Customer reviews from Fellow
Fellow - Espresso Series 1 Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine with up to 9 bars of pressure and custom roast profiles - Black
Average customer rating
4.6
(113 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 113 reviews
5 Stars
85
4 Stars
18
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
1
1 Star
5
92%of customers recommend this product.
(
89 out of
97)
Customer Reviews for Fellow - Espresso Series 1 Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine with up to 9 bars of pressure and custom roast profiles - Black
Customer Rating
4
Fun but learning curve is steep
on March 25, 2026
Posted by: Jon
It’s an excellent overall product. The milk frother is fantastic— helps me make professional level cappuccinos and lattes.
The espresso part I have found to be a steep learning curve. I can’t seem to get the timing correct and the advice to simply grind finer or coarser simply doesn’t work since I make a tiny adjustment to my Opus 1 in response (say eg I set the grind one setting finer) and then I will get a response saying “grind coarser” !! It’s still fun but there’s got to be other things I’m doing wrong. Maybe the tamp pressure? I have no idea
Written by a customer while visiting Fellow
Customer Rating
4
on March 30, 2026
Posted by: JayJay13
I am enjoying the product very much. I think the steaming function is terrific. I’m finding it hard to get shots right. First the built in profiles are very short. Second I am not getting information about what to change even though the videos say I should be. I cannot tell if a custom profile has a ratio built in and a time why it shuts off before neither is met.
Written by a customer while visiting Fellow
Customer Rating
3
Meh….
on March 4, 2026
Posted by: Graham cracker
Was really looking forward to a positive experience out of the box but shot length was completely off on a 18g pull. After calibrating with a scale I had to add an extra 14 seconds. While I was able to resolve this issue, I still haven’t gotten an answer on how to calibrate hot water output. Followed directions on the website but they don’t match the options available under settings in the menu. Sent a video…waiting on a response. So far the responses seem AI driven.
Water tank is hard to remove if your machine is under a cabinet. I have to pour water in the machine using large glass.
When the shot pulls, the initial splatter makes a mess. I find myself raising the espresso glass by resting it on another lol.
Lastly, the group head moves the entire machine trying to set it in place. Good luck getting it straight in there at 90 degrees. Mine sits a bit on an angle. Maybe it gets better with time?
Water tank is hard to remove if your machine is under a cabinet. I have to pour water in the machine using large glass.
When the shot pulls, the initial splatter makes a mess. I find myself raising the espresso glass by resting it on another lol.
Lastly, the group head moves the entire machine trying to set it in place. Good luck getting it straight in there at 90 degrees. Mine sits a bit on an angle. Maybe it gets better with time?
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Fellow
Customer Rating
3
Some fixes need to be made but it is a nice machine.
on March 11, 2026
Posted by: Shirl
I am giving this a 3 because I don't like how much water I waste (use 3WW), I know they are working on this.
Also, the portafilter does not fit on my tamp stand. I don't want to buy another as I don't know what others they will fit on. I hope Fellow comes out with their Tamp Stand at least.
3rd and last, more detailed instructions/manual on all the particulars would have been more helpful. Though I am now starting to get use to it and learning it better.
One more, a scale would have been easier than volumetric. I am having an easier time pulling shots manually using one.
Oh, and maybe a new style mat on top that is easier to clean. It's not that easy in between those grooves. I will work to replace or find something to put on top that.
Also, the portafilter does not fit on my tamp stand. I don't want to buy another as I don't know what others they will fit on. I hope Fellow comes out with their Tamp Stand at least.
3rd and last, more detailed instructions/manual on all the particulars would have been more helpful. Though I am now starting to get use to it and learning it better.
One more, a scale would have been easier than volumetric. I am having an easier time pulling shots manually using one.
Oh, and maybe a new style mat on top that is easier to clean. It's not that easy in between those grooves. I will work to replace or find something to put on top that.
The good: I am getting good, constantly shots . The machine is nice anesthetically, small enough. I love the warranty options as well.
Now the good:
Now the good:
Written by a customer while visiting Fellow
Customer Rating
4
Great Machine, Some bugs need to be fixed.
on March 19, 2026
Posted by: Will
To start with, this is an amazing machine with so much flexibility. I am loving it, and it allows me to do complex things even with medium to low skill.
Now here are the issues I have had with the machine, most of these are firmware, so I expect my machine to be 5/5 stars when some updates roll out, but if any of these things are important to you, take note:
Espresso:
- flow control is lacking
- Adjusting profiles can be annoying without the app working yet
- You can't pull a shot of a different profile without changing the active profile.
