Few espresso machines have made a bigger mark than the De’Longhi Dedica. Since the Italian brand launched the EC680 back in 2013, it has become one of the best-selling machines in the world — and its sleek design has been widely imitated by competitors.
I’ve owned a few of them myself. The Dedica Style EC685 was my first pump-driven espresso machine at home. Later on, I had the chance to try the Dedica Maestro Plus as well. Today, there are four versions of the Dedica available, and in this comparison I’ll break down exactly what sets each one apart.
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| Dedica Style | Dedica Arte | Dedica Maestro Plus | Dedica Duo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  | |
| Launch Year | 2018 | 2021 | 2024 | 2025 |
| Pump | 15 bars | 15 bars | 15 bars | 15 bars |
| Touch Screen |  | | |  |
| Temperature Adjustment Button | | | | |
| Pre-infusion Adjustment Button | | | | |
| Milk Foam Adjustment Buttons | | | | |
| Cold Brew | | | | |
| Steamer Type | Panarello | Manual steamer | Manual/Auto steamer | Manual steamer |
| Water Tank | 1.1 L | 1.1 L | 1.6 L | 1.1 L |
| Colors | Gray, Red, Black, White | Gray, Beige | Gray | Metal, Green, Pink, White |
| Milk Jug Included | | | | |
| Tamper Included | | | | |
| Dimensions | 14.9 x 33 x 30.5 cm | 14.9 x 33 x 30.5 cm | 19 x 45 x 32.5 cm | 14.9 x 33 x 30.5 cm |
| Check Price | Amazon De'Longhi | Amazon | De'Longhi | Amazon De'Longhi |
De’Longhi Dedica Style (EC685)
It’s the oldest model in the current lineup, launched in 2018 — yet it remains the best-seller, likely because it’s one of the most recommended espresso machines around $200.
This machine lets you pull a very decent espresso without a lot of fuss. The included filters are pressurized, meaning you can use any grocery store ground coffee and skip the precision of dosing and tamping — they’ll always generate enough pressure for a proper extraction. (Check out my article on the advantages of unpressurized filters if you want to dive deeper into all of this.)
That beginner-friendly approach carries over to the steam wand, which uses a panarello-style frother. A panarello makes it easy to produce decent milk foam without having to master manual steaming technique. On the EC685 specifically, it has two modes: one for frothing and one for simply heating milk.
Another standout feature is the size. At just under 6 inches wide, the Dedica has a remarkably compact footprint — and an attractive design to boot — making it easy to tuck into even the tightest kitchen counter. That said, the narrow drip tray is a real limitation, and fitting larger mugs can be awkward.
If you’re a serious espresso enthusiast or an aspiring home barista, the pressurized filters and panarello wand may feel limiting. But if you’re simply looking for your first pump espresso machine — with no fuss, running on grocery store coffee or beans ground with an entry-level grinder — the Dedica is an easy recommendation.
Worth noting: it also has a ceiling higher than it might seem. You can pick up a bottomless portafilter and an unpressurized basket (Normcore makes popular options) and start pulling noticeably better shots. That path does require a quality grinder and learning the basics of espresso dialing, but plenty of people run their Dedica this way and swear by it.
Dedica Arte (EC885)
Launched by De’Longhi in late 2021, the Dedica Arte is nearly identical to the Dedica Style in every way but one: its professional-style steam wand. It will require you to learn proper milk texturing technique, but the difference compared to the panarello on the Dedica Style is night and day. Note that the Arte isn’t currently available in the US market — though it can be found in other English-speaking countries like the UK — so if you’re stateside, you may want to skip ahead to the next model.
De’Longhi gives you a head start with what’s in the box: a stainless steel pitcher with a latte art spout (likely the inspiration behind the machine’s name) and a better-quality tamper than the one bundled with the Dedica Style.
In my view, the price difference between the Dedica Style and the Dedica Arte is worth it if you care about steamed milk — whether that’s a proper flat white, a latte, or eventually latte art. If you’re strictly an espresso drinker, though, the upgrade is harder to justify.
De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus (EC950.M)
In early 2024, De’Longhi released a machine that was clearly designed to take on the Bambino Plus from Sage/Breville.
When it launched, the Dedica Maestro Plus let me down — not because it’s a bad machine: it pulls a solid espresso and can produce good milk foam, and it does the latter automatically thanks to a built-in auto-frothing system. The problem was the price, which at launch simply didn’t match what you were getting.
For one, it only ships with pressurized filters. On top of that, the automatic frothing leaves a lot to be desired in terms of milk texture. In my testing, using the steam wand manually consistently gave better results — which takes the shine off the machine’s main selling point.
That said, it’s not all bad news. A genuine highlight is the control panel, which includes temperature adjustment that gives you meaningfully more control over your extraction than any other Dedica model. The included tamper and milk pitcher are also a step up in quality.
When I tested it, it was retailing for around $500. Since then, De’Longhi has brought the price down considerably, which changes the value equation significantly. At its current price point, it becomes an interesting option — particularly if you’re upgrading from a Dedica Style, already own unpressurized baskets, and want more temperature control and a more capable steam wand.
It’s also worth knowing that De’Longhi has since released an updated version of this machine that swaps out the automatic frother for a manual steam wand — the same one found on the Dedica Arte. It comes in at a lower price point, which makes it the easier recommendation of the two. If you’re considering the Maestro Plus, it’s worth checking out that model first.
De’Longhi Dedica Duo (EC890)
The price of this Dedica Duo is between the Dedica Arte and the Maestro Plus. Without having tried it personally, it seems like an interesting coffee maker, especially if you’re interested in being able to prepare cold brew.
Another new addition: cold brew. I’d temper your expectations on that one, though. This isn’t true cold brew in the traditional sense — what the machine actually does is serve coffee at a very low temperature, leaving you to finish the job with ice. I ran into the same thing when I reviewed the Specialista Arte Evo, so it’s a pattern worth being aware of.
On the plus side, there’s a lot to like here at first glance. You get three-level temperature adjustment, the same capable steam wand as the Dedica Arte, and the same quality tamper and milk pitcher that came with it. Design-wise, don’t expect a dramatic overhaul — it’s mostly the same look with some minor aesthetic tweaks.
Pricing lands between the Dedica Arte and the Maestro Plus. Without having tested it personally, it looks like a compelling option — especially if cold brew functionality is on your wish list.
Which Dedica Should You Buy?
After going through all four models and their differences, here’s where I land:
- Want cold brew capability and don’t mind a more tech-forward machine? The Dedica Duo is a solid choice.
- Espresso only? The Dedica Style EC685 is all you need. Use it in “beginner” mode with the pressurized filters, or push it further down the road by picking up compatible unpressurized baskets. I wouldn’t recommend it if lattes and cappuccinos are a priority, though — the panarello has real limits.
- Already own 51mm unpressurized baskets and want more control? The Dedica Maestro Plus is worth a look — specifically the newer version with the manual steam wand. You get temperature adjustment to dial in different roasts, plus a significantly more powerful steamer.
