De'Longhi Dedica Style (EC685M) Review: Tiny Machine, Real Espresso

By Editorial Team | April 2026

Intro

The De'Longhi Dedica Style (EC685M) is our pick if you want genuine 15‑bar espresso and decent milk foam without surrendering counter space. It wins because it crams fast heat‑up, a steam wand and a usable water tank into a 15cm wide body—real espresso for small kitchens, not a toy.

Our pick: De'Longhi Dedica Style (EC685M)

De'Longhi Dedica Style (EC685M) — £149.00

This machine gives you café‑style pressure and quick shots in a footprint that fits a narrow apartment shelf. Our score: 7.6 — it’s the best overall pick for daily home use where space is the limiting factor.

Why it works:

• Heat and speed: the thermoblock reaches brewing temperature in ~40 seconds, so you get consistent, repeatable shots fast.
• Real extraction pressure: the 15‑bar pump produces crema and respectable extraction for most blends, not the weak shots you get from pod machines.
• Size and convenience: at 15 cm wide with a 1.1 L removable tank and a Panarello wand, it fits tiny counters while making cappuccinos without a steep learning curve.

The honest trade-off: it ships with pressurised baskets, lacks a 3‑way solenoid valve, and offers basic steam control—so puck ejection is messier and expert-level milk microfoam is out of reach.

If you want one, grab the De'Longhi Dedica Style (EC685M) here: De'Longhi Dedica Style (EC685M).

Best upgrade: Sage / Breville Barista Express (BES875)

Sage (Breville) Barista Express — ≈£500–£600

Spend more and you get an integrated conical grinder, precise dose control, and better temperature stability (PID), which together deliver a noticeable improvement in flavour and consistency. The built‑in grinder eliminates pre‑grind headaches and the steam wand gives far better milk texture.

Worth it if: you want pro‑level control at home—grinding, dosing and steaming in one machine and you’re ready to pay for convenience and better shots. Sage Barista Express

Best budget pick: De'Longhi EC155

De'Longhi EC155 — ≈£80–£100

A true bargain if you only want espresso occasionally and don’t care about sleeker build or faster heat‑up times. It still gives 15 bar extraction and basic frothing, but it’s less refined than the Dedica and slower to recover between shots.

Worth it if: you want the cheapest route to espresso and don’t need compact design or repeatable morning speed.

How we chose

We prioritised footprint, extraction pressure, heat‑up time, milk‑steaming usability, and maintenance: those factors determine day‑to‑day satisfaction with an espresso machine. Choices were based on spec comparisons, hands‑on testing notes, expert reviews, and common user complaints about puck ejection and steam control.

Frequently asked questions

Is 15 bar enough for good espresso? Yes. For home machines, 15 bar is the industry standard and—combined with a decent grind and tamp—produces crema and proper extraction for everyday blends.

Is the Dedica worth £149? Yes, if you value counter space and speed. For £149 you get a compact stainless‑steel machine, ~40‑second heat‑up, and a usable steam wand—good value unless you need an integrated grinder or pro steam performance.

How hard is maintenance and cleaning? You’ll do manual descaling (it has a descaling alarm) and the lack of a 3‑way valve means the portafilter can drip after extraction, so expect slightly more frequent drying and puck cleanup than on higher‑end semi‑autos.

Verdict

Named verdict: Buy the Dedica Style if tiny footprint and fast, repeatable espresso are your priorities; skip it if you want pro‑level milk texture, a built‑in grinder, or easy puck ejection.

If you’re ready to commit to a compact home‑barista setup, the De'Longhi Dedica Style (EC685M) gets you there without costing the earth. Buy the Dedica Style here.