De'Longhi Dedica EC685

Slim semi-automatic entry point at 15 cm wide — the narrowest machine in this comparison and a real advantage in small apartment kitchens. Accepts both ground coffee and ESE pods. Ships with a pressurised (dual-wall) basket that masks grind errors but creates a quality ceiling; the non-pressurised basket upgrade is the standard first modification for serious users.

At 15 cm wide — narrower than a hardback book — the Dedica is the only machine in this lineup that fits comfortably on a small apartment counter without forcing a rearrangement. The thermoblock heater reaches brew temperature in roughly 35 seconds, the 15-bar pump pairs with a manual steam wand for milk frothing, and the standard 51 mm portafilter accepts both pre-ground coffee and ESE pods, which gives genuine flexibility without committing to a separate grinder. The included pressurised dual-wall basket forgives grind inconsistency and produces visually convincing crema, making this the most accessible real-espresso entry in this comparison. The honest weaknesses are exactly what the price predicts: the pressurised basket is a quality ceiling, the thermoblock cannot hold temperature across multi-shot sessions the way a heat exchanger can, and enthusiasts routinely shim the OPV to drop the stock 11–12 bar brew pressure closer to the 9 bar espresso target.

▶ Video review

Delonghi Dedica Home Espresso Machine Review & Test