DeLonghi - Dedica Arte Manual Coffee Machine EC885.M

Check this review out: https://youtu.be/G-GeZ9fbajw Aldi had them for $169 The Dedica model with the better wand is slightly dearer https://www.delonghi.com/en-au/p/dedica-metallics-manual-espresso-makers-dedica-arte-manual-coffee-machine-ec885.m/EC885.M.html?pid=0132106277 ( you can get 10% off the price & free delivery!). I just use ground Lavazza Oro coffee ( Italy’s most popular coffee brand). So A$200 gets you a machine & 250g of coffee & it makes a pretty good coffee simply with little effort.

In that budget,, I would get Delonghi Dedica or Breville Sage, small portfolio ones, and get a decent grinder. DF54 or 64 what have you. and add accessories. i heard AIO will break easier, especially the grinder. And if I had to do it all over again, I would just get the cheapest Delonghi sub $150, and frequently under $80 in local Sams club in the US. Reason being, its so easy to repair. But as always, better equipments will give better results. It's with these budget kitchen appliance espresso machines that need crazy dialing skills...

Delonghi Dedica Arte. 51mm basket. easy to find. fast heat up time. So many auto settings (like auto turn off after 30 min, or turn on with button touch - don't have to switch it off). Find the cheapest Amazon burr grinder and mod it to grind finer. Get a few accessories if you want to expand the horizon. Have fun.

Go with Delonghi Dedica because I have one. 😃 less than 30 sec heat up, auto shut off, and fast steaming heat up, latte art steaming wand. I have Dedica Arte, but the new model is even better. BTW, avoid all in one's. And get a separate grinder, if you can. because grinders get damaged easily. But it's your choice.

Go with Delonghi Dedica because I have one. 😃 less than 30 sec heat up, auto shut off, and fast steaming heat up, latte art steaming wand. I have Dedica Arte, but the new model is even better. BTW, avoid all in one's. And get a separate grinder, if you can. because grinders get damaged easily. But it's your choice.

Did you consider a Dedica EC885?

I just got a dedica 885 for 180.- but I'm in Switzerland and electronics can be real cheap here...

Delonghi Dedica Arte ($200) expandable with Breville Smart Grinder Pro ($350). Great beginner setup if you don't want to break the bank. Can also buy your beans pre-ground but that's less tinkering to dial everything in (still fine). Breville Barista Express ($600) for a solid all in one. Otherwise if you have some more money to spend. Gaggia Evo Pro ($800) paired with a Vario Baratza Encore ($300) or a Vario VS3 ($450).

Ah ok. I’d go with the Dedica.

If you can get a used Gaggia Classic - go for it. But the Dedica has better build quality compared to Gaggia Espresso.

So eine hab ich. Definitiv besser als ein Vollautomat wenn man nur 1-3 Tassen trinkt am Tag. Alternativ habe ich noch eine isolierte French Press - mit frisch gemahlenen Kaffee schmeckt das auch gut. Für ganz faule würde ich aber einfach eine günstige Kapselmaschine empfehlen, hab meiner Nachbarin eine ausgesucht, sie ist sehr happy damit. Die hier - war im Angebot für 140€ - bald ist ja auch Black Friday bei Amazon. Laut Geizhals gabs die auch schon für 120€ Nespresso De'Longhi Citiz & Milk EN267.WAE Kaffeekapselmaschine mit Aeroccino Milchaufschäumer Creme Weiß 19 Bar Pumpendruck für Milchrezepte, Espresso & Lungo Siebträger hab ich die: De'Longhi Dedica Arte EC 885.​GY - kostet auch normal so 135€ Kaffeemühle brauchst du dann auf jeden Fall auch. Und Milchaufschäumer.

If you don't mind a hand grinder, my suggestion would be a De'Longhi Dedica Arte (EC885) paired with the 1zpresso J ultra. This is the beginner setup I got after my Nespresso. I still have it and am very happy with it. The Dedica is fine for medium and dark roasts, especially if you are not into very funky stuff, which you probably are not since you come from Nespresso, like I did. The j ultra is an amazing hand g rinder, which you will keep even if you upgrade the Dedica, and you can take it with you when traveling. If you are not into manual grinding, I totally get it. I like the manual grinder very much, I don't mind the process, I actually find it fun. Don't be put off by people who say it is hard, I am a woman and not strong at all. This is my beginner setup and I totally stand by it. It won't break your budget and you can add small upgrades to it after a bit, like a bottomless portafilter, if you want something like that. https://preview.redd.it/rqd31ux0k5cg1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d395f44c322422b0b7f3be15972bf97c5477c533

Dedica is a good little machine, and a good price. Cant do a lot of milk before getting tired but was great for two of us.

Dedica does regular coffee, we had one for a while, Id rate it. Great for the price and for a smaller household.

Honestly been extremely happy with my Delonghi dedidica arte and a kingrinder k6 grinder. Cheapest option. And have the consistency down after a bit of tinkering.

Yea exactly. It can do a very decent job delivering consistent espresso. https://preview.redd.it/aj2tjoq8k1cf1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8fa22d044a5f195dd48bb7f9b51525d5cdf7d5ac

My Delonghi dedica arte does the job well. It was only like 150-200 bucks on sale. Plus a 250 eureka mignon zero. All set for exceptional cortados. https://preview.redd.it/gbtpspi5wgxf1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c5c9c8f940dab19837439c25f55ceec6f56027e2

Is morning dream worth getting if I just use my dedica. It heats up in minutes as well. But I like the infrared thermometer to measure temp. Still not really paying too much attention to milk temp.

Instead of a dreo in just keeping my dedica to steam milk from. It’s small so it works well

Depends on what is important to you.  Fast heat up, looks, PID, easily adjustable pressure, longevity, repairability, size, the actual process of making the shot? If you want a long lasting machine and like tinkering, you would probably go for a Silvia or a used ECM or something similar. If you want a really nice looking machine and only drink espresso, you might end up with a ECM puristika. Want the most bang for the buck, you will probably end up with a modified Delonghi Dedica or your machine. I went the used ECM route (Classika 1 for 500€, absolute bargain). And there are differences in shot quality, but I don’t think they are purely price related and certainly one could argue that a lot of people have a way better machine than they could ever make use of. It’s a hobby for a lot of people so they like to treat themselves.

For now, get a used delonghi dedica. It’s popular, easily accessible and you can find spare parts and extras easily.   If you can, get freshly ground beans regularly. Buying freshly ground weekly from a local roaster will beat every other option until you can invest some money in a decent grinder, like a Baratza Encore ESP or a good hand grinder.   Ideally you also want an unpressurized basket. But the pressurized one will do in a pinch, it works with store bought pre ground espresso.

Get a good grinder. The dedica is a great little machine and the 885(?) is even good with steaming milk.   The only big upgrade in that price range would be something like a flair 58, if you like those.

Get a good grinder. The dedica is a great little machine and the 885(?) is even good with steaming milk.   The only big upgrade in that price range would be something like a flair 58, if you like those.