Here is my review of the Juki UX8 – in this post, I will show you what the machine can do based on 12 very personal evaluation criteria and reveal how I like it.
The most important things at a glance
- In this post, you will get to know the features and functions of the Juki HZL-UX8
- In a video, I show you how it sews, what accessories it comes with, and how it is set up and threaded
- I also evaluate the Juki UX8 using my personal list of criteria
- I give the Juki an overall grade of a straight 1 (using the German school grading system), because I believe it is unreservedly recommendable
Reading tip: Buying a high-speed sewing machine – Test and review of the JUKI TL-2300 Sumato
After my experience with the Bernina B480, I preferred not to think about buying a sewing machine for a while. Until I discovered the Juki UX8. As soon as I read the description, I knew: this is the machine for me.
Here, I was mainly guided by the absolutely positive experience with my Juki DX7, a completely uncomplicated machine that goes through thick and thin with me. Literally. Initially, it was supposed to be the Juki HZL-NX7*. I had already heard so many good things about the NX7. But then I "accidentally" stumbled upon the UX8...
Very important: I chose, ordered, and paid for the machine myself. That is an important prerequisite for me to be able to give my open and honest opinion about products.
These are the criteria I use to look at the Juki HZL-UX8
What does my personal evaluation catalog look like now? Well, definitely personal. I don't want to recite technical specifications to you, but rather simply describe how the machine works, what it comes with, what it can do, and how I like it.
By the end of this post, you should ideally be able to decide for yourself whether the Juki UX8 is an option for you or not.
I grade the individual criteria using school grades. So from 1 = very good to 6 = very poor. At the end, the machine gets an average grade from me.
Buying a sewing machine: My 12 personal evaluation criteria
Of course, you can evaluate a sewing machine based on many different criteria. But I have noticed that certain things are more important to me than others. Therefore, I place special emphasis on the following points:
- Is the instruction manual understandable and action-oriented?
- Is the machine easy to thread?
- Is the technology self-explanatory and intuitive to operate?
- Does the machine come with useful accessories?
- Is the sewing table large enough?
- Does the machine have room for large projects?
- What about noise and vibration?
- Are the presser feet easy to change?
- Does the machine handle the start of seams well (even with jersey)?
- Does it manage thick areas as well?
- Is sewing comfortable (needle threader, thread cutter, knee lifter, multi-functional foot pedal)?
- Does the machine score points for sewing fun?
Okay, let's get started.
Is the instruction manual for the Juki UX8 written in an understandable way?
Without reservation: YES! And not only that: it is also brilliantly illustrated, so that in case of questions or problems, you are certainly guided by the manual.
I already had this experience with the Juki DX7 and the UX8 confirms it once again: Juki makes the best instruction manuals I know. Detailed – but not TOO detailed. You don't have to spend forever reading it to find your way around. And (in my view) no questions remain unanswered.
For the instruction manual, the Juki UX8 gets a grade of 1 from me.
Is the Juki HZL-UX8 easy to thread?
Not just easy, but very easy. Especially in comparison to the Bernina 480 or the Janome 8200. With those two, I didn't get along with the system at all. So: the threading path is fine, that's no problem. I found the semi-automatic needle threader difficult.
That is definitely different with the UX8: here, you simply guide the thread through the threading path and place it into the threader. As soon as you let go of the threading lever, the thread is already in the machine. With Juki, it's often the case that the thread forms a loop behind the needle that you can easily grab. Just grab the loop and pull it under the presser foot. Perfect.
The same applies to the bobbin: here, you just insert the bobbin from above (which I find great because of the good visibility; after all, what do you have bright LED lights on the machine for if the bobbin is inserted from the front, where hardly a ray of light falls?).
For the threading process, the Juki UX8 also gets a grade of 1 from me.
Is the technology of the Juki UX8 self-explanatory and intuitive to operate?
Of course, there are always functions and settings that you should check in the instruction manual.
But when it comes to sewing without thinking too much, the UX8 is the machine you can do that with. Both the basic functions of the machine and the display are structured in a completely logical and understandable way. No long adjustment phase is necessary here; you can start right away.
The simplicity with which you can set stitches and put together and save entire words is, by the way, also remarkable.
For the intuitive technology, the Juki gets a grade of 1 from me.
Does the Juki UX8 come with useful accessories?
The accessories for the UX8 are – as usual with Juki – quite generous and well-thought-out. The only thing I missed was the Teflon foot, but that's no problem because I can use the one from my old Juki. The good thing about Juki is: accessories are inexpensive; you can also fall back on the large presser foot set*, which is available everywhere, because the feet for the Juki fit perfectly. This way, you get 36+ feet for a price you would have to pay for 1/2 a presser foot at Bernina.
Feel free to also take a look at my major blog post about sewing machine feet and their use.
The construction of the Juki feet is a bit different; some look like they were made with cast aluminum, some are the standard metal feet. In any case, they are well-made and easy to install.
The large extension table wouldn't even have been needed because of the generous space on the sewing table. Nevertheless, I'm glad it's included: especially for projects like large garments, jackets, or patchwork quilts, such a large work surface is worth its weight in gold because the fabric doesn't hang over and pull.
