The 13 Best Janome Sewing Machine Reviews

If you are looking for a new sewing machine, you’ve probably come across your fair share of Janome brand sewing machines. This much loved sewing machine company makes machines that are affordable and easy to use.

I’ve researched information about 13 great Janome sewing machines. You’ll see some advantages and disadvantages of each. You will also learn the Janome company and why it is a favorite sewing machine for so many in the sewing community.

Best Janome Sewing Machines – Comparison Chart

You can start your journey through Janome sewing machines, by taking a quick look at this chart. You’ll see the differing specifications among my choice of 13 Janome sewing machines. But don’t look only at this chart. Be sure to read the review and research of my favorite Janome sewing machines too!

Top 13 Janome Sewing Machines to Buy Pros and Cons

After that quick overview of Janome sewing machines, you might feel ready to buy. But don’t go too fast! You need to read on for more in-depth research, reviews, and pros and cons of the top 13 Janome sewing machines below.

1. Janome 2212 Sewing Machine

(Best Sewing Machine for Beginners)

Janome is known for its affordability. I love this machine for that, but also for its well-rounded features and abilities.

It is a perfect machine for beginners on a budget. It doesn’t have a million extra features, but still has a few special perks to give you a taste of many elements of other machines all in one. It is also very intuitive and will support you while you teach yourself the basics of sewing.

It has 12 built-in stitches and a few automatic button-hole options. So you’ll be able to try out different designs without paying for 200 extra features you might not be ready for yet. You can even adjust the stitch length with the built-in stitches, so you actually have more than 12 to play around with.

The buttonhole function will let you try out making your first button-up shirt to see if you want focus more on sewing clothing in the future.

2. Janome Magnolia 7318 Sewing Machine

(Best Mechanical Sewing Machine)

This Janome sewing machine is a step up on the price and sophistication scale. If you were annoyed that the Janome 2212 doesn’t have enough built-in stitches, you’ll be happy to hear the Magnolia 7318 has a 18.

The Magnolia 7318 is a mechanical sewing machine. This is an advantage for some people and a disadvantage for others. If you’re a traditional seamstress, you’re already accustomed to mechanical skills necessary such as needle stopping. If you’re like me, you might love digital computerized machines for their ease of operation, digital functions, and built-in help guides.

It can handle most fabric types. However, I found it works best with light, midweight, and lighter thick materials. It might not be your solution for sewing a leather jacket.

3. Janome HD3000 Heavy-Duty Sewing Machine

(Best Sewing Machine for Denim)

This Janome sewing machine is yet another step up on the price and sophistication scale than the Janome 2212 and the Janome Magnolia 7318. If you were annoyed that the previos two don’t necessarily handle thick fabrics the best, you’ll be glad to find this Janome HD3000.

It has a sturdy metal frame helping it to handle denim, leather, and layers of thick fabrics. This is a great machine if you are a beginner who wants to jump right into denim jackets or canvas curtains.

It has a few more built-in stitches than the Janome 2212, so you can spread your creative wings a little wider with this sewing machine. You can adjust the stitch lengths on this sewing machine too, giving you a few more design options in addition to the built-in designs.

I love the snappy little compartments and storage areas built right into the machine. I can keep all my accessories, as well as the included accessories, right in my machine instead of losing them in the clutter of my junk drawers!

4. Janome DC5100 Computerized Sewing Machine

(Editor’s Choice)

Now we move on to a Janome computerized sewing machine. I prefer digital features and extra design options, so I’ve chosen the Janome DC5100 as my personal choice.

It has a whopping 167 built-in designs. I can never get bored with this many options. I also have 5 buttonhole designs to put that extra snappy touch on any clothing I want to whip up.

If you are forgetful, you might want this machine. I always forget which stitches I have used before and hate to forget my favorites. This Janome has a built-in memory system to store your most recent or favorite design patterns. It will save you tons of time from scrolling through the designs, pulling your hair out trying to remember which one looked so cool on that pocket you sewed last week.

It doesn’t just have designs. It has an automatic tension system, built-in needle-threader, and snap on presser feet to name a few.

