Elna eXcellence 580+ vs 680+: comparison overview
The Elna eXcellence 580+ and Elna eXcellence 680+ sit next to each other in Elna‘s Excellence line (see also elna.com and our full Excellence comparison). Same footprint, similar weight, and the same core controls. The 680+ adds a wider stitch, more patterns, better lighting, a knee lifter, and a few workflow extras. Soft U.S. pricing often lands roughly around $800-$1,000 for the 580+ and about $1,200-$1,500 for the 680+, depending on dealer and package. A full comparison table is at the bottom.
Key differences at a glance
What they share
- Same machine size: about W475 × H316 × D223 mm (about 18.7 × 12.4 × 8.8 in)
- Nearly identical weight: 580+ about 9.8 kg (21.6 lb); 680+ about 10 kg (22 lb)
- Superior needle threader on both
- Same style of direct-access function buttons
- Temporary memory for stitch combinations
- Stable, quiet sewing feel typical of this Elna class
What the 680+ adds
- Wider 9 mm stitch width (vs 7 mm on the 580+)
- More stitches and buttonholes (170 / 10 vs 120 / 7)
- Stronger lighting: 6 LEDs in 3 zones vs 4 LEDs in 2 zones
- Knee lifter included
- Remote thread cutter port (cutter sold separately)
- More included presser feet (15 vs 9)
- More needle positions (91 vs 15)
- One-step needle plate conversion
- More accessory storage (arm, top cover, and side storage)
Stitch width, stitch count, and alphabets
The 580+ offers 120 stitches at up to 7 mm wide, which covers most garment and home sewing. The 680+ moves to 170 stitches and a true 9 mm width. That wider width matters for bold decorative stitches, satin-style borders, and larger lettering. If you rarely use decorative stitching, the 580+ stitch set is still plenty.
Needle threader
Both use Elna’s Superior needle threader. It is one of the better built-in threaders in this class and removes a daily annoyance, especially with finer needles.
Accessories and storage
The 580+ ships with 9 presser feet and an accessory case. The 680+ includes 15 feet and spreads storage across the arm, top cover, and side compartment. Extra feet matter if you quilt, bind, or sew specialty edges often; otherwise you can buy feet later for the 580+.
Knee lifter and remote thread cutter
The 680+ includes a knee lifter so you can raise the presser foot while both hands stay on the work. That helps with pivots, binding, and quilt turns. It also has a port for an optional remote thread cutter on the pedal. The 580+ has neither. If you sew long sessions, those ergonomics are the clearest reason to step up.
Controls
Both machines put start/stop, reverse, lock stitch, needle up/down, and thread cutter on easy-access buttons, with a touch panel for stitch selection. The 680+ adds one-step needle plate conversion, which is useful if you swap to a straight-stitch plate for fine fabrics or piecing.
Size, weight, and lighting
Dimensions match. Weight differs by only about 0.2 kg (under half a pound), so neither is a true portable. Lighting is a real difference: six white LEDs in three areas on the 680+ versus four LEDs in two areas on the 580+. Better light helps on dark fabrics and detailed work more than another dozen decorative stitches usually will.
Sewing speed
Maximum speed is about 820 spm on the 580+ and about 1,000 spm on the 680+ (not 100 spm; that figure in some older charts is a typo). Both have a speed slider, so the higher ceiling on the 680+ helps long seams more than precision work. Use the slider either way for curves and thick spots.
Needle positions and memory
The 680+ offers 91 needle positions versus 15 on the 580+. That finer placement helps with topstitching and exact seam allowances. Both have temporary memory for stitch combinations; neither is meant as a large design archive like the higher Excellence models with internal MB storage.
Pricing
Elna eXcellence 580+: often roughly $800-$1,000 USD depending on seller and bundle.
Elna eXcellence 680+: often roughly $1,200-$1,500 USD, reflecting the wider stitch, knee lifter, lighting, and fuller foot kit.
Summary
Buy the 580+ if you want a capable Excellence machine for garments and everyday sewing without paying for extras you will not use. Buy the 680+ if you want 9 mm stitches, more patterns, better light, a knee lifter, easier plate changes, and a larger foot kit. The 680+ is also a bit faster at the top end (about 1,000 vs 820 spm). For the next step up in workspace and quilting focus, compare the 680+ with the 780+.
Comparison Table
Feature-by-feature details for both models are in the table below.
| 580+ | 680+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Machine size | W475 × H316 × D223 mm | W475 × H316 × D223 mm |
| Machine weight | 9.8 kg | 10 kg |
| Bed type | Free arm / flat bed convertible | Free arm / flat bed convertible |
| Free arm (length from the needle) | 100 mm | 100 mm |
| Sewing space | W 210 x H 120 mm | W 210 x H 120 mm |
| Control panel / Screen type and size | Touch panel / LCD (W 25.5 x H 68 mm) | Touch panel / LCD (W 25.5 x H 68 mm) |
| Horizontal rotary hook | X | X |
| Spool pin | Horizontal type | Horizontal type |
| Auto declutch bobbin winder with thread cutters | X | X |
| Easy and guided threading system with thread cutter | X | X |
| Needle threader | Built-in Superior System | Built-in Superior System |
| Upper and bobbin thread sensor | – | – |
| 7-piece retractable feed dog | X | X |
| Dual Feed System | – | – |
| Thread tension control | Semi-automatic | Semi-automatic |
| Presser foot pressure adjustment | Manual | Manual |
| Extra-high presser foot position | Manual | Manual |
| Clip-on easy conversion presser foot | X | X |
| One-step needle plate conversion | – | X |
| Professional HP needle plate and HP foot | – | – |
| Lighting | 4 white LEDs in 2 areas | 6 white LEDs in 3 areas |
| Adjustable knee lifter | – | X |
| Stitch reference chart | Top cover | Top cover |
| Accessory storage (continued) | Accessory case | Arm, Top cover, and Elna side storage |
| Remote thread cutter port | – | X |
| USB port | – | – |
| 580+ | 680+ | |
| Number of stitches | 120 | 170 |
| Maximum stitch width (mm) | 7 | 9 |
| Maximum stitch length (mm) | 5 | 5 |
| Number of buttonholes | 7 | 10 |
| Special functions: Variable zigzag, Tapering, Ruler work | – | – |
| Typefaces / Alphabets | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| Max. stitches in combination | 50 | 50 |
| Maximum sewing speed (spm) | 820 | 100 |
| Variable needle positions | 15 | 91 |
| Stitch Composer Software | – | – |
| Memory (combinations) | Temporary | Temporary |
| FUNCTIONS WITH EASY-ACCESS BUTTONS | 580+ | 680+ |
| Start / Stop | X | X |
| Reverse | X | X |
| Automatic lock stitch | X | X |
| Up / Down needle position | X | X |
| Automatic presser foot lifter | – | – |
| Automatic thread cutter | X | X |
| Bobbin winder | – | – |