Brother PE900 vs NQ1700E: Which Embroidery-Only Machine Fits You Better?

Choosing between the Brother PE900 vs NQ1700E comes down to your embroidery projects, available workspace, and budget. Both are dedicated embroidery-only machines, but they offer different embroidery field sizes, stitching speeds, touchscreen displays, and built-in design libraries.

The Brother PE900 features a 5×7-inch embroidery field, 193 built-in designs, and wireless connectivity. The Brother NQ1700E offers a larger 6×10-inch embroidery field, 258 built-in designs, and a higher advertised maximum embroidery speed.

At the Amazon prices checked for this comparison, the PE900 costs $1,179.99, while the selected NQ1700E bundle costs $2,399.99. That is a difference of $1,220. The NQ1700E listing also includes additional embroidery accessories and software, so the two packages are not identical.

In this comparison, we examine embroidery area, speed, built-in designs, editing features, connectivity, accessories, ease of use, and overall value to help you decide which machine fits your needs.

Brother PE900 vs NQ1700E: Quick Comparison

Feature	Brother PE900	Brother NQ1700E
Machine type	Embroidery-only	Embroidery-only
Maximum embroidery area	5×7 inches	6×10 inches
Built-in embroidery designs	193	258
Embroidery fonts	13	13
Maximum embroidery speed	650 SPM	850 SPM
Color touchscreen	3.7 inches	4.85 inches
Wireless LAN	Yes	Yes
USB design import	Yes	Yes
Artspira compatibility	Yes	Yes
Automatic thread cutting	Yes	Yes
Standard embroidery hoops	5×7 inches	6×10 and 5×7 inches
Selected Amazon package	Machine-only package	Machine with additional accessories

Specifications are based on Brother’s published product information. SPM means stitches per minute. Amazon prices and bundle contents may change.

Brother PE900: Dedicated 5×7 Embroidery Machine

The Brother PE900 is a dedicated embroidery machine designed for home users who want to personalize clothing, towels, bags, gifts, and other fabric projects without purchasing a machine that also performs conventional sewing.

Its 5×7-inch embroidery field provides more room than a basic 4×4-inch machine, making it suitable for medium-sized decorative designs, monograms, garment logos, and many common personalization projects.

What Makes the Brother PE900 Useful?

The PE900 combines a practical embroidery field with several features that help users move beyond basic built-in patterns.

It includes 193 built-in embroidery designs and 13 lettering fonts. Users can also import compatible embroidery files through USB or supported wireless transfer methods.

The 3.7-inch color LCD touchscreen allows users to preview designs and perform supported editing functions directly on the machine. Its Color Sort and Jump Stitch Trimming features can help organize certain embroidery workflows and reduce some manual trimming.

Because the PE900 is embroidery-only, it can be particularly useful for someone who already owns a reliable sewing machine and wants to add dedicated embroidery capabilities to an existing workspace.

For a more detailed examination of this model’s features, limitations, and project suitability, read our Brother PE900 review.

Brother PE900 Limitations

The PE900’s main limitation is its maximum 5×7-inch embroidery area. Although this field accommodates many home embroidery projects, it may become restrictive for larger sweatshirt designs, jacket-back embroidery, oversized decorative patterns, and long lettering layouts.

Its advertised maximum embroidery speed is 650 stitches per minute. Users who frequently produce larger or stitch-intensive designs may benefit from a machine with a higher maximum speed.

The PE900 is also a single-needle machine. Multicolor embroidery designs require manual thread changes, which can become time-consuming when producing repeated customer orders.

Finally, the PE900 cannot perform conventional sewing. Buyers who also need garment construction, hemming, or everyday stitching should consider a separate sewing machine or a combination model.

Brother NQ1700E: Larger 6×10 Embroidery Machine

The Brother Innov-ís NQ1700E is a dedicated embroidery-only machine designed for users who want a larger embroidery field and additional on-machine editing space.

Its maximum 6×10-inch embroidery area accommodates larger designs than the PE900’s 5×7-inch field. It also provides 258 built-in embroidery designs, 13 embroidery fonts, a 4.85-inch color touchscreen, and an advertised maximum embroidery speed of 850 stitches per minute.

