The 3 best 54mm bottomless portafilters to take your espresso skills to the next level

Are you a true espresso enthusiast and want to take your barista skills to the next level? Then the best 54mm portafilters are an essential tool that you should not miss. These portafilters are specifically designed to precisely guide the water flow and study and optimize espresso extraction, resulting in a rich, full-bodied and flavorful espresso.

Are you in a hurry? Our top pick is the Normcore 54mm bottomless portafilter

In this blog we discuss the top 3 best 54 mm portafilters that can help you perfect your espresso preparation. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced barista, these portafilters will undoubtedly be a valuable addition to your coffee equipment. Let's delve deeper into the unique features of these portafilters and discover how they can improve your espresso experience.

The 54 mm portafilters are suitable for the smaller Sage/Breville machines, such as the Sage Barista Express, Sage Barista Pro, Sage Barista Touch, Sage Bambino, etc.

Before you buy: 5 things to consider when purchasing a portafilter.

When looking for the best portafilter, there are several factors to consider. In the piece below we discuss 5 things you should really consider when purchasing a portafilter.

1. First, the price . While you may be tempted to go for the cheapest model, it's important to remember that cheap can sometimes be expensive. A more expensive model may perform better and be more durable in the long run, but this may not always be the case. Take a critical look at the other points, your budget and the reviews and base your choice on that.
2. Second, the size . In this overview we focus purely on 54 mm portafilters, which, as mentioned, are suitable for the smaller Sage / Breville espresso machines. But these 54 mm portafilters do not fit in many other espresso machines. It is therefore important to look carefully at what size portafilter you need.
3. Third, the question of whether the portafilter is bottomless or not. A bottomless portafilter can give you more insight into the extraction process and help you identify any errors in your technique.
4. Next, whether the model comes including or excluding a filter tray . A model that comes with a filter box can be useful if you do not yet have a filter box or if your old one needs to be replaced.
5. Finally, the ergonomic aspects and the material used . An ergonomic design will be more comfortable to use, especially if you plan to use your machine regularly. As for material, stainless steel is generally the best choice because of its durability and heat resistance.

Finding the best 54mm portafilter may take some time, but if you keep these factors in mind, you're sure to find something that perfectly suits your needs and budget. In this overview we have limited ourselves to the three best 54 mm portafilters in our opinion, all of which are bottomless and all come with a filter tray and are all made of stainless steel (not the handle). These values ​​are therefore all fixed. The prices, ergonomic aspects and other materials used do vary.

Product 1: Normcore 54mm bottomless portafilter

Characteristics:

• Diameter 54mm: This portafilter is specifically designed for 54mm filter baskets and is fully compatible with many Breville Barista Pro and Breville Barista Espresso Machine models.
• Visible extraction process through bottomless portafilter: The bottomless design allows you to accurately monitor the entire extraction process, which helps diagnose any espresso extraction problems.
• Premium and Ergonomic Design: The anodized aluminum handles are manually turned and finished with quality. In addition, the ergonomic design ensures a comfortable fit in the hand.
• Reviews: The Normcore 54 mm portafilter has 628 reviews at the time of writing, earning an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Overview:

Although the Normcore 54mm bottomless portafilter is on the pricey side, I believe it is well worth the investment. The durability and heat resistance of the stainless steel, combined with the superior quality of the hand-turned anodized aluminum handles, make this an exceptionally high quality portafilter.

The fact that the portafilter is bottomless, which allows me to closely monitor the extraction process, also adds to the value of the product. The predominantly positive reviews, with an average score of 4.4 out of 5 stars, reflect user satisfaction. I believe this is a product that will be an excellent addition to any espresso machine in terms of both functionality and aesthetics.

But let's be honest, for the price of this 54 mm portafilter you can also buy 2 or perhaps 3 other brand portafilters. But is this really the best 54mm portafilter available? In my opinion yes!

Advantages:

• The materials are high quality.
• The 54 mm portafilter from Normcore is specially made for the mentioned Sage Breville machines.
• The portafilter has a "nice" weight of 79.5 grams.

Cons:

• Although the reviews are generally very enthusiastic, there are a handful of people who say that the portafilter does not fit. I personally wouldn't worry about this if so many users are enthusiastic about the high standard of service at Amazon.
• There are also some users who report that the handle regularly unscrews from the portafilter and that this is very annoying. Most users are not bothered by this.

