Embroidering hats can be difficult. They have an unusual shape that makes it difficult. This is why you need a special hat embroidery machine. Even though some traditional sewing machines can handle the job, a lot of them cannot.
To help you make your decision, we have done a lot of research on hat embroidery machines. We have looked at countless machines and have composed a list of our top 9 favourites.
Our Top 3 Picks for the Best Hat Embroidery Machines for 2024
Best Overall
Brother SE1900 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
The Brother SE1900 Sewing Machine can be used for embroidery, sewing, and quilting. It has 138 built-in embroidery designs, 11 fonts, and 240 stitches.
Premium Choice
Janome MB-4S Four-Needle Embroidery Machine with included Hat Hoop
The Janome MB-4S hat embroidery machine is a commercial grade machine designed for home use. It delivers effortless, professional results. And you can sew with up to 4 colours of thread at one time.
Great Value
Brother PE535 Hat Embroidery Machine
The Brother PE535 hat embroidery machine is an affordable, user-friendly machine. It has 80 built-in designs, 9 fonts, and 10 frame patterns.
What to Look for in a Hat Embroidery Machine
Before you go out and buy a hat embroidery machine do a little research. Every machine is different.
Take into consideration:
- Heavy Duty machine
If you plan on embroidering hats, you need a heavy duty machine. It must be able to sew through thick fabrics with ease.
- Extra Accessories
See what extra accessories come with the machine. Some machines require a special frame for hats.
- Size of Embroidery Field
If you are only planning on embroidering hats, the embroidery field does not have to be very large. However, if you plan on using the hat embroidery machine for other projects, make sure the field size is large enough.
- Is a Computer Required
Check to see if the hat embroidery machine must be hooked up to a computer to work. Some machines already have built-in designs. While others must be hooked to a computer. Some people do not have room for a computer.
- Can You Use it for Regular Sewing?
If you want to sew and embroider, you want a multifunctional machine. Having the ability to do both with one machine can save you money.
- Are there Built-in Designs and Alphabets?
Some hat embroidery machines come with built- in designs and alphabets. This can make embroidery faster and easier.
- Colour Touchscreen
Colour touchscreens make it easier to see what your finished design will look like. When you use a black and white touchscreen, you are guessing at how the colors will look.
- Does it Have an Interactive Touchscreen?
If you plan on customising your designs, look for a hat embroidery machine that gives you the ability to move designs around and combine them.
- How are New Designs Added
At some point, you will want to add new designs. Do you need to be directly hooked up to a computer, or can you use a USB or WiFi?
- Metal Frame
Heavy duty hat embroidery machines have a metal frame. These machines will usually last longer than those made from plastic parts.
- Weight of the Machine
When embroidering a hat, you want the machine to stay in place. Since embroidery requires a lot of fast stitching, it can cause the machine to bounce. Look for a machine that is heavy and will not move around. Bouncing can lead to missed stitches and poor quality embroidery.
- Extra Features
Extra features can make your sewing experience easier. Look for a hat embroidery machine that has everything you need and want.
- Price
Hat embroidery machines can greatly vary in price. Before you look for a new sewing machine, know your budget.
9 of the Best Embroidery Machine for Hats
1. Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine
The Brother PE800 hat embroidery machine includes a lot of built-in fonts and designs. You can combine these to create your own unique designs.
Why We Like the Brother PE800:
The embroidery machine has built-in memory and a USB port. So, you can upload designs to the machine and save them for future use.
- Colour Touchscreen
The large colour touchscreen gives you the capability of editing and combining patterns. You can even add monograms.
- 138 Built-in Designs
The Brother PE800 has 138 built-in designs to choose from. Included are everything from holiday themes, floral designs to novelties.
- USB Importing
The Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine default file format is .pes. But it will also work with .pen, .dst and .phs.
Pros and Cons of the Brother PE800:
Pros:
- 138 Built-in designs
- Large colour touchscreen
- 11 Built-in fonts
- USB port
- LED lighting
- Automatic needle threader
- 5” x 7” Embroidery field
- Requires certain thread
- Automatic thread tension
- Quick-set top-drop bobbin
Cons:
- Embroidery-only machine
- Does not come with digitizing software
2. Brother PE535 Hat Embroidery Machine
The Brother PE535 has 80 built-in designs, 9 fonts, and 10 frame patterns. You can choose from a wide variety of themes from fun kid designs to holiday patterns.
Why We Like the Brother PE535:
If you are looking for a beginner-friendly machine that can embroider small designs for hats, this is a great choice. It is affordable and user-friendly.
- Editable Embroidery Lettering
With the Brother PE535 you can edit the embroidery lettering.
- Built-in Memory
Store your own designs on the machine using the built-in memory feature.
- Automatic Needle Threader
The automatic needle thread makes it easy to thread this hat embroidery machine.
