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I reviewed all 5 Brother overlockers stocked in the UK today. See what the differences are between them and which are worth buying in 2021.
This guide also includes:
- Advice from industry specialists like technicians and overlocker salespeople.
- Videos of the overlockers.
- A chart to compare the Brother overlockers with each other.
*Note: some models are only sold in certain countries. This guide is for UK and European buyers.*
Let’s jump in.
I have found the best Brother overlocker to be the 4234D. It will let you create more stitches than the other Brother models, it’s the easiest to thread, and it has the best build quality. Important for those who sew regularly and want a long-lasting machine.
The best Brother overlocker:
Brother 4234D
The best overlocker from Brother
It can do 2, 3 and 4 thread stitches, giving you more stitch options than a 3/4 thread overlocker. Industry specialists have said it’s well-built. It has a needle threader for faster threading; most overlockers don’t. A waste tray and blind stitch foot are included.
Price: typically ÂŁ350-400 ish. Check Amazon’s price.
Brother 4234D overlocker review:
The 4234D is a good choice for sewers who want more stitch options, easy threading, and sturdier build quality.
2/3/4 threads
It can do 2, 3 and 4 thread stitches. This will let you create more stitches like the 2 thread overlock, 2 thread rolled hem, and 2 thread mock flatlock. Most overlockers can only use 3 and 4 threads.
Better build quality
Industry specialists I spoke to said the 4234D has better build quality than most budget overlockers.
One salesperson said it’s a “good, solid, quite robust option”. Important for regular sewers who want a more durable machine.
Easy to thread
It’s one of the few overlockers with a built-in needle threader.
When combined with Brother’s “F.A.S.T lower looper threading system” and clear colour-coded guides, this is probably as good as threading gets for the mid-range market.
Can handle thicker fabrics
It can handle a variety of fabric thicknesses thanks to its high presser foot lift (5-6mm) and adjustable pressure.
Cons
Expect to pay about double the price of a budget overlocker for it.
Also, annoyingly Brother gave its cheaper overlockers more free feet. They’re not essential feet, but if you want you can buy them separately for about ÂŁ25 to ÂŁ35 per foot.
Brother 4234D Video:
Who this overlocker is best for:
I have owned this overlocker since 2018 and definitely recommend it if:
- You want to invest in a better-built overlocker without buying an expensive premium model. This is especially important if you’re a regular sewer who needs a more durable machine.
- You want to experiment with 2 thread stitches.
- You want a needle threader because you struggle to slide a thread through the eye of a needle.
I have a more detailed review of the Brother 4234D if you want to research it more.
The next best Brother overlocker:
Brother 3034DWT
So many accessories!
It can do 3 or 4 thread stitches. I like the threading system, price and industry specialists think the build quality is decent (but not as good as the 4234D). It comes with a surprising amount of free accessories: 3 extra feet, a waste tray and an extension table. It would cost about ÂŁ126 to buy these separately!
Price: typically ÂŁ300-ish. Check Amazon’s price.
Brother 3034DWT Overlocker Review:
The 3034DWT is a good choice for sewers who just want the main 3 or 4 thread stitches, easy threading, and don’t want to spend too much.
Lot’s of freebies
It comes with an impressive number of free accessories:
- Free extension table (about ÂŁ22 if bought separately).
- 3 extra feet (about ÂŁ80 if bought separately).
- Free waste tray (about ÂŁ24 if bought separately).
That’s a saving of £126!
Good threading
For a budget overlocker, threading is really good. I like the “F.A.S.T lower looper threading system” and clear colour-coded guides.
Can handle thicker fabrics
It can handle a variety of fabric thicknesses thanks to its high presser foot lift (5-6mm) and adjustable pressure.
Build quality
An overlocker salesperson I spoke to thought the 3034DWT’s build quality was a bit better than the cheaper 2104D, but there are still better built machines out there with more motor power.
