Best For
- You are replacing an entry or hand grinder and want a clear step up.
- You want one budget electric grinder for filter and espresso.
- You can test it in the first days and exchange it if needed.
Fellow Opus 2 Grinder Review: Why Owners Upgrade to It, and the Calibration and QC Problems to Check
Quick take
The Fellow Opus 2 (Gen 2) is a conical-burr coffee grinder that covers filter through espresso, and owners moving up to it from a Baratza Encore, a hand grinder or a cheap burr grinder describe a marked improvement in the cup. It reaches espresso fineness and earns strong value verdicts for its price. The catch is consistency between units: several arrived miscalibrated, stiff or faulty, retention divides owners, and some see the dial creep at the finest settings. This page covers the second-generation Opus; reports that name the original are kept separate, and several retention complaints here do not say which generation they describe.
Single-dose-oriented electric conical burr grinder covering filter through espresso grind range.
This page covers the Fellow Opus 2, the generation currently sold. 1 owner report below comes from the Fellow Opus (first generation); it is labelled where it appears and does not stand behind any claim about the current generation.
Buyer-facing pick with a clearer everyday fit
Strengths and Common Complaints
Owners moving up from entry grinders describe a clear improvement, and it reaches espresso for its price.
The problems are about individual units and espresso precision: miscalibration and faults on arrival, plus retention that divides owners and dial creep at the finest settings. • Total evidence snippets: 41 • Updated Oct 12, 2026
Strengths
- A significant step up from entry and hand grinders: Owners moving up from a Baratza Encore describe it as significantly better in just about every way, with nicer dialling in and, for one, roasters' tasting notes coming through for the first time. Coming from a KinGrinder K6, one owner is impressed by the grind consistency after a week, and another made the switch once three espressos a morning made hand grinding a chore. Upgraders from a Bodum burr grinder and an unnamed hand grinder report the same jump, and an owner whose first real upgrade it was from cheap Amazon grinders loves that its range covers both pour-over and moka pot.
- Strong value from filter to espresso: A four-month owner calls it the electric grinder to beat at $300 and under, with long-term reliability the only unknown. Others praise its outstanding grind quality and speed for batch brew, its clarity in pour-over, and its ability to handle every brew method. On first use, one owner preferred it to a Baratza Sette 270 Wi and found it quieter.
- Reaches espresso fineness: Owners report it grinding fine enough to choke their machines, including a Casabrews CM5418, and making fantastic espresso. An owner coming from a DF64 Gen 2 has not noticed a difference in taste and finds it handles light roasts well, though a K6 owner found it a bit harder to dial in than their hand grinder at first.
Common Complaints
- Units that arrive miscalibrated: Calibration out of the box is the most specific complaint. One unit was so far off that the owner ended up eight steps finer than out of the box; another had to be taken apart to tune its minimum setting; and a third did not grind fine enough until it was adjusted, after which it worked without a problem. A fourth still pulls shots far too fast at zero, even after following a recalibration tutorial. Test espresso fineness in the first days.
- Faults on arrival and early failures: A replacement unit's dial would barely turn, and another owner with the same stiff dial found Fellow's support went quiet. One Opus 2 jammed as soon as beans went in straight out of the box, another stops grinding unless the top of the hopper is held down, and one simply died between one grind and the next. Fellow exchanged the first owner's unit, but the owner gave up after the second.
- Retention: negligible for some, heavy for others: Retention divides owners more than anything else on this grinder. With RDT it is practically negligible for one, another switches between pour-over and espresso daily by purging about four beans, and near-zero retention and no mess were enough for a third to return a Baratza ESP Pro. Others see the opposite: retention swinging up to 1.5 g on dark roast despite a deep clean, and 1-2 g held back per dose for the first doses after cleaning. Three more owners, whose posts do not name the generation, report 2-3 g retained on almost every grind, a lot retained at fine settings that is moving one to drip duty, and retention that disappoints when single dosing; a fourth finds the single-dose workflow messy without timed or gravimetric dosing. One recommendation says the second generation cut retention sharply compared with the first, so check which generation a report, or a used listing, describes.
- Espresso shots that are hard to repeat, and a creeping dial: A month-old owner who calls it amazing for the price cannot replicate an espresso shot at the same grind setting, unlike on a cheaper hand grinder. A possible contributor is the dial moving during grinding: two owners see it shift at the finest settings, by 0.05-0.1 per 16 g dose for one and visibly between 0 and 0.5 for the other, especially with light roasts. Neither report confirms the cause. Outside espresso, an owner trying to match their hand-grinder French press results gets bitter cups and has not found a fix.
Who Should Buy Fellow Opus — and Who Should Avoid It
Fit depends on what you are upgrading from and how much espresso precision you need.
Not For
- You need exactly repeatable espresso settings every time.
