You might not have spent much time thinking about the types of portafilters you can choose from, but it's a must if you’re making espresso at home. That’s because it’s one of the most important components of your espresso machine, and different portafilters affect extraction, consistency, and control. Choosing the right type for your setup is crucial to nailing your espresso workflow. This guide breaks down the key portafilter styles, sizes, and basket pairings. Whether you're upgrading from stock equipment or building a dialed-in workflow from scratch, you’ll know exactly what to look for.
Understanding Portafilter Types
To get started, let’s dive into the five main aspects of a portafilter you’ll want to pay attention to when differentiating them.
Pressurized vs. Nonpressurized
While the question of whether to go with a pressurized or nonpressurized portafilter can be somewhat hotly debated among home brewers, there are pros and cons for both. Paying attention to the differences will help you understand what you might need for your setup at the moment.
Pressurized portafilters
What are they?
Pressurized portafilters are portafilters with double-walled baskets. This creates an artificial bit of pressure outside of what the machine itself is capable of.
Pros
The added pressure from the basket itself is designed to help prevent channeling, and it does so in a way that makes it more forgiving during extraction. That means if your grind is a bit off or your puck isn’t perfect, you still may brew a pretty solid cup of espresso. That’s what makes these types of portafilters so good for beginners, who might not have mastered the art of grinding just yet.
Cons
The pressurized chamber is not only more annoying to clean, but it also gives you less control over the brewing process. As you build your skills, this can really hold you back from perfecting your shot.
Nonpressurized portafilters
What are they?
Nonpressurized portafilters have single-walled baskets so there’s nothing interfering with your puck when it goes through the brewing process.
Pros
Baristas and serious homebrewers alike prefer nonpressurized portafilters because they give you the most control over your cup. You’re able to make subtle adjustments to your grind, puck prep, and more, and know how they’re affecting the final product. They’re also a better investment if your goal is improvement because they’ll last you longer with no need to upgrade once you find the right one.
Cons
Unlike pressurized portafilters, there’s a steeper learning curve here. Your entire prep process needs to be really solid for you to pull a good shot because there’s nothing to help you if you trip up.
Spouted vs. Bottomless
The two main portafilter types are spouted and bottomless, as these can apply to pressurized or nonpressurized portafilters. Spouted portafilters feature a spout or, in some cases, two spouts on the bottom of the filter to funnel the espresso into your cup. Having a spouted option is great for pouring into any size cup or mug without fear of spilling, and it’s easier to control any excess water dripping out after flushing. The downside? The extra part (the spout) means more to clean and more places for grime to collect and hide. It also means it’s harder to see what’s going on with your shot and won’t look as pretty.
Meanwhile, bottomless portafilters create a gorgeous effect when brewing that also gives you a clearer insight into any issues, such as channeling or improper puck saturation. Seeing these issues as the coffee brews makes it easier to tell how to correct them the next time. They’re also much easier to clean with fewer pieces of metal to trap the coffee’s oils. Their downsides are that there’s more risk of splattering, and they’re not actually ideal for coffee shops because unless everyone working is an expert in using them, you could run into (very messy) issues.
Luckily, Pesado’s hybrid portafilters let you switch between spouted and bottomless without replacing the handle so you’re free to change it up whenever you want.
Pod-Compatible Portafilters
Maybe you love your upgraded espresso machine, but miss the convenience of your simple pod espresso brewer. That’s where the pod-compatible portafilter comes in. A good option if you miss the simplicity of pods, but don’t want another machine taking up space on your countertops. That said, you won’t be able to get away with only using a pod-compatible portafilter. They can’t brew espresso the traditional way, so you’ll need to swap it out when you want to brew properly, versus popping in a pod. They’re also not great for flavor control or coffee enthusiasts.
Portafilter Baskets and Size Options
There are several different portafilter basket types and sizes in addition to the aspects above. Let’s take a closer look at how to choose the right size and type for you.
What’s a portafilter basket—and why it matters
Knowing which portafilter basket to use is important to crafting your ideal brew setup. That’s because the basket is what sits inside the portafilter and holds the coffee itself. It’s the filter and the true main extraction tool, so if you don’t get it right, it can really affect how your espresso tastes. Basket design impacts dose size, water flow, and shot timing. Pesado’s precision baskets are engineered for uniform extraction and less channeling. Want better consistency? A high-quality basket may improve extraction more than your grinder.
Basket sizes and dose range
There are three main sizes for espresso baskets: single, double, or triple dose. A single basket will have a capacity of around 18 grams and is designed for just one shot. A double basket is the most versatile size, holding 20 grams and easily allowing you to brew one or two shots. Triple baskets are for three doses and hold around 22 grams. They’re great for a crowd but not ideal for brewing a single shot.
High-end baskets have a large number of laser-etched holes with regular spacing for optimal flow. If you notice your current basket has irregularly spaced holes or, in comparison to a new one, there are far fewer, then that’s a good sign it’s time to upgrade. Just make sure your espresso recipe matches your basket’s capacity. Overfilling or under-dosing can ruin even a great puck prep.
Are all portafilters the same size?
Remember: portafilters are not universal! Common sizes include 58mm, 54mm, and 51mm—please check your machine’s specs before you purchase a new one. You don’t want to drop money on a great new portafilter only to realize it doesn’t fit properly in your machine. Commercial machines typically use 58mm portafilters, but many Breville models are 54mm. Pesado specializes in 58.5mm baskets and tools, engineered to fit just a little tighter and extract cleaner than most OEM options.
Choosing the Right Portafilter for You
Armed with all your knowledge about the types of portafilters, now you’re ready to head to Pesado to pick one out. Pesado’s portafilters are made for coffee obsessives using 304 stainless steel and a variety of gorgeous handles made from everything from modular metallic sheens to birchwood. Pick the portafilter of your dreams, then shop Pesado’s full collection for the rest of your espresso needs.
