Price is an important factor - try to find a store which sells several brands. I began with Janome 300E, then 350 and now Brother Innovis 4000D; if I ever bought another it would be the Brother Quattro for the larger hoop - no need to use cloth setter as with Janome machines. Pfaff and Bernina machines look great but are the high end in price. There is a smaller Brother Disney machine with fewer decorative stitches etc but looks great as a second machine Do explore and you will have fun whichever machine you choose.