- An exchange or self-calibration on arrival would put you off.
- You want a grinder with a proven long-term reliability record.
Check live pricing and availability — this link helps keep the research running.
Check local offer Affiliate link — supports the site at no extra cost.Discussion Mention Counts
Sentiment across 101 product mentions. Mentions are not a count of unique owners or threads.
User Impression
+7%
Leaning Positive Sentiment Mix
101 mentions
22
60
19
Quick actions
Evidence From Public Buyer Discussions
These examples show the repeated buying signals behind Fellow Opus. Use them to check strengths, complaints, and buyer fit before treating isolated comments as full reviews. • Updated Oct 12, 2026
Pro Positive Discussion Reports
Most praise comes from owners comparing it directly with the grinder they replaced.
Like grind range covers everything from pour-over to moka pot 2026-10-12
Love my opus 2, was my first real upgrade from the cheap amazon grinders. The grinder does go a long way for making a great cup, and I love the range so I can go between my pour overs or the moka pots
Like a clear step up from a hand grinder 2026-09-22
I've had the Fellow Opus 2 for a couple weeks now and really like it. 90% for espresso though did try a french press this weekend and it worked well. Will try Chemex this weekend. Was using a Kingrinder 6 for several months, but once I started making 3 espressos in the morning instead of 1 or 2, it became more of a chore than I was willing to deal with. Paid $150 before tax from Best Buy for the Opus.
Like opus 2 grinds fine enough for espresso 2026-09-08
Starter build with some upgrades Started with an eureka Mignon and it fizzed out on me. Fellow opus 2 has been going good for about a month. Just sharing the build here. Makes fantastic espresso! Need to get a PID the my Gaggia but for now I'm content with this. eureka mignon opus 2 gaggia starter build with some upgrades
Like cleanest workflow with no mess once dialled in 2026-09-04
I can say this: 1. VS3: I had it, the grind size kept changing during grinds and although their support was helpful I would never buy from them directly again, always from a local dealer. The problem kept reappearing and the magnet on the dosing cup went missing, so I sold the da mn 1. thing. I also found it too slow and the sound not very pleasant. 1. Opus 2: From the start not grinding fine enough but after adjusting it's working without a problem. It's never a mess with the Opus, cleanest workflow I had s
Like near-zero retention and no mess 2026-09-04
Fellow Drop First Time Experience is a Big meh for Opus 2 Owners I've had the Aiden for about five months and got the Opus 2 grinder about a month and a half ago. I really love both products. I returned a Baratza ESP Pro after trying the Opus 2 with no regrets, mostly because of the Opus 2's near-zero retention and no mess for a grinder with comparable if not better grind quality than the Baratza. Anyway, after several emails soliciting it and a $10 discount, I thought I'd give Fellow Drops a
Like quieter and better grinding than a Baratza Sette 270 Wi 2026-08-31
Opus 2: first use (great) The hype is real. Punches above its weight for sure. Better (and quieter) than the Baratza 270 WI. Not as good as the Mahlkonig e65S at work but what do you expect? Anybody out there thinking about the $200 opus 2, GET IT. Breville Dual Boiler with slayer mod + the upgraded shower screen. opus 2 baratza 270 wi baratza 270 wi mahlkonig e65s
Like the electric grinder to beat under $300 after four months 2026-08-31
I found this review of the Opus 2 to corroborate my experience with it for the past 4 months. … I have been steadfast in my opinion that it is the electric grinder to beat for $300 and less, with the only caveat that long-term reliability is unknown.
Like a clear step up from a hand grinder 2026-08-31
New grinder and a question Hey guys , just upgraded from a hand grinder to Opus 2, was sold out at most Best Buy stores , finally found one and it's been amazing so far. Question , I can get 15g in since it's a smaller basket and 30g out in 30 seconds but it's pushing past 9 bars , is that ok or should I make changes ? Opus 2 Opus 2
Like a welcome replacement for the DF64 Gen 2 2026-08-25
Great setup! The ES1 intrigues me, especially at the price. Watching it develop over time. I already have a Silvia Pro X… but I bought the Opus 2 to replace the DF64 gen 2 I hated so much. Digging the Opus 2!
Like switches between pour-over and espresso daily without issues Generation not stated 2026-08-09
I never have any issues and I switch between pourover and espresso daily. I use about 4 beans to get rid of the larger or smaller grind from the previous brew.
Like matches a DF64 Gen 2 in the cup and handles light roasts Generation not stated 2026-08-06
I've been impressed with it so far. Coming from a DF64 Gen 2 … I haven't seen a noticeable difference in the taste. … Handles the light roast well as far as I can tell. Grinds fine enough to choke the machine.
Like excellent grind consistency and negligible retention with RDT 2026-08-06
One Week with the Fellow Opus Gen 2 – First Impressions … I upgraded from a Kingrinder K6, and after about a week of daily use, I’ve been impressed. Grind consistency has been excellent. With RDT, retention is practically negligible.
