A circular knitting machine is one of the biggest capital investments a textile factory makes. The price difference between a smart purchase and a costly mistake can run into tens of thousands of dollars.
This guide covers factory-direct pricing for circular knitting machines from Chinese manufacturers in 2026: what the machines actually cost, what makes the price go up or down, what catches buyers off guard, and how to compare competing quotes without leaving money on the table.
Factory Prices by Machine Type
All prices below are FOB China port, based on 2026 market conditions. Not “contact us for pricing” — actual ranges.
Single Jersey Circular Knitting Machine Price
Single jersey machines are the workhorses of circular knitting. They produce the basic knit fabric used in t-shirts, underwear, and lining materials.
| Spec Range | Price Range (USD) |
|---|---|
| 18″–26″ diameter, 18–24G gauge, 24–48 feeders | $12,000–$22,000 |
| 26″–34″ diameter, 20–28G gauge, 48–72 feeders | $22,000–$45,000 |
| 34″–40″ diameter, 24–32G gauge, 72–96 feeders | $40,000–$65,000 |
Most textile factories buying for standard production land in the $18,000–$35,000 range. Machines in this bracket handle diameters from 26″ to 34″ with 48–72 feeders — enough for high-volume basic knit production. If you’re trying to decide between single and double jersey configurations, this comparison breaks down the differences.
Double Jersey Circular Knitting Machine Price
Double jersey (rib and interlock) machines produce thicker, more stable fabric. They cost more because the cylinder and dial mechanism is significantly more complex.
| Spec Range | Price Range (USD) |
|---|---|
| 18″–26″ diameter, 14–22G gauge, 24–36 feeders | $20,000–$35,000 |
| 26″–34″ diameter, 18–24G gauge, 36–60 feeders | $35,000–$70,000 |
| 34″+ diameter, 24–28G gauge, 60–84 feeders | $60,000–$100,000+ |
The price jumps sharply once you exceed 34″ diameter or need fine gauge (28G+). For most innerwear and sportswear factories, the $35,000–$55,000 bracket covers their production needs. This spare parts guide covers the components that wear fastest on double jersey machines — useful for estimating long-term maintenance costs.
Jacquard Circular Knitting Machine Price
Jacquard machines add pattern capability through individual needle selection. The electronic control systems and precision cam mechanisms add 30–50% to the base price of a comparable standard machine.
| Type | Premium Over Standard | Price Range (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Single jersey jacquard | +30–40% | $25,000–$60,000 |
| Double jersey jacquard | +35–50% | $40,000–$90,000 |
| Computerized jacquard | +50–80% | $50,000–$120,000+ |
Computerized jacquard with servo-driven needle selection sits at the top end. Machines from Aisunny in this category support pattern editing via USB or network connection, which reduces downtime when switching designs.
Open-Width Circular Knitting Machine Price
Open-width machines knit a tube of fabric and then slit it open, producing flat fabric at higher output rates. They cost 20–40% more than standard tube-knit machines of the same diameter.
- Standard open-width: $30,000–$80,000
- Open-width with take-up control: $45,000–$100,000
Large Diameter and Specialty Machines
Machines engineered for technical textiles, pile fabrics, or extra-wide output push well past standard pricing:
- High-pile/cut-pile machines: $50,000–$130,000
- Large diameter (40″+) for industrial fabrics: $80,000–$200,000+
- Multi-function combination machines: $100,000–$250,000+
7 Key Factors That Determine Circular Knitting Machine Price
Before getting into specific quotes, it helps to understand what actually changes the price. Otherwise, comparing two proposals is just comparing two numbers that mean different things.
Cylinder Diameter: The #1 Price Driver
The cylinder diameter determines the maximum fabric width. Larger cylinders require more precision-machined components, more needles, more cam systems, and heavier structural parts.
Going from 26″ to 34″ can increase price by 25–35%. Going from 34″ to 40″ adds another 30–45%. Before specifying diameter, calculate the exact fabric width you need and add 10–15% margin. Oversizing wastes money; undersizing limits production flexibility.
Gauge (Needle Fineness)
Gauge refers to the number of needles per inch on the cylinder. Higher gauge = finer needles = finer fabric. Machines in 18G–24G make up the bulk of the market. Going from 24G to 28G adds 10–20% to the price. Gauges above 32G enter specialized territory and jump 25–40%.
Number of Feeders
Each feeder is one yarn input point. More feeders mean more colors or patterns in a single pass. Doubling feeder count doesn’t double the price, but it adds 15–30% depending on the configuration.
A 34″ single jersey might come standard with 60 feeders. Upgrading to 96 feeders adds roughly $3,000–$5,000. Beyond 96 feeders on a single cylinder, mechanical complexity increases rapidly and so does price.