The selected Amazon listing is a bundle that includes the NQ1700E machine along with additional embroidery software, thread, and hoop accessories.

What Makes the Brother NQ1700E Useful?

The NQ1700E’s larger embroidery field is its most important advantage over the PE900. A design that exceeds the PE900’s 5×7-inch maximum dimensions may fit within the NQ1700E’s 6×10-inch field without being divided into multiple sections.

This additional working area can be useful for larger garment designs, decorative home textiles, longer lettering layouts, and projects where maintaining a single-hooping workflow is important.

The NQ1700E also includes a larger touchscreen for viewing, arranging, and editing designs. Its additional built-in designs provide more ready-to-use options, while wireless connectivity allows users to transfer compatible files from supported devices.

Brother lists a maximum embroidery speed of 850 stitches per minute for the NQ1700E, compared with 650 stitches per minute for the PE900. This higher advertised maximum can be useful for users who regularly work with stitch-intensive designs, although actual project times depend on several factors.

Brother NQ1700E Limitations

The NQ1700E requires a substantially larger initial investment than the PE900. Buyers should consider whether their projects genuinely require the additional embroidery area and features before paying for the upgrade.

Although the NQ1700E offers a larger embroidery field, its maximum dimensions remain 6×10 inches. Designs exceeding those dimensions may still require splitting, repositioning, or a different machine.

It is also a single-needle embroidery machine. Multicolor designs still require manual thread changes, and its higher maximum stitching speed does not eliminate that part of the embroidery workflow.

The NQ1700E also occupies more workspace than the PE900. Buyers should account for the machine’s footprint, hoop movement, and fabric-handling space when planning their embroidery setup.

Embroidery Area: 5×7 vs 6×10 Inches

The difference between a 5×7-inch and a 6×10-inch embroidery field is one of the strongest reasons to consider the NQ1700E instead of the PE900.

The PE900 provides a maximum embroidery field of 35 square inches, while the NQ1700E provides 60 square inches. That represents approximately 71% more maximum embroidery field area on the NQ1700E.

Embroidery Field	PE900	NQ1700E
Maximum dimensions	5×7 inches	6×10 inches
Maximum field area	35 square inches	60 square inches
Medium-sized monograms	Yes	Yes
Designs exceeding 5×7 inches	Require another approach	May fit within 6×10 inches
Oversized designs beyond 6×10 inches	Require another approach	Require another approach

What Can You Make With a 5×7-Inch Field?

The PE900’s 5×7-inch field can accommodate many common embroidery projects, including personalized towels, names on children’s clothing, decorative patches, medium-sized garment logos, tote bags, monograms, and personalized gifts.

For users who mainly embroider designs within these dimensions, the PE900 may provide sufficient working area without requiring a more expensive machine.

When Does a 6×10-Inch Field Matter?

The NQ1700E’s 6×10-inch field becomes more useful when you regularly work with designs that exceed 5×7 inches but remain within the larger machine’s maximum dimensions.

Examples include larger decorative sweatshirt designs, longer lettering layouts, medium-to-large home décor patterns, and garment embroidery that requires additional vertical or horizontal space.

A larger field can reduce the need to split certain designs into multiple hoopings. This may simplify positioning and alignment, particularly for projects involving detailed lettering or connected decorative elements.

However, a larger embroidery hoop does not automatically make every design compatible. Always check the design’s actual dimensions, stitch requirements, fabric placement, and the machine’s supported embroidery field before starting a project.

Embroidery Speed: 650 vs 850 Stitches Per Minute

Brother lists a maximum embroidery speed of 650 stitches per minute for the PE900 and 850 stitches per minute for the NQ1700E.

The NQ1700E therefore has a maximum advertised speed that is approximately 31% higher than the PE900’s.

Speed Specification	PE900	NQ1700E
Maximum embroidery speed	650 SPM	850 SPM
Difference	—	200 SPM higher
Needle configuration	Single needle	Single needle
Manual color changes	Required	Required

These figures represent manufacturer-advertised maximum speeds, not guaranteed stitching rates for every design.

Actual embroidery time depends on stitch density, design complexity, thread changes, fabric preparation, machine settings, and the number of color changes required.