Like opus 2 grinds fine enough for espresso 2026-08-05
Fellow Opus 2 delivered today! Just got my new Opus 2 with wooden lid and metal adjustment ring delivered today! It’s a bit hard to dial and use than my Kingrinder K6 and my yield is a little bit off but I’ll figure it out! It can definitely grind fine enough to choke my Casabrews CM5418 Opus 2 Kingrinder K6 Casabrews CM5418 Opus 2 Kingrinder K6
Like great value for every setting short of espresso 2026-07-20
Fellow Opus 2 Inconsistent Ive had the Fellow Opus 2 for about a month and it’s really an amazing grinder for the price. My one gripe, and it’s a big one, is how inconsistent the machine is for espresso. There is simply no way to replicate a shot with the same grind setting on this grinder. This kind of defeats the purpose of it being able to grind for espresso. It is still a great value grinder for all other settings but I cannot replicate shots like I could on a cheaper hand grinder. It may be due to how
Like tasting notes finally come through 2026-06-29
I just upgraded from Baratza Encore to Fellow Opus 2. Opus 2 is a significant step up in every way, including the quality of the coffee produced from the grinds. For the first time in my life, I’m tasting the notes that roasters provide with their coffees. Definitely worth $200, although ship times are longer for the base model. I bought $250 model with metal adjustment knob and wood lid so it would arrive sooner.
Like noticeably more clarity in pour-over after upgrading 2026-06-29
Looking to upgrade from Philips 4300 to Profitec GO, but need grinder advice [$550] Hi all, Recently upgraded my pourover setup to Fellow Opus 2 and Stagg XF, which significantly increased clarity. Looking to do something similar with my espresso setup. The Philips is fine, but I want something great, not just fine. Seems like the Profitec Go is a definite step up and suits my tastes better as I mostly drink espresso, not Americanos or milk drinks these days. I'm looking for advice on what grinder to pair with t
Like a clear step up from a Baratza Encore 2026-06-27
Yeah, I got Opus 2 as an upgrade from the Encore as well and it is significantly better in just about every way.
Like a versatile middle ground for filter now and espresso later 2026-06-27
Moccamaster and Opus 2 ❤️ Match in heaven. edit: I've had grinder paralysis for so long deciding which one to get, not wanting to buy one for pour overs/ filter than having to buy another one later for espresso for when i do ever get into espresso. The Opus has been a fantastic middle ground and really liking the results. Huge step up from the Bodum Burr Grinder (hahahaha...) My friend got a Opus 2 for his FS1 and is enjoying it over the Barzta Encore as well Opus 2 Moccamaster and Opus 2 ❤️ Match in hea
Like a clear step up from a Baratza Encore Generation not stated 2026-06-27
Pulled the filter off and so far, impressed with the flavor vs Baratza Encore. Definitely nicer to use and dial in.
Like outstanding grind quality and fast grinding 2026-06-27
I recommend the Fellow Opus Gen 2 for $199. It has outstanding grind quality and grinds very quickly—which is great for the times you are in a rush and are making batch brew with your Ninja. It can handle all brew methods as well.
Like noticeably better brew quality 2026-06-27
Hold Fast Coffee's Decaf Mexico Using Stagg XF 2nd pourover of this coffee with Fellow Opus 2 set to 4.15. Brew time was about where I want it (between 4 and 4:30). Should dial grind back up to 4.25 (or even higher) though, I think, as I'm going for more clarity of flavors vs heartier brew for now. Also maybe a touch of sourness, which bolsters the hypothesis of too fine a grind. Anyhow, this is pretty good coffee. Definitely going into my queue rotation on Bottomless. Also really liking my Fellow Opus 2 grinder
Like gen 2 cuts retention and performs well for the money 2026-06-27
the second generation opus just released and is a huge improvement over gen 1, minimal retention, strong performance for the money. with your budget I'd probably go with a timemore sculptor 064s though.
Con Critical Discussion Reports
Most critical reports describe a specific unit's problem on arrival or in its first weeks; retention is the one complaint where owners openly disagree.
Complaint Shots still run fast at the finest setting, even after recalibration 2026-10-12
My girlfriend got me the Opus 2 for my birthday … I can't choke a shot at ALL. I've gotten all the way down to zero and still my shots are pulling way too fast. I followed a tutorial on how to re calibrate it...I did that last night. Put the dial back on 0.5 to start out, and it doesn't even seem like there's a difference. Still pulling so fast.
Complaint Retention makes espresso shots inconsistent Generation unconfirmed 2026-10-02
I only make dark roasts espresso so I looked for a conical burr. It seemed to be the choice for dark roasts. I bought a fellow opus because I found one at a very low price, I plan to get a niche zero soon. I was looking at the sette 270 but it seemed to get a lot of negative comments. The opus has been inconsistent and it retains a lot of coffee when using a fine setting. It’s going to move on to drip coffee duty.