Pros and Cons of the Brother PE535:
Pros:
- 80 Built-in designs
- 9 Built-in fonts
- Automatic needle threader
- USB port
- 32 built-in stitches
- Heavy
- Built-in memory
- 3.2” LCD colour touchscreen
- Adjustable embroidery speed
Cons:
- Small embroidery field
- Embroidery only machine
3. Janome Horizon Memory Craft 9850 Embroidery and Sewing Machine
The hat embroidery machine has a large color LCD colour touchscreen that makes it easy to customise your embroidery designs.
Why We Like the Janome Craft 9850:
You can use the Janome Horizon Memory Craft 9850 machine for sewing, monogramming, and embroidery.
- 175 Built-in Embroidery Designs
The hat embroidery machine has 175 built-in embroidery designs. You can use these designs to customise countless projects.
- Full Colour LCD Touchscreen
The full colour LCD screen gives you the ability to preview and edit your designs directly on the screen.
- 3 MB of Storage
Store your favourite designs on the machine.
Pros and Cons of the Janome Craft 9850:
Pros:
- 175 Built-in embroidery designs
- 200 Built-in stitches
- 6 one-step buttonholes
- Memorised needle up/down
- LCD Full colour touchscreen
- One-step needle plate conversion
- 7 Piece feed dog
- Drop feed
- Flexible stitch travelling by units of 1,10 and 100
- Automatic thread tension
- 3 MB of storage space
- Built-in needle threader
- Free arm
- 2 Fonts with European characters
- USB design transfer
- 2 and 3 Letter monogramming functions
- Editing functions
Cons:
- Large learning curve
- Most accessories are sold separately
- Small accessory case
4. Brother Embroidery Machine with Built-in Memory
The Brother PE770 hat embroidery machine has a lot of built-in features. It is a fantastic embroidery machine for beginners and small business owners.
Why We Like the Brother PE770:
The embroidery machine is a durable and high quality machine that produces professional results.
- 5” x 7” Embroidery Field
This machine has a large 5” x 7” embroidery field.
- Embroidery Card Slot
You can use preloaded Brother embroidery cards in this machine.
- 136 Built-in Designs
The built-in designs include delicate scrollwork, intricate florals, classic quilt patterns, and more. There are also 10 built-in frame shapes and 12 border styles.
Pros and Cons of the Brother PE770:
Pros:
- 136 Built-in designs
- 10 Border shapes
- 12 Border styles
- 6 Built-in fonts
- USB port
- Large touchscreen
- 5” x 7” Embroidery field
- Built-in memory
- Automatic thread cutter
- Embroidery card slot
Cons:
- Does not sew
- Tension needs set for every project
- Black and white screen
5. Brother SE600 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
The Brother SE600 Sewing and Embroidery Machine is a reasonably priced machine. It is great for anyone that wants to sew and embroider.
Why We Like the Brother SE600:
This hat embroidery machine has 80 built-in designs and 103 built-in stitches. It is ideal for sewers that also want to dabble in small embroidery designs.
- Jam-resistant Drop-in Bobbin
This sewing machine makes it easy to load the bobbin. Simply drop it in, and you are ready to sew.
- 80 Built-in Designs
The machine comes with 80 built-in designs. If you want to add more, you will need to purchase a specialized software.
- Reasonably priced
The Brother SE600 sewing machine is an affordable machine for anyone interested in learning how to embroider.
Pros and Cons of the Brother SE600:
Pros:
- 80 Built-in designs
- 6 Embroidery lettering fonts
- Jam-resistant drop-in bobbin
- 103 Built-in stitches
- 3.2” LCD Touchscreen Display
- 10 Styles of auto-size buttonholes
- Automatic needle threader
- USB Port
Cons:
- Requires special software that is not included
- Small 4” x 4” embroidery field
6. Janome Memory Craft 500E Embroidery Machine
The Janome Memory Craft 500E has a large embroidery area and is capable of producing high-quality embroidery designs.
Why We Like the Janome Memory Craft 500E:
If you are in the middle of embroidering and the thread breaks, you do not have to worry. This hat embroidery machine will start exactly where you stopped.
- Large Embroidery Field
The Janome Memory Craft Embroidery Machine has a maximum 7.9” x 11” embroidery field.
- On-screen Editing
The on-screen editing functions include enlarging, reducing, rotating, flipping, dragging, dropping, arcing, combining, copying, pasting, grouping, corner layouts, single color sewing, and zoom.
- Extra Wide Extension Table
The extra wide extension table gives you a lot of work room.
Pros and Cons of the Janome Memory Craft 500E:
Pros:
- Extra wide extension table
- 160 Built-in designs
- 7.9” x 11” embroidery field
- 2 and 3 Letter Monogramming
- USB port
- Automatic thread cutter
- On-screen editing
- 6 Fonts
- Advanced bobbin threader
- Advanced needle threader
- Auto return post thread break
- 2 Position presser foot lift
- Full colour touchscreen
Cons:
- Expensive
- Does not come with software
7. Janome MB-4S Four-Needle Embroidery Machine with included Hat Hoop
The Janome MB-4S hat embroidery machine makes embroidery effortless. It is a commercial grade machine designed for home use.
