6 best industrial sewing machines for savvy sewists in 2025
Beginner sewing machines are great for most dressmaking or home sewing projects. However, if you want to go pro, tackle tougher fabrics or sew items in larger volumes, an industrial sewing machine could be the answer. With their extra speed, power and durability, they're the top performers of the sewing world.
Are industrial sewing machines worth the investment?
Industrial sewing machines are used by many who sew professionally, from sewists who make or alter clothes to those who offer home sewing and upholstery services, such as making curtains.
These machines can make light work of upholstery fabric and handle a range of tougher fabrics with ease (say hello to sewing leather!), but it does mean they come with a bigger price tag. Many sewists find it tricky to decide which machine is worth the investment, so we've done the research for you in this guide to the best industrial sewing machines.
We'll talk you through how to choose an industrial sewing machine, run through their main features and benefits and suggest some of our picks of the best industrial sewing machines to get you started.
But before you go shopping, if you're new to sewing and just want to make a few clothes or home sewing items for yourself or friends, you might be better off looking at our roundup of the best sewing machines for beginners.
Best industrial sewing machines to buy in 2025
Juki DDL-8700 Straight stitch
Best for speed
Key specs:
- Dimensions: N/A
- Weight: 28kg
- Stitches per minute: 5,500
- Stitch length: up to 5mm
- Number of stitches: straight stitch and reverse
With its energy-saving Servo motor, the Juki DDL-8700 is a nifty piece of kit that won't sound like it's taking off if you're looking to invest in your first industrial sewing machine.
You can easily lift the presser foot by hand or knee, which is especially useful for freeing up your hands.
It features a silent Servo motor for low vibration and low noise levels, which you (and the rest of your household) are sure to appreciate!
This is a great value machine, but if you're just starting out and looking for a more affordable model, check out our roundup of the best cheap sewing machines.
Pros: Great value, energy saving, extremely quick and speed adjustable, self-oiling, nice and quiet, and nifty presser foot adjustment.
Cons: Not the best for tougher fabrics.
- Buy now from Direct Sewing Machines
Juki LU-2810-7 Walking Foot Industrial Machine
Best industrial sewing machine for heavy fabrics
Key specs:
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Weight: 61kg
- Stitches per minute: 3,000
- Stitch length: up to 9mm
- Number of stitches: straight stitch and reverse
Equipped with an energy-efficient electric servo motor, this heavy duty walking foot industrial sewing machine boasts an impressive maximum sewing speed of 3,000 stitches per minute!
It's ideal for heavy-duty materials like denim, leather, and vinyl, offering a maximum stitch length of 9mm.
Check out our roundup of the best sewing machine tables while you're here.
Pros: Very fast, automatic foot lift and thread cutter, can handle tough fabrics, energy-efficient electric servo motor.
Cons: On the expensive end of the price spectrum.
- Buy now from AE Sewing Machines
SINGER Heavy Duty 4423
Best budget industrial sewing machine
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Key specs:
- Dimensions: 16 x 40 x 30.5 cm
- Weight: 6.4kg
- Stitches per minute: 1,100
- Stitch length: up to 6mm
- Number of stitches: 23
Although it's technically a heavy duty sewing machine rather than an industrial one, we've included the Singer 4423 because it's a good leather sewing machine for those on a stricter budget.
Thanks to its heavy-duty metal frame and ample power, it can sew through heavy weight fabrics without any issues.
This sewing machine also comes with a 25-year limited warranty, so you won't have to worry about being too delicate with it.
Pros: Affordable price, great for leather or thick seams, 1 automatic 1-step buttonhole, automatic needle threader, 25-year warranty.
Cons: Not really an industrial machine, so wouldn't be ideal on a large scale.
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Janome HD9 Sewing Machine
Best industrial sewing machine for large projects
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Key specs:
- Dimensions: 49.8 x 33.8 x 21.8cm
- Weight: 14kg
- Stitches per minute: 1,600
- Stitch length: up to 8mm
- Number of stitches: straight stitch
If you're looking for a heavyweight machine to handle upholstery fabric, leather or vinyl, check out this beauty.
This sturdy machine is part of Janome's Professional Series and is well worth the money – handling large projects, from quilts to home furnishings to bridal wear, with ease.
