Many people are asking me to compare the Brother HE-240 and the Brother SE-400. Actually, it’s confusing because there aren’t that many differences between the SE400 and the HE240.
The Brother SE 400 Sewing and Embroidery machine is a newer machine that is identical to the older Brother HE240.
In short, here are the major differences:
- The HE-240 is sold only by HSN. The SE-400 can be bought many places online and in retail stores.
- HSN’s price for the HE240 is a lot more than Amazon’s price for the SE-400. Amazon has the best price that I’ve found.
- HSN does include some extra accessories for the higher price. See below.
The Brother HE-240 is an exclusive model sold only by HSN. Brother made the HE240 by adding an USB port to the SE350 before the SE400 came out. I don’t know if Brother added any tweaks to the newer SE400, but there are no essential differences between the two models. The SE400 does have the ability to upgrade the internal software through the USB port.
HSN does throw in a few extras such as a cording foot, narrow hem foot, piecing foot, and a very nice accessory case. But HSN charges $130 more than Amazon. If the extra accessories are worth the extra money to you, than buy the HE240 from HSN. But be sure to check the price of the accessories separately. If you only need one or two, you’ll be better off buying them separately. Another advantage of the Brother HE-240 is that HSN offers a monthly payment plan. Otherwise your best buy is the Brother SE400 from Amazon.
Either way, they are both great little machines, offering a lot of value for the money in a combination sewing and embroidery machine.
>>> Here’s My Current Recommendation For The Best Value <<<
Click here to see today’s price.
Click here to check out the HE240 from HSN.
Blessings,
P.S. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. I love to hear from you and read every one. Sometimes stuff happens, and it can take me a couple of days but I’ll answer as soon as possible.
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For both the HE-240 and the SE-400 do you need to purchase the PED?
Hi Jill, No, you don’t need the PED-Basic software. Both models have USB ports that allow you to transfer embroidery designs directly from your computer. If you want to combine designs or put alphabet designs together to make words, you’ll need embroidery editing software such as Embird or SewWhat Pro or Brother’s PE-Design depending on what you want to do.
Hi Kamala!
I have been looking at embroidery machines for the past several weeks, and the Brother SE400 and HE240 are at the top of my list. I was so happy when I found your blog tonight while trying to find the differences between the 2 models. I used to sew several years ago, and now I am looking to take up embroidery (mostly for baby items). Is there any way to find out what the fonts and embroidery patterns look like that come with the Brother SE400?
Thank you in advance for any information that you can provide!
~Christine
Hi Christine,
Thanks for asking. I have been planing to add the fonts and embroidery patterns to the site, but haven’t had time yet. In the meantime, here’s a picture that might help you.
Most of the designs aren’t to my taste and there aren’t many for baby items. But you can find a lot more choices on Brother’s website and other places on the internet that you can download into the Brother SE400.
Enjoy your new machine and hobby,
Kamala
HE-240/SE-400/LB-6800. I was looking at this model on craigslist. They are asking $399 for it. Is that a good price or should I buy one brand new?
Hi Ashley, no, that’s a very high price. The new price has dropped this year, so if it’s used, they probably paid a lot more when they bought it. Amazon’s price today for a new SE300 is about $337. It changes all the time so check it out out here: SE400 at Amazon. That’s where I bought mine. I prefer to buy new machines because of the warranty and you know what you’re getting and how it’s been taken care of. A new LB68000 at Amazon is currently about $390.
Hi Kamala,
}–
my problem to get brother se400 is no reseller/distributor in indonesia (my country).
Or i can’t find one of them.
So, can you help me how to get it?
I feel from amazon (minumum prize) would be appreciate, but another way is okay.
–excuse me for my bad english
Hi Fathony,
Amazon will ship to some countries outside the US, but I don’t know if Indonesia is one of them. You could try buying it from Amazon and checking out. I think that it would tell you when you fill in your shipping address, before they charge you anything. Or you could email their support. The SE400 is available from other places, but I don’t know their shipping policies. You could also contact Brother at http://www.brother-usa.com and ask if there is a deal near you. But in the US, the SE400 is not sold in Brother dealers — only online and in big-box stores like Walmart.
Brother USA’s parent company is Japanese. So maybe you could find out something there or in Asia.
I’m sorry, I can’t be of more help. I don’t really know anything about shipping outside the US.
Good luck,
Kamala