Despite all of these great designs and features, it is still very user-friendly. This is something Janome is known for and it isn’t lost on the more expensive Janome’s either.

5. Janome HD1000 Heavy-Duty Sewing Machine

(Best Heavy-Duty Sewing Machine)

You might think you’ve traveled back in time when you lay your hands on this heavy-duty machine. The cast aluminum that makes up this Janome HD1000 will remind you of the durable machines from a time before mass produced plastic replacements.

As you might have guessed, with durability also comes the ability to work on thicker fabrics. You will also find the extra-high presser foot helps you when you’re working with your thick leathers, denim and canvas.

This is another mechanical sewing machine. And while I like that I can attempt to fix it on my own, without dealing with complicated digital issues, I still prefer my computerized sewing machines. That said, the mechanical functions and their simplicity might be growing on me!

I love how this machine suits all types of sewing enthusiasts. It works for beginners, if you train yourself on adjusting the settings as per fabric; all the way up to expert seamstresses.

6. Janome Memory Craft 6500P Sewing Machine

(Best Sewing Machine for Advanced Sewing)

This is not a machine for beginners. It is a Janome, so it is still extremely user-friendly. But it is very expensive and it might be a while before a beginner can utilize the machine and its functions to their full potential–making it not immediately worth the price tag.

But if you’re serious about sewing, you’ll love this Janome 6500P sewing machine. It is extremely precise, so you all of your projects can be flawless. It is also a speedy little stitching machine. 1000 stitches per minute means you won’t have to wait long before turning out a new product.

This sewing machine is great for quilting, curtains, and other large sewing projects. The extra large throat area and advanced feed mechanism (along with the speed and accuracy) makes it a favorite among those sewing blankets and quilts.

It’s not just for quilters, though. There are 135 built-in stitches and seven different buttonhole options. You can monogram and sew all your unique clothing items, too!

7. Janome 001DC2014 Computerized Sewing Machine

(Most Versatile Sewing Machine)

Here is another computerized Janome gem. It is a great mid-price Janome computerized sewing machine. I would recommend it for both beginning and advanced sewing.

It has a decent amount of built in stitches. 50 built-in stitches will keep you busy, inspired, but won’t have you drowning in useless designs. It also has three one-step buttonhole options to spice up your buttoned projects.

I love that it feels strong and durable, but doesn’t weigh a million pounds. It can be somewhat portable (many come with an included carrying case).

This machine is flexible in its ideal user. But, the Janome 001DC2014 is versatile in it’s application as well. You can sew delicate fabrics with just as much precision as you can with thicker curtain or leather fabrics.

It’s not as fast as the Janome 6500P, but 860 stitches per minute will still have your projects sewn rapidly.

It comes with several presser feet, so you can adjust your accessories for whatever project you are doing. They are simple to remove and add a new one in-between projects. I love the zipper foot that comes with this Janome.

8. Janome 3128 Sewing Machine

(Best Sewing Machine for Quilting Beginners)

This Janome sewing machine offers what you’ll need for basic sewing and even to make a bulky quilt, without breaking the bank. It’s especially great for those of you just beginning to sew quilts.

It is a great little mechanical sewing machine with enough options to get you started on the right foot. You can easily adjust your tension, choose a stitch, or lock and sew in reverse on this highly intuitive machine.

Even though it is not computerized, I found the knobs and visuals easy to navigate. I still felt like it had enough variance to keep even my attention!

That said, if you are a beginner that isn’t looking to sew a quilt, you might want to choose one of the other beginner machines with a wider range of options. That way you can try out a few styles and decide what your sewing specialty will be.

9. Janome 7330 Magnolia Computerized Sewing Machine

(Best Value Sewing Machine)

Here is another easy-to-use, computerized Janome machine. It is a mid-price sewing machine. It is easy enough to use for beginners. But might be just perfect for intermediate sewing and good enough to carry you up to advanced.

I love all the LED screens. I can use them to see my stitch number, length and width on the digital screens. They tell me when there is a problem! It also only takes the press of one button to start sewing with the foot pedal.

