Espresso machines · owner-verdict comparison

Barista Pro vs De'Longhi Dedica EC685: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Barista Pro: 63% of 151 owners recommend it, vs 48% of 139 for the De'Longhi Dedica EC685.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Barista Pro

63%of 151 owners recommend

63% recommend · 19% neutral · 18% don't

Owners praise

Makes espresso and milk drinks that many owners compare favorably with cafe coffee
Easy to learn and quick to use, with the grinder built into the same machine
Many owners report years of daily use without problems

Owners complain about

The built-in grinder draws the most complaints: inconsistent, prone to choking, and weak with light or very fresh roasts
Shot-to-shot inconsistency and a dialing-in learning curve, including a factory shot volume that can cut shots short
Some owners report breakdowns, including grinder failures and replacement units that failed again

Full owner report →

De'Longhi Dedica EC685

48%of 139 owners recommend

48% recommend · 17% neutral · 35% don't

Owners praise

Great espresso once dialed in, especially with mods like a bottomless portafilter or better basket
Durable and long-lasting with daily use, many owners report 4-10 years of service
Excellent value for the price

Owners complain about

Inconsistent shots, very sensitive to grind size and tamping
Coffee comes out sour or overly bitter
Portafilter slips, pops, or unlocks itself under pressure

Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Barista Pro if

✓A first espresso machine for someone who wants the grinder built in
✓Daily latte and cappuccino drinkers who want a drink ready a few minutes after switching on
✓Households brewing medium or dark roasts
✓Buyers who want good coffee at home without turning it into a hobby

Skip it if

Light roast drinkers chasing high-clarity shots
Enthusiasts who want to go deep into espresso as a hobby

Get the De'Longhi Dedica EC685 if

✓Beginners entering espresso on a tight budget
✓Small kitchens or offices needing a compact, fast-heating machine
✓Tinkerers happy to add a bottomless portafilter and better basket
✓Dark and medium roast drinkers

Skip it if

Those wanting consistent shots without dialing-in effort
Light roast drinkers, since water rarely gets hot enough

What Barista Pro owners say

“I find it to be a brilliant little machine with all the mod cons and it doesnt take much tinkering to make an espresso or flat white that’s on par with my local barista.”
— Dry_Manager_6216 on Reddit

“I like my Barista Pro, I did buy a separate grinder if I want to dial in for espresso but usually leave the hopper full on the built in grinder and make my morning capacino.”
— lilbluetruck on Reddit

“I couldn’t get that machine with the internal grinder to give me good espresso at 5, it was 2-3 on the internal setting depending on oxidation levels of the coffee.”
— Goontard420 on Reddit

What De'Longhi Dedica EC685 owners say

“Bought it back in 2018 not a single issue and still as the first day despite being used daily. Beautiful machine that looks great in the kitchen and prepares really good coffees”
— @Maximiliano.Montero on YouTube

“I got the dedica from a friend as my first espresso machine when he upgraded”
— @andrei0525 on YouTube

“Long story short: my dedica never delivered hot enough water and I could't brew any coffee other than oily dark roasts in a consistent way.”
— epegar on Reddit

Barista Pro vs De'Longhi Dedica EC685: frequently asked questions

Is the Barista Pro or the De'Longhi Dedica EC685 better?

Real owners lean toward the Barista Pro: 63% of 151 owners recommend it, vs 48% of 139 for the De'Longhi Dedica EC685.

Who should get the Barista Pro?

Owners point the Barista Pro at a first espresso machine for someone who wants the grinder built in, and daily latte and cappuccino drinkers who want a drink ready a few minutes after switching on.

Who should get the De'Longhi Dedica EC685?

Owners point the De'Longhi Dedica EC685 at beginners entering espresso on a tight budget, and small kitchens or offices needing a compact, fast-heating machine.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Barista Pro is the built-in grinder draws the most complaints: inconsistent, prone to choking, and weak with light or very fresh roasts. For the De'Longhi Dedica EC685, it's inconsistent shots, very sensitive to grind size and tamping.