Y more throat space is always better, but watch the throat height as well. A large throat space with little height is not a good trade off. I would also say a machine with a large throat but frustrating tension is worthless. I have a brother 1500 for about 4 yrs. never been to the shop, don't adjust the tension much and it will eat any thread I feed it. I can quilt with one color thread on the back and another on the top successfully and often do. For the price you can't go wrong.