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.Ā
58+2 represent! I now grind with an 1zpresso J-Ultra, and like you, I was middling for years on a subpar machine. I'd still drink the shots straight from my Dedica, sour or bitter as they were.
Now, the tasting notes on the bag actually mean something. I had a note calling for smoke, and I tasted it and it differed from just bitterness. Melon notes come thru. It's eye opening really.
I'm sure Flair won't work for everyone, but as the only coffee drinker in my home doing 2-3 pulls a day, it definitely works for me.
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'swhat 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
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 ā¬ for coffee machine, and 300-400 ā¬ 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** (520ā¬ amazon) / **Gemilai G3007z**(V2) (G3007**L** is V1) (Also known as Machine espresso **SORSO** (400ā¬) 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.
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