Fellow Ode Brew Grinder Gen 2: Everything That Changed and Whether It's Worth the Upgrade

When Fellow launched the original Ode, I was impressed by the design but frustrated by the stock burrs. They couldn't grind fine enough for a proper V60, which felt like a serious oversight for a grinder marketed to pour-over enthusiasts. Fellow clearly heard the feedback, because the Gen 2 addresses that exact complaint. The question is whether the improvements justify buying new or upgrading from the original.

The Fellow Ode Brew Grinder Gen 2 retails for around $345 and ships with 64mm flat burrs that Fellow developed with SSP, the South Korean burr manufacturer known for their aftermarket burr sets. This means the Gen 2 does out of the box what the Gen 1 required a $100+ burr upgrade to accomplish. That alone makes the Gen 2 the version I recommend to anyone considering the Ode today.

What Changed from Gen 1 to Gen 2

The differences between the two versions are focused rather than sweeping. Fellow kept what worked and fixed what didn't.

The Burrs

This is the biggest change. The Gen 2 ships with 64mm SSP brew burrs that grind finer than the original's stock burrs. Where the Gen 1 topped out at a medium-coarse grind, the Gen 2 reaches medium-fine territory, which is exactly what V60, Kalita Wave, and AeroPress brewing demands.

I tested the Gen 2 head-to-head with my Gen 1 running aftermarket SSP multipurpose burrs. The results were very close, with the Gen 2's stock burrs producing a slightly different flavor profile. The Gen 2 burrs lean toward sweetness and body, while the aftermarket SSP multipurpose burrs I had in the Gen 1 emphasized clarity and brightness. Both are excellent; they just taste different.

The Grind Dial

Fellow redesigned the adjustment dial with more clearly marked settings and a slight change in the gear ratio. Each click on the Gen 2 represents a smaller change in grind size, giving you finer control when dialing in. The original had 31 grind settings across its range. The Gen 2 effectively doubles the resolution within the brew range, making it easier to land on the perfect setting for a specific bean.

Anti-Static Technology

The Gen 2 includes what Fellow calls an "anti-static knocker." When grinding finishes, a small mechanism taps the grounds bin to dislodge any static-clinging particles. The Gen 1 had a static lid that worked okay, but fine grounds still clung to the walls of the catch bin. The Gen 2 reduces this problem noticeably, though it doesn't eliminate it entirely.

Motor and Speed

The motor is the same wattage, and grinding speed is nearly identical between the two versions. If you were hoping for faster grinding, the Gen 2 didn't change there. About 10 to 15 seconds for a 30-gram dose, which is still quite fast for a home grinder.

Grind Quality in Practice

I spent two weeks testing the Gen 2 exclusively across four brew methods. Here's what I found.

Pour-Over (V60 and Kalita Wave)

This is where the Gen 2 shines compared to the original. At setting 3 to 4 on the dial, I consistently hit 3:00 to 3:30 draw-down times on my V60 with 15 grams of coffee and 250 grams of water. The cups were sweet, balanced, and had good clarity. Light-roast Ethiopian beans showed distinct blueberry and jasmine notes that I couldn't coax out of the Gen 1 with stock burrs.

The Kalita Wave, which wants a slightly coarser grind, performed well at setting 5 to 6. Consistent flat-bottom extraction with even draw-downs.

Chemex and French Press

Both methods worked well on the Gen 1 and continue to work well on the Gen 2. The coarser settings produce clean, uniform grounds that brew evenly. Nothing revolutionary here since the original was already good at coarser grinds.

AeroPress

The Gen 2's finer range opens up AeroPress recipes that weren't possible on the Gen 1. I ran a couple of competition-style recipes using a fine grind and short steep time, and the results were excellent. If you're an AeroPress enthusiast who likes to experiment with different grind sizes, the Gen 2 gives you more room to play.

Espresso

Still no. The Gen 2 does not grind fine enough for espresso, and Fellow has been clear that this is by design. If you need espresso capability, look elsewhere. Our best coffee grinder roundup includes grinders that handle both brew and espresso.

