Structured UK machine comparison · reviewed 24 Jul 2026
De'Longhi Stilosa EC260vsDe'Longhi Dedica Style
Both are current De’Longhi manual espresso machines with ESE-pod support and a separate grinder requirement. Stilosa is the lower-cost dial-controlled route; Dedica is narrower and adds programmable single and double buttons.
The recorded £80 machine-price gap becomes the same £80 gap after adding the shared £159.95 baseline grinder. Neither price, width nor control style proves better espresso, steam or durability without comparable testing.
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Option 1
De'Longhi · EC260.BK · SKU 0132104205
Stilosa EC260
A first low-cost portafilter route for pre-ground coffee or ESE pods, with room in the budget for a separate grinder
Checked 22 Jul 2026 · direct retailer link · no commission enabled
The useful decision
What does the difference actually buy?
Both are current De’Longhi manual espresso machines with ESE-pod support and a separate grinder requirement. Stilosa is the lower-cost dial-controlled route; Dedica is narrower and adds programmable single and double buttons.
The recorded £80 machine-price gap becomes the same £80 gap after adding the shared £159.95 baseline grinder. Neither price, width nor control style proves better espresso, steam or durability without comparable testing.
Interactive evidence table
Compare the whole ownership route.
Change the priority lens, detail level and ownership assumptions below. A highlighted fit is evidence for one selected priority—not an overall winner.
Select two or three complete machine routes2/3 selected
Lowest known starting basketDe'Longhi Stilosa EC260£259.94 including a connected grinder where required · delivery excludedNarrowest published widthDe'Longhi Dedica Style14.9cm conservative width · depth still mattersMost complete recordDe'Longhi Dedica Style90% complete · not a quality score
Decision lens
What matters most to you?
Choose one priority to surface the strongest evidenced fit. This changes the explanation, never the underlying data or table order.
Best evidenced fit for this priorityDe'Longhi Stilosa EC260
Lowest known starting basket at £259.94. A connected grinder is included where required.
This is a single-priority signal, not an overall winner or CoffeeScore.
£99.99 · De'Longhi UK · verified delivered · exact model verified
£179.99 · De'Longhi UK · verified delivered · exact model verified
Known starting equipment
£259.94 · includes Encore ESP
£339.94 · includes Encore ESP
Machine type
Espresso machines
Espresso machines
Capsule ecosystem
Not applicable
Not applicable
Checked pod-cost example
Not applicable
Not applicable
Daily effort
High
High
Milk workflow
Manual flexible Cappuccino System
Manual adjustable cappuccino frother
Built-in grinder
No · connected fresh-coffee setup £259.94 with Encore ESP
No · connected setup £339.94 with Encore ESP
Best for
A first low-cost portafilter route for pre-ground coffee or ESE pods, with room in the budget for a separate grinder
A narrow, lower-cost manual espresso route for people happy to buy a grinder and froth milk themselves
Main trade-off
This is a dial-controlled entry machine, not the programmable Dedica and not an automatic bean-to-cup model. Fresh non-pressurised espresso needs a capable grinder; pre-ground coffee or ESE pods avoid that initial purchase but offer less adjustment. The exact product and range pages exposed conflicting current prices, so confirm the checkout total. Cup quality, temperature stability, steam performance, warm-up, noise and reliability have not been independently tested, so no CoffeeScore is published.
There is no built-in grinder: the connected Baratza Encore ESP adds £159.95 and 13cm of worktop width. Milk is frothed manually, and independent espresso, steam, warm-up, noise, energy and reliability tests are still pending, so no CoffeeScore is published. De’Longhi and Currys also conflict on power, tank capacity and dishwasher-safe parts; use the exact EX:4 manual and verify the revision on the box.
Change the assumptions to match your household. Pod machines use the same editable capsule figure for a like-for-like scenario; the table above shows when an exact checked system example exists. Other machines use bean cost and dose. A connected grinder is included where the machine needs one.
2,190 coffees
De'Longhi
Stilosa EC260
Starting equipment
£260
Coffee beans
£841
Known maintenance
£0
Estimated total
£1,101
Known cost per cup
£0.50
De'Longhi
Dedica Style
Starting equipment
£340
Coffee beans
£841
Known maintenance
£0
Estimated total
£1,181
Known cost per cup
£0.54
Planning estimate only. It includes only maintenance with priced, model-specific cadence. It excludes milk, water, electricity, repairs, optional accessories and delivery. Recorded equipment prices can change; always check the retailer’s final price.