TL;DR
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A low-cost route into real espresso for very small kitchens
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Only 15cm wide with a 30-second heat-up, built for small UK kitchens
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Stock setup is decent, but the mod community is where this machine shines
If counter space in your UK kitchen is measured in centimetres, the De’Longhi Dedica Style EC685 is the machine that fits where many others will not. At 14.9cm wide and 4.22 kg, it is among the narrowest pump espresso machines sold in the UK. Its pressurised baskets are forgiving, while a compatible precision basket and capable grinder create a more demanding upgrade path.
Who Should Buy the De’Longhi Dedica EC685
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Your kitchen counter space is tight and every centimetre counts (15cm width)
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You want a low-cost entry into real espresso
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You enjoy tinkering and want a machine with an active modification community
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You’re upgrading from a pod machine and want real espresso without the learning cliff
Who Should Skip It
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You drink milk-heavy drinks daily (the Panarello wand is slow and can’t do proper microfoam without modification)
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You want the best stock espresso without modifications (the Sage Bambino Plus is better out of the box)
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You plan to make back-to-back drinks for guests (single thermoblock needs recovery time between steam and brew)
De’Longhi Dedica EC685 Key Specs
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Pump pressure: 15 bar (rated)
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Boiler type: Thermoblock
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Heat-up time: ~30 seconds
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Water tank: 1.1L (removable)
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Portafilter: 51mm
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Power: 1300W
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Weight: 4.2 kg
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Dimensions: 14.9 x 33 x 30.5 cm (W x D x H)
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Steam wand: Panarello (removable sleeve)
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Baskets: Single, double (pressurised), ESE pod
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Temperature: Adjustable (3 settings)
Espresso Quality
With the stock pressurised baskets, the Dedica produces crema-topped espresso that tastes good enough to convince you that home espresso is worth pursuing. The pressurised system is forgiving of grind inconsistency, which means you can start with a basic grinder and still get reasonable results.
The real improvement comes when you switch to a compatible unpressurised precision basket. Owners on CoffeeForums UK describe turning the Dedica into a more traditional home-barista setup with aftermarket baskets. The 51mm group is smaller than Sage’s 54mm or the common 58mm format, so check fit carefully before ordering.
De’Longhi’s 15-bar figure is the pump’s nominal rating, not a measurement at the coffee puck. It should not be compared directly with Sage’s documented 9-bar extraction figure. The Dedica’s stock pressurised baskets manage flow for convenience; moving to an unpressurised basket makes grind, dose and puck preparation much more important.
Steam and Milk Performance
The Panarello wand produces hot, frothy milk suitable for cappuccinos. It’s not microfoam. You won’t be pouring latte art with the stock setup. The Panarello sleeve is removable, and some owners report better results with the sleeve off. But steam power from the single thermoblock is limited. Owners on r/espresso consistently note the Bambino Plus has far superior steam power with a four-hole tip, while the Dedica’s steam is modest by comparison.
For flat whites and lattes, the Dedica requires patience and technique. For cappuccinos with thick foam, it’s fine. If milk drinks are your primary goal, the Bambino Plus is the better machine.
Build Quality and Design
The Dedica is built to be slim. The stainless steel front panel looks more expensive than it is, and the 14.9cm width means it fits in gaps that no other espresso machine can occupy. The removable 1.1L water tank fills from the back.
At 4.2 kg, it’s light. That’s a benefit for storage and portability but a drawback during brewing. Multiple owners report that vibration from the pump can cause the machine to shift on smooth surfaces.
The lack of a 3-way solenoid valve means the portafilter stays pressurised after a shot. You need to wait 10 to 15 seconds or release pressure through the steam wand. The spent puck is wet and soupy, making knock-out messier than machines with solenoid valves like the Gaggia Classic.
The Modification Path
The UK modding community, particularly on CoffeeForums UK, has documented nearly every possible upgrade:
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Compatible precision basket: Replaces the pressurised basket for a more traditional extraction. The single biggest improvement you can make.
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Compatible bottomless portafilter: Lets you see extraction in real time and diagnose channelling.
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Pressure modification (requires disassembly): Community modifications change brew-circuit pressure, but results depend on the method and measurement. This can affect warranty support and is not a beginner upgrade.
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Rancilio Silvia wand swap: Replaces the Panarello with a proper steam wand for microfoam and latte art.
No other machine at this price has a comparable modding community.
