s this déjà vu? Not quite – even if it was almost exactly three years ago that I last got my hands on a good, solid espresso machine in the bare-basics, entry-level category for under $350 from DeLonghi. Back then, I was pretty enthusiastic about the DeLonghi Dedica EC680 because it delivered sound functionality at a low price point.
| Water tank capacity | 2 litres |
| Strength control | Yes |
| Pressure (bar) | 15 |
| Milk frother | Yes – steam wand |
| Automatic drinks | No |
- Breville and DeLonghi are two well-known brands that make manual and semiautomatic coffee machines at a range of prices.
- These types of coffee machine can be expensive, but they give you much greater control over your coffee-making so you can replicate the ‘café experience’ at home.
- CHOICE experts regularly test dozens of semiautomatic and manual home espresso machines. Our detailed reviews can help you decide which one is right for you.
DeLonghi coffee machines are among the best in the world. This company has a wide range of coffee machines available, as well as other appliances, but the three on this list are the best that they produce and the highest regarded by coffee enthusiasts.
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PRO
- Compact and affordable
- Useful settings
- Easy operation
- Good espresso and milk froth
Cons
- For beginners only
- Not cheap
- Challenging to steam at first
The DeLonghi Dedica EC685 at a Glance – Sorting through Colors and Models
When it comes to slapping new, indecipherable model names on what is really the same machine, DeLonghi is the reigning champ. One clue to solving the 685 puzzle lies in the all-important letters following the numbers.
Key Features
- LatteCrema Milk Frothing System – the automatic LatteCrema milk frothing system that the Eltts is equipped with is very similar to that on the La Specialista. However, the system on the Eletta is more integrated into the machine, as it is designed to automatically prepare the perfect milk and deposit it into your cup without any manual input whatsoever.
- Metal Sensor Touch Control Panel – this is the interface on the Letta that features a clear LED display that is always easy to read. The interface has 16 integrated languages and provides all of the milk-based espresso beverages available at the touch of a button.
- The Milk Menu – this feature is a DeLonghi integrated feature that allows the user to choose the exact type of milk they would like for their drink based on the density and foam they prefer. The available options are Latté milk, Flat White milk, Steamed milk (similar to Cappuccino milk), and Custom, which allows the user to design their own custom milk creation.
- Compact Design – the Eletta is one of the most compact machines made by DeLonghi, but it is simultaneously one of the most powerful, advanced, and versatile machines produced by the company.
- Programmable Features – there are many programmable features integrated into the Eletta, such as the water hardness, the type of milk, the ground coffee coarseness, and many other sensors that you can set to create your perfect cup of coffee based on your preferences, every time you make a cup of coffee.
“De’Longhi has been leading the [coffee] category globally for over 30 years, bringing over a century of artistry and innovation to the ever-changing coffee landscape to fulfill consumers’ needs.”
The DeLonghi EC685.M is the “Metallic” look version, while the DeLonghi EC685.BK I reviewed has a “BlacK” casing. If your tastes stretch to the more flamboyant, it’s also available in white and red.
For reasons that escape us, prices vary by color. The differences are small and considering how affordable the appliance already is, shouldn’t factor into your decision making.
I went for the black – actually it’s more like slate gray and way slicker than it looks on the product page.
Difference, what difference? Comparing the DeLonghi EC685 to the EC860
I always do my best to approach a new review as a blank slate – even if I know the predecessor product well. Which is no mean feat considering that the EC685 is practically identical to the EC680.
To spot the biggest difference, look at the milk wand. The 680 originally featured a simple panarello adapter.
This “auto-frother” makes handling the wand easier for froth freshmen. Because it doesn’t matter how deep you dunk the wand or it’s postion in the pitcher. By automatically infusing the milk with just the right proportion of air, you’re assured of microfoam.
On the new 685, this adapter has been given an upgrade. With a single click, you can select the “Cappuccino” setting for milk froth or the “Hot Milk” version without bubbles. It’s a pretty nifty solution because it allows you to create other hot, foam-free beverages.
All the portafilter machine’s other tech specs and accessories, such as portafilters, are exactly the same. At least as far as I can tell. How about you? Found another way of separating the twins?
Tech Specs: Made for Beginners with a Capital B
Much like just about every entry-level portafilter machine, the DeLonghi Dedica successfully creates a veneer of professionalism around certain features. My absolute favorite bit of BS is the 15 bar pressure spec. Wow, now that’s a head of steam you might think. Imagine what that’ll mean, especially for the milk froth.
It comes with a lot of big buts. As is true of super-automatic espresso machines, this figure is actually the pump’s maximum output. That’s what it can generate in theory. But it’s unlikely to push the needle that far because the rest of the machine isn’t built for it.
