Brother XM2701 Review: Is This $129 Sewing Machine Worth It?

Brother XM2701 specs

Specs above come from Brother USA's XM2701 product page, the manufacturer bullets on the Amazon listing and Brother's 25-Year Limited Warranty statement.

What does the Brother XM2701 do best?

The Brother XM2701 does the everyday jobs well and cheaply. The dial selector means every stitch is one turn away, and the numbers are printed on the machine rather than buried in a menu. For hemming, zippers, elastic waistbands and repairs, its 27 stitches cover more than most people use.

Three features punch above the price. The automatic needle threader saves squinting at the needle eye, which readers with presbyopia will appreciate. The drop-in top bobbin is easier to load than a front-loading bobbin case. And the free arm (a narrow sewing surface left when you slide off the accessory tray) lets you sew around sleeves, cuffs and trouser legs.

At 12.6 lb it is easy to lift out of a cupboard and carry to a class, which is why it turns up on so many guild and school supply lists. Our portable sewing machine roundup lists other options if light weight is the priority.

What is the honest weakness of the Brother XM2701?

It is a light-duty machine with a small workspace. The maximum stitch width is 5 mm and the length 4 mm, against 7 mm and 5 mm on the Brother CS7000X, so decorative and stretch stitches are narrower. The harp (the open space to the right of the needle) is compact, which makes quilting anything larger than a baby quilt awkward.

It also has no speed control slider, no needle up/down button and no presser foot pressure adjustment. On multiple layers of denim or canvas the light body and motor are at their limit, and a light machine can walk on a smooth table at full speed. It is the right machine for learning and light projects, and the wrong one for bag-making.

What do Brother XM2701 owners consistently report?

Owner reviews on PatternReview and major retailers are broadly positive for its price class. The repeating themes:

• Praise: easy to set up and thread out of the box, even for people who have never sewn.
• Praise: good value; several owners describe it doing more than they expected, including simple free motion work with the feed dogs covered by the darning plate.
• Praise: light enough to take to classes and guild meetings.
• Complaint: heavy fabrics and thick seam intersections, such as jeans hems at the side seams, are the most common sticking point.
• Complaint: some owners find the automatic needle threader takes practice to use reliably.

What warranty and support come with the Brother XM2701?

Brother advertises a 25-year limited warranty, which in Brother's warranty statement means 1 year on the machine, 5 years on printed circuit boards and 25 years on the chassis unit. Wear parts such as the bobbin case, needle plate, main motor, belts and needle threader are excluded, and coverage applies only to original purchasers who bought from an authorized Brother reseller in the United States.

Brother's listing also mentions free technical support by phone, online and live chat for the life of the machine. The user's guide is a free download on Brother's support site. We found no recall for this model in a search of CPSC's sewing machine recall listings.

How does the Brother XM2701 compare with the CS7000X and Janome 2212?

The two machines buyers weigh most often against the XM2701 are Brother's own computerized model and Janome's mechanical starter. Our CS7000X vs XM2701 comparison covers the first in detail.

Read the Brother CS7000X review if you want more stitches and quilting feet, or the Janome 2212 review if you prefer a simple mechanical Janome. The computerized vs mechanical comparison explains the bigger choice.

What space, accessories and budget does the Brother XM2701 need?

It fits on a kitchen table or a small desk: Brother lists 15.3 inches wide and 5.9 inches deep. Put a non-slip mat under it if it creeps at speed. A task light such as the Daylight DuoPro (about $82) or the clip-on Madam Sew Light Strip (about $20) adds light where the built-in LED leaves shadow.

Budget $30 to $50 for extras: a pack of universal needles in sizes 80/12 and 90/14, jeans needles such as Schmetz Gold Jeans needles 100/16 for hems, good thread and spare Brother bobbins. Use our needle size chart to match needle to fabric, and the garment fabric calculator before buying fabric for a first project.