Airscape vs Fellow Atmos
In a world where there are so many coffee storage options to choose from, choosing the right canister to meet your needs can be challenging And no, we're not talking about choosing your favourite colour, in this article I'll discuss the properties of two popular coffee storage solutions, the Airscape 7" and the Fellow Atmos 1.2l as they hold similar quantities of coffee beans and we'll explain the benefits and disadvantages to each of these.
How To Choose Your Coffee Storage Canister
If you're reading this and have any amount of doubt in your mind about which coffee canister suits your needs, then chances are that you 1, don't know enough about coffee storage systems or 2, you haven't thought about how you plan on using your coffee canister. The first step is to gather all the necessary information you need to know to make an informed decision about purchasing the right coffee storage canister and also keeping in mind your requirements and how you plan on using them.
The Basics: Air Displacement vs Air Removal
Let's start with the most important distinction between these two systems, how they actually work. After years of testing various storage methods, I can tell you that understanding this difference is crucial to making the right choice.
The Airscape Canister Method: Air Displacement
The Airscape canister operates on a brilliantly simple principle - it physically pushes air out of the way rather than removing it entirely. The patented inner lid system creates a moveable barrier that sits directly on top of your coffee beans. As you press down on the exterior handle, this inner lid purges the air from above your beans and creates what I'd call a "floating seal" that moves with your coffee level.
What I love about this system is its mechanical simplicity. There's no pump, no vacuum gauge, no battery just a well built lid that does exactly what it's supposed to do, every time. In my experience, this reliability is gold when you're in a cafe and balancing time / quality. We do have replacement insert plungers for the Airscape and replacement lids available so if the canister does happen to fall and land on the lid or the insert plunger gets clogged you can easily replace this part without having to purchase a whole new canister.
The Fellow Atmos Method: Vacuum Sealing
The Fellow Atmos takes a completely different approach by creating a true vacuum environment. Using the built-in pump system, it actively removes air from the canister, creating an oxygen-free space that dramatically slows down the oxidation process. The Fellow Atmos is a vacuum canister and uses a vacuum pump to remove the air from the canister.
This method is theoretically superior for long-term storage because it eliminates the enemy of fresh coffee, oxygen. Rather than just reducing it. The vacuum indicator shows you when the seal is properly engaged, and honestly, there's something satisfying about seeing that green light confirm your beans are protected. But nowhere as satisfying as when you need to open the canister, by pressing the centre button you mechanically open the valve with a super satisfying sound.
Size Options and Canister Capacity:
Airscape Classic (7" Medium)
The Airscape Classic 7" holds approximately 500g of coffee beans, making it perfect for home brewers who go through about a bag per week. I've found this size hits the sweet spot for most coffee drinkers, large enough to store a full 500g bag but not so large that you're keeping coffee around for months.
The Airscape range includes several sizes, from the compact 4" Airscape perfect for 250g of coffee to the large 8" Airscape Canister for offices or households with multiple coffee drinkers.
Fellow Atmos (1.2L)
The standard Fellow Atmos 1.2L canister holds about 450g of coffee beans - slightly less than the Airscape but still suitable for most home brewing needs. What's interesting is that the vacuum system actually makes better use of the space since there's no floating lid taking up room.
Fellow offers the Atmos in multiple sizes and both stainless steel and glass options, giving you more aesthetic choices for your countertop setup.
The Game Changer: Fellow E Atmos Electric
Now here's where things get really interesting. Enter the Fellow Electric Atmos, a unique storage canister that pumps out air with the touch of a button and creates a sealed vacuum inside. It also continually monitors the vacuum status and will automatically top it off if needed.
The E Atmos represents a significant leap forward in coffee storage technology. According to the brand, the battery lasts up to four months with a full charge. What impressed me most is that Electric Atmos has a USB-C rechargeable battery that lasts for four months of continuous use, and it automatically maintains the vacuum without any input from you.
This is genuinely revolutionary for busy coffee professionals or home enthusiasts who want set-and-forget convenience. The canister actively monitors pressure levels and automatically tops off the vacuum when needed, ensuring your beans stay in an optimal environment 24/7.
Price Point Analysis
Airscape Pricing
The Airscape Classic 7" typically retails around $72 AUD, making it one of the more affordable premium storage options. For a mechanical system that's built to last years, this represents excellent value. There are no ongoing costs, no batteries to replace, and no electronic components to fail.
Fellow Atmos Pricing
The standard Fellow Atmos 1.2L runs approximately $90 AUD, positioning it as a premium option. The vacuum system and more sophisticated manufacturing justify the higher price point, especially when you consider the superior preservation it offers.
Fellow E Atmos Pricing
The Electric Atmos is the premium option at around $140-160 AUD, but here's the thing, if you're serious about coffee quality and convenience, it's worth every penny. The integrated vacuum pump sucks air out to prevent oxidation and extend coffee's shelf life by up to 50%.
Here's the good news! If you already have an original Fellow Atmos Canister we sell just the replacement Electric Atmos lids, at the time of writing we are selling these just under the $90 AUD mark.
My Experience Using Each Coffee Canister
Airscape Performance
The Airscape excels in reliability and ease of use. There's never a question about whether it's working, if you can press the lid down and hear the air being displaced, it's doing its job. I've had my Airscape canisters for over three years with zero maintenance required.
The main limitation is that it doesn't create a complete oxygen barrier. While it significantly reduces air exposure, it's not eliminating it entirely like a vacuum system would.
Overall I've found this to be amazing with fresher coffees and espresso roasts.
I've even had comparable tasting coffee when drinking coffee that was stored in a vac sealed plastic pouch. I feel the least effective use of the Airscape is when storing coffee for longer amounts of time, If you plan on not drinking coffee for 1-2 months I would opt for a more aggressive means of storage.
Fellow Atmos Performance
The Fellow Atmos comes with a higher price tag compared to other options, it does the best job at preserving the freshness of the beans, especially over extended periods. In side by side taste tests, I've consistently found that coffee stored in the Atmos maintains its brightness and complexity longer than the Airscape.
The manual pumping every 3-5 days can be a minor inconvenience, but it's a small price to pay for superior preservation.
Fellow E Atmos - Electric Alternative
The Electric Atmos eliminates the only real drawback of the manual system. It also continually monitors the vacuum status and will automatically top it off if needed, and the rechargeable battery lasts for four months of normal use. This is genuinely revolutionary for coffee storage.
The Bottom Line: Which Should You Choose?
If you're a casual coffee drinker who goes through beans quickly and wants reliable, low-maintenance storage, the Airscape canister is your best bet. It's affordable, foolproof, and will serve you well for years.
For serious coffee enthusiasts who want the most amount of air removed and prioritise having more air removed and don't mind putting in a bit of work to manually pump the air out, the original Fellow Atmos is the sweet spot between performance and price.
If you're a coffee professional, have expensive specialty beans, or simply want the absolute best preservation technology available, the Fellow E Atmos is worth the investment. The convenience factor alone makes it worthwhile for busy lifestyles.
Remember, the best coffee storage system is the one you'll actually use consistently. Both the Airscape and Fellow Atmos are excellent choices, your decision should come down to your specific needs, budget, and how much you value convenience versus simplicity.
After all these years storing and serving coffees, I can tell you that proper storage makes a dramatic difference in the taste of your coffee. Whichever system you choose, your beans (and your taste buds) will thank you for your investment.
