When I first got into espresso, I didn’t want to overcommit financially or take up too much space in my kitchen. That’s what drew me to the De’Longhi Dedica EC685—a sleek, compact espresso machine that’s widely available, beginner-friendly, and surprisingly versatile once you learn how to work with it (plus I got a brand new one lying around haha).
What I Like:
✔️ Accessible & Affordable – You can find the Dedica online or in most electronics or home appliance stores, often bundled with starter kits. Price-wise, it sits comfortably in the entry-level range, making it one of the most accessible ways to start brewing espresso at home without jumping into the deep end.
✔️ Compact Design – With its slim profile, it fits beautifully into my small coffee corner. The stainless steel build adds a professional touch to the look.
✔️ Ease of Use – Out of the box, it’s simple: just load a pod or ground coffee, press a button, and you’re set. For beginners, it’s a forgiving machine. For more advanced users, there’s room to grow, especially after switching to non-pressurised baskets and using a bottomless portafilter.
✔️ Fast Heat-Up – It’s ready to brew in under 30 seconds, which is a huge plus when you’re bleary-eyed in the morning.
✔️ Custom Workflow Friendly – With the addition of a few tools (WDT, tamper, scale, funnel), I’ve gotten consistently good results. It’s become a core part of my daily ritual.
What Could Be Better:
❌ Temperature Fluctuations – There’s no PID controller, so I always run a blank shot or two to stabilise things. Not a deal-breaker, but worth noting.
❌ Steam Wand Limitations – It works, but it’s not ideal for silky microfoam unless you get the hang of it. Still, I’ve been able to craft some decent cappuccinos with practice.
❌ Vibrations – It’s a bit loud and rattly when brewing.
❌ No three-way solenoid valve - it's not the most important part of an espresso machine, but it would be nice to stop the flow immediately after pressing the button/ending the programme.
Final Verdict:
The De’Longhi Dedica EC685 is not a machine that will do everything for you, but that’s part of the fun. It rewards curiosity, experimentation, and practice. With the right tools and a bit of patience, it’s entirely possible to brew café-level espresso at home.
It’s one of the most accessible, compact, upgrade-friendly and great-looking out there, and for me, it turned from a casual purchase into a true companion on my coffee journey.