De'Longhi Dedica EC685 review: a slim, affordable first espresso machine

This De’Longhi Dedica EC685 review is for anyone who wants proper espresso at home without giving up much worktop or spending much money. The Dedica Style is a very narrow pump espresso machine, and it’s £179 at De’Longhi UK (a sale price that may end) or £179.99 at Currys, price at time of research (28 Sep 2026). I haven’t tested this in person. My verdict is based on the specs De’Longhi and Currys list, dated UK prices, Currys owner reviews and the published tests I name and link below.

De’Longhi Dedica EC685 review: the short answer

Buy the Dedica EC685 if you’re new to espresso, your kitchen is small and you’d like to keep the total spend under £200. It takes ground coffee or ESE pods, so you can start simply.

Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants everything for milky drinks in the box. Currys’ box list has no milk jug.

Choose the Sage Bambino instead if you can stretch to £329.95 (Sage UK, price at time of research, 28 Sep 2026) and want a bigger box of extras, including a milk jug and a water filter. My Sage Bambino review has the details.

Who it isn’t for: anyone who needs every pound for a grinder and beans. The Dedica leaves more budget for those.

What it costs right now

• De’Longhi UK (EC685.M, metal finish): £179, price at time of research (28 Sep 2026), in stock. De’Longhi’s page also shows an original price of £229.99 with no end date for the lower price, so it may not last. See the Dedica EC685 at De’Longhi
• Currys (EC685BK, black): £179.99, price at time of research (28 Sep 2026), in stock, with no was-price shown. See the Dedica EC685 at Currys
• Other shops: I couldn’t confirm prices at Argos, John Lewis or AO, so if you’d rather buy there: Check current price.

The two model codes are the same machine in different finishes, so pick the colour you prefer.

What you get: specs and what’s in the box

De’Longhi and Currys both list a 15-bar pump, thermoblock heating and a 1450W rating. The machine measures 149mm wide, 330mm deep and 305mm high, so it suits small kitchens, a point TechRadar makes too. There’s a cup warmer on top, automatic power-off and room for cups up to 120mm tall.

There’s no grinder, so you’ll use pre-ground coffee or ESE pods, or pair it with a separate grinder. My guide to the best burr grinders under £100 covers affordable options.

For milk, De’Longhi fits a manual frothing wand that can make hot milk or foam. De’Longhi and Currys give slightly different figures for the water tank and the weight, so check the listing if either matters to you.

In the box, Currys lists the machine, two filters, a tamper and an instruction booklet. De’Longhi’s instruction manual adds a water hardness test strip and says a water softener filter is sold separately. There’s no milk jug, so budget for one if you want milky drinks; see my best milk jug for latte art guide.

Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants to grind, dose and tweak everything themselves from day one without adding a grinder. On its own, the Dedica is a ground-coffee machine.

Running costs and upkeep

The Dedica has no pods to lock you in, so your main ongoing cost is coffee. Beyond that, the upkeep is modest:

• Descaling: an orange light flashes when it’s due, and the manual says a cycle takes about 25 minutes. The manual also says to use De’Longhi’s own descaler, or faults may not be covered. Currys offers De’Longhi’s DLSC101 Eco-Decalk Mini at £4.99, price at time of research (28 Sep 2026).
• Cleaning: the manual says to clean the filters at least once a month.
• Warranty: De’Longhi’s care page gives a minimum of two years for coffee machines; the Currys listing says one year, so check before you buy.

If you’d like fresh beans delivered, my guide to the best coffee subscriptions compares them on price and flexibility.

Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a machine that looks after itself. You’ll need to descale and clean it regularly, as with any espresso machine.

What reviewers and owners say

TechRadar compares it with De’Longhi’s Dedica Duo rather than reviewing it alone; it says the Style heats quickly, keeps pressure steady and is the better value of the two.

On Currys, owners rate it 4.5 out of 5 across 2,897 reviews (checked 28 Sep 2026). That’s a large sample, but a retailer rating can’t show long-term reliability.

Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a long list of independent test results. The main published coverage I found is TechRadar’s comparison.

Dedica EC685 vs Sage Bambino

I’ve written a full Dedica vs Bambino comparison. In short:

• Price: the Dedica is £179 at De’Longhi UK (a sale price that may end) or £179.99 at Currys; the Bambino is £329.95 at Sage UK, all price at time of research (28 Sep 2026).
• Heating: the Dedica uses a thermoblock; Sage lists its ThermoJet system with PID temperature control and claims a three-second heat-up.
• Tank: Sage lists 1.4 litres for the Bambino; the Dedica’s figure differs between listings.
• In the box: the Bambino comes with a milk jug, single- and dual-wall baskets and a water filter; the Dedica doesn’t include a jug.
• Coffee: the Dedica also takes ESE pods; the Bambino is ground coffee only.

If you’re counting every pound or every centimetre, the Dedica wins. If you want a more complete kit, the Bambino earns its extra cost.

Who it isn’t for: anyone who’s already decided they want the Bambino’s milk jug, extra baskets and water filter in the box.

Downsides

• No milk jug: you’ll need to buy one for lattes and cappuccinos.
• No grinder: budget for pre-ground coffee or a separate grinder.
• Mixed listings: De’Longhi and Currys don’t agree on tank size or weight, and De’Longhi’s care page gives a minimum of two years for coffee machines; the Currys listing says one year, so check before you buy.
• The De’Longhi price may change: its page shows an original price of £229.99.

Where to go next

For more options, see my best espresso machine under £300 guide. If you’re weighing up Sage machines, read Sage Bambino vs Bambino Plus. To weigh your shots, see the best coffee scales, and for milk without a steam wand, the best milk frothers.

FAQ

Can the Dedica EC685 use pods? Yes, ESE pods, as well as ground coffee, according to De’Longhi.

Does the Dedica EC685 come with a milk jug? No. Currys lists the machine, two filters, a tamper and an instruction booklet, so you’ll need to buy a jug separately.

Does it have a grinder? No. Use pre-ground coffee or ESE pods, or add a separate burr grinder.

What’s the difference between EC685.M and EC685BK? The finish. De’Longhi UK sells the metal EC685.M and Currys sells the black EC685BK.

Should I buy the Dedica or the Sage Bambino? The Dedica if you want the smallest outlay and footprint; the Bambino (£329.95 at Sage UK, price at time of research, 28 Sep 2026) if you want a milk jug, more baskets and a water filter included.