My first impression of this machine is wow. Years ago I had a small krups pump machine, which is long defunct. I mostly drink filter coffee {Peet's Sumatra k-cups} or cold brewed "ass kicking" blend. I drink an average of four-six cups per day. When I wanted an espresso drink (iced plain espresso or iced Americano), or a cappuccino if I was in that mood, I'd stop and have one made.
Every now and then I'd look at replacing the dead Krups but there were no machines that had a decent feature set and a reasonable cost. Besides, I could just get a coffee when I wanted one.
But these days, I'm not going out. I started craving espresso, and finally decided to replace my old machine.
This machine had some real advantages. One was the advertised width. Counter space was at a premium, this machine is narrow. Secondly, it takes the ESE pods. My wife is never going to tamp and measure a portafilter, but she will use a pod. A side benefit is that my 12 year old grandson can make himself an espresso with the ESE pods. {I got some decaf pods.}
This machine is easy enough to use that he was making himself lattes after a single demonstration, using a pitcher I had from my old machine. He is a smart kid. I'm biased. But the pods are easy to use.
I set my grinder (Oxo) to fine and put in my guess as to how much "Ass Kicking" coffee to use. It made a fluffy coffee which easily fit into the portafilter using the following procedure.
Fill the scoop and level it. Put the coffee into the portafilter and lightly compress it. Repeat. Then put your thumbs onto the plate of the tamper and compress. I can easily grip enough to get a good tamp without stressing the plastic tamper.
I disagree with people who claim that you can't fit the coffee into the holder. This is exactly the same volume as my old machine.
Anyway, I hit the two shot button and it produced an espresso with reasonable crema. After trying the regular holder and the ESE holder, it is clear that the ESE pods are a compromise.
This is a noisy machine in operation. The pump is noisy. The water heating device works great, but it is noisy, since it is basically a long tube that will cavitate. And, of course, steaming the milk is inherently noisy.
The pump could be quieter. But it is no noisier than the steaming process.
What I did notice was that the machine needs about three times the static width in actual use. The handle has to swing left to attach the filter to the machine, and your hand adds to the space needed. Extra space is needed on the right to use the steaming wand, and to clean the steaming wand, and to hit the power button. It is still a very narrow easy to use machine.
The amount of force needed to attach and detach the coffee filter holder requires that you hold the machine in place.
But this is a coffee maker, and the real question is, "How is the coffee?"
There are so many things that go into that question...do you have a decent grinder? Are you using a good coffee? Is it roasted the way you like it?
Finally, there are all different levels of equipment. My equipment is inexpensive, but not the cheapest. I have a style of coffee that I like, typically an Indonesian that does not have that bitter bite which is exhibited by typical central American washed coffee.
My understanding is that the espresso brewing style was developed to allow the use of less expensive robusta beans. The fast temperature controlled extraction, combined with the dark roast tends to not extract bitter notes and to hide bad tastes.
Applying the same method to higher quality beans should produce an exceptionally smooth brew.
I decided to make a six shot iced espresso, three double pulls. I saw a decent amount of crema, and I was really happy with the iced espresso. I thought it tasted better than a drink that I would have bought at a place like Starbucks. I credit this to two things. One is that my coffee is better, and the other is that the brewer doesn't overextract.
Good coffee, and a good brewing process will result in a good beverage. I used a coffee that I know I like and I got a beverage that I really liked. The brewer could have screwed up the coffee, but it didn't. This is the source of my wow!
I had bought some ESE pods as well. The resulting beverage was not bad, but it was not as good as the stuff I made from the coffee that was more to my taste.
Finally, I remember the coffee produced by my old Krups machine. The coffee produced by this machine is better.
On to the other important aspect of these machines, their ability to steam milk. I have a 24 ounce steaming pitcher that I used to use, and the wand was barely long enough. I felt like I didn't have much control over the process. I think a 12 ounce pitcher might work better. (It does, or I can steam right into a duplo cap mug.)
What I got was a good result for a latte, and perhaps less acceptable for a cappuccino. The thermometer I used reported a fast rise in temperature after the temperature went over 100F, while it took quite a while to get from refrigerator temperature to warm. The foam had many large bubbles mixed with the small ones. (Technique, in doing better.)
The machine is really fast. It reports brewing temperature in seconds. I never felt like I was waiting for the machine.
It reports steaming temperature almost as fast.
