Best Long-Arm Quilting Machines in 2023

Aren’t you tired of trying to quilt bigger quilts on tiny machines? Aren’t you tired of all the fabric bunching up on the small workspace? What you need is a competent long arm quilter. These machines give you plenty of room to make whatever design you want to make. We have researched and chosen some of the best long arm quilting machines money can buy. You can choose any one of these machines to be your next partner in your stitching adventures.

Longarm quilting machines are usually used in businesses as they increase efficiency and can be used for more significant projects. You can still use it at home, but it’s too much of an investment to make for a hobby and takes a lot of space. So you need to consider these factors before buying it for your house.

These machines make the whole process of quilting much more streamlined and effortless. So if you have decided to buy one for yourself, you don’t have to waste any time doing research. We have made it breezier for you by listing the best long arm quilting machines available in the markets.

Complete Buying Guide for Long Arm Quilting Machines

Longarm quilting machines can be quite an investment, and if you are emptying your wallet for something, it should be worth it. This can be a highly complex process if you don’t know what you’re doing. Thankfully we have put together some essential aspects you should keep in mind before finalizing your purchase. They will help you select the best long arm quilting machine according to your needs.

• Throat Space

First and foremost, you should select how long you want your throat space to be. If you’re going to make king-size or more oversized quilts, a broader throat space is better for you. But if you want to start quilting at a small scale, a shorter throat space would be ideal.

• Space occupied by the machine

Longarm quilting machines occupy a lot of space and are not suitable for use at home. The working table that comes with these devices needs ample space to work effectively. So make sure you look at the dimensions of the machine before you decide to buy it.

• Ease of Use

Longarm quilting machines usually need some practice to master them fully. But they still need to be easy to operate, or you would spend half the time looking through the manual.

• Budget

Deciding on a budget is vital while buying anything. Since you will have to spend a lot of money on these machines, it is better to limit yourself. You can even find a cheaper option. All this depends on what features you want your device to have. An advanced machine will cost more than a standard one.

• Manual or Computerized

You also have to choose between which kind of machine you want, manual or computerized. Manual machines give you greater control over the end product. They also let you quilt in any design you want. Computerized machines are more efficient and cut your workload in half. But they can only quilt designs that you give them through a program. So there are drawbacks to both types, you just have to choose one that better suits your needs.

After reading all these points, we hope that you have a rough idea of what you want. The following product descriptions will help clarify those ideas, and you will be able to find the perfect quilting machine.

List of 7 Best Long-Arm Quilting Machine

HQ Sweet Sixteen Long Arm Quilting Machine

Best Overall Long-Arm Quilting Machine

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The HQ Sweet Sixteen Long Arm Quilting Machine is named after its vast throat of 16 inches. Hence you can do more significant projects with ease. It also has various other features we’ll talk about in a moment. Despite all this, the HQ Sweet Sixteen comes at an affordable price, making it the best all-rounder.

The LED lighting of this device is ahead of the pack. You can modify it according to your needs, and you won’t face any problems even if you’re quilting with black thread on black fabric.

Most long arm quilting machines take up a lot of space. Surprisingly, this machine is very space-friendly, and its design makes it easier to fit in even small corners. Thus you can set up your appliance without using an entire room.

Another attractive feature of this device is its colored touchscreen. The touch screen is so sensitive and high-quality that the slightest touch is all you need to operate it. You can adjust the speed of the stitches and stitch as fast as 1800 stitches per minute.

One thing that is a significant concern when buying a quilting machine is how to set it up. Thankfully the HQ Sweet Sixteen comes with an easy-to-read manual, and you’ll be able to set it up by yourself even if you’re a novice.

Many people have difficulty handling the TruStitch setting, so make sure you pay extra attention to it. It’s not a big enough hurdle to stop you from buying this excellent machine, so don’t let it stop you. You can easily overcome this obstacle by practice.

Pros

• Innovative adjustable LED lighting
• 16-inch throat space
• Can stitch up to 1800 stitches every 60 seconds
• Space-friendly
• Easy to set up

Cons

• The TruStitch feature is hard to get used to

King Quilter II Elite Long Arm Quilting Machine

Best Industrial Long Arm Quilting Machine

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The King Quilter II Elite is equipped with innovative technology that exceeds all expectations. It provides various unique features and isn’t fragile in any way. It is actually more sturdy and durable than standard long arm quilting machines. All these traits earn it the title of the best industrial long arm quilting machine.

This machine has a vast 18-inch throat space which makes it ideal for bigger projects. The roomy work surface allows you to create intricate designs on a much larger scale. Hence this machine is the perfect fit for any business owners who want to increase their production.

