De'Longhi Dedica EC685 Review

The De’Longhi Dedica EC685 is the espresso machine to buy if you have about 6 inches of counter space and a small budget. It usually sells for an estimated $200 to $330. Its pressurized baskets make good shots from pre-ground coffee, so you can start without a grinder. If you want latte art milk, or plan to buy a quality grinder soon, spend more on a machine with a better steam wand.

This review draws on manufacturer specifications, manuals and long-term owner reports, not on our own use.

Who the Dedica is for

The Dedica fits a beginner who makes one or two drinks a day in a small kitchen. You fill the portafilter, tamp, lock it in and press the 1-cup or 2-cup button. The machine stops the shot on its own.

It is a poor fit for three buyers. Milk drink fans who want silky microfoam will fight the panarello wand. Homes that make three or four cappuccinos in a row will wait for steam. Enthusiasts who want to dial in light roasts will outgrow the pressurized baskets and the 51 mm portafilter.

The EC685 and the other Dedica models

All Dedica models share the same Thermoblock, brew group and 51 mm portafilter. The differences are the steam wand and the accessories.

To tell them apart, read the model number on the listing or on the rating label of the machine. The Arte’s wand is a bare steel tube; the EC685’s has a plastic panarello sleeve.

Pressurized baskets: why beginners do well

The EC685 ships with pressurized single and double baskets and an E.S.E. pod filter. A pressurized basket has a small exit hole that builds pressure even if the grind is too coarse or the tamp is uneven. The result is a fuller shot with foam on top from supermarket pre-ground coffee.

The tradeoff is a ceiling. Pressurized baskets mask good technique as well as bad. With fresh beans from a capable grinder, a non-pressurized 51 mm basket gives more flavor and texture. Owners who upgrade usually buy an aftermarket bottomless portafilter and non-pressurized basket. That only pays off with a grinder that can grind fine enough for espresso, such as the Baratza Encore ESP. Our espresso grinder guide explains what to look for.

Shot quality and settings

The Dedica uses a 15-bar pump and a Thermoblock, which heats water as it flows. It heats up quickly, a big part of its appeal.

You can change three things in the menu:

• Brew temperature: low, medium or high. Use high for darker roasts that taste sour, and low if shots taste burnt.
• Shot volume: Hold the 1-cup or 2-cup button to program a new volume.
• Water hardness: Set it to match your water so the descale light comes on at the right time.

Thermoblocks are less stable than a boiler, so the first shot after warm-up can run cooler. Pull a blank shot through the empty portafilter first to heat the group. Our espresso basics guide gives starting recipes for dose, yield and time.

Steaming milk with the panarello

The panarello sleeve has two settings. Hot Milk heats milk with little foam. Cappuccino draws in air for thick foam. Both are easy and need no skill.

The limit is texture. A panarello makes airy, bubbly foam, fine for a cappuccino but too stiff for latte art. Some owners pull the sleeve off and steam with the bare tube for finer foam, but steam pressure is low, so it takes practice and patience. A small milk pitcher gives you better control than a mug.

Steam takes a short wait after a shot while the Thermoblock heats up again. For two drinks, steam the milk for both at once, then pull the shots.

Size and kitchen fit

The Dedica measures 149 mm wide, 330 mm deep and 303 mm tall, about 5.9 x 13 x 11.9 in. It weighs about 4.2 kg (9.3 lb). It fits between a toaster and a wall, and under any wall cabinet.

The 1.1 L tank lifts out for refilling, so leave room to reach it. The space under the spout is short. De’Longhi says the drip tray adjusts to fit cups up to 12 cm (4.7 in) tall.

Daily and weekly routine

• After each drink: Knock out the puck, rinse the basket and portafilter, and wipe and purge the steam wand right away so milk does not dry inside.
• Every day: Empty the drip tray and refill fresh water.
• Every week: Pull off the panarello sleeve and soak it in warm water. Wipe the shower screen.
• When the light flashes: Descale. The Dedica counts usage based on your hardness setting and flashes a light when it is due. Our descaling guide covers the steps and products.

Upgrade path

Most owners improve the Dedica in this order:

1. A grinder. Fresh beans make the biggest difference. Keep the pressurized basket at first.
2. A metal tamper. The plastic tamper is light. A 51 mm tamper gives a level, firm tamp.
3. A non-pressurized basket. Only after the grinder, since it needs a fine, even grind.

If you know now that you want latte art or more control, skip the upgrades. The Dedica Arte costs a little more and has a real steam wand. The Breville Bambino Plus adds an automatic steam wand that makes microfoam and a 54 mm portafilter. The Barista Express adds a built-in grinder, though it takes nearly three times the width.

Dedica vs other small machines

Our best machines for small kitchens page compares more compact options, and our De’Longhi brand guide shows where the Dedica sits in the range.

Buying advice

Check for the EC685 model number. Older EC680 stock still turns up, and it has the older wand. All four EC685 colors are the same machine inside, so pick the cheapest color you like.