De’Longhi Stilosa EC260 Review: 15 bar Portafilter

Name: De’Longhi Stilosa EC260.BK Portafilter Machine
Brand: De’Longhi

De’Longhi Stilosa EC260.BK at a glance

In short: the De’Longhi Stilosa EC260.BK scores 8,3/10 in our mini espresso machine review (from €100). Biggest strength: cheapest true portafilter machine. Main compromise: only pressurised filters.

All specifications come from manufacturer data sheets and the Amazon catalogue and were cross-checked before publication. The rating is an editorial overall assessment based on this data; we do not trial products ourselves.

De’Longhi Stilosa EC260.BK: what works, what doesn't?

What works well

Cheapest true portafilter machine: espresso from your own ground coffee from around €100
Pannarello milk foam: cappuccino-capable with a frothing aid
Ground & ESE pads: flexible with coffee
Removable 1 L tank: easy to fill and clean

Points of criticism

Only pressurised filters: limited quality for advanced users
No adjustment options: temperature/dosing not adjustable
Mostly plastic: less upmarket than the full metal Dedica

Specifications in detail

Type	Portafilter espresso machine (manual)
Pump pressure	15 bar
Water tank	1.0 L (removable)
Power	1,100 W
Heat-up time	approx. 35 to 40 seconds
Milk froth	Pannarello frothing aid (manual)
Portafilter	51 mm, ground coffee & ESE pads
Dimensions (W×D×H)	approx. 20.5 × 34.3 × 28.5 cm
Material / weight	Plastic with stainless steel details · approx. 4.3 kg
Accessories	Tamper, 1-/2-cup filters

What does it cost to run?

At a maximum of 1,100 W power draw, an hour of use at 35 ct/kWh (German electricity price) costs about 39 cents. That applies at full load; real cooking and working cycles usually run lower.

Calculation basis: 35 ct/kWh (German electricity price, 2026, rounded). Values from the manufacturer data sheet; actual costs depend on use and tariff.

Build quality & everyday use

What carries the De’Longhi Stilosa EC260.BK in everyday use: cheapest true portafilter machine (espresso from your own ground coffee from around €100) and Pannarello milk foam (cappuccino-capable with a frothing aid). We have to be honest about the weaknesses: only pressurised filters, which means limited quality for advanced users.

If you set the device up to save space, make sure it stands on a stable, level surface with some air around it. This protects the mechanics and electronics in continuous use.

“De’Longhi Stilosa EC260.BK Portafilter Machine: cheapest true portafilter machine and Pannarello milk foam, and the trade-off is only pressurised filters. At 8.3/10 a fair deal from €100.”

The MiniHaushalt.de editorial team

Who is the De’Longhi Stilosa EC260.BK suited to? (buying advice)

Perfect for:

✓Cheap portafilter entry
✓Anyone who wants to grind their own coffee
✓Cappuccino with a frothing aid

Less suitable for:

✕Advanced baristas
✕Anyone who wants full metal/quality
✕Anyone who needs minimal width

De’Longhi Stilosa EC260.BK compared with alternatives

Head-to-head with the top alternatives from our mini espresso machines comparison

Feature	De’Longhi Stilosa EC260.BK	De’Longhi Dedica Arte EC885.M	Sage The Bambino SES450
Type	Portafilter	Portafilter	Portafilter
Pressure	15 bar	15 bar	15 bar
Milk froth	Pannarello	Steam wand	Auto + steam wand
Power	Mains	Mains	Mains
Width	20.5 cm	15 cm	15.5 cm

Similar mini espresso machine models

Wacaco Nanopresso 8.2/10 · from €90 Outin Nano 7.9/10 · from €150 De’Longhi Dedica Style EC685.M 8.6/10 · from €124 De’Longhi Classic EM450.M 8.5/10 · from €119 Hausprofi Siebträgermaschine 15 Bar 7.4/10 · from €79 Grundig KSM 4330 8.1/10 · from €80

Frequently asked questions about the De’Longhi Stilosa EC260.BK

Is a portafilter machine for around 100 euros worth it?

For getting started, yes: the De’Longhi Stilosa EC260 delivers real espresso from your own ground coffee with a 15 bar pump and Pannarello milk foam, much closer to a café than a capsule machine, and with lower cost per cup. You have to live with a pure entry-level device (pressurised filters, no fine adjustment). Anyone who wants to find out whether portafilter is right for them can hardly go wrong here.

What is a Pannarello frother?

The Pannarello is an attachment on the steam wand that mixes in air and so makes milk frothing easier. It is good for beginners because it produces usable foam even without perfect technique. Professionals prefer a bare steam wand (as on the Sage Bambino) for finer microfoam and latte art, but the Pannarello takes away entry barriers on the Stilosa.

Stilosa EC260 or Dedica Arte: which De’Longhi?

The Stilosa is the cheaper entry (from ~€100) with a plastic housing and Pannarello. The Dedica Arte (from ~€199) is narrower (15 instead of 20.5 cm), has a full metal housing and the better MyLatteArt steam wand. Both are 51 mm portafilter machines. For as little money as possible: Stilosa; for quality, a narrower build and better milk foam: Dedica.

Do I need a grinder for the Stilosa?

Recommended but not mandatory: freshly ground espresso tastes best, and grind size strongly influences the result. But you can also use pre-ground espresso or ESE pads, for which the Stilosa is suitable. Because it uses pressurised filters, it is a little more forgiving on grind size than professional-oriented machines.

8.3 / 10 · ★ Portafilter budget pick

Verdict: is the De’Longhi Stilosa EC260.BK worth it?

A solid option with a clear profile: if you can live with only pressurised filters, from €100 you get mainly one thing: cheapest true portafilter machine. It suits best: cheap portafilter entry.

If you want to compare alternatives, you will find detailed data and reviews on our mini espresso machines comparison page.

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De’Longhi Stilosa EC260: the cheap entry into real portafilter espresso