If you are looking forward to buying the best-rated long arm quilting machine for your project, this is the post for you.
It can be really hard to find the best quilting machine among such a wide variety of quilting machines in the market.
Most people fear they might end up making a terrible choice, which is true largely. This is exactly when we can help you.
Over the years, we helped many sewing enthusiasts find the best product of their projects through our best reviews, and this review is no different.
By the end of this review, you will have good clarity on the reliable and best long arm quilting machines.
In this post, we shared as many as twelve best long arm quilting machines for you to select from, and you can undoubtedly find the best long arm quilting machine for your project with no difficulty after you read this review.
Our Top 5 Recommendations – Long Arm Quilting Machines
“Following are the top five recommended products based on personal experience and customer feedback”
- HQ Sweet Sixteen Long Arm w/ HQ Insight Table – (Premium Pick)
- Handi Quilter Simply Sixteen 16-inch Long Arm – (Runners Up)
- Infinity 26-inch Long Arm with Gallery2 Frame – (Upgrade pick)
- Qnique Long Arm Quilting Machine – (Budget Pick)
- NEW King Quilter II ELITE – (Editors’ Choice)
Top 12 Best Long Arm Quilting Machines Reviews
1. HQ Sweet Sixteen Long Arm w/ HQ Insight Table
The HQ Sweet Sixteen Long Arm w/ HQ Insight Table is a free-motion quilting machine perfect for home users and all sizes of quilting projects. The HQ Sweet Sixteen Long Arm w/ HQ Insight weighs 53 lbs and comes with a dimension of 15 “X21″ X31”.
The machine provides you with six inches of throat space and can stitch up to 1800 stitches per minute. Using the HQ Sweet Sixteen, you can create excellent quilt designs with exceptionally even stitches. The color touch screen allows users to easily choose three favorite speed settings for the machine to remember.
The quilting machine has an easy-to-set tension. The machine allows you to return to your favorite thread tension quickly and accurately every time you make a thread change. Besides, the quilting machine comes with an interchangeable handi foot. Another handy feature is the low bobbin estimator and alarm.
The table with an 18″ extension on both sides and the hopping foot makes it exceptionally convenient for the users to use this quilting machine.
The machine comes with four extra bobbins, 20 needles, and a sample thread pack. Further, it comes with a tutorial DVD and a user manual to get you started. Even beginners should get the hang of this machine in no time and have no difficulty operating it.
Features at a glance
- 1800 stitches per minute
- Color touch screen
- Easy to set tension
- Interchangeable handi feet
- Low bobbin estimator and alarm
- Hopping foot
- Tutorial DVD and user manual included
2. Qnique Long Arm Quilting Machine
The Qnique Long Arm Quilting Machine is an economical quilting machine with increased stitch speed and extended throat space.
The machine has very advanced control settings. You should not have any problem in sewing patterns and larger blocks since the machine comes with a 15R inch throat. Besides, it comes with comfortable grip handles and offers easy access to sewing functions through quick access buttons.
As far as the stitching speed goes, 1,800 stitches per minute is a decent speed. The machine comes with an OLED screen that provides you with easy navigation and four sewing modes.
You can wind the bobbin without running the machine, which is possible because of the motorized bobbin winder. Further, the machine comes with dual-cone thread towers and multiple accessory ports.
The machine has integrated LED work lights to illuminate your workspace. Raising or lowering the needle is pretty simple, and you can do it with just a push of a button.
You can adjust the stitching speed using the buttons on the handlebars and use the same buttons to adjust the stitch length. The LCD comes with stitching mode, needle position, stitch speed, and stitch length. The machine offers you four stitching modes comprising Precise, Cruise, Baste, and Manual.
Features at a glance
- 1800 stitches per minute
- Advanced control settings
- OLED screen with four sewing modes
- Motorized bobbin winder
- Dual cone thread towers
- Multiple accessory ports
- LED work lights
- Buttons to adjust speed and stitch length
3. The King Quilter II
The King Quilter II quilting machine is the USA manufactured long arm quilting machine with a two-piece computer numerical controlled casting and top-quality performance.
The machine uses high-tech electronics and has an advanced touchpad with a user-friendly interface and exceptional operation ease. The machine comes with a 2″ x 6″ long arm mini ruler. The front and rear handlebars make the machine versatile. The front handlebars have control buttons.
The machine has a high-quality 7″ touchscreen. The machine comes with 18 inches of throat space and fluorescent lights for excellent illumination.