Pros: Industrial-sized bobbin holder, heavy weight thread guide, new 'Liquid Response' tension system, extra-large 225 x 140mm work area, can handle tough fabrics, will cover a lot of ground.
Cons: More pricy, not ideal for beginners.
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Janome Horizon MC14000 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
Best industrial sewing machine for embroidery & quilting
Key specs:
- Dimensions: 65 x 32 x 30 cm
- Weight: 15.6kg
- Stitches per minute: 1,060
- Stitch length: up to 9mm
- Number of stitches: 400
The Janome Horizon MC14000 offers an expansive 280mm working space and a lengthy free arm of almost 260mm, making it ideal for larger projects such as quilts and curtains.
With 10 bright white LED lights in 5 locations and a full-colour LCD display touchscreen, this computerised sewing machine provides excellent visibility and user-friendly controls for both sewing and embroidery enthusiasts.
Pros: 150mm height sewing area, Acu-View Magnifier, colour LCD display, 400 stitches and 350 designs make it ideal for embroidery and quilting.
Cons: On the expensive end of the spectrum.
- Buy now from GTS Sewing Machines
Brother RH-9820 Electronic Button Holer
Best industrial sewing machine for buttons
Key specs:
- Dimensions: N/A
- Weight: 120kg
- Stitches per minute: 2,500
- Stitch length: N/a
- Number of stitches: N/a
If you're really serious about making garments professionally, consider investing in a machine that can sew precise button holes quickly and efficiently, like the Brother RH-9820 Electronic Button Holer.
For more specific task machines, check out our round-up of the best overlockers.
Pros: Easy to change the needle, specialises in fine finishing of button holes, large arm pocket to allow smooth fabric handling, perfect for if you have a lot of button holes to sew.
Cons: Can only be used for button holes.
- Buy now from Industrial Sewing
What is an industrial sewing machine?
An industrial sewing machine is a professional-grade sewing machine that has been designed to handle larger-scale and tougher sewing projects than your regular sewing machine.
Heavy-duty fabrics
Most domestic machines are designed to be multi-taskers, which can be used to make clothes or smaller home projects for maybe a few hours at a time. Whereas, industrial sewing machines have been specially built to handle heavy-duty projects and larger-scale sewing.
Durable build
You can use industrial sewing machines for longer and with tougher fabrics than domestic sewing machines – they've been built to last, so they're less likely to break in the process.
Professional use
Industrial sewing machines are worth considering if you're looking to start dressmaking for a living or want to make curtains and other chunkier items to sell.
They're also handy if you find you are often sewing thick or tougher materials that your machine struggles to handle, such as denim and upholstery fabric. Industrial sewing machines are also ideal for sewists who make a lot of costumes from specialist fabrics.
What is the difference between an industrial sewing machine and a normal one?
Run-time
You can run an industrial machine for hours on end with less chance of needles snapping or parts breaking. This makes them the machine of choice if you're after stamina or spending many hours everyday sewing.
Resilience
While this varies per machine (and you can get different industrial sewing machines that specialise in different fabrics), as a rule of thumb, industrial sewing machines can sew through tougher fabrics and more layers of fabric.
Durability
Because they've been designed to be hard-wearing, industrial sewing machines should be more reliable under pressure and able to sew in much higher volumes without breaking or needing regular servicing.
Speed
To say industrial machines are nippy is an understatement. They can sew at hugely impressive speeds. You'll whip through jobs in a fraction of the time they'd take on a domestic machine.
Quality
As they've been created for pros, industrial machines offer near-perfect stitch quality that would be difficult to beat with a regular domestic machine.
Not as portable
While domestic sewing machines can be picked up pretty easily and transported to friends' houses, workshops, and from room to room in your home, industrial machines are heavier and bulkier and come with a separate motor. So you'll need to pick a space to sew in and commit to it.
Large footprint
Industrial sewing machines are usually larger and heavier than domestic machines, so they require more space and a table to house their motor. Before you commit to buying one, check the spec and ensure you have enough space to set one up.
Power
Industrial machines have been built with added oomph. The foot pedal of an industrial machine will press with little effort and is hugely powerful. Many sewists find this a bit daunting at first but you'll adjust with practice.
