--- title: "bernette b33 review" description: "bernette b33 review: a 15-stitch Swiss-designed mechanical sewing machine with a semi-automatic needle threader. Specs, owner feedback, who it suits and FAQs." canonical: https://vettedten.com/household/sewing-machines/bernette-b33/ language: en-GB updated: 2026-11-09 score: 8.2 --- # bernette b33 review > **Our verdict:** The bernette b33 ranks 10th of the 10 sewing machines we compare, with 8.2 out of 10. No. 10 of 10 in our [sewing machines ranking](https://vettedten.com/household/sewing-machines/) · Updated November 2026 · [How we rank](https://vettedten.com/how-we-rank/) **8.2 out of 10** The bernette b33 is a mechanical sewing machine with 15 stitches, a four-step buttonhole and a semi-automatic needle threader. It suits beginners who want simple dials and a roomy arm, and don't need automatic extras. Why it's here: - 15 stitches including a four-step buttonhole - Semi-automatic needle threader and retractable feed dog - Five snap-on feet, including zigzag, buttonhole, blindstitch and zip, in the box - 6.7 inches of space to the right of the needle for larger projects Keep in mind: - Only 15 stitches and no automatic thread cutter - Four-step buttonhole, not one-step - Pricey for a 15-stitch mechanical machine [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B074CZB3X7) ## Why the bernette b33 scores 8.2 - How happy owners are: 10th of 10 - How many rated it: 10th of 10 - How new it is: 2nd of 10 ### Why it sits behind the Brother Innov-is A16 The Brother Innov-is A16 (8.3) edges the bernette b33 (8.2) on the balance of all three parts. ## About the bernette b33 The b33 is a dial-operated mechanical machine from bernette, the Swiss brand from the Bernina group. You pick stitches and adjust settings with front-mounted knobs, and there is no screen or computer. It has 15 sewing stitches, including straight, zigzag, three-step zigzag, blindstitch, elastic blindstitch, triple straight, honeycomb, florentine, overlock and vari-overlock. The maximum stitch width is 5 mm and the maximum length is 4 mm. The buttonhole is a four-step one, made in stages with the selection dial. A semi-automatic needle threader handles the eye, and the thread cutter is manual. The feed dog is retractable, the presser foot has a two-step lift, and a reverse lever sits on the front. There is 170 mm of space to the right of the needle, which helps with bulkier work such as small quilts. In the box are a foot control, three bobbins, a seam ripper that doubles as a buttonhole opener, a needle set and five snap-on feet: zigzag, buttonhole with slide, blindstitch, zip and button sew-on. A large accessory box is built into the machine. The brand's page gives no weight or dimensions, so check before you buy if shelf or travel space matters. ### Key specs - Stitches: 15 sewing stitches - Buttonhole: 4-step, selected with the dial - Space right of needle: 170 mm - Maximum stitch width: 5 mm - Maximum stitch length: 4 mm - Needle threading: Semi-automatic - Presser foot lift: 2-step - Feed dog: Retractable - Presser feet: 5 snap-on feet included - Thread cutter: Manual ## What owners report about the bernette b33 Owner feedback on this exact model is thin. No detailed first-hand owner reviews were available to open, so there is no pattern to report on how it lasts after months of use. What is available comes from reviewers rather than owners. The Sewing Studio's review praises the extra-high presser foot lift for thick quilts and terry cloth, the stretch-friendly stitches for jersey, the easy front-loading bobbin and the fold-out storage. A separate blog review, Happy Seam, mentions thread bunching that can cause jams and says the machine is noisy. Both are single writers, so treat them as pointers rather than a verdict. ## Who the bernette b33 suits The b33 suits a beginner or returning sewer who wants a plain mechanical machine for hems, repairs, zips, simple garments and small to medium quilts. The 170 mm arm and the high presser foot lift give it more room for bulky fabric than its stitch count suggests. Look elsewhere if you want a one-step buttonhole, more stitches or an automatic thread cutter. The Janome J3-24 has 24 stitches and a one-step buttonhole. The Janome 5060QDC adds an LCD and an automatic thread cutter. The Brother LS14S is a plainer 14-stitch alternative with a metal chassis. ## Questions about the bernette b33 ### Is the bernette b33 good for beginners? Yes, in the view of the reviewers whose write-ups were available. It has dial controls, a semi-automatic needle threader and an easy front-loading bobbin. The limits are the four-step buttonhole and the manual thread cutter. ### Does the bernette b33 have a one-step buttonhole? No. It has a four-step buttonhole, which you make in stages by turning the selection dial. ### Does the bernette b33 have an automatic thread cutter? No. The thread cutter is manual, and the needle threader is semi-automatic. ### How many stitches does the bernette b33 have? 15 sewing stitches, including straight, zigzag, blindstitch, overlock and honeycomb. The buttonhole is a separate four-step function. ### How much space does the bernette b33 have to the right of the needle? 170 mm. That is enough for small to medium quilts and other bulky projects. ## All 10 sewing machines, compared | No. | Product | Score | Badge | | ---: | --- | ---: | --- | | 1 | [Brother LS14S](https://vettedten.com/household/sewing-machines/brother-ls14s/) | 9.1 | Best Choice | | 2 | [Janome 5060QDC](https://vettedten.com/household/sewing-machines/janome-5060qdc/) | 8.8 | Best Premium | | 3 | [Janome J3-24](https://vettedten.com/household/sewing-machines/janome-j3-24/) | 8.7 | | | 4 | [Singer Heavy Duty 4432](https://vettedten.com/household/sewing-machines/singer-heavy-duty-4432/) | 8.6 | | | 5 | [Singer Heavy Duty 4411](https://vettedten.com/household/sewing-machines/singer-heavy-duty-4411/) | 8.6 | | | 6 | [Singer M2105](https://vettedten.com/household/sewing-machines/singer-m2105/) | 8.6 | | | 7 | [Janome Sewist 725S](https://vettedten.com/household/sewing-machines/janome-sewist-725s/) | 8.4 | | | 8 | [Brother Innov-is A50](https://vettedten.com/household/sewing-machines/brother-innov-is-a50/) | 8.4 | | | 9 | [Brother Innov-is A16](https://vettedten.com/household/sewing-machines/brother-innov-is-a16/) | 8.3 | | | 10 | **bernette b33** (this review) | 8.2 | | ## How we score it Every score here comes from our ranking model; no editor sets the order. We haven't read the review sites for this guide yet, so for now it is led by owners. It ranks products by how happy owners are, holding back any product few owners have rated until more agree. How many rated it and how new it is only settle close calls, and value for money earns its own badge rather than a higher place. We compared 28 models for this guide before settling on these ten. Brands can't pay to be included or to move up. We last checked these picks in November 2026. [How we rank, in full](https://vettedten.com/how-we-rank/) ### Where these facts come from - [bernette 33 model page (bernette.com)](https://www.bernette.com/en/models/bernette-33) - [The Sewing Studio: Bernette B33 Sewing Machine Review](https://www.thesewingstudio.co.uk/blogs/product-reviews/bernette-b33-sewing-machine-review) - [Frank Nutt: Bernette B33](https://franknutt.co.uk/sewing-machines/bernette-b33-sewing-machine-2) - [Happy Seam: Bernette B33 Review](https://happyseam.com/bernette-b33-review/) --- Canonical page: https://vettedten.com/household/sewing-machines/bernette-b33/ · Every guide: https://vettedten.com/llms.txt · For AI agents: https://vettedten.com/agents.md