Bezzera BZ13 vs Fellow Espresso Series 1
Quick take: The Fellow Espresso Series 1 costs $99 less; the Fellow Espresso Series 1 heats up faster (2 minutes).
| Spec | Bezzera BZ13 | Fellow Espresso Series 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Standout features | PID Heat Exchanger, 58mm Portafilter, Copper Boiler, Hot Water Tap, NSF Certified, Pressure Gauge | Boosted Boiler 3-Point Heating, Pressure Profiling, Programmable, Pre-Infusion, Auto-Stop Steam Wand, 58mm Bottomless Portafilter |
| Approx. price | ~$1,599 | ~$1,500 |
| Type | Semi-Automatic | Semi-Automatic |
| Boiler | Heat Exchanger | Boiler + Thermoblock |
| Built-in grinder | No | No |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar | 9 bar |
| Water capacity | 101 oz | 68 oz |
| Warm-up time | 8 minutes | 2 minutes |
| Steam wand | Manual | Manual with Auto Shut-Off |
| Basket type | Unpressurized Only | Unpressurized Only |
| Best for | Enthusiasts | App-Driven Precision |
| Dimensions | 9.75 x 17.75 x 14.75 in | 11 x 12.4 x 17.2 in |
| Weight | 50 lbs | 21.7 lbs |
| Warranty | 3 years parts and labor | 2 years |
Pros & cons
Bezzera BZ13
- ✓Heat exchanger design steams milk while pulling shots - no waiting
- ✓PID-managed boiler heats in 8 minutes versus 30+ for classic HX machines
- ✓Built by Bezzera, the family that invented the espresso machine in 1901
- ✓3-year parts and labor warranty beats most Italian competitors
- ✗Vibration pump instead of the rotary pump some rivals offer at this price
- ✗Not plumbable - the big 3-liter tank still needs manual refilling
- ✗50-pound stainless body needs a deep, sturdy counter (17.75 in deep)
- ✗No flow control or pressure profiling for the tinkering crowd
Fellow Espresso Series 1
- ✓Ready to brew in about 2 minutes thanks to three-point Boosted Boiler heating
- ✓Create, edit, and share pressure profiles from the iOS/Android app, with built-in presets
- ✓Temperature-sensing steam wand auto-stops at your target milk temperature
- ✓On-machine guidance makes dialing in approachable for first-time espresso owners
- ✓58mm bottomless portafilter and 9-bar-calibrated extraction out of the box
- ✗Brand-new platform from a first-time espresso maker - long-term reliability unproven
- ✗Grinder sold separately, unlike similarly priced all-in-one machines
- ✗Deep profile editing lives in the app rather than on the machine
- ✗Wood-accent color finishes cost $100 extra over matte black
- ✗Steam is single-drink paced - no simultaneous brew and steam like a dual boiler
What owners say
Fellow Espresso Series 1
The Espresso Series 1 is the most argued-about new machine in home espresso, and the arguments are worth understanding because almost none of them are about whether it makes good coffee. On that point owners are largely positive: shots come together quickly, with one owner dialled in within three attempts after eighteen months away from espresso, and the guided setup — units, altitude, an included water hardness test strip — is genuinely well thought through. It is also the machine people buy on looks and footprint. The colour and wood-accent finishes are the obvious draw, but the practical one is height: it is low enough to live under the sort of kitchen cupboards that rule out most prosumer machines, which is the specific reason several owners chose it. Fellow has been unusually present in the discussion too, responding directly to questions and inviting people to try the machine in their stores. Full owner insights →
Bezzera BZ13 vs Fellow Espresso Series 1: common questions
Which is cheaper, the Bezzera BZ13 or the Fellow Espresso Series 1?
The Fellow Espresso Series 1 is the cheaper of the two at roughly $1,500, about $99 less than the Bezzera BZ13 at ~$1,599. Both figures are approximate list prices and street prices move with sales.
Which is better for lattes and cappuccinos, the Bezzera BZ13 or the Fellow Espresso Series 1?
The Bezzera BZ13 uses a manual steam wand you texture milk with yourself, while the Fellow Espresso Series 1 offers both an automatic milk system and a manual wand. An automatic system gets you a consistent milk drink with no practice; a manual wand takes a few weeks to learn but gives you proper microfoam and latte art once it clicks.
Which heats up faster, the Bezzera BZ13 or the Fellow Espresso Series 1?
The Fellow Espresso Series 1 is ready sooner — 2 minutes against 8 minutes for the Bezzera BZ13. That gap matters most on weekday mornings; if you pull shots at a relaxed pace it makes little practical difference.
What is the difference in boiler design between the Bezzera BZ13 and the Fellow Espresso Series 1?
The Bezzera BZ13 uses a heat exchanger and the Fellow Espresso Series 1 uses a boiler + thermoblock. Boiler design drives temperature stability and whether you can brew and steam at the same time, which is the main reason two otherwise similar machines behave differently once you start making milk drinks back to back.