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.

Table Of Contents

Differences Between The Baby Lock Zeal BL35B and Baby Lock Joy BL25B
Zeal and Joy Models Have The Same Things
Baby Lock Zeal vs Joy Side By Side Chart For Both Models
My Verdict

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