All in all, I am really happy with this machine. I can't speak to the durability of the machine, but I hope that it will continue to produce beverages of this quality for a long time.
And I am happy to be able to get an espresso at home again.
After a month, I found that I had to descale the machine. A light comes on to let you know that the machine has decided it needs to be descaled. The process takes a while. You rinse the reservoir and add the solution, then fill it with water. Then you put it in descale mode and it runs the solution through the machine, slowly. You let most of the solution come out through the steaming wand, but you are supposed to turn off the wand and run some of the solution through the filter outlet (with the filter off). When the reservoir is almost empty, the machine stops, you dump the bowls, rinse the reservoir, fill it with tap water, and start the machine again. It runs the rinse water through much faster then the descale, again stopping when the water is almost gone. You can make coffee immediately.
This procedure is long, but completely automatic, and need not be watched full time if you have a large enough bowl. You just need to toggle the steam outlet off and on every few minutes. The machine will still make coffee when it is in descaling needed mode.
I was favorably impressed. I have descaled machines that were more automated and didn't work as well.
I continue to like this machine.
Add to your order
-
Coverage for accidental damage including drops, spills, and broken parts, as well as breakdowns (plans vary) -
24/7 support when you need it. -
Quick, easy, and frustration-free claims.
Cover this product:
3-Year Protection $33.99
4 Year Kitchen Protection Plan $44.99
Cover all of your eligible devices:
Asurion Complete Protect: One plan covers all eligible past and future purchases (Renews Monthly Until Cancelled) $16.99/month
Select a plan
Add to your order
- Coverage for accidental damage including drops, spills, and broken parts, as well as breakdowns (plans vary)
- 24/7 support when you need it.
- Quick, easy, and frustration-free claims.
Cover this product:
Select a plan
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
There is a newer model of this item:
Frequently bought together
$204.42
Get it as soon as Thursday, May 2
In Stock
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Discover similar items
& Up
Price: >$200
Color: Silver
Brand: De'Longhi
Operation Mode: Manual
Material: Stainless Steel
Filter Type: Reusable
Top Brands in Home & Kitchen: Top Brands
No results available. Please adjust the filters and try again.
13% off
$349List:$399.95
$249List:$349.95
$129Typical:$149.84
20% off
$119List:$149.99
15% off
$109List:$129.99
Best Seller
$139
$117List:$149.99
$119List:$139.99
$99
$149
$99
$129List:$169.99
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
From the brand
From the manufacturer
Dedica EC680M
A sip of Italian design in a compact machine
Stylish, compact espresso machine designed to complement your kitchen countertop. The stainless steel and black body add a touch of authentic Italian design. A manual frother mixes steam and milk to create rich creamy froth for evenly textured drinks – just the way you like them.
A sip of Italian design
Style in your kitchen
At only 6 inch wide, the uniquely designed Dedica is our slimmest espresso machine yet, effortlessly adding a touch of minimalist chic to your kitchen with its elegant dimensions. Its sleek, compact design is complemented by an easy-to-use control panel with illuminated buttons.
-
Milk frother
The steam wand makes it easy to achieve the richest milk foam for superior drinks with little effort
-
Your coffee, your cup
Adjustable drip tray to host big glasses or mugs up to 5" high to enjoy any kind of coffee drink
-
Thermoblock
Thermoblock keeps the water at the exact temperature required to brew a perfect Espresso
-
Your favourite drinks
Dedica allows you to craft authentic coffee beverages just like at your favorite coffeehouse
-
Ease of use
Removable water tank and drip tray make for easy cleanup, and the parts are dishwasher safe
1 MANUAL FROTHER 2 ADJUSTABLE DRIP TRAY 3 HEATING SYSTEM 4 VARIETY OF DRINKS 5 EASY CLEANING
Videos
Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1
Videos for this product
1:57
Click to play video
5 Years of Use + Why I Recommend Over Expensive Machines!
Kirstin Baisch
Videos for this product
10:50
Click to play video
Customer Review: need a quick morning latte fix? Yes Please!
