Compact & travel
A portable machine trades power for a carry handle. We compare them on weight, stitch quality at low speed and stability — and separate the ones that do genuine work from the ones that only manage a hem.
Mechanical · metal chassis · UK listing
Brother's compact metal-chassis mechanical machine. We found it on the UK store only — and it is the model whose reference Amazon appears to share with the continental JX17FE.
Best for: A first or second machine in the UK where space is short
Free arm · semi-automatic · compact
A compact free-arm machine, available under one reference across all five European markets. The most widely available portable machine in our checks.
Best for: Alterations, repairs and a machine that lives in a cupboard
