Thinking about a quick pour-over at the office, brewing your morning cup on a road trip, or sipping fresh coffee by your tent in the mountains? For anyone serious about freshly ground coffee, a reliable and portable electric grinder is a game-changer in any on-the-go setup.
Taiwan-based specialty coffee roaster and influencer “Who-Cafe Owner” recently put the Femobook A2 Portable Grinder to the test—a compact, travel-friendly unit designed to fit right into your gear bag. While his initial impression was lukewarm—“felt a little plasticky”—he ended up genuinely surprised by how “functional and convenient” it turned out to be.
Here’s a breakdown of his hands-on review, offering real-world insights for anyone considering a travel grinder.
【Who-Cafe Owner – A Local Coffee Advocate Dedicated to Yilan's Specialty Coffee】
Kai-Wei Lin, better known as “Who-Cafe Owner”, founded Who-Cafe in Yilan, Taiwan. He is also a certified roaster by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). For him, coffee is more than just a daily beverage—it’s a bridge connecting flavor, culture, and lifestyle.
Over the years, Who-Cafe Owner has played a pivotal role in nurturing Yilan's specialty coffee culture. In addition to running a café, he regularly hosts entrepreneurship workshops, participates in coffee competitions, and explores creative ways to introduce coffee into everyday experiences.
With practical expertise and passionate advocacy, he aims to make quality coffee accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
【Build Quality vs Portability: Pros and Cons of the Femobook A2 Grinder’s Plastic Body】
When he first unboxed the Femobook A2 grinder, Who-Cafe Owner admitted he was a little disappointed:
“It has a somewhat plastic feel—very different from other Femobook models.”
However, this lighter construction comes with its advantages.
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The plastic body and rounded edges reduce the risk of scratching nearby gear during travel, while the overall weight remains ideal for packing light.
Sure, it doesn’t have the same premium feel as Femobook’s metal-bodied grinders—but for travel and everyday convenience, the A2 shows a clear focus on portability and usability.
【Entry-Level Yet Well-Equipped: Auto Shut-Off & Magnetic Assembly】
Even though the A2 is on the entry-level side of Femobook’s lineup, it still comes with practical and thoughtful features.
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Auto shut-off after grinding: It stops on its own when the beans are fully ground, and it helps prevent over-grinding or unnecessary battery use if accidentally triggered.
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Magnetic assembly: Easy to take apart and clean—intuitive enough even for beginners.
【Rechargeable and Replaceable Battery: Built to Last】
Beyond portability, battery performance is another key concern for mobile brewers.
One standout feature for Who-Cafe Owner is the rechargeable and replaceable battery:
“After a few years, you can just swap in new batteries and get the original power back.”
This gives the A2 a big edge in long-term value—especially for campers, travelers, or daily grinders.
Frank
Femobook's Editor
【Solid Build: Short Central Shaft + Dual Bearings】
During the teardown, Who-Cafe Owner noted the grinder’s stable internal structure:
“The central shaft is short, with bearings at both ends. It feels very solid—no noticeable wobble, which really adds to the overall stability.”
“It has a straightforward conical burr setup, just like most manual grinders—making cleaning easy and intuitive.”
The combination of short shaft and dual bearings means better stability, and more consistent grinds—all important for getting a clean, balanced cup.
【Grinding Performance & Brewing Tips】
Who-Cafe Owner walked through the entire process—grinding, brewing, and tasting. Here’s what he found:
While the Femobook A2's burrs don’t match the refinement of high-end manual grinders, the grind quality is decent for an entry-level electric model. The particle consistency is average, with a slightly higher amount of fines—but still within an acceptable range.
“There’s a bit more fine powder,” he noted, “but considering the price, I think that’s fair.”
He also pointed out that different materials used for the grounds receiver can affect static buildup. Since the A2 uses a plastic receiver, static tends to cause more fines to stick to the walls. In his test, grinding 20g of beans yielded around 19.3g of actual output.
“I’d say it’s a minor downside,” he shared, “but still acceptable.” He recommended keeping a small blower on hand to help clear out any clingy fine particles.
As for flavor, he described the resulting cup as having a “clean and refreshing profile”.
He also shared a practical brewing tip for dealing with static-cling fines:
“I don’t intentionally knock the static-cling fines into the filter. Those ultrafines tend to be extracted early, which can throw off the balance and make the cup taste overly bitter. ”
Frank
Femobook's Editor
1. In a way, static buildup can act as a kind of pre-filtration. As Who-Cafe Owner put it:
“If you don’t knock all the fines clinging to the receiver into your filter, it’s basically already helped you hold back a lot of the ultra-fine particles.”
2. You can also try the RDT (Ross Droplet Technique)—lightly mist your beans with water before adding them to the grinder. This reduces static and helps keep fines from sticking to the receiver or inside the grinder. **Just don’t spray the grinder directly—moisture can cause rust or damage the electronics.**
【Beginner-Friendly, Practical for Camping: Is the Femobook A2 Portable Electric Coffee Grinder Worth It?】
Who-Cafe Owner’s takeaway?
Based on his hands-on experience, Who-Cafe Owner found the Femobook A2 to be a practical and travel-friendly grinder for mobile brewing. Its lightweight plastic body makes it safe to pack without scratching other gear, and easy to carry whether you’re camping, road-tripping, or brewing outdoors.
The swappable batteries extend its usable lifespan, while the magnetic quick-release parts make cleaning intuitive and hassle-free. The auto shut-off adds both convenience and peace of mind to everyday use.
All in all, the Femobook A2 is a well-balanced, beginner-friendly electric grinder that’s easy to use and practical for coffee lovers with an on-the-go lifestyle.
Note: The content above is excerpted from the YouTube video by《Who Cafe Roasting虎咖啡自家烘焙咖啡館（虎咖啡）》.
The Femobook A2 is a compact, battery-powered coffee grinder built with portability in mind. In this hands-on revi...