For example, a multicolor design may require several manual thread changes regardless of which machine is used. The NQ1700E’s higher maximum speed cannot eliminate that interruption.

For occasional home embroidery, the difference in advertised maximum speed may be less important than the machine’s price and embroidery field size. For users who frequently produce larger, stitch-intensive designs, the NQ1700E’s higher maximum speed may be more relevant.

Built-In Embroidery Designs and Fonts

The Brother PE900 includes 193 built-in embroidery designs and 13 embroidery lettering fonts. The NQ1700E increases the built-in design count to 258 while retaining 13 embroidery fonts.

This gives the NQ1700E 65 more built-in embroidery designs than the PE900.

Design Feature	PE900	NQ1700E
Built-in embroidery designs	193	258
Embroidery fonts	13	13
Compatible imported designs	Supported	Supported
On-screen design editing	Yes	Yes

The additional designs on the NQ1700E provide more ready-to-use options for decorative embroidery and personalization. However, the number of built-in designs should not be the only factor in a purchasing decision.

Both machines support compatible imported embroidery files. Users who primarily purchase embroidery patterns or create their own designs may place greater importance on embroidery field size, editing features, and machine speed than the number of preinstalled designs.

Neither machine requires professional digitizing software simply to use its built-in designs or compatible ready-made embroidery files. More advanced software becomes relevant when users want to create original stitch designs or substantially modify existing files.

Touchscreen and On-Machine Editing

The PE900 features a 3.7-inch color LCD touchscreen, while the NQ1700E provides a larger 4.85-inch color touchscreen.

Both machines allow users to select, preview, and edit supported embroidery designs directly on the machine. The PE900 includes useful editing functions such as design resizing, rotation, repositioning, and combining compatible design elements.

The NQ1700E’s larger display provides additional screen space for viewing designs, arranging lettering, and working with multiple embroidery elements. Its supported drag-and-drop editing can also make certain on-screen positioning tasks more convenient.

For users who mainly transfer completed embroidery files and make only minor adjustments on the machine, the PE900’s touchscreen may be sufficient.

For users who frequently arrange lettering, combine design elements, or make adjustments directly on the machine, the NQ1700E’s larger editing interface may provide a more comfortable workflow.

Wireless Connectivity and Design Transfer

Both the Brother PE900 and NQ1700E support wireless LAN, USB design import, and Brother’s supported design-transfer ecosystem.

Compatible embroidery files can be transferred using USB or supported wireless methods, including Brother’s Design Database Transfer software.

Both machines also support compatible workflows through Brother’s Artspira app, allowing users to access or create supported designs and transfer them through the available connectivity options.

This means wireless connectivity alone is not a compelling reason to upgrade from the PE900 to the NQ1700E.

The more important differences are the NQ1700E’s larger embroidery field, higher advertised maximum embroidery speed, expanded built-in design library, and larger touchscreen.

Included Hoops and Accessories: Machine-Only vs Bundle

Included accessories deserve particular attention in this comparison because the selected Amazon listings are not equivalent packages.

The PE900 listing is the machine-only package, while the selected NQ1700E listing includes additional embroidery software, thread, and hoop accessories.

Brother PE900 Standard Package

The PE900’s standard package includes its 5×7-inch embroidery frame and the accessories needed for normal machine setup and embroidery use.

Brother’s standard accessory information lists items such as an embroidery foot, bobbins, needle set, spool accessories, cleaning brush, seam ripper, screwdrivers, and operating documentation.

The selected Amazon listing is identified as the PE900 machine-only option rather than an upgraded accessory bundle.

Brother NQ1700E Bundle Accessories

The selected NQ1700E Amazon listing includes the embroidery machine and additional accessories beyond the standard machine package.

• Brother Innov-ís NQ1700E embroidery machine
• Standard 6×10-inch embroidery frame
• Standard 5×7-inch embroidery frame
• Brother BES Blue embroidery and lettering software
• Additional Brother SA438 4×4-inch embroidery hoop
• 24 spools of Jewel embroidery thread
• Embroidery Magic instructional video

The additional software, thread, and hoop accessories may be useful for someone building an embroidery setup from scratch.

