Everyone can benefit from owning a sewing machine and knowing how to sew. I tested 18 sewing machines to find the top performing styles for both beginners and advanced sewers. At the Good Housekeeping Institute, I have been leading sewing machine testing since 2018. I have tested sewing machines, embroidery machines, and sergers in the Textiles Lab, evaluating ease of threading, stitch accuracy, innovative features, and more. This guide focuses on the best sewing machines for home sewers and models under $550 (with one luxury machine exception!).