If you have ever wandered the aisles of your local arts and crafts store and stumbled down the sewing machine aisle, chances are you have come across machines called “sergers” or “overlock machines.”
But how do you choose one when there are so many on the market with a wide price range?
We’ve read dozens of serger reviews to figure out what the best serger for you might be.
Read on as you’ll learn the pros and cons of nine great options and, hopefully, remove some of the guesswork of choosing the right serger for your needs.
 | Brother 1034D Serger |  |
 | Singer S0230 Serger | |
 | Juki MO-114D Serger | |
 | Janome 7933 Horizon Serger | |
 | Singer S0100 Serger | |
 | Juki MO644D Serger | |
 | Singer X5005HD | |
 | Brother ST4031HD Serger | |
 | Juki Pearl Line MO-655 | |
What to Look for in the Best Sergers
When you first look at a serger, it can feel a little overwhelming. There are knobs and secret compartments all over the place, not to mention spots for at least four spools of thread! Don’t get flustered. It is simple if you break down the different components. Here is what to look for:
- Stitch speed: How fast can it go? Sergers stitch much faster than regular sewing machines, so don’t be surprised when you see speeds around 1,300 stitches per minute.
- Thread capacity: Can the machine do 2/3/4 thread stitches?
- Adjustable stitch length
- Weight of the machine: Is it light enough to be portable if this is something you want?
- Accessories: Which accessories come with the machine?
- Good reviews: One of the most important things you can do when hunting for a serger is to look up serger sewing machine reviews. Others have purchased the machines you are looking at and have given their honest opinions and reviews for your benefit.
Though it would be fantastic if a sewing machine serger combo were on the market, unfortunately, no one has come up with such a machine yet. A serger and a sewing machine serve their own purpose, and it would be quite a complex feat to try to make a combination machine.
The Best Serger Sewing Machine: 9 Excellent Options to Consider
Our list includes serger machines from several well-known, reputable companies at several different price points. If you are considering purchasing a serger in the future, this list should help you narrow down your search.
1. Brother 1034D Serger
The Brother 1034D serger machine is one of the most popular beginner serger machines on the market. Brother is a well-respected company in the sewing community, and this serger is a fantastic choice for you if you are a beginner to an intermediate seamstress.
I own this machine, and it works beautifully. It has easy-to-follow diagrams for threading the machine for either three or four thread stitching. It is also cheaper than other machines on this list at around $250.
The machine has a heavy-duty metal frame, stitch speeds up to 1,300 stitches per minute, and includes three bonus feet for your different overlocking needs.
Pros
- Great price
- Perfect for a beginner
- Can handle heavy-duty fabrics with multiple layers
Cons
- It only supports 3 and 4 thread stitches
- The instruction manual lacks some helpful troubleshooting info
2. Singer S0230 Serger
Singer is another one of those companies that we have all heard of and know to be reliable. This modern blue serger is an excellent option for anyone who wants to do some serious seamstress work.
This machine has the capacity for two,three, and four thread stitching and a free arm which allows you to stitch small sleeves and cuffs. This machine can also reach speeds of 1,300 stitches per minute to save you time.
You can also sew extra stretchy fabric and not have “wonky” seams with this machine since it has a differential feed option.
Pros
- Quiet and smooth stitching
- Great price- around $220
- A great choice for beginners
- Can handle a wide variety of projects
Cons
- The manual that comes with the machine is lacking in info
- Replacement parts can be difficult to find.
3. Juki MO-114D Serger
This Juki serger is a workhorse and is used by professional seamstresses and beginners. The price is a bit more of an investment, but Juki is a brand name you can trust in the sewing community.
Not only will this sew gorgeous overlocked seams, but it can also stitch a differential feed when sewing with stretchy knits and other fabrics. This machine is easy to thread since it has all the pathways color-coded for the different threads.
Pros
- Commercial grade machine
- 1,500 stitches per minute
- Heavy-duty metal frame
- Quiet and smooth
Cons
- No catch tray for excess fabric and thread after it’s been cut.