There are 30 built-in stitches, which is a nice range of choice. It also has six sensor buttonhole options. You can also easily reinforce your buttonholes.

I consider the Janome 7330 Magnolia to be the best value, even though it isn’t the cheapest model. It has a great combination of built-in features, digital ease of operation, strength, speed and durability.

10. Janome MOD-50 Computerized Sewing Machine

(Best Sewing Machine for Delicate Fabrics)

This computerized Janome sewing machine has a few more built-in stitch options. It also has 3 one-step buttonhole options.

I love the speed control feature. It makes it easy for me to speed up or slow down my stitching depending on my fabric. The lever is especially useful when I am carefully monitoring my stitch speed with delicate fabrics.

The LCD screen is very convenient and easy to manage all of my settings and stitches. It is, however, still a bit expensive for a machine that doesn’t have some of the smaller automated perks, such as an automatic tension control for threads.

In any case, it is still a versatile machine for quilters, tailors, and those sewing and almost any level.

11. Janome MOD-19 Easy-to-Use Sewing Machine

(Best Sewing Machine for Home Business)

When you’re starting a home business, you want all of your products to be perfect. You would hate to give a flawed service to your first customers. I love this machine for its precision and accuracy. You might love it for its affordability and professional results!

It isn’t a super-powered industrial machine, but it will do the job for a small home business. It is versatile enough that if you have a wide range of products with ranging fabric thicknesses, you can get all the jobs done!

It may sound small, but the halogen light might be its best feature! I can see everything I am sewing, even on black and dark fabrics. It makes all the difference when you’re sewing late into the night for hours on end.

The Janome DC2013 has an absolutely amazing feed system. You won’t be wasting time or fabric due to bunching or damaged fabric. When you’re starting a small business time (and fabric) is money!

12. Janome DC2013

(Best Sewing Machine for Making Shirts)

This Janome sewing machine, is indeed easy to use as its name suggests. It is more affordable than some other Janome sewing machines so might be great for beginners or as a complementing machine.

My favorite thing about the Janome DC2013 is the five-piece feed dog. It is nearly impossible to snag or have faulty stitches. The feed dog ensures all my fabrics move smoothly and without fuss through the sewing machine.

When I’m sewing a shirt, I love to have a free arm on my sewing machine when I get to the sleeves. You’re in luck! This machine has a lovely free arm that you can slide your sleeve (or pant legs) right around!

It only has one choice of automated buttonholes, but it is a one-step buttonhole function. I have found that one choice is more than enough for the clothing I am making. I would much rather have it slide so seamlessly over my light to medium fabrics that have extra buttonhole features.

The super bright LED light is perfect when I’m sewing clothing, day or night. If you are sewing to sell, you’ll love how the light enables you to see any problems and to monitor the precision of your stitching without straining your eyes.

13. Janome 8002D Serger

(Best Sewing Machine for Sewing Clothing)

This Janome sewing machine can be used for personal or business use. It creates high-quality products without you having to pay exorbitant start-up cost.

The Janome 8002D is great for sewing clothing because of its amazing overlock stitching capabilities. It creates the most beautiful hems. This is an absolute must if you are sewing shirts, dressing, pants or any type of clothing.

Even if you’re just starting out with sewing, this machine can help you. The color coded threading chart is fool (and beginner) proof!

It also has a differential feed adjustment, so you can easily work between many different types of fabrics without problems.

And did I mention it is fast? Whether you’re sewing for the masses or just a dress here and there, the speed (1,300 stitches per minute) will save you loads of time.

Who Makes Janome Sewing Machines?

Now that you’ve learned all about 13 amazing Janome sewing machines. Maybe you are ready to go out and buy your very own. But if you’re like me, you’ll be curious about who makes these wonderful little sewing machines.

The Janome company was founded by Yosaku Ose in Tokyo, Japan. In his manufacturing, he started using a round metal bobbin instead of a long shuttle bobbin. They thought this rounded bobbin system looked a bit like a snake’s eye. This gave Janome its name. Janome means “eye of the snake” in Japanese.

