DeLonghi - Dedica Style EC685.M

Get a delonghi, the rest of them are not worth it in this range.

I have the Dedica ec685.M And Picopresso. They both need a few adjustments to make them extract a better shot. But when I adjust Picopresso properly, it makes crazy extractions. My hand grinder is Kingrinder K6, the best grinder for its price. 

Good choice! I had the Bambino for a week and sent it back and got Barista Impress (so basically Barista Express with automatic tamping). Bambino felt cheap (very light, the portafilter is like taken from a toy kitchen), coffee coming was a bit random, sometimes not hot enough. I made a few great cups with Bambino, but it wasn't much that much better than Delonghi 685 I had previously. I don't really understand the little hype about this machine. Btw when I was cleaning Bambino before sending it back, I accidentally scratched whole side of it by using... a kitchen sponge 🙈

Between these two, the DeLonghi one is gonna have better rep than the Vantro; and possibly more parts and long term reliability/support. However, I'd say get the Delonghi Stilosa EC230 instead, it's 15999 INR currently. It's a boiler design vs the thermoblock EC685, (meaning it'll take longer to heat up, and will lose steam pressure over time unlike the Dedica); but it comes with a better steaming wand out of the box The EC685 comes with a pannarello steam wand; which is great if you want to create some milk foam without having to fuss around with technique, but it won't do great latte art or give you any real control over the process if that's what you want. A popular upgrade for the Dedica EC685 is swapping out the steam wand to a Rancilio Silvia wand, but that's another \~4k upgrade, with a possibility of voiding warranty. The Stilosa comes with a better wand as standard. Also the Stilosa EC230 is marketed towards home enthusiasts and baristas apparently, so it comes with an unpressurized basket and portafilter; so you can save some money on the upgrade there One thing to note though is the Stilosa doesn't have any way to time the shot; you need to manually turn the knob to stop the shot. I consider that a plus; as it can be less of a hassle than programming the times (as you can do with the Dedica EC685); but you might like it. [https://www.amazon.in/DeLonghi-Espresso-Machines-Cappuccino-Installation/dp/B085J8LV4F](https://www.amazon.in/DeLonghi-Espresso-Machines-Cappuccino-Installation/dp/B085J8LV4F) Watch some videos on it; Lance Hendrick made a Stilosa video talking about their incredible value; and Tom's Coffee Corner on YT has tons of videos on these Delonghi Dedica/Stilosa machines

My DeLonghi ec680 will be 6 years old in July. No issues except the poor steaming and temp surfing that I knew from the start. 

I have Delonghi Dedica EC685 setup for 4+ years. And now I am considering something new, what would you recommend as next step for progress? Maybe somebody already passed similar way... Possible budget 300-500 € for coffee machine, and 300-400 € for grinder. In EU/Belgium. See more details below -> [My Dedica setup with bottomless portafilter](https://preview.redd.it/tuq3wqsxw4ag1.jpg?width=1914&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aee1f7f6bbb10da27c9573562cd9f597559631e5) I don't want fully automatic coffee machines. I see many recommendations about Gaggia Classic, but for my opinion, it is very outdated and not fabricated anymore. At least I can not find it in Europe. Usually we drink milk based coffee every morning, I prefer hand electric powerfull milk foamer than steamer. I was thinking something about separate higher class grinder something like Eureka, and better coffee machine with 58mm portafilter or similar, not expensive, and compact if possible. But now I found interesting variants like Sage Barista Express or Ninja Luxe ES501EU or Delonghi La Specialista with built grinders. They look very nice and quite compact, but not sure about brewing block/heater and grinder. So I will be very appreciated if somebody will share some similar experience with recommendations or just ideas what to check. *UPD 31.12.2025:* Proposed interesting options: => *UPD 01.01.2026:* Added Gemilai G3007z and Gemilai G3007L. \- **Mii Coffee Apex V2** / **Turin Legato V2** (520€ amazon) / **Gemilai G3007z**(V2) (G3007**L** is V1) (Also known as Machine espresso **SORSO** (400€) but this is V1, without OPV tuning screw) : most interesting variant, looks like cheap Lelit Victoria extended clone, with flow rate and opv control screws with automated buttons and PID for boiler and steam. Stainless steel boiler for coffee and thermoblock for steam, with classic 58mm portafilter group. Main concern only is reliability and warranty. \- **Lelit Anna PL41TEM** (530-550EUR), with PID, but after few reviews, for my opinions, this is the old style design, which is not cost for such money. And should not be considered to buy in 2025-2026. Some construction details, like water tank are ugly and not comfortable. No automatic buttons. Reliable brass boiler. No tamper in stock kit. \- **Gaggia Classic E24**(445EUR), without PID, the same old metal box style design. Can be improved by PID and other mods, but this require some handy skills time and money. No automatic buttons. Reliable brass boiler.

Thanks for Gaggia E24(445EUR), this is good option to consider, slightly cheaper than Lelit Anna(449EUR without PID version). I found it in some stores in EU, including NL. As for my Delonghi Dedica, I am satisfied with it, that's why I do not hurry up with new coffee machine. I heard that Dedica has unstable temperature water flow during shot. Also waterflow is quite fast, and I have to slow down it by using finer grinding for coffee beans, because initially it was developed for pressurized portafilter. And with very fine grindings, sometimes it can not push water. Thats why I wanna have something with bigger diameter basket.