Difference with other WDT tools from this overview:

• The Normcore 54 mm portafilter is the most expensive in the overview.
• The Normcore 54 mm portafilter is the only one without a wooden handle

Briefly:

Despite its superior quality and functionality, the Normcore 54mm portafilter comes with a price tag that is higher than comparable products on the market. There have also been reports of a handle disconnecting, which can lead to some frustration. However, given the satisfaction of the majority of users and Amazon's promise of excellent customer service, I believe the benefits far outweigh these minor inconveniences, making this product a worthwhile investment.

Our score [performance, features, value for money]:

8.5

Check it out on Amazon.nl

Product 2: Notsek 54mm bottomless portafilter

Characteristics:

• 54mm Sage Breville machines compatibility: The Notsek 54mm bottomless portafilter is compatible with a range of 54mm Sage Breville espresso machines.
• Insight into the extraction process: The bottomless design allows a clear and unobstructed view of the extraction process, making it easier to identify any problems with grinding, distribution or tamping.
• Stainless Steel: The bottomless portafilter is made of high-quality 304 stainless steel.
• Natural Walnut Wood: The handle of our bottomless portafilter is made of natural walnut and has an ergonomic design that emulates the ideal grip.

Overview:

The Notsek 54mm bottomless portafilter stands out as one of the best 54mm portafilters in the market, mainly due to its affordable price of around 30-35 euros. This makes it an attractive choice for coffee lovers looking for a good quality product at a reasonable price. It offers a range of features such as compatibility with a range of 54mm Sage Breville espresso machines, a bottomless design to make the extraction process clearly visible and it is made from high quality 304 stainless steel.

However, despite these impressive features, there are also certain aspects that require some attention. One of the most common complaints from users is the fragile walnut wood used in the handle of this portafilter. Many users have noted that this handle, while beautifully and ergonomically designed, can be prone to wear and damage.

In summary, the Notsek 54mm bottomless portafilter remains a strong option for those looking for the best 54mm portafilter. Its affordable pricing and excellent features are impressive, but the fragility of the walnut handle must also be taken into account. It may therefore be advisable to take extra care in maintaining this product to maximize its lifespan.

Despite this problem, this 54 mm portafilter also scores a solid 4.3 out of 5 stars based on an impressive number of reviews. Not bad of course, but I guess you have to see these positive reviews in light of the low price. An excellent price-quality ratio.

Advantages:

• I think the wooden handle gives a nice touch to this 54 mm portafilter. Whether it works well is another matter...
• The price is also certainly an advantageous point.

Cons:

• There are several users who report that the wooden handle is of poor quality and damage occurs due to, for example, tightening. A wooden handle also heats up faster because the natural product absorbs the heat from your hand.

Difference with other WDT tools from this overview:

• This 54mm portafilter from Notsek is the lightest variant of the top 3 in this blog.
• The Notsek 54 mm portafilter has a wooden handle, just like number 3 from this overview.
• The Cross Creek portafilter is the cheapest option in the overview.

Briefly:

In summary, I think the Notsek 54mm portafilter with its wooden handle is a beautiful and affordable product. However, given the reported issues with the quality and durability of the handle, one has to wonder whether a low price is really a good deal in the long run. Although it looks stylish and seems cost-effective, it may be necessary to invest in a replacement or repair in the long run. In this case, cheap can be expensive.

Our score [performance, features, value for money]:

7

Check it out on Amazon.nl

Product 3: Crema Coffee Products 54mm bottomless portafilter

Characteristics:

• Understanding Espresso Extraction: With the Crema Coffee Products 54mm bottomless portafilter you can achieve the perfect espresso extraction by visually checking the entire process and making adjustments accordingly.
• Ergonomics: The bottomless portafilter has a newly designed handle that is tilted 15° and made of natural olive wood. This ensures a comfortable grip and easy manual control during the extraction process.
• Durability: Made of high quality 304 stainless steel. They guarantee durability and a long lifespan.
• Compatible with multiple Sage Breville models: The 54mm bottomless portafilter works specifically with Sage Breville models such as the Barista Express, Barista Pro, Barista Touch, Bambino Plus, Infuser and Duo-Temp Pro.

Overview:

Although the Crema Coffee Products 54mm Bottomless Portafilter falls in a medium price range, I have to say that the overall score of the product is impressive. Customers are extremely satisfied with the aesthetics of the portafilter. This, combined with the positive feedback about the quality and comfort, certainly makes the product attractive.

I especially appreciate the ergonomics of the design: the 15° tilted handle made of natural olive wood offers a comfortable grip and easy manual control. The product is also made of high-quality 304 stainless steel, which guarantees durability and a long lifespan.

