Compared: the 3 Best Brother Overlockers (Review)

The best Brother overlocker:

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 £25 to £35 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 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 £22 if bought separately).
• 3 extra feet (about £80 if bought separately).
• Free waste tray (about £24 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 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 £80 to buy separately.

It’s missing a waste tray though. Expect to spend about £25 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.