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Pressurized vs non-pressurized baskets
Updated
Use the pressurized basket if you brew pre-ground coffee or you do not own an espresso-capable grinder. Use the non-pressurized basket once you grind fresh and can adjust in small steps. The first is forgiving and has a ceiling. The second is fussy and can taste much better.
How to tell which one you have
Turn the basket over. A non-pressurized (single wall) basket has holes across the whole bottom. A pressurized (dual wall) basket has a second wall underneath with one small exit hole, or just a few. That small hole holds the water back and builds pressure, so the grind does not have to.
| Pressurized (dual wall) | Non-pressurized (single wall) | |
|---|---|---|
| What builds the pressure | The small exit hole | The coffee puck |
| Pre-ground coffee | Works | Runs fast and thin |
| Grind and tamp mistakes | Mostly covered up | Show up in the cup, and can splash |
| Dialing in | Little effect | This is where it works |
| Foam on top | Plenty, made by the small hole | Real crema, when the shot is right |
Which machines here include which
- Breville Barista Express and Breville Bambino: both types, in 1 and 2 cup sizes, per their listings. Caveat: the Bambino has no grinder, so without one you are limited to the dual wall set.
- CASABREWS CM5418 and De'Longhi Stilosa: the listings do not say. Both are listed for ground coffee, and machines sold that way usually ship with pressurized baskets. Caveat: check your own baskets before you buy a grinder for them.
- Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier: the listing names a double basket and a Luxe basket. We did not see the wall type stated.
Do not mix the wrong grind with the wrong basket
- A fine espresso grind in a pressurized basket can choke the machine. If you add a grinder, go a little coarser for that basket or move to single wall.
- Pre-ground coffee in a single wall basket gushes. There is nothing to fix except the grind, and you cannot change it.
Buying a single wall basket later
Baskets must match the handle size. The two Breville machines use 54mm. The CASABREWS uses 51mm, which has fewer choices. The Stilosa listing does not give a size, so look it up in the manual before you order.
Next: do you need a grinder, and our espresso grinder picks.
Sources
We opened these pages on September 18, 2026.