To do that, a dinky espresso machine like the DeLonghi Dedica takes massive strain. And pulls a bit of a fast one.
Genuine reasons to feel pleased with your purchase include three temperature settings as well as the ability to steplessly (!) adjust cup volume. Not only is this really useful but it’s also super easy to tweak it by tiny fractions of an ounce depending on your choice of beans. Nothing fast and loose about that.
What’s Espresso from the EC685 Like?
Putting aside my temperature tantrums and the fact that you can’t blame the DeLonghi EC685 if your grinder is junk or badly calibrated, expect a very drinkable espresso. The crema is superficially clean. Again, the machine puts its diversionary tactics to good use.
You should definitely warm your cups. The (passive) cup warming tray on top of the machine is perfect for the job since it gets surprisingly toasty. Alternatively, use hot water from the steam wand. Just turn the dial on the side.
What’s the Milk Froth from the EC685 Like?
Pitcher under steam wand, switch to cappuccino and hey presto milk froth. Well almost. The DeLonghi EC685 is also incredibly beginner-friendly in this respect. By their nature, single boilers require that you know and do a few things pre- and post-frothing.
Prepping for Milk Froth
In order to turn the hot water for the extraction into even hotter steam for milk froth, the portafilter has to increase its temperature. This only happens when you press the steam button. Then you have to sit tight until the lights stop furiously flashing.
Get impatient and turn the dial without allowing the additional heating time and all you’ll get is hot water at brewing temperature. This definitely has its uses and isn’t just an “accidental” this function.
Before dunking the milk wand with its panarello in the pitcher, aim the pre-heated wand over the drip tray to flush it.
This is especially important because a fair squirt of residual water will come out before the steam. And you don’t want that in your milk. Every extra drop of water is going to mess with your microfoam.
All that’s left for you to do is keep a hand on the pitcher to judge when the milk’s temperature is spot on. Yes, a thermometer is always an option, but the finger version is (literally) a good rule of thumb. As soon as it starts (!) getting too hot to handle, switch off the wand.
Don’t forget to wipe any milk off the wand immediately afterward with a clean cloth reserved especially for this purpose. Then, flush once more into the cloth. Hot milk hardens into gunk before you know it.
Black to White and Back: Temperature Surfing
Once the machine has heated up enough to produce steam, it’s difficult to drop the mercury down to optimal espresso temperature. If the boiler is too hot, the DeLonghi EC685 will alert you via the coffee buttons’ furious blinking.
It’s possible to speed up the cooling process by temperature surfing. Briefly release water from the group head by pressing the espresso shot button without inserting a portafilter. Then give it a moment to work its way back up to the correct temperature.
That makes it sound more complicated than it is. What’s really important to remember is that you should never, ever make espresso with the water boiled to create steam.
Cleaning: What Done Already?
When it comes to the dreaded c-word, the DeLonghi Dedica is as low maintenance as any other portafilter machine. After each shot, you have to remove the portafilter and knock out the coffee puck. At the same time, you rinse coffee grounds from the shower screen by releasing a shot of water and cleaning with a brush. That’s basically it.
But don’t neglect the water tank and drip tray. Rinse them daily under running water and dry them well afterward.
In the hygiene stakes, all espresso machines across the price spectrum score almost always score an A+.
By the way: It doesn’t matter whether your machine is a cheapo cheater or choice producer of the real McCoy, the dishwasher is an absolute no-go for your portafilter handles. Especially when, as is true of the DeLonghi EC685, there are plenty of cheap alloys and plastic in the mix.
Verdict on the DeLonghi Dedica: Update or not, it’s a Success
By the way: It doesn’t matter whether your machine is a cheapo cheater or choice producer of the real McCoy, the dishwasher is an absolute no-go for your portafilter handles. Especially when, as is true of the DeLonghi EC685, there are plenty of cheap alloys and plastic in the mix.
If you ask me whether the DeLonghi EC685 is the best portafilter machine for beginners, my answer is a categorical no. Not to put too fine a point on it, but this is actually a successful “tester.” The Rancilio Silvia, for one, is a proper entry-level machine.
In contrast, the DeLonghi model is more of a bargain basement version of the Breville Bambino Plus and other portafilters of the kind that use automation to help even the most fumbling freshman barista find their feet.
Step up a level and there’ll be a lot less hand-holding than with the DeLonghi or Breville. Then again, you probably won’t need or want it anymore. The Delonghi EC685 isn’t intended to be the last word on brewing espresso. By those standards, it’s A-OK.
Any nagging questions or snorts of disagreement? Don’t stew over them, the comments section is ready and waiting.
