Best Free Arm Sewing Machines of 2026

Ann Hale Avatar
Ann Hale
Last Updated: Jan 19, 2026

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Free arm sewing machines are an essential tool for any sewing enthusiast looking to complete a variety of projects. These machines allow for easy sewing of cuffs, sleeves, and other difficult-to-reach areas without the need for a separate attachment. With a removable accessory tray, users can easily switch between free arm and flat bed sewing. Free arm machines come in a variety of models, from basic to more advanced, offering a range of features such as automatic threaders and adjustable stitch lengths. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced seamstress, a free arm sewing machine is a must-have for any sewing project.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Brother ST371HD Sewing Machine with 37 Built-in Stitches Cover #TOP 1
Brother ST371HD Sewing Machine with 37 Built-in Stitches
ftb score rating icon 9.9
SINGER PRISMA Heavy Duty Sewing Machine Cover #TOP 2
SINGER PRISMA Heavy Duty Sewing Machine
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine Cover #TOP 3
Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Free Arm Sewing Machines

#TOP 1

Brother ST371HD Sewing Machine with 37 Built-in Stitches

ST371HD
Free Arm Option
Brother ST371HD Sewing Machine with 37 Built-in Stitches Cover
Brother ST371HD Sewing Machine, Strong & Tough, 37 Built-in Stitches, Free Arm Option, 6 Included Feet

The Brother ST371HD Sewing Machine is perfect for beginners to advanced users with 37 built-in stitches, automatic needle threader, and versatile free arm. The jam-resistant drop-in top bobbin is convenient and easy to use. This heavy-duty sewing machine includes 6 sewing feet, an instructional DVD, and a manual to help you get started. Brother also offers free technical support via online chat, phone, or email. Please note that this product is intended for sale only in the US at 120 volts.

What We Like
Strong and durable performance
Easy to thread and adjust
Great for heavy fabrics
Good customer support
Affordable entry-level machine
#TOP 2

SINGER PRISMA Heavy Duty Sewing Machine

HD4411
White / Rainbow
Large
SINGER PRISMA Heavy Duty Sewing Machine Cover
SINGER PRISMA Heavy Duty Sewing Machine With Accessory Kit | Bold Color Design, 50% More Power, 69 Stitch Applications, Full Metal Frame, High Speed, Quick Threading & Free Arm

The SINGER PRISMA Sewing Machine offers a bold, colorful design that brightens your craft space and sparks creativity. It provides 50% more power, making it easier for you to sew through thick materials like denim and canvas, great for tough projects. With 69 stitch options, you can choose from basic to decorative stitches to suit any sewing task. Plus, its high-speed motor lets you complete your projects quickly, stitching up to 1,100 stitches per minute. This machine is perfect if you want a powerful, stylish, and versatile tool for all your sewing needs.

What We Like
Bold colorful design
Extra power for thick fabrics
Variety of stitch options
High sewing speed
#TOP 3

Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine

XM2701S
White
XM2701
Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine Cover
Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine, Lightweight, Full Featured, 27 Stitches, 6 Included Feet

The Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine is a lightweight, full-featured machine with 27 built-in stitches, an automatic needle threader, and 6 included feet. It is perfect for everyday sewing projects, from beginners to advanced, and comes with Brother At Your Side support for the life of the machine. It is ideal for mending, with the ability to power through blue jean seams without causing issues.

What We Like
Easy setup and threading
Beginner-friendly design
Quiet operation
Multiple stitch options
Lightweight and portable
#TOP 4

Brother XM3700 Sewing Machine

XM3700
White
Brother XM3700 Sewing Machine Cover
Brother XM3700 Sewing Machine, 37 Built-in Stitches, 5 Included Sewing Feet

The Brother XM3700 offers 37 different stitches, giving you plenty of options to create various designs and finishes for your projects. Its one-step buttonhole feature makes sewing buttonholes quick and easy, saving you time. Threading the needle is simple with the automatic needle threader, which helps you avoid frustration and eye strain. Plus, the drop-in bobbin is designed to prevent jams, so you can sew smoothly without interruptions. The machine’s free arm allows you to easily sew small or cylindrical items like sleeves and cuffs, making your sewing tasks more convenient and versatile.

What We Like
37 built-in stitches
One-step buttonhole
Automatic needle threader
Jam-resistant bobbin
Versatile free arm
#TOP 5

Brother FB1757X Sewing Machine

FB1757X
White
Brother FB1757X Sewing Machine Cover
Brother FB1757X Mechanical Sewing Machine

The Brother FB1757X is a versatile sewing machine designed to make your sewing projects easier and more enjoyable. It offers 17 different stitch options, giving you plenty of choices for various fabric types and sewing styles. The 4-step buttonhole feature helps you create neat and professional-looking buttonholes with ease. With the reverse sewing function, you can reinforce your stitches to ensure durability. Plus, the free arm design allows you to sew cuffs, sleeves, and other hard-to-reach areas comfortably. This machine is a great companion for both beginners and experienced sewers.

What We Like
Easy to set up
Beginner friendly
Affordable price
Compact size
Handles thick fabrics
#TOP 6

SINGER M1150 Sewing Machine

230315112
M1150 White
White
SINGER M1150 Sewing Machine Cover
SINGER M1150 Portable Sewing Machine White – Accessories Included | 16 Stitches, Top Drop-in Bobbin, 4-Step Buttonhole, Free Arm, LED Light | Ideal Sewing Machine for Home Projects

The SINGER M1150 Machine offers a Top Drop-In Bobbin for easy monitoring, 45 Stitch Applications for various sewing techniques, Easy Stitch Selection using a dial, and Preset Stitch Length and Width for eliminating guesswork. The 4-Step Buttonhole feature makes creating buttonholes as easy as counting 1, 2, 3, 4. With these features, you can effortlessly keep track of thread supply, explore different stitching styles, select stitches with ease, and achieve precise stitch lengths and widths for your sewing projects.

