Brother PS500 Review: Is This $860 Pacesetter Sewing Machine Worth It?
The Brother PS500 is worth it at about $860 if you want a roomy, dealer-line machine for quilting, home decor and garments. Brother lists 8.3 inches from needle to arm, 100 stitches, 7 one-step buttonholes, 4 fonts, an automatic upper and lower thread cutter and 850 stitches per minute. You pay for space more than stitches.
Our verdict
Buy the Brother PS500 if you want more room than a budget Brother for quilts, curtains and bulky projects, plus an automatic thread cutter and reinforcement stitch. Skip it if stitch count per dollar is your measure, because the Brother CS7000X offers 70 stitches for about a third of the price in a far smaller body.
Brother lists 100 built-in stitches including 7 one-step buttonhole styles, 4 lettering fonts, a maximum speed of 850 stitches per minute, 8.3 inches from needle to arm, a 2.4 by 1.3 inch LCD, an automatic upper and lower thread cutter, a reinforcement (tie-off) stitch, stitch combination and 7 presser feet, in a 20.5 lb machine. It is a Pacesetter model, Brother's dealer line.
Brother PS500 specs
| Built-in stitches | 100, including 7 one-step buttonhole styles |
|---|---|
| Lettering | 4 fonts |
| Max sewing speed | 850 stitches per minute |
| Workspace | 8.3 in from needle to arm |
| Max stitch width / length | 7 mm / 5 mm |
| Thread cutter | Automatic, upper and lower threads |
| Other features | Reinforcement stitch, stitch combination, manual thread tension, LED lighting |
| Display | 2.4 x 1.3 in LCD, 10-key stitch selector |
| Presser feet included | 7: buttonhole, button fitting, zipper, overcasting, blindstitch, monogramming, zigzag |
| Weight / size | 20.5 lb; 9.8 x 18.9 x 11.8 in |
Specs above come from Brother USA's Pacesetter PS500 product page and the manufacturer bullets on the Amazon listing.
What does the Brother PS500 do best?
The Brother PS500 is about room and weight. Brother lists 8.3 inches from needle to arm, the open space you push fabric through, against a compact harp on entry Brother machines. That space helps with a rolled throw quilt, drapery panels and bulky bags. At 20.5 lb the machine also stays planted at speed.
The automatic upper and lower thread cutter trims both threads at the end of a seam, and the reinforcement stitch ties off decorative stitches automatically. Stitch combination lets you string stitches or letters together for labels and borders using the 4 fonts. Owner write-ups frequently describe it as smooth and quiet with a reliable needle threader and an uncluttered, easy-to-read panel.
Use the throat space calculator to check which quilt sizes fit through 8.3 inches.
What is the honest weakness of the Brother PS500?
You pay dealer-line money for a moderate feature list. One hundred stitches, a 7 mm width and 850 stitches per minute are similar to far cheaper machines. The premium buys the larger workspace, heavier build, thread cutter and dealer support, not capability you will notice on every seam.
Owner experiences are mixed on details. Some owners dislike that the automatic tie-off can leave a small thread nest on the underside of garment seams, and some describe fabric being pulled into the feed dog area or stitches turning messy, while one reported repeated repairs in its first year. Thread tension is manual, and Brother's page notes that presser foot leveling is not available on this model.
What do Brother PS500 owners consistently report?
- Praise: smooth, quiet sewing and good stitch quality.
- Praise: the large harp space and heavier bed for bigger projects.
- Praise: a clear LCD with physical buttons rather than a crowded panel.
- Complaint: the automatic tie-off leaving a thread nest under garment seams.
- Complaint: isolated reports of fabric being drawn into the feed dogs and of repeat repairs.
Owner review volume is modest because this is a dealer-channel machine, so weigh any single report accordingly.
What warranty and support come with the Brother PS500?
Brother lists a 2/6/25 Year Premium Limited Warranty for the PS500, a longer tiered structure than the 1 year machine, 5 year circuit board and 25 year chassis terms on Brother's entry machines. Ask the selling dealer for the written warranty statement so you know exactly which components each period covers.
Brother's standard sewing machine warranty applies only to original purchasers who bought from an authorized Brother reseller in the United States, so the same care applies here: buy from an authorized seller and keep the receipt. The PS500 user's guide is a free download on Brother's support site. We found no recall for the PS500 in a search of CPSC's sewing machine recall listings.
How does the Brother PS500 compare with the Juki HZL-DX5 and Bernette b38?
