Husqvarna Viking Designer Epic 3 vs PFAFF creative 4.5
Technical comparison · Sewing and embroidery combos
Both have built-in dual feed and an automatic needle threader, but they sit in different tiers: the question is how large the embroidery needs to be, 450 × 450 mm on the Husqvarna Viking Designer Epic 3 against 360 × 200 mm on the PFAFF creative 4.5 (manufacturer-stated values). On the creative 4.5 the embroidery module is optional and has to be added to the purchase.
| Parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Awards | — | |
| Identity | ||
| Use tier | F4 — Semi-professional | F3 — Advanced |
| Price | ||
| Price | ~11000–25000 € | ~5000–11000 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Weight | — | 11.5 kg |
| Category specs | ||
| Embroidery area, long side | 450 mm | 360 mm |
| Embroidery area, short side | 450 mm | 200 mm |
| Embroidery unit | — | Optional |
| Maximum embroidery speed | 1000 spm | — |
| Built-in embroidery designs | 912 | 270 |
| Free-arm embroidery | Yes | — |
| Built-in embroidery fonts | 8 | 3 |
| Machine weight | — | 11.5 kg |
| Supported file formats | — | DST (Tajima), JEF (Janome), PES (Brother), EXP (Melco), VP3 (Husqvarna Viking / Pfaff) |
| Connectivity | — | USB |
| Included hoops | DESIGNER Regal Hoop (465x260 mm), DESIGNER Royal Hoop II (360x200 mm), DESIGNER Jewel Hoop II (240x150 mm), DESIGNER Splendid Square Hoop II (120x120 mm), adattatore per telai | creative 120 Square Hoop (120x120 mm), creative Master Hoop (240x150 mm), creative Deluxe Hoop (360x200 mm) per l'unità grande; creative 120 Square Hoop (120x120 mm) e creative Elite Hoop (260x200 mm) per l'unità piccola |
| Stitch selection | Touchscreen | — |
| Maximum speed | — | 1050 spm |
| Built-in stitches | 871 | 480 |
| Buttonhole styles | 16 | — |
| Stitch types | — | Straight stitch, Triple stretch straight stitch, Zigzag stitch, Three-step zigzag, Triple stretch zigzag, Blind hem stitch, Stretch blind hem stitch, Elastic overlock stitch |
| Maximum stitch width | 9 mm | 9 mm |
| Maximum stitch length | — | 6 mm |
| Needle positions | 37 | — |
| Space to the right of the needle | 310 mm | 250 mm |
| Dual feed / walking foot system | Integrated in the machine | Integrated in the machine |
| Needle threader | Automatic | Automatic |
| Automatic thread cutter | — | Yes |
| Knee lifter | — | Yes |
| Automatic presser foot lifter | — | Yes |
| Thread tension | — | Automatic |
| Display | Colour touchscreen | Colour touchscreen |
| Display size | 10.1 in | 5.7 in |
| Start/stop button | — | Yes |
| Thread sensors | — | Bobbin |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi | — |
SewingSpecs Awards
Most capable Semi-professional
Highest technical score among the 5 sheets in the Sewing and embroidery combos category (semi-professional tier): 78/100.
How we assign awards →No awards in this tier.
The differences that matter
- Embroidery area, 450 × 450 mm vs 360 × 200 mm → the Epic 3 takes designs both tall and wide; on the creative 4.5 a design taller than the hoop does not fit.
- Embroidery module, optional on the creative 4.5 → anyone buying it to embroider has to budget for the module separately.
Which one to choose
Choose Husqvarna Viking Designer Epic 3 if…
you embroider tall designs that do not fit the other machine's field, or you want a large library on the 10.1-inch screen: 912 designs, 8 fonts, 871 stitches and 16 buttonhole types. The trade-off: it is the machine in the higher price bracket.
Choose PFAFF creative 4.5 if…
you embroider small and medium designs and bring files from other brands: it supports DST, JEF, PES, EXP and VP3, has USB, cuts the thread automatically and has both a knee lift and an automatic presser-foot lift. The trade-off: 270 built-in designs and 3 fonts, a 5.7-inch screen and a shallower embroidery field.
Where to buy
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