However, buyers who already own embroidery software, thread collections, or compatible accessories should consider whether those bundle items provide meaningful additional value for their particular workflow.

Accessory bundles can change, and individual listings may offer different configurations. Check the current Amazon product description and selected package before purchasing.

Machine Size, Workspace, and Ease of Use

The PE900 is a more compact embroidery machine, making it suitable for users working in smaller sewing rooms or shared crafting spaces.

The NQ1700E has a larger physical footprint and provides additional space around the needle and machine arm. This can make handling larger garments and embroidery projects more convenient, particularly when fabric extends beyond the embroidery hoop.

However, the NQ1700E also requires more room for machine placement, embroidery hoop movement, and fabric handling.

Before purchasing either machine, measure the available work surface and allow clearance around the machine. A machine’s physical dimensions alone do not represent the full space required when an embroidery hoop is moving during stitching.

Which Machine Is Easier for Beginners?

Both machines use computerized controls and provide built-in designs, touchscreen interfaces, automatic thread-cutting features, and supported design-transfer options.

The PE900 may be easier to justify for beginners who primarily want to learn embroidery and expect to work with designs that fit within its 5×7-inch field.

The NQ1700E provides additional capacity for users who already know they want to work with larger designs or expect their embroidery projects to expand beyond the PE900’s maximum field.

Neither machine eliminates the need to learn correct hooping, stabilizer selection, needle and thread compatibility, design positioning, and fabric preparation. These skills remain important regardless of machine price.

Brother PE900 vs NQ1700E for Home Embroidery

For home embroidery, the most useful machine is the one whose embroidery field and features match the projects you actually plan to complete.

The PE900 can handle many common personalization tasks, including names on towels, monograms on clothing, decorative patches, personalized bags, and medium-sized embroidery designs.

Its lower purchase price may also leave more room in the budget for stabilizers, embroidery thread, compatible hoops, design files, and other supplies.

The NQ1700E becomes more relevant when home projects regularly require designs larger than 5×7 inches. Its 6×10-inch field can accommodate a broader range of decorative layouts and larger garment designs without requiring multiple hoopings for designs that fit within its maximum dimensions.

For someone who enjoys working with larger patterns, the additional embroidery area may be more valuable than the increase in built-in design count or maximum stitching speed.

Brother PE900 vs NQ1700E for a Small Embroidery Business

Both machines can support small-scale embroidery work, but their suitability depends on the products being made, order volume, design sizes, and the amount of operator time available.

When the PE900 Can Make Sense

The PE900 can be used for smaller personalization orders involving names, monograms, patches, towels, and garment designs that fit within its 5×7-inch field.

Its lower initial cost may appeal to someone testing demand before investing in a larger embroidery setup.

However, its maximum embroidery area and single-needle configuration can become limiting as design sizes or order volumes increase.

When the NQ1700E Can Make Sense

The NQ1700E offers a larger field for businesses that frequently personalize garments, home textiles, or other products requiring embroidery beyond 5×7 inches.

Its higher advertised maximum embroidery speed may also be useful for larger or stitch-intensive projects, although actual production time will depend on the design and workflow.

The included bundle software, additional hoop, and thread may also help someone assembling a new embroidery workspace, provided those accessories match the intended projects.

The Single-Needle Limitation

Neither machine is a multi-needle commercial embroidery system. Both require manual thread changes when a design calls for different colors.

For occasional customer orders, this may be manageable. For repeated multicolor production, manual thread changes can become a significant part of the workflow.

Businesses expecting frequent high-volume orders should compare the cost of these home embroidery machines with the capabilities of larger-field or multi-needle equipment before making a long-term investment.

Price and Value: Is the NQ1700E Worth the Extra Cost?

At the Amazon prices checked for this comparison, the Brother PE900 costs $1,179.99 and the selected Brother NQ1700E bundle costs $2,399.99.

The NQ1700E therefore requires an additional investment of $1,220.

That additional cost provides a larger embroidery field, higher advertised maximum embroidery speed, more built-in designs, a larger touchscreen, additional workspace, and the extra accessories included with the selected Amazon bundle.

