Brother FS40S
An electronic (not fully computerised) entry machine, positioned between the J3-18 and the A16.
- Price
- from £239 Currys / Argos · checked 2026-07-10
- Warranty
- 3 years manufacturer warranty Brother UK standard domestic term · checked 2026-07-10
- Weight
- 7.7 kg Retailer/manufacturer spec listings · checked 2026-07-10
- Noise
- No manufacturer or UK retailer publishes a decibel figure for this model, so none is shown here.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
What it's for
The FS40S sits between the basic mechanical Janome J3-18 and Singer 4423 on one side and the fully computerised Brother Innov-is A16 on the other. An LCD display tells you which foot to fit for each of its stitches, and stitch length and width are set with 4 buttons rather than dials, but there is no stitch memory or automatic buttonhole sizing.
At £239 it costs roughly £160 less than the A16, for a reader who wants some automation over a purely mechanical machine without paying for full computerisation.
A note on its correct UK model code
This model is sold in the UK as the FS40S (and FS40WTS for the wide-table bundle). Some older guides refer to it simply as "FS40", which is not the current UK retail code, we use FS40S throughout to match what is actually stocked.
How it compares
At £239 it costs £20 less than the Singer 4423 (£259) and £10 more than the Janome J3-18 (£229), while sitting £160 below the computerised Brother Innov-is A16 at £399. Its 7.7kg weight makes it lighter than the 4423 but heavier than either the A16 or the J3-18. Warranty matches Brother's other current models at 3 years.
Full head-to-head detail against Singer and Janome's current UK entry ranges is in our Brother vs Singer vs Janome comparison.
Is it the right pick for you
Choose the FS40S if you want some automation, the LCD foot guide, button-based length and width settings, without paying for full computerisation and stitch memory. If quilting is genuinely part of your plan, its limited throat space makes it a weaker choice than the Singer 4423, and if budget is the only concern, the Janome J3-18 or Brother LS14S cost less.
Brother FS40S: common questions
Is the Brother FS40S computerised or mechanical?
Neither in the strictest sense. It is electronic: an LCD shows the recommended foot for each stitch and stitch length/width are set with 4 buttons, but it lacks the stitch memory and full automation of a computerised machine like the Brother Innov-is A16.
Can the Brother FS40S quilt?
Its harp and throat space are relatively small, and independent reviews describe large quilts as impractical on this model. Basic free-motion work is possible with a separately-purchased foot, but it is not our recommended quilting pick, see our UK quilting machine guide for the Singer 4423 instead.
What is the Brother FS40S warranty in the UK?
3 years manufacturer warranty, matching Brother's standard UK domestic term.
Run your own budget, project and skill level through our sewing machine match tool to see if the FS40S or a different current UK model is the better fit for you.