Do All Home Espresso Machines Work with Bottomless Portafilters?

Have you ever wondered if your home espresso machine can pair perfectly with a bottomless portafilter?

I get asked this question all the time by customers at Brewed Co Coffee. Bottomless portafilters—also commonly known as naked portafilters—are becoming more popular among Aussie coffee enthusiasts, and for good reason. They offer visual feedback during extraction, helping you pinpoint issues like uneven tamping, distribution problems, or channeling. But here's the real kicker: not every home espresso machine can accommodate these handy tools.

What's so special about bottomless portafilters?

The first time I used one, I was genuinely blown away. Unlike standard portafilters that conceal the extraction process, bottomless portafilters display the espresso flow clearly in action. You can instantly see if your coffee is extracting smoothly or if there's some nasty channeling happening—which shows up as espresso spraying all over the place. It's both mesmerising and practical. Plus, it just helps you pull better shots.

Also, without any bottom structure, these portafilters fit deeper baskets easily, like precision baskets that allow finer control of your espresso shot quality.

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But will a bottomless portafilter work with your machine?

Unfortunately, the answer isn't a simple yes or no—it all depends on the espresso machine you've got sitting in your kitchen at home.

Let's talk Breville first, since many of my customers own Breville machines like the Barista Express or Bambino. Good news: these machines generally have good compatibility. I've stocked plenty of specialised kits for Breville espresso owners (check them out here!), designed with perfect compatibility in mind. Just make sure you're grabbing the right size; newer machines like the Oracle or Dual Boiler models often use 58mm baskets and portafilters rather than the standard 53mm Breville size.

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On the other hand, DeLonghi machines can be a touch tricky. They often use proprietary basket sizes of 51mm, which aren't as universal or accommodating to aftermarket parts. I've noticed online conversations highlighting that attempts to force incompatible bottomless portafilters onto DeLonghi models usually leads to frustration. That's so true from my own experiments—be careful to choose specially crafted and verified compatible designs (take a peek at the compatible DeLonghi portafilters here).

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What should you do if you're unsure?

If you're scratching your head right now and thinking, "Am I one unlucky espresso machine away from missing out?"—don't stress. The simplest way is usually to check your brand and exact model specifications. Often, manufacturers, specialty forums, or dedicated espresso resource websites can provide pretty clear info on compatibility.

I always find forums and communities online super helpful. Home Barista has a great thread dedicated specifically to bottomless portafilters and their pros and cons, citing various personal experiences with compatibility across different brands. Seriously handy stuff—check it out right here.

Espresso machine design variations matter—a lot

A little heads-up: even within major brands, variations exist. Some portafilters have two "ears" or locks, others three. Some groupheads are flat, others angled. These subtle variations can make all the difference. I once spent ages trying to fit a three-ear portafilter onto a two-ear machine. Spoiler alert—it didn't end well!

Now whenever customers ask, I advise checking the locks on your espresso machine’s group head. Take a photo or keep the manual handy when you're researching replacement parts or upgrades. It definitely beats guessing and ending up with a portafilter you can't use.

Know your espresso machine's size

Common industry sizes include 51mm, 53mm, and the barista-standard 58mm. Knowing the size of your basket and portafilter before buying is essential. Easy solution? Grab a quick measurement or check your product details online. You can see what sizes fit various machines in the portafilter collections we stock over here.

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Alternatives if you're truly stuck

Okay, say you're one of the unlucky ones whose machine just won't play nice with a bottomless portafilter. Are you doomed? Not at all! There are a bunch of other tools available that still help you diagnose extraction issues without replacing your portafilter.

I often recommend investing in quality distribution tools or self-leveling tampers. They provide consistency in your tamping pressure and grounds distribution, which makes spotting extraction troubles simpler—even through the standard spouted portafilter.

If you don't have one yet, explore upgraded tampers, distribution tools, or WDT tools on our site right here. They truly make a difference!

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Should you make the leap to bottomless?

Personally, I'm a massive advocate. But truthfully, it depends on your goals and your willingness to put in practice and refine the art of pulling espresso. It takes work to master; you might face some messy sprays and inconsistent pours early on. If that's okay with you, and visual learning sounds appealing, you'll likely love going bottomless. It's one of those upgrades where the visual feedback alone is worth the effort—it's like seeing your usual espresso ritual from a completely new perspective.

If you're on the fence, watch this great video by Espresso Aficionado on YouTube. It breaks down the pros, cons, and some compatibility quirks visually, which I reckon is pretty helpful. Check it out here.

Your takeaway

Bottomless portafilters won't suit every machine, but knowing your model, size, and group's specifications upfront will usually clear things up quickly. And even the few compatibility challenges shouldn't deter you. Espresso brewing is about experimentation and getting hands-on, after all.

If you have specific compatibility questions or just need a bit of advice, I'm always available to help. Feel welcome to reach out anytime via my contact page—I'm always keen for a good coffee chat!

Happy brewing!

Written By Laurie Nance

I'm the founder of Brewedco Coffee™, passionate about coffee, coffee tools, and helping others better understand how to utilize them. With years of experience in the coffee industry, I love sharing insights on brewing techniques, choosing the right equipment, and the science behind making the perfect cup.