However, I must express some criticism about the reported leakage around the strainer. This is a potential problem that could lead to unnecessary problems and even additional costs in the future. Opinions are also divided regarding ease of installation, handle, fit and value. These are aspects that Crema Coffee Products may need to pay attention to in order to improve even further. What I personally wonder is whether this is due to the portafilter or the ring in the brew group that needs to be replaced, but that is difficult to judge from a distance.

Despite these reservations, I think the Crema Coffee Products 54mm Bottomless Portafilter is a good purchase given its many positive aspects and its reasonable price. It will certainly make a stylish and useful addition to your espresso gear collection at home.

Advantages:

• This 54 mm portafilter scores a big 9 with many users! Based on more than 350 reviews, this product achieves 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Cons:

• The price is cheaper than number 1, but still twice as high as number 2 from our overview.
• Some problems have been reported by some users regarding leakage at the strainer.
• I have reviewed the portafilter with an olive tree handle, but there are users who use a handle with a lacquer layer and detect a rapid deterioration of this lacquer layer.

Difference with other WDT tools from this overview:

• The price is in the middle of numbers 1 and 2.

Briefly:

The Crema Coffee Products 54mm Bottomless Portafilter is a stylish and useful addition to your espresso gear collection, despite some reported leakage issues and divided opinions on ease of installation and value. Despite the price being higher than some alternatives, the product is well rated with 4.5 stars out of 5 based on 350 reviews. However, improvements can still be made in terms of sustainability and value for money.

Our score [performance, features, value for money]:

7.5

Check it out on Amazon.nl

How we chose these products

Well, how did we put together this selection of the best 54 mm portafilters. It is a fair question, because why did we choose to include one portafilter in our list and not the other? The process is actually quite simple. At the time of writing this article, we have chosen based on the current offering available for the domestic market. We did this in combination with our own experiences with these portafilters and the numerous user experiences that were available at the time.

We cannot determine the best 54 mm portafilter based on our expertise alone. That is why we think it is important to include the wealth of user experiences in our comparison. Many of our customers are also users of these portafilters, so their experience with using them in combination with different types of coffee plays a major role.

In addition, in the world of coffee there is sometimes a lot of attention for specific models that produce excellent results. We have of course also consulted these sources. We've looked at factors such as durability, design, value for money, and ease of use to give you a comprehensive overview of the best 54mm portafilters on the market today.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a bottomless portafilter?

A bottomless portafilter, also called a naked portafilter, is a tool used to make espresso. Its distinguishing feature is that it has no bottom, allowing the barista to directly see the espresso coming out of the filter. This allows the quality of the extraction and distribution of the coffee in the filter basket to be better assessed.

2. For which machines is a 54 mm portafilter suitable?

A 54mm portafilter is generally suitable for household espresso machines. It is often used in semi-automatic and manual machines of a certain size. It is necessary to check whether the model of your machine is compatible with a 54mm portafilter. In any case, the smaller Sage Breville machines are suitable for this size portafilters.

3. Where can you buy the best 54mm portafilters?

The best 54mm portafilters can be purchased from specialty coffee shops, larger household stores and online. Online platforms like Amazon offer a wide range of portafilters, but it's important to choose reliable suppliers and check reviews to ensure you're buying a high-quality product.

4. How much does a good 54 mm portafilter cost?

The cost of a good 54mm portafilter can vary depending on the brand, material and features. On average, costs can range from 20 euros to more than 100 euros for high-end models. Despite the higher cost, more expensive portafilters can usually provide better extraction and higher quality espresso.

5. How do I maintain a 54mm portafilter?

Maintaining a 54mm portafilter is quite simple and directly related to its lifespan. It is important to clean it after each use to remove coffee residue. This can be done with warm water and a soft brush, followed by thorough drying. Regular descaling, depending on water hardness and frequency of use, is also essential.

Conclusion

Choosing the best 54mm portafilter is also no easy task, with numerous brands and features to consider. The optimal 54mm portafilter depends on your individual requirements, the amount of espresso you make and the quality you aim for. While many focus on quality brands, it is important to select a portafilter that fits your needs exactly.

In short, to find the best 54mm portafilter for you, you need to take your espresso habits and preferences into account. And of course your budget. Consult the extensive comparison in this document to make your choice for the best 54mm portafilter easier.

Disclaimer: No rights can be derived from this overview. The list has been compiled as carefully as possible based on combined sources and own experiences, but human error is possible as well as interim technical adjustments to the portafilters. If in doubt, you should double-check with the relevant seller in advance whether the functionality you require is indeed still available for the portafilter model in question.