You can have a maximum speed of 2200 stitches per minute and select three modes comprising Precision, cruise, and basting. Adjusting the needle’s position is ridiculously simple with the needle up/down function.
The machine has many other handy features, including a quilt alarm, quilt timer, stitch counters, low bobbin estimator, and low bobbin alarm.
The King Quilter II comes with various accessories such as Bobbins (5 Pieces, one in machine), Needle (135 x5) Size 16 (Pack of 10), Needle (135 x5) Size 18 (Pack of 10), Bobbin Case, Spool Stand, Thread Mast, Pin Oiler, Lint Brush, Screwdriver, Power Cord, 2.5 mm L Allen Tool, 4 mm L Allen Tool, 8mm Combo Wrench, and User Manual.
Features at a glance
- Two-piece computer numerical controlled casting
- Advanced 7″ touchscreen with exceptional ease of operation
- 2200 stitches per minute
- 18 inches of throat space
- Fluorescent lights for excellent illumination
- Quilt alarm, and quilt timer,
- Needle up/down function
- Front and rear handlebars
4. Handi Quilter Simply Sixteen 16-inch Long Arm
Handi Quilter Simply Sixteen 16-inch Long Arm is a USA-made Quilter with a 5ft little foot frame. The machine comes with rear handlebars, laser pin, and display, allowing users to use pantographs and groovy boards for edge-to-edge quilting.
The front handlebars are ergonomically designed. The machine allows you to stitch at a speed of 1800 stitches per minute. Besides, the machine includes an LED light ring and Handi Feet mount with a quarter-inch ruler foot.
Handi Quilter offers two HQ stitch regulation modes comprising Precision and Cruise. You can also use the manual mode that comes with two customizable preset speeds. You can expect a stitch quality from 4 to 18 stitches per inch.
The machine includes needle-stop positioning control and easy needle change with an ergonomic thumbscrew. Further, the machine has five bobbins, 20 needles, and sample thread. The quilting alarm and project timer are handy features that offer exceptional ease of operation.
The machine also has an integrated USB port, Color touchscreen, and bobbin winder. Handi Quilter has an innovative quilt clamp management system, adjustable legs, and leveling feet adjust to floor surfaces.
You can extend the functionalities of the machine even further by choosing from the optional accessories. Some of these accessories include 10′ or 12′ Studio Frame, Pro-Stitcher Premium, Rear handlebars and display, HQ Ruler Base, Handi Feet, Horizontal Spool Pin, HQ Handi Light, and Casters.
Features at a glance
- Rear handlebars, laser pin, and display
- 1800 stitches per minute
- Two HQ stitch regulation modes comprising Precision and Cruise
- 4 to 18 stitches per inch (stitch quality)
- Needle-stop positioning control
- Quilting alarm and project timer
- An integrated USB port
- Color touchscreen and bobbin winder
- Innovative quilt clamp management system
- Adjustable legs and leveling feet
5. Juki Kirei HZL-NX7 Computerized Long Arm
The Juki Kirei HZL-NX7 is Computerized Long Arm Sewing and Quilting Machine with a wide sewing area and comes with an advanced touch screen. The machine is pretty reliable and is ideal for professionals.
The machine comes with an interchangeable single needle system for creating perfect straight stitches. The Juki Smart Feed or the dual feed function helps users move in sync between the top and bottom layers of fabric. The feature is ideal for precision and quilt layers.
Users have excellent ease of fabric placement with the micro-lifter presser foot function. The color touch panel allows you to view your sewing settings graphically alongside offering you easy access to choosing any pattern.
The bobbin thread counter is another handy feature to prevent bobbin thread breakage. Another super handy feature is the electronic knee lifting control mechanism which allows you to have the presser foot raised with a light knee operation.
The machine also has an electronic feed dog control mechanism. Juki comes with many other advanced functions and accessories such as footswitch function, presser foot pivot function, Stitch adjustment/needle position dials, Box feed, and more. Using this machine, you can evenly sew thick fabrics, including denim. The buttonhole foot helps users create a perfectly finished buttonhole on all fabrics.
