Get the Brother PE800 if:
- You only move designs by USB.
- The 138 designs and 11 fonts are enough.
- You find a seller you trust (the Amazon listing is third-party).
The short answer
USB is all you need? PE800
Wireless transfer, more designs? PE900
Both are embroidery-only machines (no sewing) with a 5 x 7 in field, 650 stitches per minute, the same weight and nearly the same size. The PE900 is the step up on paper: 193 built-in designs against 138, 13 fonts against 11, a 3.7 in screen against 3.2 in, and wireless LAN for sending designs from Brother’s PC software or the Artspira app. Amazon now flags the PE900 as the PE800’s newer model.
Best for a simple USB-only setup
Pick the Brother PE800 if
- You’re happy moving designs by USB stick.
- You want the auto needle threader and upper and bobbin thread sensors Brother lists for it.
- 5 x 7 in designs cover what you make.
The Amazon listing is sold and shipped by a third-party seller (“PORTABLE GUY”), not Amazon. Brother lists a 5 x 7 in hoop with the machine.
See the PE800 on AmazonBest for more designs and wireless transfer
Pick the Brother PE900 if
- You want to send designs over Wi-Fi from Design Database Transfer or the Artspira app.
- You want more built-in designs (193) and fonts (13).
- You want the larger 3.7 in touch screen.
Brother lists a 5 x 7 in hoop as standard; other included hoops are Unknown. The Amazon link is the PE900 machine-only listing.
See the PE900 on AmazonBefore you buy: The PE800 Amazon listing is sold by a third party, and Amazon marks the PE900 as its newer model. The PE900 link is the machine-only listing. Brother still sells the PE800 on its US site. Listings change, so check the seller and model number before you order.
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Key specs
0PE800
spec rows won
spec rows won
4PE900
spec rows won
spec rows won
10even or
unclear
unclear
The PE900 wins on designs, fonts, screen and wireless transfer. Field size, speed, file formats, weight, size and warranty are the same. Threading gets no check because Brother’s PE900 page doesn’t say whether it has an auto needle threader.
A green check marks the clearly better spec for most people. No check means a tie, a gap that depends on how you work, or a spec marked Unknown. Figures come from Brother’s US product pages and Brother Canada support; Amazon-only facts are labeled.
| PE800 | PE900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Embroidery only | Embroidery only |
| Embroidery field | 5 x 7 in | 5 x 7 in |
| Built-in designs | 138 (incl. 10 frame shapes, 14 border styles) | 193 |
| Built-in fonts | 11 (7 English) | 13 |
| Hoop in the box | 5 x 7 in | 5 x 7 in (others: Unknown) |
| Max speed | 650 spm | 650 spm |
| Screen | 3.2 in color touch LCD | 3.7 in LCD touch |
| Connections | USB only | Wireless LAN + USB |
| Needle-to-arm space | Unknown | 7.4 in |
| Threading and thread | Auto needle threader, auto thread cutter, upper and bobbin thread sensors, quick-set bobbin | Auto thread cutter, quick-set bobbin (needle threader: Unknown) |
| File formats | .pes, .dst, .pen | .pes, .dst, .pen |
| Weight | 17.64 lb | 17.64 lb |
| Size | 17.48 x 9.48 x 11.81 in | 17.48 x 9.49 x 11.81 in |
| Warranty | 1/2/25-year limited | 1/2/25-year limited |
Spec notes and unknowns
- Neither machine sews; both are embroidery only.
- Unknown: the PE800’s needle-to-arm space, the PE900’s full list of included hoops, and recommended needle size and thread weight for either (in the manuals, which we didn’t open).
- PE900 jump-stitch trimming and color sort are listed on Amazon only.
- The 1/2/25-year warranty is Brother’s split limited warranty; check Brother’s terms for what each period covers.
Where the sources disagree
- PE800 fonts: Brother’s copy says 11; its spec table says 7. The 7 counts English fonts only, so we show “11 (7 English)”.
- PE900 fonts: Brother says 13. The 9 English / 3 Japanese / 1 Cyrillic split is from Amazon only.
- PE800 warranty: Brother’s copy says “25-year limited”; its spec table says 1/2/25 year. We use the spec table.
- PE800 size: Amazon lists 10.48 x 18.48 x 12.81 in; we use Brother’s unit dimensions.
What it can stitch
Common embroidery jobs, judged only from Brother’s field size, connections and listed formats.
- Can do the maker’s specs cover it
- Just barely possible, with a limit or add-on the maker states
- Can’t the maker’s specs rule it out or don’t list it
| Job | PE800 | PE900 |
|---|---|---|
| Designs | ||
| Name on a towel | Can doBuilt-in fonts, 5 x 7 in field. | Can doBuilt-in fonts, 5 x 7 in field. |
| Left-chest logo | Can doFits the 5 x 7 in hoop. | Can doFits the 5 x 7 in hoop. |
| Design bigger than 5 x 7 in | Can’t5 x 7 in max field. | Can’t5 x 7 in max field. |
| Getting designs in | ||
| Downloaded .pes or .dst | Can doUSB port. | Can doUSB or wireless LAN. |
| Send from phone or PC over Wi-Fi | Can’tNo wireless LAN. | Can doArtspira app, Design Database Transfer. |
| Sewing | ||
| Hems or seams | Can’tEmbroidery only. | Can’tEmbroidery only. |
Use stabilizer and thread suited to your fabric; Brother’s manuals cover needle and thread choices.
Notes and sources
Sources: Brother USA product pages for the PE800 and PE900, and Brother Canada support (file formats). Checked October 16, 2026.
Who should buy which
Get the Brother PE900 if:
- You want wireless design transfer.
- You want the most built-in designs and fonts.
- You want the bigger screen.
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Skip it if
Skip the PE800
Skip it if you want to send designs over Wi-Fi or want the newer model Amazon points to.
Skip the PE900
Skip it if USB is all you need and you can get a PE800 from a seller you trust.
Questions about this pair
Can either machine sew?
No. Both are embroidery-only machines.
Is the hoop size different?
No. Both have a 5 x 7 in maximum embroidery field and come with a 5 x 7 in hoop.
Do they read the same files?
Yes. Brother Canada support lists .pes, .dst and .pen for both.
Is the PE900 faster?
No. Brother lists 650 stitches per minute for both.