Step down
None on our list.
Quick verdict
The SE700 sews and embroiders, with a 4 x 4 in field, 135 designs and 103 stitches. It’s a good first combo machine for monograms and patches. All 3 owner threads we read were about thread nesting, usually fixed by threading with the presser foot up.
Best for beginners who want to sew and embroider
- Sewing plus 4 x 4 in embroidery
- 135 designs, 10 fonts, 103 stitches, 10 buttonholes
- Wireless LAN, auto threader and thread cutter
Brother lists a 4 x 4 frame set and 8 feet including embroidery foot Q. On Oct 16, 2026 it was sold by Amazon.com; it wasn’t re-checked on Oct 21. Skip the third-party bundle listings.
Think twice if
- You need designs larger than 4 x 4
- You only embroider
Before you buy: Choose the Amazon.com offer, not the second seller on the page. Brother’s screen is 3.2 x 1.8 in; Amazon says 3.7 in, so sources disagree.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links on this page are affiliate links; it costs you nothing extra.
Hoop size, and what fits
- Embroidery field: 4 x 4 in (100 x 100 mm, Brother). Sewing: 103 stitches, 10 one-step buttonholes, up to 710 spm.
- Built-in: 135 designs, 10 fonts. Screen 3.2 x 1.8 in LCD (Brother).
- Files: wireless LAN (Design Database Transfer, Artspira). USB is listed by Amazon only.
- Work area 6.4 x 4.0 in. 15.06 lb.
- Owners suggest 40 wt embroidery thread and 60 wt bobbin thread; Brother’s own recommendation wasn’t found.
- Model codes: product code 888-P10 in the manual; Brother’s FCC listing groups the SE700 with the SE725 and LB5500 (SE700 manual, checked Oct 29, 2026).
- Partly verified: the manual describes an automatic needle threader; we didn’t confirm owner feedback on it.
Does my design fit the hoop?
Area defaults to the 4 x 4 field. 1 or more means it fits.
Areas from the maker:
- SE700 field: 4 x 4 in
| Area | Design | About how many fit |
|---|---|---|
| 4 x 4 field | 3 x 3 in | 1 |
| 4 x 4 field | 4 x 4 in | 1 |
| 4 x 4 field | 5 x 7 in | Doesn’t fit |
| 4 x 4 field | 2 x 2 in | 1 |
Who it’s for, and who should skip it
Good fit if
- First machine for sewing and small embroidery
- Monograms, patches and baby clothes
- Anyone short on room for two machines
Skip it if
- You want 5 x 7 designs
- You only embroider
Better fit: Brother PE900 for a 5 x 7 field (embroidery only, no sewing).
Honest downsides
- Owners report: Thread nesting or jamming under the needle plate. Reported by 3 of 3 owner threads we checked (r/Machine_Embroidery, checked Oct 21, 2026). Details below.
- 4 x 4 is small; a 5 x 7 hoop won’t work.
- No thread sensor.
- We couldn’t find official Brother accessories sold on their own on Amazon.
- Brother’s oiling advice for the SE700 isn’t confirmed.
What owners don’t like
We read 3 SE700 owner threads on r/Machine_Embroidery (Jan to Aug 2026, checked Oct 21, 2026).
Thread nesting or jamming under the needle plate
Reported by 3 of 3 owner threads we checked (r/Machine_Embroidery, checked Oct 21, 2026)
One was a new machine; another came on suddenly; a third involved shredding thread. Replies blamed threading with the presser foot down, a mis-seated or burred bobbin case, the wrong bobbin thread and loose hooping. One reply flagged a possibly bent bobbin-case spring.
Fix: Rethread with the presser foot up. Brother’s bobbin guide says to run the thread around the needle-plate tab and through the slit into the tension spring. Clean the bobbin area, and use a stabilizer suited to the fabric.
Avoid or spot it: Stitch a test on two layers of cotton with stabilizer while you’re still in the return window.
Warranty and how to claim
- Term: Brother’s spec table lists a 1/2/25-year limited warranty: 1 year parts and labor, 2 years electronics and circuit boards, 25 years chassis. Brother’s 2-Year Limited Warranty PDF (read Oct 22, 2026) doesn’t name this model, so which document applies isn’t confirmed.
