- Worse: puck size and espresso dose The reviewer said the Rivelia makes larger pucks than the Magnifica Evo, supporting stronger automatic espresso shots.
- Compared: bean-to-cup espresso style Wired grouped the Rivelia with De'Longhi's Magnifica Evo and Dinamica as bean-to-cup machines with similar pressure but coarser grinding than portafilter machines.
De’Longhi Rivelia Automatic Espresso Machine Review
Bottom Line
Choose the Rivelia for easy bean switching, personalized one-touch drinks, strong espresso, and excellent milk foam. Skip it if you need manual control, very hot milk, true cold brew, or a compact, budget-friendly machine.
Best for
Best for households or small shared spaces where people want different beans, decaf options, user profiles, and one-touch milk drinks without learning manual espresso technique.
Not for
Not for espresso purists who want hands-on control, shoppers on a tight budget, users who demand very hot manually steamed milk, or people who need true cold brew from the machine.
Verdict
Reviewers generally see the De’Longhi Rivelia as a polished super-automatic that makes everyday coffee easier without giving up much cup quality. Its strongest advantages are the swappable bean hoppers, guided touchscreen, user profiles, quick workflow, rich espresso, and unusually good automatic milk foam. The tradeoff is that it still behaves like a bean-to-cup machine: espresso lacks the depth of a dialed-in portafilter setup, milk temperature is limited by the automatic carafe, and the cold coffee modes divide reviewers. Cleanup is mostly straightforward, but the milk system and purge routines add recurring chores. The price is high, yet many reviewers felt the convenience, consistency, and personalization justify it for multi-coffee households.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
- Better: overall super-automatic performance Espresso Rabbit Hole recommended the Rivelia but concluded it was not as good as the Magnifica Plus.
- Worse: true double shot Coffee Kev said the Rivelia's double espresso grinds and pulls twice, unlike the Delonghi Magnifica range.
- Similar: puck size and dosing The reviewer said the Rivelia's puck size is comparable to higher-end De'Longhi machines such as the Eletta Explore.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
26 reviewed features- Very positive 4.5-5.0 35% 9 features
- Positive 3.5-4.4 38% 10 features
- Neutral 2.5-3.4 23% 6 features
- Negative 1.5-2.4 4% 1 feature
- Very negative below 1.5 0% 0 features
Pros
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Setup was repeatedly described as easy because the touchscreen guides users through priming, water setup, profiles, and first drinks with clear step-by-step instructions.
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Automation was seen as a core strength for users who want café-style drinks without manual technique, with clear prompts that guide setup, cleaning, and adjustments.
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Overall user experience was one of the Rivelia’s strongest areas, with reviewers praising the guided interface, easy navigation, premium feel, and everyday convenience.
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The dual hoppers, switch mode, grind adjustment, and dosing system were the most celebrated features, with reviewers calling bean switching practical, clever, and unusually effective for decaf or alternate beans.
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Smart control feedback was positive for the touchscreen, profiles, Bean Adapt, and no-app simplicity; reviewers valued personalization without needing a separate connected app.
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Reviewers consistently liked the Rivelia’s espresso and finished drinks, describing rich crema, lively flavor, and high-quality coffee for a super-automatic, while still noting it is not true portafilter espresso.
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Recognition mattered most where reviewers connected design awards to real usability, arguing that the award-winning layout improves daily handling rather than just appearance.
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The internal storage for the dosing scoop was praised as a small but practical detail that keeps accessories organized.
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Reviewers found the Rivelia fast, with quick heat-up and short time-to-cup; several emphasized that it saves time and can produce drinks in about a minute.
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Brewing performance was praised for accurate Bean Adapt guidance, consistent extraction, and repeatable daily results, especially compared with café runs or earlier super-automatic experiences.
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Milk performance drew very strong praise for automatic microfoam, froth adjustment, and milk-drink quality, tempered by concerns that automatic systems do not produce very hot milk.
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Reviewers mostly liked the slim, modern footprint and premium look, though they noted depth, screen placement, side-tank aesthetics, and countertop fit as important caveats.
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Maintenance was mostly viewed as manageable thanks to prompts, rinsing programs, dishwasher-safe parts, and an accessible brew group, though milk-system cleaning and purges remain recurring chores.
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Value opinions were context-dependent: the price is high and some add-ons feel expensive, but many reviewers argued the convenience, personalization, and category performance make it worthwhile.
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The filter was discussed positively as part of water care, with one reviewer stressing that using it helps protect the machine over time.
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Cup and tray handling was generally usable, with praise for adjustable spout positioning but one reviewer wishing for a deeper tray for larger mugs.
