Both are great grinders; Opus offers wider settings while Ode is quieter and simpler.
You want a single grinder that handles espresso to French press. I faced that choice when I revamped my home setup. The Fellow Opus vs Ode debate kept coming up. I tested both in my kitchen for months. The Opus impressed me with fine control. The Ode won points for quiet, stable doses. I’ll walk you through what I found so you can pick the right grinder for your needs.
Is Fellow Opus Good?
I’ll say yes—mostly. The Fellow Opus is great if you want broad grind control. It has a finer top end for espresso plus settings for pour-over and press. In my kitchen it replaced two older grinders. I use the Opus for mornings when I want a sharp espresso and again later for drip coffee. It handled both with few tweaks.
In real use the Opus felt precise. I chased a dialed-in espresso and the extra steps mattered. I also tried cold brew and French press. The Opus gave consistent particle sizes across the range. If you love tweaking and enjoy small adjustments, the Opus rewards patience. If you want simple, hands-off grinding, it may feel like overkill.
Fellow Opus Conical Burr Coffee Grinder – All Purpose Electric – Espresso Grinder with 41 Settings for Drip, French Press, & Cold Brew – Matte Black
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- 41 grind settings for very fine to coarse grind.
- Conical burrs designed for low retention and even grind.
- Stepped adjustment dial for repeatable clicks.
- Timer and manual pulse options for dosing control.
- Matte black, compact footprint with modern aesthetic.
What I Like
- Precise control: I could dial espresso to taste.
- Low retention: same beans, same results across shots.
- Build feels solid on daily use.
- Versatile: good for espresso, pour-over, press.
- Timer gives consistent doses once set.
What Could Be Better
- It’s louder than Ode during long grinds.
- The stepped dial can feel fussy for casual users.
- Higher price point than simple single-purpose grinders.
My Recommendation
Choose the Opus if you want a single grinder that covers espresso to brew and you like dialing in shots. It’s worth the price for control and consistency.
| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Home baristas who dial espresso | Wide setting range and repeatable steps |
| Multi-method households | Handles drip, press, and espresso well |
Is Ode Good?
Short answer: yes, if you want simple, quiet, reliable grinding. The Fellow Gen 2 Ode is tuned for brew methods like pour-over and French press. It has fewer settings but it nails consistent medium-to-coarse grinds. I used the Ode on busy mornings when I wanted fast, predictable coffee. It did that job well.
I also pushed the Ode toward fine settings. It can’t hit the ultra-fine espresso end like Opus. In my experience it excelled at single-dose work. It woke the neighborhood less and required fewer adjustments. If you brew filter coffee most days, the Ode makes life easier and gives solid results without fuss.
Fellow Gen 2 Ode Brew Grinder – Burr, Electric Coffee Bean Grinder with 31 Settings for Drip, French Press & Cold Brew – Small Footprint – Matte Black
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- 31 grind settings optimized for brew methods.
- Large flat burr design for even medium-coarse grind.
- Small footprint ideal for tight counters.
- Quieter motor tuned for home use.
- Single-dose friendly hopper and low retention.
What I Like
- Very quiet: I can grind early without waking others.
- Consistent brew grind with minimal tweaking.
- Compact design saves counter space.
- Simple controls suit daily filter brewing.
- Good value for filter coffee lovers.
What Could Be Better
- Not ideal for fine espresso-level grinding.
- Fewer settings means less manual control.
- Some may want a timer or dose function added.
My Recommendation
Pick the Ode if you brew mostly filter coffee and want a quiet, simple grinder with consistent results and a small footprint.
| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Filter coffee drinkers | Optimized settings and burrs for brew |
| Small kitchens | Compact footprint and quiet motor |
Fellow Opus vs Ode: Side-by-Side Test
I ran back-to-back tests with the Fellow Opus vs Ode. I used same beans, same scale, and same brew recipes. Below are focused comparisons so you can see real differences.
Grind Range & Settings: Which Has More Control?
How far each grinder reaches matters for espresso fans and multi-method brewers.
| Feature | Fellow Opus | Fellow Ode |
|---|---|---|
| Total settings | 41 stepped settings | 31 settings |
| Espresso-capable | Yes, fine end | Limited near-fine |
| Coarse/grind range | Very coarse available | Covers brew and cold brew |
| Adjustment style | Stepped dial | Stepped but simpler |
Opus – 9/10 | Ode – 7/10
“Opus wins for range and control. Ode covers brew needs but lacks espresso depth.”