Features at a glance
- Wide sewing area
- 1050 stitches per minute
- Automatic needle threader
- Interchangeable single needle system
- Micro-lifter presser foot function
- Color touch panel
- Bobbin thread counter
- Electronic knee lifting control mechanism
- Electronic feed dog control mechanism
- Buttonhole foot
- Allows users to sew thick fabrics
- Dual feed function
6. ENCORE 18×8 Inch Long Arm Quilting Machine
ENCORE 18×8 Inch Long Arm Quilting Machine is ideal for those who have to quilt large projects because of 18 inches of space between the arm and the needle. The machine comes with an automatic stitch regulator and an 18″ x 8″ throat space. Besides, Encore comes with an auto needle position and an extra-large bobbin. Bobbin winding is exceptionally easy because of the built-in bobbin winder.
The machine has a versatile quilting foot to have the fabric in position, and you can adjust the foot position while you have to sew thick fabrics. Encore comes with a brilliant built-in quality thread stand.
You can quickly move the machine using adjustable ergonomic handles. The LCD allows you to easily choose between the stitch modes, including auto stitch. Encore comes with various other advanced and handy features.
The height-adjustable legs make things exceptionally convenient for the users. Besides, the machine has adjustable dual-bearing wheels on front and backtracks, which offer excellent stability.
The machine comes with accurate quick-release ratchets, which help users accurately tension fabric. It has a hook position finger and a central lubrication system. The one-button operation, the hopping foot, and the two-station needle positioned w/ single stitch provide you with an exceptionally smooth sewing experience on this machine.
Features at a glance
- 18″ x 8″ throat space
- Built-in bobbin winder
- Adjustable ergonomic handles
- Height adjustable legs
- Variable speed control
- Hopping foot
- LED Dimming Light
- Double-Capacity “M” Style Bobbin
- One Button Operation
- Turbo Servo Motor
7. Infinity 26-inch Long Arm with Gallery2 Frame
Infinity 26-inch Long Arm is a brilliant quilter with innovative features. The machine provides you with a stitching speed of 3100 stitches per minute.
Infinity 26-inch Long Arm comes with customizable settings and programmable presets. The machine provides you with the most advanced and convenient options to finish your quilt from start to finish.
Some of the handy features are a Bobbin-thread cutter, Pinpoint needle laser, Easy-Touch Tension, and On-screen handwheel. The machine has an adjustable spool tray and thread mast along with a horizontal spool.
Users can switch between Precision and Cruise modes. The machine also comes with four basting stitch options, a quilting alarm, a project timer, needle-stop position control, and a stitch counter to speed up your work.
The handlebars come with programmable buttons. The integrated adjustable laser light is a handy feature for pantographs. The thread-break sensor with alarm and internal diagnostics can save you a lot of time from being wasted while you are in the middle of a task. The machine comes with accessories such as Four extra bobbins, 20 needles, a sample thread pack, and a pantograph.
Features at a glance
- 3100 stitches per minute
- Bobbin-thread cutter
- Easy-Touch Tension
- Precision and Cruise modes
- Needle-stop position control
- Programmable handlebar buttons
- Integrated adjustable laser light
8. Handi Quilter Amara 20 inch Longarm Quilter Machine
The Handi Quilter Amara 20 inch Longarm Quilter Machine comes with a 5ft little foot frame and a 7-inch color touchscreen. The machine allows you to quilt with great Precision and quilt from baby to king-size. The Handi Quilter Amara 20 inch Longarm Quilter Machine has a throat space of 20″ and supports stitching speed up to 2500 stitches per minute.
The menu-controlled QuiltMaster LED lighting package and QuiltMaster servo-controlled stitch regulation, and programmable handlebar buttons make the machine exceptionally convenient to use.
The QuiltMaster front handlebars are adjustable and ergonomically designed with integrated micro handles. Users can choose between the two modes of stitch regulation, comprising Precision and Cruise.
All levels of users can use this machine with ease since it comes with various super handy features such as Five convenient built-in tie-off stitches, a High-speed rotary hook with large-capacity M-class bobbin, Manual mode with three customizable preset speeds, On-screen handwheel, Magnetic Tool Minder Collar, Bobbin-use estimator, Front Power Stitch, Thread-break sensor and alarm, and Stitch Counter. The easy needle change alongside needle-stop up/down control and five basting stitches offer you a super-advanced quilting experience.
Features at a glance
- 5ft little foot frame
- 7-inch color touchscreen
- Stitching speed up to 2500 stitches per minute
- Menu controlled QuiltMaster LED lighting package
- Programmable handlebar buttons
- Adjustable and ergonomically designed handlebars
- Precision and Cruise modes
9. Forte 24 Handi Quilter Long Arm Quilting Machine
The Forte 24 Handi Quilter Long Arm Quilting Machine comes with powerful free-motion quilting and stand-alone bobbin winder for a straightforward yet advanced quilting experience. The machine has a throat space of 24″ and comes with a pinpoint needle laser. The easy-set tension makes it super convenient for the users to set tension.
