For a new purchase, the Singer M3500 is the clearer choice: it has a current listing, a model page, adjustable stitch length and width, a one-step buttonhole and a built-in needle threader. A Singer M3220 can still be a good machine if you already own one or find a complete, correctly rated unit, because its manual documents a stitch-length dial and a one-step buttonhole. The two are different machines with different bobbin loading, so do not mix up their instructions.
This comparison is built from the Singer manuals and product page we could source. We have not sewn on either machine.
The short comparison
| Decision | Singer M3220 | Singer M3500 |
|---|---|---|
| Stitch length | Adjustable dial (original manual) | Adjustable |
| Stitch width | Not established in the source we used | Adjustable |
| Buttonhole | One-step lever with a button-sizing foot | One-step, with the one-step foot and buttonhole lever |
| Built-in stitches | The manual documents stretch-stitch selection; we did not source a count | 32 built-in stitches; Singer counts 110 stitch applications, which are techniques and not extra patterns |
| Needle threader | Not documented in the source we used | Built in |
| Bobbin | Class 15 transparent, inserted through the top cover; the manual prohibits metal bobbins | Class 15 bobbins per the manual’s accessory list; loaded through a hinged cover into a bobbin case |
| Free arm | Yes, under a removable storage compartment | Yes; darning plate supplied for free-motion work |
| Lubrication | Factory pre-lubricated; the manual says no owner oiling | Follow the exact manual |
| Buying route | Used or regional units; confirm model, voltage and controller | Current Amazon listing and Singer product page |
Sources: the original M3220 instruction manual , SINGER’s M3500 page and the M3200-family manual . The M3200 and M3220 are different models, and the manual covering the M3500 also covers the M3200, so match the right section.
The bobbin difference matters
The M3220 manual loads a transparent Class 15 bobbin through the top cover. The M3500’s manual has you open a hinged cover, remove the bobbin case and load the bobbin into it, even though Singer’s M3500 page contradicts itself between its specification (front-loading) and its FAQ (top drop-in). Follow the manual for your exact machine, and do not borrow top-loading steps for the M3500 or front-loading steps for the M3220.
Both call for Class 15 bobbins. Singer says Class 15 and 15J are not interchangeable (see our Class 15 vs 15J guide ), so a pack of genuine Singer Class 15 bobbins fits the documented requirement for both. The exact links we could verify are in the “Bobbins and presser feet” sections on the M3220 and M3500 reviews.
Who should pick which
Pick the M3500 if you are buying new, want adjustable width as well as length, want a needle threader, or want a model page and manual that clearly match what you receive. Our M3500 review covers its controls and limits, and the Singer M1500 vs M3500 comparison shows how it differs from the preset M1500.
Keep or consider an M3220 if you already own one, or a seller can show the model plate, voltage rating, matching foot controller and included feet. Our M3220 review has a used-machine checklist. Marketplace wording such as “M03220” is not enough to identify the model.
Skip both if you need a speed slider, adjustable presser-foot pressure or space for large quilts. Neither is documented for those.
Where to buy
The M3500 link goes to an exact, new listing sold by Amazon.com that was in stock on October 19, 2026: SINGER M3500 . Confirm the included accessory kit and seller before ordering.
The M3220 link is a search, not a verified listing: Search Amazon for Singer M3220 . We could not confirm a current new listing for this model in Amazon’s catalog, so check that any result names the M3220 rather than the M3200 or another model, and ask for the rating plate and controller details.
Method and limits
This page compares manual-level facts. It does not test stitch quality, noise or durability. Where the sources we used were silent (the M3220 stitch width and needle threader, the M3220 stitch count), the table says so rather than guessing. Singer’s own M3500 page conflicts with itself on bobbin loading, which is why we follow the manual.
Sources
Questions before buying
What is the difference between the Singer M3220 and M3500?
Both have a one-step buttonhole and call for Class 15 bobbins. The M3500 documents adjustable length and width, a built-in needle threader and a front-loading bobbin case. The M3220 manual documents a stitch-length dial and a top-insert bobbin.
Which one should I buy new?
The M3500, because it has a current listing and model page. We could not confirm a current new M3220 listing.
Is the M3220 the same as the M3200?
No. They are separate models with separate manuals. The M3200 uses a four-step buttonhole according to the shared manual that also covers the M3500.
Do the M3220 and M3500 use the same bobbin?
Both are documented for Class 15. They are loaded differently, so follow the manual for your exact model.