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Ideal Home reviewer Lindsey Davis tested De’Longhi’s Rivelia Start automatic bean-to-cup machine for a month in September 2026. She reported that it made a flat white in a couple of minutes and offered a wide range of drinks, while initial setup took about 40 minutes and the top-mounted controls may not suit every user.
Ideal Home reviewer Lindsey Davis tested De’Longhi’s Rivelia Start automatic bean-to-cup machine for a month, reporting that it made her usual flat white in a couple of minutes compared with up to 15 minutes on her manual machine. The review presents the Start as a lower-priced alternative to the original Rivelia, with a broad menu of hot and cold drinks; the source does not give a confirmed sale price or independent performance testing.
Davis, who said she had used a manual De’Longhi espresso machine for more than five years, tested the Rivelia Start as an alternative to her usual process. Her review says the automatic machine required less hands-on work and that the resulting coffee met her expectations. Those findings reflect one reviewer’s experience, rather than a controlled comparison across users or machines.
The machine makes flat whites, lattes, cappuccinos, espresso, Americanos, filter-style coffee, cold brew and iced coffee, according to the review. It can also dispense hot water or steamed milk. Its stated specifications include a 1.4-litre water tank, a 15-bar pump and dimensions of 38.5 by 24.5 by 43 centimetres. The listed retail price is £599.99.
The package includes two 250-gram bean hoppers, a milk-frothing carafe, a water filter and cleaning tools. Davis described the machine as compact and said changing between the supplied hoppers was a useful feature. She also noted that the controls sit on top of the unit, which could affect visibility and access depending on where it is placed and who is using it.
A Faster Route to Everyday Coffee
The review focuses on a common trade-off for home coffee drinkers: speed and convenience versus hands-on control. Davis said making coffee on her manual machine could take as long as 15 minutes, while the Rivelia Start prepared her flat white in a couple of minutes. For someone making drinks during a workday, that difference may make an automatic machine more practical, though it does not establish how much time all users would save.
The Start’s range of drinks also makes it relevant to households with different preferences, while its £599.99 listed price places it as a substantial purchase rather than a small kitchen accessory. The review says De’Longhi lowered the price relative to the Rivelia by omitting features such as a touchscreen and smart bean-adaptation technology. Readers weighing the cost will need to decide whether the drink selection and reduced manual effort justify the price, especially since the article does not provide a direct price comparison or long-term reliability results.
Accessibility and kitchen layout are practical considerations. The reviewer notes that the top-mounted panel may be harder to see or use for shorter people or wheelchair users. The machine also needs space above it for the bean hopper and clearance for use, so its compact footprint does not mean it will fit every counter setup.
automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine
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How the Start Differs From Rivelia
De’Longhi’s Rivelia Start is described in the source as a cheaper alternative to the company’s Rivelia, which Ideal Home had previously rated five stars. The report attributes the Start’s lower price position to the omission of touchscreen controls and smart bean-adaptation technology. It does not supply the original Rivelia’s current price or a side-by-side test, so the scale of the price difference and the practical effect of those omitted features cannot be quantified from this material.
Davis tested the machine in her home for a month in September 2026, during weather that allowed her to try hot and cold drinks. She had experience with manual espresso machines and bean-to-cup products, but described this as her first review of a fully automatic machine. That background helps explain the review’s focus on whether automation could satisfy her preferred double-shot oat flat white while reducing preparation time.
The stated colours are Sand Beige, Umber Brown, Jade Green, Onyx Black and Arctic White. The listed package includes two interchangeable bean hoppers, which the reviewer highlighted as a design feature. These are product details reported by Ideal Home, not an assessment of how the machine performs over extended use.
““The De’Longhi Rivelia Start has not only impressed me for convenience, making my flat white in just a couple of minutes, but the taste leaves no complaints.””
— Lindsey Davis, Ideal Home reviewer
Setup and Long-Term Use Still Open
The reported results come from one reviewer’s month-long trial. The source does not establish whether other users would find the coffee taste, speed or customisation equally satisfying, or how performance changes after longer use. It also does not provide a measured comparison with the original Rivelia, a full breakdown of ongoing cleaning time, or evidence on durability and repair costs.
Initial setup took Davis about 40 minutes after a quick unpacking, including water-hardness testing and running the machine through preparatory functions. She said consulting De’Longhi videos helped her understand the instructions. The time needed may vary with experience, but the review does not report a test by a novice user. The source also does not state whether the £599.99 listed price applies to every retailer or market.
Check Price and Fit Before Buying
The review reports no product recall, regulatory action or announced follow-up test. Readers considering the machine can compare the current retail price with the original Rivelia and other bean-to-cup models, then check whether the 43-centimetre depth, hopper clearance and top controls suit their kitchen and needs. The review’s listed £599.99 price and specifications should be checked against the retailer’s current listing, as prices and availability can change.
For buyers, the main questions left by the report are practical: whether the automatic drinks match their preferred recipes, whether the initial setup and ongoing cleaning feel manageable, and whether they will use the machine’s hot and cold options. No further results or product changes are identified in the source material.
Key Questions
What did Ideal Home report about the Rivelia Start?
Reviewer Lindsey Davis said the machine made her flat white in a couple of minutes and that she was satisfied with the taste during a month-long home test. These are her reported findings, not results from a large consumer trial.
How much does the De’Longhi Rivelia Start cost?
The review lists a recommended retail price of £599.99. Current prices and availability may vary, and the source does not provide a live retailer price check.
What drinks can it make?
The review lists flat whites, lattes, cappuccinos, espresso, Americanos, filter-style coffee, cold brew and iced coffee. It also says the machine can dispense hot water and steamed milk.
How long does setup take?
Davis said unpacking and assembly took under 10 minutes, but the initial configuration and cleaning process took about 40 minutes. She used the instructions and De’Longhi videos to help complete setup.
What limitations did the review identify?
The reviewer noted that the top-mounted controls may be difficult to view or reach for some users, and that setup requires several steps. The review does not provide long-term durability results or a direct comparison test with the original Rivelia.
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