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51MM Bottomless Portafilter for DeLonghi EC680/EC685
I picked up this 51mm bottomless portafilter mainly out of curiosity. I’d seen so many baristas using these on YouTube, and the promise of better espresso flow, real-time feedback, and a cleaner shot sold me. My Delonghi Dedica EC685 was ready for an upgrade, and this seemed like the most impactful, budget-friendly step.
Delivery took around 12 days to the US, which honestly wasn’t bad. The packaging was simple but secure. Out of the box, the portafilter looked solid—good heft, nice wood handle (not plasticky), and well-finished stainless steel. It locked into my machine with a snug but smooth twist.
Using it was a learning curve at first—channeling is super visible without the spout hiding your sins. But after a couple of tries, the feedback helped me improve my tamping and grind size. I immediately noticed more consistent crema and better-tasting espresso.
Pros: Great build quality, real-time extraction feedback, sleek design. Cons: Slightly tight fit at first, minor wobble if not locked just right. US Price Comparison: This same style goes for $60–$80 at US retailers. On AliExpress, I paid under $25. Total steal. Expectations Met? More than met. Didn’t expect this quality at this price.
US $9.37
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51mm Bottomless Portafilter Replacement Filter Basket
I wanted a second 51mm bottomless portafilter, mainly to have one for single origin and one for blends. The product description matched the previous one, but with a different wood tone on the handle.
It arrived in the same timeframe, this time in a padded envelope inside a cardboard box. Visually and functionally, it’s identical to the first one—same weight and fit. This one came with a precision basket, which I really appreciated.
No surprises using it. Again, great feedback on shot quality, easy to clean, and looks fantastic on my counter.
Pros: Same pros as the first—durable, ergonomic handle, great extraction. Cons: None so far. US Price Comparison: About 3x cheaper than equivalents on Amazon or specialty shops. Expectations Met? Yes. Solid backup or dual-purpose portafilter.
US $3.84
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Silicone Brew Head Gasket for EC685/680/850/860
After months of daily use, my machine was starting to leak slightly around the group head. The solution? A new silicone gasket.
This was a small but critical part. I chose it because it was designed specifically for Delonghi EC machines and had solid reviews. Shipped in a tiny bag, it arrived in under two weeks.
Swapping it in was a breeze—just popped the old one out and pressed the new one in. The seal was immediately tighter, and I noticed better pressure during brewing.
Pros: Soft, flexible, and fits perfectly. Cons: None yet—it’s a simple product done right. US Price Comparison: This would cost $8–12 locally. I got two for under $5. Expectations Met? Yes. Cheap fix for a brewing issue.
US $2.15
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51mm Portafilter with Double Spout
I still like having a traditional double-spout portafilter around for times when I’m making two espresso shots at once. I bought this as a more “formal” brewing tool for guests.
Arrived well-packaged. The chrome finish is quite reflective and easy to clean. Handle is slightly chunkier than my Delonghi stock portafilter, which I like. It holds the basket securely and locks in firmly.
Using it is straightforward. The double spouts split the shot evenly if tamped well, and the pressure feels more stable with this one.
Pros: Looks premium, solid handle, fits like OEM. Cons: Slightly heavier than stock. US Price Comparison: $35+ in local shops. Paid $17. Expectations Met? Absolutely.
US $28.96
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Stainless Steel Steam Nozzle Tip
I’d read that the OEM Delonghi steam tip wasn’t the best for microfoam, so I gave this multi-hole tip a try. It’s marketed for better milk texturing, and that’s exactly what I needed for latte art.
Swapping it was easy. I unscrewed the old tip, added Teflon tape to the threads, and screwed this one in. It fits tightly.
The results? Fantastic! Steam pressure feels more focused. Milk texturing is faster and more consistent now. Definitely helped me get those silky bubbles.
Pros: Makes better foam, distributes steam more evenly. Cons: Gets hot quickly, so caution when cleaning. US Price Comparison: $20+ on espresso accessory sites. Got it for $7. Expectations Met? Exceeded. Total upgrade for the price.
US $9
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Silicone Brew Head Gasket – Spare Pack
Since I was already ordering one gasket, I figured I’d grab a second set as backup. This one came in a pack of two, same material and fit as the first.
Arrived at the same time and appears to be from the same factory. I haven’t used these yet, but I like having spares on hand for preventive maintenance.
Pros: Inexpensive insurance, same high quality. Cons: None unless you don’t need two. US Price Comparison: Easily 2x or 3x the price. Expectations Met? Yes.
US $0.99
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Steam Wand Upgrade with 3-Hole Tip
I bought this to see if an entire steam wand replacement would improve results even more than just swapping the tip.
It came in bubble wrap, no scratches, and included the 3-hole tip. The threading matched the EC685, though I did have to fiddle a bit to get a leak-free seal.
Performance-wise? Big difference. Much more consistent microfoam. I even tried oat milk, which is harder to texture, and it came out surprisingly silky.
Pros: Better control, consistent pressure, professional feel. Cons: A little trickier to install than the tip-only swap. US Price Comparison: $50+ for similar upgrades in the US. This was around $15. Expectations Met? Yes, especially for the price.
US $13.92
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Double Spout Portafilter for EC685 (Second Design)
Bought this as a second double-spout portafilter so I could leave one loaded with a different basket. Design-wise, very similar to the first double-spout I reviewed, but this one had a slightly deeper basket.
Used it multiple times already—same great extraction, smooth handle, and nice weight.
Pros: Deep basket, consistent extraction, durable. Cons: Slight learning curve on locking angle. US Price Comparison: Also about 2–3x more expensive in US stores. Expectations Met? Completely.
US $22.22
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51mm Coffee Filter Basket
I wanted a precision filter basket with slightly tighter holes and better steel. This one promised a “laser-cut” bottom and looked high-end in the photos.
It lives up to the promise. The basket feels heavier, sits snugly in my bottomless portafilter, and gives me longer, cleaner pulls. No clogs so far.
Pros: Super fine holes, thick steel, easy to clean. Cons: Slightly tight fit in some portafilters. US Price Comparison: $20+ vs. $4 on AliExpress. Expectations Met? Yes, especially for better crema and clarity.
US $0.99
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3-Ear Bottomless Portafilter for EC680/685/SMEG
This 3-ear bottomless portafilter caught my eye because I’m also using a SMEG occasionally. It fits multiple machines and comes with a great-looking wood handle.
When it arrived, it looked even better than the listing photos. Wood grain was unique, finish was smooth, and it locked into both my SMEG and EC685 perfectly.
Extraction was flawless—no leaks, great flow. The basket that came with it was also of decent quality.
Pros: Beautiful design, versatile fit, great performance. Cons: Slightly heavier than 2-ear options. US Price Comparison: $65+ in the US. Paid just under $30. Expectations Met? Definitely.
US $9.31
Final Thoughts:
Honestly, I’m impressed. I didn’t expect AliExpress to deliver such consistent quality across 10 espresso accessories—especially at these prices. Every item fit my Delonghi EC685 like a glove, and the performance gains were real. I saved at least 70% compared to buying these in US specialty stores. Will I buy more from AliExpress? Absolutely. I’ve already bookmarked a few more upgrades. Recommended? Yes—with a smile and a fresh shot of espresso.