Complaint Grind dial creeps while grinding at the finest settings 2026-09-26
Fellow Opus 2 grind setting moves while grinding — anyone else? I have the new Fellow Opus 2, and the grind setting keeps moving while it’s grinding. Has anyone else experienced this? It happens at finer settings, between 0 and 1, but especially between 0 and 0.5. I’ll set the grind size and start grinding, and I can actually see the adjustment dial shifting as the beans go through. It seems particularly bad with light roasts. If I lightly tap the top of the grinder to help the beans feed through, the setting mo
Complaint Grind dial creeps while grinding at the finest settings Generation not stated 2026-09-26
Has anyone experienced the dial moving during grinding? I’ve used it for around a month and a half now, I started noticing the dial moving on its own by 0.1 or 0.05 per 16g dose
Complaint Messy single-dose workflow with no timed dosing slows busy mornings Generation not stated 2026-09-08
using a single dose, messy grinder that doesn't have timed or gravimetric dosing … I like the Go, although I should eventually upgrade to a dual boiler, but I hate the Opus, so I want to replace that first.
Complaint Retains 2-3g of coffee on every single grind Generation unconfirmed 2026-09-04
Fellow Opus retention is driving me crazy - Starseeker E55 Pro? [€200] Hi [r/espresso](https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/), I have a Rancilio Silvia V2 that just works wonders, paired with a Fellow Opus that seems to retain coffee like there's absolutely no tomorrow I weigh my beans before and after grinding, and the Opus consistently retains 2-3g almost every single time. While being incredibly annoying it also just slows my flow down I'm honestly getting pretty fed up with having to open up the grinder and ma
Complaint Plastic body raises durability doubts, and light-roast adjustment falls short 2026-09-04
even though I loved the Opus 2, I don't think it's all plastic body will last and more so, it didn't quite reach the level of granularity I wanted for light roasts.
Complaint Retention disappoints when single dosing for espresso Generation unconfirmed 2026-08-29
My current set up is the sage barista express with the fellow opus grinder. Simply can't get on with the fellow and not impressed with the retention. I single dose
Complaint Stops grinding unless the hopper is held down 2026-08-26
Problem with the Fellow Opus 2 grinder I’m having an issue with my Fellow Opus 2 grinder. As soon as I pour coffee beans into the hopper, the grinder stops. I have to press down on the top of the hopper until I hear the beep again, and then keep holding it down for the grinder to continue grinding. It’s really frustrating. Has anyone else had the same problem with this grinder? Fellow Opus 2 grinder Fellow Opus 2 grinder
Complaint Had to be taken apart to reach espresso fineness 2026-08-25
Paired with the opus 2, first problem was I had to take that apart to tune the grinder’s minimum setting.
Complaint Bitter cups after switching from a hand grinder Generation not stated 2026-08-25
Help with the daily grind Trying to match my KINGrinder P0 French press results with a Fellow Opus - everything tastes bitter I feel like I accidentally stumbled into making great coffee, upgraded my grinder, and now can't figure out how to get it back. I bought a KINGrinder P0 and a Stanley French press and was having a blissful time making coffee without paying much attention to proper "recipes." I just experimented until I found something my wife and I really enjoyed. Eventually my wife suggested that maybe
Complaint Jammed as soon as beans went in, straight out of the box 2026-08-14
I got the new Opus 2 as a bundle with the ES1, the grinder is very plasticky, but this is right after my unbox, as soon I put some beans in the machine get totally stuck.
Complaint Grind dial so stiff it barely turns, with slow support Generation not stated 2026-08-10
This is exactly how mine behaves, and it's frustrating. I started a conversation with Fellow and now they seem to be radio silent.
Complaint Died without warning between one grind and the next 2026-08-10
My Opus 2 just stopped working. No power, nothing. One grind fine, the next dead.
