The Breville Smart Grinder Pro and the Fellow Ode are two of the best home coffee grinders available, but they cater to very different users. The Smart Grinder Pro is a versatile, all-in-one workhorse capable of grinding for everything from espresso to French press, while the Ode is a beautifully designed specialist built specifically for perfecting manual brews like pour-over and AeroPress.
Here's a detailed comparison to help you decide which grinder from Breville or Fellow is the right one for your coffee routine.
Breville Smart Grinder Pro
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is a user-friendly digital conical burr grinder designed to be the only grinder a home barista needs. With 60 distinct grind settings managed through a clear digital interface, it handles a massive range of brew methods and offers programmable dosing for exceptional consistency day after day.
- What it is: A digital conical burr coffee grinder known for its versatility and user-friendly features.
- Key features: 60 macro grind settings, programmable shot/cup times, digital LCD screen, portafilter cradle for hands-free grinding, 18-ounce bean hopper.
- Price: Around $200-$250.
- Style: A functional and modern appliance aesthetic with stainless steel accents and a clear digital display, designed for performance over sleekness.
- Materials/Construction: A combination of a durable plastic body and stainless steel components houses the stainless steel conical burrs.
- Pros: Extremely versatile, able to grind fine enough for espresso and coarse enough for French press. The large hopper is convenient for frequent use. Digital controls make it easy to repeat specific doses. Great value for its wide capabilities.
- Cons: Bulkier footprint takes up more counter space. The plastic housing feels less premium compared to the Ode. Can be quite loud during operation.
This grinder is for the home coffee enthusiast who wants one machine to handle espresso, drip coffee, and everything in between with precision and ease.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/coffee-grinders/bcg820
Fellow Ode Brew Grinder
The Fellow Ode is a design-forward grinder built from the ground up for coffee lovers who focus on manual brewing methods. It strips away unnecessary features in favor of premium materials, a minimalist aesthetic, high-quality flat burrs, and a single-dose workflow that helps ensure maximum freshness for every cup.
- What it is: A compact, single-dose flat burr grinder designed specifically for pour-over, AeroPress, French press, and other non-espresso brew methods.
- Key features: Large stepless grind adjustment dial, professional-grade 64mm flat burrs, single-dose hopper (~30g), auto-stop feature, extremely quiet operation, and a magnetically aligned grounds catch.
- Price: Around $180-$220.
- Style: Sleek and minimalist, with a matte aluminum body, a simple single dial, and a small footprint that makes it a statement piece on any kitchen counter.
- Materials/Construction: High-grade aluminum and stainless steel create a premium look and feel with a focus on durability and precision.
- Pros: Stunning minimalist design. Outstanding grind consistency for its intended brewing range. Very quiet motor. Compact size saves counter space. Single-dosing workflow is ideal for those who switch beans often.
- Cons: Cannot grind fine enough for espresso. The small single-dose capacity is not ideal for making large batches. Less automated than the Breville, requiring a more hands-on approach.
The Fellow Ode is the choice for a discerning manual brewer who prioritizes design, grind quality for pour-over, and a quiet, single-serving routine.
Shop this product: fellowproducts.com/products/ode-brew-grinder-gen-2
Breville Smart Grinder Pro vs. Fellow Ode Comparison
Grind Settings & Versatility
This is the most significant difference between the two grinders. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is the clear winner on versatility. Its 60 stepped settings cover the full spectrum of coffee brewing, from the ultra-fine grounds needed for a perfect espresso shot to the coarse grind required for cold brew. If you own an espresso machine or plan to get one, the Breville is the only viable option between the two.
The Fellow Ode is intentionally specialized. Its grind range is optimized for manual brewing (pour-over, drip, French press, AeroPress) and it does so with exceptional consistency and precision thanks to its stepless adjustment. However, it physically cannot grind fine enough for espresso, which is by design to avoid stalling a motor not intended for such high resistance.
Capacity & Workflow
The workflow for each grinder fits a different kind of coffee drinker. The Breville features a large 18-ounce bean hopper meant for a 'set it and forget it' approach. You fill the hopper, program your dose, and grind directly into a portafilter or container as needed. This automation is perfect for households that brew multiple cups a day and value speed and convenience.