However, these differences do not automatically mean the NQ1700E is the more suitable machine for every buyer.

If your designs consistently fit within 5×7 inches, you mainly use compatible imported patterns, and you do not need the additional editing space or speed, the PE900 may meet your requirements without the higher purchase cost.

If you regularly work with designs larger than 5×7 inches, the NQ1700E’s larger field may reduce the need for design splitting or repeated hooping. Its higher maximum speed and larger display may also be useful for frequent embroidery work.

The selected NQ1700E listing is a bundle, while the PE900 listing is the machine-only package. Buyers should account for that difference when evaluating the total cost of building their embroidery setup.

Amazon prices and package contents can change. Check the current listings before purchasing.

Brother PE900 Pros and Cons

Pros

• Dedicated embroidery-only machine
• 5×7-inch maximum embroidery field
• 193 built-in embroidery designs and 13 fonts
• Wireless LAN and USB design transfer
• Artspira compatibility
• 3.7-inch color touchscreen
• Automatic thread-cutting features
• More compact than the NQ1700E
• Lower initial purchase price

Cons

• Maximum embroidery field limited to 5×7 inches
• Lower advertised maximum embroidery speed than the NQ1700E
• Smaller touchscreen and editing workspace
• Single needle requires manual thread changes
• Cannot perform conventional sewing

Brother NQ1700E Pros and Cons

Pros

• Larger 6×10-inch maximum embroidery field
• 258 built-in embroidery designs and 13 fonts
• Higher advertised maximum embroidery speed of 850 SPM
• Larger 4.85-inch color touchscreen
• Additional workspace for larger projects
• Wireless LAN and USB design transfer
• Artspira compatibility
• Standard 6×10-inch and 5×7-inch embroidery frames
• Selected Amazon bundle includes additional software, thread, and hoop accessories

Cons

• Substantially higher initial purchase price
• Larger machine requires more workspace
• Single needle still requires manual thread changes
• Maximum embroidery field remains limited to 6×10 inches
• Cannot perform conventional sewing

Who Should Buy the Brother PE900?

The Brother PE900 is worth considering if your main interest is home embroidery and you expect most of your projects to fit within its 5×7-inch field.

• Home embroidery beginners: Learn embroidery on a dedicated machine without paying for a larger field you may not need.
• Existing sewing-machine owners: Add embroidery capabilities without purchasing another conventional sewing system.
• Personalized-gift makers: Create names, monograms, decorative patterns, and medium-sized designs on suitable fabric products.
• Budget-conscious buyers: Keep the initial machine investment lower while purchasing necessary thread, stabilizers, and other supplies separately.
• Small-scale personalization businesses: Produce suitable 5×7-inch designs while testing customer demand.

The PE900 is less suitable if you already know that many of your intended designs exceed 5×7 inches or if you require a larger embroidery field for regular production.

Who Should Buy the Brother NQ1700E?

The Brother NQ1700E is worth considering if you want a larger dedicated embroidery machine and expect to make regular use of its 6×10-inch field.

• Experienced home embroiderers: Move beyond a smaller embroidery field when existing projects frequently exceed 5×7 inches.
• Larger-design enthusiasts: Create compatible decorative patterns, longer lettering layouts, and larger garment embroidery within the 6×10-inch field.
• Frequent embroidery users: Benefit from a higher advertised maximum stitching speed and a larger editing display.
• Small personalization businesses: Accommodate a broader range of design dimensions while retaining a single-needle home embroidery workflow.
• Buyers building a new embroidery setup: Consider the selected bundle’s additional software, thread, and hoop accessories alongside the machine itself.

The NQ1700E may be unnecessary if your projects consistently fit within 5×7 inches and you do not expect to use its additional embroidery capacity or bundle accessories.

Brother PE900 vs NQ1700E: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between the Brother PE900 and NQ1700E?

The main difference is embroidery capacity. The PE900 has a maximum embroidery area of 5×7 inches, while the NQ1700E provides a larger 6×10-inch field. The NQ1700E also offers a higher advertised maximum embroidery speed, more built-in designs, and a larger touchscreen.

Is the Brother NQ1700E worth the extra money?