Every since the start, Janome has been at the forefront of sewing machine technology and advancements. They rolled out the first programmable computer sewing system the world had ever seen in 1979. And they have been advancing their technology even more ever since. Though Janome was founded in Tokyo, Japan it has divisions all over the world.

Where are Janome Sewing Machines Made?

Many people want to know where their products are manufactured. Sewing machines are no different.

Janome manufactures its sewing machines in Japan, Taiwan and Thailand. That might seem a little far from home for many of you. But you can rest assured they have divisions in countries around the world. So you can get trusted advice and machines anywhere in the world.

What is a Janome sewing machine?

Janome sewing machines are delightful machines, both mechanical and computerized, that can be used for people sewing at all levels.

They are committed to quality and supporting customers every stitch of the way. Janome sewing machines represent innovation and advancing products with every new edition.

Janome is committed to making their machines affordable so you can follow your sewing dreams without going broke. They are surprisingly high-quality for the low price you pay for them.

I love how they have such a modern quality and come with many advanced features, but without the complicated learning process so many other fresh, new machines do.

How Much Does a Janome Sewing Machine Cost?

As you’ve seen in the reviews and listings, Janome sewing machines are one of the most affordable high-quality sewing machine brands on the market. Though they might have less focus on the professional, industrial side of things, they still offer professional results.

Beginners can find a Janome sewing machine for less than 200 dollars. These budget machines will get you up and sewing in no time. They are extremely easy to use. But they can still offer quality stitching and lots of extras to build your sewing repertoire while you learn.

Even if you have a business, you can find a Janome to suit your industrial needs. The higher end of Janome sewing machines can cost you over a thousand dollars. These purchases are widely considered worth the price if you need all the extra features those machines have.

Are Janome Sewing Machines Any Good

I’ve talked a lot about budget and affordability when I’ve been discussing Janome. Maybe that puts some of your on edge. It might sound better if they were constantly referred to as top-of-the-line and high-quality. Well, you’re in luck! Though many focus on their reasonable prices, the quality of these sewing machines should not be overlooked!

Janome is constantly updating and improving their sewing machines. Usually, each new model comes with a more perfected feature or a new option. Now I know you don’t want to be buying a new sewing machine every year, but this fact can still bring you comfort. You know they won’t be sticking with something that doesn’t work. They are not afraid of change and their machines will always be ahead of the game in their own way.

Why Should I Buy a Janome Sewing Machine?

You have probably read this review because you are on looking around on the market for a new or better sewing machine. Maybe you are just looking for an upgrade or a secondary machine. Even those of you who are just curious Janome sewing machines, there are many reasons (I promise) to buy a Janome Sewing Machine.

You want to start a home sewing business

Janome sewing machines can be as sophisticated as you are willing to pay. The good thing about Janome, is even the higher-end sewing machines are still cheaper than many other brands.

This is perfect if you are looking to start your own home business. You can sew with professionalism in mind without jumping straight to an unreasonably expensive machine of another brand.

They are very durable and many are tough enough for thick fabrics and big projects. They are also generally very fast, helping you to generate more revenue in a shorter amount of time.

If you are a beginner, but want to jump right into selling your sewing projects, this machine is great. It is so user friendly that you can skip over the hefty learning curve of other specialized machines and right into making something for your first customer!

You need a good serger machine

Even if you already have a sewing machine, you might be looking for a high-quality serger. Janome offers some of the best serger machines around.

Janome serger machines are perfect if you are making your own clothes. They will give anything an extra professional finished look. They have an amazing and tight overlock stitching. That will leave your seams clean and fixed. You definitely won’t be struggling with raveling and loose hems with a Janome serger machine.

You are a beginner on a budget

As mentioned several times, Janome sewing machines are incredibly user-friendly. Maybe you’ve tried your hand at a bit of sewing but aren’t sure you want to make a major hobby of it. Janome has you covered.

The computerized sewing machines have easy-to-use screens and prompts that will guide you all along the way. The mechanical sewing machines won’t leave you hanging either. They have intuitive knobs, visuals, and guides to keep you on the right track (without a headache).