- A high price tag for the average seamstress
4. Janome 7933 Horizon Serger
If you are a quilter, you have likely heard of the brand name “Janome.” Janome makes high-quality machines, and this serger is no exception to that fact. The 7933 Horizon model is a fantastic choice for beginner sewists or a seasoned pro. It has a large differential range from 0.5 to 2.25, depending on the stretch of the fabric.
With color-coded thread pathways, the machine is easy to thread and can perform standard overlocking stitches and rolled hems which is a huge bonus if you plan on making garments or home decor.
Pros
- 1,300 stitches per minute
- Wide range differential
- You can switch between overlock and rolled hem stitches without changing out the plate.
- Just under 18lbs= portable
Cons
- It does not have a free arm option
5. Singer S0100 Serger
This serger makes a smart investment piece if you are serious about making garments in the future. It has two, three, and four thread stitch options with six different types of stitches to choose from depending on the project.
With a great price and all the bells and whistles you would need to start your seamstress hobby (or business), this serger will help you create gorgeous, professional clothing and other items.
It even has a LED light to make threading the machine a bit easier which can be a huge bonus for those who may have trouble threading a sewing machine.
Pros
- Fantastic price
- Free arm for sewing curves
- LED light for threading
- Many options for stitches
Cons
- It is quite small which may or may not be an issue for some people
6. Juki MO644D Serger
This serger has been on the market since 2008, and seamstresses are still raving about it today! Juki is known for their industrial strength sewing machines, and with that in mind, they applied their industrial-strength technology into this portable, home sewing serger.
The Juki MO644D can stitch 2,3, and 4 thread stitches, and it also has an automatic rolled hem feature. This machine is fairly easy to thread, but like most sergers, it does take some practice to thread a serger properly. It also has a faster than average stitch speed at 1,500 stitches per minute.
Pros
- It is portable and easy to setup
- Great price for a Juki
- Many stitch options for a wide variety of needs
Cons
- It is only meant to sew light to medium weight fabrics
7. Singer X5005HD
If you are searching for a truly “heavy-duty” serger sewing machine, look no further. Singer has one of the best heavy-duty sergers on the market, and this little workhorse can sew through thick layers of fabric. The buil- in knife is 60% larger than other serger knives.
This machine has eight built-in stitches: wrapped edge overlocking, flatlock, rolled hem, stretch mock safety stitch, and other options featuring two, three, and four thread stitches.
Pros
- Heavy-duty, yet portable
- 1,300 stitches per minute
- Built-in rolled hem plate
- Larger knife for edge cutting
Cons
- It doesn’t come with a physical manual. You have to download it online.
8. Brother ST4031HD Serger
When you look at this serger, the first thing you probably notice is it’s larger than normal extension table. This table provides better stability and support if you use the serger to sew heavier pieces of fabric.
This machine is from Brother’s “Strong and Tough” series and boasts a sturdy metal frame and the ability to handle heavy-duty projects like sewing through denim and thick canvas.
Pros
- 1,300 stitches per minute
- Great for heavy-duty projects
- It comes with 3 feet to use for different skills.
- Heavy-duty knife to cut clean, straight edges
Cons
- A bit more expensive than others on the market
- Only has 3 and 4 thread stitch options
9. Juki Pearl Line MO-655
The Juki MO-655 is the most expensive machine on this list, but it also offers a lot more than the other sergers. For example, this machine can use up to five threads to achieve a five-thread safety stitch.
This machine can do the overlock stitch, overcast stitch, rolled hem, flatlock stitch, and chain stitch.
The MO-655 also comes with an instructional DVD to learn how to set it up and learn the different stitches and projects you can work on with the machine.
It also has differential feeds for those stretchy fabrics and a heavy-duty knife to cut through many different fabric types.
Pros
- Two,three, four, and five-thread stitch options
- Two-thread chain stitch capability
- Two-needle capability
- Industrial grade hardware
Cons
- It doesn’t come with a trash tray
- It may be a bit harder to learn how to use for a beginner
- Expensive
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Serger machines are an investment, that is true. But if you want to start making professional garments and other projects that need a serger, I recommend figuring out a budget and then finding the best serger for you.
They can make all the difference when you want your handmade clothing to last a long time and look professional.