Juki HZL-DX5 Sewing Machine: A Detailed Review

The Juki HZL-DX5 is a feature-packed computerized sewing and quilting machine designed for intermediate to advanced home sewers. In this in-depth review, we’ll examine the key features, stitch quality, performance, and ease of use of the HZL-DX5.

Read on to see if this Juki model is the right fit for your creative sewing needs.

Overview of the Juki HZL-DX5

Juki is known worldwide for manufacturing high-quality industrial sewing machines. They’ve taken their industrial precision engineering and applied it to computerized home sewing machines like the HZL-DX5.

This Juki model comes loaded with user-friendly features tailored for quilting, garment sewing, crafting, and home decor work. It has an extra-large 8” x 4.4” work area and robust metal internal frame for stability when sewing. At 21.6 lbs, the HZL-DX5 has considerable heft, indicative of its sturdy build.

Here are some of the key features packed into the HZL-DX5:

• 185 built-in stitches – Includes 16 one-step buttonhole styles
• Industrial box feed system – Ensures precise fabric feeding
• Back-lit LCD screen – Makes stitch selection a breeze
• Straight stitch slide plate – Provides stitching precision on delicate fabrics
• Automatic thread cutter – Saves time trimming threads
• Knee lifter – Keeps hands free to position fabric
• Adjustable presser foot height – Prevents uneven thick seam layers
• 1050 SPM maximum speed – Works efficiently at high speeds
• Top loading full rotary hook bobbin – Jam-resistant for smooth sewing

Now let’s take a deeper look at how these features perform and how they provide an excellent sewing experience.

Key Features and Benefits

Box Feed System

One of the standout features only found on higher-end Juki machines is the box feed system. This is an advanced feed technology borrowed from industrial machines for precise feeding.

Instead of an elliptical motion, the feed dogs on the HZL-DX5 move in a box shape. This provides a better grip on the fabric for absolutely even feeding on all fabric types. It prevents issues like fabric flagging and shrinkage when sewing lightweight fabrics. Stitches are perfectly even without puckering on silky material like chiffon.

The box feed also excels at handling thick material without layers shifting, allowing you to sew folded denim or canvas with no problem. You can sew confidently knowing the fabric will be fed precisely regardless of the fabric weight or texture. This is a feature unique to Juki that makes the HZL-DX5 stand out.

Straight Stitch Slide Plate

For the ultimate in straight stitch precision, the HZL-DX5 includes a straight stitch slide plate. Activating this plate creates a single hole opening for the needle instead of the standard wider opening. This prevents lightweight fabrics from sinking down into the opening, eliminating fabric distortion as you sew.

The straight stitch plate is perfect for sewing precisely on delicate fabrics like silks and satins. It provides a stable base to support the fabric right under the needle. This add-on plate truly excels for sewing straight stitch quilting and applique on lightweight fabrics. It helps you achieve perfect tiny stitches on delicate material.

Easy Thread Cutting

The convenient automatic thread cutter eliminates the need for scissors to trim threads. Simply press the thread cutter button and both the top thread and bobbin thread are trimmed neatly to the appropriate lengths. This saves valuable time, especially when sewing projects requiring lots of starting and stopping like quilting.

No more tedious re-threading either! The automatic needle threading system glides the thread through the needle with just the push of a lever. These automated features allow you to spend less time prepping your machine and more time sewing.

Adjustable Presser Foot Height

Having the flexibility to adjust presser foot pressure and height is essential when sewing varying fabric thicknesses. The HZL-DX5 allows you to fine tune the pressure level through the LCD screen for perfect feeding on any fabric weight. Increase a bit for heavy canvas or wool, or decrease for sewing chiffons and satins without distortion.

Even more useful is the exceptional presser foot float function. You can adjust the foot height up to 1mm higher than its standard position. The fabric feeds under the floating presser foot without the weight of the foot compressing lofty materials. This prevents uneven stitching when going over thick seams and crossing quilt layers. The adjustability accommodates any project beautifully.

Easy-Access Bobbin

The bobbin system on the Juki HZL-DX5 machine maximizes convenience. Bobbins are inserted and removed from the top, with no need to remove bobbin case plates. This makes changing bobbin thread quick and easy.

There’s also no need to pull the bobbin thread up manually. Simply begin sewing and the machine automatically brings the bobbin thread to the top at the first stitch. An independent bobbin winder allows winding a second bobbin without unthreading the machine. The clear bobbin cover lets you view the bobbin thread supply as you sew.

Exceptional Built-In Stitches

With 185 built-in stitches, the HZL-DX5 offers an expansive selection for sewing projects. Sixteen one-step buttonholes are programmed for buttons of all sizes. Both stitch length and width are adjustable between 0-5mm and 0-7mm respectively for further customization.

Utility stitches like serpentine stitch, mending stitch, and stretch blind hem are all onboard. You also get an array of decorative stitches and fonts for creative projects. The LCD display guides you in choosing the optimal stitch for your project and shows the recommended presser foot.

Speed and Precision

This Juki model offers exceptional fabric feeding and stitch quality even at high speeds. The maximum sewing speed is an ultra-fast 1050 stitches per minute, allowing it to whip through projects with incredible efficiency. Slow it down to sew slowly with total control.

