If you’re anything like me—a coffee lover who secretly dreams about foam texture and bean variety before breakfast—you’ll appreciate the deep dive we’ve done with the DeLonghi Rivelia here at HobbyScoop HQ.
Three weeks, countless cups, and one slightly over-caffeinated editorial team later, we can confirm this machine has earned its keep. I’ve tested every function, experimented with different beans, and even timed the morning rush. Let’s just say it’s been an eventful few weeks in the name of “research.”
First Impressions
The Rivelia doesn’t just look good…it looks intentional. The design is sleek and modern without being flashy, and it fits comfortably on a standard kitchen counter. It’s the kind of appliance that makes you pause, admire it, and think, “Yep, that’s going to make my mornings better.”
What stood out immediately was the dual bean hopper system. You can load two different kinds of beans; your everyday roast and maybe a decaf or single origin for afternoons, and switch between them instantly. The machine even handles the leftover grounds smartly, so you never end up with a muddled mix.
The colour touchscreen is another highlight. It’s bright, responsive, and genuinely intuitive. No need to hunt for instructions or scroll through endless menus; you just tap, choose your drink, and you’re good to go.
And yes, it lets you save multiple profiles (and remembers your drinking-time preferences thanks to built in AI). At the office, this feature alone has prevented at least three arguments before 9 a.m.
What We Love
1. The Bean Switch is a Game-Changer
I’m the kind of person who starts the day with a strong medium roast but likes to go easy in the afternoon. Switching between beans is usually a chore with most machines, but not here. The Rivelia’s smart hopper system makes it effortless. When you swap beans, it tells you exactly what’s happening and clears the last few grounds before starting fresh.
In practice, I can go from a bold morning flat white to a smooth decaf by mid-afternoon, all in the time it takes to stretch my legs. For households or offices where people have different coffee preferences, this is a dream.
2. Milk Frothing That Doesn’t Need Barista Skills
I’m a flat white fan through and through, and the Rivelia consistently delivers the right texture. Creamy, silky, and balanced. It’s the kind of microfoam that makes you pause mid-sip and nod in quiet approval.
Here’s a little insider discovery from our testing: if you run the milk carafe cleaning cycle twice in a row, the milk comes out noticeably hotter. It’s a simple trick but one that makes a big difference for anyone who likes a piping-hot drink (we have noticed in previous reviews of the product, some say the milk isn’t hot enough).
3. Endless Drink Options, Zero Effort
Espresso, cappuccino, latte, lungo, hot milk, and even an iced coffee mode—it’s all there. You can fine-tune strength, temperature, and volume to your taste, then save those settings under your name.
The machine even adapts its brewing to suit different roast levels, which adds a nice layer of precision for those of us who obsess over flavour.
What I Don’t Love (and You Should Know)
The Rivelia makes excellent coffee, but it isn’t a replacement for a traditional barista setup. If you love weighing out grounds, tamping, and chasing the perfect 25-second shot (and we know some of you do- you’re here at hobbyscoop for your hobby!), you might find it a little too automated. The espresso is smooth and satisfying, but it doesn’t quite hit that deep, pressurised punch of a manual portafilter.
Some users might find the milk temperature slightly on the moderate side, especially when using plant-based milks. Our workaround—running the carafe cleaner twice—did the trick. As for iced coffee, it’s decent but functions more like a “brew hot, cool fast” approach than a true cold extraction.
The water tank could also stand to be a little larger. It’s fine for daily home use, but if your office runs on caffeine like ours does, you’ll be topping it up regularly.
Maintenance reminders are clear and frequent, but they’re easy to manage. Rinse cycles are automatic, and the milk carafe can go straight into the fridge between uses, which is a small touch that makes everyday life easier.
Life with the Rivelia: Our Three-Week Verdict
At HobbyScoop HQ, this machine has become part of our daily rhythm. Mornings start with a simple tap: espresso for some, flat white for others. Mid-morning meetings mean another round of cappuccinos, and by mid-afternoon, someone’s inevitably switching to decaf.
Setup was straightforward. We filled the tank, loaded two hoppers—one regular, one decaf—set the water hardness to 1 (we’re lucky to have excellent water here), and that was it. No drama, no learning curve.
The best part? It just works. Every. Single. Time. There’s something deeply satisfying about pressing a single button and getting a café-quality drink without any fuss. It’s reliable, quick, and quietly stylish—the trifecta of a great home or small office coffee machine.
Should You Buy It?
The DeLonghi Rivelia is ideal if you want a modern, automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine that takes the thinking out of the process. It’s perfect for homes or small offices where convenience matters but taste still comes first.
It’s not the cheapest on the market, but compared to other machines at this price point, it delivers far more for the money. You get smart features, consistent performance, and that “one press and done” experience that makes weekday mornings infinitely smoother.
If you crave manual control, scalding-hot milk, or experimental cold brews, this might not be your forever machine. But if you want café-quality results without the barista training, the Rivelia hits a sweet spot that few others manage.
Final Thoughts
After three weeks of testing, the DeLonghi Rivelia has proven itself as the perfect mix of practicality and luxury. It’s the machine that fits seamlessly into everyday life—no mess, no drama, just genuinely good coffee at the touch of a button.
It’s smart, stylish, and dependable, whether you’re brewing for yourself or keeping a small team fuelled through the day. We’ve tried plenty of machines, but few have impressed us quite like this one.
