VST vs IMS B70 Filter Baskets: Which Suits Your Espresso?

By Coffee Machine Warehouse | Published: 2026-10-31

Category: Comparisons

Compare VST and IMS B70 precision baskets on sizing, machine fit, and price so you can pick the right 58mm upgrade for your espresso setup.

Quick answer

Choose the VST Basket if you want a choice of 18g, 20g, 22g, or 25g doses and are prepared to verify machine and portafilter compatibility. Choose the IMS Precision Filter Basket IMS B70 2T H26.5 M if you want a specific Italian-made model with a known 26.5mm height and a lower catalog price.

Dose flexibility vs a fixed model

The most practical difference in this precision filter basket comparison is how each product is sold. The VST Basket is offered in four sizes: 18g, 20g, 22g, and 25g. That range lets you match the basket to your preferred dose instead of adjusting your recipe around a fixed capacity. The IMS B70 2T H26.5 M is listed as one model, so its identity is tied to that exact specification rather than a size menu.

If you already know the dose you want, the VST size list is a straightforward way to order. If you prefer to evaluate a specific basket by its model number and dimensions, the IMS option gives you a concrete reference point.

Compatibility is the deciding factor

VST states that you should check compatibility with the machine and portafilter before ordering. That warning matters because a 58mm filter basket is not a universal drop-in for every espresso machine or bottomless portafilter. The IMS listing does not supply compatibility details beyond the model name, so you should confirm fit with the retailer or your machine documentation before buying either basket.

Neither product record includes rim shape, hole pattern, or recommended tamper size. Those omissions are real decision limits, not details you should assume. If your portafilter has unusual geometry, verify fit first.

Price and what it signals

At catalog prices, the IMS B70 2T H26.5 M is listed at USD 21.78 against a comparison price of USD 33.00. The VST Basket is listed at USD 35.94 against a comparison price of USD 59.90. Price alone does not tell you which basket performs better in your setup, but it does change the cost of trying a precision filter basket upgrade.

A lower entry price can make sense if you are experimenting or buying for a second machine. A higher price may be easier to justify if the size options match a dose you already use daily.

Trade-offs to weigh before you buy

Dose flexibility: The VST Basket comes in 18g, 20g, 22g, and 25g, so you can choose a size that fits your recipe. The IMS B70 2T H26.5 M is a single listed model, which is simpler to specify but gives you no size choice within that product. Decide your dose first; it narrows the choice faster than brand preference.
Fit verification: VST explicitly asks buyers to check compatibility with the machine and portafilter before ordering. The IMS listing supplies no compatibility details, so confirm fit for either basket with your machine documentation or the retailer. Measure your current basket and portafilter before ordering a 58mm filter basket.
Catalog price: The IMS B70 2T H26.5 M is listed at USD 21.78 (comparison price USD 33.00), while the VST Basket is listed at USD 35.94 (comparison price USD 59.90). Treat these as catalog prices, not a performance ranking. Set a budget before comparing, so price does not override fit.

Product facts

IMS Precision Filter Basket IMS B70 2T H26.5 M: Italian-made IMS precision filter basket, model B70 2T H26.5 M. The model number and 26.5mm height give you a specific reference to check against your portafilter before ordering.
IMS Precision Filter Basket IMS B70 2T H26.5 M
VST Basket: VST precision espresso filter basket available in 18g, 20g, 22g, and 25g sizes. The size menu lets you order a basket matched to your usual dose rather than adapting your recipe to a single capacity.
VST Basket

Who should choose which

Best for

Espresso drinkers who want to choose between 18g, 20g, 22g, and 25g doses with the VST Basket.
Buyers who want a specific Italian-made model with a known 26.5mm height and a lower catalog price, the IMS B70 2T H26.5 M.
Anyone upgrading from a stock basket who will verify machine and portafilter compatibility before ordering.

Not for

Buyers who cannot confirm portafilter compatibility and need a guaranteed drop-in fit without checking.
Shoppers who expect either listing to include rim shape, hole pattern, or tamper size details that are not supplied.
Anyone treating catalog price as proof of shot quality without matching the basket to their dose and machine.