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BERNINA 830 LE Review (2023 Update)
Note from the Editor: This Bernina 830 LE review was originally written in 2012 and has been revised and updated in 2023. The Bernina 830LE was a limited edition launch, and is hence no longer produced. We have added similar alternatives such as Janome Horizon Memory Craft 9850, Brother Inno-vis NQ1700E, and Janome Memory Craft 500E.
We recently had the pleasure of reviewing the new Bernina 830 LE sewing machine, the top of the entire Bernina line.
This machine, with its attractive burgundy-colored face plate, is sleek and modern-looking and can do just about everything a home sewer could imagine. It can be used to sew, quilt, and embroider, and it performs each function exceptionally well. For starters, the Bernina 830 LE is so exclusive that the manufacturer produced only 4,000 to be distributed and sold worldwide.
As a member of this elite group of people privileged enough to own one of these machines, anyone who purchases the Bernina 830 LE is invited to an exclusive VIP retreat at Bernina’s US headquarters in Chicago. The retreat will feature two full days of workshops where they will learn new techniques, work on innovative sewing projects, and get inspired to create their own fascinating original designs.
Bernina 830 Overview
The Bernina 830 LE is a limited edition sewing and embroidery machine that boasts an impressive range of features for creative enthusiasts. This machine has a large 15-inch extended arm, which provides ample space for quilting, embroidering, and sewing large projects. The 830 LE has a user-friendly touch screen interface that displays all the relevant information and makes it easy to navigate through the machine's features. With a maximum sewing speed of 1,100 stitches per minute, this machine is fast and efficient, making it perfect for high volume projects. The 830 LE also features a stitch regulator, which ensures uniform stitch lengths regardless of fabric thickness or type. In addition, the machine comes with over 1,700 built-in embroidery designs and 13 different embroidery fonts, allowing users to personalize their projects with ease. The Bernina 830 LE also includes a patented dual feed system, that evenly feeds fabric from both the top and bottom, preventing shifting and puckering of fabrics. Other notable features include an automatic thread cutter, a knee lift, and a built-in bobbin winder. With its high-quality build, advanced features, and sleek design, the Bernina 830 LE is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a top-of-the-line sewing and embroidery machine that will provide them with years of reliable service.
This product is no longer manufactured. We recommend trying out alternatives that we have added to this post.
The Bernina 830 LE is one of the most aesthetically pleasing sewing, quilting, and embroidery machines we have ever seen. It almost literally calls you by name, inviting you to touch it. The lush red floral motif, polished metal work space, and oversized work table with a clear window enabling the user to see the bobbin supply are among this machine’s many assets.
When combined with the 830LE’s ability to hold up to three large thread cones and the easy-to-read high-resolution color LCD touch screen, this machine is among the most user-friendly sewing, embroidery, and quilting machines on the market.
What are the features on Bernina 830?
The Bernina 830 LE sewing machine can sew up to 1,100 stitches in a single minute. When in embroidery mode, it can render as many as 1,000 stitches per minute. The 15 inch extension table and 12 inch clearance to the right of the needle make it possible to sew extremely large embroidery projects with ease.
In addition to the embroidery hoops included with the accessories, the purchaser has the option of buying additional embroidery hoops as large as 260 x 400 mm. The color touch screen brings decorative and embroidery stitches to life even before the sewing project is begun.
The standard stitch regulator makes sewing zigzag, quilting and embroidery stitches easy and trouble-free.
The oversized bobbin not only saves time by holding up to 40 percent more thread, built in sensors on the bobbin itself signal you when the bobbin thread is getting low. This feature alone is one of the most popular of all the features offered on the new BERNINA 830. With this standard feature, the user will have to stop less often to change the bobbin; and fewer interruptions mean much more freedom to let your imagination and your creativity go unimpeded.
Other standard features on the BERNINA 830 LE include self threading and automatic tension adjustment features on both the upper thread and the bobbin. Taking the worry out of setting the right tension for specific fabric and thread types makes the entire sewing experience a complete joy.
For the purposes of this Bernina 830 review, we opted to do a couple of simple embroidery projects. Theading the machine was simple.