If you value build quality more than price, check out the Brother 4234D instead.
Brother 3034DWT Video:
Who this overlocker is best for:
- You’re on a budget.
- You don’t need 2 thread stitches. You just want the main 3 or 4 thread stitches.
- You want lots of free feet to experiment with, and the convenience of a waste tray and extension table.
- You don’t need a needle threader.
I have a more detailed review of the Brother 3034DWT if you want to research it more.
The best budget overlocker from Brother:
Brother 2104D
An excellent budget overlocker
It can do 3 or 4 thread stitches. I like the price, threading system and how many free feet it gets. However, there’s no waste tray and build-quality isn’t the best (like all budget overlockers). This is a good option if you only sew occasionally.
Price: typically ÂŁ200-ish. Check Amazon’s price.
Brother 2104D Overlocker Review:
The 2104D is a good choice for sewers who just want the main 3 or 4 thread stitches, easy threading, and don’t want to spend too much.
Good price
The price makes it one of the most affordable overlockers on the market. It also gets 3 free feet which would cost about ÂŁ80 to buy separately.
It’s missing a waste tray though. Expect to spend about ÂŁ25 to buy that separately.
Can handle thicker fabrics
It can handle a variety of fabric thicknesses thanks to its high presser foot lift (5-6mm) and adjustable pressure.
Good threading
For a budget overlocker, threading is really good. I like the “F.A.S.T lower looper threading system” and clear colour-coded guides.
Industry specialists I spoke to like the Brother brand in general, especially for ease of threading.
Stitch quality
The specialists think you can’t tell much difference in the stitch quality between this and more expensive overlockers.
Cons
Specialists said that there are overlockers with better build quality and more powerful motors than the 2104D. This should be expected of all budget overlockers.
If you value build quality more than price, check out the Brother 4234D instead.
Brother 2104D Videos:
Who this overlocker is best for:
- You’re on a budget and don’t want to spend too much on an overlocker.
- You sew occasionally. You won’t put your overlocker under pressure with heavy usage or tough materials.
- You don’t need 2 thread stitches. Just the main 3 or 4 thread stitches.
- You don’t need a needle threader.
I have a more detailed review of the Brother 2104D if you want to research it more.
Brother Overlocker Reviews Recap:
Best buy: Brother 4234D
It can do 2, 3 and 4 thread stitches, giving you more stitch options than a 3/4 thread overlocker. Industry specialists have said it’s well-built. It has a needle threader for faster threading; most overlockers don’t. A waste tray and blind stitch foot are included.
Check Amazon’s price.
Next best: Brother 3034DWT
It can do 3 or 4 thread stitches. I like the threading system, price and industry specialists think the build quality is decent (but not as good as the 4234D). It comes with a surprising amount of free accessories: 3 extra feet, a waste tray and an extension table. It would cost about ÂŁ126 to buy these separately!
Check Amazon’s price.
Budget buy: Brother 2104D
It can do 3 or 4 thread stitches. I like the price, threading system and how many free feet it gets. However, there’s no waste tray and build-quality isn’t the best (like all budget overlockers). This is a good option if you only sew occasionally.
Check Amazon’s price.
Other machines I considered
I also looked at the M343D and 734DS.
I didn’t pick either as one of my Best Buys because:
- It seems like they are discontinued models. They aren’t on the Brother website anymore, but the Best Buys are. That probably means they’re not being manufactured today and might stop being available to buy in the near future.
- Both only come with the standard foot and no waste tray. My 3 Best Buys all came with more accessories.
- Their features are similar to the budget 2104D which is still being manufactured and gets more accessories.
*2021 update: I don’t think the M343D is an old model anymore. I came across a Brother social media post in 2020 (that I can’t seem to refind) that said it was new? I’ll need to look into this more closely.
