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Singer 4452 Heavy Duty Review

An average machine with some nice features but a higher price than we think is warranted
singer 4452 heavy duty sewing machine review
Singer 4452
Credit: Singer
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Price:  $300 List
Manufacturer:   Singer
By Ruth Bruckbauer and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Jun 9, 2022
56
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#12 of 13
  • Sewing - 45% 5.1
  • Ease of use - 35% 6.2
  • Buttonholes - 20% 5.8

Our Verdict

Not everyone is going to be sewing clothes for their children or grandchildren, so we wanted to include a couple of heavy-duty sewing machines for those who need to repair duffel bags, backpacks, sails, or outdoor furniture cushions. We had hoped that the Singer 4452 Heavy Duty would be one that we wanted to tell all our friends about, but alas. This sewing machine fell to the bottom of our test suite after an average performance overall and a low score in our sewing tests. Combine that with the heftier price page, and this just isn't a machine we would recommend.
REASONS TO BUY
Light provided by the machine is excellent
REASONS TO AVOID
No included paper manual

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Editors' Choice Award  Best Buy Award 
Price $300 List
$219.99 at Amazon
$230 List
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$230 List
$201.71 at Amazon
$210 List$160 List
$159.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Pros Light provided by the machine is excellentEasy to use, notably good zigzag stitching, free-foot sewing optionGood sewing performance, easy to use, high valueExcellent lighting, clear and easy stitch selection, very easy buttonhole set-upExcellent straight stitching on cotton jersey, very easy to get stitches set up
Cons No included paper manualButtonholes on light to medium fabrics aren't ideal, subpar bobbin windingA bit harder to set upTrouble with the bottom of zippers, basic side-mounted manual thread cutterLacks a needle up/down button, no presser foot lock, trouble with bottom strap of average zipper
Bottom Line An average machine with some nice features but a higher price than we think is warrantedA great machine that leaves something to be desired in creating buttonholes on lighter fabrics but overall provides excellent features for the priceA great machine for the price and a good bet for both beginning and seasoned usersGood for those starting out, but advanced users will get better performance out of other machinesGreat machine for a beginning sewer, but lacking a few helpful computerized features
Rating Categories Singer 4452 Heavy Duty Brother XR9550 Singer 7258 Stylist Brother CS6000i Brother CS5055
Sewing (45%)
5.1
7.4
7.5
6.7
6.8
Ease of use (35%)
6.2
8.9
7.8
9.3
8.0
Buttonholes (20%)
5.8
5.6
7.4
6.2
6.6
Specs Singer 4452 Heavy Duty Brother XR9550 Singer 7258 Stylist Brother CS6000i Brother CS5055
# of Built-in Stitches 32 165 100 60 60
# of Buttonhole Styles 1 8 6 7 7
Measured Weight 14.5 lbs 12. 1 Ibs 14.6 lbs 9.4 lbs 10.8 lbs
Maximum Sewing Speed (stitches per minute) 1,100 850 750 850 750
Buttonhole Sewing (number of steps) 1-Step 1-Step 1-Step 1-Step 1-Step
Maximum Stitch Width 6mm 7mm 6mm 7mm 7mm
Maximum Stitch Length 4mm 5mm 4.8mm 5mm 5mm
Thread Cutter Built-in Built-in Built-in Built-in Built-in
Automatic Bobbin Winder? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Cover? Soft Hard Soft Hard No
Free Arm? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Our Analysis and Test Results

While one of the higher-end models of the Singer Heavy Duty line, the 4452 felt a little overpriced relative to its performance. This lackluster performance does not merit its list price, and even though it can usually be found at a discounted price, it still feels like a stretch to justify its cost.

Performance Comparison


singer 4452 heavy duty sewing machine review - the heavy duty part of the singer heavy duty didn't really live up...
The heavy duty part of the Singer Heavy Duty didn't really live up it its name.
Credit: Laura Casner

Sewing


The 4452 did not deliver a standout performance in our sewing tests. We compared each product's performance on a handful of different stitches over nine different fabrics. We found that the straight stitch, zigzag stitch, scallop stitch, and attaching a zipper were the most disappointing. This machine performed well on the long straight stitch, except that it had a tendency to bunch up on our cotton test swatch.

The 4452 struggled even more on the zigzag stitch, producing some of the lowest quality stitches out of all the tested machines. This problem appeared to be rooted in the inconsistent top thread tension, alternating between too loose or too tight and bunching up the fabric. The scallop and blind hem stitch quality rated even lower, and sewing multiple layers of denim was just awful. In fact, in the denim test, the stitches were tiny, even at the longest setting, and at one point, bent the needle so that it hit the presser plate. This is not what we would expect from a machine with "heavy-duty" in the name.

singer 4452 heavy duty sewing machine review - this sewing machine has great lighting, but the results of our...
This sewing machine has great lighting, but the results of our stitch tests were underwhelming.
Credit: Laura Casner

Ease of Use


The 4452 Heavy Duty is a relatively simple machine, so it scored a little above average in this category. It doesn't have a lot of features to confuse a newer sewist, so it's a safe bet for a newbie.

singer 4452 heavy duty sewing machine review - simple, clean lines and knobs with which to choose the stitches.
Simple, clean lines and knobs with which to choose the stitches.
Credit: Laura Casner

The directions on this machine are simple enough, but the mechanical stitch selection system is initially confusing. This machine also lacks recommendations for which presser foot is the most effective for different stitches, despite everything else being clearly labeled. That said, with a little experience, it all becomes manageable — as with most things.

singer 4452 heavy duty sewing machine review - most things on this machine are clearly labeled.
Most things on this machine are clearly labeled.
Credit: Laura Casner

The 4452 scored lower than we expected for stitching. However, we were pleasantly surprised at how awesome the labeling was for the stitch setup, and threading the machine and bobbin is simple and easy to execute. The tension adjustment is also simple, just a matter of turning a dial, and the lightning is top-notch.

Adjusting the tension is simple, just a matter of turning a dial.
Adjusting the tension is simple, just a matter of turning a dial.
Good, clean, clear lighting with this sewing machine.
Good, clean, clear lighting with this sewing machine.

Buttonholes


The Singer 4452 Heavy Duty earned a respectable score for setting up buttonholes by lining them up in the correct location. As this is a mechanical machine, it requires slightly more setup than the others, requiring you to drop a lever down and set it to act as a stop. This machine also does not shut off automatically, so you'll need to pay attention so it doesn't keep sewing long past the end of your buttonhole.

singer 4452 heavy duty sewing machine review - threading the singer heavy duty.
Threading the Singer Heavy Duty.
Credit: Laura Casner

Value


We felt that the 4452 was overall only an average machine with an above-average price. There are better options, especially for a beginning seamstress or tailor.

Conclusion


Despite the higher price, the Singer 4452 Heavy Duty landed at the bottom of our lineup. It has some nice features, but those don't really justify the cost, and the performance doesn't live up to the robust name.

Ruth Bruckbauer and Austin Palmer
 
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