De'Longhi Dedica Arte (EC885.M)
Our verdict · The cheapest way into real portafilter espresso — a genuine 15-bar machine with a proper steam wand in an ultra-slim 15cm body.
Buy it if
Your budget caps around £200 or your kitchen is tiny and you want to try real espresso without overcommitting.
Skip it if
You're chasing full pressure-extracted espresso from fresh grounds, latte-art perfection or an upgrade path — stretch to the Bambino Plus or Gaggia instead.
Where to get it
De'Longhi Dedica Arte (EC885.M)
From ~£199.99
Indicative price at the time of review.
Compare prices
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The Dedica Arte is the best budget route into real portafilter espresso rather than capsules, at roughly half the price of the Bambino Plus. It is a genuine 15-bar pump machine with a proper manual My LatteArt steam wand for microfoam and thermoblock heating, all in an exceptionally slim body just 15cm wide — the pick for the smallest kitchens or the tightest budget. Be clear on what you give up: it uses smaller, pressurised baskets aimed at forgiveness rather than tinkering, and thermoblock heating, so shot consistency, steam power and upgrade headroom all trail the Bambino Plus and Gaggia. UK guides fairly describe it as acceptable rather than good, but a valid starting point if budget is tight. Indicative price is from around £199.99 across multiple mainstream retailers; stock and colour availability move, so confirm before you buy.
The good & the bad
Pros
- Cheapest pick and the slimmest at just 15cm wide — ideal for tiny kitchens
- Genuine 15-bar pump with a real manual steam wand, not a capsule machine
- Roughly half the price of the Bambino Plus for real portafilter espresso
Cons
- Smaller pressurised baskets and thermoblock heating mean less consistency
- Little upgrade headroom — a starter rather than a machine you'll grow with
How it compares
| Pick | WATTB Score | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Sage the Bambino Plus (SES500) | 90/100 | Around £399.95 RRP (indicative) | overall for most home baristas |
| 2.Sage the Barista Express (BES870) | 90/100 | From ~£499.95 (indicative, reduced from ~£629.95) | all-in-one for a first-time barista |
| 3.Sage the Barista Pro (BES878) | 88/100 | From ~£604.99 (indicative street price) | premium all-in-one step-up |
| 4.Gaggia Classic E24 (brass boiler) | 88/100 | From ~£549 (indicative, reduced from ~£699) | tinkerers who want to service and mod |
| 5.De'Longhi Dedica Arte (EC885.M)This pick | 76/100 | From ~£199.99 (indicative) | budget entry for tiny kitchens |
Good to know
- Price
- From ~£199.99 (indicative)
- Pressure
- 15-bar pump
- Heating
- Thermoblock
- Milk
- My LatteArt manual steam wand
- Width
- Ultra-slim, ~15cm wide
- Baskets
- Smaller pressurised baskets (no built-in grinder)
Insider tip · Treat it as a first step: if you find you love making espresso, its pressurised baskets and thermoblock will soon feel limiting.
Researched by WATTB
- Published
- 24 September 2026
- Updated
- 24 September 2026
- Last verified
- 24 September 2026
- Sources
- 11 sources
We research and rank options from public data, official information and published reviews. How we research →
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