Our Juki vs Brother comparison uses the PS500 against the box feed Juki HZL-DX5. The Bernette b38 is the other common cross-shop at this price, and the brand-level Brother vs Janome page covers Brother's range.
| Machine | Price | Stitches | Workspace | Thread cutter | Best reason to choose it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother PS500 | about $860 | 100 | 8.3 in needle to arm | Automatic, upper and lower | Space and weight |
| Bernette b38 | about $899 | 394 | 170 mm (6.7 in) right of needle | Automatic | Most stitches and memory |
| Juki HZL-DX5 | about $1,099 | 185 patterns | See listing | Automatic | Box feed and pivot function |
| Brother CS7000X | about $280 | 70 | Compact | Not listed | Budget Brother |
Sibling reviews: Bernette b38 review, Juki HZL-DX5 review and the Brother CS7000X review for the budget path.
What space, accessories and budget does the Brother PS500 need?
At 18.9 inches wide and 20.5 lb, the PS500 needs a sturdy table with room on the left for a quilt or curtain panel. A dedicated sewing table such as the Sew Ready Pro Stitch (about $214) or a lift cabinet like the Kangaroo Bandicoot makes the most of the larger workspace for quilting.
Seven feet are included, but quilters should add a walking foot and a quarter inch piecing foot. Budget $100 to $250 for those, needles, spare bobbins and a lamp such as the Daylight Slimline 4. For curtain projects, work out yardage with the curtain fabric calculator, and see our intermediate quilting setup.
Who it suits
- Quilters and home decor sewists who want an 8.3 inch workspace
- Sewists who value an automatic upper and lower thread cutter
- Buyers who want a heavier machine that stays planted
- Anyone with a Brother dealer nearby for support
Who should skip it
- Buyers comparing stitch count per dollar; the Brother CS7000X is far cheaper
- Garment sewists bothered by tie-off thread nests on seam undersides
- Anyone who needs a light machine to carry to classes
Alternatives to the Brother PS500
Bernette b38 Computerized Sewing Machine
$899.00394 stitches, 3 alphabets, memory and programmable tie-off at a similar price, for garment and craft sewists who need less space.
Check price
Juki HZL-G120 Computerized Sewing Machine
$819.00Juki's box feed system for even feeding of layers, with 8 buttonhole types and a drop feed switch, at a lower price.
Check price
Brother CS7000X Computerized Sewing and Quilting Machine
$279.99About a third of the price with 70 stitches, 10 feet including a walking foot, a wide table and a hard case, if space is not the priority.
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
This review is compiled from manufacturer specifications, the owner manual, warranty terms and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We did not test this machine in person.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Brother PS500 good for quilting?
It is one of the better Brother sewing machines for quilting at this price because of its 8.3 inch needle-to-arm workspace, 20.5 lb weight and automatic thread cutter. A walking foot is not among the 7 included feet, so budget for one. For queen and king quilts, a machine with a larger harp or a sit-down longarm is more comfortable than any domestic machine.
What does Pacesetter mean on the Brother PS500?
Pacesetter is Brother's dealer-line series, sold through sewing machine dealers rather than mainly through mass-market stores. The Brother PS500 carries a 2/6/25 Year Premium Limited Warranty on Brother's product page, and a dealer purchase usually includes setup help or classes. It is priced above Brother's retail models like the Brother CS7000X.
Brother PS500 vs Bernette b38: which is better?
Choose the Brother PS500 for its 8.3 inch needle-to-arm workspace, heavier build and automatic upper and lower thread cutter, which suit quilting and home decor. Choose the Bernette b38 for 394 stitches, 3 alphabets, a memory function and programmable tie-off, which suit garments and crafts. Both sell through dealers at similar prices.
Brother PS500 vs Juki HZL-DX5: which should I buy?
The Juki HZL-DX5 costs more but adds box feed, a presser foot pivot function and an electronic presser foot lift, which help with shifting layers and repetitive garment sewing. The Brother PS500 costs less and offers a generous 8.3 inch workspace and an automatic thread cutter. Quilters often prefer the Brother; garment sewists often prefer the Juki.
Why does my Brother PS500 leave a thread nest at the start of a seam?
Owners who report this usually see it when the automatic reinforcement or tie-off stitch runs at the start of a seam on garment fabric. Holding the thread tails gently for the first few stitches and starting on a scrap of the same fabric helps, and the manual explains when the reinforcement stitch is applied. Also rethread with the presser foot raised and check the bobbin is seated correctly.
Sources
- Brother Pacesetter PS500 product page (Brother USA)
- Brother Innov-is PS500 manuals (Brother Support)
- Brother PS500 support page (Brother USA)
- Brother 25-Year Limited Warranty statement for sewing machines (PDF)
- CPSC sewing machine recall listings
- PatternReview owner review of the Brother Pacesetter PS-500
- Amazon listing feature bullets (manufacturer-supplied)
How we research: we compare manufacturer specifications, owner manuals, published standards and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We do not test products in person, and this is researched guidance, not professional advice. Follow your machine manual and pattern, and take care with rotary cutters, hot irons and needles. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.