What to know first
- The Espresso Series 1 is a semi-automatic espresso machine, not a bean-to-cup system.
- Its three-element heating architecture is designed to bring water to temperature quickly and hold it steadily during brewing.
- You can use preset profiles or customize and save settings for different coffees.
- A steam-wand sensor can stop steaming at a chosen milk temperature, which is useful for repeatable milk drinks.
- The 2-liter removable water tank and deep drip tray make routine refilling and emptying more manageable.
- A grinder is sold separately, so plan the full cost of an espresso setup before buying.
What the Fellow Espresso Series 1 is
The Fellow Espresso Series 1 is Fellow’s current home espresso machine. It is a semi-automatic model, meaning it handles water heating, brewing, hot water, and steam, while you take care of the coffee preparation. You grind beans separately, fill and tamp the portafilter, lock it into the group head, and start the shot.
That puts it between a basic entry-level espresso maker and a fully automatic system. The machine offers presets for different brewing approaches, but it also lets you change brewing parameters such as temperature, pressure, and pre-infusion, then save settings as custom profiles. You can begin with a more guided routine and become more involved as you gain confidence.
It is built around a 58 mm bottomless portafilter, the common full-size format used on many higher-end espresso machines. Fellow includes an 18 g single-wall double-shot basket, an 18 g pressurized double-shot basket, a shot splitter, tamper, 10 oz stainless steel milk pitcher, cleaning supplies, and a steam-wand tip cleaner.
Why it stands out
The main reason to pay for the Fellow Espresso Series 1 is control that has a practical purpose. Espresso is sensitive to water temperature and pressure. If either changes too much during a shot, coffee can extract unevenly. Fellow’s patented boiler system uses three independent heating elements, including heating near the group head, to rapidly reach brewing temperature and maintain tight thermal control through the cycle.
The machine also gives you a path from presets to customization. A preset can simplify the first steps with a new coffee, while adjustable temperature, pressure, and pre-infusion settings let you refine a shot once you know what you want to change. Saved profiles mean you do not have to rebuild a preferred recipe each morning.
Milk drinks get more attention than they do on many manual machines. The steam wand has a sensor at its tip, allowing you to set a target temperature and have steaming stop at that point. That does not replace learning how to position a pitcher or texture milk, but it removes one variable that can make early attempts inconsistent.
The Series 1 also avoids the oversized look of many premium espresso machines. At 17.24 inches deep, 12.4 inches wide, and 10.98 inches high, it has a low profile for its capability. It still needs real counter space, particularly in front for the portafilter workflow, but it is far easier to accommodate than a large prosumer setup.
What it is like to own
Daily use is active but organized. Three top-mounted buttons handle brewing, steaming, and hot water, while the circular display and control dial are used to navigate settings. That layout keeps the basic actions close at hand while leaving deeper adjustments available when you want them.
The removable 2-liter water tank is a meaningful ownership feature. A tank that comes out easily is simpler to refill at the sink and easier to keep clean than one that must be filled in place under a cabinet. Two liters is enough capacity to avoid refilling after every drink for most households, though espresso, rinsing, and steaming all draw from the same supply.
Cleanup is part of the manual espresso routine. You will need to knock out and rinse the portafilter after brewing, wipe and purge the steam wand after milk drinks, and empty the drip tray. Fellow includes descaler, backflush tablets, a backflush disc, and a water-hardness strip, so the machine arrives with the basics for starting its maintenance routine.
The deep drip tray is designed with cutouts that help keep collected water, coffee, and milk from sloshing when you carry it to the sink. It is a small detail, but it matters when espresso cleanup becomes a daily habit.
What to know before you buy
The biggest catch is the total setup cost. The Fellow Espresso Series 1 is priced at $1,499.95 and does not have a built-in grinder. Espresso needs finely and consistently ground coffee, so this machine makes the most sense when you already have a suitable grinder or are budgeting for one alongside it.