The Fellow Ode, on the other hand, is built for a single-dose workflow. You weigh out the exact amount of beans you need for one brew (its hopper holds about 30g), pour them in, and grind. This method ensures maximum freshness and is favored by enthusiasts who want precise control and like to switch between different coffee beans frequently.
Materials & Construction
Both grinders are well-built, but they prioritize different materials. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro uses a mix of consumer-grade durable plastic for its housing accented with stainless steel. It feels sturdy and built to last through daily use but registers as a typical kitchen appliance.
The Fellow Ode leans heavily into premium materials with a robust aluminum body and stainless steel components. Everything from the tactile click of the dial to the magnetic grounds catch feels high-end and thoughtfully engineered, giving it the edge in perceived quality and longevity.
Style & Aesthetic
There's no contest here if style is your primary concern. The Fellow Ode is designed to be seen. Its minimalist, modern aesthetic in a compact form factor looks less like an appliance and more like a piece of functional art for your coffee bar. It's sleek, clean, and unobtrusive.
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro has a more functional, utilitarian design. It's larger, with an LCD screen and multiple buttons that communicate its many capabilities. While not unattractive, its purpose is function first, making it look much more like a standard kitchen appliance.
Price & Value
With overlapping price ranges, the question of value comes down to your primary use case. For around the same price, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro offers far more versatility. If you need a grinder that can do everything, it provides incredible value as an all-in-one solution.
The Fellow Ode provides value through specialization and superior design. For a dedicated manual brewer, it delivers café-quality grind consistency and a premium user experience you often don’t find at this price point.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both of these grinders are top-of-their-class, but one is a generalist and the other is a specialist.
Choose the Breville Smart Grinder Pro if:
- You brew multiple types of coffee, especially espresso.
- You value the convenience of a large bean hopper and programmable dosing.
- You want one single grinder to handle all of your coffee needs.
- Functionality and versatility are more important to you than countertop aesthetics.
Choose the Fellow Ode if:
- You exclusively brew manual methods like pour-over, French press, or AeroPress.
- A sleek, minimalist design that complements your kitchen is a high priority.
- You prefer a single-dosing workflow and often switch coffee beans.
- A quiet motor and smaller footprint are important features for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Breville Smart Grinder Pro and Fellow Ode?
The main difference is versatility versus specialization. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is an all-in-one grinder for espresso, drip, and more. The Fellow Ode is a specialized grinder designed only for manual brewing methods and prioritizes design and a single-dose workflow.
Can the Fellow Ode grind for espresso?
No, the Fellow Ode is not designed to grind fine enough for espresso. Its motor and burrs are optimized for the medium-to-coarse range used in manual brewing.
Which coffee grinder is better for a beginner?
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is generally a better choice for beginners because of its versatility and simple digital interface. It allows newcomers to explore different brew methods without needing to buy a new grinder.
Which grinder is quieter?
The Fellow Ode is significantly quieter than the Breville Smart Grinder Pro. If noise is a major concern, especially for early morning brewing, the Ode has a clear advantage.
Is the Fellow Ode grinder's single-dose hopper inconvenient?
It's not inconvenient if you enjoy the ritual of weighing your beans for each brew. This workflow maximizes freshness and control, which is a priority for many coffee enthusiasts. If you prefer to make coffee quickly with stored beans, the Breville's large hopper is better.
Which grinder has better build quality?
While both are well-made, the Fellow Ode has a more premium feel due to its metal construction. The heavy aluminum body feels more robust and high-end than the Breville's largely plastic housing.
How easy is it to clean these grinders?
Both grinders are relatively easy to clean. The Breville requires occasional removal of the top burr to brush out grounds, a straightforward process. The Fellow Ode is also designed for easy disassembly, making it a simple task to access and clean the burrs.
Why are flat burrs vs. conical burrs a big deal?
Conical burrs (in the Breville) are known for producing a consistent grind with fewer fines across a wide range. Flat burrs (in the Ode) are praised for creating extremely uniform particle sizes, which can lead to a cleaner, clearer flavor profile in pour-over coffee, though the difference can be subtle to the average drinker.
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