I find the filled toolbox practical. This way, I have all the accessories together in one place. By the way, you can also hide the box under the extension table when it is installed.
From my point of view, everything you need to get started is included. You don't have to buy extra parts to be able to realize your own projects.
The dust cover is foldable and soft; here, I found the rigid plastic cover of the DX7 slightly higher quality.
For the accessories, the Juki gets a grade of 1.5 from me.
Is the sewing table of the Juki UX8 large enough?
I already mentioned it above: It is fantastic! Spacious, well-lit, and usable for all tasks even without the additional extension table.
By the way, two generous accessory compartments are integrated into the sewing table, where you can store presser feet and small items.
For me, it's the best sewing table I've seen on a sewing machine so far.
For that, it gets (what a surprise!) a grade of 1.
Does the Juki HZL-UX8 have room for large projects?
Here, we are not looking at the space around the needle plate but rather the space to the right of the needle. And here, too, the Juki scores well: it has plenty of room for fluffy patchwork quilts, bulky bag projects, and many other things that simply need space to be worked on.
Of course, you can also use the space perfectly to just set down a pincushion, thread snips, or other important small items and have them right at hand while sewing.
For the available space, the Juki gets a grade of 1 from me.
How loud is the Juki UX8? Does it vibrate when sewing?
For such a large machine, the Juki is surprisingly quiet. I am quite sensitive to noise, but I find the Juki to be really pleasant and unobtrusive in this regard.
There is no trace of vibration (standing on a solid wooden table); the machine is solid and well-made through and through. I have really experienced quite different things with other machines...
Here, too, I give it a grade of 1.
Are the presser feet of the Juki HZL-UX8 easy to change?
The Juki is equipped with a very classic snap-on system, just like many other machines have. Simply press the button on the back of the presser foot holder and the foot comes off.
To attach a new foot, you just need to place the foot in position and lower the presser foot holder. It makes a quiet click and the foot is firmly in place.
It really couldn't be easier.
However, it is important to know: if you want to use presser feet that are closed at the back, you cannot use the Smart Feed function of the machine because the feed element of this function engages with the opening on the rear presser foot. You can see this quite well with the straight stitch foot in the picture below.
For changing the presser feet, the Juki UX8 gets a grade of 1 again.
How does the Juki UX8 handle difficult fabrics and starting seams?
I actually thought the Juki DX7 would be unbeatable here. I have already recommended it X times to people who don't want to buy an extra overlock machine to sew clothes. And somehow I thought: it doesn't get any better than that.
In fact, the UX8 sews jersey, slippery fabrics, and seam starts just as well, if not even better. The feed dog works magnificently. And if things get difficult, you can simply turn on the Smart Feed. This is a type of integrated walking foot that helps to feed the fabric evenly. From my point of view, you can really skip a separate walking foot.
In the video, I also show a few examples of how the Juki handles different materials.
For handling difficult fabrics, the Juki gets a grade of 1 from me.
How does the Juki UX8 handle thick areas?
I tried several layers of fabric: the Juki handles them without any problems. It also masters transitions such as zippers or seams perfectly.
The pre-installed universal zigzag foot is, by the way, also equipped with a leveling button again. That is the little black button that you can press to bring the presser foot into a straight position. This button really does a good job with thick seam starts and critical transitions.
For mastering thick areas, the Juki gets a grade of 1 from me.
How comfortable is the Juki UX8?
Think about thread cutters, tie-off functions, threading aids, bobbin sensors, knee lifters, and much more: a machine like this just has to be comfortable. Think again. I felt very differently about this with the Bernina. And it had very similar functions to the Juki.
I really try to write something critical about the Juki now and then. Which is difficult for me. Because it is simply so smooth and uncomplicated to operate. Sewing (which I love like crazy, as you know) has been three times more fun since it moved in with me.
For sewing comfort, the Juki gets a grade of 1+ from me.
What about the sewing fun with the Juki UX8?
I actually just answered this question: Fantastic. You would think you'd have reservations about such a large and expensive device. Or not really dare to use it. The opposite is the case. The machine gives the impression that it can handle everything.
And as far as my tests are concerned, that is also the case. Of course, I will add to this post over time if any problems or observations arise that can serve as a decision-making aid for you.
For the sewing fun, the Juki also gets full marks from me: grade 1!
Conclusion: How I evaluate the Juki UX8 overall
Here is a summary once again: For me, the Juki UX8 is "the" machine. Spacious, quiet, capable, comfortable, trustworthy, solid, high-quality, and incredibly smooth in its handling.
In the overall evaluation, we reach a straight 1. Who would have thought.
After the rather scratchy Bernina, I probably just needed this experience.
Of course, I realize that at just over 3000 euros, the machine is no bargain. But it doesn't want to be. It is certainly not a machine for everyone – although I would truly wish it for everyone.
If every sewing beginner started on this machine, the number of sewing dropouts (read my post Stopped sewing) would approach zero, I'd bet on that.
I already said it in the video, but I have to mention it here for the sake of completeness: the UX8 is the greatest sewing machine I have ever sewn with. Period.
I hope this post was able to give you an impression of the UX8. Feel free to let me know if you have any further questions.
Happy simple sewing
your Sabine
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