The handlebars at the front and back are also moveable and allow greater agility. There are also various controls on the handlebars. Now you can comfortably control the machine only with your thumbs. Isn’t that amazing?

If that was not enough to convince you, this appliance even offers multiple modes for quilting. You can choose between using a basting stitch, the cruise mode, or even the precision mode. Furthermore, you can use all these while stitching at a speed of 2200 stitches every 60 seconds. It may sound too good to be accurate, but you better believe it!

The King Quilter II Elite even has a 7-inch colored touchscreen. Thus you can access whatever features you want with a simple swipe of your finger.

The product itself lacks any notable flaws, but some customers have complained about the customer service not being up to standard. So keep this in mind while purchasing this device.

Pros

• Handlebars at the front and back
• Excellent maneuverability
•  Spacious work surface
• High stitch speed
• Different modes for quilting

Cons

• Customer service is not the best

King Quilter II Long Arm Quilting Machine With 4.3 Inch Touchscreen

Best Control Long-Arm Quilting Machine

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Mobility is something you expect from a long arm quilting device. Without enhanced maneuverability, there is no point in buying a particular quilting machine. We have searched far and wide to bring you one of the best control long arm quilting machines, King Quilter II Standard.

This machine has front handles which allow you to control its movement comfortably. You can also turn the device on or off by using the front handles. Additionally, the rear handles will enable you to move the needle up and down with the simple press of the button.

Another exceptional feature of this device is its wide throat space. There are several reasons why this is beneficial. The best is that it allows you to make quilts of any size and does not restrict you in any way. You can just relax and focus on your actual stitching without worrying about a cramped space.

You can even attach an optional tablet with this machine. This will allow you to make more intricate designs to feed them into the device through the tablet. Thus this machine removes all limitations, and you can use your creativity to its full extent.

This machine is overall a winner, but there are some things you need to review before buying it. Unlike the King Quilter II Elite, this machine does not have a basting function or a low bobbin alert system. These are very minor things, but you should still be aware of them.

Pros

• Controls on front handlebars
• Wide throat space
• Fast stitching speed
• Convenient needle up and down function
• Additional tablet assistance

Cons

• No low bobbin indicator
• No basting stitch option

Juki Long Arm Sewing And Quilting Machine TL2000QI

Best Portable Long-Arm Quilting Machine

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Juki is a very reputable brand in the sewing community. It has provided its customers with excellence time and time again. The Juki long arm sewing and quilting machine is no exception. Without further ado, let’s talk about its different features.

For starters, the Juki TL2000QI is the best portable long arm quilting machine. Its compact size makes it perfect for small offices and cramped homes. Since long arm quilting machines are inherently bulky and occupy a lot of space, the Juki is in a league of its own. It has managed to provide you the perfect balance of compactness and function.

Additionally, the aluminum interior of this machine reduces the vibrations produced during stitching. This also lessens the overall noise produced by the device. Thus you can quilt anytime, anywhere without disturbing the people around you. 

This machine also comes with an inbuilt thread cutter. Cutting excess thread off may be a small thing but having it done automatically dramatically increases your productivity.

Furthermore, this machine has a powerful motor that allows it to stitch through thick fabrics with ease. So you can choose whichever fabric you want to include in your projects without worrying whether the machine will quilt it or not.

As this machine is very portable, its small size reduces its throat space too. It has only about 10 inches of throat space which is on the lower end. Some people even argue if it is even a long arm quilting machine or a standard quilting machine. If you require something to work on more significant projects, we suggest you look at the other options we have provided here.

Pros

• Programmed thread trimmer
• Suitable for quilting thick fabrics
• Space-friendly
• Does not make much noise
• Good value for money

Cons

• The throat is too short

Qnique Quilter 15R Long Arm Quilting Machine

Best Beginners Long-Arm Quilting Machine

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The Qnique Long Arm Quilting Machine has been specially designed to make it easy to operate. Hence it is the best long arm quilting machine for beginners to use. Its instructions are super straightforward, and the controls are also convenient.

Although this machine is easy to use, it still has a lot of distinguishing features. For example, this device offers 4 different stitching options. You can either choose the precise, cruise, baste, or manual mode.

The Precise mode allows you to control how many stitches you want in every inch of fabric and how fast you want the stitch speed. In this mode, the machine stops after you stop moving.

Likewise, in the Cruise mode, you can adjust the number of stitches and the speed. But if you slow down or stop moving, the machine continues to stitch at the minimum rate. In the Baste mode, you can adjust the length of your stitches.