Design and Build

The Gen 2 looks nearly identical to the Gen 1. Same matte finish options (black and white), same compact footprint, same die-cast aluminum construction. If you put them side by side, you'd struggle to tell them apart visually.

The magnetic grounds bin is unchanged. It snaps onto the front of the grinder and catches grounds cleanly. The single-dose hopper on top still holds about 80 grams, which is enough for a large batch brew or two standard pour-over doses.

One small change I noticed: the power switch feels slightly more solid on the Gen 2. The Gen 1's switch had a bit of wobble that bugged me. Not a functional issue, but the Gen 2 feels more refined in hand.

The Ode remains one of the smallest electric flat burr grinders available. At 9.5 inches tall and 4 inches wide, it takes up less counter space than a Baratza Virtuoso or Eureka Mignon. For small kitchens, this matters.

Gen 1 to Gen 2: Should You Upgrade?

This depends entirely on what burrs you're currently running in your Gen 1.

If you have a Gen 1 with stock burrs and you brew pour-over, the Gen 2 is a meaningful upgrade. You'll get finer grind capability, better cup quality, and the anti-static improvements. Selling your Gen 1 and buying a Gen 2 makes financial sense since used Gen 1 units still sell for $150 to $200.

If you've already upgraded your Gen 1 with SSP burrs, stay put. The Gen 2's stock burrs are good but not dramatically better than SSP aftermarket burrs in a Gen 1. You're already getting most of what the Gen 2 offers.

If you're buying your first Ode, get the Gen 2. There's no reason to buy a Gen 1 at full price when the Gen 2 exists. The only exception is finding a Gen 1 heavily discounted, in which case buying it and adding SSP burrs separately can be a good value play. Check our top coffee grinder roundup for how the Gen 2 compares to alternatives from other brands.

Competitors at This Price

At $345, the Gen 2 competes with several strong options.

The Baratza Virtuoso+ ($250) is cheaper and more versatile, with a wider grind range that includes coarse espresso settings. But the Ode Gen 2 produces a noticeably cleaner grind for filter coffee. The Virtuoso uses conical burrs, which create a different (slightly more textured) flavor profile.

The Eureka Mignon Filtro ($300) is another flat burr option focused on brew methods. It's well-built with good grind quality, though the catch bin design is less elegant than the Ode's magnetic system. Performance is close between the two, with the Ode having a slight edge in single-dosing workflow.

The DF64 ($400) offers more versatility including espresso capability, but it's larger, heavier, and requires more tinkering to get optimal results. If you want one grinder for everything, the DF64 is worth considering. If you only brew filter coffee, the Ode Gen 2 is the more refined choice.

FAQ

Is the Fellow Ode Gen 2 good for espresso?

No. Fellow designed it exclusively for brew methods. The finest setting on the Gen 2 is still too coarse for proper espresso extraction. This is intentional, not a limitation they plan to fix. If you need espresso, buy a dedicated espresso grinder.

Can I use Gen 1 SSP burrs in the Gen 2?

The Gen 2 uses the same 64mm burr mounting system, so physically the burrs fit. However, Fellow tuned the Gen 2's adjustment range around its stock SSP burrs, so swapping in different SSP geometries may shift your usable range. Most people find the Gen 2's stock burrs excellent and don't feel the need to swap.

How does the Gen 2 handle light roasts?

Very well. The Gen 2's motor handles dense, light-roasted beans without stalling, which was an occasional issue on the Gen 1 with very hard beans. I ground Nordic-roast Kenyan and Colombian beans without any motor hesitation.

What's the retention like on the Gen 2?

About 0.2 to 0.5 grams, which is excellent for a flat burr grinder. The anti-static knocker helps dislodge those last few particles. For single-dosing, you'll get very close to your input weight in the catch bin.

The Verdict

The Fellow Ode Brew Grinder Gen 2 is what the original should have been. The SSP burrs fix the Gen 1's biggest weakness, the anti-static improvements reduce mess, and the refined grind dial gives you better control. At $345, it's the best dedicated brew grinder for someone who wants clean, sweet filter coffee without the complexity of a do-everything grinder. Buy the Gen 2 if you're new to the Ode. Keep your Gen 1 if you've already upgraded the burrs.