Winding the bobbin was pretty much the same as winding any other bobbin. Its larger size and the shiny sensors were immediately obvious. In a way, the bobbin looks a little more like a shortened spool of thread than a bobbin. The automatic bobbin winder stops itself when the bobbin is full, and you simply snap it into place beneath the needle plate. The upper thread is even simpler. The machine threads itself with just the touch of a button. Before you know it, you are ready to select an embroidery pattern.
With so many to choose from, it was difficult to make a selection. The machine is capable of rendering designs with as many colors as you can imagine, but we finally settled on a simple, one thread floral design for starters.
Once we identified a pattern and made the size selection, all that was left to do was push the start button and watch the BERNINA 830 LE to its thing. The stitching was precise and fast, producing a jumbo single color embroidery design in just under five minutes.
We learned that in the event of a power surge or in case work came to a sudden stop because the bobbin needed rewinding, the 830 LE is capable of starting right back up where it left off without missing a single stitch. Another interesting fact is that when lettering or producing separate designs in succession, the 830 LE will automatically snip the threads between the designs for you, leaving you free to create without having to be concerned with such mundane details as going back to cut stray connecting threads.
While the Bernina 830 LE is capable of rendering intricate multi-colored designs, it can only handle one thread color at a time. When working on a multi-colored project, it will fill in all of one color and then stop.
After you change the thread color, it will complete all of the requirements for that color and stop again to wait for you to change the thread so it can go on to the next color. When it comes to quilting, the BERNINA 830 LE has one of the largest work spaces available. The quilt arm can be removed to provide a much larger than average workspace to accommodate the most intricate of quilting projects.
But, do not think for a minute that the model 830 LE is strictly for embroidery and large quilting jobs. The workspace can be removed altogether to reveal a free arm that enables the user to work on sleeves and other small intricate sewing projects with the same amount of ease and comfort as they have when working with those big jobs.
What are some alternatives for Bernina 830?
We have reviewed several industrial embroidery machines similar to the Bernina 830, which is now no longer manufactured. Here are some alternatives we recommend instead.
Are you searching for a compact-size embroidery machine? Then, with Janome Horizon Memory Craft 850, your hunt just ended. The machine can impress you with its versatility and abundance of great features. It consists of sewing and embroidery modes, allowing you to easily switch between the skills. Moreover, the machine provides you with up to 200x 280mm hoop capabilities to ensure precision, especially during embroidery, and the latest needle threading system lets you do some vibrant stitching.
- A wide array of more than 200 built-in stitches
- 175 embroidery designs
- Sturdy frame to manage hard fabrics
- Editing capabilities
- Prompt touchscreen for easier navigation
- Expensive, especially for beginners
- Slow speed of embroidery
This model by brother is a feature packed commercial device that gives you access to over 5000 optional design options from iBroidery.con besides the ones available onboard. It also has inbuilt memory to store your patterns and designs. 2 LED lights have been built-in for visual convenience alongside advanced needle threading mechanism and automatic thread tension to ensure adequate precision. The majority of features on thai model si automatic and set up to the user’s convenience. The quality of delivery is excellent and snooth and the device works incredibly fast saving you a considerable amount of time. A large work area is provided to accommodate larger sewing and embroidery projects. The working area is also well illuminated with LED lights.
The Janome Memory Craft 500E empowers designers to express their unique style through personalized, embellished, and monogrammed creations. Its intuitive features, including a full-color touchscreen and on-screen editing functions, offer unparalleled convenience. With a maximum embroidery size of 7.9" x 11" and 160 built-in designs, this machine caters to intricate projects. The automatic thread cutter, advanced needle threader, and USB import capability enhance efficiency. Navigating through its advanced features is seamless, thanks to the vivid and user-friendly LCD color touchscreen, making the MC500E a versatile and inspiring tool for creative endeavors.
- Empowers designers with personalized, embellished, and monogrammed creations
- Full-color touchscreen and on-screen editing functions for unparalleled convenience.
- Maximum size of 7.9" x 11" accommodates intricate projects
- Some users, especially beginners, might find the advanced features a bit overwhelming
Which fabrics work on the Bernina 830?
| Fabrics that work | Fabrics that don’t work |
|---|---|
| Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester Knits(Medium to heavyweight only) Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers | Fur Reptile skin Canvas/Twill Plastic/Rubber Upholstery Leather/suede |
What are the accessories that come with Bernina 830?