- "make a drink" is kind of lacking and weird
- Flow-based stopping is simply unpolished; you have to use a scale with the machine, even if you adjust flow parameters, they change for each coffee, so it is a waste of time. I am waiting for an update to play with this because, without the app, the UI is too bad to properly adjust this. It should be profile-based, not machine overall, and it should be far clearer what each adjustment does.
- because of this, some of the other smart features don't work (grind suggestions)
- flow control is lacking
- Adjusting profiles can be annoying without the app working yet
- You can't pull a shot of a different profile without changing the active profile.
- "make a drink" is kind of lacking and weird
- Flow-based stopping is simply unpolished; you have to use a scale with the machine, even if you adjust flow parameters, they change for each coffee, so it is a waste of time. I am waiting for an update to play with this because, without the app, the UI is too bad to properly adjust this. It should be profile-based, not machine overall, and it should be far clearer what each adjustment does.
- because of this, some of the other smart features don't work (grind suggestions)
Steaming:
-When steaming, water comes out of the tip first, even after auto purge; there is no way to manually purge without being hacky.
- The steam wand ball joint is very exposed, and I am worried about it breaking when a lot of coffee grinds inevitably end up in the mechanism.
- To adjust steam end temperature, you have to be steaming; there needs to be a menu for this.
-When steaming, water comes out of the tip first, even after auto purge; there is no way to manually purge without being hacky.
- The steam wand ball joint is very exposed, and I am worried about it breaking when a lot of coffee grinds inevitably end up in the mechanism.
- To adjust steam end temperature, you have to be steaming; there needs to be a menu for this.
Hot water:
- Flow slows drastically after 100ml, I initially thought this was a heater limitation, but you can instantly click off then back on, and hot water flows again full speed. The pump is slowing for no reason.
- The amount of water out is completely inaccurate; it is consistently 20% less than I ask for, and there is no way to adjust this, which makes me think the flow sensor is, in general, not accurate
- Again, there is no way to adjust the amount or temperature outside of when you dispense
- Cold water is dispensed for the first second, or two, it needs to be purged because the temperature is very inaccurate. With this being the case, if you only want 50mL of water, it's just cold water that comes out.
- water comes out relatively slowly, but if the other comment about it slowing over 100ml is fixed, this is a non-issue.
- Flow slows drastically after 100ml, I initially thought this was a heater limitation, but you can instantly click off then back on, and hot water flows again full speed. The pump is slowing for no reason.
- The amount of water out is completely inaccurate; it is consistently 20% less than I ask for, and there is no way to adjust this, which makes me think the flow sensor is, in general, not accurate
- Again, there is no way to adjust the amount or temperature outside of when you dispense
- Cold water is dispensed for the first second, or two, it needs to be purged because the temperature is very inaccurate. With this being the case, if you only want 50mL of water, it's just cold water that comes out.
- water comes out relatively slowly, but if the other comment about it slowing over 100ml is fixed, this is a non-issue.
Cleaning:
- There is a bug where the number of shots doesn't increase for backflushing, which means you get no backflush suggestion.
- groupheaad purge only goes for a second regardless of setting time, at this point, I just press the shot button to purge instead of using the purge feature.
- There is a bug where the number of shots doesn't increase for backflushing, which means you get no backflush suggestion.
- groupheaad purge only goes for a second regardless of setting time, at this point, I just press the shot button to purge instead of using the purge feature.
Personally, none of these are major to me, but I want to lay them out for potential buyers and for Fellow to improve. That being said, here are a few of my favourite things about the machine:
- Perfect steam wand, it is powerful but controllable, very ergonomic, and the temperature sensing makes it all a breeze.
- Fit and finish are excellent, feels sturdy and high quality (more than I expected)
- Consistency, every shot you want the same is the same, and when you change a parameter, it is easy to tell you changed it. The espresso pulling experience is dialled and accurate.
- Fit and finish are excellent, feels sturdy and high quality (more than I expected)
- Consistency, every shot you want the same is the same, and when you change a parameter, it is easy to tell you changed it. The espresso pulling experience is dialled and accurate.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Fellow
Customer Rating
5
Impressive shot consistency!
on April 3, 2026
Posted by: Pete@808
I've been living with the Espresso Series 1 for nearly a month now and I am really enjoying it. Although, it took me at least a week to properly dial in my 18 gram espresso shot timing and volume after finally googling the issue. No matter what drink profile I tried it would stop the shot way too early with barely half the 38 gram volume dosage. I had to go into the "nerdy" settings and increase volume output significantly. But once I did this shots began to run beautifully!
