • Trilingual (English/Spanish/French) user manual

Cons

• Again this is a 110 voltage sewing machine.

The best cheap sewing machine for beginners by Singer

Brand: Singer

Colour: White

Dimensions: 17 x 14 x 10 inches (LxWxH) 

Voltage: 110V

Here is one of the most reliable sewing machines on the market, Singer. A full-fledged sewing machine with 63 stitch applications. 

It’s a really good purchase for beginner sewists because of the simple stitch selection. It’s easy to use and understand for beginner sewists intimidated by complex stitch settings and features.

Yes, this machine can make buttonholes. My recommendation would be to buy it if you want a durable machine and you are on a tight budget. This is probably the cheapest sewing machine, excellent quality, for such a low cost. 

If you want to look at our recommendations on other Singer sewing machines, read our post on the best Singer sewing machines here. They make the most durable machines and sewing equipment. I love the scissors made by them, and if you want to read our post on the best sewing scissors and shears, you can have a look at our favourites. Yes, Singer is in the recommendations.

Singer is an all American company that makes sturdy and reliable machines.

As is our usual, here are a few pros and cons and a list of features.

Pros

• 63 stitch applications
• Easy stitch selection
• The stitch selection for standard stitching is preset
• You can sew buttonholes with this machine
• There is an LED lighting system
• Accessories that are included:
  • Pack of needles
  • Bobbins (15 transparent)
  • Needle plate screwdriver
  • Spool pin felt
  • Sean ripper
  • Soft-sided dust cover
  • All-purpose foot
  • Zipper foot
  • Button sewing foot
  • Darning plate

Cons

• People living outside of the states and Canada may have an issue with the voltage of this machine.

The best Juki sewing machine on a budget

Brand: Juki

Colour: White

Dimensions: 20 x 8 x 16 inches (LxWxH)

Voltage: 220

Juki is a Japanese sewing machine manufacturer founded on December 15, 1938, 83 years ago. They are known to be the no. 1 sewing machine manufacturer globally. 

That’s why this one is a little over $200 but well worth the price.

This little gem has a built-in needle threader, LED lighting system, 21 built-in stitches and more. It really is the all you need sewing machine that can last you forever. 

The most beautiful thing about this machine is that you can make buttonholes according to the size of your buttons. Simply putting the button of your choice under the sewing machine foot will make a buttonhole according to the size of your button.

The Juki sewing machines are excellent for expert sewists and beginner sewists alike. The Adjustable dial system is super simple for any beginner sewist to make stitch adjustments.

Pros

• Easy to use and understand
• 21 built-in stitches
• White LED built-in light
• Drop-in bobbin
• Buttonhole sewing in one simple step for any button size
• Adjustable presser foot
• Automatic Needle threader
• Metal inner body but lightweight and portable
• Zigzag sewing dial 

Cons

Voltage is 220V which can be an issue in the states

The cheapest Bernette sewing machine

Brand: Bernette

Colour: White

Dimensions: 17.1 x 8.7 x 13.3 inches (LxWxH)

Voltage: Dual voltage

This swiss sewing machine brand has been around since 1893, which was well over a hundred years ago. It’s a renowned brand that makes durable sewing machines delivering 100% satisfaction.

We are also an arts and crafts website, so of course, we were going to add sewing machines that can do embroidery. 

With fifteen sewing patterns, 14 utility stitches, front loading and much more, this is can be your one-stop-shop for all your sewing projects, including embroidery. It has a dual voltage system which is terrific for people everywhere.

Bernette make solid and reliable sewing machines, a worthy purchase, and yes, this one is also a little over $200, so be warned.

Whether you’re an expert sewist looking to buy your next machine for whatever reason or a beginner wanting to learn new sewing skills, this should be a perfect fit. 

Pros

• Easy to use and understand
• Buttonholes adjustment
• Easy to load bobbin and thread

Cons

• None

Things to look into next

Buying a new sewing machine is usually the first step in your sewing journey. Whether purchasing a sewing machine as a gift or for yourself or a friend, you will need other sewing equipment. Future gifts ideas can come from all things sewing, and we have you covered. You may want to read our posts on the best ten easiest things to sew for beginners.

Make sure to read our post on how to set up your sewing room or sewing space here. There is a lot to learn and take in as a beginner, so don’t feel overwhelmed. Take your learning journey one step at a time.

If you’re a pro sewist, you may be looking for an affordable machine, so I hope our post served you well. Please reach out to us and give us feedback or simply share your thoughts. We want to know what you think.