If the Juki MO-2000 QVP is unavailable:

All of the brands listed below were praised by industry experts I spoke to. You can expect excellent build quality from them all.

Here are the models I recommend, starting with my favourite:

1. Husqvarna Amber Air S 400
2. Pfaff Admire Air 5000
3. Janome AirThread 2000D Professional
4. Juki MO-1000
5. Babylock Enspire

Husqvarna Amber Air S 400

It can sew 2, 3 and 4 thread stitches. It includes a built-in needle threader, a built-in 2 thread converter, and waste bin. The presser foot height is 5-7mm; great for sewing thick fabrics. It requires HAx1SP needles. These are standard ballpoint needles that work in sewing machines too. There’s no free arm or extra feet.

Pfaff admire air 5000

It’s extremely similar to the Husqvarna Amber Air S 400. The specifications are almost identical.

Janome AirThread 2000D Professional

This is similar to the Husqvarna and Pfaff, except its presser foot height is lower at 5.5mm.

It’s price has also been raised during the pandemic. It was £899 before August 2020.

Juki MO-1000

This is almost identical to the MO-2000 (my favourite air threaded machine), except it’s missing the information screen that suggests settings.

It sews at 1500 stitches per minute, which is the top-end for domestic overlockers. For comparison, the Husqvarna, Janome, and Pfaff sew at 1300 stitches per minute (which is still fast).

It’s presser foot height is 5-8mm, making it great for overlocking thick fabrics.

Babylock Enspire

Our Machines

Browse our range of machines to suit every need, skill level and budget. All feature our industry-leading technologies and made-in-Japan quality.

What makes overlocking so easy on a Baby Lock?

And combined with our extensive suite of exclusive patended technology, overlocking really has never been easier – letting you focus on being creative rather than being a technician.

Thread the entire machine in less than a minute. A blast of air threads the loopers and needles in a flash. No more tangled threads!

Insert thread into each of the threading ports, press the button and a jet of air shoots the threads through all loopers. How easy is that?

Simply insert the thread and a jet of air shoots it through the looper with the press of a lever. Repeat for each remaining looper. How easy is that?

An automatic and intricate decorative stitch limited only by your imagination. Also suitable for rolled hems.

Thread the entire machine in less than a minute. A blast of air threads the loopers and needles in a flash. No more tangled threads!

Insert thread into each of the threading ports, press the button and a jet of air shoots the threads through all loopers. How easy is that?

Simply insert the thread and a jet of air shoots it through the looper with the press of a lever. Repeat for each remaining looper. How easy is that?

2 Best Overlockers with Automatic Air Threading

This is part 2 of my ‘best overlockers’ series. Today we’re looking at the best overlock machines with automatic air threading.

With these machines, you press a button and they thread the loopers for you with a whoosh of air.

I analysed 12 UK overlockers with air threading. Narrowing it down to my favourite was tough. You can expect an excellent machine from all brands at this price point.

To help me decide, I received advice from 12 industry experts. This included 3 overlocker technicians and 9 overlocker sellers. Here’s what I learned.