Complaint Ships badly miscalibrated out of the box 2026-08-10
Very close to giving up on the Opus 2. 1st one was WAY off calibration. I'm now 8 steps finer from out of box. This new one I can barely turn the dial. Fellow has GOT to improve their build quality and QA. Their saving grace is that they will exchange. But good lord, the process of finding a grinder that works correctly should not be on the customer. This is unacceptable, and brand-tarnishing. \-- UPDATE: I gave up. Opus 2 Opus 2
Complaint Retention swings unpredictably, up to 1-2 g per dose 2026-08-09
Horrible retention with Opus 2 I am getting horrible retention when grinding espresso. After cleaning the burrs the first 2-3 doses will retain 1-2g EACH. It seems like it eventually accumulates as much as it can and you will start getting out what you put in (but enjoy 1-2g of full caf in your decaf or dark roast in your light roast). I made the mistake of going from espresso to pour over without purging, and had a full 5g+ of espresso grounds added in. Apparently 18g isn't enough to purge because my next brew ST
Complaint Ships badly miscalibrated out of the box Fellow Opus (first generation) 2026-07-20
[r/FellowProducts] I'm able to get repeatable shots, the problem with mine is the factory calibration was far too loose. I'm at grind size ZERO and still my shots are pulling around 40g in 25s, I was at grind size 3 on my Opus 1 for the same extraction 😬
Complaint The same grind setting won't reproduce an espresso shot 2026-07-20
Fellow Opus 2 Inconsistent I’ve had the Fellow Opus 2 for about a month and it’s really an amazing grinder for the price. My one gripe, and it’s a big one, is how inconsistent the machine is for espresso. There is simply no way to replicate a shot with the same grind setting on this grinder. This kind of defeats the purpose of it being able to grind for espresso. It is still a great value grinder for all other settings but I cannot replicate shots like I could on a cheaper hand grinder. Fellow Opus 2 Fellow O
Complaint Retention swings unpredictably, up to 1-2 g per dose 2026-06-10
Fellow Opus Gen 2 - retention problems hey all. been testing the Gen 2 for a while now. my qualms are only with the retention - my first grind seemed to be fine with only about .1G retention from a dark roast. the following grinds have been very inconsistent, with sometimes the grinder retaining up to 1.5grams of coffee. this was with a dark roast as well. in case it was coffee oil, I did a deep clean. problem persisted. not sure what the issue is here… it’s not feasible for one grind of “oily” beans to mess this
View all retained evidence snippets (41)
Complaint Shots still run fast at the finest setting, even after recalibration 2026-10-12
My girlfriend got me the Opus 2 for my birthday … I can't choke a shot at ALL. I've gotten all the way down to zero and still my shots are pulling way too fast. I followed a tutorial on how to re calibrate it...I did that last night. Put the dial back on 0.5 to start out, and it doesn't even seem like there's a difference. Still pulling so fast.
Like grind range covers everything from pour-over to moka pot 2026-10-12
Love my opus 2, was my first real upgrade from the cheap amazon grinders. The grinder does go a long way for making a great cup, and I love the range so I can go between my pour overs or the moka pots
Complaint Retention makes espresso shots inconsistent Generation unconfirmed 2026-10-02
I only make dark roasts espresso so I looked for a conical burr. It seemed to be the choice for dark roasts. I bought a fellow opus because I found one at a very low price, I plan to get a niche zero soon. I was looking at the sette 270 but it seemed to get a lot of negative comments. The opus has been inconsistent and it retains a lot of coffee when using a fine setting. It’s going to move on to drip coffee duty.
Complaint Grind dial creeps while grinding at the finest settings 2026-09-26
Fellow Opus 2 grind setting moves while grinding — anyone else? I have the new Fellow Opus 2, and the grind setting keeps moving while it’s grinding. Has anyone else experienced this? It happens at finer settings, between 0 and 1, but especially between 0 and 0.5. I’ll set the grind size and start grinding, and I can actually see the adjustment dial shifting as the beans go through. It seems particularly bad with light roasts. If I lightly tap the top of the grinder to help the beans feed through, the setting mo
Complaint Grind dial creeps while grinding at the finest settings Generation not stated 2026-09-26
Has anyone experienced the dial moving during grinding? I’ve used it for around a month and a half now, I started noticing the dial moving on its own by 0.1 or 0.05 per 16g dose
Like a clear step up from a hand grinder 2026-09-22
I've had the Fellow Opus 2 for a couple weeks now and really like it. 90% for espresso though did try a french press this weekend and it worked well. Will try Chemex this weekend. Was using a Kingrinder 6 for several months, but once I started making 3 espressos in the morning instead of 1 or 2, it became more of a chore than I was willing to deal with. Paid $150 before tax from Best Buy for the Opus.
Like opus 2 grinds fine enough for espresso 2026-09-08
Starter build with some upgrades Started with an eureka Mignon and it fizzed out on me. Fellow opus 2 has been going good for about a month. Just sharing the build here. Makes fantastic espresso! Need to get a PID the my Gaggia but for now I'm content with this. eureka mignon opus 2 gaggia starter build with some upgrades
Complaint Messy single-dose workflow with no timed dosing slows busy mornings Generation not stated 2026-09-08
using a single dose, messy grinder that doesn't have timed or gravimetric dosing … I like the Go, although I should eventually upgrade to a dual boiler, but I hate the Opus, so I want to replace that first.
