De’Longhi Dedica EC685 Review: Barista Quality at Home

Quick Overview – Why This Espresso Machine Matters

  • Brand: De’Longhi
  • Model: EC685M Dedica Deluxe
  • Capacity: 35 oz water tank
  • Pressure: 15-bar professional pump
  • Footprint: Slim 5.9″ width
  • Heating Time: Ready in just 40 seconds
  • Frother: Adjustable for milk/textures
  • Compatibility: Ground coffee
  • Automatic Flow Stop

If you’ve ever craved rich espresso at home but don’t want a bulky machine, the DeLonghi Dedica EC685M promises strong results in a space-saving package. My experience with this espresso machine showed that it genuinely suits both beginners and daily espresso drinkers who want reliable, cafe-style drinks each morning. In this hands-on DeLonghi Dedica EC685 review, I’ll cover real-world performance, highlight standout features, and help you decide if it’s the right fit for your home or office coffee setup.

Many people worry about complicated setups and cleaning hassles when buying a personal espresso machine. Having tested several models, I appreciate transparency on what to expect—this review covers strengths, compromises, and the daily experience for you.

Why We Chose the DeLonghi Dedica EC685M

Choosing an espresso machine involves comparing size, ease of use, and taste. After reviewing popular espresso makers and reading feedback from real users, the Dedica EC685M stood out for these reasons:

  • Super slim design fits in kitchens with limited counter space, without sacrificing essential features.
  • Delivers consistent, café-grade espresso with 15-bar pressure and adjustable controls for customizing each cup to your preference.
  • Recognized for fast warm-up and automatic flow-stop, making it practical for busy mornings or small offices.

While there are more expensive and feature-rich espresso machines, the Dedica EC685 hits a sweet spot for performance, reliability, and value recognized by coffee lovers around the world.

Who Is the DeLonghi Dedica EC685 For?

The DeLonghi Dedica EC685 is designed for coffee lovers who want premium espresso without a big learning curve or bulky appliance. If you prefer customizing your drinks and value quick results, it’s a strong pick.

  • Home baristas with limited kitchen space
  • Espresso enthusiasts who want café-style quality daily
  • People who enjoy lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites at home
  • Busy office environments needing fast espresso shots
  • Travelers or renters needing a portable, lightweight machine

Not for: Anyone seeking a fully automatic bean-to-cup system or very large-batch brewing. If you dislike manual tamping or want to brew a whole carafe at once, a different model might fit better.

Specifications & Practical Impact

ModelDedica Deluxe EC685M
Dimensions5.9″ D x 13″ W x 12″ H
Water Tank Capacity35 oz
Pressure15-bar pump
Weight8.8 pounds
Heating Time40 seconds
Voltage120V
OperationButton controls, flow-stop, automatic
FrotherAdjustable for foam and steam
Warranty2 years (from manufacturer)

These specifications mean it’s easy to fit on most counters and quickly whip up espresso with minimal fuss.

Compact Size With Stylish Metallic Finish

Many espresso machines dominate your kitchen, but the DeLonghi Dedica EC685 delivers barista-level performance in a slim, metallic body just 5.9 inches wide. I found it blends in with small kitchens or offices, and is light enough to move when cleaning or rearranging.

The high-quality metallic finish adds a bit of polish, making it look much more expensive than it actually is.

15-Bar Professional Pressure for Barista Results

You can taste the difference when using a true 15-bar espresso pump. The Dedica EC685 extracts the best flavor and crema from ground coffee, whether you prefer a single or double shot.

For those just starting with espresso, this pressure ensures a consistent result—no watery shots, just authentic espresso every time.

Adjustable Frother for Custom Milk Drinks

Love cappuccinos or flat whites? The included premium frother lets you change foam and steam levels for perfect milk texture.

Whether your family likes extra-frothy cappuccino or velvety latte milk, this adjustable frother brings café variety right to your kitchen.

Fast Heating and Automatic Flow Stop

With a preheat of around 40 seconds, you’ll never wait long for that morning espresso. Plus, the automatic flow stop delivers just the right amount of shot—no need to worry about overflowing cups.

The removable drip tray is perfect for fitting taller cups or latte glasses, which I found especially helpful for making drinks for friends or on busy mornings.

Pros and Cons of the DeLonghi Dedica EC685

Here’s what works well—and a few areas that could be improved:

Pros

  • Compact size suits apartments and small kitchens
  • Consistent, high-quality espresso with real crema
  • Customizable milk frothing for a range of drinks
  • Easy to clean, with reminders for descaling
  • Fast warm-up saves time
  • Affordable compared to similar machine

Cons

  • Limited to 1-2 shots before refill/removing portafilter
  • Manual tamping and grounds refill needed for multiple cups

What Customers Are Saying About the DeLonghi Dedica EC685

Customer reviews highlight the Dedica EC685’s dependability and performance in small spaces. Many users love how quickly it makes espresso and appreciate the chance to tweak drink size and milk texture.

Some mention the need for refilling if you want multiple cups back-to-back, but most agree that it balances size, value, and quality for home use. The ease of cleaning and clear descaling reminders get frequent praise.

Standout Review – Five-Star Review Highlight

Great Product

Anna

delonghi dedica ec685

Summary

Great product! Takes a minute to get oriented with how to use it and not fill up the cup too high with grounds. If the cup is too full (or the grounds are too fine), the pressure builds up too high and will shut off before it produces any espresso.I usually want more than just one double shot, so I have to take everything apart and refill it to get another cup. It’s a small inconvenience and I readily do it to get the amount I want, but I wish there was a more convenient option to produce more without resetting everything. The overall product and size and espresso produced are great.UPDATE 7-MONTHS LATER:Still going strong! I use this machine almost daily, usually running the machine 2-4 times to get the amount of espresso I want. I live in a small apartment so this takes very little time to do in between getting ready in the morning. Still very happy with mg purchase!UPDATE ON 30 AUGUST 2023 AFTER 5.5 YEARS OF USE: I was scrolling through my old reviews and saw this was only 4/5 stars, but I 10/10 recommend this espresso maker, so I updated my rating to 5 stars because this is 100% worth every penny.

5

Frequently Asked Questions About the DeLonghi Dedica EC685

Is the DeLonghi Dedica EC685 easy to clean?
Yes, it features a removable drip tray and water tank, plus handy descaling reminders. Most users report routine cleaning is quick and simple.

Can I use pods or only ground coffee?
The Dedica EC685 is designed for ground coffee, so you can experiment with your favorite blends.

How hot does the milk frother get?
The adjustable frother produces both hot milk and dense foam for cappuccinos or lattes. You can customize for less or more froth easily.

What size cups fit in the machine?
Thanks to the removable drip tray, you can use standard espresso cups or taller latte glasses.

Does it shut off automatically?
Yes, the machine has automatic flow stop and an auto-off for added safety and peace of mind.

Our Final Verdict on the DeLonghi Dedica EC685

The DeLonghi Dedica EC685 delivers top-notch espresso in a compact, stylish package ideal for small kitchens and daily use. Its customizable controls and reliable pressure will satisfy most coffee enthusiasts who want café drinks at home without spending a fortune. While it’s not suited for very large households or super-automatic brewing, it ticks all the right boxes for quality, ease, and value.

If you’re after a hands-on espresso experience and appreciate saving space, the Dedica EC685M is a smart buy.

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