Does the Dedica need a better grinder?

More than anything. The pressurised basket hides grinding sins, but upgrading to a Kingrinder K6 or Timemore C3 unlocks its real potential.

De'Longhi Dedica EC685 reviews — what do owners say?

Across 40+ pulls and aggregated UK owner reviews, the verdict is consistent: superb value, slim 15cm footprint and genuine espresso for £149, held back by a 51mm portafilter, slow Pannarello steam wand and ±4°C temperature swings. Our 4.4/5 rating reflects that — best budget pick, not a prosumer rival.

De'Longhi Dedica EC685 review — is it good for beginners?

Yes — it's the easiest sub-£150 path to real espresso. Fast 3-minute heat-up, pressurised baskets that forgive coarse grinds, and cheap parts. Budget for a proper grinder within six months; that's what turns it from decent to excellent.

Espresso Machine · Reviewed 2026-08-17 · Updated 2026-09-23

De'Longhi Dedica EC685 Review

Name: De'Longhi Dedica EC685
Brand: De'Longhi
Price: 149 GBP
Availability: InStock

4.4/5Best Budget

The best espresso machine under £300 — slim, fast and shockingly capable once you add a decent grinder.

A 15-bar pump, 1.4L boiler and under-counter footprint for under £150.

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Current UK price

£149

Amazon UK De'Longhi (official)

Our verdict

A 15-bar pump, 1.4L boiler and under-counter footprint for under £150. It earns a 4.4/5 because, after measuring 3 min 10 s and pushing it through our standard 40-shot protocol, it does what it claims — consistently and without drama. Best for: Beginners and small kitchens who want real espresso without the price tag.

Pros & cons

What we love

Slim 15cm-wide footprint fits any counter
Fast heat-up (~3 minutes)
Budget price with genuine espresso output
Cheap spare parts and huge aftermarket

What could be better

51mm portafilter limits upgrade path
Steam wand is slow for big milk drinks
No PID — temperature swings between shots
Plastic brew head feels cheap

How it performed

Our measurements

Heat-up time: 3 min 10 s
Shot temp stability: ±4°C between pulls
Width: 15 cm
Steam to latte cup: ~40 s

All measurements from our standard 40-shot test protocol. Full methodology on How We Test.

Specs at a glance

Pump: 15 bar
Portafilter: 51mm
Boiler: 1.4L stainless thermoblock
Milk steaming: Manual wand (Pannarello included)
Power: 1,350 W

Who should buy it?

Buy the De'Longhi Dedica EC685 if beginners and small kitchens who want real espresso without the price tag. Skip it if you need 51mm portafilter limits upgrade path.