Brother vs Janome: which beginner sewing machine?
Both brands make good first machines. The real choice is mechanical simplicity or computerised help. Here is how the Janome 725S and Brother Innov-is A65 and A16 line up.
If you like dials and want as little to learn as possible, the Janome 725S. If you want a screen, a speed limit and a thread cutter, go Brother: the A16 to save money, the A65 for the most features.
you want a simple mechanical machine with a top-loading bobbin and adjustable foot pressure, at £339 (WeaverDee, 1 Nov 2026).
you want computerised help: speed control, needle up/down, a thread cutter on the A65. £399 for the A16 (WeaverDee) or £479 for the A65 (Sewing Machine World), both checked 1 Nov 2026.
The big difference
Janome's beginner favourite here is mechanical: you choose stitches with a dial. Brother's two picks are computerised: buttons, a small screen and a speed slider.
Machine and Thread's brand comparison makes the same point: both brands cover beginners well, so choose by the controls you will enjoy using.
What owners and reviewers say
Gathered liked the 725S's straightforward controls. The Telegraph rated the A65 as the best sewing machine for most people. These are third-party views; we have not tested these machines ourselves.
Side by side
| Janome 725S | Brother A16 / A65 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mechanical | Computerised |
| Stitches | 25 | 16 (A16) / 60 (A65) |
| One-step buttonhole | Yes | Yes (3 on A16, 6 on A65) |
| Speed control | Foot pedal only | Speed slider, start/stop |
| Thread cutter | No | A65 only |
| Bobbin | Top-loading | Drop-in |
| UK price (1 Nov 2026) | £339 WeaverDee | £399 WeaverDee / £479 Sewing Machine World |
Sources
All checked 1 November 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.
- Machine and Thread: Brother vs Janome vs Singer
- Sewing Machine World: Brother Innov-is A65 product page
- WeaverDee: Janome 725S product page
- WeaverDee: Brother Innov-is A16 product page
- Janome: Sewist 725S product page
- Brother: Innov-is A16 product page
- The Telegraph: Brother Innov-is A65 review
- Gathered: Janome Sewist 725S review