Best sergers

10 machines · specs checked Oct 2026Overlockers first · coverstitch as its own section · knits, seam finishing, stretch hems

A serger seams, trims and wraps the edge in one pass. It does not replace your sewing machine.

We rank on differential feed, threading and stitch options. Accessory bundles weigh least.

If hems are the gap, not seams, skip to the coverstitch section.

The short answer

Best overallJuki MO-654DE: our pick if you will serge every week.Jump to #1

Honest valueBrother 1034D: the cheapest serger we'd tell a friend to buy.Jump to #7

Air threadingJuki MO-1000: threads its own loopers, at three times the price.Jump to #2

The shortlist

Ranked for the job, not feature count

Our pickSerger$ under 500

Juki MO-654DE

2/3/4 thread · differential feed

Our pick if you'll serge every week.

8.3/10Check lowest price Read review

Serger$$$ 1–2k

Juki MO-1000

Air threading · 2/3/4 thread

Air threading on a 2/3/4 thread serger; Juki's MSRP is $2,299, so check the dealer price.

8.7/10Check lowest price Read review

Serger$$$$ 2–3k

Baby Lock Victory (BLS3)

4/3/2 thread · 1,500 spm · Jet-Air looper threading · Automatic Thread Delivery · 6 mm foot lift · 16 lb

Baby Lock's air-threading entry, dealer sold; the maker's own sheets confirm most specs but not motor, frame or throat.

8.4/10Find a Baby Lock dealer Read review

Serger$ under 500

Juki MO-644D

2/3/4 thread · differential feed 0.7 to 2.0 · 1,500 spm · 15 lb

Juki's catalog lists the 2-thread converter as optional here and standard on the 654DE.

7.9/10Check lowest price Read review

Serger$ under 500

Janome 8002D

3/4 thread · 1,300 spm · differential 0.5 to 2.25 · 13.4 lb

Janome's entry 3/4-thread serger: $399 MSRP, manual threading, no 2-thread stitch.

7.6/10Check lowest price Read review

Serger$ under 500

Brother 1034DX

3/4 thread · differential feed

Same stitch set as the 1034D with an LED and less weight; pick on price.

7.8/10No seller linkedRead review

Value pickSerger$ under 500

Brother 1034D

3/4 thread · differential feed

The cheapest serger we'd tell a friend to buy.

7.8/10Check lowest price Read review

Serger$ under 500

Singer ProFinish 14CG754

2/3/4 thread · differential feed 0.7 to 2.0 · 1,300 spm

Entry 2/3/4-thread serger; "ProFinish" is Singer's name, and owner evidence is limited.

7.2/10Check lowest price Read review

Coverstitch machines

A coverstitch machine hems knits with the twin rows of stitching you see on a bought T-shirt. It does not overlock. Most people buy one after a serger, not instead of one.

Coverstitch$$ 500–1k

Janome CoverPro 2000CPX

1/2/3 needle · 3 or 6 mm cover · 4 x 5.5 in bed · 1,000 spm

Roomy bed and free arm on paper; owners split on skipped stitches.

8.2/10Check lowest price Read review

Coverstitch$$ 500–1k

Brother 2340CV

Coverstitch + chain stitch

A low-priced Brother coverstitch; owners report a fussy machine, so budget for setup.

8.0/10Check lowest price Read review

Side by side

Best sergers compared
Machine	Type	Price band	Max speed	Threads	Also budget for	Score	Buy
Juki MO-654DE	Serger	$ under 500	1,500 spm	2, 3 or 4 thread, 2 needles	Four thread cones	8.3	Check lowest price
Juki MO-1000	Serger	$$$ 1–2k	1,500 spm	2, 3 or 4 thread, 2 needles	Four thread cones	8.7	Check lowest price
Baby Lock Victory (BLS3)	Serger	$$$$ 2–3k	1,500 spm	4, 3 or 2 thread; 2 needles	Four thread cones, dealer setup	8.4	Find a Baby Lock dealer
Juki MO-644D	Serger	$ under 500	1,500 spm	2, 3 or 4 thread, 2 needles	Four thread cones, 2-thread converter	7.9	Check lowest price
Janome 8002D	Serger	$ under 500	1,300 spm	3 or 4 thread, convertible	Four thread cones	7.6	Check lowest price
Brother 1034DX	Serger	$ under 500	1,300 spm	3 or 4 thread, 2 needles	Four thread cones	7.8	No seller linked
Brother 1034D	Serger	$ under 500	1,300 spm	3 or 4 thread, 2 needles	Four thread cones	7.8	Check lowest price
Singer ProFinish 14CG754	Serger	$ under 500	1,300 spm	2, 3 or 4 thread	Four thread cones	7.2	Check lowest price
Janome CoverPro 2000CPX	Coverstitch	$$ 500–1k	1,000 spm	1, 2 or 3 needles plus 1 looper (2, 3 or 4 threads)	Three cones, hem guide	8.2	Check lowest price
Brother 2340CV	Coverstitch	$$ 500–1k	1,100 spm	1, 2 or 3 needles plus 1 looper (2, 3 or 4 threads)	Three cones	8.0	Check lowest price

Sources: manufacturer spec sheets, linked on each review. Price bands, not live prices. Tinted cells mark the best value in the column; ties stay plain.

Questions people ask

Do I need a serger if I have a sewing machine?

Only if you sew knits regularly or want a shop-finished inside. A sewing machine with a zigzag or overcast stitch finishes seams; a serger does it faster and trims as it goes. If you do not own a capable sewing machine yet, buy that first.

What is differential feed?

Two sets of feed dogs moving at different speeds, so knits do not stretch into waves and slippery fabric does not pucker. Every serger on this list has it.

Is air threading worth it?

If you change thread colours often, yes. Air threading pushes the looper thread through with a button; manual threading takes a few minutes and a diagram. The MO-1000 costs about three times the MO-654DE for the same stitches.

Serger or coverstitch first?

Serger. It does seams and edges. A coverstitch does hems only, and most people who buy one already own a serger.