Husqvarna Viking Designer Epic 3 vs Pfaff creative icon 2
Technical comparison · Sewing and embroidery combos
Both are top-tier combos with the same 310 mm to the right of the needle and the same built-in dual feed, a mechanism that moves the fabric from above as well. What differs is the embroidery size: 450 × 450 mm on the Husqvarna Viking Designer Epic 3, 360 × 350 mm on the Pfaff creative icon 2 (manufacturer-stated values).
| Parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Awards | — | |
| Identity | ||
| Use tier | F4 — Semi-professional | F4 — Semi-professional |
| Price | ||
| Price | ~11000–25000 € | ~11000–25000 € |
| Category specs | ||
| Embroidery area, long side | 450 mm | 360 mm |
| Embroidery area, short side | 450 mm | 350 mm |
| Embroidery unit | — | Included |
| Maximum embroidery speed | 1000 spm | — |
| Built-in embroidery designs | 912 | 873 |
| Free-arm embroidery | Yes | — |
| Built-in embroidery fonts | 8 | 8 |
| 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 Grand Dream Hoop (360x350 mm), creative Supreme Hoop (360x260 mm), creative Elite Hoop (260x200 mm), creative Square Hoop (120x120 mm), 16 clip per telaio |
| Stitch selection | Touchscreen | Touchscreen |
| Maximum speed | — | 1050 spm |
| Built-in stitches | 871 | — |
| Buttonhole styles | 16 | — |
| Maximum stitch width | 9 mm | 9 mm |
| Maximum stitch length | — | 5 mm |
| Needle positions | 37 | — |
| Space to the right of the needle | 310 mm | 310 mm |
| Drop feed | — | Yes |
| Dual feed / walking foot system | Integrated in the machine | Integrated in the machine |
| Needle threader | Automatic | Automatic |
| Automatic thread cutter | — | Yes |
| Knee lifter | — | Yes |
| Display | Colour touchscreen | — |
| Display size | 10.1 in | 10.1 in |
| 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 × 350 mm → the Epic 3 takes taller and wider designs; the creative icon 2 stops at the Grand Dream hoop.
- Sewing equipment → the Epic 3 lists 871 stitches, 16 buttonhole types and 37 needle positions; the creative icon 2 lists an automatic thread cutter, a knee lift (raised with the knee, leaving both hands free) and lowerable feed dogs.
Which one to choose
Choose Husqvarna Viking Designer Epic 3 if…
you embroider large one-piece designs that will not fit the other machine's biggest hoop, or you need free-arm embroidery (the arm stays clear under the hoop, for tubular pieces). It has Wi-Fi, USB and 912 built-in designs. The stated data show no specific trade-off: the choice turns on embroidery size.
Choose Pfaff creative icon 2 if…
your embroidery is medium to large and close to square: the Grand Dream hoop that comes with it is the largest, and 16 clips hold the fabric. The embroidery module is standard. The trade-off: a design larger than that hoop does not fit.
Where to buy
The purchase links are the same as on the two product pages and don't influence the verdict. The product pages have the complete data.