Comparison · Espresso machines
De'Longhi Dedica vs Stilosa: is the cheaper machine enough?
The De'Longhi Stilosa is £89.00 at Currys and the Dedica is £149.00 (checked 3 Oct 2026). Here's what the extra £60 buys, who should save and who should skip both.
If you’re comparing the De’Longhi Dedica vs Stilosa, you’re looking at two budget pump espresso machines from De’Longhi and wondering whether the cheaper one is enough. At Currys, the Stilosa EC260BK is £89.00 and the Dedica EC685BK is £149.00, both in stock (checked 3 Oct 2026), so the gap is £60. We haven’t tested this in person. Our verdict is based on De’Longhi UK’s and Currys’ published specs and UK prices checked 3 Oct 2026. Read how we compare.
Both are 15-bar machines with a portafilter and a manual milk wand, and both take ground coffee or ESE pods. Neither grinds beans. The differences are size, heating, the milk wand and the controls.
De’Longhi Dedica vs Stilosa: the short answer
Choose the Stilosa if you want the cheaper of the two and you have a bit of worktop to spare. It’s £89.00 at Currys (in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026), and Currys prices can change. It covers the basics: 15 bar, a steam wand, a tamper and single and double baskets in the box.
Who it isn’t for: anyone short of space (it’s about 5.5cm wider than the Dedica) or anyone who drinks from tall mugs, as De’Longhi lists room for cups up to 110mm.
Choose the Dedica if worktop width is tight or you’d like Thermoblock heating, which De’Longhi says heats quickly, and a milk wand with a steam or foam setting. It’s £149.00 for the black EC685BK at Currys (in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026).
Who it isn’t for: anyone on the tightest budget, or anyone who expects a milk jug in the box. Currys lists the contents as the machine, two filters, a tamper and the instruction booklet.
Skip both if you want coffee at the press of one button with no tamping. A bean-to-cup machine will suit you better, though it costs a lot more. Our Sage Bambino review covers the next step up in manual espresso.
What they cost right now
These are the prices we found on 3 Oct 2026:
- Stilosa EC260BK: £89.00 at Currys, in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026. It’s £126.99 at De’Longhi UK, in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026.
- Dedica EC685BK (black): £149.00 at Currys, in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026.
- Dedica EC685.M (silver): Check price at De’Longhi UK.
At Currys the gap is £60. At De’Longhi UK it’s about £52. We couldn’t confirm prices at Argos or Amazon UK, so we’ve left them out.
- See the Stilosa at Currys
- See the Stilosa at De’Longhi UK
- See the Dedica EC685BK at Currys
- See the Dedica EC685.M at De’Longhi UK
Size: the Dedica is much slimmer
This is the clearest difference. De’Longhi calls the Dedica its slimmest espresso machine, at about 15cm wide. Currys lists it at 305 x 149 x 330mm (H x W x D) and 4kg.
The Stilosa is wider and a little lower. Currys lists it at 285 x 205 x 343mm (H x W x D) and 4.3kg. That’s about 5.5cm wider than the Dedica and slightly deeper.
Cup height matters too. De’Longhi says the Dedica’s two-level drip tray takes cups up to 12cm tall, while the Stilosa’s takes cups up to 110mm. If you like a latte in a tall glass, the Dedica gives you a little more room.
Who it isn’t for: if you’ve got plenty of space and only drink espresso from small cups, the Dedica’s slim shape isn’t worth paying extra for.
Heating and power
De’Longhi UK lists Thermoblock heating and 1450W for the Dedica, and a stainless steel boiler and 1100W for the Stilosa. De’Longhi says the Dedica’s Thermoblock gives fast heating at the right temperature. Neither page we checked gives a heat-up time for either machine, so we’re not quoting one.
Currys says the Stilosa has two separate thermostats, one for coffee water and one for steam, and De’Longhi says its boiler is made of stainless steel for durability.
Who it isn’t for: anyone choosing on heat-up speed alone. Without published heat-up times, the listed heating systems are only a rough guide.
Milk wand and drinks
Both froth milk with a manual wand, so you hold the jug and judge when the milk is ready.
The Dedica has what De’Longhi calls the Adjustable Cappuccino System, which lets you switch between steamed milk (for a latte or flat white) and thicker foam (for a cappuccino). The Stilosa’s wand is simpler. De’Longhi says you mix steam and milk by hand to get the froth you want, and Currys mentions a 360-degree flexible hose.
Neither comes with a milk jug, according to the box contents Currys lists. A small steel jug makes steaming much easier.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants milk at the touch of a button. Both need manual frothing.
Coffee, baskets and what’s in the box
Both take ground coffee or ESE pods, which is handy if you don’t own a grinder yet. Currys lists double-wall coffee filters for the Stilosa.
Box contents, according to Currys:
- Stilosa: tamper, single and double filter baskets, a steam wand cleaner and a water hardness test strip.
- Dedica: two filters, a tamper and the instruction booklet.
If you’d like to grind your own beans, budget for a grinder on top. Our guide to burr grinders under £100 covers UK options.
Who it isn’t for: anyone hoping to buy one box and be done. With either machine, you’ll want beans or ground coffee, a jug and possibly a grinder.
Controls and practical details
- Controls: buttons on the Dedica (Currys lists espresso, double espresso and steam); a dial on the Stilosa.
- Water tank: 1 litre on the Stilosa. De’Longhi lists 1.1 litres for the Dedica EC685.M, while Currys lists 1 litre for the EC685BK.
- Guarantee: Currys lists a one-year manufacturer’s guarantee for both.
- Two cups at once: Currys says the Stilosa has room for two cups.
Who should save with the Stilosa?
The Stilosa makes sense if you:
- want to try making espresso at home without spending much
- have space on the worktop and use standard-sized cups
- would rather put the £60 towards a jug, decent coffee or a grinder
The Dedica makes more sense if your kitchen is narrow, you’d prefer Thermoblock heating, or you’d like a milk wand that’s simpler to switch between steam and foam. Our Dedica EC685 review goes into it in more depth, and our guide to the best espresso machines under £200 covers alternatives under £200.
Downsides of both
- No grinder. You’ll need ground coffee, ESE pods or a separate grinder.
- Manual milk. Both take practice with the wand.
- Small tanks. About a litre each, so expect regular refills.
- Short guarantee. Currys lists one year for both.
- Prices change. The lowest prices for both were at Currys, and Currys prices can change.
FAQ
What’s the difference between the De’Longhi Dedica and Stilosa? The Dedica is narrower (about 15cm against 20.5cm), heats with a Thermoblock and has a milk wand with a steam or foam setting. The Stilosa is cheaper and has a stainless steel boiler and a simpler wand.
Is the Dedica worth £60 more than the Stilosa? If space is tight or you make lots of milky drinks, it can be. If you mainly drink espresso and have room, the Stilosa covers the basics for less.
Can both use ESE pods? Yes. De’Longhi UK and Currys list ESE pod compatibility for both.
Do they come with a milk jug? Not according to the box contents Currys lists.
Which is cheaper at De’Longhi UK? The Stilosa, at £126.99 at De’Longhi UK (checked 3 Oct 2026). Check price at De’Longhi UK for the Dedica EC685.M.