Do not drop the edition name
Janome explicitly marks the original Memory Craft 500E as discontinued. A retailer may still list old stock or a renewed unit; that does not make it a current-production model. The Memory Craft 500E Limited Edition has its own manufacturer page and receipt identity. Our comparison keeps the LE suffix visible and excludes the original 500E from the six-machine selector. Ask for the exact model and condition in writing if a listing title is unclear.
The long side is the upgrade
The 500E LE’s maximum field is 200 × 280 mm. The base 550E extends the long side to 360 mm while keeping the width at 200 mm. A narrow, long design may benefit from that extra length. A design wider than 200 mm still does not fit either model unless an allowed 90-degree rotation brings both dimensions within bounds. Measure your actual motifs instead of choosing by hoop area alone.
Match the hoop list to the edition
Janome lists four hoops with the 500E LE: RE28b, SQ20b, RE20b and SQ14b. The base 550E lists RE36b, SQ20b, RE20b and SQ14b. The shared smaller hoops do not make every accessory interchangeable across all Janome machines. The 100E, for example, lists SQ14e as its standard hoop. A similar number or matching nominal size is not evidence that the attachment and machine support are the same.
Software extras need an exact receipt
The 500E LE documentation includes AcuStitch and a USB drive of designs. Our 550E listing is the base 550E, not 550E Limited Edition, so we do not transfer LE extras into that record. Both machine records use USB design transfer. Before comparing total cost, inspect current package contents and software operating-system requirements. A larger field can remove a dimensional limit; it does not guarantee the quality of a particular design, simplify every fabric or establish a viable embroidery business.