Control System and Electronics
The control system is where price differences get opaque. A basic single-board controller costs the manufacturer $200–$500. A modern touchscreen system with servo drives, network connectivity, and automatic pattern software costs $2,000–$8,000.
Japanese or German control components (servo motors, encoders, PLCs) cost 2–4x more than Chinese equivalents. The factories that deliver the best price-to-reliability ratio typically use a hybrid approach: critical components from Japan (Mitsubishi PLCs, Omron sensors) with Chinese fabrication for frames and housings.
Automation Level
- Manual operation: Base price. operator handles fabric take-down, oiling, and monitoring
- Semi-automatic: +10–20%. Includes auto-lubrication, fabric tension control, fault detection
- Fully automatic: +25–45%. Auto fabric take-up, real-time production monitoring, remote diagnostics
For factories running 24/7 production, the additional cost of semi-automatic features pays for itself within 6–12 months through reduced labor costs and fewer fabric defects.
Material and Build Quality
Two machines with identical specs can have a $5,000–$15,000 price difference based on materials:
- Cast iron vs. steel frame construction (cast iron offers better vibration damping)
- Needle plate material (premium vs. standard alloy)
- Cam surface treatment (chrome plating, nitriding)
- Bearing brands (SKF/FAG vs. generic)
This is where cutting corners backfires. A $3,000 saving on build quality can cost $10,000+ in premature wear, alignment issues, and unplanned downtime.
Brand vs. OEM Components
Some Chinese manufacturers build everything in-house. Others source components. Neither approach is inherently better — but it affects pricing in ways that matter when comparing bids.
At the top end, machines use European or Japanese components throughout (not rebranded — the actual branded part). Mid-tier machines use known-brand critical components with Chinese-fabricated frames and housings. Budget-tier machines use all-Chinese components, sometimes from second-tier suppliers where quality control is inconsistent.
Ask for a component breakdown when comparing quotes. The manufacturers who can tell you exactly which parts they source and which they build are usually the ones worth working with.
Factory Direct vs. Trader: How Much Can You Save?
This is where procurement decisions have the biggest financial impact.
| Factor | Buying Direct from Factory | Buying Through Trader/Agent |
|---|---|---|
| Price markup | 0% (factory price) | 15–40% above factory |
| Minimum order | 1–2 machines | Often no minimum, but at higher per-unit cost |
| Communication | Direct with engineering team | Through intermediary (possible delays) |
| Lead time | 30–60 days production | 35–75 days (additional coordination) |
| Customization | Full OEM/ODM available | Limited or marked up further |
| After-sales | Direct factory support | Dependent on trader relationships |
| Quality inspection | You arrange or factory certifies | Trader may or may not inspect |
A single jersey machine at $25,000 FOB from a Chinese factory might cost $30,000–$35,000 through a trader. Over a purchase of 10 machines, that’s $50,000–$100,000 in markups — enough to cover a factory inspection trip and still save significantly.
The trader model makes sense when you need consolidated sourcing (multiple machine types from different factories), need a smaller quantity, or don’t have the capacity to manage cross-border logistics yourself. That said, it pays to verify any supplier you’re considering — whether you buy direct or through an intermediary.
Costs That Don’t Appear in the Quotation
The machine price is only part of the total. Budget for these line items:
| Cost Category | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sea freight (20ft container) | $2,000–$5,000 | Varies by destination port; one machine typically fits in 20ft container |
| Sea freight (40ft container) | $4,000–$8,000 | For multiple machines or large-diameter equipment |
| Marine insurance | 0.3–0.5% of machine value | Usually mandatory for Letter of Credit transactions |
| Import duty | 2–8% of CIF value | Varies significantly by country; check your local tariff code HS 8447.10 |
| Port handling & customs clearing | $300–$800 | Destination country charges |
| Inland transport (destination) | $500–$2,000 | Depends on distance from port to factory |
| Installation & commissioning | $500–$2,000 | Some factories include basic installation free with purchase |
| Initial spare parts kit | $1,000–$5,000 | Needles, sinkers, cams for common specs; highly recommended |
| Training (on-site or remote) | $0–$1,500 | Many Chinese manufacturers include remote training free |
For a $30,000 machine delivered to a factory in Southeast Asia, expect total landed cost of $35,000–$39,000. To South America or Africa, add $2,000–$5,000 more for shipping.
How to Compare Factory Quotes
Getting quotes is easy. Comparing them fairly is where most buyers fall short.
Start by normalizing specifications. Never compare quotes line-by-line — create a standard spec sheet and ask each supplier to quote against the exact same requirements: cylinder diameter, gauge, feeder count, control system brand, automation level, included accessories, and delivery terms (FOB, CIF, DDP).
Separate hardware from logistics. Ask for two price lines: machine FOB China port, and shipping/insurance separately. Mixing them makes it impossible to compare machine cost versus logistics cost across suppliers.
