The better Normcore bottomless portafilter for your DeLonghi depends on fit

Compatibility and fit

This is the single most important factor, and it’s where the decision is made. Product A is a 51mm naked bottomless portafilter with 3 ears, intended for the DeLonghi Dedica EC680 and EC685, plus some SMEG and EUPA machines. Product B is also 51mm and bottomless, but it has 2 ears and is specifically made for the DeLonghi ECP3420, EC155, BCO430, and EC260. In espresso gear, ear count is not a minor detail; if the portafilter doesn’t lock in correctly, it’s simply the wrong product. Winner: tie on quality, but each wins only for its own compatible machines.

Performance

Because both are Normcore 51mm naked portafilters and both include a basket, the core espresso performance potential is broadly similar. A bottomless portafilter lets you diagnose channeling, improve puck prep, and see whether your grind, distribution, and tamp are really dialled in. That makes either option a strong upgrade over a stock pressurised setup, especially if you’re pairing it with a decent grinder and aiming for more consistent extraction. There’s no meaningful performance advantage from one over the other in the abstract; the real “performance” win is choosing the one that fits your machine properly. Winner: tie.

Build quality and design

Normcore has a strong reputation for solid, practical accessories, and both models reflect that. Each uses an anodized aluminum handle, which should feel more premium than basic plastic and help with daily usability. The naked design is also a plus for both: it exposes the extraction, helps you spot blonding and channeling, and gives you that classic café-style shot presentation. Since the construction materials and design philosophy are effectively the same, neither has a clear edge here. Winner: tie.

Display / screen quality

Neither product has a display or screen, so this category doesn’t apply in any meaningful way. If you’re shopping for espresso accessories, that’s not a flaw — it simply means the comparison should focus on fit, workflow, and extraction feedback instead. Winner: tie.

Battery life

Again, neither portafilter is battery-powered, so battery life is irrelevant. If you’re comparing these as espresso accessories, this category can be ignored completely. Winner: tie.

Price and value for money

Product A costs £51.31, while Product B costs £61.04, making Product A cheaper by £9.73. On pure value, that’s a noticeable saving for what appears to be the same brand, same 51mm bottomless format, and same included basket concept. However, value only counts if it fits your machine; the cheaper option is not a bargain if it won’t lock into your group head. So Product A wins on price alone, but only for the machines it’s made for. Winner: Product A.

Game library / features

For espresso accessories, the equivalent of “features” is what the portafilter enables in daily use. Both include a basket, both are naked/bottomless, and both are designed to help you improve shot diagnosis. That means you’re getting the same practical feature set: better visibility of extraction, easier troubleshooting, and a more engaging workflow. There’s no extra feature advantage for Product B to justify the higher price, unless its 2-ear compatibility is the exact match your machine needs. Winner: tie.

Overall user experience

In day-to-day use, the best portafilter is the one that fits smoothly, locks in securely, and lets you focus on grind size, dose, and tamp rather than fighting the machine. Product A will be the better user experience for Dedica EC680/EC685 owners because it is purpose-built for that platform and is also cheaper. Product B will be the better experience for ECP3420/EC155/BCO430/EC260 owners for the same reason: correct fit. If you’re coming from a pressurised basket and want to see the effect of a finer grind, a better grinder, or more careful puck prep, either one can be a meaningful upgrade — but only the correct ear configuration will make that upgrade usable. Winner: tie, with the caveat that fit determines the real-world winner.

Overall summary: These are not interchangeable products. Product A is the better buy for DeLonghi Dedica EC680/EC685 and compatible SMEG/EUPA machines, and it offers the better price at £51.31. Product B is the only sensible choice for ECP3420/EC155/BCO430/EC260 owners, even at £61.04, because the 2-ear fit is the deciding factor. If both fit your machine, choose the cheaper one; if only one fits, that is your winner by default.