De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685 Espresso Machine vs Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Blender (2026)
Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.
De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685 Espresso Machine
15 bar, thermoblock, manual steam wand, 6cm wide, 3 filter baskets. Slimmest espresso machine.
Full Review
Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Blender
2.2HP motor, 5 programmes, touchscreen, self-detect containers, 10-year warranty. The blender benchmark.
Full ReviewAt a Glance
| De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685 Espresso Machine | Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Blender | |
|---|---|---|
| 247Verdict Score | 8.8/10 | 9.4/10 |
| Owner Rating | 4.4★ (18,400) | 4.7★ (8,400) |
| Verdict | Great | Excellent |
Quick Verdict
Both are strong choices, but the Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Blender edges ahead with a 9.4/10 vs 8.8/10. 2.2HP motor, 5 programmes, touchscreen, self-detect containers, 10-year warranty. The blender benchmark. That said, the De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685 Espresso Machine is worth considering if 15 bar, thermoblock, manual steam wand, 6cm wide, 3 filter baskets. Slimmest espresso machine. Check the current price on Amazon →
Pros & Cons Side by Side
De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685 Espresso Machine
- Only 6cm wide — fits in kitchens where no other semi-automatic machine would
- 15-bar thermoblock heats up in 35 seconds — near-instant readiness
- Manual Pannarello steam wand creates creamy froth with simple technique
- Three basket sizes cover 1-shot, 2-shot and ESE pods
- De'Longhi's 35-year espresso heritage in their most space-efficient design
- Single boiler means waiting between espresso extraction and steaming
- 6cm width means smaller water tank (1.1L) — daily refilling for heavy users
- Pannarello steam wand produces more airy foam than traditional wands — less suited for latte art
Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Blender
- 2.2HP motor pulverises ice, nuts and fibrous vegetables into completely smooth textures
- 5 programme settings automate smoothies, hot soups, frozen desserts and self-cleaning
- Self-detect technology recognises container size and adjusts blending automatically
- Friction heat can make hot soup from cold ingredients in 6 minutes — no stove needed
- 10-year warranty — the longest in the blender category, reflecting build quality confidence
- £500+ is a serious blender investment — Ninja and NutriBullet cost a fraction
- Tall profile may not fit under standard kitchen cabinets
- Loud at full power — the 2.2HP motor is not quiet
FAQ
Which is better, De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685 or Vitamix A3500 Ascent?
Both are strong choices, but the Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Blender edges ahead with a 9.4/10 vs 8.8/10. 2.2HP motor, 5 programmes, touchscreen, self-detect containers, 10-year warranty. The blender benchmark. That said, the De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685 Espresso Machine is worth considering if 15 bar, thermoblock, manual steam wand, 6cm wide, 3 filter baskets. Slimmest espresso machine.
Is the De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685 worth the extra cost?
The Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Blender matches or exceeds it at a potentially lower price point.
Who is the De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685 best suited to?
15 bar, thermoblock, manual steam wand, 6cm wide, 3 filter baskets. Slimmest espresso machine.
Who is the Vitamix A3500 Ascent best suited to?
2.2HP motor, 5 programmes, touchscreen, self-detect containers, 10-year warranty. The blender benchmark.
What are the main downsides of each?
De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685 Espresso Machine: Single boiler means waiting between espresso extraction and steaming; 6cm width means smaller water tank (1.1L) — daily refilling for heavy users. Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Blender: £500+ is a serious blender investment — Ninja and NutriBullet cost a fraction; Tall profile may not fit under standard kitchen cabinets.
Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?
Largely, yes — De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685 Espresso Machine sits at 4.4★ from 18,400 verified Amazon owners, and Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Blender at 4.7★ from 8,400.
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