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Accessory opinions were mixed: included hoppers and bundled basics were appreciated, but reviewers wished the cold frother were bundled rather than sold separately.
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Capacity was adequate but not class-leading: the water tank and drink sizes worked for espresso and milk drinks, while long black coffee users may refill more often.
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Hot-water performance was useful but uneven: one reviewer measured very hot water for tea, while another found it not hot enough for properly brewing most black teas.
Cons
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Used-puck disposal is convenient when the receptacle is removed normally, but one reviewer criticized a falling part that can make a mess.
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Marketing-claim accuracy was mixed: reviewers agreed the Rivelia delivers on ease and bean switching, but some pushed back on cold-drink claims and hype around novelty.
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Build impressions were mixed: one reviewer disliked the plastic-heavy body and another called the carafe flimsy, while a retailer review emphasized durable internal design and serviceable parts.
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Consumable costs were only discussed in the context of filters and descaler, with one reviewer flagging the annual maintenance cost as worth factoring in.
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Design flaws centered on hidden menu functions, splatter, top-screen accessibility, packaging issues, and screen placement, but these were usually framed as caveats rather than dealbreakers.
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Cold functions split reviewers: some found the iced settings or cold foam useful, while others criticized the cold black-coffee options as confusing, gimmicky, or not truly cold brew.
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Portability was a weak point because reviewers described the machine as heavy, awkward to move, or lacking handles despite being relatively compact on the counter.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Coffee Machines, this product is above average in App, connectivity and smart control, Grinder, hopper and dosing system, near average in Milk, steam and frothing, below average in Portability and travel-friendliness, Iced / cold-brew function quality, Build quality and durability.
Summary
8 compared features- Above average 0.4+ pts higher 25% 2 features
- Same as average within 0.3 pts 13% 1 feature
- Below average 0.4+ pts lower 63% 5 features
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| App, connectivity and smart control | 4.6 | 3.1 | +1.5 |
| Portability and travel-friendliness | 2.3 | 3.8 | -1.4 |
| Iced / cold-brew function quality | 2.7 | 3.8 | -1.2 |
| Grinder, hopper and dosing system | 4.6 | 3.7 | +0.9 |
| Build quality and durability | 3.2 | 3.9 | -0.8 |
| Capsules, pods and consumables | 3.0 | 3.7 | -0.7 |
| Milk, steam and frothing | 4.3 | 4.0 | +0.3 |
| Mess-free used-puck disposal | 3.4 | 3.9 | -0.6 |
FAQ
Does the Rivelia make good espresso?
Reviewers generally say yes for a bean-to-cup machine, praising crema, body, sweetness, and consistency. Several still note that it does not match a dialed-in traditional portafilter machine.
Is the dual bean hopper system useful?
Yes. Reviewers repeatedly call the switchable hoppers the standout feature because they make it practical to move between regular, decaf, light roast, dark roast, or guest beans with minimal fuss.
How good is the milk frothing?
Milk frothing is one of the strongest areas. Reviewers praise the microfoam, adjustable froth, and milk-drink texture, while noting that automatic systems may not satisfy people who want very hot milk.
Are the cold coffee functions worth using?
They are mixed. Some reviewers liked iced drinks or the optional cold froth accessory, but others said the built-in cold black-coffee options mostly brew hot coffee over ice and are not true cold brew.
Is it easy to clean and maintain?
Mostly yes. Reviewers liked the prompts, rinse cycles, dishwasher-safe parts, and removable brew group, but several still flagged milk carafe cleaning, purges, and regular tray or puck disposal as recurring chores.
Is the Rivelia worth the price?
For convenience-focused households, many reviewers thought the price was justified by the bean switching, profiles, drink quality, and ease of use. It is less compelling if you do not need those premium automation features.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Youtube
- Review score
- 4.8
YouTube - Youtube
- Review score
- 4.0
Article Reviews
womanandhome.com
- Review score
- 4.6
homecoffeesolutions.com
- Review score
- 4.4
techradar.com
- Review score
- 4.2
Consider This Instead
If you want better Portability and travel-friendliness
Choose Breville Bambino Espresso Machine. It scores 5.0 vs 2.3 for Portability and travel-friendliness, with a 3.9 overall score.
If you want better Iced / cold-brew function quality
Choose Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine. It scores 5.0 vs 2.7 for Iced / cold-brew function quality, with a 4.0 overall score.
If you want better Capsules, pods and consumables
Choose Technivorm Moccamaster Cup One Coffee Maker. It scores 5.0 vs 3.0 for Capsules, pods and consumables, with a 4.1 overall score.
If you want better Build quality and durability
Choose YETI Pour Over Coffee Maker. It scores 5.0 vs 3.2 for Build quality and durability, with a 4.5 overall score.
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