The Forte 24 Handi Quilter Long Arm Quilting Machine comes with a 7-inch color touch screen, and a menu-controlled QuiltMaster LED lighting package. The QuiltMaster servo-controlled stitch regulation essentially helps you with perfect stitches.
The handlebar comes with programmable buttons. The Forte 24 Handi Quilter Long Arm Quilting Machine allows you to stitch at a maximum speed of 2500 stitches per minute.
As far as the stitch quality goes, it is pretty consistent with 4 to 24 stitches per inch. You can select between the Precision and the Cruise mode depending on your requirement. The machine comes with a lot more handy features comprising a Front power switch, a Thread-break sensor and alarm, a Stitch counter, Easy needle change, Needle-stop up/down control, and Five basting stitches.
Besides, users can use manual mode with as many as three preset speeds. Most importantly, the machine comes with an HQ Gallery2 Frame. In conjunction with the Magnetic Tool Minder Collar and Bobbin-use estimator, the On-screen handwheel provides you with an incredibly smooth quilting experience.
Features at a glance
- Powerful free-motion quilting
- Stand-alone bobbin winder
- Throat space of 24″
- Pinpoint needle laser
- Easy-set tension
- 7-inch color touch screen
- Menu-controlled QuiltMaster LED lighting package
- QuiltMaster servo-controlled stitch regulation
- Programmable handlebar buttons
- 2500 stitches per minute
- Precision and Cruise modes
- Easy needle change and Needle-stop up/down control
10. Grace Company Qnique 19 Quilting Machine
The Grace Company Qnique 19 Quilting Machine comes with a 9-inch throat space to easily accommodate large patterns and blocks. The machine is perfectly compatible with various quilting frames and compatible with the Quilter’s Creative Touch Software. The software ensures you enjoy a computer-automated quilting system at home.
The machine has a built-in stitch regulator to keep the stitch length consistent, and it also controls the speed of stitching to match the quilting machine movements. The machine allows you to have a maximum stitching speed of 2000 stitches per minute. The handles come with six quick-access buttons for the users to control the main settings.
The Grace Company Qnique 19 Quilting Machine has a color touchscreen display on the front, which allows you to view all the settings from one point. The machine has Controllable LED light.
Qnique also comes with an easy-access bobbin to help you quickly change and check the bobbin. Besides, the built-in bobbin winder makes bobbin refills exceptionally fast and straightforward.
Features at a glance
- 9-inch throat space
- Compatible with the Quilter’s Creative Touch Software
- Built-in stitch regulator
- 2000 stitches per minute
- Six quick-access buttons
- Color touchscreen display
- Controllable LED light
- Easy-access bobbin & built-in bobbin winder
11. Handi Quilter Capri 18
The Handi Quilter Capri 18 comes with an HQ InSight stitch regulation table and is a perfect free-motion quilting machine for small spaces. The machine has a throat space of 18″ and a stitching speed of 2200 stitches per minute.
Users can choose from 4 to 22 stitches per inch for all quilting motifs types. The machine is straightforward to set up and comes with an adjustable table height from 25.5″ to 39.5″.
The machine has two modes of stitch regulation comprising Precision or Cruise. Besides, the Handi Quilter Capri 18 has a high-resolution color touchscreen with a lot of advanced options.
The needle-stop position control and the responsive foot pedal make it ridiculously convenient to use the machine. The machine comes with easy needle change, a Low-bobbin estimator and alarm, a Quilting alarm, and a project timer to save you a lot of time and effort.
The bobbin-area “dam” is a brilliant feature that allows users to use canned air for lint removal. Further, the Handi Quilter Capri 18 comes with a Walking stitch plus five basting stitch options, Presets for saving favorite manual mode stitching options, Stitch counters, Built-in diagnostics, easy USB machine, and software updates.
Features at a glance
- Easy to set up
- HQ InSight stitch regulation table
- Throat space of 18″
- 2200 stitches per minute
- Precision and Cruise modes
- High-resolution color touchscreen
- Needle-stop position
- Bobbin-area
- Easy USB machine and software updates
- Built-in diagnostics
12. HQ Fusion Package – 24″ Long Arm Quilter
The HQ Fusion Package – 24″ Long Arm Quilter is a made-in USA quilter with the best-integrated technology. The machine comes with a color LCD touch screen which offers excellent control of stitch settings, needle position, and more.
