The Best 54mm Bottomless Portafilters You Should Try
A bottomless portafilter provides a clear view of your espresso shots as they are poured. Instead of hiding the flow, it shows you everything—so you can tell if your coffee is extracting evenly or not.
It’s a favorite among home baristas for a reason: the feedback it provides is instant and useful!
If you own a Breville or Sage espresso machine, you’re likely working with a 54mm group head. That makes finding the right fit for your machine important.
Not all portafilters are the same size, and getting one that clicks in smoothly makes a real difference in how your shots pull.
The best 54mm bottomless portafilter isn’t just about looks—it’s a tool that can help you fine-tune every step of your brew.
We’ll break down what to look for, how materials and baskets vary, and which ones stand out this year. Whether you’re dialing in or upgrading, you’ll find a few smart picks that suit your setup.
What is a Bottomless Portafilter?
Most portafilters come with a spout underneath. That’s called a spouted portafilter, and it splits your espresso extraction into two streams. Handy, yes—but it hides what’s going on in the background.
A bottomless portafilter removes the spout entirely. What you get is a wide-open view of the crema, the stream, and any channeling issues in real time. If your coffee sprays sideways?
That’s your puck telling you something’s off. If the stream flows like honey? You nailed it.
Most home baristas love bottomless portafilters for that reason. They turn your espresso machine into a coach. Every shot becomes a visual check-in, helping you adjust your tamping or grind size with more confidence.
What to Look for Before Buying
Small differences in size, fit, and build can change how your espresso shots pull. A 54mm bottomless portafilter should feel right in your hand and lock cleanly into your espresso machine. Here’s what’s worth checking before you click add-to-cart:
1. Material and Build
Look for stainless steel—it holds heat well and lasts longer than aluminum. A solid wood handle adds grip and stays cool to the touch.
Pro tip: check how the handle connects to the base. That’s usually where cheaper models wear out. If you’re brewing daily, durability becomes more than just a bonus!
2. Filter Basket Size and Fit
The portafilter basket should hold your dose without overflowing or compacting too tightly. Shallow baskets limit your recipe, while overly deep ones mess with headspace.
Also, always make sure the filter basket matches your group head. Even within the 54mm category, compatibility matters. A poor fit leads to leaking, shifting, or uneven pressure during the shot.
3. Extraction Quality
A bottomless portafilter shows everything—good or bad. If the espresso extraction isn’t even, the stream will bend or sputter.
Better design means better feedback. You’ll spot problems fast, and once your shots flow straight with thick crema, you’ll know the prep is dialed in.
4. Dosing and Tamping
There’s more to puck preparation than scooping and pressing. A consistent dosing routine matters, and a dosing funnel keeps things tidy and efficient.
Good tools make good habits easier. A flat surface helps control tamping pressure, while a tight basket fit keeps the grounds from shifting during the press.
You want the prep to be smooth, not fussy. A thoughtful design helps make that happen.
Best 54mm Bottomless Portafilters to Buy in 2025
Not every 54mm bottomless portafilter delivers the same results. These three stand out for their fit, build, and feedback during the brewing process—especially for Breville and Sage espresso machines.
Here’s what makes each one worth a look:
1. Normcore Bottomless Portafilter
The Normcore 54mm bottomless portafilter is a consistent favorite among Breville users. Designed for full compatibility with 54mm group heads, it locks in cleanly and feels secure during every pull.
Its stainless steel body gives it noticeable heft, while the rounded wood handle stays comfortable even under heat.
This model includes an 18g basket, which is ideal for most home recipes. During the brewing process, it gives a clear view of the espresso extraction, making it easier to catch flaws like channeling or uneven pressure.
Normcore’s focus on durability also pays off. The build doesn’t loosen over time, and the finish holds up well with repeated cleaning.
- 54mm Diameter – Designed to fit baskets of 54mm Breville Barista Pro and Breville Barista Espresso Machine models.
- Precise Pouring – A bottomless portafilter is an important piece of equipment that aids in diagnosing espresso extraction issues. Allowing you to watch the entire extraction process.
- Premium Made – All Anodized Aluminum handles have been manually lathed with expertise and unparalleled quality finish.
2. Crema Naked Portafilter
Designed with the same 54mm group head size used by Breville and Sage, the Crema bottomless portafilter is another strong option.
It’s made from polished aluminum and pairs well with machines like the Barista Express and Bambino Plus.
Its handle, available in different wood finishes, is shaped for a steady grip without adding bulk. The portafilter holds pressure well during pulls and maintains a clean seal with the basket in place.
The open base design gives clear feedback during extraction, which helps users fine-tune grind, dosing, and tamping pressure with each shot.
Its only drawback is that it’s priced slightly above budget options, but the performance justifies the cost for most users.
- SEE THE PERFECT SHOT: Achieve café-quality espresso at home with the Crema Coffee Products 54mm Bottomless Naked Portafilter. Watch your espresso flow in real time to diagnose and improve your extraction technique.
- PRECISION COMPATIBILITY: Specifically designed for 54mm Breville Machines, espresso machines. Includes a double-shot, non-pressurized filter basket for a seamless fit and optimal brewing performance.
- ERGONOMIC HANDLE DESIGN: Built for comfort and control, the handle offers a secure, balanced grip for consistent puck prep and smooth espresso pours—adding both function and style to your brewing routine.
3. LILQ 54mm Naked Bottomless Portafiler
For those looking to stay within a tighter price range, the LILQ 54mm bottomless portafilter balances cost and performance fairly well.
In fact, LILQ’s mission is to make high-quality coffee accessories affordable for everyone. LILQ is a family-owned US-based small business and dedicated delivering exceptional quality products to their customers.
Unlike many traditional models, LILQ’s portafilters feature a securely attached head to the handle. .
Each LILQ product is not only a functional tool but also a piece of art. Their products come packaged in premium materials that exude elegance and sophistication.
- Our portafilters feature a securely attached handle with zero wobble, ensuring a comfortable and stable grip while brewing. Our portafilter handle does not unscrew from the head.
- Versatile Compatibility: Designed to fit 54mm Barista Series, Barista Express, Barista Touch, Barista Pro, Infuser,Bambino, Bambino Plus, ensuring a perfect fit for your machine. NOT COMPATIBLE with 58mm Dual Boiler, Oracle, or Oracle Touch models.
- No Dishwasher: The wood handle should be kept dry while not in use and should not be placed in the dishwasher.
The Final Scoop
The best 54mm bottomless portafilter gives home baristas a clear view of what’s working—and what needs adjusting.
Whether you’re using the Normcore, Crema, or LILQ model, the result is the same: better visibility, more control, and sharper technique.
Once you start watching your espresso extraction in real time, things shift. You get more out of your grind size, more consistency from your tamping pressure, and a faster way to fix weak spots in your puck preparation.
The first few tries may take some tweaking, but the payoff comes fast—in richer crema, cleaner flow, and smoother espresso shots from your home espresso machine.
