Fellow’s Most Ambitious Design Ever Pulls Real-Deal Espresso at an Unreal Price

Since its crowdfunded founding in 2013, Fellow has built a reputation for coffee products that are simultaneously forward-thinking, well-engineered and downright gorgeous. 

Take, for example, the Stagg Pour-Over Kettle, Ode Brew Grinder or the Aiden Precision Coffee Maker, the latter of which bridged the gap between pour-over and batch brewing and represented the brand’s first foray into machines.

Now, Fellow enters uncharted territory with by far its most ambitious design yet: the elegant, innovative and (relatively) affordable Espresso Series 1.

Fellow

Groundbreaking features, wallet-sparing price

Make no mistake: even at the discounted launch price of $1,200, the Espresso Series 1 is by far the most expensive thing Fellow has ever produced. (The Aiden, by comparison, costs $365.)

According to Fellow CEO Jake Miller, however, the machine sets a new standard for quality and affordability. And after testing the machine myself at a preview event earlier this month, I’m inclined to believe him.

“For too long, home enthusiasts have had to choose between inconsistent results or a multi-thousand-dollar investment,” Miller explains.

“Series 1 breaks that tradeoff, offering café-level control in a machine built for everyday use. This isn’t just a new product. It’s a new standard,” he adds.

Fellow

Leading the charge toward fulfilling that bold promise is what the brand calls Boosted Boiler architecture.

This multi-point heating system dramatically lifts the Series 1’s thermal stability and flow rate beyond that of standard home espresso machines and closer to what commercial machines can produce. 

Basically, instead of continually raising the temperature over the course of the shot or shifting wildly throughout the process, the Boosted Boiler hits the mark in less than two minutes. It also stays stable — a process I witnessed first-hand.

Design and performance

Another big selling point of the Series 1 is its blend of design and technology that’s tuned to different levels of espresso experience.

Fellow

For example, it can cover a novice’s tendency for inconsistent tamping with something called adaptive pressure profiling, which automatically adjusts pressure based on puck prep.

More experienced users, meanwhile, can tap into guided brewing and intelligent shot feedback to gather real-time insights that help them get better with every pull. 

The Series 1 also offers assisted steaming with auto-purge, a temperature-sensing wand that foams milk like a champ and cleans up after itself.

These features can be accessed with simple, user-friendly navigation: three shortcut buttons, a color LCD and an incredibly satisfying tactile dial (I twisted it myself) that maximizes control. 

Of course, it’s all integrated into a classic, beautifully minimalist design. As with everything Fellow makes, the Series 1 is intended to be a shining star in your kitchen, not something you try to hide.

Availability and pricing

The Fellow Espresso Series 1 is available now in three colors — Black, Cherry Red and Malted Chocolate — with a regular price of $1,500.

However, early buyers (first two weeks after launch) will receive a special price of $1,200 as well as $100 in Fellow Drops credits.

Fellow

Fellow Espresso Series 1

• Starts at $1,200

Related Topics