The Brother CE 5500PRW is one of the least expensive Project Runway machines you can buy. This is a compact, lightweight machine with lots of features suitable for making clothes, light quilting and free-motion embroidery.
It’s been awarded a Consumers Digest ‘Best Buy’ Award.
It’s smaller and lighter than comparable machines making it highly portable.
Table of Contents
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Stitch Count / Presser Feet / Functionality / Accessories / Customer Reviews / Pros, Cons & Manual
REVIEW SUMMARY
MODEL: Brother CE-5500PRW Sewing Machine
REVIEWED BY: Erin
RATING: 4.6 
LAST UPDATED: April 9, 2015
COMPARE PRICES
DISCONTINUED
Sometimes I procrastinate (as I did on this review – I started it two weeks ago) and it works out better in the end. I was going to say that the one negative with this sewing machine was that it was priced higher than another model of which I’m a fan but Walmart has since dropped the price (got to love that!) so now it’s about $20 less than the other machine.
I’m still going to compare the two sewing machines, however, further down on the page.
The Brother CE 5500PRW Built In Stitches
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A total of 50 built-in sewing stitches are programmed into this sewing machine including 5 styles of auto-sizing, 1-step buttonholes. The stitch selection covers decorative sewing, stretch stitches, quilting, and heirloom sewing. Stitch width is adjustable to 7mm and length adjustable to 5mm.
This sewing machine has one slick, trick that is kind of neat when it comes to changing your stitch width and length settings. All machines have built-in stitches programmed with a default length and width. However, when you change those settings, it’s really easy to forget what the default settings were so if you find you want to go back to them in the middle of a project, you have to turn the machine off and back on to reset the defaults (or look up the settings in the manual which I would tend not to do).
The Brother CE 5500PRW sewing machine, however, highlights the default width and length settings by displaying a circle around them on the screen so if you want to return to the default settings just push the up or down button to adjust stitch width and length until the setting shows the circle. Ta da! (Really, that I should notice little things like that…)
Brother CE 5500PRW Stitch Patterns
Brother CE 5500PRW Presser Feet
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There are a total of 7 snap-on presser feet included with the purchase of this sewing machine. The Zigzag foot has a leveler button for maneuvering over thick seams.
- Zigzag (general purpose)
- Buttonhole
- Overcasting
- Monogramming
- Zipper
- Blind Stitch
- Button Fitting
Brother CE 5500PRW Sewing Features and Controls
There is no doubt in my mind that Brother sewing machines have given Singer – the standard for years – a run for their money. Their entry level sewing machines almost always include nice features, are well designed, and are rated well by others who have purchased them. The little guy falls right in line.
- Bright LCD screen
- Easy-to-use, computerized controls
- Automatic needle threader
- Handles thick fabrics like denim, tweed and canvas (just use the right needle)
- 6 point feed dog system for solid fabric control
- Advanced needle threading system for speed and simplicity
- Fast, automatic bobbin winding system
- Quick-Set™ bobbin
- Bright LED work area
- Adjustable upper thread tension
- Variable needle position (left and center)
- Twin needle capable
- Drop feed dog lever for mending and free-motion quilting
- Horizontal thread delivery
- Built in handle
- Reverse button
- See through bobbin cover
- Max speed of 850 stitches per minute
(Only uses Brother part code SA156 SFB plastic bobbins.)
A walking foot, quilting foot, ¼” foot, and quilting guide can be purchased separately for this machine.
Compare the CE 5500PRW and the CS6000i
The Brother CS6000i (written about here)is one of the most popular Brother models under $200. It has fantastic ratings (over 800 reviews and ratings online) and is well liked because of the incredible number of features that it offers.
The CE 5500PRW is similar in price to the CS6000i but here’s what the CS6000i offers that the CE 5500PRW does not have:
- All of the same built in stitches PLUS 20 more
- Stitch length adjustable to 7mm instead of just 5mm
- Speed control slider
- Start/Stop button
- Extra wide table attachment included
- Walking Foot presser foot included
- Hard cover case included
Those last 3 items alone are worth more than the $20 price difference making the CS6000i a great deal.
I know – having a Brother Project Runway machine sounds cool and all but getting your money’s worth is nothing to sneeze at either! 🙂
Dimensions: L 16.1” x H 11.4” x D 6.7
Weight: 10.58 pounds
Accessories
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Accessories store inside the flat bed compartment:
- Seam Ripper
- 4 Bobbins
- 3 pc Needle Set
- Twin Needle
- Ball Point Needle
- Cleaning Brush
- Disc Screwdriver
- 3 Spool Caps (large, medium, and small)
- Extra Spool Pin
- Foot Controller
- Soft cover
Great Ratings on the Brother CE 5500PRW Sewing Machine!