Grind Consistency: Which Makes Even Grounds?
Even particle size affects extraction and flavor. I weighed and brewed samples to test.
| Metric | Fellow Opus | Fellow Ode |
|---|---|---|
| Filter grind consistency | Very consistent | Consistent and clean |
| Espresso fines | Low fines at fine setting | More fines near fine end |
| Retention | Low | Low |
| Repeatability | High | High |
Opus – 9/10 | Ode – 8/10
“Both grind well for brew. Opus has a slight edge for espresso consistency.”
Motor & Noise: Which Is Quieter and More Robust?
Noise level and motor strain matter if you grind daily or in shared spaces.
| Aspect | Fellow Opus | Fellow Ode |
|---|---|---|
| Noise level | Moderate to loud | Quieter |
| Motor torque | Strong for fine grind | Good for medium/coarse |
| Heat buildup | Low with short doses | Low |
Opus – 8/10 | Ode – 9/10
“Ode is quieter and ideal for early mornings. Opus is stronger but noisier.”
Speed & Dosing: Which Gets You Coffee Faster?
Time to grind and dose control affect your routine speed.
| Metric | Fellow Opus | Fellow Ode |
|---|---|---|
| Single-shot grind time | Fast with timer | Fast and consistent |
| Timer/dose options | Yes | No timer (manual) |
| Best use | Dialed doses for espresso | Quick filter brew prep |
Opus – 8/10 | Ode – 8/10
“Opus gives dosing features for repeat shots. Ode is simple and fast for filter coffee.”
Footprint & Design: Which Fits Your Counter?
Design affects placement and daily handling.
| Design | Fellow Opus | Fellow Ode |
|---|---|---|
| Footprint | Compact but taller | Smaller footprint |
| Aesthetics | Sleek matte modern | Simple, clean lines |
| Hopper size | Standard | Similar |
Opus – 8/10 | Ode – 9/10
“Ode fits small counters better. Both look good but Ode is slightly more compact.”
Value for Money: Which Gives More Bang?
Consider price, features, and intended use to judge value.
| Factor | Fellow Opus | Fellow Ode |
|---|---|---|
| Feature set | Extensive | Focused |
| Price vs features | Higher cost but more features | Better value for filter brewers |
| Long-term value | High for multi-method users | High for single-method users |
Opus – 8/10 | Ode – 9/10
“If you want feature depth, Opus is worth it. For pure filter value, Ode is the smart buy.”
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
The Fellow Opus excels when you need a single grinder to cover espresso through brew. It’s for tinkerers who want fine control and repeatable dosing. The Fellow Opus vs Ode choice comes down to how much control you want.
The Fellow Ode is the better pick if you brew mostly filter coffee and want quiet, simple, consistent grinding. Pick Ode for ease and compact design, or Opus if you want full-range control and espresso capability.
FAQs Of Fellow Opus vs Ode
Which grinder is better for espresso: Opus or Ode?
Opus. The Fellow Opus has a finer setting range and better control for espresso. Ode is limited near the fine end and suits filter coffee better.
Is Ode quieter than Opus?
Yes. In my tests the Ode runs noticeably quieter. It’s the better choice for early mornings or shared living spaces.
Do both grinders retain a lot of coffee?
No. Both the Opus and Ode have low retention compared to older designs. I found very little leftover grounds between doses.
Which is better value for someone who only makes pour-over?
Ode. For filter and pour-over only, the Fellow Ode gives more value and a simpler experience for less money.
Can one grinder replace two machines in a home setup?
Yes, the Fellow Opus can replace multiple grinders if you want espresso and brew from one unit. The Fellow Opus vs Ode decision hinges on whether you need espresso capability or not.
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Liora Pennings is a seasoned chef and kitchen enthusiast with a passion for turning everyday cooking into an effortless experience. With years of hands-on culinary expertise, she specializes in practical techniques, ingredient know-how, and smart kitchen solutions that help home cooks elevate their meals. At KitchFlair.com, Liora shares her best tips, time-saving tricks, and honest product reviews to guide readers toward a more efficient, enjoyable, and inspired cooking routine. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned home chef, Liora’s friendly, knowledge-packed insights make every visit to the kitchen a little easier—and a lot more delicious.
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