Product images: Amazon listings

Janome Memory Craft 9850 Review

Name: Janome Memory Craft 9850
Brand: Janome
SKU: B07ZZG1HYS

7.4Good · out of 10#4 of 11 in our Embroidery Machines for Beginners ranking

Written from the listing and 126 buyer reviews, not from our own use · How we rate

We like the Janome Memory Craft 9850 for the mix: a 170 × 200 mm embroidery field, sewing and embroidery in one machine and 175 built-in designs. One of our top 11 embroidery machines, it is made for sewists who want big designs as well.

Price$1,499Price on Sep 22, 2026 · may have changed

Check the price on Amazon ↗Affiliate link · price and stock on Amazon

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Specifications

Brand	Janome
Category	5×7 and larger embroidery machines
Documented summary	Combined sewing and embroidery; maximum embroidery size 170 × 200 mm; 200 sewing stitches; 175 embroidery designs; USB design transfer; manufacturer embroidery speed range 60–800 stitches/minute. Standard 9850, not the separately named Limited Edition.
Embroidery field	170 × 200 mm
Built-in designs	175
Sewing stitches	200
Design transfer	USB
Top embroidery speed	800 stitches per minute
Buyer reviews	126 · 4.3/5
ASIN	B07ZZG1HYS

Full listing title: Janome Horizon Memory Craft 9850 Embroidery and Sewing Machine

Updated October 2026

Exact listing, ASIN B07ZZG1HYS

Rating from a published formula

Compared with its rivals

The two closest picks in our embroidery machines ranking, side by side.

Compare side by side ↗

Janome Memory Craft 9850

7.4Good · out of 10

Embroidery field: 170 × 200 mm
Sews and embroiders
126 buyer reviews

$1,499 on Sep 22, 2026, may have changedThis product ↑

Brother PE545

7.9Very good · out of 10

Embroidery field: 100 × 100 mm
Embroidery only
257 buyer reviews

$429.99 on Sep 22, 2026, may have changedSee the review ↗

Brother NQ1700E

7.3Good · out of 10

Embroidery field: 6 × 10 in
Embroidery only
88 buyer reviews

$2,399.99 on Sep 22, 2026, may have changedSee the review ↗

Embroidery field, per Janome

Well past the 5x7 class, and the biggest design the Janome Memory Craft 9850 stitches in one hooping (about 6.7 × 7.9 in).

What changes at your sewing table

Chances are you'll start small with the Janome Memory Craft 9850: a name, an initial, a little motif on something you already own. In practice: the big projects too, like a quilt block, a tote panel or a design across the back of a hoodie, without splitting the file.

Between projects it's your sewing machine too, with 200 stitches for hems, repairs and the odd zip. 175 designs are built in, so the first evenings don't start with a shopping trip for files. Design files you buy or download go in on a USB stick.

Names and patches, or bigger designs?

Bigger designs, comfortably. 170 × 200 mm handles the big pieces, and names still fit, of course.

Only room for one machine? That's what the Janome Memory Craft 9850 is for. It sews or embroiders, one job at a time.

Great if…

your designs are bigger than a pocket logo
you only have room for one machine

Skip it if…

you want to sew and embroider at the same time: it does one job at a time
you simply want our top pick: that's the Brother SE700 (9.3/10)

Why it made our list

170 × 200 mm field

Room for cushion fronts, jacket backs and big motifs in one hooping: fewer re-hoopings, fewer alignment headaches.

Sews and embroiders

Hems and repairs on Saturday, a name on the towel on Sunday. Handy if you only have room for one machine; while it embroiders, it can't sew.

175 built-in designs

Plenty to play with before you buy a single design file: flowers, borders, motifs and more.

Design transfer and what's in the box

Designs reach the Janome Memory Craft 9850 on a USB stick. Also stated: a top speed of 800 stitches a minute.

At a glance

Field: 170 × 200 mm
Transfer: USB
Type: Sews + embroiders

What buyers say

Buyers give it 4.3/5, a solid record, slightly below this ranking's 4.4 average. 126 reviews is a fair sample, enough for the average to mean something.

The numbers

Buyer rating: 4.3/5
Reviews: 126
This ranking's average: 4.4/5

Price and availability

On Sep 22, 2026, the listing showed $1,499 for the Janome Memory Craft 9850. It may have changed since: the button opens the listing with today's price, stock and seller. For comparison, on the same day the listings showed the Brother PE545 at $429.99 and the Brother NQ1700E at $2,399.99.

The numbers

Price: $1,499
Price date: Sep 22, 2026
Our rating: 7.4/10

Living with it

Delivery day

Thread it, sew a seam on a scrap, then attach the embroidery unit, and stitch a first sample on scrap fabric with stabilizer before the real project.

Its spot

A stable table with clear room behind and beside the machine: the embroidery arm moves the hoop around while it stitches.

First projects

On paper, it is ready for tote panels, cushion fronts and bigger motifs in one hooping, designs you load from a USB stick and everyday sewing in between.

The one thing we'd check first

Before the Janome Memory Craft 9850 goes in your basket, check the space on your table: the embroidery arm moves the hoop around a 170 × 200 mm field, so give it clear room behind and beside the machine.

