This depends on what kind of sewing you do the most. Janome is a good runner up for Bernina. Babylock/Brother are great machines for embroidery but I feel are kind of flimsy for general sewing especially piecing patchwork. I don't like the upper end Viking machines because there is no pressor foot lift but are amazing for heirloom sewing. Pfaff are great for the IDT. A lower end Pfaff, the select line, are great machines for general sewing as well as patchwork. Bernina machines are crazy expensive. Find a good dealer that will work with you on the price. There may not be much leeway with the pricing but they can offer a huge trade-in amount for your old machine. Also, when Bernina is about to discontinue a model the dealers are allowed to offer a great (lower) price.