Fellow Aiden Review

We were lucky enough to secure a demo unit of the Fellow Aiden before the first shipments arrived into Australia. This has been super eye opening and allowed us to play around first hand and test this batch brew coffee maker in hopes to answer your questions before you make the investment! 

Fellow Aiden - First Impressions

Straight out of the box the Fellow Aiden is quite unique with its minimalist design and cubic shape. Fellow has a reputation for their high end aesthetics, and the Aiden is no exception, standing out with its matte black finish and compact footprint.
The body is crafted from durable stainless steel and food grade plastic, giving it a premium look but a sturdy feel that fits comfortably in any kitchen or cafe space. Its intuitive design and attractive appearance make it clear that the Aiden isn’t just a coffee maker, but a countertop statement piece.

The Most Intuitive Interface

The Fellow Aiden’s interface was designed for ease of use without sacrificing advanced brewing functionality. The Fellow Aiden has one central button, similarly to the Fellow Stagg EKG and Fellow Ode the button can be pressed, held and turned to intuitively change the settings and brewing modes which are displayed on the LED Display.

Fellow’s intuitive controls let you select your brewing preferences with just a few taps, simplifying the experience for both coffee novices and having enough functionality to wow coffee professionals. It’s clear Fellow prioritised user experience, enabling you to start a brew with minimal fuss and precise control straight out of the box.

It should be noted that the demo unit was sent to us with software that will be receiving an update with the production units. Another great feature of the Fellow Aiden is that you are able to update the firmware as newer versions become available.

Precision Brewing & Water Dispenser

When it comes to brewing consistency, the Aiden shines. This coffee maker uses a powerful heating system that doesn't just maintain precise and stable temperatures but it's quick, so quick that when you turn it on you are practically ready to go.

The Water Dispenser has two modes the Green dot correlates to the small basket insert which can accomodate 1-2 cups of coffee and the Blue dot refers to the larger basket size with the blue handle. By having two water dispensing systems for both small and large batches of coffee Fellow has made it something you don't even need to consider, unlike other batch brewers that are more tailored to smaller or larger batches.

My first thoughts on the lid housing the water dispenser inside would be a negative factor for this machine but after using it i'm really glad that the Fellow went with this lid design as it acts as a cover for splashes and more importantly it holds the heat inside your brewer rather than escaping out into the atmosphere. 

Fast & Consistent Heating

One of the standout features of the Aiden is its precision temperature control. It maintains an ideal brewing temperature of around 93°C, essential for extracting the best flavours without over-extracting. The thermal control system ensures heat stability throughout the brewing process, enhancing flavour consistency. Many other batch brewers fall short here, either overheating or losing heat, which can lead to bitter or flat brews. The Aiden’s stability proved it to be a trustworthy choice for consistently flavourful coffee.

Perfect for BIG Batches

The Aiden’s brewing capacity and versatility are designed for both home users and small café setups. It can brew up to 1.25 litres (around five cups), making it a convenient choice for households or small gatherings. The water tank is easy to fill, and the carafe design keeps brewed coffee at an ideal temperature for longer periods. This versatility allows the Aiden to shine in various settings, from quiet mornings at home to busy café days.

Creating Custom Profiles 

The Fellow Aiden is also super easy to create your own recipes under the 'create new profile' option, here you have full control on your water pours, the ratio, the temperature and how long each pour goes for. 

Our favourite custom profile that e created started off with a cold bloom of 70ºc water for 30 seconds followed by two other pours of 95ºc. To replicate this recipe without the Aiden you would've needed two temperature control gooseneck kettles to pull this off.

Large Clearance - Can Fit So Much More Than a Server

The Fellow Aiden has a massive clearance of 170mm, While this is predominantly designed to fit the 1.5L Capacity thermos but can also be used to easily fit other glass coffee servers, mugs & cups for single cups of coffee and of course it has plenty of room to fit an Extract Chilling Coffee Ball.

How To Clean Fellow Aiden?

Maintenance is essential for any coffee maker, and the Aiden makes cleaning straightforward. Its removable parts, like the filter basket and thermos, are easy to clean, and the smooth exterior wipes down effortlessly.

A built-in descaling reminder takes the guesswork out of when to clean the internal components, simply follow the instructions and use a recommended liquid descaler to keep the machine making tasty coffees for as long as possible. Overall, cleaning the Aiden was as seamless as using it, which is essential for regular, hassle-free coffee brewing.

How Does Fellow Aiden Compare to Other Batch Brew Coffee Makers?

Compared to other batch brewers on the market, the Aiden holds its own with its high-quality extraction, stable heating, and advanced design.

When placed alongside similar models like the Moccamaster or Breville Precision Brewer, the Aiden offers competitive advantages in temperature control and ease of use. While these models also offer quality coffee, Fellow’s attention to design and user experience adds a refined touch to the Aiden, making it stand out for those who value both performance and aesthetic appeal.

Who is the Fellow Aiden For?

The Aiden is designed with a broad range of coffee drinkers in mind, from casual enthusiasts to professional baristas. Home users will appreciate its user-friendly features and sleek design, while small cafes will find it a reliable option for quick, high quality batch brews to serve.

It’s perfect for those who enjoy experimenting with different beans and brewing styles, thanks to its consistent extraction and temperature control. If you’re someone who values a premium experience and wants to elevate your home brewing setup, the Aiden is a great choice.

Is the Fellow Aiden Worth It?

So, is the Fellow Aiden Precision Coffee Maker worth the investment? After hands-on testing, we believe it is.

The Aiden excels in brewing tasty cups, ease of use, and design, making it a standout among batch brewers and other automatic coffee makers. Its precision temperature control and consistent extraction deliver high quality coffee, while its user friendly interface and low maintenance design make it accessible for everyone.

If you’re looking for a reliable, aesthetically pleasing coffee maker that delivers a tasty cup comparable to manual pour over brewed coffee, the Fellow Aiden won’t disappoint.