Are you wondering whether to choose Delonghi EC702 or EC680? Check out my review for the debate of Delonghi EC702 vs Dedica EC680, then you will be able to decide which is the best starter machine for you.
The Delonghi Dedica EC680 is the winner for me. It is the perfect espresso machine for any coffee lover. With its adjustable milk frother and one-touch brewing system, the Dedica makes every cup of espresso a pleasure. Moreover, the steam wand is a great choice for cappuccino and latte lovers. If you would like a low-cost yet stable espresso maker, EC608 might suit you.
Regarding the runner-up, the Delonghi EC702 is also a fine model on the market. It features a 15-bar pump pressure system, a stainless steel boiler, a removable water tank, and a cup warmer, etc. Nevertheless, there are some limitations, which I will explain clearly below.
Delonghi EC702 vs Dedica EC680: Comparison Chart
Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Delonghi EC702 vs Delonghi EC680: Differences
Delonghi EC680 wins 4-0 against EC702 thanks to its powerful engine and heating element, which give it an edge over its competitor. I will explain how the devices work for me below!
Flavor
The winner: Delonghi Dedica EC680
Heating system
Both Delonghi EC702 vs Dedica EC680 espresso machines offer great features for coffee lovers. However, one major difference between the two machines is their heating system. Delonghi Dedica EC680 comes with a Thermoblock system, while the EC702 has a stainless steel boiler.
With the Thermoblock system, I consider the Dedica as more efficient than the stainless steel boiler. As a result of the fast heating process, the water is heated to the perfect temperature for a delicious espresso. In addition, the EC702 features a durable, precise heating system but does not offer to provide as much control as its rivals.
Both of these machines require that you cool down the boiler after brewing or steaming. The Dedica will display a warning after brewing two cups of coffee that the machine is too hot. The next step is to run the machine for 5 seconds with water to fix this problem. In EC702, you will also need to perform the same operation, but it will take a little longer.
Brewing technique
Both machines employ a 15-bar pump pressure system to extract espresso and bring out the best layer of crema that isn’t too thick nor too thin. It is my opinion that for starters, a compact 15 bar pressure espresso machine is a good choice.
In my testing of the theory, I found that the electric pump of the EC702 wears off significantly after brewing 3-4 cups a day for over a month. For EC608, the 15 bars also lose their effectiveness, but it is somewhat less severe than for EC702. The feature that makes me realize the difference is the taste of espresso. Besides, with the Dedica, you have three brew temperature control options, including low, medium and high. The drink will taste much lighter with less complex notes of flavor.
Another feature that puts the EC702 in second place in this round is when it gets a bit noisy when extracting the espresso, which makes me very unsatisfied.
milk system
The winner: Delonghi Dedica EC680
In general, affordable espresso machines can take a lot of time to foam up the milk. But with Delonghi EC702 vs Dedica EC680, that’s definitely not the case. You can effectively steam milk if it’s in a jug or in a cup ready to sip on. In my opinion, it doesn’t take more than 40 seconds with the EC680 and almost 2 minutes with the EC702 to create dry foam for a quality cappuccino.
There are some points to keep in mind, though both boast good temperature control in the frothing step. However, the EC702 is not very stable, it sometimes stirs the milk instead of steaming it. There is not enough heat in the milk for an optimal espresso experience since it is light.
When compared to its rival, Dedica has a superior steam wand that produces hot milk and properly frothed cream. However, its minus point is that the short wand makes it difficult for you to reach the bottom of the bottle.
Heat-up time
The winner: Delonghi Dedica EC680
Delonghi Dedica EC680 takes under 1 minute to heat up and around 5 minutes to deliver hot water temperature, while EC702 needs 10 minutes to warm up. As a result, I think EC702 may have to give up its efficiency to EC680.
Is this time gap going to affect your coffee experience? I think not quite. However, if you are a busy person who needs a quick cup of coffee in the morning, then you can use the EC680 for more convenience. It is for this reason that most users appreciate the faster heat-up time of this machine.
UTILIties
The winner: Delonghi Dedica EC680
With its separate buttons for programmable drinks, both single and double, Delonghi Dedica has a distinct advantage over Delonghi EC702. With this feature you can have better control over the strength of your espresso because you don’t have to manually set it up with different drinks.
What’s more, Dedica has the advantage of an auto-off function, allowing you to set it to turn off after 9 minutes, 30 minutes or 9 hours. It saves you from worrying about forgetting to turn off the device after use and saves a lot of energy.
Furthermore, Delonghi Dedica has an additional feature that provides automatic flow stop, but EC702 does not. Using this technology, the machine will automatically stop the flow of coffee when the desired amount of coffee has been reached, preventing spills and mess.
Quick Rundown of Delonghi Dedica EC680
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted
- Sleek design takes up only 6 inches of counter space, while still having a 35oz water tank
- The Cappuccino frothing system provides Barista quality foam; Cup warmer: Passive
- Thermos block technology allows the machine to heat up to the ideal temperature in a quick 40 seconds
- Automatic flow stop
Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown of Delonghi EC702
- Please refer to user guide or user manual or user guide (provided below in PDF) before first use
Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Product Videos
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References:
- Delonghi Dedica EC680: https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/dedica-manual-espresso-machine-stainless-steel-ec680m/p/EC680M
- Delonghi EC702: https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/manuals/manual-espresso-machine-ec702/p/EC-702
I am Ralph Mason and I am a passionate coffee drinker. I worked as a barista for a few years and since 2012 I have been trying to convince as many people as possible of good coffee.
I started writing on the barista blog on RepublikCoffeeBar in 2018. It was a pure hobby site and I tested coffee products like coffee machines, beans, mug, and other accessories. After the first year, my blog is becoming a well-known coffee site with about 100 thousand visits per month.
In 2019 I decided to focus on RepublikCoffeeBar only. I became a full-time coffee blogger and was declared crazy by many.