What’s Actually Bad About It
The pressure specification is easy to misread. The quoted 15 bar is a pump rating, not a promise that 15 bar reaches the puck. With an unpressurised basket, the machine gives you less control and diagnostic feedback than an enthusiast platform. Pressure modifications require opening the machine and can affect the warranty, so they are not a beginner recommendation.
The 51mm portafilter is limiting. The 51mm ecosystem is smaller than the 54mm (Sage) or 58mm (industry standard) options. Fewer tamper choices, fewer basket options. If you upgrade machines later, nothing transfers.
The Panarello wand is poor for milk drinks. It produces bubbly foam, not silky microfoam. The wand swap mod helps, but the thermoblock’s limited steam power remains the bottleneck. The Bambino Plus handles milk in 18 to 22 seconds. The Dedica takes 45 seconds or more.
No 3-way solenoid valve. Every shot ends with a pressurised portafilter and a soggy puck. The Gaggia Classic has one. The Bambino Plus has one.
The thermoblock runs cool. Multiple owners on CoffeeForums UK report brew temperature being too low for optimal extraction. A workaround exists (running a steam cycle before brewing to pre-heat the group), but it adds 30 seconds to your routine.
How the De’Longhi Dedica EC685 Compares
Sage Bambino Plus: The Bambino Plus adds a 54mm portafilter, ThermoJet 3-second heat-up, documented 9-bar extraction, automatic milk texturing and a 3-way solenoid valve. The Dedica wins on width and is usually cheaper.
Gaggia Classic Evo Pro: The Gaggia has a 58mm portafilter, professional steam wand, 3-way solenoid and a much larger accessories ecosystem. UK pressure setup varies by generation and retailer, so verify the seller’s specification. The Dedica is for smaller spaces and simpler budgets.
Grinder Pairing
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Baratza Encore ESP: The best budget electric pairing. Use the 58mm adapter on the Encore’s dosing cup and transfer grounds manually. Good enough for unpressurised baskets.
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Sage Dose Control Pro: Works but the portafilter cradle is designed for Sage machines. You’ll need to grind into the container and transfer.
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1Zpresso JX-Pro (hand grinder): The best grind quality you can get at this price point. Pairs well with the Dedica’s unpressurised baskets.
FAQ
Is the De’Longhi Dedica EC685 good for espresso?
The De’Longhi Dedica EC685 makes forgiving espresso with its stock pressurised baskets and gives more control with a compatible unpressurised basket and capable grinder. The advertised 15 bar is the pump rating, not pressure measured at the coffee puck, so it does not describe extraction quality by itself.
Is the Dedica EC685 good for milk drinks?
The Dedica EC685 has a Panarello steam wand that produces frothy cappuccino-style milk but cannot create silky microfoam for latte art. Swapping to a Rancilio Silvia wand improves milk texture, though the thermoblock’s limited steam power remains a constraint.
How does the Dedica compare to the Sage Bambino Plus?
The Sage Bambino Plus offers a larger 54mm format, documented 9-bar extraction, faster heat-up and automatic milk texturing. The Dedica is 14.9cm wide and usually cheaper. Choose it when budget or counter width matters more than the better stock workflow of the Sage.
What modifications should I do first on the Dedica?
The most useful first modification is replacing the stock pressurised basket with a compatible precision basket. This enables a more traditional espresso workflow and requires a grinder capable of fine, repeatable adjustment. Confirm 51mm compatibility before buying accessories.
How wide is the De’Longhi Dedica EC685?
The De’Longhi Dedica EC685 measures 14.9cm wide, placing it among the narrowest pump espresso machines commonly sold in the UK. This profile fits counter gaps that exclude many machines measuring roughly 19cm or more across.
Does the Dedica EC685 have a 3-way solenoid valve?
The De’Longhi Dedica EC685 does not have a 3-way solenoid valve. This means the portafilter remains pressurised after brewing, requiring a 10 to 15 second wait before removal. The spent puck is also wet compared to machines with solenoid valves.
How long does the De’Longhi Dedica take to heat up?
The De’Longhi Dedica EC685 heats up in approximately 30 seconds thanks to its thermoblock heating system. However, the brew group and portafilter remain cold, so running a blank shot first improves extraction temperature and overall shot consistency.
Final Verdict: De’Longhi Dedica Style EC685
This is the machine for buyers whose counter width and entry cost dominate the decision. At 14.9cm wide and 4.22 kg, the De’Longhi Dedica Style EC685 fits kitchens where larger machines will not. Its stock pressurised baskets are forgiving, while a compatible precision basket and grinder offer a sensible upgrade path. Choose the Bambino Plus for a stronger out-of-box espresso and milk workflow.