De’Longhi EC685M Dedica Deluxe Automatic Espresso Machine
Verdict
A slim, affordable starter machine that makes decent espresso and easy milk drinks in a very compact footprint, especially appealing for beginners and small kitchens. You get quick heat-up, forgiving pressurized baskets, and a clever adjustable drip tray, but the temperature runs on the cooler side, the plastic-heavy build and bundled tamper feel cheap, and marketing claims are flashier than the real performance. It is a solid testbed for learning espresso before upgrading, not a long-term machine for purists chasing café-level shots.
Pros
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Design, ergonomics & footprint ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.8A very compact, lightweight footprint fits small or student kitchens easily, with a rear removable tank, cup-warming top, and slim profile that slides under most cabinets, though overhead cupboards can slightly complicate tank access.
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Overall user experience ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.8User-friendly overall, with a short learning curve, simple three-button interface, reliable volumetric programming, and an easy dialing-in process that rewards practice.
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Milk, steam & frothing ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.5
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Value & Price ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.5Very reasonable price for a capable starter espresso machine that delivers impressive performance for the money, with occasional bundles adding extra value through upgraded accessories or grinders.
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Cup, tray & carafe handling ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5A height-adjustable double drip tray with a pop-up full indicator handles both short espresso cups and taller travel mugs while helping preserve crema and avoid spills.
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Popularity ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5Remains one of De’Longhi’s most popular entry-level espresso machines, selling strongly and frequently appearing in best-of lists for compact home espresso setups.
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Espresso & beverage quality ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.0Produces decent, forgiving espresso with consistently thick simulated crema and good sweetness, but shots lack the syrupy body and nuance of non-pressurized machines unless you upgrade baskets and grinder.
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Filter ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.0Pressurized double-wall baskets simulate backpressure to deliver forgiving shots for beginners, while switching to single-wall baskets is possible with some portafilter modification and a capable grinder for more authentic espresso.
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Speed & time-to-cup ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.0The thermoblock heating system brings the machine up to brewing temperature quickly, making it appealing for users who want fast, convenient espresso with minimal warm-up.
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Water system, maintenance & descaling ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.0Routine maintenance is straightforward—knocking out pucks, quick flushing, and rinsing the removable tank and drip tray—while flashing indicators and EcoDecalk cycles make descaling easy to manage.
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Pump pressure consistency ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 3.8Relies on pressurized baskets to simulate backpressure; despite a small boiler, brew pressure stays consistent enough to deliver reliable shots for beginners.
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Brewing performance & consistency ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.5For an entry-level thermoblock machine it brews consistently decent shots once grind and dose are dialed in, though temperature surfing and hardware limits keep consistency and finesse below prosumer single-boiler or dual-boiler models.
Cons
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Accessories ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 3.0Box accessories are basic and the plastic scoop/tamper feels flimsy and ineffective, so most owners quickly replace it with a solid metal tamper or value-adding bundles that include better tools like a grinder or knock-box.
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Build quality & durability ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.0Build relies on plenty of plastic and lighter alloys around the housing and portafilter, which is acceptable at this price but benefits from careful hand-washing and basic care to avoid premature wear.
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Heating-element power ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.0The compact thermoblock heats fast but runs a bit cool in the cup, so preheated mugs and occasional temperature surfing are helpful to compensate for its entry-level boiler performance.
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Accuracy of marketing claims ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.0Marketing around the 15 bar pump rating is viewed as hype, since real brewing pressures are lower, so shoppers should focus on actual in-cup results rather than headline specs.
