This depends on what I want it for.
Bottom line, really want: knee lift, thread cutter, needle up/down, good straight stitch, good free motion quilting (throat space large), feeds fabric evenly. All these are available on Brother 1500S Novelle.
Then I have a light weight machine for going to events.
Then I have a large Bernina that has all of the above (not light wt), & embroidery, specialty stitchs, garment stitching.