Personally I've had Singer, Brother, and several others I can't even remember and I am totally in love with my Bernina. However, it was pricy. See if any of the sewing repair places/sales of used machines will allow you to rent something for a week or so. Then you can try them. Perhaps take a class with a store class rental machine, and ask others if you can try theirs during lunch? If you are careful and they are watching, they might let you.