Janome offers a range of affordable sewing machines for beginners without sacrificing extra specifications. As you develop your skills, you can try more of the options and extra features your budge Janome sewing machine has waiting for you.

Which is better Janome or Brother?

If you are shopping for a new sewing machine, you are probably checking out other brands in the process. Many people often find themselves comparing Janome brand with Brother sewing machines. Let’s take a closer look at some of the differences between these two sewing machine brands.

Some people like Brother brand for their generally higher number of built-in stitches. This all looks great on a specification chart when comparing. You see a higher number and automatically think more is more. But many experienced seamstresses find they don’t ever use even a fraction of these stitches. So you might be paying for a hundred stitches that you’ll never need or want.

Although Janome machines tend to be heavier than most Brother sewing machines, it is not without benefits. Janome machines tend to be composed of much more metal. They are committed to quality and durability. When you are making an investment in your sewing life you won’t want to replace a flimsy plastic machine every year.

Despite being so committed to technological advances, Janome makes a splendid mechanical sewing machine. They are heavy-duty and do exactly what you need done with ease and without fuss.

Janome Sewing Machine Dealers

Janome is sold all around the world and dealers are usually close by. If you’re in the United States you can find a Janome approved dealer right through their website. Simple go to the Janome official website and type in your zip code.

You can even find Janome Exclusive dealers using this search. They only sell Janome machines, so will be sure to be experts in their field. This is especially useful to know where your closest Janome Exclusive dealer is if you have any questions or problems.

If you are a web shopper, you can probably find a Janome sewing machine to match your preferences just as easily. Reviews from previous buyers will help you to make your choice and see what type of sewing has worked well on the machine you are considering. There is also a question and answer section on Amazon shopping sites so you can troubleshoot with fellow Janome sewing machine owners.

How to Take Care of a Janome Sewing Machine

I know Janome sewing machines are affordable. But you still want it to have as long of a life as it was built for. There are many ways you can take care of your machine and keep it happily sewing for years to come. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Know your needles and fabrics

No matter which fabric you’re working with you will need to research to figure out which needle to use. You also need to take note of when to replace your needles. If you use dull and worn needles, you might run the risk of damaging your items or your machine.

You will need to replace the needles more often depending on which type of fabric you are sewing on. Thicker fabrics affect your needle strength and sharpness faster than you’d expect, so keep an eye on it.

Your machine will need other adjustments when you are shifting between different types and thickness of fabrics. Failing to research and learn your machine and how it responds to different fabrics will cost you time and possibly money. It’s much better to take a little time and do it right the first time, than trying to untangle a messy bunch or replacing a broken hastily chosen needle.

Protect it from dirt

All sewing machines have sneaky little cracks and openings. Dust and dirt will find their way to these places easily. Janome sewing machines will last a long time, but if they are constantly bombarded with pollutants you are bound to be paying some repair fees.

Extra exposure to the elements when it is not in use can cause more damage than you might think. So, be safe and keep it covered!

Clean it!

If you have covered your Janome sewing machine when it is not in use, it should be staying relatively clean. But that method is not foolproof. Afterall, it is still uncovered when you are working on your projects. It can still get dirty. Keep your machine clean by dusting out all the little cracks and crannies where bits of string, fabric, or other foreign elements can get lodged.

Oil (if necessary)

Many people oil their machines without even thinking. Or maybe while thinking they are doing the right thing. It is important to get to know your machine before jumping into heavy lubrication. Some machines run better with just a thorough wipedown. Whereas oiling it can actually affect how the machine runs.

If it is a machine that needs oiling, however. You will need to keep a close eye on the lubrication levels. Oiling your machine keeps it running smoothly and helps to prevent threads from breaking as often. It is important to note that you should only oil a recently cleaed machine!

In Conclusion

It has been my pleasure to share my love of Janome sewing machines with you. I hope you are satisfied with my research and writing about all the functions, features, and advantages of Janome sewing machines.

You now have more than enough information to make wise choice when shopping after your next Janome sewing machine. No matter which Janome sewing machine you settle upon, you’ll be happy with the quality, durability, and user-friendliness of these fine machines.