Complaint Retains 2-3g of coffee on every single grind Generation unconfirmed 2026-09-04
Fellow Opus retention is driving me crazy - Starseeker E55 Pro? [€200] Hi [r/espresso](https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/), I have a Rancilio Silvia V2 that just works wonders, paired with a Fellow Opus that seems to retain coffee like there's absolutely no tomorrow I weigh my beans before and after grinding, and the Opus consistently retains 2-3g almost every single time. While being incredibly annoying it also just slows my flow down I'm honestly getting pretty fed up with having to open up the grinder and ma
Like cleanest workflow with no mess once dialled in 2026-09-04
I can say this: 1. VS3: I had it, the grind size kept changing during grinds and although their support was helpful I would never buy from them directly again, always from a local dealer. The problem kept reappearing and the magnet on the dosing cup went missing, so I sold the da mn 1. thing. I also found it too slow and the sound not very pleasant. 1. Opus 2: From the start not grinding fine enough but after adjusting it's working without a problem. It's never a mess with the Opus, cleanest workflow I had s
Complaint Plastic body raises durability doubts, and light-roast adjustment falls short 2026-09-04
even though I loved the Opus 2, I don't think it's all plastic body will last and more so, it didn't quite reach the level of granularity I wanted for light roasts.
Like near-zero retention and no mess 2026-09-04
Fellow Drop First Time Experience is a Big meh for Opus 2 Owners I've had the Aiden for about five months and got the Opus 2 grinder about a month and a half ago. I really love both products. I returned a Baratza ESP Pro after trying the Opus 2 with no regrets, mostly because of the Opus 2's near-zero retention and no mess for a grinder with comparable if not better grind quality than the Baratza. Anyway, after several emails soliciting it and a $10 discount, I thought I'd give Fellow Drops a
Like quieter and better grinding than a Baratza Sette 270 Wi 2026-08-31
Opus 2: first use (great) The hype is real. Punches above its weight for sure. Better (and quieter) than the Baratza 270 WI. Not as good as the Mahlkonig e65S at work but what do you expect? Anybody out there thinking about the $200 opus 2, GET IT. Breville Dual Boiler with slayer mod + the upgraded shower screen. opus 2 baratza 270 wi baratza 270 wi mahlkonig e65s
Like the electric grinder to beat under $300 after four months 2026-08-31
I found this review of the Opus 2 to corroborate my experience with it for the past 4 months. … I have been steadfast in my opinion that it is the electric grinder to beat for $300 and less, with the only caveat that long-term reliability is unknown.
Like a clear step up from a hand grinder 2026-08-31
New grinder and a question Hey guys , just upgraded from a hand grinder to Opus 2, was sold out at most Best Buy stores , finally found one and it's been amazing so far. Question , I can get 15g in since it's a smaller basket and 30g out in 30 seconds but it's pushing past 9 bars , is that ok or should I make changes ? Opus 2 Opus 2
Complaint Retention disappoints when single dosing for espresso Generation unconfirmed 2026-08-29
My current set up is the sage barista express with the fellow opus grinder. Simply can't get on with the fellow and not impressed with the retention. I single dose
Complaint Stops grinding unless the hopper is held down 2026-08-26
Problem with the Fellow Opus 2 grinder I’m having an issue with my Fellow Opus 2 grinder. As soon as I pour coffee beans into the hopper, the grinder stops. I have to press down on the top of the hopper until I hear the beep again, and then keep holding it down for the grinder to continue grinding. It’s really frustrating. Has anyone else had the same problem with this grinder? Fellow Opus 2 grinder Fellow Opus 2 grinder
Complaint Had to be taken apart to reach espresso fineness 2026-08-25
Paired with the opus 2, first problem was I had to take that apart to tune the grinder’s minimum setting.
Complaint Bitter cups after switching from a hand grinder Generation not stated 2026-08-25
Help with the daily grind Trying to match my KINGrinder P0 French press results with a Fellow Opus - everything tastes bitter I feel like I accidentally stumbled into making great coffee, upgraded my grinder, and now can't figure out how to get it back. I bought a KINGrinder P0 and a Stanley French press and was having a blissful time making coffee without paying much attention to proper "recipes." I just experimented until I found something my wife and I really enjoyed. Eventually my wife suggested that maybe
Like a welcome replacement for the DF64 Gen 2 2026-08-25
Great setup! The ES1 intrigues me, especially at the price. Watching it develop over time. I already have a Silvia Pro X… but I bought the Opus 2 to replace the DF64 gen 2 I hated so much. Digging the Opus 2!
Complaint Jammed as soon as beans went in, straight out of the box 2026-08-14
I got the new Opus 2 as a bundle with the ES1, the grinder is very plasticky, but this is right after my unbox, as soon I put some beans in the machine get totally stuck.
Complaint Grind dial so stiff it barely turns, with slow support Generation not stated 2026-08-10
This is exactly how mine behaves, and it's frustrating. I started a conversation with Fellow and now they seem to be radio silent.
