Is the BERNINA 570 QE Worth It?
The BERNINA 570 QE is one of those machines that sits in a particularly interesting place in the BERNINA range.
It isn’t a small machine, but it isn’t one of the huge 7 Series machines either. For me, that makes the 570 QE a fantastic option for somebody looking for a medium-sized sewing and quilting machine, particularly if your budget is somewhere around £2,200–£2,500.
Having sold, demonstrated, and worked with these machines, I think the 570 QE hits a sweet spot. You get some genuinely useful features as you step up through the BERNINA range, but you still have a machine that’s manageable enough to move around.
So, is the BERNINA 570 QE worth the money?
In my opinion, absolutely — but there are a few things you should consider before deciding whether it’s the right machine for you.
Who is the BERNINA 570 QE for?
I’d look at the 570 QE if you want a good-quality, medium-sized machine that can handle a wide range of sewing.
It obviously got “QE” — Quilter’s Edition — in the name, but I wouldn’t think of this as purely a quilting machine.
It’s a very capable all-round sewing machine.
One of its biggest advantages is its size. If you’ve only really got room for one decent sewing machine and want something substantial without going all the way up to the size of a 7 Series, the 570 QE makes a lot of sense.
That’s where I think the 5 Series really comes into its own.
BERNINA 570 QE vs 475 QE
This is probably one of the most useful comparisons.
When you step up from the BERNINA 475 QE to the 570 QE, you’re not simply paying for a few extra stitches.
Yes, you do get more stitches — that’s part and parcel of moving up through sewing-machine ranges — but there are some much more important differences.
You get BERNINA Dual Feed, effectively giving you a built-in walking-foot system.
You also get the BERNINA Stitch Regulator (BSR) supplied with the machine.
That is particularly important if you’re interested in free-motion quilting.
Bought separately, the BSR is an expensive accessory — around the £600 mark — so when you’re looking at the price difference between a 475 QE and a 570 QE, you need to consider that.
You’re getting:
- A larger machine
- BERNINA Dual Feed
- The BERNINA Stitch Regulator
- More stitches and functionality
- More room to work
Once you account for those differences, the jump from the 475 QE to the 570 QE starts making considerably more sense.
Why the size of the 570 QE matters
For me, this is one of the big selling points.
The 570 QE is what I’d describe as a very happy compromise between a large sewing machine and a small sewing machine.
Maybe you only have room for one machine at home. You’d love the extra sewing space of a larger machine, but you also want something you can move when necessary.
That’s exactly where I’d be looking at the 570 QE.
A BERNINA 7 Series is a lovely machine, but it’s big. You’re looking at roughly 15 kg depending on the model, whereas a 5 Series is around 11 kg.
Personally, I wouldn’t want to regularly take a 7 Series backwards and forwards to a quilting class. It’s not just the weight; it’s the machine’s physical size as well.
The 570 QE is much more realistic.
You still have a substantial machine when you’re sitting at home sewing, but if you do want to take it to a class, workshop or sewing group, it’s manageable.
Is BERNINA Dual Feed worth having?
This is another reason I like the step up to the 570 QE.
Dual Feed gives you additional control over the fabric from above while the feed dogs are moving it from underneath.
For quilting, when you’re working with multiple layers or fabrics that don’t always feed evenly, it’s a genuinely useful feature.
And because it’s built into the machine, it’s there when you need it.
It’s one of those features that might not sound particularly exciting when you’re comparing specification sheets. Still, once you’ve got used to having it available, you really appreciate it.
What about the BERNINA Stitch Regulator?
The BSR is another important part of the 570 QE package.
If you want to do free-motion work, the Stitch Regulator helps you achieve more consistent stitch lengths as you move the fabric yourself.
Again, I’d look at this in terms of the machine’s overall value.
If you bought a less expensive BERNINA and then subsequently decided you wanted a BSR, that’s a significant additional purchase.
With the 570 QE, you’ve already got it.
That’s why simply comparing the headline prices of two machines doesn’t always tell you the whole story.
Is the BERNINA 570 QE easy to use?
One thing I like about the 570 QE is that, despite being a very capable machine, it’s still relatively easy to navigate.
You’ve got a lot of functionality available, but you don’t have to use it all from day one.
You can sit down and sew.
Then, as you become more confident with the machine, you can start exploring more of what it can do.
From an ownership point of view, they’re also straightforward machines to look after and maintain.
Is the BERNINA 570 QE reliable?
This is important to me because we’re not just selling sewing machines — we also see them from the servicing and repair side.
The 570 QE is a well-built machine.
BERNINA has a reputation for build quality, and that’s one reason people are prepared to invest this sort of money in one.
You also have the reassurance of BERNINA’s seven-year warranty, which is worth considering when you’re looking at the overall cost of ownership.
A machine at this level should be something you’re buying to use for years, rather than something you’re expecting to replace in a couple of years.
What else should you compare the 570 QE with?
This is where I think going into a sewing-machine shop and actually trying the machines becomes important.
At this price point, I wouldn’t automatically tell everybody to buy the BERNINA.
For example, I’d also put somebody in front of a Brother VQ2 and let them actually sew on both machines.
They’re different machines, and they feel different.
You might sit down at the BERNINA and immediately think, “Yes, this is the one.”
Somebody else might sit down at the Brother and prefer that.
There’s nothing wrong with that.
Once you’re spending this much money, specifications only tell part of the story. You need to sit at the machine, sew with it and see which one feels right to you.
That’s one reason I always encourage customers to come in and try machines rather than buying purely from a list of features online.
What should you buy with a BERNINA 570 QE?
You don’t necessarily need to go mad buying accessories straight away.
The machine already comes with an excellent package, particularly with things like the BSR included.
One simple thing I would recommend buying, though, is some additional bobbins.
It’s not exciting, but it’s practical.
As you start using the machine more, having bobbins already wound in the colours you regularly use makes life considerably easier.
Then you can add specialist feet and other accessories as your sewing develops rather than buying a huge collection on day one that you may never use.
So, is the BERNINA 570 QE worth it?
For me, yes.
The BERNINA 570 QE is a well-built, high-quality sewing machine that gives you a lot of capability without the sheer physical size of the 7 Series.
You get the larger sewing area, Dual Feed and BSR, along with the quality and feel you’d expect from a BERNINA.
And that’s really where I think the 570 QE earns its place.
If you want something more substantial than the 475 QE but don’t necessarily have the room — or the desire — for a 7 Series machine, the 570 QE is a very sensible middle ground.
It’s capable enough that you’re unlikely to quickly outgrow it, while still being manageable enough that you can take it to a class if you want to.
My biggest piece of advice, though, would be: don’t just take my word for it.
Come and sew on one.
Try the 570 QE alongside other machines around the same price point, including something like the Brother VQ2. Bring some of the fabrics you actually sew with and see how each machine feels.
Because once you get to this level of sewing machine, the decision isn’t simply about which one has the longest specification list.
It’s about finding the machine that makes you want to sit down and sew.
Click here to see a vide on the Sewing machine on the 4,5,7 Series Benrina Sewing machines