For a Barista Express, Pro, Touch, Bambino or any other 54mm Sage or Breville machine, the right bottomless portafilter is a 54mm one with Sage's three-ear fitting, used with a single wall basket. Beyond that, the extra money buys finish, the handle, the basket that comes with it, and how easy it is to send back if something is wrong. In the UK, prices run from roughly £20 to £30 for unbranded marketplace bundles to £45 to £80 for specialist and branded ones, including Sage's own 54mm Naked Portafilter, listed at £79.95 on its UK site in September 2026.
This guide covers the checks that matter, what each price level gets you, and when a bottomless portafilter is not worth buying at all.
The four checks before you buy
1. It must be 54mm with the Sage fitting
The number is the portafilter size, and Sage uses two: 54mm for the home range and 58mm for the Dual Boiler and the Oracle range, including the Oracle Jet. The ears that lock it into the group head are specific to Sage and Breville, so a 54mm portafilter made for another brand will not necessarily lock in. Look for a listing that names Sage or Breville machines, not just a diameter. Our size guide lists every model code.
2. It must go with a single wall basket
A bottomless portafilter shows you the underside of the coffee while the shot runs. With a dual wall (pressurised) basket, the coffee leaves through one small hole whatever the puck does, so there is nothing to see. Check the basket that comes with it is single wall, and read our basket guide if you are not sure what you are using now.
3. The basket size should match your dose
A 54mm double basket is designed for roughly 16 to 19 grams of coffee. If you dose much less than the basket is made for, the puck can lift and crack. If you dose more, it presses against the shower screen. Most people land around 18 grams. Our basket and tamper size guide has every number for the 54mm range.
4. Know how returns work before it arrives
Fit is the thing that goes wrong with this part. Before you order, check who pays the return postage if it does not lock into your machine, and where it ships from, because that decides how long you wait.
What each price level gets you
Approximate UK prices in September 2026. They move, so treat them as ranges.
| Type | Typical UK price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Unbranded marketplace bundles (often with a basket and a puck screen) | About £22 to £30 | Usually fits. Finish, handle and basket quality vary between sellers, and returns depend on the seller. |
| Specialist shops and branded models | About £45 to £60 | Better finish and handles, a named basket, and a shop you can talk to. |
| Sage's own Naked Portafilter 54mm | £79.95 on Sage UK | The manufacturer's own part, with a walnut handle. |
| Crema Lab | £37.99, or £44.99 with a 53.5mm puck screen | Stainless steel with a solid hardwood handle, filter basket included, free UK delivery, and a free return if it does not fit the machine listed. |
If price is all that matters, a cheap one that fits will show you channelling just as clearly. What you pay more for is the feel in the hand, the finish that lasts, and not having to argue about a return.
When not to buy one
- You use pre ground coffee or a blade grinder. Stay on the dual wall basket. A bottomless portafilter will not improve your coffee until the grind changes.
- You have never tried the single wall basket that came with your machine. Do that first. It is free and it is the biggest change available.
- You have a Dual Boiler or an Oracle. You need a 58mm portafilter, and nothing 54mm will fit.
Notes for specific machines
- Barista Express and Barista Express Impress: both take 54mm. Sage lists its own 54mm Naked Portafilter as compatible with the Impress. Our Barista Express upgrades guide puts this part in context with the free fixes, and the Impress guide covers the assisted tamp and the dose gauge.
- Bambino and Bambino Plus: 54mm, no built in grinder, so what grinds your coffee decides whether it is worth it. See the Bambino guide.
- Barista Pro and Barista Touch: 54mm, with a grinder built in, which makes them a good match. See the Barista Pro and Touch guide.
What you will see on the first shot
Most people see espresso spraying sideways at first. That is channelling the spouted portafilter was hiding, not a fault in the new one. It is usually fixed by stirring the grounds before tamping and tamping level. Our channelling guide explains each pattern and the fixes in order.
The parts, if you want them
- 54mm bottomless portafilter, stainless steel with a solid hardwood handle and a filter basket
- Portafilter and 53.5mm puck screen set, cheaper than buying them separately
Free delivery in the United Kingdom. If a part does not fit the machine listed on its page, the return is free and we pay the postage. How returns work. Not sure? Email contact@cremalab.co.uk with your model code and we will answer within one working day.