Before you buy

Your designs

The documented field is 170 × 200 mm. Measure the designs you want to stitch, or try them in our design fit calculator: anything bigger means re-hooping.

Design files

Each brand reads its own file format, and this one loads designs from a USB stick. Before you buy designs, check that they are offered in your machine's format (the manual lists it). Our file format guide explains it.

Stabilizer and thread

Budget for stabilizer, embroidery thread and spare needles from day one. They are what makes the first stitch-outs lie flat. See the real cost of starting.

Sewing and embroidery

While the embroidery unit is attached, it doesn't sew. If you sew a lot or share the machine, two machines can be easier than one combo.

How it compares

How the Janome Memory Craft 9850 stacks up against the closest alternative in our ranking, the Brother PE545.

Criterion	Janome Memory Craft 9850	Brother PE545
Our rating	7.4/10	7.9/10
Embroidery field	170 × 200 mm	100 × 100 mm
Built-in designs	175	135
Sewing stitches	200	Not stated
Lettering fonts	Not stated	10
Buyer reviews	126 · 4.3/5	257 · 4.5/5

Pick the Brother PE545 if you want our higher-rated option (7.9/10), with more fonts (10) and a higher buyer rating (4.5/5); stay with the Janome Memory Craft 9850 for a bigger field (170 × 200 mm) and more built-in designs (175).

Compare side by side ↗See the Brother PE545 review →

Better fit elsewhere?

Bigger designs? The Brother Stellaire 2 Innov-is XJ2 stitches up to 360 × 240 mm (listed at $11,999.99 on Sep 22, 2026) and scores 9.4/10.

Already own a sewing machine? The Brother PE800 embroiders only, up to 130 × 180 mm, and scores 9.4/10.

Rather send designs over Wi-Fi? The Brother SE700 lists wireless transfer and scores 9.3/10.

Our take

The verdict

The Janome Memory Craft 9850 earns its place with a 170 × 200 mm embroidery field and sewing and embroidery in one machine. 126 buyers give it 4.3/5, which is a solid sign. Honestly, the catch: the Brother SE700 sitting above it at 9.3/10. We'd pick it if your designs are bigger than a pocket logo; otherwise, put it next to the Brother PE545 first.

Check the price on Amazon ↗Best embroidery machines

Price on Sep 22, 2026 · may have changed · Affiliate link

The score in detail

Formula result: 7.4/10

Buyer rating (45%)

38.7 / 45

4.3/5 average

Review volume (35%)

19.9 / 35

100+ buyer reviews

Documented specifications (20%)

15.8 / 20

79/100 listing documentation score

How we rated it

Our rating is an evidence index on a 0–10 scale. It is not a buyer star rating, and we have not used the product ourselves.

Buyer rating (45%): the captured average for this exact listing, damped when there are fewer than 50 reviews.
Review volume (35%): more reviews mean more reliable evidence, on a logarithmic scale up to 5,000 reviews.
Documented specifications (20%): how completely the exact listing documents the attributes that matter.

A commission is never an input to the rating. Read the full methodology.

Read the methodology →

Frequently asked questions

Is the Janome Memory Craft 9850 any good?

We rate it 7.4/10 (good), #4 of 11 in our embroidery machine ranking. It is based on 126 buyer reviews averaging 4.3/5 and the specifications stated in the listing.

What do you get with the Janome Memory Craft 9850?

Its documented specs list a 170 × 200 mm embroidery field, sewing and embroidery in one machine, 175 built-in designs, USB design import and 200 sewing stitches. These are the manufacturer's and seller's figures, not our measurements: how neat the stitches look on your own fabric can't be read from a spec sheet.

What should I check before ordering the Janome Memory Craft 9850?

Your designs: the documented field is 170 × 200 mm. Measure the designs you want to stitch, or try them in our design fit calculator: anything bigger means re-hooping. Design files: each brand reads its own file format, and this one loads designs from a USB stick. Before you buy designs, check that they are offered in your machine's format (the manual lists it). Our file format guide explains it. Stabilizer and thread: budget for stabilizer, embroidery thread and spare needles from day one. They are what makes the first stitch-outs lie flat. See the real cost of starting. Sewing and embroidery: while the embroidery unit is attached, it doesn't sew. If you sew a lot or share the machine, two machines can be easier than one combo.

Where can I buy the Janome Memory Craft 9850?

We link to the exact listing on Amazon, where today's price, stock and seller apply. It is an affiliate link, and it has no effect on the rating.

Have you used the Janome Memory Craft 9850 yourselves?

No, we haven't used it ourselves. Everything on this page comes from its listing and 126 buyer reviews, read line by line and weighed with our published formula.

Keep comparing

If the Janome Memory Craft 9850 hasn't sold you yet, see where it ranks, read the guides below or browse all 5×7 and larger embroidery machines.

Where it ranks

Best Embroidery Machines in 2026 →Best 5x7 Embroidery Machines in 2026 →Best Sewing and Embroidery Machines in 2026 →

Read this before you buy

Embroidery Hoop Sizes Explained: Will Your Design Fit? →Embroidery File Formats and Design Transfer: What to Check Before Buying →Embroidery Machine Setup Checklist for Your First Project →Embroidery Machine vs. Sewing Machine: Which Do You Need? →

5×7 and larger embroidery machines ↗All Janome products Comparison tool All product reviews