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Breville Espresso Machine Upgrade Guide (AU + UK)

This guide covers the best accessories, compatibility information, and upgrade recommendations for Breville espresso machines including Barista Express, Barista Pro, Barista Touch and Bambino models. You can browse all compatible accessories in our Breville upgrade collections.

Quick Navigation

Breville machines are some of the best value home espresso setups — but the right accessories can make a noticeable difference to shot consistency, workflow and flavour. This guide shows the most worthwhile upgrades (and what fits what), with quick links to compatible Coffee Nerd gear.

Start Here: The 3 Best Upgrades for Breville Owners

If you're not sure where to start, these three upgrades deliver the biggest improvement for most Breville espresso machines:

  1. Bottomless Portafilter — helps improve puck preparation and shows exactly how your espresso is extracting.
  2. WDT Tool (Needle Distributor) — reduces clumping and channeling, leading to more even extractions.
  3. Precision Tamper or Self-Levelling Tamper — improves consistency and makes repeatable espresso easier.

These upgrades focus on improving distribution, tamping, and extraction — which usually delivers the biggest improvement without changing your machine.

Quick compatibility check (start here)

Before buying upgrades, confirm these three things:

  • Portafilter size: Most Breville/Sage home machines use 54mm.
  • Basket type: Some machines ship with pressurised baskets. For better results, many users switch to non-pressurised baskets (with the right grinder).
  • Machine model: Small differences between models can affect fitment.

If you’re unsure, jump to the Machine-specific recommendations section below.

Breville Compatibility Guide (Quick Reference)

Machine Model Portafilter Size Recommended Starter Upgrades Compatible Accessories
Breville Barista Express 54mm Bottomless portafilter + WDT tool 54mm tampers, baskets, shower screens
Breville Barista Pro 54mm Bottomless portafilter + self-levelling tamper 54mm accessories
Breville Barista Touch 54mm Workflow upgrades (dosing ring, scale) 54mm accessories
Breville Bambino / Bambino Plus 54mm Non-pressurised basket + WDT tool 54mm accessories

Recommended Upgrade Categories (Detailed Guide)

Recommended Bottomless Portafilters (54mm Breville Compatible)

Upgrading to a bottomless portafilter helps diagnose channeling, improve puck prep, and gives clearer feedback on your espresso extraction.

Recommended options:

Baskets

Upgrading your basket can improve extraction consistency. If you’re using a capable grinder, a precision-style basket can be a meaningful improvement over stock.

Recommended:

Tampers

A weighted and well designed tamper helps consistency. If your tamper is too small or too light you’ll see messy edges and uneven compression.

Recommended:

Shower screens

A shower screen upgrade can improve water distribution and reduce channelling.

Recommended:

Workflow accessories

These make day-to-day espresso easier and more consistent, reduce mess and improve workflow.

Machine-specific recommendations

Barista Express

Most Barista Express machines use 54mm Breville-compatible accessories. If you’re looking for upgrades specifically suited to this machine, explore our curated range of Breville Barista Express compatible accessories. Start with: bottomless portafilter + WDT + scale, then consider a basket upgrade.

Barista Pro

The Barista Pro also typically uses 54mm accessories. If you’re chasing consistency, focus on puck prep upgrades first (WDT + proper tamper + basket).

Barista Touch

The Touch is great for workflow — upgrades that keep things clean and consistent (dosing ring, WDT, scales) often give the best “day-to-day” improvement.

Bambino / Bambino Plus

Bambino machines are a popular first espresso setup. The biggest improvements usually come from: switching to a non-pressurised basket (with a capable grinder) and improving puck prep.

Common problems & the upgrade that fixes it

  • Espresso sprays everywhere: bottomless portafilter shows where your puck prep needs work + use WDT and a self levelling tamp.
  • Sour shots: grind finer, increase brew ratio, consider a better basket once basics are consistent.
  • Channeling: WDT + distributor = better distribution + consistent tamp (try the self levelling tamp).
  • Messy dosing: dosing cup, ring + scale.

FAQs

Are Breville and Sage the same?
In many markets, Sage is the same product family as Breville, with region-specific naming. Most accessories listed here are compatible with Breville/Sage 54mm machines.

What size portafilter do Breville machines use?
Most Breville home espresso machines use a 54mm portafilter. If you’re unsure, check your machine model in the compatibility table above.

Do I need a bottomless portafilter?
Not required, but it’s one of the fastest ways to improve technique. A bottomless portafilter gives feedback on distribution and tamping, helping reduce channeling over time.

Will a 54mm tamper fit Breville?
Breville baskets are typically 54mm, but many users prefer a slightly smaller tamper (e.g. 53mm) for a cleaner fit depending on basket shape. If you’re using a self-levelling tamper, use the size specified on the product page.

Pressurised vs non-pressurised baskets — what’s better?
Pressurised baskets are more forgiving with pre-ground coffee or entry-level grinders. If you have a capable grinder, non-pressurised baskets usually produce better flavour and texture once your grind and puck prep are consistent.

Will these upgrades make a difference without a grinder upgrade?
Yes — puck prep upgrades (WDT, tamper, dosing ring) help even with the built-in Breville grinder. But if you want the biggest flavour jump, a consistent grinder is often the next step after improving basics.

Still not sure what fits your machine?
Send us your exact model name and a quick photo of your portafilter, and we’ll point you to the right gear.