The list of accessories that come standard with the BERNINA 830 LE is almost mind-boggling. Unlike other embroidery/quilting/sewing machines, the 830 LE offers the user an exclusive BERNINA alphabet collection and embroidery CD featuring 1,000 designs as a standard accessory.
If you purchase one of these exclusive machines and happen to go through all of the designs offered here, you have the option of purchasing BERNINA’s embroidery software, which will put an almost infinite number of design options at your fingertips, guaranteeing that you will have the ultimate experience in creating the perfect design each and every time you sit down to sew.
In addition to the accessories mentioned above, other standard items included with your BERNINA 830 LE include: a fabric cover; a removable extension table; an embroidery arm; an instructional DVD, 12 different presser feet; owner’s manual, operating instructions and product leaflets, including an accessory booklet and overlock brochure; a Limited Edition certificate of authenticity; a set of Limited Edition red boxes for storing manuals, presser feet, and accessories; a needle threader; a magnifying glass adapter; four bobbins; two thread nets; a pair of tweezers; seam guides; spool caps; needle plates; an oil pen; a thread lubrication kit; a hook cleaning tool; a cloth machine head cover; a USB memory stick; a touch pen; three embroidery hoops; an embroidery module; an embroidery kit and a registration card.
Optional accessories, available from the manufacturer include quilt frames; quilting and cut work software as well as ‘My Label’ software, developed to help users achieve the perfect fit that can only be achieved through customizing each garment according to your precise individual measurements.
Other items available from the manufacturer to enhance your experience with the 830 LE include cabinets and sewing tables specifically designed to accommodate this particular machine.
The BERNINA people even offer continuous inspiration and technical support over the internet through www.BERNINA8series.com.
How to maintain the Bernina 830?
| Maintenance activities | After each use | Monthly | Once each year | As needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean race hook and feed dogs | Yes | No | No | No |
| Wipe head with soft dry cloth | No | No | No | Yes |
| Wipe head with soft damp cloth | No | No | No | Yes |
| Lubricate | No | No | No | No |
| Service by sewing machine repair professional | No | No | Yes | No |
Summary: Bernina 830 Review
Overall, the BERNINA 830 LE is an excellent sewing machine for the avid home sewer. With such a hefty price tag, this is not a machine for the person who does not have a passion for the art of sewing.
If all you are interested in is a machine that help you with repairs, hemming and minor alterations, we suggest that you look at another machine. Perhaps a lower cost Bernette would be more suitable for you. If, however, you have a passion for sewing and love to create one of a kind clothes, home accessories and quilts for yourself, your family members and friends, then by all means, this is a machine that you should give some serious consideration to.
The BERNINA 830 LE is not only one of the highest rated sewing/quilting/embroidery machines on the market it is one of the most efficient. The fact that it is capable of performing so many functions so well is a huge plus.
Having to change the thread each time an embroidery pattern calls for a different color is a minor inconvenience when you consider the quality of the finished product. Besides, very few, if any, embroidery machines designed for home use can change thread colors on their own. This machine does so much we get spoiled and expect it to do everything for us.
With a suggest retail price of about $14,000, nobody would want to spend that kind of money on a machine and not give it the best possible care. The good news is taking care of this machine is easy. It goes without saying that you should also make sure your BERNINA 830 LE is never exposed to moisture, or extreme hot or cold temperatures and that the accessories, especially the extra needles, the needle plates, feed dogs and presser feet are protected by storing them properly so when they come into contact with the machine, it will function properly.
Although the model 830 LE is designed to be portable and has a carrying handle, it is quite heavy for the average person to move around like one would move some portable sewing machines. Perhaps, this is why one of the available options is a table for permanent mounting. We believe the option is definitely a very good idea that deserves serious consideration for anyone who purchases this particular machine.
The self threading and automatic tension adjustment features are also in the plus column. These features make it possible for the home sewer to forget all about the mundane tasks associated with setting up a sewing machine and allows them to concentrate on the fun part of sewing. When compared to an automobile, threading and adjusting the tension on a BERNINA 830 LE is something like driving a car with an automatic transmission rather than one with a manual transmission that requires you to shift the gears yourself rather than let the car perform the task for you.
