It all depends on what you use the embroidery for.
I bought the cheap $300 Brother embroidery only machine with a 4 in design.
I love this machine. I only want to do red work for quilt blocks with it and it is perfect for a 6 in block.
You do need the Ped Basic software to go with it. The cards are expensive if you want more than one.
I have downloaded red work teddy bears, fairy tales, and just square designs for adult quilts.
Emboidery machines have to work harder than a regular machine so dont like the idea of using it for regular sewing.
Brother makes cheap sewing machines and I have several. All good machines.