Check what’s actually included. One quote may bundle a spare parts kit, 12 months warranty, remote installation support, and training. Another gives you the machine and a PDF manual. A $2,000 price gap might actually favor the cheaper option once you add the missing items.
Before placing a deposit, ask for ISO 9001, CE certification (if shipping to Europe), and factory audit reports. Reputable manufacturers provide these without hesitation.
Request 3–5 recent buyer references, ideally in your region or producing similar fabrics. Most established factories can share them. If a supplier refuses, that tells you something.
When Prices Move
Chinese textile machinery production follows a predictable annual cycle. January through March is the window to watch — factories are ramping up after Chinese New Year and actively filling production slots. Some offer early-bird pricing in January. This is when buyers have the most leverage.
April through June is peak production. Standard pricing, normal lead times, no surprises. July and August don’t see a formal slowdown but some smaller workshops run lighter, which can push lead times out by a week or two.
September and October bring a second demand spike. Trade show orders from ITMA and similar events fill the production calendar, and prices tend to firm up. November and December is when factories want to clear capacity before year-end — orders placed in Q4 for Q1 delivery occasionally get a small discount to help them hit annual targets.
Trade show timing matters too. Major textile exhibitions like ITMA and the China International Textile Machinery Exhibition create a brief window where factories bring demo units and offer 5–10% discounts on show orders. The next ITMA is 2027, which means late 2026 is when factories start reserving show-floor production capacity — another reason Q4 ordering can work in your favor.
Currency plays a role most buyers overlook. Machinery is quoted in USD. When the CNY weakens against the dollar, Chinese factories earn less per machine and sometimes absorb the difference to stay competitive. When the CNY strengthens, they occasionally have more room to negotiate on price because the dollar-denominated revenue stretches further domestically. It’s worth checking the USD/CNY trend before finalizing a large order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the cheapest circular knitting machine from China?
A: Basic single jersey machines in 19″–24″ diameter with 24–36 feeders start around $8,000–$12,000 FOB from smaller factories. At this price point, expect Chinese-made control systems, basic build quality, and limited after-sales support. For reliable production use, the practical minimum is $15,000–$20,000 for a machine that will run consistently.
Q: How long does it take to receive a circular knitting machine after ordering?
A: Standard production lead time is 30–60 days after deposit payment for common machine configurations. Custom specifications (non-standard diameters, special gauges, OEM modifications) can take 60–90 days. Add 2–6 weeks for sea freight depending on destination. From order placement to installation, budget 2–4 months.
Q: Is it safe to buy a knitting machine from China without visiting the factory?
A: Yes, with precautions. Use secure payment terms (30% deposit, 70% against B/L copy). Request video factory tours — any real factory can show you the production floor on a live call. Hire a third-party inspector (SGS, Bureau Veritas, TUV) for pre-shipment inspection. Check that the manufacturer can provide references from buyers in your region.
Q: What spare parts should I buy with my machine?
A: At minimum: a set of needles (2–3x your cylinder’s needle count), a set of sinkers, 2–3 sets of cams for common cam tracks, and an oil filter kit. This typically costs $1,500–$4,000 depending on machine size. Having spare needles on hand alone prevents days of lost production when a cam crashes. The full parts list with specifications is here if you want to cross-reference against your machine’s configuration.
Q: Can I negotiate the price with Chinese manufacturers?
A: Absolutely. Standard negotiation room is 5–15% on machine price for orders of 2+ machines. For single machine orders, negotiating on included accessories, spare parts kits, warranty terms, and free shipping insurance is more effective than pushing on base price. Payment terms are also negotiable — some factories accept 30/70, others require 50/50.
Q: What’s the difference between a $20,000 and $40,000 single jersey machine?
A: Typically a combination of: larger diameter (30″ vs. 26″), finer gauge (24G vs. 20G), more feeders (72 vs. 48), better control system (touchscreen vs. basic), superior frame material (cast iron vs. steel plate), and higher-grade components (Japanese bearings, German servo motors). The more expensive machine produces finer fabric at higher speed with lower defect rate — the ROI calculation depends on your product margins.
Conclusion
A $15,000 machine that produces 3% more waste, requires 2 extra maintenance hours per week, and runs 10% slower than a $22,000 alternative costs more within the first year of production. The sticker price is the starting point, not the total cost.
Focus the evaluation on three numbers: total landed cost (machine + shipping + duties), cost of ownership over 5 years (including maintenance and spare parts), and output quality at production speed. A manufacturer who provides transparent pricing, clear specs, and actual after-sales support is worth a 5–10% premium over the lowest bidder with vague answers.
For a custom quote, contact our engineering team with your fabric type, required diameter, and target production volume.