If you want a mid to upper-tier computerized machine for garments, home decor, and regular quilting, the Elna eXcellence 680+ is one of the stronger options in the Elna lineup. It sits above the more compact 580+ and below the larger long-arm Pro models, with a 9 mm stitch width, a useful accessory kit, and enough workspace for blocks and medium projects without jumping into industrial territory.
This review walks through the features, setup, sewing performance, strengths, and limits of the 680+. For the rest of the range, see the Elna eXcellence series comparison and the smaller Elna eXcellence 580+. Street pricing in the US varies by dealer, so check the product box below for the current dollar price.
Key Features of the Elna eXcellence 680+
The 680+ is a full-featured computerized sewing machine built for frequent home use. Official specs put it at about 475 x 316 x 223 mm (about 18.7 x 12.4 x 8.8 in) and 10 kg (about 22 lb). That weight keeps the machine steady at speed and on thicker seams. It is not a grab-and-go portable.
Compared with the earlier eXcellence 680, the 680+ package adds more accessories and a few convenience upgrades while keeping the same general sewing footprint and control layout.
Stitches, Width, and Lettering
You get 170 built-in stitches, including utility, decorative, quilting, and 10 one-step automatic buttonholes, plus two alphabet fonts. Maximum stitch width is 9 mm (about 3/8 in) and maximum stitch length is 5 mm (about 3/16 in). The wide stitch width is useful for satin-style decorative work and bold borders. Many patterns can be mirrored, and you can combine up to 50 stitches in a temporary memory for custom sequences. Capital letters and numbers are available at the full 9 mm width when you want larger labels.
Interface, Threading, and Adjustments
Stitch selection runs through an LCD (about 25.5 x 68 mm / 1 x 2.7 in) and a touch panel. Width, length, and pattern choices are easy to change once you learn the layout. Direct-select buttons cover a few favorite utility stitches so you are not digging through menus for straight stitch or zigzag every time.
Threading is helped by Elna’s Superior System needle threader and a clear path. The bobbin side uses a horizontal rotary hook with a clear cover, an easy guided bobbin threader with a built-in cutter, and an auto-declutch bobbin winder. Thread tension is semi-automatic (not fully automatic), and presser foot pressure is manual. There are 91 needle positions for fine placement on edge stitching and zippers.
Everyday Function Buttons
Front controls cover the jobs you use constantly:
- Start/stop (sew without the foot pedal)
- Reverse
- Automatic lock stitch
- Needle up/down
- Automatic thread cutter
- Speed control slider (up to 1,000 stitches per minute)
- Direct stitch selection for common patterns
Workspace, Free Arm, Lighting, and Storage
Sewing space is 210 x 120 mm (about 8.3 x 4.7 in) to the right of the needle, which is enough for quilt blocks, garment pieces, and many home-dec panels once the extension table is on. The free arm measures about 100 mm (about 3.9 in) from the needle for sleeves and cuffs. An adjustable knee lifter raises the presser foot hands-free, which helps when you pivot, bind, or quilt.
Six white LEDs in three zones light the needle area well for longer sessions. Accessory storage includes Elna’s presser-feet compartment plus space in the free-arm area, so common feet stay with the machine.
Included Accessories
The standard kit is one of the reasons the 680+ feels ready to work out of the box. Typical inclusions:
- Presser feet: standard, zipper, rolled hem, satin stitch, open-toe, blind hem, overlock, 1/4 in (about 6 mm) seam, darning, even feed, and automatic buttonhole
- Straight stitch needle plate (one-step plate conversion on the machine)
- Bobbins and Easy Bobbin set
- Seam ripper, lint brush, needle set
- Spool holders and extra spool pin
- Screwdriver and stylus
- Adjustable knee lifter
- Extension table
- Foot controller
- Semi-hard protective cover
Setup and Ease of Use
Out of the box, plan on removing packing, attaching the knee lifter, sliding on the extension table if you want the larger surface, winding a bobbin, and threading along the marked path. The Superior System needle threader and guided bobbin threading shorten the first-session fiddling. The top cover stitch chart is still useful when you are learning which foot goes with which pattern.
There is a learning curve if you are coming from a basic mechanical machine. The touch panel, stitch memory, and the number of feet take a few sessions to feel natural. After that, daily sewing is mostly start/stop, speed slider, and the thread cutter. Elna’s user manual covers setup and maintenance in detail; keep it nearby for buttonhole sequence and plate changes.
Sewing Performance
At up to 1,000 spm, the 680+ is quick enough for long seams and still controllable with the speed slider for curves and thick spots. The 7-piece drop feed, even-feed foot, and extra-high presser foot lift help with layered quilting cotton, denim hems, and other bulk that would stall a lighter machine. Semi-automatic tension and manual foot pressure give you room to fine-tune when you move between knits, wovens, and sandwich layers.
The 210 mm (about 8.3 in) throat is a practical quilting and garment space, not a long-arm replacement. With the extension table on, blocks and smaller quilts handle well. Very large quilts still benefit from a bigger harp or a frame. Twin-needle sewing is supported when you want pintucks or stretch hems.
There is no embroidery module. Decorative stitches and lettering cover a lot of embellishment needs, but if machine embroidery is your main goal, look at a combo or dedicated embroidery model instead.
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths: 170 stitches with a true 9 mm width, solid workspace plus extension table, knee lifter, strong LED lighting, Superior needle threader, automatic thread cutter, and a generous foot kit including even feed and a straight-stitch plate. The machine feels stable at 10 kg (about 22 lb) and is built for regular use rather than occasional mending.
Limitations: It costs more than entry-level computerized machines, so treat it as a longer-term buy and confirm the current US dollar price before you commit. Newer sewists may need time with the panel and accessory set. It is heavy for classes or closet storage. No built-in embroidery. Warranty coverage can vary by country and seller; Elna documents promotional extension options in some markets, so confirm terms with your US dealer at purchase rather than assuming a set number of years.
Who the 680+ Suits Best
The 680+ fits sewists who sew often and want one machine for garments, bags, home decor, and regular quilting at home. It also suits people stepping up from a basic computerized model who want wider decorative stitches, better lighting, a knee lifter, and a proper extension table without moving to a long-arm Pro machine.
Skip it if you need maximum portability, a low budget starter, or embroidery. Absolute beginners can learn on it, but a simpler machine may frustrate them less for the first few months.
Final Verdict
The Elna eXcellence 680+ remains a strong all-around sewing machine: modern convenience, precise controls, and enough space for detailed quilting and garment work. Expect a short learning curve and a higher price than beginner models. Once the functions become familiar, it is a capable, rewarding machine that supports a wide range of projects without asking you to buy half the accessory catalog on day one.