Need help choosing between a few sewing machines
I'm agonizing over picking a right sewing machine. I've never sewn before so I don't quite know what to pay attention to, though I've done a bunch of research by now. My main concern is getting the cheapest good enough option. I'm on a tight budget (I was hoping to only spend up to $100 but it's looking unlikely) but I'm hoping to turn sewing into a source of income, so it's important for me to strike the balance between not overpaying but also not having to upgrade soon to be able to make more serious projects.
I also worry about how fixable the different options are (especially for computerized ones or less supported brands), how noisy they are (I have noise sensitivity, and I can wear earplugs but still) and whether lack of some features may get too annoying vs if paying for some extra features is completely unnecessary.
The options I'm currently looking at are:
- Janome S-19 (new, $140)
- Brother DS160 (slightly used, $130)
- Bernette Milan 5 (slightly used, $130)
- Brother CX5 (slightly used, $90))
Some others I considered (all used) are Janome Anna ($100), Jaguar Voyage ($100), Jaguar 444 ($80), Jaguar 333 ($65). I more or less dismissed them but maybe I'm missing something, and they might be a better fit.
Thank you so much in advance!
Posted May 4, 2025, 4:43 PM UTC