The additional cost may be worthwhile if you regularly work with designs larger than 5×7 inches or expect to use its higher maximum speed, larger touchscreen, and additional workspace. If your projects fit within the PE900’s field, the additional capacity may provide limited practical value.

Can the Brother PE900 embroider a 6×10-inch design?

No. The PE900 has a maximum embroidery field of 5×7 inches. A design exceeding those dimensions cannot be stitched as one complete design within its standard maximum field. Larger designs may require compatible design-splitting and multiple-hooping techniques or a machine with a larger embroidery field.

Does the Brother NQ1700E sew regular fabric?

No. The NQ1700E is an embroidery-only machine. It cannot replace a conventional sewing machine for garment construction, hemming, or everyday sewing tasks.

If you need both sewing and embroidery, our Brother PE900 vs SE2000 comparison explains the differences between a dedicated embroidery machine and a sewing-and-embroidery combination model.

Which machine has more built-in embroidery designs?

The NQ1700E includes 258 built-in embroidery designs, compared with 193 on the PE900. Both machines include 13 embroidery lettering fonts and support compatible imported embroidery designs.

Is the NQ1700E faster than the PE900?

Brother lists a maximum embroidery speed of 850 stitches per minute for the NQ1700E and 650 stitches per minute for the PE900. The NQ1700E therefore has a higher advertised maximum speed, but actual project completion times depend on the design, fabric, machine settings, and thread changes.

Do both machines support wireless embroidery design transfer?

Yes. Both machines support wireless LAN, USB design import, and compatible design-transfer workflows through Brother’s supported software and Artspira ecosystem.

Does the NQ1700E bundle include embroidery software?

The selected Amazon NQ1700E bundle includes Brother BES Blue embroidery and lettering software, along with additional embroidery thread and a 4×4-inch hoop. Bundle contents may vary between sellers and product configurations, so confirm the current listing before purchasing.

Can I use the PE900 or NQ1700E for a small embroidery business?

Both machines can support small-scale embroidery work. The PE900 can handle suitable designs within its 5×7-inch field, while the NQ1700E accommodates larger designs up to 6×10 inches. However, both are single-needle machines requiring manual thread changes, which may limit efficiency for repeated multicolor orders.

Which machine is better for beginners?

Both machines provide computerized embroidery functions and built-in designs. The PE900 may be a more economical starting point for beginners who expect to work within a 5×7-inch field. The NQ1700E may be appropriate for beginners who already know they need a larger embroidery area and are comfortable with the additional investment.

Final Verdict: Brother PE900 vs NQ1700E

The Brother PE900 and NQ1700E are both dedicated embroidery-only machines, but they serve different project requirements and budgets.

Choose the Brother PE900 if: You mainly work with designs that fit within 5×7 inches, want a dedicated home embroidery machine, and prefer a lower initial purchase price. Its 193 built-in designs, wireless connectivity, color touchscreen, and automatic embroidery features provide a capable setup for many common personalization projects.

Choose the Brother NQ1700E if: You regularly need a larger 6×10-inch embroidery field, want a higher advertised maximum embroidery speed, or expect to benefit from its larger touchscreen and additional workspace. The selected Amazon bundle also includes extra software, thread, and hoop accessories that may be useful when building an embroidery setup.

The most important factor is not simply which machine has more features. It is whether the additional embroidery area and capabilities match the projects you plan to make.

If your designs consistently fit within 5×7 inches, the PE900 may meet your needs without the higher investment. If your projects regularly exceed that field, the NQ1700E provides additional embroidery capacity that can make a meaningful difference to your workflow.

For a wider comparison of Brother’s embroidery-only, sewing-and-embroidery, and multi-needle models, explore our best Brother embroidery machines guide.

How We Research Embroidery Machines

EmbroideryCompass develops its machine comparisons through manufacturer documentation, published specifications, product research, and feature comparisons. We examine embroidery field size, stitching speed, built-in designs, connectivity, editing capabilities, included accessories, project suitability, and purchasing considerations.

This Brother PE900 vs NQ1700E comparison is based on research and published product information. We do not claim hands-on testing of either machine. Manufacturer specifications, Amazon prices, bundle contents, and availability may change, so confirm the current product details before purchasing.