Rank #2 in Best Sewing Machines: 10 Ranked, and One 'Best Seller' That Isn't
Brother AE1700 17-Stitch Sewing Machine
Price and rating as shown on Amazon when we collected them. Both change.
The Brother AE1700 is a 17-stitch, corded electric sewing machine in white, priced at £129.00 and rated 4.7 out of 5 from 1,985 customer ratings. It finishes second in this guide. On its own Amazon listing it sits 30,873 in Home & Kitchen and 12th in Basic Sewing Machines.
The price is what makes that 12th place worth reading twice. £129 is more than the £99 and £89 machines the rest of this guide covers, and those two sit higher in the same Basic Sewing Machines chart — one of them at number one. The AE1700's listing calls itself "Entry Level" while charging the most of the three. The dimensions are the other number that does not survive a second look: the same listing gives 26.4 cm deep, 113 cm wide and 94 cm high, against a weight of 5.81 kg. A sewing machine over a metre wide that weighs under six kilos does not add up, so treat the width and height as a listing error rather than a measurement. Everything on this page comes from the Amazon listing — its bullets, its photographs and its specifications — not from a machine we have sat at and tested.
How those 1,985 ratings break down
An average hides its own shape. This is the spread behind the 4.7 stars.
Specification
Exactly as published on the Amazon listing, field for field.
| Price | £129.00 |
|---|---|
| Customer rating | 4.7 out of 5 from 1,985 ratings |
| Best Sellers Rank | 30,873 in Home & Kitchen; 12 in Basic Sewing Machines |
| Stitches | 17, including a 4-step buttonhole |
| Bobbin | Drop-in |
| Lighting | LED, described in the listing as never needing a bulb |
| Item weight | 5.81 kg |
| Item dimensions (as listed) | 26.4 D x 113 W x 94 H centimetres |
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“I bought this for my Mum for her 65th birthday after having the same sewing machine for 45 years! She loves it! It is easy and smooth to use. It is not too big or heavy for her, and the instructions are simple to follow. Ideal for beginners and those who are a little more experienced.”
Verified purchase“Arrived in double quick time. Sees like a dream. I was having a problem with "nesting" with my old machine but this one flys along. I love the top view of the bobbin so you don't get caught out when it's running low. Haven't used other stitches just yet but extremely happy with my purchase.”
What it is up against
The rivals it was ranked against in Best Sewing Machines: 10 Ranked, and One 'Best Seller' That Isn't.
Questions people ask
How many stitches does the Brother AE1700 have?
The listing says 17 stitches, with a 4-step buttonhole and quick stitch selection.
How much does the Brother AE1700 cost?
£129.00 on Amazon, as shown on the listing.
Where does the Brother AE1700 rank on Amazon?
The listing shows 30,873 in Home & Kitchen and 12 in Basic Sewing Machines.
How is the Brother AE1700 rated by buyers?
4.7 out of 5 from 1,985 ratings.
Does the Brother AE1700 need replacement bulbs?
The listing says LED lighting and claims you will "never replace a bulb".
How big is the Brother AE1700?
The listing gives 113 cm wide, 94 cm high and 26.4 cm deep, with a weight of 5.81 kg — the width figure is hard to square with the weight.
Is the Brother AE1700 a beginner machine?
Its own listing calls it "Entry Level" and "17 Stitch Sewing Machine"; at £129 it costs more than the cheaper Brother machines ranked above it in the same Amazon chart.
Comments
Reader comments are not checked against the manufacturer's claims above.
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