Making a choice is not easy when buying a sewing machine since there are many types and designs from various brands on the market. However, Singer and Brother, are among the three best sewing machine brands in the world.
Still, you have to narrow it down to a brand and a model. So, which do you choose? A Singer or a Brother model?
In this Brother vs Singer comparison article, you’ll find out that while both Brother and Singer produce budget-friendly machines, Brother has a wide range of versatile sewing machines with high durability and long warranty.
However, if you take the time to compare the features, you will find out that Singer models are easy to use. This could be explained by the brand’s choice to use less technology.
But these are not enough for you to arrive at a purchase conclusion. In this brand comparison article, we will compare both brands in terms of their history and experience on the market, their product lines, warranty offers, user experience with their machines, and lots more.
Brother is a consumer touchstone. It is one of the reference firms in the manufacture of sewing machines. This is a brand that has been on the market for many decades. It was established as Yasui Sewing Machine Co. back in 1908 in Aichi, Japan.
They are not just into sewing machines. They are into the printing and machinery industries in the electronic market.
Brother Industries Limited is into computer printers, fax machines, and multi-function printers, desktop computers, typewriters, domestic appliances, machine tools, knitting machines, and last but not least, commercial and industrial sewing machines.
On the other hand, Singer sewing machines are produced by Singer Corporation, an American company that manufactures consumer sewing machines. It’s worthy of note that while Brother is diversified in the field of printing and machinery, Singer has been focused on making machinery for couture making. Although, more than 100 years after its sojourn into making sewing machinery, it has acquired the Friden calculator company, GPS systems, among others.
It has a longer history than Brother as it was established in 1851 in New York City, 57 years before Brother was born. Established by Isaac M. Singer and Edward C. Clark, Singer was first known as I. M. Singer & Co.
Brother’s sewing machine product lines include the conventional sewing machines, embroidery machines, sewing and embroidery machines, quilting machines, overlocker, and cover stitch machines, as well as PE-design software. Singer sewing machine lines also include new and refurbished sewing machines, sewing and quilting machines, sewing and embroidery machines, extension table bundles, sergers, mending machines, and more.
The secret of the products Brother makes available to customers lies in the changes made as they go. This business tends to cover all the needs of the couturiers. This is why it offers both mechanical and electrical machines.
Regardless of the model chosen, buyers can benefit from the precision of the work provided. Also, the operating mode adopted allows the user to define the settings adapted to his tasks. All products signed by Brother are also of incomparable strength. They have more superior design quality and technology guaranteeing their efficiency.
A good Brother sewing machine is not difficult to find, as the brand has set itself the goal of creating items that are essentially performing. Most of the firm’s instruments include full functionality to meet individual user needs.
Also, the operating speed is adjustable to provide more precision in the work. Brother has also made improvements to the thread system so that it is carried out horizontally.
Also, it comes with a transparent compartment that improves the sewing process. All of this enables Brother products to meet the demands of the majority of customers.
Singer generally offers a 30-day return policy for its machines. It has warranty centers in Canada and the United States. The manufacturer promises to repair any manufacturing defect on its machines with no cost on parts replacement and labor for at least the first year of use. Some of its machines come with 10 to 25 years of warranty.
However, Brother also offers at least a year of warranty on its sewing machines. It offers as much as 25 years warranty on the machine’s chassis for consumers in the USA.
Next, we are going to see the differences and features in the most popular models of the brands. We’ll also point out areas where one trumps the other.
| SINGER 7258 | Brother CS6000i | |
| Type | Sewing machine | Sewing machine |
| Number of stitches | 100 | 60 |
| Buttonholes | 7 | 7 |
| Stitch length | 4.5mm | 5mm |
| Stitch width | 6mm | 7mm |
| Speed | 750 spm | 850 spm |
| Free arm | Yes | Yes |
| LCD | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 14.5 x 7.5 x 12 in | 16 x 6.7 x 11.4 in |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs | 13 lbs |
| Warranty | 25-year limited | 25-year limited |
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The first impression you get when checking out the Singer system is the fact that it looks very aesthetic. The glossy white design makes it immediately eye-catching. The layout and controls are straightforward which means this system is simple to use for those who have sewn for many years and those who are just learning.
Meanwhile, with the Brother system, you have a model with an unmistakable peculiarity with its wide table, sewing feet, and Brother-specific overall look.
