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Baby Lock Zeal vs Joy

Baby Lock Zeal vs Joy
Baby Lock Zeal vs Joy

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Today, I will be writing a post Baby Lock Zeal vs Joy. If you don’t know which model to choose between these two models then this might help you to make that decision.

Both of these models are great for newbies to learn to sew. They are very simple to use and easy to set up. There are no complicated buttons to press, so they’re great for kids to use for sewing.

In terms of price, they are pretty reasonable to me. The Zeal has the highest selling price and the Joy has the lowest price.

The last time I checked the price, the Zeal was $349.00, and the Joy was $249.00. These prices are for on sale. When the prices are not on sale they are a lot higher.

I also noticed that the Baby Lock brand sewing machines are out of stock a lot faster than other brand models when I am doing research writing my articles. That just means the Baby Lock brand is very popular with consumers.

If you have made up your mind on which model to get then I suggest you to get it while it is in stock. Before you know it, it will be out of stock and you would have to wait for it to be back in stock again.

Then again you don’t know when that will be. I have seen some of the models won’t even be back for sale online again. So I would just get them as soon as possible if I were you. They do have 60 days for replace or repair if the sewing machine is defective and the shipping cost is covered by them.

Oh yeah by the way, I have written a detailed review for the Baby Lock Zeal and the Baby Lock Joy models sewing machines. Just click on the hyperlinks to read more about them.

Differences Between The Baby Lock Zeal BL35B and Baby Lock Joy BL25B

This section is where I will be talking about the two models’ differences. You might think there might not be that much difference between these two sewing machines, but oh wow, I have found quite a lot of differences instead.

  • Like I said before the price for the Zeal is higher than the Joy model. The MSRP for the Zeal is $599.00 and as for the Joy it is $399.99. I guess that is $199.01 more, but counting from the on sale price it is $100.00 in difference.
  • The Zeal model has 25 built-in stitches patterns. On the other hand the Joy has 19 built-in stitches patterns. That is 6 stitches patterns less.
  • The Zeal has 6 included presser feet. They are Automatic Buttonhole, Button Fitting, Overedge, Zipper, Blind Hem and General Purpose. As for the Joy it has 4 presser feet included and they are Sliding Buttonhole, Zig Zag, Blind Hem, and Zipper. Do you mind having two feet less?
  • The Joy weighs lighter. It is only 11.5 pounds. As for the Zeal model, it weighs 14.9 pounds. So you can do the math on that. 🙂 Would you rather have a sewing machine that is lighter or heavier? Honestly, both sides have pros and cons.

A lighter machine will be easier to take to places like sewing classes but if you are sewing it in the fastest speed it might jerk. If that happens to you then you might consider getting a sewing mat to solve this problem.

A heavier sewing machine will be less convenient to take to different places like sewing clubs or classes. You will get tired from carrying it but if you are sewing in the fastest speed it wouldn’t jerk around and you won’t need to buy a sewing mat. So you should make a wise decision on this one.

  • It looks like the measurements for the Zeal model are bigger by a bit. The dimensions for the Zeal are 10.75″H x 16.125”W x 8″D and the Joy dimensions are 10.25”H x 14.875”W x 6″D.
  • The Joy model has three dials on the sewing machine and the Zeal has only two. I don’t know if that makes a difference to you, but I thought I would mention it.
  • The appearances for both models are different. The Joy model has a pink heart imprinted and the Zeal has a purple circle shape imprinted on the machine.
  • The Joy model has a 4 step buttonhole and the Zeal has a 1 step buttonhole. I just want to let you know having a 1 step buttonhole is easier than a 4 step buttonhole when making buttonholes. A one step buttonhole is less likely for you to make mistakes.
  • The Joy model comes with 3 bobbins and the Zeal comes with 4 bobbins and one of them are supposed to be in the sewing machine.
  • The following items will also be included in the Zeal model and they are, quilting guide, lint brush, and additional spool pin.
  • The included needle packages are different. The Joy will have only 3 needles in the size of #14 and The Zeal will have 5 needles in assorted sizes. Those needles are two size 14, two size 11 and one stretch needle.

Zeal and Joy Models Have The Same Things

  • Manual thread cutter
  • Reverse lever
  • Needle threader
  • 6″ sewing bed width
  • Drop-in bobbin
  • Drop feed for free-motion
  • Adjustable stitch length and width
  • Free arm sewing
  • Foot controller
  • Accessory storage
  • 25 year limited manufacturer warranty
  • Screwdriver
  • Seam Ripper
  • Spool caps (large and small)
  • Both uses Class 15 bobbin

Baby Lock Zeal vs Joy Side By Side Chart For Both Models

You may just want to read the side by side chart on their differences. The chart is better to view on landscape mode on a smart phone.

Baby Lock Models

Baby Lock Zeal BL35B

Baby Lock Joy BL25B

Avg Online Users Rating

4.5 avg online ratings

4.8 avg online ratings

# Of Online Reviews

54+ online reviews

59+ online reviews

# Of Built-In Stitches

25 built-in stitches

19 built-in stitches

Auto Needle Threader

Yes, auto needle threader

Yes, auto needle threader

Drop-In Bobbin

Yes, drop-in bobbin

Yes, drop-in bobbin

Free Arm Sewing

Yes, free arm sewing

Yes, free arm sewing

Manual Thread Cutter

Yes, manual threader cutter

Yes, manual threader cutter

Max. Sewing Speed Per Min.

N/A, max. sewing speed

N/A, max. sewing speed

# Of Step Buttonhole

One step buttonhole

Four step buttonhole

Needle Position(Up/Down)

No, needle position

No, needle position

Easy Bobbin Winding

Yes, easy bobbin winding

Yes, easy bobbin winding

Adjustable Sewing Speed

No, adjustable sewing speed

No, adjustable sewing speed

Sewing Light Available

Yes, built-in light

Yes, built-in light

Twin Needle

No, twin needle

No, twin needle

Max Stitch Width

5mm max stitch width

5mm max stitch width

Max Stitch Length

 4mm max stitch length

4mm max stitch length

Included Wide Table

No, included wide table

No, included wide table

Sewing Bed Width

6" sewing bed width

6" sewing bed width

Presser Foot Lifter

Yes, presser foot lifter

Yes, presser foot lifter

Warranty

25 year limited warranty

25 year limited warranty

Weight

Weight 14.9 pounds

Weight 11.5 pounds

Machine Dimensions

10.75"H x 16.125”W x 8"D

 10.25”H x 14.875”W x 6"D

Check Selling Price

My Verdict

Bottom Line: After finding out the two models difference, if it were me I would go with the Zeal model despite the price being a little higher.

If you add the included bonuses of the tote bag and zipper bag and also the additional stitches pattern and presser feet, I think it is a pretty good deal. But if you are just buying it for your little girl to sew then the Joy or Zest model might be a better option.

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2 COMMENTS

  1. I’m thinking there’s a typo on the dimensions of the Joy. It’s probably 14…not 4…plus inches for the width.

    Very helpful article! Good information! Thank you. This is exactly what I was looking for to help make an informed decision on which model to get!

    • Hi, thanks for letting me know. It is a typo. I have missed a 1 in front of it. I have made the changes. Thanks again!

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