Stitches are perfectly even, smooth, and straight at any speed setting. The internal components are precisely balanced for vibration-free sewing even at full 1050 SPM speed. Your stitches come out professional quality every time with no distortion on fine fabrics. This level of precision is Juki’s specialty.

Additional Handy Features:

• Knee lift lever – Keeps hands free for fabric manipulation
• Auto presser foot lift – Foot lifts automatically to pivot or remove pins
• Adjustable reverse stitch speed – Choose slow, normal, or fast
• Programmable foot control – Program special heel motions to cut threads, lift the foot, reverse stitch, or single stitch
• Lock stitches – Instantly sews a locking stitch to secure seams
• Large backlit LCD screen – Clearly displays all settings and stitch selection info
• High presser foot lift – Raises the foot a full 0.5” for bulky projects
• Built-in telescopic thread guide – Keeps threads tangle-free

Stitch Quality and Performance

The top-notch engineering inside the Juki HZL-DX5 produces exceptional stitch quality and professional results. According to users, the feeding power is smooth and consistent without ever flagging or skipping stitches, even through challenging dense or slippery fabrics. With the straight stitch plate engaged, stitches are perfectly straight on the lightest weight fabrics.

One notable feature is how quietly the HZL-DX5 operates. While not completely silent, it has a low hum rather than a rattle or buzz. The internal mechanisms and motor are balanced to produce less vibration. You can hold a conversation while sewing without needing to raise your voice. This quietness is a bonus if you’ll be sewing around others.

Many sewists comment that the Juki DX5 allows them to complete projects faster versus other machines. With the incredible speed range and split-second responsiveness, you can truly use it full throttle for production sewing. The HZL-DX5 lets you work more efficiently so you can accomplish more creative output.

Included Accessories

A generous assortment of accessories come standard with the Juki HZL-DX5:

• Presser feet – For zippers, hemming, buttons, satin stitch, blind stitch
• 1/5″ quilting foot – Excellent for straight stitch quilting
• Even feed foot – Ensures consistent top and bottom fabric feeding
• Bobbins
• Needle set
• Seam ripper
• Spool caps
• Wide table – Provides extra workspace
• Knee lift lever
• Screwdrivers
• Cleaning brush
• Quilting guide bar
• Hard protective case

With this complement of accessories, you’ll have all the components you need to start tackling projects. The hard case protects the machine when transporting or storing.

Similar and Alternative Machines

The Juki HZL-DX5 has very similar features and capabilities to Juki’s HZL-DX7 model. The DX7 provides a few additional stitches and fonts, but otherwise the machines’ performance is equivalent.

Feature	Juki HZL-DX5	Juki HZL-DX7
Number of Stitches	185	287
Maximum Sewing Speed	1050 SPM	1050 SPM
Automatic Needle Threading	Yes	Yes
Walking Foot Included	Yes	Yes
Knee Lifter Included	Yes	Yes
Price	$1199	$1399

Janome’s MC6650 is comparable as well, with similar speed, stitches, and ease of use. It uses Janome’s version of a box feed system. The Janome weighs in about 8 pounds lighter however.

Juki’s mechanical TL-2010Q is a wildly popular straight stitch quilting machine. With only a straight stitch, it’s less versatile but excels at high-speed, precision stitching. Pairing it with the HZL-DX5 combines computerized utility with dedicated straight stitching.

Who is the Juki HZL-DX5 Best Suited For?

This Juki model is a great fit for intermediate to advanced sewists who want professional capabilities from a home machine. The array of automated features help make sewing tasks more convenient and efficient.

The HZL-DX5 particularly excels for:

• Quilters – The box feed handles thick seams perfectly. The knee lift and presser foot lift aid quilting ergonomics.
• Garment sewing – Construct garments efficiently with straight stitch speed and precision feeding for seams and construction.
• Crafters – Enjoy Utility and decorative stitches for crafts and home decor sewing.
• Advanced beginners – Benefit from automated functions that shorten the learning curve.

While beginners may feel overwhelmed by the vast capabilities, with some experience the HZL-DX5 is an incredible machine that will facilitate improvement. This machine can grow with you as you expand your skills for years.

More casual sewists on a budget may not utilize all the advanced features fully. There are more affordable options in the $300-$600 range with adequate capacities for light sewing. Consider how often you’ll use specialty stitches and adjustable presser feet to determine if the HZL-DX5’s level of power suits your frequency of sewing.

Read: Juki MO-1000 Serger Review: Is This The Perfect Serger For Beginners?

Conclusion – A High-Performing Advanced Sewing Machine

With its engineering pedigree passed down from industrial machines, the Juki HZL-DX5 delivers an exceptional sewing experience. Precise box feed technology provides perfect results on all fabrics – especially notable for quilting and sewing knits. Convenient automated features like thread cutting increase efficiency.

From garment construction to quilting, crafts, and home decor, this computerized machine can tackle a vast range of sewing projects. The array of adjustable settings provides the versatility to handle delicate and heavy fabrics. Serious sewists will appreciate the high 1050 SPM maximum speed that allows completing projects faster.

Considering all of its capabilities, the Juki DX5 is priced very competitively at around $1199. For sewists seeking premium performance, reliability, and features typically found in pricier machines, the HZL-DX5 hits a sweet spot. It earns its place among the best computerized sewing machines available today.