True, there are people who get a thrill from feeling the engine rev as they shift the gears. Even in the 21st century, there are even people who do not like the idea of power door locks or power windows on cars. But for others, all that manual labor just takes the fun out of the whole driving experience.
If you are one of those people who enjoys the ride without having to shift the gears for yourself, or expend a lot of energy cranking the windows open and shut, or locking and unlocking each car door separately, then we recommend that you step up to the top of the line and test drive an 830 LE at your local BERNINA dealer.
Bernina 830 Review
Summary
The Bernina 830 sewing machine stands as a pinnacle of sewing innovation, boasting impeccable stitch quality, an extensive stitch library of over 1,000 options, a spacious workspace for large projects, seamless embroidery integration, advanced features like the B9 Hook System and Dual Feed System for precise stitching, a Stitch Designer for customization, and a user-friendly touchscreen interface. This machine redefines sewing possibilities, ensuring flawless outcomes, creative versatility, and optimal user experience for both sewing and embroidery enthusiasts.
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Happy Stitching.
I’ve been trying to decide for weeks if the extra $$$ involved make the 830LE worth the $$$. I’ve tried to compare the Brother & BabyLock to of the ling machines and have gotten so overwhelmed. I’ve also been so hesitant to jump into the 830 due to all the negative things people have written on blogs about their complaints. I must say I fell in love with this machine once I saw it in person but still waivered. Your review put a whole new perspective on the decision. thanks for the time it took to write this. Very helpful.
Roberta – Thank you very much for the feedback. It means a lot to know that the information on this site is helpful to people who visit.
I purchased an 830LE in August and the time I have had to use it has been awesome. I am registered for Bernina U in December and look forward to learning all the features. I am so proud to own such a well manufactured machine. I knew I would have to purchase Bernina when upgrading my sewing machine. I already have an Artista 125 and it is such a great dependable machine to take to retreats and piece quilts. Thank you for making such an awesome machine. I have watched many of the tutorials and they are very helpful and informative.
do you find the 830 very noisy and sounding like bobbin case will fall out when embroidering
I’ve had my 830LE since Dec 2011 and truly feel it was released before completely being vetted. The mother board in my machine was replaced after only one year and the needle threader replaced. It still does not thread…misses the eye every time. It zig zags whenever I try to back stitch. It’s noisy and sounds like it wants oil. I wish I never purchased this machine…I believe I got a lemon!!!
Not in the 830 but I have an 880 that would bring the house down with racket. Also prone to going wild while embroidering.
After 5 breakdowns and very poor assistance and communication with Bernina I upgraded to a Janome 150000 which is much more reliable
I have had the Bernina 830E for about 4 years. In that time I too have found it to be very problematic. I own a quilt shop and am not new to these type of machines. The classes offered were not specific to the 830 and were quite crammed. The machine was constantly in the shop and repairs were expensive. There was no help from the seller or factory. So with less than 100 hrs on the machine it sits on a shelf and I too went with the Janome.
Previously had Janome 8000 and 10000 and loved them, but thought I had to have a Bernina. Bought 830LE. Nothing but headaches. Poor dealer support. In the shop for a month and couldn’t fix it. Told me just don’t use the auto thread cutter. Found another dealer who made it work better, but still never sure what mood it will be in when I want to sew. Finished paying it off and bought Janome 15000. I’m in love again!
I have to talk a little about my 830E experience. I am a 76 year old man. I have always loved mechanical things. I got hooked on embroidery machines after watching a friends Bernette 340 doing its job.
The Bernette 340 is a Janome, not a Bernina. Bernina markets them in their name, but it is pretty much identical to the Janome 350 and it is made by Janome. Anyway, I bought one when I was “green” to the sewing and embroidery world. It was a great machine.
Then I had to “upgrade”. I thought after using the “Bernina-Bernette” that I would stay with Bernina. I looked and looked and finally found what I wanted on EBAY from a shop in Pennsylvania. The story begins NOW.