The SINGER 7258 and Brother CS6000i are both truly beginner-friendly devices. Both include an automatic needle threader (which experienced dressmakers will find useful!)
While the Singer model comes with an LED display with automatic stitch width and length, the Brother model comes with an LCD.
The Singer product also includes an insert bobbin platform in addition to easily adjustable settings. The machine also has an instructional DVD which could be a very useful visual aid in learning how to use this system.
A unique and useful feature of the Singer system is that there is a digital autopilot mode – this means consumers can sew with the foot pedal. Beginners will appreciate that there is a setting to change the speed, so it’s simple to keep it low while you still study the intricacies of working with the foot control system.
You will find 100 sewing stitches built into the Singer system, allowing for a whole world of creative work. These points are exposed on the side of this device, so they are easy to see and mention when using the machine. Meanwhile, the Brother model comes with just 60.
They both have free arms, LCDs, and seven buttonholes each. However, the Brother model is faster than the Singer’s. The Brother machine can make 850 stitches per minute while the Singer one can only make 750 SPM.
Nonetheless, the Singer sewing machine is simple to use for novices. The clear top allows you to see how full the bobbin is. Like the Brother CS6000i, it is one of the best low-cost sewing machines for beginners.
Meanwhile, the Brother CS6000i system itself is very light and installation is easy. An instruction manual is provided to guide you through the practice.
This system includes a multitude of accessories such as many separate feet, needles, spools, and much more. There is a practical compartment for storing each of these accessories, located on the arm of the machine. Also, the CS6000i offers easy threading and a quick-fit, jam-resistant bobbin.
Like most Brother models, this system can be a great choice for novice and professional sewers looking to operate on a wide range of jobs, as the preferences can be easily adjusted to match your project.
People who wish to sew without foot control can also choose the Brother CS6000i. There is an on / off button that allows the system to be used without foot control.
The result of these sewing machines comparison almost ended in a tie. They both have 25 years of limited warranty; are ideal for beginners, and are both inexpensive. However, the Brother CS6000i is a faster sewing machine, making it ideal for professionals while not being too sophisticated for beginners.
| SINGER Heavy Duty 4432 | Brother ST371HD | |
| Type | Sewing machine | Sewing machine |
| Number of stitches | 31 | 37 |
| Buttonholes | 1 | 1 |
| Stitch length | 4mm | 5mm |
| Stitch width | 5mm | 7mm |
| Speed | 1,100 spm | 800 spm |
| Free arm | Yes | Yes |
| LCD | No | No |
| Dimensions | 15.2 x 12 x 6.2 in | 7.87 x 16.1 x 12.21 in |
| Weight | 17.4 lbs | 14.3 lbs |
| Warranty | 25-year limited | 25-year limited |
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First, the SINGER Heavy Duty 4432 is a formidable sewing machine. But it doesn’t come with a bunch of bells and whistles. Compared to the Brother ST371HD which has 37 stitches, the Singer 4432 only has 31.
However, it does buttonholes, zigzags, and a few fancy stitches, and overall, with its higher speed of 1,100 SPM (compared to its rival’s 800 SPM), it’s a workhorse that will never let you down.
The Singer 4432 can pass through the thickest layers of fabric without any problem. It will take a bit of effort to understand the machine and properly adjust your settings. But once you get there, the device will perform flawlessly. It’s almost as good as heavy industrial devices worth $5,000.
The Brother Strong & Tough sewing machine, however, is a rather complete model that is very reliable, ultra-easy to use, and quite specialized in thick fabrics. It offers many practical features, up to 37 stitches, and a very easy way to select them.
The Brother sewing machine is a machine that will appeal to seamstresses eager for simplicity, lots of stitches, and functions.
Like the Singer, the Brother’s automatic making of buttonholes with a single step guarantees you perfect buttonholes, stylish and adapted to the type of garment to be made.
The Brother and Singer models feature free arms for sewing shirt sleeves for example. But the former has a thread tension adjustment function with several selectable tensions.
On the other hand, it should be noted that the Brother machine is a very comfortable machine with thick fabrics and several thicknesses of fabrics (it is equipped with heavy and thick needles). But unlike the Singer model, it has more difficulty with very fine fabrics. It only manages to sew them using the appropriate set of needles but the stitches seem coarser and less suitable for this kind of fabric.
Like the Singer model, the Brother Strong & Tough sewing machine is one of the easiest to use among non-entry-level machines, so it’s a bit of a beginner’s game.