Complaint Died without warning between one grind and the next 2026-08-10
My Opus 2 just stopped working. No power, nothing. One grind fine, the next dead.
Complaint Ships badly miscalibrated out of the box 2026-08-10
Very close to giving up on the Opus 2. 1st one was WAY off calibration. I'm now 8 steps finer from out of box. This new one I can barely turn the dial. Fellow has GOT to improve their build quality and QA. Their saving grace is that they will exchange. But good lord, the process of finding a grinder that works correctly should not be on the customer. This is unacceptable, and brand-tarnishing. \-- UPDATE: I gave up. Opus 2 Opus 2
Like switches between pour-over and espresso daily without issues Generation not stated 2026-08-09
I never have any issues and I switch between pourover and espresso daily. I use about 4 beans to get rid of the larger or smaller grind from the previous brew.
Complaint Retention swings unpredictably, up to 1-2 g per dose 2026-08-09
Horrible retention with Opus 2 I am getting horrible retention when grinding espresso. After cleaning the burrs the first 2-3 doses will retain 1-2g EACH. It seems like it eventually accumulates as much as it can and you will start getting out what you put in (but enjoy 1-2g of full caf in your decaf or dark roast in your light roast). I made the mistake of going from espresso to pour over without purging, and had a full 5g+ of espresso grounds added in. Apparently 18g isn't enough to purge because my next brew ST
Like matches a DF64 Gen 2 in the cup and handles light roasts Generation not stated 2026-08-06
I've been impressed with it so far. Coming from a DF64 Gen 2 … I haven't seen a noticeable difference in the taste. … Handles the light roast well as far as I can tell. Grinds fine enough to choke the machine.
Like excellent grind consistency and negligible retention with RDT 2026-08-06
One Week with the Fellow Opus Gen 2 – First Impressions … I upgraded from a Kingrinder K6, and after about a week of daily use, I’ve been impressed. Grind consistency has been excellent. With RDT, retention is practically negligible.
Like opus 2 grinds fine enough for espresso 2026-08-05
Fellow Opus 2 delivered today! Just got my new Opus 2 with wooden lid and metal adjustment ring delivered today! It’s a bit hard to dial and use than my Kingrinder K6 and my yield is a little bit off but I’ll figure it out! It can definitely grind fine enough to choke my Casabrews CM5418 Opus 2 Kingrinder K6 Casabrews CM5418 Opus 2 Kingrinder K6
Complaint Ships badly miscalibrated out of the box Fellow Opus (first generation) 2026-07-20
[r/FellowProducts] I'm able to get repeatable shots, the problem with mine is the factory calibration was far too loose. I'm at grind size ZERO and still my shots are pulling around 40g in 25s, I was at grind size 3 on my Opus 1 for the same extraction 😬
Like great value for every setting short of espresso 2026-07-20
Fellow Opus 2 Inconsistent Ive had the Fellow Opus 2 for about a month and it’s really an amazing grinder for the price. My one gripe, and it’s a big one, is how inconsistent the machine is for espresso. There is simply no way to replicate a shot with the same grind setting on this grinder. This kind of defeats the purpose of it being able to grind for espresso. It is still a great value grinder for all other settings but I cannot replicate shots like I could on a cheaper hand grinder. It may be due to how
Complaint The same grind setting won't reproduce an espresso shot 2026-07-20
Fellow Opus 2 Inconsistent I’ve had the Fellow Opus 2 for about a month and it’s really an amazing grinder for the price. My one gripe, and it’s a big one, is how inconsistent the machine is for espresso. There is simply no way to replicate a shot with the same grind setting on this grinder. This kind of defeats the purpose of it being able to grind for espresso. It is still a great value grinder for all other settings but I cannot replicate shots like I could on a cheaper hand grinder. Fellow Opus 2 Fellow O
Like tasting notes finally come through 2026-06-29
I just upgraded from Baratza Encore to Fellow Opus 2. Opus 2 is a significant step up in every way, including the quality of the coffee produced from the grinds. For the first time in my life, I’m tasting the notes that roasters provide with their coffees. Definitely worth $200, although ship times are longer for the base model. I bought $250 model with metal adjustment knob and wood lid so it would arrive sooner.
Like noticeably more clarity in pour-over after upgrading 2026-06-29
Looking to upgrade from Philips 4300 to Profitec GO, but need grinder advice [$550] Hi all, Recently upgraded my pourover setup to Fellow Opus 2 and Stagg XF, which significantly increased clarity. Looking to do something similar with my espresso setup. The Philips is fine, but I want something great, not just fine. Seems like the Profitec Go is a definite step up and suits my tastes better as I mostly drink espresso, not Americanos or milk drinks these days. I'm looking for advice on what grinder to pair with t
Like a clear step up from a Baratza Encore 2026-06-27
Yeah, I got Opus 2 as an upgrade from the Encore as well and it is significantly better in just about every way.