Why We Like the Janome MB-4S:
This embroidery machine delivers professional results. And you can sew with up to 4 colours of thread at one time.
- 4 Thread Function
With this commercial grade machine, you can use 4 different colours of thread at once.
- 3MB of Memory
The Janome MB-4S hat embroidery machine has 3 MV of memory. You can store up to 1,500,000 stitches or 100 designs.
- Bobbin Winding
You can wind your bobbins while you are embroidering.
Pros and Cons of the Janome MB-4S:
Pros:
- 50 Built-in designs
- 800 Stitches per minute
- 10 Built-in fonts
- Included hat hoop
- Programmable jump thread trimming
- Upper thread and presser foot sensors
- Auto thread cutter
- Extra large bobbin
- 4 Needles
- 5.7” Remote computer screen
- 3 MB of memory
- Can handle heavy fabrics
- Adjustable hoop positioning
- Commercial grade
- White LED Lights
Cons:
- Weighs 64 pounds
- Expensive
- Large learning curve
8. SINGER Legacy SE300 Embroidery Machine
The Singer SE300 Embroidery Machine is a great sewing machine for everyday sewing and embroidery.
Why We Like the Singer SE300:
The hat embroidery machine has 200 built-in embroidery designs, 250 built-in stitches, and 6 alphabet options. You can start using it right away.
- 200 Embroidery Designs
This machine has an impressive 200 built-in embroidery designs and 6 alphabet options.
- USB Design Transfer
Store and save your embroidery designs on a USB for easy transfer. There is no need to be connected to a computer.
- Extra Large Embroidery Area
The 10.25 inch x 6 inch embroidery hoop works with large embroidery designs.
Pros and Cons of the Singer SE300:
Pros:
- 250 Built-in stitches
- Extra large embroidery area
- Free arm
- 200 Embroidery designs
- USB stick embroidery design transfer
- 10 Snap-on presser feet
- Snap-on embroidery hoops
- Automatic needle threader
- 6 Alphabet options
- Bobbin winding while embroidering
- Speed control
- Table extension
- 800 Stitches per minute sewing speed
- Upper thread sensor
- 700 Stitches per minute embroidery speed
Cons:
- Small throat
- Using the screen can be confusing
- Can only use Singer Needles
- Large learning curve
9. Brother SE1900 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
The Brother SE1900 Sewing Machine is a wonderful all-purpose sewing machine. You can use it to embroider, sew and quilt.
Why We Like the Brother SE1900:
This hat embroidery machine has 138 built-in embroidery designs and 240 built-in sewing stitches. You can easily add your own designs using the USB port.
- 138 Built-in Designs
This sewing machine has 138 built-in designs. This is plenty for you to get started with. Once you have figured out the basics of the machine, you can add more designs using the USB port.
- 3.2” LCD Touchscreen
The large LCD color touchscreen gives you the ability to view your designs and editing them prior to beginning your project
- Bobbin Reminder
This hat embroidery machine will tell you when the bobbin thread is running low. You will not have to worry about running out.
Pros and Cons of the Brother SE1900:
Pros:
- 138 Built-in Designs
- 11 Embroidery fonts
- 240 Built-in sewing stitches
- Sews sideways and backwards
- USB port
- 10 Frame shapes
- Drop-in top bobbin
- 10 Styles of auto-size buttonholes
- 5” x 7” Embroidery field
- Knee lifter
- 3.2” LCD color touchscreen
- Advanced needle threader
Cons:
- Not the best for thick fabrics
- Does not come with software
- Can be hard to use for a beginner
- Only works with .pes format
Our Top 3 Picks for the Best Hat Embroidery Machines for 2024
Best Overall
Brother SE1900 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
The Brother SE1900 Sewing Machine can be used for embroidery, sewing, and quilting. It has 138 built-in embroidery designs, 11 fonts, and 240 stitches.
Premium Choice
Janome MB-4S Four-Needle Embroidery Machine with included Hat Hoop
The Janome MB-4S hat embroidery machine is a commercial grade machine designed for home use. It delivers effortless, professional results. And you can sew with up to 4 colours of thread at one time.
Great Value
Brother PE535 Hat Embroidery Machine
The Brother PE535 hat embroidery machine is an affordable, user-friendly machine. It has 80 built-in designs, 9 fonts, and 10 frame patterns.
Hat embroidery machines are a great way to personalize hats for friends and family.
If you are interested in embroidering hats, you will need a special type of sewing machine. The hat embroidery machine needs to be able to deliver professional results and sew heavy duty fabrics.
For embroidery related articles, head over to our Flower Embroidery Patterns, Best Embroidery Sewing Machines, Best T Shirt Embroidery Machines , and Types of Stabilizer For Embroidery review. And for embroidery patterns, check them on our Facebook Page.
And that’s our round up of the best hat embroidery machines.
