Bernina sewing machines are considered by many to be the best of the best sewing machines on the market. For this reason, we decided to conduct some Bernina sewing machine reviews to find their best products. These machines are manufactured by Bernina International AG, a Swiss company that has been making and selling sewing machines since 1893. In fact, the founder, Karl Friedrich Gegauf, invented the first hemstitching machine. The rest is history.
Bernina is like the Tesla of sewing machine companies. They offer a full range of sewing, embroidery, and quilting machines and they are known for having top-quality products. For this article, the Sewing Life team has researched countless Bernina sewing machines. We will present to you, the seven best Bernina sewing machine reviews that we found. Keep reading to find out more.
***Update: Bernina also has a more budget-friendly brand called “Bernette” which is much more accessible in the United States. They have a line of sewing machines to fit every need and they’re also much more affordable. This is excellent news considering it can be difficult to find Berninas sold online and shipped in the US. Below each of the following Bernina sewing machine reviews will be the Bernette equivalent. Bernette sewing machines are still Swiss designed, just like Bernina.
Our Bernina Sewing Machine Reviews
Through our research, when our Bernina Sewing Machine Reviews came to an end we found that they have many great machines. We decided to show you the best sewing machine that Bernina makes for different categories. Seven of their machines will be featured below.
Bernina 480 – The Best Bernina Sewing Machine for Beginners
Specs:
- Size: 16.6″ x 7.9″ x 12.9″
- Weight: 20.9 lbs.
- Speed: 900 spm
- Max Stitch Width: 9mm
- Touchscreen Size: 4.3″
- Sewing Lights: 8 LED
We want to be clear that this is a Bernina beginner machine but it is not simple by any means. It has features geared towards a beginner–jumbo bobbin so you don’t have to stop as often, automatic thread cutter, adjustable tension, simple touchscreen menu, a max speed of 900 spm, and more.
However, it is still much more advanced than the average sewing machine on the market. Additional features like the knee lifter (lets you use your knee to lift or lower the presser foot so you can keep your hands free to work), the touchscreen, and the adjustable presser foot pressure make this a great sewing machine for anyone.
It also happens to be one of Bernina’s most affordable sewing machines. For reference, their prices range from about $1000 to $15,000. None of Bernina’s sewing machines are inexpensive, but this one just happens to be in their lower price range.
Compare it to the Bernina 530, which is Available on Amazon:
Bernette Alternative: Bernette 33
Bernina 880E Plus – The Bernina Sewing Machine with the Best Options
Specs:
- Size: 22.7″ x 8.9″ x 14.2″
- Weight: 35.3 lbs.
- Speed: 1200 spm
- Max Stitch Width: 9mm
- Touchscreen Size: 7″
- Sewing Lights: 30 LED
This is probably the most versatile sewing machine that Bernina offers. With over 1700 preprogrammed stitches, the ability to create and save your own stitches, and the most powerful computer that a sewing machine has to offer, you can literally sew anything with the Bernina 800 Plus. Nevermind the fact that the needle can move to eleven different positions to make your stitches come to life, but the seven-inch high-definition touch screen display literally allows you to draw your stitches out and then adapt the sewing machine to the pattern.
This sewing machine has features galore. There are so many that we really can’t list them all here. The one downside to having everything except the kitchen sink in the sewing machine is that it can be very complicated to figure out how to use everything on the machine. It can also be time-consuming because you’ll probably need to read the manual, watch some “getting started” videos, and practice a lot. Bernina does offer 14 video tutorials on how to use this machine and although its time consuming to watch them all, it’s worth doing it. Just think–once you learn how to do most functions with the machine, you will be an expert and you won’t need anyone to hold your hand.
This machine gives you everything you need to create anything from beginner projects to professional, heavy-duty projects. It’s Bernina’s most expensive sewing machine but it’s definitely worth the investment.
Bernette Alternative: Bernette London 7
Bernina 330 – The Best Compact Bernina Sewing Machine
Specs:
- Size: 19.4″ x 14.8″ x 16.9″
- Weight: 17.6 lbs.
- Speed: 900 spm
- Max Stitch Width: 5.5mm
- Sewing Lights: 1 LED
If you need simplicity, then this is a great machine for you. Again, we stress that even Bernina’s simple machines are a lot more advanced than the average sewing machine, but for a Bernina, this is as simple as it gets. The small LCD screen is easy to read and is in black and white. The buttons on the machine are simple. You don’t have thousands of choices, they are clearly labeled, and you simply press them when you want that feature to work. Easy as pie.
It comes with a free-arm extension table so you’ll have more freedom and space for your projects. There are 115 preprogrammed stitches and the ability to save up to 30 of your custom stitch patterns. The automatic buttonhole function allows you to create buttonholes that are consistently the same size every time. This sewing machine is great for beginner to intermediate sewers who don’t want to deal with too many options.
Bernette Alternative: Bernette Sew & Go 1
Bernina 215 Simply Red – The Best Bargain Bernina Sewing Machine
Specs:
- Size: 19.4″ x 14.8″ x 17.1″
- Weight: 17.6 lbs.
