Needle up/down feature, stop/start button, easy feed dog lowering, ability to change foot pressure/height, wide harp, easy button hole stitch, single hole stitch plate, good lights,knee lift, thread cutter, non drop-in bobbin( I hate them as you have to take the whole project out of the machine in order to change the bobbin). I think those are the essentials. Inexpensive accessories help as well.