The touch screen has many other handy features such as an on-screen calculator, a video player, and an audio player. The machine has an open quilting space of 20 inches which offers easy quilting. Besides, the machine has an integrated and adjustable laser light.
The LED lighting functions are pretty advanced with menu control. As far as the maximum stitching speed goes, the machine can stitch up to 2200 stitches per minute. You can expect a stitch quality from 4 stitches per inch to 18 stitches per inch. The machine is loaded with many useful accessories such as five bobbins, a bobbin case, thread mast, oiler, power cord, a needle, an Instructional DVD, and more.
As far as the needle position goes, the machine offers automatic needle positioning. The machine is straightforward to handle, and what makes it so easy is the various handy settings such as full and half stitch settings, needle position control, built-in diagnostics, and more. The thread-break sensor is another handy feature that this machine comes with.
Features at a glance
- Robust frame
- Advanced color LCD touch screen
- 20 inches open quilting space
- Adjustable laser light
- 2200 stitches per minute
- Automatic needle positioning
- Thread-break sensor
- Built-in diagnostics
Frequently Asked Question
Are You Looking For Long Arm Quilting Machine? Here’s What You Need to Consider
Buying a suitable long arm quilting machine needs you to keep in mind some essential factors. The factors aren’t hard to understand and remember.
Once you get the hang of these features, you can guide your friends and relatives in the future like a true expert.
Project Features
Before you can go ahead with buying a Long Arm Quilting Machine, you must consider the features that you would need the most to accomplish your project.
Projects may vary, and the features will vary depending on that. The next best thing to do would be to look for a machine that comes with these features.
Throat Size
You must try to go for a bigger throat size. Throat size is the space between the needle and the arm of the machine. The size of the throat has a direct impact on the design choices. Even if you may feel a 22″ throat size is good enough but ideally, 26″ to 30″ works the best for quilting.
Responsive Stitch Regulator
You must pay close attention to the stitch regulator while buying a quilting machine. Even though almost all quilting machines offer good stitches in a curved line, the actual test is doing the zig-zag lines with sharp directional changes.
Testing it can be a wise thing to do, and when you do it, you must make sure that you go fast and move the machine towards the left and then towards the rear corner of the table at the needle side. However, you must check the performance closely based on the long stitches, points in the zig-zag directional changes, and the stitches’ looks, which can be rough or even.
Needle Speed
The needle speed is another crucial factor to consider and determines if the machine is heavy-duty. Choosing a machine with not below an SPM of 2400 stitches per minute is a wise thing to do, and you can even go for an SPM of 3500 stitches per minute if you like.
However, it is essential to understand that you aren’t going to stitch at this speed or stitch as many stitches every minute. The SPM only reflects the power of the motor in responding quickly whenever necessary.
Cost
Just as in any product, the cost is a crucial factor, and buying a quilting machine can be an expensive affair for sure. You must set a budget in advance, keeping in mind the lowest price of a quilting machine.
This will help you compare better and get the machine of your choice at the most reasonable price; else, the chances are that you will end up paying much more than what you should pay. Besides, you can keep up with the various offers and capitalize on them to save some money.
Warranty
Most people overlook this factor, but Warranty is a significant factor, and you must take it very seriously. While most of the quilting machines come with 1 to 2 years of Warranty, it is never a bad idea to look for quilting machines that come with a comparatively more extended warranty period.
Further, you must pay close attention to the components of the machine Covered in the Warranty. You must always feel free to ask about the warranty period when buying a long arm quilting machine. Besides, some machines offer an extended Warranty at an additional price, and it’s wise to opt for it.
Conclusion
We genuinely tried our very best to present you with the best long arm quilting machines, and we are pretty sure that you have largely enjoyed reading this review. All the quilting machines mentioned in this review are very reliable, and we chose them after testing around 25 quilting machines.
Even though you can wisely choose from the 12 quilting machines, going through their features, you can choose any of them, and you wouldn’t still go wrong. All the quilters come with comprehensive and advanced features.
For more clarity, we have answered some of the most common questions bound to cross your mind. We have also provided you with a useful guide to choosing a Longarm quilting machine in our things to consider section. Choosing the best Long Arm quilting machine for your project should be pretty easy now that you have read this review.