Elna eXcellence 680+ vs 780+: overview
The Elna eXcellence 680+ and Elna eXcellence 780+ are two of the stronger sewing-focused machines in Elna‘s Excellence series (see also elna.com). Both sew well. The gap is workspace, automation, quilting tools, screen, lighting, and price. Soft U.S. pricing often lands around $1,500-$1,700 for the 680+ and about $3,000-$3,300 for the 780+, depending on dealer and package.
Size and weight
680+: about W475 × H316 × D223 mm (18.7 × 12.4 × 8.8 in), about 10 kg (22 lb).
780+: about W528 × H321 × D243 mm (20.8 × 12.6 × 9.6 in), about 13.2 kg (29.1 lb).
The 780+ gives noticeably more room to the right of the needle, which helps with quilts, coats, and bulky seams. You pay for that with a larger, heavier machine that is less pleasant to move.
Stitches and automation
- Stitch count: 780+ about 350 stitches; 680+ about 170
- 780+: automatic thread tension and automatic presser foot pressure
- 680+: semi-automatic tension and manual presser foot pressure
Automatic tension and foot pressure on the 780+ reduce setup when you jump between fabrics. The 680+ still sews cleanly, but you will tweak dials more often on knits, sheers, or thick layers.
Quilting capability
If quilting is a regular part of your sewing, the 780+ is the clearer fit. Advantages include a longer arm / wider throat, dual feed, and a set of free-motion quilting feet. The 680+ can quilt smaller projects with an extension table and careful handling, but it is built more as a strong all-rounder than a quilting-first machine.
Screen and lighting
- 680+: standard LCD; 6 LEDs in 3 zones
- 780+: large HD touchscreen; 10 LEDs in 5 zones
The 780+ screen makes stitch selection and adjustments easier, and the extra lighting helps on dark fabrics and detailed free-motion work. Those are quality-of-life upgrades, not magic for stitch formation.
Special functions on the 780+
Features typically found on the 780+ but not the 680+ include variable zigzag, tapering, ruler work support, stitch designer / Stitch Composer style tools, and much larger memory. Useful if you design decorative work or repeat complex sequences; easy to overpay for if you mostly sew garments with utility stitches.
Sewing speed
- 780+: up to about 1,060 stitches per minute
- 680+: up to about 1,000 stitches per minute
The speed gap is small. Both are fast enough for home sewing; use the speed slider for control either way.
Memory
The 780+ includes about 3 MB of internal memory for custom stitches, combinations, and settings. The 680+ offers temporary combinations but not the same long-term internal storage. If you build and reuse decorative sequences, that memory is a real advantage on the 780+.
Pricing
Elna eXcellence 680+
The 680+ is the more affordable of the two and a strong value if you want premium stitch quality without long-arm quilting space. Soft U.S. pricing often falls around $1,499-$1,699 USD, varying by dealer and accessories.
Elna eXcellence 780+
The 780+ sits much higher because of workspace, dual feed, touchscreen, lighting, and automation. Soft U.S. pricing often falls around $2,999-$3,299 USD.
Which should you choose?
Both machines are capable. Match them to the work you do most weeks:
Choose the 680+ if:
- You want strong Excellence performance at a lower price
- You sew clothing, crafts, and everyday projects
- You do not need a long arm, dual feed, or large internal memory
Choose the 780+ if:
- You quilt or sew large projects often
- You want more workspace and stronger lighting
- You value automatic tension, automatic foot pressure, and advanced functions
- You want a larger stitch library and built-in memory
For the step below the 680+, see our 580+ vs 680+ comparison.