Before purchasing this machine I was using a Quickmill Anita for many years. I still love the build quality and old world looks of the Quickmill. But I've discovered the Fellow Espresso Series 1 pulls a significantly better shot. I'm able to taste a lot more of the interesting flavors from my espresso that I didn't get from the Quickmill. I'm assuming this is due to the Series 1's much better temperature stability?
A couple of things I don't like about the Series 1. I find while it's on and not in use, it gives off a subtle, high pitched sound that's enough to be irritating to my ears.
It also powers off into sleep mode too soon. Maybe this can be adjusted in settings?
When removing the ports filter from the group head the whole group head moves slightly, making me question the quality and wonder about the longevity of the machine.
Otherwise, I'm really loving this machine. Not only does it pull excellent shots consistently, but it looks beautiful on my counter and doesn't take up a lot of space. I love how it's much shorter than my Quickmill, with lots of height between the top and my kitchen cabinets, making it easy to refill top loaded the water container.
Before purchasing this machine I was using a Quickmill Anita for many years. I still love the build quality and old world looks of the Quickmill. But I've discovered the Fellow Espresso Series 1 pulls a significantly better shot. I'm able to taste a lot more of the interesting flavors from my espresso that I didn't get from the Quickmill. I'm assuming this is due to the Series 1's much better temperature stability?
A couple of things I don't like about the Series 1. I find while it's on and not in use, it gives off a subtle, high pitched sound that's enough to be irritating to my ears.
It also powers off into sleep mode too soon. Maybe this can be adjusted in settings?
When removing the ports filter from the group head the whole group head moves slightly, making me question the quality and wonder about the longevity of the machine.
Otherwise, I'm really loving this machine. Not only does it pull excellent shots consistently, but it looks beautiful on my counter and doesn't take up a lot of space. I love how it's much shorter than my Quickmill, with lots of height between the top and my kitchen cabinets, making it easy to refill top loaded the water container.
Written by a customer while visiting Fellow
Customer Rating
3
Little Frustrated
on March 4, 2026
Posted by: SSW1046
I've only had the Series 1 for a few days, and I've watched most, if not all, of the videos, but I wish there were more videos of EXACTLY how to 'Make a Drink' and 'Shot Profiles'. How about a few Step by Step videos? Almost nothing as far as I can determine. I would think this type of video would be the first available??? Or, maybe there's something wrong with my machine??
Written by a customer while visiting Fellow
Customer Rating
4
Promising Espresso, Few Rough Edges
on March 5, 2026
Posted by: Rich
The Series 1 makes a genuinely good espresso. Once properly calibrated for volumetric extraction, shots are consistent pull after pull, and the pressure graph is a nice touch for dialling things in. Steaming is equally solid.
Out-of-the-box hardware setup is smooth and well thought out. The software, however, feels like it's still catching up. The default shot calibration produces 20ml pulls — far short of a standard espresso — meaning immediate manual adjustment is required. Beyond that, several expected features are simply absent: drink recipe customisation isn't available yet, hot water temperature can't be set, and there's no Bluetooth scale support. The scroll-wheel UI also feels sluggish in use, and the drip tray fills faster than you'd expect, needing frequent emptying. A few things also aren't well documented. Flushing the group head, for example, requires holding the espresso button for 3 seconds — not super obvious, and took a few minutes to stumble upon without hunting for it.
Out-of-the-box hardware setup is smooth and well thought out. The software, however, feels like it's still catching up. The default shot calibration produces 20ml pulls — far short of a standard espresso — meaning immediate manual adjustment is required. Beyond that, several expected features are simply absent: drink recipe customisation isn't available yet, hot water temperature can't be set, and there's no Bluetooth scale support. The scroll-wheel UI also feels sluggish in use, and the drip tray fills faster than you'd expect, needing frequent emptying. A few things also aren't well documented. Flushing the group head, for example, requires holding the espresso button for 3 seconds — not super obvious, and took a few minutes to stumble upon without hunting for it.
Bottom line: The fundamentals are there. Extraction quality and consistency are real. But the software feels unfinished, key features are missing, and some basic functions are harder to discover than they should be. I look forward to software updates as they roll out.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Fellow