The Brother machine comes with an interesting number of accessories, all of good quality. There is a double needle, a set of 3 complementary needles, 4 bobbins, 6 specific feet (one for zippers, one for invisible stitches, one for buttonholes, one for zigzag, one with spring for fabrics thick and a non-stick foot), an additional spool holder, 2 spool caps, a screwdriver, an instructional DVD, and a cover to protect the machine.
Meanwhile, the Singer 4432 comes with button sewing feet, a lint brush, a quilting guide, needles, a screwdriver, bobbins, an auxiliary spool pin, power cord, manual, a dust cover, and more.
Again, both models come with a 25-year limited warranty. However, we were both surprised and won over by the Brother sewing machine. It offers real sewing quality, a wide range of stitches, and rather complete functionalities, and also it is very easy to use. Also, it is a model very well suited to thick materials for working on costumes as well as fabrics more specialized in decoration. But the Singer model does better in lighter fabrics and it has a considerably higher speed than the Brother’s.
| SINGER Professional 14T968DC | Brother ST4031HD | |
| Type | Serger | Serger |
| Number of threads | 2-3-4-5 | 3-4 |
| Speed | 1,300 spm | 1,300 spm |
| Overlock seam width | 3.0 – 9.8 mm, 1.5 mm for rolled hemming | 5.0 – 7.0 mm |
| Dimensions | 13.5 x 10.5 x 11.5 in | 13 x 14.4 x 17 in |
| Weight | 18.6 lbs. | 13.45 lbs. |
| Warranty | 25-year limited | 25-year limited |
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The Brother ST4031HD is a strong and durable serger that can use three to four threads to control multiple layers of solid fabric like jeans. The Singer model can however use two to five threads.
With speed up to 1,300 stitches per minute controlled by a pedal, there is no winner in terms of speed with these two machines.
However, the Brother serger machine is lighter than its rival but not less compactly designed. Its large, detachable table helps the sewer to drill through thick fabrics without pulling on the needle.
The Singer 14T968DC overlock machine is however a more popular model with designers. Equipped with 14 base points with 2,3,4 or 5 threads, it is a device that allows to carry out many projects. We find on this model, asides from a high sewing speed of up to 1300 stitches per minute, powerful lighting of 105 Watts.
The additional features found on the Singer serger make it a little bit expensive. It is $200 approximately more expensive than the Brother ST4031HD serger machine. But it is proof of the Singer’s sophistication.
Its settings can be adjusted independently, whether it is special fabrics or fancy yarns. As we said, a lighting is set up on this product, so that the user can easily work on his projects without having a shadow zone. Then, it is possible here to adjust the length of the stitches between 1 and 4 mm according to the work to be made. The stitch width is adjusted using a dial on the device.
Despite its bells and whistles, the Singer machine is still a very easy-to-use sewing machine, and it is perfect for experts, but also beginners. Finally, it is a device that still weighs almost 8.4 kg, so you will have to be careful if you want to transport it or move it from one room to another. However, this machine is more compact in design, measuring 13.5 x 10.5 x 11.5 inches in dimensions. In comparison, the Brother weighs just 6 kg, despite its larger dimensions of 13 x 14.4 x 17 inches.
The Singer 14T968DC is equipped with a removable flat seam guide. The machine can also be used without a knife in overlock mode.
Yet again, both models come with 25 years of limited warranty.
Both the Singer 14T968DC and the Brother ST4031HD machine are robust and efficient products, designed with quality materials that guarantee the durability of the products over time.
Despite their disparate prices, both have the same speed, which is remarkable of Brother. At full speed, the devices can achieve up to 1300 stitches per minute. However, with the extra $200 on the Singer, a professional typically gets more practical bells and whistles which will make the machine much more functional.
Asking us to conclude on the best sewing machine brand among these two market leaders is a tough task. Both brands have a wide range of products that you can get the product you want – tailored to your needs – with both brands.
However, generally speaking, and ignoring the last models we compared, we think Singer sewing machines are more budget-friendly than Brother’s, despite Singer’s deeper experience in sewing machine designing.
As we have also seen in the Brother vs Singer model comparisons, Brother models are more tailored to the needs and pace of beginners. But still, you can find really user-friendly models with Singer too. So, while it’s hard narrowing down on a brand as the overall best, it doesn’t matter which model you pick from the two; you’ll get value for each cent you spend!