It is not designed around maximum automation. The machine can guide parts of brewing and steaming, but it does not grind beans, dose the portafilter, tamp the coffee, or make a finished milk drink at the touch of one button. If your priority is the shortest possible morning routine, a more automated Breville system will make more sense.
The bottomless portafilter is useful for seeing how a shot flows, but it also makes preparation mistakes more visible and potentially messier. The included pressurized basket offers a more forgiving option, while the single-wall basket gives you more direct control once your grinder and technique are dialed in.
The specs that matter
You get control over coffee preparation and brewing choices, but you also do the hands-on work that an automatic machine would handle for you.
The system is designed to heat quickly and keep water temperature steady through a shot, which supports more even espresso extraction.
The tank is large enough for repeated brewing and steaming, and removing it makes refilling at the sink easier.
This full-size format gives you a more serious manual espresso workflow and lets you see the flow of the shot as it brews.
You can start with a preset, then save a recipe that suits a particular coffee instead of re-entering settings every time.
It helps you stop steaming milk at a chosen temperature, making latte, cappuccino, and flat white routines easier to repeat.
It is compact for a premium espresso machine, though its 17.24-inch depth means you should measure your counter before committing.
You have the core brewing and maintenance pieces in the box, but you still need an espresso grinder and coffee.
Who this product fits
You are moving beyond a basic espresso machine
The Series 1 gives you more than a fixed brew button. You can use its presets at first, then adjust temperature, pressure, and pre-infusion as you learn what different coffees need.
You make milk drinks most mornings
The steam wand’s temperature sensor can stop at a selected milk temperature, helping you repeat a preferred latte, cappuccino, or flat white routine without watching a separate thermometer.
Your kitchen has limited counter space
Its low-profile 17.24 by 12.4 by 10.98-inch body gives you premium espresso capability in a smaller footprint than a large prosumer machine, provided you have room for a grinder too.
You like changing coffees and dialing them in
Custom profiles let you save settings for a coffee that works well, so switching between beans does not mean rebuilding every parameter from the beginning.
What else to compare
Choose a different machine if you want more automation or a different style of coffee brewing.
Fellow Espresso Series 1 FAQ
Does the Fellow Espresso Series 1 have a built-in grinder?
No. The Fellow Espresso Series 1 does not include a grinder, so you will need a separate grinder capable of espresso-fine grinding. That adds cost and counter space, but it also lets you choose the grinder that fits your preferences.
Is the Fellow Espresso Series 1 good for beginners?
Yes, for beginners who want to learn a hands-on espresso routine. Presets and the steam wand’s temperature cutoff offer useful guidance, while adjustable brewing settings leave room to develop your skills. It is not the best fit for someone who wants fully automatic drinks.
Can the Fellow Espresso Series 1 make lattes and cappuccinos?
Yes. It has a steam wand for texturing milk and a sensor that can stop steaming at a selected temperature. It also dispenses hot water, which is useful for Americanos and other drinks that need added water.
What comes with the Fellow Espresso Series 1?
It includes a 58 mm bottomless portafilter, single-wall and pressurized 18 g double-shot baskets, a shot splitter, tamper, 10 oz stainless steel steaming pitcher, steam-wand tip cleaner, descaler, backflush tablets, a backflush disc, and a water-hardness strip. A grinder is not included.
How much counter space does the Fellow Espresso Series 1 need?
The machine measures 17.24 inches deep, 12.4 inches wide, and 10.98 inches high. Measure for the machine itself, clearance to remove the water tank, and working room in front for inserting and removing the portafilter.
Should you buy the Fellow Espresso Series 1?
Buy the Fellow Espresso Series 1 if you want a premium home espresso machine that can meet you at the beginning of the learning curve and remain useful as your technique improves. Its temperature-focused design, adjustable brewing controls, saved profiles, and guided steaming address the parts of espresso making that most reward consistency.
Skip it if you want a grinder built in, automatic drink preparation, or the lowest-cost route to espresso. But for a shopper ready to invest in a separate grinder and a real daily espresso routine, the Fellow Espresso Series 1 is a focused, capable machine that earns its place on the counter.