DeLonghi Dedica EC680 vs Deluxe EC685
When it comes to espresso machines DeLonghi has an impeccable, long-standing reputation.
Bringing a dash of elegance to our homes with sophisticated designs, no wonder it became a household name for great household appliances. Elegant, sophisticated but pretty much affordable – you can always count on a perfect balance of price and quality. If you crave for a great espresso, latte or cappuccino – let Delonghi appliances do their magic.
Three years ago we had amazing Delonghi EC680 Dedica and we couldn’t be more happy about it. It was a revolutionary narrow design that could fit every kitchen table yet it always looked so sophisticated, elegant and expensive. Now the stakes are higher when younger and improved version hit the market 3 months ago.
We now have a sticky situation where we have a clash of the two titans…well older titan and younger titan wannabe… and stakes are high – it is all about a perfect cup of espresso. Is this younger and improved version of espresso machine better and called DeLuxe for a good reason? Are the flaws from the first one officially gone? Let’s find out more about this DeLonghi espresso machines!
Specs, Colors & Dimensions
These two appliances share some similar characteristics but we also can find certain differences between DeLonghi Dedica EC680 and DeLonghi Deluxe EC685.
Both designs are very compact, sleek and very practical and they can fit any kitchen counter. Input power for both appliances is 1300 W and both are made of stainless steel. Although both products look like they are entirely made of metal that is not the case.There are some plastic elements on the models – in the very bottom of portafilter is the plastic dispenser that divides coffee flow. But you don’t have to worry about it – the plastic is highly durable to high temperature.
The boiler on both models is preconfigured to produce water that is exactly 190F, and the pump is hard-wired for 15 bar… both of which are perfect for espresso. Thermoblock technology allows quick heating (40 seconds) so you’ve never been closer to perfect Italian espresso.
Dimensions of the EC680 model in inches is 6.75 x 13 x 13.0 and for EC685 Deluxe model 5.9 x 12 x 12 inches. Also, the weight of products is a little bit different – EC680 weighs about 9.5 lbs and Deluxe version is slightly lighter, weighing about 8.8 lbs.
Other notable difference between these two is that new and improved Deluxe version has an increased maximum cup height – on older version maximum cup height was 3 inches. With new version maximum cup size is almost 5 inches – now besides espresso, you can make your favorite cappuccino or latte.
The double dip tray is very easy to adjust to pretty much every size. Also, the newcomer is available in more colors. The older model was available in three different colors – silver, black and red with chrome elements. Deluxe series added a new twist so you can find a white model with chrome elements also. It would go perfectly with the minimalistic design of your kitchen.
Of course, an important aspect of both appliances is the price. Since the Deluxe version is newer on the market it is also a little bit more expensive. But it all comes down to the balance of price and quality – both products are considered affordable. You can have real Italian espresso in the comfort of your own home and feel like a professional barista.
Everything is same but there is something different…
Color range, dimensions, weight and maximum cup height are some of the differences that we mentioned when it comes to the appearance of these two Delonhi espresso makers. As we mentioned before, both products are very compact and easy to use. So, what are the other differences that stand out between these two models?
We’ve found two more and the rest is practically the same. The result is always a great espresso. Most of the complaints on EC680 model were about not producing enough foam in some older reviews or being too narrow to accommodate larger cups ( that is the only flaw of this compact design, sorry). So let’s see how EC685 dealt with these two problems and brought something new to espresso fans.
Steam (magic) wand of 685 brings something new to your coffee table! Equipped with regulator ring we saw on some previous models ( for example ECP3630 ) this wand could help you with creating a perfect foam. In down position, it just does the frothing milk trick, pretty much normal. But when it is in the upper position it heats up and mixes the milk and creates no bubbles. This option is perfect if you like less foamy cappuccino or your kids are craving for a juicy cup of hot chocolate.
We already mentioned higher glasses option so here’s a detailed explanation about this.
Delonghi Deluxe version is now equipped with a removable mini dip tray under the cup stand so you can put higher glasses. You can just remove the tray which allows you to use glasses up to almost 5 inches ( 12 cm to be exact). Espresso lungo is not a distant dream anymore, guys. Additional features include a cup warmer, standby energy-saving mode, descaling alarm, removable 35-oz. water tank, and anti-drip system.
Conclusion
Both models are far from the word automatic. Those are not only machines – making your favorite drink in a matter of the seconds, it is some kind of ritual. Deluxe models offer a new twist on the classic machine we all know and love. There are not so many major differences but it’s making things a lot easier. It is only on you which one to choose – stick to good old classic or give it a (espresso) shot to the newcomer.