I found an 830LE with all factory attachments. It was low time and usage and was only three years old. Perfect. I gave 4100 for it delivered to So. ILL. These are heavy machines and it came in two original shipping boxes. I took it out and set it up and looked at it for a few days and started wondering if an old man had made the right decision with his money that was not real plentiful.
I started reading reviews after I bought it, bad time to do that. I started slowly doing little embroidery projects and fixing the tangles and broken threads. In about a month, I was totally disgusted. I was in love with this big machine, but the big machine was not in love with me. Sometimes I would start a project and the thread would break or tangle and nothing was wrong. I read the book which is thick, very nicely made, pretty, and has a lot of information, but it still leaves a LOT to be desired.
There are a lot of questions that a new user needs answers for and it simply does not address them. I would rate it about a 5 out of ten, considering it came with a $10,000 or more sewing machine. But then there is Youtube. I started spending a lot of time there and watching every video I could. I considered selling it for half of what I gave for it and buying a new Janome 500 embroidery only.
Then one night the threader stopped threading. I couldnt sleep until 3 in the morning. I actually had many nights like that. I called a bernina shop and got it in for the threader and while there I wanted them to look into the noises it was making down inside, It sounded like something was coming apart. She told me over the phone that a new threader was about $40 and they had one in stock and it could be installed for a $60 minimum service charge. OK, so I took it down there.
She said it didn’t need one and she showed me that a little peice had just slipped a little and it worked perfect. She started going through some stitching with it and told me that it was perfect. I asked about the noise, she said there a re a lot of things taking place down in it and they are normal. From that day on, it started running more quiet. I started paying more attention to threading it and the thread almost never breaks now.
One lady on youtube uses several of these in her shaop and she said every morning she cleans the bobin area and gives it a drop or two of oil and she has no trouble with them. I started doing just that. I keep it clean sand oiled and I change the needles when needed. Sometimes I can hear the needles talking to me when they get dull or a burr on them. People laugh at me when I say this.
Now it has been 9 or 10 months that I have been using this machine and I love it. I know it almost like the back of my hand. My recommendations are this. Take the Mastery Class from some shop who loves the machine. It is very challenging and it can be intimidating. Don’t let it intimidate you. Learn about it. It is complicated and the more yo use it, the more you will learn about it.
I didn’t take the mastery class because I am too far away. But the lady who “fixed” my threader knows this machine and she gave me high hopes. She said they were great machines. Another Bernina shop lady hated them and said they had a bunch of them sitting on a shelf. Some people just didn’t have the right people showing them what to do and they traded them in. That is my story…
Oh Phil. You are the man. Thank you for your story. I just bought a lightly used machine and then read all of these horror stories. I am patient and thorough when I want to learn and I have thought that maybe these machines are a bit more sophisticated than many are willing to understand. Mine arrives this week and I plan to learn all I can before judging. My fears are quelled. Wish me luck!
I was like Phil and bought a Bernina 830LE on Ebay, also from a dealer in Pennsylvania, in fact, I grew up not far from where his store was.
Turned out an older woman had this in a closet for 7 years. When I got it, August, 2016, and I opened it, I could see why she had it in a closet!! It did look intimidating, but I don’t intimidate that easily……lol. I think what happened, she was more used to her older machine and figured it was easier to use it. But I learned on a Viking with all the buttons and it wasn’t as complicated as the Bernina. The only difference between the two is you have to tell the Bernina every little thing, the foot, stitch, thread, just everything, so actually you have to think of the Bernina as a computer, because it is. I also read about all the problems they had with the 830 and figured by the time I got mine and figured they must have all the bugs out by now and a lot of things that go wrong is brought on by the operator. Since I have had mine I have had NO problems what so ever…………just love it. I also paid what Phil paid for his. Glad I got it. Happy sewing. Also, I learned a bunch by watching the tutorials on Youtube.
Florence
Phil….you are my patient hero! I bought mine very similar to how you bought yours. I have had Mrs. B for two years now and am in LOVE with her. I have found, that most problems have been my human errors. I went to a shop for some instruction with a gal who had a regular 830, not the limited edition. We learned a few things together that day, but most importantly, she taught me to relax and just sew and try new things…that the machine would break me before I ever broke it. How true that was at times. I am only a small fraction of the way into the things this machine is capable of, but I love learning. I would happily own more than one!