I'm not going to suggest any equipment but here's the reason. Espresso is not as cheap as other brewing methods/equipment, that's the real reason people suggest things only over a certain budget. It's not necessarily out of _snobbiness_. Even with the cheapest "well-reviewed" espresso machines you could get off Amazon (the ₹9k Chinese white labeled Vantro for example, or the tried and trusted ₹15k DeLonghi Dedicas), you would need an espresso capable grinder and some accessories along with the machine to help it make "real" espresso, meaning shots that are from non-pressurized baskets and properly dialled in for depth of flavour. I'll give you my example. I chose the Dedica EC685 as a starter machine for 15k, but have since bought add-ons worth over 10k that I see as absolutely necessary (some optional) upgrades and accessories I needed to get a higher potential out of what is otherwise quite a handicapped machine the way it comes out of the factory. One needs a non pressurized basket with ideally a bottomless portafilter, steam wand mod upgrade (in my case), scale, tamper, puck prep tools eg. wdt, dosing ring, tamping mat, knockbox and puck screen for cleanliness, milk pitcher for latte art, etc... and other basic/fun setup additions that perhaps lean more towards optional. On top of this, a grinder purchase is separate. I had the C3 already so didn't need to buy/upgrade immediately. This was not me going overboard btw, most of these things were the bare minimum to make my machine work like a real espresso machine, rather than a fake crema outputting pressurized basket espresso machine made primarily for coarser pre-ground coffee use (nothing necessarily "wrong" with that, I just don't like the yield it produces... to each their own) So... Espresso capable grinders or machines aren't all necessarily "wildly expensive", but that is subjective of course. If a Timemore C3 is seeming too expensive (which btw I have, it is not very espresso capable anyway unless you mod it), espresso honestly might not be the thing to get into right now for you. I also waited *years* before taking a plunge into Espresso. Look at other brewing methods for now, keep exploring, take it slow and relaxed... Or you could of course start budgeting for your espresso journey simultaneously, it's just good to have realistic expectations on expenditure. BUT even for other methods, _DO NOT_ cheap out on the grinder imo. That's the best advice I can give you.

I've just made this decision myself. I'll sum it up for you, if you want just milk less espresso drinks, go for the ec890. In addition to decent espresso, if you want a decently powered steam wand for milk based drinks, choose the ec685, which is what I chose. Being delivered tomorrow. More info: The 685 has a better steam wand once you remove the Panarello and use the rubber wand instead by tying a zip tie to hold it in place. The 890's wand is infamous for being underpowered, thus people struggle to get microfoam. The 685 steam wand can be swapped out for a rancilio steam wand to improve power and performance - usually costs 3-4k to do. I plan to do this in the future if needed. 890 does cold brew. Both can and should ideally be used with a bottomless portafilter if you have a grinder that can dial in espresso. 685 is much cheaper currently so imo, it's the better value machine for all intents and purposes. But again, everything depends on individual use cases.

Reddit app and most web browsers have translate capability. In case yours doesn't: > Dedica works, but for consistently creamy milk, you're better off with Bambino Plus (or Sage if you can), especially if you plan on making cappuccinos often. Use a good burr grinder (not a blade grinder), and for the hibiscus/almond flavor, look for mild, low-acid beans (medium-roast Brazil/Colombia) or flavored coffees if you want to achieve those exact notes.

DeLonghi EC 685.M comes with pressurized baskets only.

Start with a good grinder and a bottomless portafilter with non-pressurized basket to use with your Dedica. This will allow you to afford a better grinder, while saving up for your next espresso machine. A Dedica brewing non-pressurized is a pretty good espresso machine.

What don't you like about the Dedica that you want to improve on with an upgrade? I doubt that your budget of 300-500€ will get you a significant upgrade. But depending on what your current grinder is, a new grinder priced at 600-900€, to use with your Dedica, could be a huge upgrade. If you are still looking for a Gaggia Classic, the latest model, upgraded with a brass boiler, has been renamed Gaggia E24 and is available in the EU.

While the Dedica has some issues, it is still capable of brewing good espresso. You should be able to get a good flow rate with it. It sounds like you found a grind size with too fast a water flow, and by grinding finer, you slowed it down to the point where water stopped flowing. There should be a grind size in-between those that gives a good flow rate. What grinder are you using? You may need to upgrade your grinder instead of the Dedica. I suggest you delay your machine upgrade until you have saved up enough for a machine with a PID, such as Anna PL41TEM.

Delonghi Dedica 685 does work with pods. There is a pod basket which you can put on the pressurised portafilter. It comes along with the machine. https://preview.redd.it/ubh2v4ljxvig1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=22621f306e5b4cd2284b7c1bcda2e870ddcc47bd

I use Delonghi EC 685, mainly because it’s a classic and we can get the parts, mods and tutorials quite easily. I use it with bottomless portafilter and Kingrinder K6. Works like a charm. EC890 has all those fancy touch pads and upgraded wand which has pretty bad steaming power.

DeLonghi Dedica EC890 for that price is a good deal. Looked at the price history in amazon and it indeed has dropped. [latteholic.com](http://latteholic.com) as well is selling at that price. EC685 is also at the same price and there is no price drop for that, that's strange. My suggestion is 1. read the warranty terms on the page listing before pulling the trigger. 2. check and click on this reward in amazon for an **additional 1000/-** cashback before buying : [https://www.amazon.in/h/rewards/dp/amzn1.rewards.rewardAd.3GJRPK3RQF4WS?rdpf=en](https://www.amazon.in/h/rewards/dp/amzn1.rewards.rewardAd.3GJRPK3RQF4WS?rdpf=en) PS : I use the EC685 purchased from amazon in similar offer