Specialised
If you want a varied multi-tasker, opt for a domestic machine. Industrial machines are often designed to do specific tasks at high volume/speed really really well – but they may not be as adaptable.
For example, they may focus on doing straight stitch, buttonholes or serger stitch, or on handling a specific type of fabric, for example leather or lighter fabrics. As they've been built for this purpose, they're less likely to enjoy being offered a different task. This depends on the machine of course.
What is a walking foot industrial sewing machine?
A walking foot industrial sewing machine has a special foot built into the stitching area that grips the top of your fabric.
Using a walking foot machine ensures your fabric moves smoothly as you sew – as the feed dogs move the bottom layer at the same rate as the top layer.
This reduces the chance of your fabric puckering or shifting as you sew. Walking foot industrial sewing machines are often chosen by quilting businesses, or to topstitch hems or necklines.
They're also the machine of choice if you're sewing knit fabrics, as they're designed to prevent your fabric from stretching as you stitch.
How to choose an industrial sewing machine
We're here to help you find your perfect industrial sewing machine – one that meets your needs for durability, speed and price point. Here are our top tips:
Do you need one?
If you're only reading this article because your current machine is breaking a lot or you're just not getting on with it, it might be better for you to find another domestic sewing machine or learn more about the feet and accessories available on your current machine.
However, if you're looking to sew professionally (or you sew ALL the time), then an industrial machine could be worth the investment.
Keep reading if you run an alterations or tailoring shop, offer these services from home, are a designer looking to sew professional garments regularly, or you're a home sewist ready to launch your own sewing business.
How much space do you have?
As mentioned above, industrial sewing machines need a special table to house their power-house tech. Make sure you take note of the spec of a potential machine and compare it to your sewing space before you buy.
How much does it cost?
It won't come as a surprise that industrial machines are more expensive than domestic machines. They are professional-standard equipment, after all. But there's still variation, depending what brand you pick or what you want the machine to do.
What do you want to use it for?
Industrial sewing machines are ruthlessly-trained sewing machines. They are designed to handle specific tasks in high volume, from straight line sewing to creating buttonholes to handling heavyweight fabrics.
This means it may be harder to use them for different tasks, so it's important you have a clear idea of how you want to use your machine now and in the future to help you choose the right one.
How loud is it?
Due to their immense power, industrial machines are known to make a bit more noise than domestic models. The type of motor your machine has can make a difference – there are two main types (clutch motors and servo motors).
Clutch motors
Traditional clutch motors can be loud (how old they are also affects their volume. For example, if these motors are wearing out, they get louder). However, they're strong and often a favourite for people who want to grapple with tougher materials.
Servo motors
Servo motors are usually quieter and more suitable to use at home – they also have adjustable speeds and often work better with light or medium fabrics. Check this detail before you buy.
What brand is it?
There are some big players in the sewing machine market, so you shouldn't have to look far to find a well-established, trusted brand to buy from. Remember, though, the most popular brands of industrial machines may not be the same as the ones you've heard of for beginner or everyday sewing machines.
If you're going to invest in a machine, make sure you're happy with the makers (perhaps do a little research on what other sewists recommend and check out user reviews online). Also consider if the machine comes with a warranty (and how long for) to protect you if anything goes wrong.
What is the best industrial sewing machine brand?
This depends on what you're using them for, but look for a brand name that's known and established for making quality sewing machines.
As a rule of thumb though, the following brands come recommended by fellow sewists.
Why trust Gathered?
Zoe Williams has over a decade of experience in the craft publishing industry and has collaborated with leading UK craft magazines, such as Today’s Quilter, Love Patchwork & Quilting, Simply Sewing. She has also written for reputable platforms like radiotimes.com, Simply Knitting and The World of Cross Stitching.
Zoe's expertise ensures our recommendations for the best industrial sewing machines are reliable and tailored to meet the needs of enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Stitching success
A sewing machine is an investment, especially on an industrial scale. We hope we've provided you with the necessary tools to evaluate which of the best industrial sewing machines is a perfect fit for you.
Whether you're a professional or a passionate hobbyist, these top-notch machines are sure to elevate your productivity. Now it's your turn to take action and elevate your sewing game!
The best sewing machines for everyone
You can also read our complete guide to the best sewing machines for everything you need to know before purchasing your next, or first-ever, sewing machine.