Like a versatile middle ground for filter now and espresso later 2026-06-27
Moccamaster and Opus 2 ❤️ Match in heaven. edit: I've had grinder paralysis for so long deciding which one to get, not wanting to buy one for pour overs/ filter than having to buy another one later for espresso for when i do ever get into espresso. The Opus has been a fantastic middle ground and really liking the results. Huge step up from the Bodum Burr Grinder (hahahaha...) My friend got a Opus 2 for his FS1 and is enjoying it over the Barzta Encore as well Opus 2 Moccamaster and Opus 2 ❤️ Match in hea
Like a clear step up from a Baratza Encore Generation not stated 2026-06-27
Pulled the filter off and so far, impressed with the flavor vs Baratza Encore. Definitely nicer to use and dial in.
Like outstanding grind quality and fast grinding 2026-06-27
I recommend the Fellow Opus Gen 2 for $199. It has outstanding grind quality and grinds very quickly—which is great for the times you are in a rush and are making batch brew with your Ninja. It can handle all brew methods as well.
Like noticeably better brew quality 2026-06-27
Hold Fast Coffee's Decaf Mexico Using Stagg XF 2nd pourover of this coffee with Fellow Opus 2 set to 4.15. Brew time was about where I want it (between 4 and 4:30). Should dial grind back up to 4.25 (or even higher) though, I think, as I'm going for more clarity of flavors vs heartier brew for now. Also maybe a touch of sourness, which bolsters the hypothesis of too fine a grind. Anyhow, this is pretty good coffee. Definitely going into my queue rotation on Bottomless. Also really liking my Fellow Opus 2 grinder
Like gen 2 cuts retention and performs well for the money 2026-06-27
the second generation opus just released and is a huge improvement over gen 1, minimal retention, strong performance for the money. with your budget I'd probably go with a timemore sculptor 064s though.
Complaint Retention swings unpredictably, up to 1-2 g per dose 2026-06-10
Fellow Opus Gen 2 - retention problems hey all. been testing the Gen 2 for a while now. my qualms are only with the retention - my first grind seemed to be fine with only about .1G retention from a dark roast. the following grinds have been very inconsistent, with sometimes the grinder retaining up to 1.5grams of coffee. this was with a dark roast as well. in case it was coffee oil, I did a deep clean. problem persisted. not sure what the issue is here… it’s not feasible for one grind of “oily” beans to mess this
Compare Alternatives
Products frequently compared alongside Fellow Opus:
Baratza Encore
The grinder three owners moved up from; each found the Opus 2 a clear step up
KinGrinder K6
The hand grinder two owners left once daily espresso made hand grinding a chore
DF64
A step up in price; an owner coming from a DF64 Gen 2 noticed no taste difference
Fellow Ode Gen 2
Fellow's flat-burr filter grinder, if you never plan to make espresso
Buying Questions About Fellow Opus
Quick answers to the main review, complaints, buyer-fit, and comparison questions shoppers ask before choosing Fellow Opus.
Is the Fellow Opus 2 worth $200?
For most of the owners here, yes. One who moved up from an Encore calls it definitely worth $200, another paid $150 at Best Buy, and a four-month owner calls it the electric grinder to beat at $300 and under. The value case assumes your unit arrives working, which is not guaranteed.
Can the Fellow Opus 2 grind fine enough for espresso?
Yes, once it is calibrated: owners choke their machines with it and make espresso they are happy with. Some units ship too coarse at the bottom of the dial and need recalibrating or exchanging first, and a few owners find shots hard to repeat at fine settings.
Is the Fellow Opus 2 better than the Baratza Encore?
Three independent upgraders say so: better flavour and easier dialling in, significantly better in just about every way, and roasters' tasting notes coming through for the first time. None of them is a side-by-side test, but they all point the same way.
Is the Fellow Opus 2 reliable long term?
That is the open question. A four-month owner who rates it highly names long-term reliability as the one unknown, a former owner doubts its all-plastic body will last, and one unit died without warning. Buying from a retailer with a good return or warranty route is the sensible hedge.
Does this review cover the original Fellow Opus?
No. The page covers the Opus 2; reports that name the first-generation Opus are kept separately, posts that do not name a generation are counted here, and the one row below that mentions an Opus 1 is labelled as such. One recommendation calls the second generation a huge improvement over the first, with minimal retention, so make sure a used listing is the Opus 2 if that is what you want.
How We Analyze Buyer Feedback
These insights come from public owner discussions, grouped into recurring praise, complaints, and buying patterns to make the page easier to scan. Every quote links to the thread it came from.
Evidence snippets are selected from public discussions and grouped into themes. Counts represent how often a theme appears in the available evidence, not a survey or rating.