DeLonghi Stilosa & Dedica Portafilter Upgrade Guide: Sizes & Top 3 Picks

The DeLonghi Dedica, models EC680 and EC685, along with the Stilosa EC260, are really fantastic ways to get started with making espresso. They warm up quickly, they’re small, and you won’t break the bank getting one.

51mm Bottomless Portafilter 2 Ears for Delonghi ECP3420/BCO430/EC…

• 【Compatibility】 This two ears portafilter 51mm fits Delonghi ECP3420/BCO430/EC260 etc 2 ears coffee machine. Please feel…
• 【Filter Basket Included】Stainless steel 51mm filter basket included and compatible with Delonghi’s stock 51mm filter bas…
• 【Extraction Improvement】the bottomless design can help observed the flow column, flow rate, color, flow column stripes, …

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But, there’s a big problem: the portafilter it comes with from the factory.

It just feels so light, and those plastic parts? Ugh. The worst part is probably those “pressurized” baskets, making you think you’re getting good crema when it’s totally a fake.

51mm Bottomless Portafilter 2 Ears Compatible with De’Longhi Stil…

• 【Compatibility】 This two ears portafilter 51mm fits Delonghi ECP3420/EC155/BCO430/EC260 etc 2 ears coffee machine. *×Not…
• 【Filter Basket Included】Stainless steel 51mm filter basket included and compatible with Delonghi’s stock 51mm filter bas…
• 【Extraction Improvement】the bottomless design can help observed the flow column, flow rate, color, flow column stripes, …

$29.99

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If you’re serious about taking your coffee game up a notch from just making a drink to really getting into home barista stuff then getting a bottomless portafilter is the key first step.

Alright, so you’re looking for the lowdown on DeLonghi Stilosa portafilter sizes, what works with what, and which three are the best according to folks who actually use them. Here’s what you need to know.

The Magic Number: 51mm (But Be Careful)

It’s pretty common for people to get mixed up here because commercial machines usually take 58mm, but Breville went with 54mm. DeLonghi does things its own way.

• Diameter: You’ll want a 51mm diameter for your DeLonghi Dedica and Stilosa.
• The “Ears”: Folks really miss the mark here. You just can’t go buy any 51mm handle. So, basically, depending on your machine, you’ll need the right kind of portafilter.
  • 2 Ears: If you’ve got something like the ECP3420, Stilosa EC260, or BCO430 model.
  • 3 Ears: If you have a Dedica EC680/685, then you’ll need a portafilter that has 3 ears.

Important: It’s really important to always make sure you’re checking your specific model number. Just a heads-up about the Stilosa/ECP stuff: the items I’m talking about here are all the 2-Ear models. They’re made for machines like the Stilosa EC260, the ECP3420, and others that are pretty much the same.

Heads up, everyone: don’t go buying 51mm accessories if they’re supposedly for “La Pavoni” lever coffee makers. You should always make sure the ear count matches your machine.

Why Even Bother with Bottomless?

You’ve probably seen those videos, right, where the espresso, all thick and tiger-striped, just drips right out of a naked portafilter. It might look pretty neat, but really, it’s just a tool for figuring things out.

1. Diagnosing the Shot When you use the portafilter that has that stock spout, you really can’t tell what’s going on in there. When your water makes a hole right through the coffee, you won’t even notice it because the spout covers it up. A bottomless filter really shows you everything. Someone mentioned it lets you “find the defects and errors before extraction,” which is a pretty good way to put it.

2. Real Crema vs. Foam The original DeLonghi handle uses a tiny pinhole to shoot coffee through, which is how it makes those frothy bubbles. That’s not actually crema, it’s just foam. When you use a bottomless portafilter, it’s got a non-pressurized basket. This helps give you a really rich, oily, and authentic crema.

3. Cup Clearance Both the Stilosa and Dedica are pretty compact machines. Taking off the spouts gives you another inch, which means you can fit a taller mug or a scale where you pull your shot.

The Hidden Cost: Your Grinder

Hold on before you grab that bottomless portafilter. Here’s the hard truth nobody tells you: it just doesn’t work with pre-ground coffee.

If you’re using coffee that’s been pre-ground at the store or a cheap grinder with blades, the water will rush through it too quickly, and you’ll end up with coffee spraying all over your kitchen. To use this upgrade, you’ll need a burr grinder that can grind really fine. That fine grind is what creates the right pressure.

Best 3 Portafilter Upgrades for DeLonghi (2-Ear Models)

So, if you’re looking at machines like the Stilosa EC260 and ECP3420, these are the top picks, according to actual users.

1. The “Workhorse” Stainless Steel (ABS Handle)

Best For: Durability and Easy Cleaning This is a pretty basic, no-frills option. It’s got a sturdy feel and gets the job done. This 51mm Bottomless Portafilter from CAPFEI is a real favorite because it’s built to last and super easy to keep clean. It’s got a head made of good quality 304 stainless steel, which is safe for food, and the handle is ABS plastic that you can take off.

• User Verdict: Someone said it was “pleasantly chunky,” which they liked, and that the “handle is shiny and comfortable,” fitting just right in their hand.
• Performance: This makes bigger cups of espresso. Someone with a DeLonghi EC702 talked about using a “4 cup basket,” which is plenty deep enough (1.25 inches) to get a really good shot.
• Honest Feedback: So, you know, some folks have mentioned it’s a little snug or tough to get in there sometimes. But everyone seems to agree that it’s much better for it to be a bit tight than too loose. It definitely works as intended for diagnosing shots.

2. The “Classic Wood” Upgrade

Best For: Aesthetics and Feel If you’re looking to upgrade your coffee setup with something that really looks and feels top-notch, the CAPFEI Wooden Handle Portafilter is definitely a great choice. It swaps out that plastic feel for a nice, smooth wooden grip.

• User Verdict: People really like how it looks, saying it gives their DeLonghi ECP3420 a “sleek aesthetic boost.” Someone who reviewed it mentioned that the handle “feels premium,” which apparently makes the machine seem way more expensive than it actually is.
• Performance: It really does make good coffee. A user mentioned they could “whip up a delicious cappuccino with ease,” which really upped their coffee game.
• Honest Feedback: Wood is a natural material, so sometimes you’ll find little imperfections. Someone mentioned a little crack in the wood, but they just decided to shrug it off since everything else worked just fine. Someone else just took out the basket that came with it and put in a fancy IMS one instead, but they kept the original handle for everyday things.

3. The “Value” Pick

Best For: Beginners on a Budget These are perfect for beginners trying to save some cash; they’re way better deals than the original manufacturer parts. They’re pretty much the same two-ear design compatible with the ECP series, BCO series, or Stilosa models.

• The Learning Curve: It’s probably going to be a bit messy when you first start learning this stuff. As the product description fairly warns, “Leaking and splatter…” This is what people mean when they talk about espresso channeling. It’s not the tool’s fault; it’s the coffee telling you to grind finer.
• Pro Tip: If you see a leak where something is sealed, try giving it another twist to really secure it. Someone suggested trying to turn it to the “4 or 5 o’clock position” instead of the usual 6 o’clock to get a good, tight seal.

The Final Verdict

If you want to improve your DeLonghi machine, getting a new portafilter is the best thing you can do.

• Choose the ABS Handle if you need a handle that can really take a beating and is super easy to clean.
• Choose the Wooden Handle if you want that premium barista look.

Okay, here’s the deal: you gotta grind finer, make sure you tamp evenly, and then you can truly enjoy that authentic crema.