If you want better App, connectivity and smart control
Choose Breville Precision Brewer. It scores 4.8 vs 2.5 for App, connectivity and smart control, with a 4.4 overall score.
De’Longhi Rivelia Automatic Espresso Machine Review
Bottom Line
Choose Rivelia for a slim, fast super-automatic with swappable dual bean hoppers and excellent milk foam. Skip if you want true cold-brew/very hot milk or a quieter, more premium-feeling machine for the money.
Best for
Busy households that want one-touch espresso drinks with great foam, plus the flexibility to swap beans (regular and decaf) without owning two machines.
Not for
Anyone chasing cafe-level nuance, very hot milk, or true cold-brew results, and shoppers who are sensitive to grinder noise or the ongoing cost of optional add-ons.
Verdict
De'Longhi's Rivelia stands out among super-automatics because it nails the everyday workflow: a responsive touchscreen, strong guided setup, and profiles/Bean Adapt-style guidance that help dial in drinks without tinkering. Across reviews, espresso comes through rich with dependable crema, and the LatteCrema system consistently delivers plush foam—even with non-dairy milks—at impressive speed. The main tradeoff is polish: switching hoppers can waste a small purge dose, the milk system adds cleaning steps, and several reviewers wanted hotter milk or a more convincing cold-brew mode. If we want variety (regular plus decaf) and convenience in a compact footprint, it's a compelling pick despite the premium price.
Feature Scorecards
Pros
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Design recognition comes up repeatedly, with reviewers mentioning major design awards (such as iF and Red Dot) tied to the machine's look and user experience.
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Reviews highlight a generous box: the second bean hopper for swapping beans/decaf is a standout, and several sources mention a milk container, water filter, and descaler being included.
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Setup is repeatedly described as guided and quick, with the touchscreen walking through basics like language and water hardness. Physical ergonomics (weight, no handles, screen angle) are the main setup-related gripes.
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The grinder and hopper system is a headline feature: interchangeable dual hoppers make regular/decaf switching simple, and reviewers mention 13-14 grind settings plus on-screen guidance. Tradeoffs include residual beans in the grinder (sometimes requiring a purge) and occasional complaints about grinder noise.
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Speed is repeatedly praised: the machine heats quickly, produces drinks in well under a minute in several accounts, and generally delivers one-touch beverages faster than manual workflows.
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Automation is a core strength: Bean Adapt-style guidance, user profiles, and prompts that steer grind/temperature and maintenance. Some reviews also mention the machine surfacing different drink options by time of day or remembering prior tweaks (like extra shots).
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Across reviews, drinks come out consistently smooth with dependable crema, and the guided dialing-in helps repeatability. A few reviewers note you can still over-extract or need a couple of tries to land the ideal grind for a specific bean.
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Overall, reviews describe a very approachable, one-touch experience with a responsive touchscreen, profiles, and lots of recipes. Satisfaction dips mainly around maintenance for milk drinks, occasional quirks with hopper switching, and price.
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Milk performance is a highlight: reviewers frequently describe plush, adjustable foam (sometimes latte-art capable) and like that the milk container stores in the fridge. The main downsides are extra cleaning steps and milk temperature that some find too lukewarm.
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Multiple sources frame the Rivelia as a popular, in-demand super-automatic, especially for people who want a compact all-in-one with bean switching.
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Design is widely praised as slim, modern, and space-aware (and it is associated with design awards). The side-mounted tank and clean layout help usability, but it can still feel deep/heavy on the counter and the top-mounted screen angle is not ideal for everyone.
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Only limited evidence appears, but where pressure is mentioned it is framed as a high-pressure, stable super-automatic platform (often quoted at 19 bars), with no widespread complaints about pressure-related inconsistency.
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Espresso and milk drinks are broadly rated as rich and satisfying, with repeated praise for crema and chocolatey notes. The main caveat is nuance: some reviewers say it cannot match the depth of a manual portafilter shot, and default strength can lean mild unless adjusted.
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At least one hands-on review calls out practical storage for the measuring scoop, which helps keep the counter setup tidy.
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Maintenance is mostly well-supported by on-screen prompts: water hardness testing, periodic descaling, and simple access for routine brew-group rinsing. The recurring negatives are milk-system cleaning (more parts and frequent rinses) and occasional reports of extra rinse water ending up in the drip tray.
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Water filtration is supported and discussed in reviews, including setting water hardness and replacing filters on a regular schedule (often every 2-3 months) to reduce scale and keep taste consistent.
