I have used the 440 and the 550 and they are both good machines. I bought the 440 with BSR before the 550's came out. I might have bought the 550 and BSR if they had been available at the time. The 440 has embroidery capability for $1000 which I didn't get anyway. The 550 does not have the embroidery so it's probably less expensive. I love my 440 but I've not tried a Janome so I can't offer an opinion.