- Who’s covered: only the original buyer who bought it new from Brother or an authorized Brother reseller in the US. Brother’s warranty says purchases from unauthorized sellers on online marketplaces, Amazon Marketplace included, aren’t covered. It doesn’t exclude units sold by Amazon.com itself.
- Proof you’ll need: a dated bill of sale showing an authorized US reseller, plus proof of the delivery date. Keep both.
- Register: at brother-usa.com/support/product-registration with the serial and purchase date. No extension for registering found.
- How to claim: through Brother or a Brother Authorized Service Center. We haven’t confirmed the exact sewing-machine claim contact, so start at Brother’s support site.
- Seller: link only the Amazon.com offer; the second seller is third-party and coverage isn’t confirmed.
Maintenance and care
From the maker’s own help pages, in our words.
- Raise the needle, power off and unplug.
- Remove the needle, foot, holder, embroidery unit, bobbin cover, needle plate cover and bobbin case.
- Brush or vacuum lint from the race and bobbin sensor.
- Don’t oil the bobbin case.
- Put the bobbin case back with its marks lined up.
- Oiling and service intervals: Unknown for the SE700.
What else you’ll need
Brother’s own accessories only showed up inside third-party bundles on Amazon, so we name the parts but don’t link them.
Embroidery thread set (Brother SA650 Designio 50-color)
Official Brother · no standalone Amazon listing found
- Why you'd need it: You’ll need more than the starter thread to embroider.
- Who can skip it: Anyone who only sews.
- Is it any good? No data.
- Will it fit? Thread weight guidance from Brother wasn’t found; owners suggest 40 wt.
Prewound bobbins (Brother PWB250 / PWB250B)
Official Brother · only in third-party bundles
- Why you'd need it: Saves winding bobbin thread.
- Who can skip it: Anyone happy winding their own.
- Is it any good? No data.
- Will it fit? The SE700 manual names Brother’s SA156 bobbins (manual, checked Oct 29, 2026). A Brother bundle lists PWB250 prewound bobbins for the SE700; we haven’t matched them to SA156.
Water-soluble stabilizer (Brother SA520)
Official Brother · only in third-party bundles
- Why you'd need it: Owners say knits need stabilizer to avoid puckering and jams.
- Who can skip it: Anyone embroidering only stable woven fabric.
- Is it any good? No data.
- Will it fit? Stabilizer isn’t machine-specific.
Bigger hoops
Don’t buy
- Why you'd need it: People try to stretch the field.
- Who can skip it: Everyone with an SE700.
- Is it any good? n/a
- Will it fit? Doesn’t fit: the machine won’t stitch past 4 x 4, so a 5 x 7 hoop is no use.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links on this page are affiliate links; it costs you nothing extra.
Budget and upgrade picks
Step up
Brother PE900: 5 x 7 field and thread sensors, but no sewing.
Is it better than the alternatives?
Side-by-side specs are on the comparison pages below.
Full specs side by side: SE700 vs PE900
All embroidery machines matchups: Embroidery machines comparisons
FAQ
Can the SE700 use a 5 x 7 hoop?
No. Its field is 4 x 4 in.
Why does thread bunch under the fabric?
Usually it was threaded with the presser foot down. Rethread with the foot up.
Does it have USB?
Amazon says so; Brother’s spec table lists only wireless LAN.
Which bobbins does the SE700 take?
The manual names Brother’s SA156 bobbins.
Sources
Where every figure comes from
- brother-usa.com SE700 product page (Oct 16, 2026)
- Brother 2-Year Limited Warranty (USA), read Oct 22, 2026
- Brother: setting the bobbin, SE700
- Brother USA: cleaning the bobbin area
- Brother limited warranty PDF
- r/Machine_Embroidery threads 1utvu02 (Jul 11, 2026), 1qrqnpd (Jan 31, 2026), 1vpi9xp (Aug 2026)
- Amazon listing B0B8DYP1RN (Amazon: sold by Amazon.com on Oct 16, 2026; not re-checked Oct 21)
- Brother USA SE700 page (checked Oct 29, 2026)
- Brother SE700 operation manual
Amazon facts (seller, rating counts, 1-star share) are labeled as Amazon and were read on the listing on Oct 21, 2026 unless noted. Owner-problem tallies count readable threads from one targeted search per product; Reddit pages were read through search excerpts because direct fetch was blocked.