The best serger sewing machines you can buy

Why you’ll love it: The affordable Singer ProFinish 14CG754 Serger is great for sewers who want versatility and quality for a good price.

Able to do two-, three-, and four-thread stitches, the Singer ProFinish 14CG754 Serger offers much functionality and superb performance at a decent price. Several Amazon users commented that they could use it “right out of the box." This model even comes pre-threaded with red, yellow, green, and blue spools — and rethreading is simplified by its color-coded system that indicates the path for each thread by color.

The Singer ProFinish 14CG754 Serger has eight different stitch options, from basic to decorative sewing, like finished seams, edging, narrow hems, and rolled hems. Sewing up to 1,300 stitches per minute, this efficient, user-friendly model features adjustable stitch width and length for applique, basting, and more. Its differential feed adjusts fabric feed for creating smooth seams on very stretchy fabrics. Another Amazon user “had to sew a spandex costume in a hurry and it saved the day!”

The Singer ProFinish 14CG754 Serger also has a removable storage compartment and a built-in free arm for sewing sleeve cuffs and hemming pants, as well as a movable upper knife that can trim excess seam allowances or retract when you don’t need it (e.g., during flat locking). Users commented that perhaps most helpful is the instructional DVD.

Rated the top “budget pick” by Design My Costume, this model is also named “best bang for buck” by BestReviews. The Tool Report picks it as the best model for “entry level pricing.” The Singer ProFinish 14CG754 Serger earns a place within the top ten models on SewingMachinesView and an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars from more than 375 Amazon reviewers.

Pros: User-friendly, many features (like two-, three-, and four-thread stitches), affordable price

Cons: Heavy

Buy the Singer ProFinish 14CG754 Serger on Amazon for $176.75

Why you’ll love it: Although small, the Juki MO654DE Portable Thread Serger Sewing Machine delivers a lot of power and high-quality performance with a maximum speed of 1,500 stitches per minute.

The Juki MO654DE Portable Thread Serger Sewing Machine is small but stable — despite its size, it doesn’t vibrate or move around much during operation. Combine that with its two-. three-, and four-thread options, fast stitching speed, and other handy features, and you have high performance in a small package.

The Juki MO654DE Portable Thread Serger Sewing Machine executes various stitches, including two-thread overcast, two- and three-thread rolled hem, three-thread overlock, three-thread narrow overlock, three-thread flatlock, and four-thread overlock. It features an easily adjustable differential feed that keeps fabric moving evenly or can be used for ornamental styles, like a lettuce edge. A built-in seam allowance guide and heavy-duty knife help create clean-cut and even seams on thick and thin fabrics. In fact, The Tool Report was able to stitch and cut through six layers of cotton batting and two layers of denim.

In addition to a convenient color-coded threading guide, the Juki MO654DE Portable Thread Serger Sewing Machine has a lower looper threader that disengages for quick and easy threading before simply snapping back into place. Speaking of snapping, this serger also has a snap-on multi-function presser foot that accommodates overlock stitching as well as tape, elastic, ribbon, or sequins.

Design My Costume rated this model as the best portable unit, while The Tool Report highly recommends it to beginners and experienced users. It earns fifth-place among Sewing Machines View’s top ten sergers and 5 stars from 80% of 180 Amazon reviewers.

Pros: Compact, fast, smooth operation, strong knife

Cons: Pricey, no cover stitch option, no free arm

Buy the Juki MO654DE Portable Thread Serger Sewing Machine on Amazon for $313

Why you’ll love it: For someone starting out, the Janome 8002D Serger is just right — easy to use, easy to thread, and highly functional.

The word “easy” is often used to describe the Janome 8002D Serger. Arriving pre-threaded with white thread, this reliable machine is ready to work right away. It executes three- and four-thread stitches and easily converts to a rolled hem. Color-coded tension dials are easily threaded and color-coded thread guides help newbies re-thread the serger easily.

The Janome 8002D Serger has a differential feed system, adjustable pressure for its snap-on presser feet, and adjustable stitch lengths and widths. Working up to 1,300 stitches per minute, this model is versatile and efficient.

Best of all, the Janome 8002D Serger is well-suited for users learning the craft. Teach You To Sew noted that this model is great for kids as well as for people with arthritic hands. The Tool Report described it as great for beginners. Sewing Machine Reviews, She Likes to Sew, and BestReviews rank this serger within their top five models.

On Amazon, 75% of more than 100 reviewers rated it 5 out of 5 stars. Amazon bundles bonus accessories like the Janome Blind Stitch Foot and a five-pack of Schmetz Universal 90/14 Needles with the Janome 8002D Serger.

Pros: Easy to use and re-thread, strong and neat stitching work

Cons: No free arm, no cover stitch option

Buy the Janome 8002D Serger with Bonus Accessories on Amazon for $299

Why you’ll love it: For experienced users and those who even do commercial sewing, the Singer Professional 5 14T968DC Serger is offers excellent performance and diverse stitching capabilities in a heavy-duty body.

On the other end of the spectrum is the Singer Professional 5 14T968DC Serger, a model with lots of bell and whistles — fitting for advanced users.

Capable of doing two-, three-, four-, and five-thread stitches, this workhorse can execute various cover stitches (narrow, triple, double chain, or wide) as well as serger stitches (five- and four-thread safety, five-thread safety wide, four- and three-thread ultra-stretch mock safety, three-thread overlock, three-thread flatlock, two-thread wrapped-edge overlock, and two-thread overedge).

This serger also has four built-in rolled hems. So many different types of seams, hem finishes, and decorative edges are attainable with this machine, and the five-thread overlock stitch is very strong. The three- and four-thread overlock stitches are no slouches either.

As expected for a serger of this level, a differential feed adjusts fabric feed for smooth seams, a color-coded threading system makes re-threading simple, and a speed of 1,300 stitches per minute makes each job quick. Pleasant bonuses include the self-adjusting tension system (where you pick a stitch and the machine automatically calibrates the tension to keep stitches even) and an extra-high presser foot lifter to accommodate thick fabrics.

Speaking of presser feet, in addition to a general purpose foot, the Singer Professional 5 14T968DC Serger comes with six extra presser feet: elastic (to add elastic to delicate fabric), beading/sequin (to adorn garments or home decor), shirring (to gather fabric and attach it to a flat piece simultaneously), blind hem, cording, and taping.

Finally, the Singer Professional 5 14T968DC Serger has a heavy-duty metal interior frame and stainless steel bed plate for durability. Combined with reliability and superb performance, this machine is built for frequent and expert use.

Design My Costume named this model “best for professionals,” The Tool Report rated it “best advanced,” and it is ranked number two on Wiki.evid and number three on Sewing Machines View. The Singer Professional 5 14T968DC Serger earned an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars from almost 300 Amazon reviewers.

Pros: A multitude of diverse stitching options, overlock and cover stitching, automatically adjustable tension

Cons: No free arm, a bit heavy

Buy the Singer Professional 5 14T968DC Serger on Amazon for $413.31