The majority of buyers give this sewing machine high marks for being a great value with lots of stitches and automation. Some have mentioned that they didn’t find the automatic needle threader very “automatic” or easy to use (but I can tell you that’s the case with most entry-level machines and even many of the more expensive ones).
The controls are easy to learn, though, and people have been able to use it on denim, thick cotton, fleece, and stretchy fabrics without any problems. The nice selection of stitches lets users explore more creative projects, too, so beginners can start out simply enough and then work their way up to more complex projects.
You can read more here: User Reviews
Average Rating: 4.6
Pros, Cons & Manual
Pros: Drop feed dog. Stitch selection. Number of included presser feet. Drop-in bobbin. Twin needle capable. Easy to use and set up. Low price.
Cons: Pressure foot pressure is not adjustable. The Brother CS6000i offers more features for nearly the same money.
Manual available online here: Get the Online Manual
Manufacturer’s Warranty: As of this date, Brother offers a 1 year warranty on parts and labor, a two year warranty on electronic pattern control and selection components (parts only), and a 25 year warranty on shafts and rods on the machine head.
Features Summary Review:
Dear Sir/Madame,
I’m really new with sewing machine, Brohter, CE-5500PRW. I only use singer the cheapest one. How can I start for this sewing machine? any demo or any web site that I can follow up step by step how to use that.
Thanks and best regards,
Nina
Nina – That’s such a neat machine with some really great features! I don’t know of anything online where you can get instructions specific to your machine but the manual does a great job of walking you through threading, set up and basic stitches. Do you have the manual?
Sincerely,
Erin
will this machine sew thru heavy materials such as leather, jean or thick quilting ?
sheryll
Sheryll – Yes, the CE5500PRW will handle thick material as you described. Just make sure to use the right needle and thread and take it slow the first time you work with a different kind of thick fabric to get a feel for how it moves with the feed dogs.
One caveat – if you were going to sew for hours and hours every day on only this kind of material, you might want a more heavy duty straight stitch machine to keep up with that kind of work.
Sincerely,
Erin
I have this machine I LOVE IT.I am a quilter works great I have not had not one problem with it zips right every thing if you use the right needle
my machine didn’t have bobbins that came with it. (i’m guessing someone returned it and left the bobbins out) instead of going through the process of returning the entire machine and waiting for a new one (they didn’t have another one at my wal mart), which bobbins can I buy for this machine and where can they be found?
Nicole – The Brother CE5500PRW uses Brother SA156 bobbins (follow that link to see what they look like). You might be able to find Brother bobbins at your local Walmart, too, as their online site shows a set of 8 that they carry in-store only (certain stores). Most sewing machine dealers should have them but call ahead before visiting just to be sure. 😉
Sincerely,
Erin
Hi, I have been eyeballing both of those machines. On a spur of the moment I went to Walmart and ended up leaving with the SQ9050, which was actually 50 dollars more. Now I am trying to look up reviews to compare the 3. Mainly I want to use it for diaper making and using baby clothes to make quilts and hem jeans. What are your thoughts?
Thanks!
Monique – Between the CE5500PRW and the CS6000i, the CS6000i has more and does more. The fact that it’s cheaper just makes the decision that much easier. Then it comes down to the SQ9050 and the CS6000i. The SQ9050 has a 7 point feed dog instead of 6 so you get slightly more fabric control, has 40 more decorative stitches and the font stitches.
If you’re going to do any monogramming, you’ll want the SQ9050 but if not and if the extra decorative stitches aren’t needed, the CS6000i will handle your diaper, baby clothes, quilting projects, and denim just fine.
Sincerely,
Erin
Dear Sir/Madame,
I’m really new with this computerized sewing machine, Brohter, CE-5500PRW.
How/where can i get guide manual in Hebrew?
Thanks and best regards
My LCD light on the stitch selector never worked. Can it be repaired?
Hi I just got this machine from a friend, it’s practically new, includes everything. Except she said the bobbin is broken. I personally don’t know anything about sewing or the machines. I am a newby, but am anxious to learn. How do I find out what I need to do to repair this machine? I have looked everywhere online but haven’t had any luck.
Rebecca – do you have the manual? If not, you can find it online here: http://support.brother.com/g/b/manuallist.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=hf_ce5500eus&flang=English&type3=626&type2=69. See the section on Maintenance. It will tell you the part number for a new bobbin case, if that’s what you need. Then you can search online by the word “Brother” and that part number or see if Brother has it in their parts section. Hope that helps!