Last but not least, in the Manual mode, you can choose whichever speed you want to stitch at. This mode is especially useful in stitching intricate patterns and designs. 

You can adjust the stitching speed and stitch length by using the buttons on the handlebars. This allows you to have greater control over the machine and is also very handy. Additionally, you can also use the high-quality LCD touchscreen to change modes and needle positions.

This machine is very easy to use once set up, but the actual setup process can be tedious. You might have to call someone to help you assemble the machine. But once it is built, it’s effortless to use.

Pros

• 4 different stitching modes
• LCD display
• Easy to use
• Comfortable handlebars for control
•  Exceptional stitching speed

Cons

• Difficult to set up

Juki HZL-NX7 Kirei Computerized Long Arm Quilting and Sewing Machine

Best Computerized Long-Arm Quilting Machine

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If you’re looking for a first-rate automatic quilting machine, look no further. The Juki HZL-NX7 is the perfect match for you. It is the best computerized quilting machine available on the market right now. Let’s talk about its characteristics in detail.

Firstly, the thing that stands out the most is its attractive touchscreen on the side of the machine. This premium touchscreen allows you to change the modes and patterns of your stitching with the slightest touch of your finger.

Secondly, this machine offers more than 350 different stitching patterns for you to choose from. Thus you can make your projects more personalized and make them extra special. You can also choose to sign your name on your pieces with different fonts. Additionally, you don’t even have to worry about selecting the correct thread tension, as every pattern comes with an optimized inbuilt tension setting for smooth stitching. Likewise, you can sew various types of buttonholes too.

Another exceptional feature of this device is its low bobbin alert system. It warns you whenever your bobbin is low on thread and needs replacement. Furthermore, the knobs on the machine help you adjust the stitch length and width according to your needs.

This device has so many intricacies, yet it still comes at a low price. So what are you waiting for? Don’t miss this opportunity and get your hands on this fantastic machine.

Since this machine has a lot of functions and unique features, it’s not recommended for beginners. Although this machine is easy to use, these extra functions will go to waste if you don’t know how to use them. 

Pros

• High-quality touchscreen
• Low bobbin sensor
• Various stitching styles
• Can also stitch buttonholes
• Reasonable price

Cons

• Not suitable for beginners

HQ Amara Long Arm Quilting Machine 20 Inch

Best Premium Long-Arm Quilting Machine

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The HQ Amara is one of the best premium quilting machines, according to our research. Its high quality and stylish exterior are enough to confirm its status. It also has particular traits that are unique and not found in standard quilting machines.

The needle has an inbuilt laser pointer that shows you where the needle will pierce the fabric. This proves very helpful for anyone who likes to make detailed quilts with complex designs.

It also has a very bright LED light that illuminates the working area completely. You do not even have to turn on any external lights to work comfortably. This bright light also reduces your eye strain and helps you work for longer than usual.

Isn’t it annoying when you lose your pins and scissors while you’re working and you can’t find them anywhere? Everyone faces this problem, and it is very frustrating. But because of the magnetic strip attached to this machine, you can simply stick your metal tool on there and never lose them. Now a significant burden is off your shoulders, and you can quilt in peace.

Another attractive characteristic of this machine is its 20-inch throat space. This is larger than any of the devices mentioned here.

Although this machine has a lot of unique features, they come at a handsome cost too. This machine is from the premium line of long arm quilting machines and hence costs a pretty penny. If you are looking for more affordable options, you can choose from any of the above products.

Pros

• Laser pointer for the needle
• Magnetic strip to hold items
• Generous throat space
• High luminosity lighting
• Stylish design

Cons

• A little on the pricey side

Conclusion

Longarm quilting machines have many benefits. They are more efficient than manual quilting and allow you to unleash your creativity. You can’t quickly achieve this by manual quilting. So what are you waiting for? Choose a machine from our selected list of best long arm quilting machines and start your journey towards sharpening your skills.

We highly recommend the HQ Sweet Sixteen quilting machine. You get the best of everything with this machine. You get ample throat space, exceptional stitching speed, bright LED lighting, and it even comes at a relatively affordable cost. It is the perfect all-rounder in every sense.

To conclude, we hope that this article has helped you gain sufficient knowledge about long arm quilting machines. We hope you have found the perfect device for your needs in the list we have put together.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We have cataloged some of the most commonly asked questions about long arm quilting machines. All the questions are answered in straightforward terms. Hopefully, after reading through these questions, all your doubts will be cleared.