Dedica Arte review: De'Longhi's latte-art Dedica (EC885)

This De’Longhi Dedica Arte review looks at the EC885, the version of the slim Dedica espresso machine that De’Longhi fits with its My LatteArt steam wand. If you like the idea of a compact pump machine but want more control over your milk than the classic Dedica gives you, it’s the model to look at. We haven’t tested this in person. Our verdict is based on De’Longhi UK’s published specs and UK retailer listings checked 3 Oct 2026. Read how we compare.

The short version: it’s the same narrow Dedica body with a different steam wand. That wand is the whole reason to pick it.

De’Longhi Dedica Arte review: the short answer

Consider the Dedica Arte if you want a machine about 15cm wide and you’d like to learn to texture milk properly, for silky flat whites rather than airy, bubbly foam.

Skip it if you’re happy with simple frothed milk. The Dedica Style EC685 does that job, and our De’Longhi Dedica EC685 review covers it in full, so we haven’t repeated that ground here. De’Longhi Dedica Style EC685: See it at Currys for De’Longhi Dedica Style EC685 (opens in a new tab)

Want iced drinks too? The newer Dedica Duo adds a cold setting and touch controls. Our Dedica Duo review explains what you get for the extra money. De’Longhi Dedica Duo EC890: See it at Currys for De’Longhi Dedica Duo EC890 (opens in a new tab)

What it costs right now

We couldn’t confirm a UK price for the Dedica Arte on 3 Oct 2026:

• Currys: Currys’ search for the Dedica Arte only brought up the Dedica Duo and the Dedica EC685 when we checked.
• Argos: Check current price. Argos’s site blocked our check.
• De’Longhi UK: Check current price. De’Longhi UK lists the Dedica Arte in several colours, including the beige EC885.BG. When we looked, the page data suggested only some colours could be ordered, and we couldn’t confirm the price shown to shoppers.
• Amazon UK: Check price at Amazon.

For comparison, the Dedica Style EC685M is £149.00 at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026. Whatever the Arte costs when you shop, that’s the figure to weigh it against, because the two machines are so close on paper.

Dedica Arte vs Dedica EC685: what actually changes

We put De’Longhi UK’s spec data for the EC885 and EC685 side by side. Most of it is identical:

• Same size: both are listed at 149 x 330 x 305mm, so the Arte still slots into a 15cm gap.
• Same pump and heater: 15 bar pressure and a Thermoblock heater on both.
• Same power and tank: 1,300W and a 1.1-litre water tank on both.
• Same cup clearance: both drip trays take cups up to 12cm tall, according to De’Longhi’s feature list.

The differences De’Longhi highlights are these:

• The milk wand. The EC685 uses De’Longhi’s Adjustable Cappuccino System, which lets you switch between steamed milk and foam for cappuccino. The Arte swaps this for the My LatteArt steam wand, which De’Longhi pitches at making fine microfoam for latte art. In practice, that means more control and more of a learning curve.
• Filter baskets. De’Longhi says the Arte comes with two sizes of filter basket that hold up to 16g of ground coffee. Its data lists two filters for the Arte and three for the EC685, but it doesn’t spell out what the EC685’s extra one is.

If you already own an EC685 and get on with it, the Arte isn’t a big enough step to justify replacing it.

Specs from De’Longhi UK

These come from De’Longhi UK’s product data for the Dedica Arte:

• Width: about 15cm. De’Longhi calls the Dedica its slimmest espresso machine.
• Size: 149 x 330 x 305mm, as listed by De’Longhi UK.
• Pressure: 15 bar pump.
• Heating: Thermoblock.
• Power: 1,300W.
• Water tank: 1.1 litres.
• Coffee: ground coffee, and the data says it’s compatible with ESE pods.
• Milk: manual frothing with the My LatteArt steam wand.
• Baskets: two sizes, holding up to 16g.
• Also listed: a coffee tamper, a removable drip tray and a cup holder.
• Controls: illuminated buttons, per De’Longhi.

Cup height needs checking. De’Longhi’s feature list says cups up to 12cm fit. Its spec data gives two figures, 114mm and 120mm. If you use tall latte glasses, measure them first.

We’ve left the weight out, because the only figure De’Longhi gives matches its packed weight.

Who the Dedica Arte suits

Small kitchens. Like every Dedica, it’s narrow enough for gaps where most espresso machines won’t fit.

Milk-drink fans who want to improve. The steam wand is the point of this model. If you want to pour a heart on a flat white, a proper wand gives you a chance to practise that a simpler frother doesn’t.

People happy with a manual routine. You’ll dose and tamp the basket yourself, then steam milk in a jug. There’s no grinder, so you’ll need ready-ground coffee, ESE pods or a separate grinder.

Who should look elsewhere

Anyone who wants push-button lattes. The Arte has no automatic milk system. A bean-to-cup or pod machine with a milk carafe will be easier.

Cappuccino drinkers who like lots of foam with little effort. The EC685’s cappuccino system is simpler to get on with.

Shoppers on the tightest budget. De’Longhi’s Stilosa is a cheaper starting point. Our Dedica vs Stilosa comparison covers how the two differ. De’Longhi Stilosa EC260: See it at Currys for De’Longhi Stilosa EC260 (opens in a new tab)

Downsides

• Hard to find. Currys didn’t list it when we checked, and we couldn’t confirm a price anywhere.
• Small upgrade. On De’Longhi’s own spec sheets, the wand and the baskets are the only real changes from the EC685.
• A learning curve. A proper steam wand rewards practice. Expect a few wasted jugs of milk at first.
• No owner feedback here. We haven’t summarised owner reviews for this model, so read recent ones at your retailer.
• Regular upkeep. Like any Dedica it needs descaling. Our guide on how to descale a De’Longhi Dedica walks through it.

Alternatives worth a look

De’Longhi Dedica Style EC685. The simpler, easier-to-find Dedica, at £149.00 at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026. See our Dedica EC685 review.

De’Longhi Dedica Duo. It adds a cold setting and touch icons, and keeps a manual wand. Our Dedica Duo review has the details.

Sage Bambino. Another compact manual machine, often weighed up against the Dedica. Check current price. Our Sage Bambino review covers it. Sage Bambino SES450: See it at Sage for Sage Bambino SES450 (opens in a new tab)

Independent review: Which? has a lab-tested review of the Dedica Arte EC885; the full results are for Which? members. We haven’t summarised them here.

FAQ

Is the Dedica Arte the same as the EC885? Yes. Dedica Arte is the name and EC885 is the model code. The letters after it show the colour, for example EC885.M for the silver metal version and EC885.BG for beige.

What’s the difference between the Dedica Arte and the EC685? Mainly the milk wand. The Arte has the My LatteArt steam wand, and the EC685 has the Adjustable Cappuccino System. De’Longhi lists the same size, pressure, power and tank for both.

Does the Dedica Arte take pods? It takes ground coffee, and De’Longhi’s data says it’s compatible with ESE pods. It doesn’t take Nespresso-style capsules.

Can it make latte art? That’s what De’Longhi designed the wand for, but the results depend on your milk, your jug and practice. We can’t promise how it performs, because we haven’t tested it.

Will a tall glass fit under it? De’Longhi says cups up to 12cm fit, but its spec data also lists 114mm. Measure your glass first.

Related

• De'Longhi Dedica vs Stilosa: is the cheaper machine enough?
• De'Longhi La Specialista Arte review: a grinder espresso machine under £400
• Dedica Duo review: De'Longhi's twin-function Dedica, explained
• De'Longhi Dedica EC685 review: a slim, affordable first espresso machine

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