When it comes to my morning coffee, the simpler the better. It’s the reason my favorite capsule coffee machine will always be the Nespresso Vertuo Plus, and the reason I stay away from the best bean coffee machines. I’ve always preferred to press a button, grab a cup, and go, and I really didn’t expect that to change. But this latest addition to my kitchen has certainly had an impact like no other.
Before you do, have you read 5 things I wish I knew before buying a coffee machine?
De’Longhi Rivelia Review: Price and Availability
The De’Longhi Rivelia coffee bean machine has an RRP of £749.99 and is available to buy from De’Longhi yourself or other retailers such as John Lewis AND Argos.
It comes in four colors: Onyx Black, Arctic White, Pebble Grey, and Sand Beige. Some brands gain popularity by making coffee machines in dazzling colors, but I love the neutrality that De’Longhi focused on. I tested the Pebble Grey, and although I don’t like the overall look of the Rivelia, it fit well in my kitchen.
De’Longhi Rivelia Review: Unboxing and Setup
The De’Longhi Rivelia was relatively basic to set up. When I opened it up, I came across a few components, including two bean containers and a scorching LatteCrema jug. Then I found the (rather massive) body of the machine, which I simply had to lift and plug in. There was also an instruction manual, although I quickly realized I didn’t really need it.
Picture 1 With 2
Once I turned it on, the LED screen came alive, guiding me through step-by-step instructions. This was a huge relief, since setting up any machine is often a task in itself. It tells you how to fill the water tank and connect the bean container, then heats up and rinses before operate.
(Photo credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
The Rivelia also comes with a water hardness kit, complete with a pH stick. The machine then tells you how many red squares you see on the strip, adjusting the brewing settings to suit the water hardness in your area. This was a really nice touch, especially as I live in Bath, which is notable for its difficult water and limestone content.
(Photo credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
De’Longhi Rivelia Review: Design and Features
When I first heard about the De’Longhi Rivelia last year, the feature that impressed me the most was the Bean Switch system. The De’Longhi Rivelia comes with two interchangeable 250g containers, allowing users to quickly switch between beans. Having to stick with the same beans until they run out has always been annoying for bean-to-cup users, so it’s great that De’Longhi have listened and acted on this. I also like that they come in different colours, meaning you don’t have to wonder which beans are in which container. Additional trays If you want even more choice you can buy them for £16.99 each.
When switching to a different bean container, some beans remain at the top of the grinder. I love that Rivelia gives you the option to make a final drink with those beans, or instead lets you grind and throw away the remaining beans to prevent a weird mix of coffee beans. It’s little details like this that show how thorough the design process of the machine was.
(Photo credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
My second favorite feature is how Rivelia tailors each coffee to the user by learning their routine and adjusting its menu throughout the day. Since flat whites are my go-to morning drink, Rivelia recognized that by moving the flat white option to the top of the menu when I turned it on each morning.
It also asks for the number of people in the house, allowing you to set up to four profiles. I won’t lie, I had way too much fun choosing profile pictures and colors for my roommate and I, but it’s the little things that count, I guess? You can also set the strength and volume of coffee for each person, so everyone can customize their coffee however they want.
(Photo credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
There are 16 coffees on the menu, including espresso, Americano, cappuccino and, of course, flat white. I was also impressed to see that Rivelia can make iced drinks, including cool espresso and Americano. For now, I may stick to scorching drinks, but I can’t wait to try the iced Americano in the summer.
The Bean Adapt technology configures the Rivelia to the roast level of your coffee beans, so you can extract the best flavor. Before doing this, the machine recommends making three coffees using the same grinder setting (it’s set to “5” when you take it out of the box). It then asks you what type of blend you’re using and what type of roast it’s on. You’re then asked to rate your espresso and send feedback to the Rivelia so it can determine the ideal roast level. Again, really impressive.
(Photo credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
When choosing the milk-based drink option, the machine prompts you to insert a scorching jug of LatteCrema. The machine tells you how much milk you need per serving on the side of the jug, which is ideal for avoiding waste.
It also tells you where to set the froth control knob so you can make the perfect drink, and the machine automatically cleans itself after each operate.
(Photo credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
De’Longhi Rivelia Review: Performance
I was very impressed with the Rivelii’s performance and I don’t have many complaints to share. While I was testing it for a few weeks, we were able to taste each of the coffees and notice how each was prepared. The espresso and black coffee produced a wonderful crema that you can’t get from many other machines, and the milk coffees blended beautifully. I liked that each drink was personalized and that there was the possibility of further customization.
When it comes to cleaning and maintaining the machine, it was a really basic process. Rivelia tells you exactly what to neat and how to neat it, which was a really nice touch, especially since this is my first bean coffee machine.
One thing that surprised me was that the machine used a little water to heat it up each time before grinding. Although the drip tray catches this, I preferred having a container there that I could just pour out. However, I often forgot about it and would get caught diving for a cup before the water started pouring out. I got used to it over time, so it wasn’t a problem.
In terms of looks, Rivelia seemed a bit clunky to me. However, when you compare this minor issue to the amount of features it has, it’s really not a substantial deal.
(Photo credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
De’Longhi Rivelia Review: The Verdict
The De’Longhi Rivelia is an incredibly well-designed coffee machine that adds a touch of luxury to any coffee you drink. It has a range of impressive features, including the Bean Switch system and Bean Adapt technology. However, the multi-drink option and personalized coffee experience make it truly unique. It’s high-priced and looks a bit clunky, but it’s totally worth the money for what you get.
De’Longhi Rivelia Review: Alternatives to Consider
As the De’Longhi Rivelia is such an impressive coffee machine, it’s only right that I recommend the best overall machine in our guide to the best coffee bean machines. The Sage Barista Touch Impress was also launched last year, and like the Rivelia, it has a number of impressive features. Its Auto MilQ settings, integrated bean container and grinder, steam wand and multi-drink selection make it very similar to the Rivelia, but just more high-priced.
Another alternative would be Smeg BCC02. Unlike the Rivelii, it’s very compact and compact, but still has a 1.4-litre water tank, a decent-sized bean container and an capable frothing nozzle. It doesn’t have an LCD screen and only has three drinks to choose from, but it’s great for anyone who likes a quick and basic coffee. It looks good too, and the range of colours means it’ll fit into any space.