Compare Brother overlockers
——————– | M343D | 2104D | 734DS | 3034DWT | 4234D |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
———— | Best budget option | ———— | Next best option | Best buy | |
Check Amazon’s Price | Check Amazon’s Price | Check Amazon’s Price | Check Amazon’s Price | ||
Stitches: | |||||
Stitch Ability | 3/4 threads | 3/4 threads | 3/4 threads | 3/4 threads | 2/3/4 threads |
4 Thread Overlock | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” |
3 Thread Overlock | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” |
3 Thread Flatlock | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” |
3 Thread Rolled Hem | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” |
2 Thread Overlock | âś” | ||||
2 Thread Flatlock | âś” | ||||
2 Thread Rolled Hem | âś” | ||||
Stitch Length (mm) | 2 – 4 | 2 – 4 | 2 – 4 | 2 – 4 | 2 – 4 |
Stitch Width (mm) | 2.3 – 7 | 2.3 – 7 | 2.3 – 7 | 2.3 – 7 | 2.3 – 7 |
Retractable Knife | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” |
Max. Speed (stitches per minute) | 1300 | 1300 | 1300 | 1300 | 1300 |
Feet Included | Standard foot | Standard foot Blind Stitch Foot Gathering Foot Piping Foot | Standard foot | Standard foot Blind Stitch Foot Gathering Foot Piping Foot | Standard foot Blind Stitch foot |
Easy to use? | |||||
Looper Air Threading | |||||
Needle Threader | âś” | ||||
F.A.S.T Lower Looper Threading System | âś” | âś” | Unknown | âś” | âś” |
Automatic Tension | |||||
Colour-Coded Threading | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” |
Waste Bin | Buy separately | Buy separately | Buy separately | âś” | âś” |
Free arm | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” |
Easy Rolled Hem Conversion | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” |
Weight | 5.6kg | 5.6 kg | 5.6 kg | 5.6 kg | 6.9 kg |
LED | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” |
Extension table | Buy separately | âś” | Buy separately | ||
Can handle different fabrics well? | |||||
Differential Feed (stretch or gather fabric) | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” |
Adjustable Pressure | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” | âś” |
Max. Presser Foot Height | 5 – 6 mm | 5 – 6 mm | 5 – 6 mm | 5 – 6 mm | 5 – 6 mm |
Note: there are different stats about the weight of the 734DS. John Lewis and Argos believe it weighs 7kg or 7.2kg. The John Lewis manual (which looks very different to the manual from Brother’s support website) claims a weight of 7kg, whereas the Brother manual says 5.6kg. I have chosen the 5.6kg stat because I think it’s from a more reliable source.
This post was originally published on 12 March 2020. It has since been updated.
Related: 5 Best Overlockers, According to Industry Experts
Related: 8 Overlocker Stitches Explained (with lots of close-up photos!)
Related: How to Choose an Overlocker: 21 Factors to Consider (+ Checklist)
Related: Which Overlockers are Good Quality? (I Ask Specialists)
Now it’s your turn
I’d like to hear from you 🙂
Do you have any questions about these Brother overlockers?
Maybe I missed something you want to know?
Let me know by leaving a comment below.
Hi Sarah,
Will all of the Brother budget overlocker scope with denim easily or do I need to go for a mid-range of either make?
Hi Fiona,
Here’s what overlocker sellers and technicians told me:
If you’re just sewing 1-4 layers of denim every now and then, all overlockers will be fine.
If you’re doing it regularly, I recommend buying a mid-range or premium overlocker. These are made more robustly, with better motors and metals inside. Here are my top picks: https://threadsmonthly.com/best-overlockers-uk/
I want to manage your expectations though. Even if you buy a premium ÂŁ1000 domestic overlocker, it still can’t compete with industrial machines. So while the most expensive domestic overlockers will cope better, they will still be worn out over time if you’re sewing through 4 layers of thick denim everyday. Domestic machines aren’t designed for intense use. This is not an issue if you just sew tough materials occasionally.
I hope this helps,
Sara 🙂