Bravo Verdict
Head to head

Breville Barista Express vs De'Longhi Dedica EC685

Side by side comparison of two of the best espresso machines on the market. Same category, different priorities.

Breville Barista Express
Breville

Breville Barista Express

4.5 (12,483)
$599

The best all around home espresso machine for beginners who want to grow.

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De'Longhi Dedica EC685
De'Longhi

De'Longhi Dedica EC685

4.3 (18,500)
$199

The gateway espresso machine. Small footprint, small price, real espresso.

Check price on Amazon

How do the Breville Barista Express and De'Longhi Dedica EC685 compare, spec for spec?

Spec
Breville
Breville Barista Express
De'Longhi
De'Longhi Dedica EC685
Price$599$199
Rating
4.5 (12,483)
4.3 (18,500)
Boiler typeSingle (thermocoil)Thermoblock
Built in grinderYesNo
PID temp controlYesNo
Wattage1,600 W1,350 W
Water tank2L removable1L removable
Pros
  • Built in conical burr grinder
  • PID temperature control
  • 54mm commercial style portafilter
  • Easy to service
  • Extremely compact
  • Fast heat up
  • Affordable entry point
  • Works with pre ground
Cons
  • Single boiler, can't brew and steam at once
  • Plastic drip tray feels cheap
  • Grinder can clog with oily beans
  • Pressurized portafilter limits upgrades
  • Panarello wand, not commercial
  • Not built for daily heavy use

Should you buy the Breville Barista Express or the De'Longhi Dedica EC685?

Both are strong picks in the espresso machines category. Here's how to decide:

Get the Breville Barista Express if...

Integrated conical burr grinder, PID temperature control and a manual steam wand. Everything a beginner needs and everything an intermediate barista still uses.

Get the De'Longhi Dedica EC685 if...

At 6 inches wide, it fits anywhere. The thermoblock heats fast and the pressurized portafilter makes decent espresso even without a great grinder.