What We Like
Easy Stitch Selection
Preset Stitch Length and Width
Top Drop-In Bobbin

SINGER Heavy Duty 4423 Sewing Machine

230489112
Meltwater Blue
Medium
SINGER Heavy Duty 4423 Sewing Machine Cover
SINGER Heavy Duty 4423 Meltwater Blue High Speed Sewing Machine with Accessory Kit | Strong Motor With Enhanced Piercing Power, 97 Stitch Applications, Full Metal frame, 1-step Buttonhole & LED Light

The SINGER Heavy Duty 4423 is a reliable sewing machine built with a sturdy metal frame that keeps your stitching stable and smooth, perfect for frequent use. It offers 97 different stitch options, so you can easily handle everything from basic seams to decorative and stretchy fabrics, plus a one-step buttonhole feature for neat, professional results. The powerful motor runs at 1,100 stitches per minute, letting you sew heavy fabrics like denim and leather quickly without losing quality. You’ll also appreciate helpful tools like the automatic needle threader and easy-to-see bobbin cover, making setup and thread management simple and stress-free.

What We Like
Durable metal frame
97 versatile stitches
Powerful high-speed motor
Automatic needle threader
Easy bobbin system
#TOP 8

WINB Sewing & Quilting Machine with 12 Stitches

FRJ001
WHITE
Normal
WINB Sewing & Quilting Machine with 12 Stitches Cover
WINB Sewing & Quilting Machine with 12 Built-in Stitches – Lightweight Portable Free Arm Design for Mending Clothes, DIY Quilting, and Small Projects | Beginner-Friendly Home Sewing Kit

The WINB 12-Stitch Sewing Machine offers you a versatile tool with 12 different stitch options, perfect for fixing clothes or creating quilts and DIY crafts. You can easily switch between stitches with a simple dial, making it great for beginners. The machine features an automatic needle threader that quickly threads the needle in just seconds, saving you time and frustration. Its drop-in bobbin system prevents thread tangles, so your sewing stays smooth. Plus, the extra-large workspace and free-arm design allow you to handle larger fabrics or hard-to-reach areas like sleeves, making your sewing projects more comfortable and professional-looking.

What We Like
12 versatile stitch options
Automatic needle threader
Anti-jam drop-in bobbin
Extra-large workspace
Free-arm design

Janome JW8100 Computerized Sewing Machine

001JW8100
White
One Size
Janome JW8100 Computerized Sewing Machine Cover
Janome JW8100 Fully-Featured Computerized Sewing Machine with 100 Stitches, 7 Buttonholes, Hard Cover, Extension Table and 22 Accessories

The Janome JW8100 is a fully-featured computerized sewing machine that offers convenience features such as easy threading, top drop-in bobbin, speed control slider, and locking stitch button. It has 100 built-in stitches, 7 auto buttonhole styles, and a memory function for your favorite stitch settings. The machine comes with bonus accessories, including an extra-wide extension table, hard-sided dust cover, even feed foot, and quarter-inch foot. The free arm with accessory storage is perfect for managing large projects like quilts.

What We Like
100 built-in stitches and 7 auto buttonhole styles
Convenient features like easy threading and locking stitch button
Comes with bonus accessories including extra-wide extension table, hard-sided dust cover, even feed foot, and quarter-inch foot
#TOP 10

Janome Arctic Crystal Sewing Machine

001crystal
Turquiose
7"D x 16"W x 12"H
Janome Arctic Crystal Sewing Machine Cover
Janome Arctic Crystal Easy-to-Use Sewing Machine with Interior Metal Frame, Bobbin Diagram, Tutorial Videos, Made with Beginners in Mind!, Turquiose

The Janome Arctic Crystal Sewing Machine is designed with beginners in mind. It has 15 built-in stitches, a 4-step buttonhole, front-loading bobbin system, heavy-duty interior metal frame, and customizable features such as adjustable stitch length & zigzag width, reverse lever, and darning plate. Convenience features include a 3-piece feed dog system, removable free arm, and dual retractable spool pins. The machine also includes tutorial videos, a built-in bobbin diagram, and a quick start guide for easy use. It comes with 4 presser feet, beginner accessories, and an instructional manual.

What We Like
Easy to use for beginners
Customizable features for personalized sewing projects
Convenient features for efficient sewing
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do all sewing machines have a free arm?

Yes, generally all sewing machines have a free arm. The free arm is a feature that allows you to sew tube items such as trouser legs, cuffs, sleeves, and more. It is located at the bottom of the sewing machine, protruding out from the main body, just past the needle and feed dogs. This feature makes it easier to sew small and narrow items with precision.

Editor's Notes

During our free arm sewing machine research, we found 24 free arm sewing machine products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 223,430 customer reviews through our big data system to write the free arm sewing machines list. We found that most customers choose free arm sewing machines with an average price of $198.66.

The free arm sewing machines are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of free arm sewing machines, including Brother, SINGER, Winb, Janome. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Ann Hale Avatar

Ann Hale is a seamstress, pattern maker, and fashion designer with extensive sewing experience. She has worked in the fashion industry for over 10 years now after receiving Associates's Degree in fashion design in 2010. Also as a writer, she has many creative and unique insights when it comes to articles.