- Speed: 900 spm
- Max Stitch Width: 5.5mm
- LCD Screen Size: 7″
- Sewing Lights: 1 LED
This is a special edition sewing machine the Bernina offers. It’s super affordable (by Bernina’s standards) but it’s also very basic (again, by Bernina’s standards). What makes this sewing machine stand out is that Bernina offers you the opportunity to get a custom “skin” made for the sewing machine so that you can have whatever color or design you want on the machine. Unfortunately, this has nothing to do with how well the machine works, but it’s still a nice option to have.
To explain this sewing machine simply, it’s like the average, non-computerized sewing machine on the market. There are a few strange things about it–like the fact that they’ve put a gazillion buttons on the front instead of just having a turn dial to select options, or that those skins seem to be a distraction from the fact that the machine doesn’t live up to other Bernina sewing machines. However, it is still a Bernina and it’s relatively cheap. Sometimes price overrides features.
Bernette Alternative: Bernette 38
Bernina 1008N – The Best Non-Computerized Bernina Sewing Machine
Specs:
- Size: 19.4″ x 14.8″ x 17.1″
- Weight: 21.6 lbs.
- Speed: 1000 spm
- Max Stitch Width: 5.5mm
- Sewing Lights: 1 LED
Sometimes you don’t need a lot of bells and whistles. Sometimes you just need a machine that sews really, really well. This machine is just that–it’s a non-computerized piece of equipment that is reminiscent of old school machines before touchscreens and LCD screens were affordable. You turn knobs and you press buttons. It’s very basic.
However, just because it’s basic doesn’t mean it doesn’t perform well. In fact, because there isn’t any concern about a computer breaking down, it’s probably one of the best performing Bernina sewing machines of all of them. The machine has 17 preprogrammed stitches, more than enough to do beginner to intermediate projects. There is a small printed chart on the top that clearly labels the stitches so you can easily choose the one you want. The machine has a variable stitch length and width. Just the turn of simple knobs allows you to choose the one that you want.
This machine offers free-motion sewing so you can have the ultimate control over your projects. The only downside to the machine is that manually selecting all of those options and controls can be time-consuming. You have to have a lot of patience to use a machine like this. We don’t really recommend this to anyone who plans to do a lot of sewing or professional projects, but if you are a beginner or a hobbyist, this is a great machine for you.
Bernette Alternative: Bernette 35
Bernina 770 QE – The Best Bernina Sewing Machine for Embroidery
Specs:
- Size: 20.5″ x 8.4″ x 14.1″
- Weight: 30.9 lbs.
- Speed: 1000 spm
- Max Stitch Width: 9 mm
- Touchscreen Size: 4.3″
- Sewing Lights: 30 LED
This sewing machine is an artist’s dream come true. It is quiet and handles smoothly and seamlessly. You can sew, embroider, quilt, design, and more. The extra large work area gives you space to move your projects around. It has a ten-inch free arm–a very large and fair workspace.
This machine has more stitches and embroidery designs than you would need in a lifetime. You are still able to upload your own stitches and designs via a USB drive. This means that the customization options are limitless.
The machine is extremely versatile. What do you want to sew? With the Bernina 770, you don’t have to stop and think about it because it can handle any type of fabric from silk to leather to anything in between. The automatic features make the machine even easier to handle. Imagine not having to manually cut the thread at the end of the seam or having an auto-lowering presser foot. These things are possible with the Bernina 770.
Bernette Alternative: Bernette 340 Deco
Bernina 570 QE – The Best Bernina Sewing Machine for Quilting
If you love to quilt, then this sewing machine is definitely worth taking a look at. The QE stands for “Quilting Edition”. As if Bernina’s products weren’t already high-quality enough, they’ve made this machine extra durable so that it can handle thick material and big quilts like it’s nothing. Enjoy a large 8.5″ workspace so you have the freedom to move your fabric around like you need to.
Bernina has an exclusive Stitch Regulator program. This allows you to achieve the same, even, uniform stitch no matter what you’re sewing, or how fast you’re sewing. The Stitch Regulator also works when you’re free motion sewing so you’ll still have even stitches.
If you aren’t into quilting, you’ll probably do better with one of the other sewing machines on the list. However, if you are, then this sewing machine is a really great choice. As far as price is concerned, it’s sort of middle of the road for a Bernina machine.
Decision Time: Our Bernina Sewing Machine Reviews Should Help!
If it’s a Bernina sewing machine that you’re looking for, you now have a great idea of what to expect. After doing our Bernina sewing machine reviews, we found that they offer top of the line sewing machines of all styles. Most likely they have what you’re looking for no matter what it is. If it’s a high-quality sewing machine that you’re looking for, you’ll get top-quality with a Bernina. As mentioned before, they’re the Tesla of sewing machines and they pride themselves on quality.
***Update: Also be sure to take a look at the Bernette Sewing Machines that match up to each Bernina. Bernette is Bernina’s newer brand that is aimed at a more budget-friendly crowd. They also offer a ten-year warranty on Bernette sewing machines.
We hope you find the sewing machine of your dreams.
