The Fellow Aiden Review

We're taking a look at the much-hyped Aiden brewer. This isn't much of a walk through of the features, instead we cut to the chase and look at what works, what doesn't, and who this might be for.

0:00 Introduction To The Aiden
1:15 Testing and Technical Performance
2:59 But How Is The Coffee?
7:04 Frustrations
22:14 Who It’s For & Concluding Thoughts

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[Savko_TTV]

I have to say. I absolutely loved "Something about the visual language of the ready screen makes me think that at some point this thing won't brew because it needs more magenta toner"

[Jamiemlux]

UX Designer here. The rage that this has brought me is palpable. That screen and wheel combo is the thing of nightmares.

[Nickoshot]

"Not the worse beep, not the best" Might be my favourite on-brand Hoffmann quote of the video

[MartinPittBradley]

1990s me would have never believed that I’d be happy to see a 26min coffee brewer review

[sanatsrivastava]

I absolutely adore how unbiased, intricate and well-timed are James' reviews.
He isn't just out here trying to sound relevant like so many others. He's always ahead of the curve but so authentic in his approach.

[aramse]

Thanks so much for the shoutout James! Excellent review and watching you complain about the rotary knob made my day!

[shinigamidad]

"I've had issues with carafes over the years--a lot of issues..." <war-weary, thousand-yard stare>

[jensenokimoto]

Having been a coffee professional, this has been the first batch brewer that I’ve actually been happy getting rid of pour overs. I agree with all the frustrations, but the consistency in performance (especially at 5am before my morning workout) is a luxury I’ve never been able to really enjoy. I can set it to a very comparable cup to my pour over, then set it and mostly forget it until my next bag of coffee. Oddly enough, it has made me far more willing and wanting to work out.

[NateC_]

Ahhh yes, yet another machine I cannot afford to buy yet I'm still invested in the review

[eradish]

I just want to say thank you for doing proper subtitles! It makes such a difference not to have to deal with the rubbish automatic ones. Editor, we see you, and thank you!

[Andrea-wxhq]

If you give me steps, the steps have to step 😂

[internetshaquille]

Fascinating review, even though I’m nowhere near the market for this product

[jevidon]

"If you need me to get my phone out to have a good time, something has gone wrong in the UX/UI."

This was the same issue with the Anova Precision Oven.

[Dis]

Honestly James is still the best UX/UI reviewer out there and not just in coffe products!
Saying that having to use app is a hardware design failure is harsh but I absolutely agree with it!

His videos should honestly be shown in design classes.

[seldonplanB-]

I didn't realize the Borg were selling coffee brewers now. Good on them!

[BobAtchison]

I have an Aiden and James' comments are spot on. Something he didn't mention though was the integration between brew profiles and Fellow Drops (an on-demand bean subscription service.) I've appreciated being able to brew my coffee with precisely the profile the roaster intended. At the risk of sounding like a fan-boy, Square Mile's recent offering was the best of the bunch. I will not be surprised at all to see v2 incorporate much of the feedback from this review and the comments. Fellow are quite responsive to their customers. Cheers!

[sawk]

“Harsh but fundamentally true” is 80% of my reason for being Subscribed.

[DJ.Skyhawk]

Got mine in December, it’s been great. Was using Aeropress for years. I’ve used it with my local coffee shop beans, and built in brews, as well as using the Fellow drops coffee, with their respective brews. It’s been 8/10 for taste and usability. Figuring out grind size at the beginning took a few batches, but once dialed, it’s very great. I use mine every weekday for single cup brews, and weekends use the batch brew feature if I have friends over. It’s easy to use and follow the instructions. Definitely a solid, worth the money, investment in my morning routine/ritual.

[gregries]

I got it at launch and have been very happy with it. Yes, you have to faf around with it a little to dial in a new bean but not enough for me to regret buying it. I got it so that when we have people over I am not spending 30 minutes making coffee for everyone while still giving me the control I am looking for on the brew. Very happy.

[scorch]

There is a simple fix for the back button issue that doesn't require changing the input method. Push to select, push and hold to go back.