It depends on your budget. For machine quilting, the bigger the harp or throat, the easier it is to move a quilt through it. Make a list if your must have features. Mine were...needle up/down for appliqué and FMQ, a nice buttonhole stitch and a few fancy stitches, good lighting, nice size harp space, extension table. I bought a Bernina 440 with Bernin stitch regulator (BSR)about 3 yrs. ago for $3000?