Fellow’s Espresso Series 1

For those passionate about crafting exceptional espresso at home, Fellow, renowned for its precision kettles and grinders, has introduced its inaugural espresso machine: the Espresso Series 1. This machine combines advanced technology with thoughtful design, making it a compelling addition to any home barista’s setup. Below is an in-depth look at its features and why it stands out in the competitive home espresso market.

Design

Available in Black, Cherry Red, or Malted Chocolate, the Espresso Series 1 boasts a sleek, minimalist aesthetic that complements modern kitchens. Its compact footprint ensures it fits neatly under standard cabinets, offering a refined presence without dominating counter space. The intuitive interface, featuring a tactile dial and a color LCD screen, simplifies operation for users of all experience levels.

The portafilter and tamper feature ergonomic handles—walnut wood for Cherry Red and maple for Malted Chocolate—designed for comfort and durability. These elements elevate the brewing process, transforming it into a deliberate, satisfying routine.

Professional-Grade Performance, Accessible Price

The Espresso Series 1 delivers brewing capabilities typically found in machines priced significantly higher. Central to its performance is the patented Boosted Boiler system, which incorporates three independent heating elements:

1. A flow-through heater preheats water for shots, steaming, or hot water, reducing warm-up time to under two minutes.
2. A dedicated boiler maintains consistent temperature, preventing fluctuations that can compromise shot quality.
3. A group head heater ensures thermal stability at the espresso puck, promoting even extraction.

This configuration provides precise temperature control, critical for achieving optimal flavor, as even minor variations can alter a shot’s profile. The machine excels at producing rich espresso and steaming milk for smooth cappuccinos, delivering café-caliber results. Its adaptive pressure profiling adjusts pressure dynamically based on puck preparation, guiding users toward the ideal 9-bar extraction. Additionally, the smart steam wand monitors temperature, froths milk effortlessly, and auto-purges for straightforward maintenance.

For Beginners and Experts

The Espresso Series 1 is designed to accommodate a wide range of users. Beginners can rely on pre-set profiles tailored to specific coffee roasts, with the machine handling most variables. The LCD screen provides real-time feedback to refine technique over time.

For advanced users, the machine offers extensive manual control, allowing adjustments to temperature, pressure, flow, and pre-infusion. Custom profiles can be saved or shared via Fellow’s app, enabling precise replication of preferred recipes or collaboration with other enthusiasts. This versatility makes the Series 1 a platform for both learning and experimentation.

What's in the Box? 

The Espresso Series 1 is equipped with essential tools to begin brewing immediately:

1. A 58mm bottomless portafilter with a single-wall double-shot basket and a pressurized double-shot basket. 
2. A tamper with a handle matching the machine’s color scheme. 
3. A 2-liter BPA-free water tank and a 750ml drip tray for convenient cleanup.

As for a grinder, Fellow’s Opus is a recommended companion, though a little birdie told us Fellow may release a premium flat burr grinder in the future...

Value 

Priced at $1,499.95 (or $1,199.95 with an early access offer including $100 in Fellow Drops coffee credits), the Espresso Series 1 is a significant investment but offers great value compared to commercial-grade alternatives. Machines like the Decent or Syneso ES1, which cost upwards of $3,000, provide similar features, while the Breville Barista Touch Impress, though comparably priced, lacks the Series 1’s Boosted Boiler and profile-sharing capabilities.

Our Take

A new player joining is always interesting as it helps grow the coffee community, especially a company that already has a reputable name to it. And while Fellow has been around for a while, this is the first iteration for them when it comes to espresso machines. 

Now, I'm an engineer - and first-generation products tend to work great but usually kinks and issues get settled by the 3rd iteration. We'll have to wait and see if we can get our hands on a review unit and see how it works!

Fellow, if you're reading this... mind sending one over? Any color would be fine!