The PE900 is best understood as a PE800 with two upgrades bolted on: wireless design transfer (via Brother's Artspira app, no USB stick shuffle) and a larger built-in design library — 193 versus 138. Everything that made the PE800 the default 5×7 machine is intact: the same field, the same colour touchscreen editing, the same reliable tension. It is, deliberately, an evolution rather than a reinvention.
How it compares
| Machine | Field | Built-ins | Price (axis $300–1,300) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother PE900 our pick · new 5×7 | 5×7 in | 193 | $899–1,000 | 8.4/10 |
| Brother PE800 better value used | 5×7 in | 138 | $700–780 | 8.6/10 |
| Brother SE2000 combo alternative | 5×7 in | 193 | $1,099–1,299 | 8.0/10 |
| Brother PE535 budget 4×4 | 4×4 in | 80 | $299–399 | 7.4/10 |
Verified street/used pricing, 3 Jul 2026.
Where it wins, where it loses
What owners report
We read the threads so you don't have to. Each card summarises what owners in that community actually say — follow the link to read the discussion yourself.
Owners agree the PE900’s meaningful additions over the discontinued PE800 are wireless design transfer and more built-in designs — the stitch quality and 5×7 field are unchanged.
Read the thread →For a new buyer who wants a current-production 5×7 machine with support and wireless, the PE900 is the community’s default recommendation over hunting for used stock.
Read the thread →Common questions
Is the Brother PE900 worth it over a used PE800?
If you want current production, warranty and wireless design transfer — yes. If you’re comfortable buying used and don’t mind a USB stick, a clean PE800 near $700 gets you identical stitch quality for $200–$300 less. That’s the whole decision.
Does the Brother PE900 need Wi-Fi to work?
No. Wireless transfer via the Artspira app is a convenience, not a requirement — the PE900 accepts designs by USB stick exactly like the PE800 did.
What hoop sizes does the PE900 support?
Up to 5×7 inches (one 5×7 hoop included). Smaller hoops are available separately for small jobs. It cannot stitch fields larger than 5×7 — for that you’re into the Janome 500E class ($1,800+).
Can the PE900 embroider caps?
No — like all flat-bed single-needle home machines, it can’t hoop a structured cap. Caps need a multi-needle machine with a cap driver, like the Brother PR680W or a Ricoma.