BERNINA Q 20 vs Handi Quilter HQ Sweet Sixteen
Technical comparison · Sit-down long-arm
BERNINA Q 20 and Handi Quilter HQ Sweet Sixteen are both sit-down longarm machines for free-motion quilting on assembled quilts. What matters most at the table is the space under the arm: the Q 20 offers 508 mm of throat and 279.4 mm of height, the Sweet Sixteen tops out at 406.4 mm and 209.55 mm, so it needs more repositioning on large quilts.
| Parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Use tier | F5 — Professional | F5 — Professional |
| Universal specs | ||
| Power | — | 300 W |
| Voltage | — | 100 V |
| Category specs | ||
| Throat length | 508 mm | 406.4 mm |
| Throat height | 279.4 mm | 209.55 mm |
| Maximum speed | 2200 spm | 1500 spm |
| Stitch regulation | Included | Optional |
| Stitch regulation location | On the machine | On the table |
| Stitch regulation modes | Manual, Basting | Basting |
| Stitches per inch (minimum) | 1 spi | — |
| Stitches per inch (maximum) | 4 spi | — |
| Bobbin class | Class M | Class M |
| Needle system | — | 134 |
| Low bobbin sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Computerized system | Included | — |
| Display | Colour touchscreen | Colour touchscreen |
| Needle stop position | — | Yes |
| Laser stylus | Optional | — |
The differences that matter
- Arm throat: 508 mm (Q 20) vs 406.4 mm (Sweet Sixteen) → the Q 20 covers larger quilt areas without repositioning the fabric
- Arm height: 279.4 mm vs 209.55 mm → the Q 20 clears thicker quilt sandwiches under the arm
- Maximum speed: 2,200 spm vs 1,500 spm → the Q 20 sews faster in free-motion mode
- Stitch regulation: built into the machine with manual and basting modes (Q 20) vs optional on the table with basting only (Sweet Sixteen)
Which one to choose
Choose BERNINA Q 20 if…
For quilters regularly working on king- or queen-size quilts who don't want to reposition the fabric often, the Q 20 offers 508 mm of arm throat and runs up to 2,200 stitches per minute in free-motion mode. Stitch regulation is built into the machine as standard, with manual and basting modes.
Choose Handi Quilter HQ Sweet Sixteen if…
For smaller quilts or work done mostly free-hand without a regulator, the Sweet Sixteen stays more compact (406.4 mm of throat) and runs up to 1,500 stitches per minute. Stitch regulation is optional and mounts on the table, with basting mode only.
Where to buy
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