this is me
Compare with similar items
This Item  De'Longhi Dedica EC680M, Espresso Machine, Coffee and Cappucino Maker with Milk Frother, Metal / Stainless, Compact Design 6 in Wide, Fit Mug Up to 5 in |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $204.42 | $1,349.00 | $99.99 | $299.95 | -6% $159.99 Typical: $169.99 | $139.99 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 2 | Get it May 1 - 3 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 2 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 2 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 2 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 2 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Easy to clean | ||||||
| Easy to use | ||||||
| Blending power | ||||||
| Flavor | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Sold By | Amazon.com | Seattle Coffee Gear | Sunreal Shop | Amazon.com | MATTINATA | CASABREWS |
| capacity | 1 liters | 2 liters | 42 ounces | 47 fluid ounces | 1.4 liters | 34 fluid ounces |
| material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Brushed Stainless Steel |
| input interface | dial | buttons | buttons | buttons | buttons | buttons |
| voltage | 110 volts | 120 volts | 120 volts | 120 volts | — | 120 volts of alternating current |
| wattage | 1450 watts | 1600 watts | 1450 watts | 1560 watts | — | 1350 watts |
| model name | EC680M | Mio | Home Barista | the Bambino® Brushed Stainless Steel | — | CM5418BC-UL |
Reviews with images
Updated: They Stood by Their Product
Update 1/2023:I wrote the negative review below, at least three years ago, and it seems a lot of people found it helpful. However, I feel like it deserves an update, because leaving it as it was isn’t really fair to DeLonghi.I contacted them when the machine stopped working and they had me send it to a local shop for repairs. I believe it took about two weeks until it was returned to me, and it has worked like a charm ever since. At the time, I was a little frustrated that they didn’t just send me a replacement, but in retrospect, that seems a little unreasonable - these are expensive machines and clearly they can be effectively repaired.In the time since then this machine has probably become my favorite appliance of all time, having now made me thousands of cortados. I live in New York City, where you you can’t walk more than 100 feet without hitting upon a fancy café but nine times out of 10 I still like my homemade coffees from this machine better. Perhaps I should be embarrassed to confess that I’ve even taken it with me on a vacation or two just because I can’t face the morning without it.Original Review:For six months or so, this was a wonderful product that gave us a lot of joy in the mornings. I probably would have given a five star review, in fact. But then it began leaking from every little crevice. At first it was just a drip or two, but over a few weeks it got to the point where it was like a little rain storm encircling my coffee cup and it’s rendered the machine completely unusable.DeLonghi has offered to repair it because it’s still under warranty, which is kind of nice but...1. I must ship it to them2. I must cover the cost of shipping it3. There is no clarity on how long I’ll be without my machine while they repair itIn the day and age of Amazon, if your $250 product falls apart for no good reason, asking the customer to spend their time and money to ship it back to you for repair probably isn’t the way to go (at least if you want to avoid reviews like this one). And so, in spite of its lovely aesthetics, this product and Delonghi are getting one star from me and my advice to you would be to find a comparable machine from another manufacturer.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Top reviews from other countries
Gerardo Santiago
Han selección para espresso
Reviewed in Mexico on September 16, 2020Color: SilverVerified Purchase
Richard C. Slee
Makes a great espresso or cappuccino
Reviewed in Canada on August 2, 2020Color: BlackVerified Purchase
Oswaldo
Cafetera perfecta para el hogar
Reviewed in Mexico on May 15, 2018Color: BlackVerified Purchase
J
Crema city
Reviewed in Canada on September 6, 2016
J
Reviewed in Canada on September 6, 2016
The water basin is detachable and easy to clean, it clicks into the base and is convenient in design. The boiler has good power and delivers hot water in less than a minute. The included portafilters are of good quality, but the included 50mm tamper/spoon is flimsy plastic and should be upgraded to obtain best results.
The onboard menu system for setting water temperature, sleep mode timeout in minutes, etc. via three buttons is unintuitive and will require the manual to understand. Once set up, those three buttons are self-explanatory - one cup, two cups, steam.
The package included a descaler and a water test strip to determine soft/hard water - both are nice touches. The manual showed a water filter but I didn't find one in the box.
I've owned many coffee machines like this over the years, expensive ones and beaters too. All compared, this model has great looks and great value - all the features work well and I really like how compact it is on my kitchen counter. It will get lots of use. Thanks to DeLonghi and Amazon for offering this product for review. A+
Update: The crema has been consistent with every pull, I've also tried using a different coffee (Pilao, a standard Brazilian coffee) and am getting good results.
The one thing I am not liking is the hot water dispenser - it is a staged pump design and ticks the hot water out like a lawn sprinkler. Putting a cup under it makes the hot water splash out - to fix this, disconnect the frothing wand, remove the black plastic funnel, then reconnect the wand to the arm.
Images in this review