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Capacity is compact-friendly but not huge: multiple sources cite a 1.4L water tank, two 250g/8.8oz bean hoppers, and a grounds bin that fills around every 10 coffees. Heavy black-coffee households may refill the tank more often.
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Cup and tray handling is generally practical, with adjustable outlets and cited cup clearance around 13.5-14 cm. Some reviewers want a deeper drip tray or note you need to be mindful of the grounds container to avoid spills.
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Used-ground handling is generally easy and tidy, with multiple sources citing a grounds bin capacity around 10 drinks and straightforward emptying. One reviewer warns the grounds container can drop if you do not support it during removal.
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Heating is strong for coffee, with multiple sources praising drink temperatures in general. The recurring limitation is milk (often around 60C) and hot water for tea (one review cites about 80C), so people who want extra-hot beverages may prefer a manual steam wand.
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Value is debated: some reviewers call it a strong deal for the feature set (especially where pricing is closer to the midrange), while others highlight the premium MSRP (around $1500) and extra-cost add-ons for enhanced cold drinks. Most agree the dual-hopper convenience and milk quality are the key justification.
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Warranty details are rarely discussed in depth, but at least one review notes a 1-year warranty, which is standard for the category rather than best-in-class.
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Common annoyances include a small purge/waste when switching hoppers, occasional extra water purges into the tray, and design quirks like screen angle or fiddly milk parts. A few reviews also call out grinder noise and the not-quite-cold-brew style cool drinks.
Cons
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Build impressions are mixed: multiple reviewers call out a lot of plastic and at least one found parts (like the carafe) flimsy. On the upside, long-term use reports describe steady, reliable output over months.
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Iced and cool options get mixed reviews: some are impressed by the cold/iced modes when poured over ice, while others say it is not true cold brew and tastes best with added ice. Several sources point to an optional cold-foam accessory that upgrades iced milk drinks.
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Several reviews note there is no finicky app required and everything runs from the touchscreen. That is great for simplicity, but it also means phone-based control is not the focus.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Coffee Machines, this product is above average in Grinder, hopper and dosing system, Milk, steam and frothing, Automation and sensors, near average in Iced / cold-brew function quality, Design flaws, below average in Build quality and durability.
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grinder, hopper and dosing system | 4.5 | 3.5 | +1.1 |
| Milk, steam and frothing | 4.4 | 3.8 | +0.6 |
| Automation and sensors | 4.5 | 4.1 | +0.4 |
| Build quality and durability | 3.4 | 4.0 | -0.6 |
| Accessories | 4.6 | 3.9 | +0.7 |
| Assembly and Setup | 4.6 | 4.2 | +0.4 |
| Iced / cold-brew function quality | 3.2 | 3.5 | -0.3 |
| Design flaws | 3.5 | 3.2 | +0.2 |
FAQ
Does the dual-bean hopper really let us switch between regular and decaf easily?
Most reviews praise the interchangeable hoppers for quick swaps and easy decaf access. A few note you may need to purge a small dose or brew a sacrificial drink to clear beans left in the grinder.
How good is the milk frother for lattes and cappuccinos?
Reviewers consistently report plush, adjustable foam (often good enough for simple latte art) and like that the milk container can go back in the fridge. The common complaint is milk temperature: several reviews put it around 60C and want it hotter.
Are the iced or cool drinks true cold brew?
No. Some reviewers like the iced options when poured over ice, but others say it is not a convincing cold-brew style extraction. Several sources mention an optional cold-foam accessory that improves iced milk drinks.
How much cleaning and maintenance does it require?
Expect guided prompts for rinsing, periodic descaling based on water hardness, and regular emptying of the drip tray/grounds bin (often around every 10 coffees). Milk drinks add extra rinse steps, and some reviewers find the milk parts fiddly.
Is there an app or smart connectivity?
Multiple reviews emphasize that everything runs through the touchscreen and that an app is not required. If we specifically want phone control, the Rivelia is not positioned as an app-first machine.
How loud is it?
Noise impressions vary: some call it quiet for a super-automatic, while at least one detailed review measured the grinder around the mid-60 dB range and described the sound as harsh. If noise is a priority, it is worth considering.
Consider This Instead
If you want better Iced / cold-brew function quality
Choose OXO Cold Brew Coffee Maker. It scores 4.6 vs 3.2 for Iced / cold-brew function quality, with a 4.1 overall score.
If you want better Build quality and durability
Choose YETI Pour Over Coffee Maker. It scores 4.8 vs 3.4 for Build quality and durability, with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better Water system, maintenance and descaling
Choose KitchenAid KF6 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine. It scores 4.8 vs 4.1 for Water system, maintenance and descaling, with a 4.4 overall score.
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