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Ideal Home reviewer Lindsey Davis tested the De’Longhi Rivelia Start automatic bean-to-cup machine for a month, comparing it with her usual manual espresso routine. She said it made a flat white in a couple of minutes and offered a wide range of drinks, while setup took about 40 minutes and the top-mounted controls may not suit every kitchen or user.
Ideal Home reviewer Lindsey Davis tested the De’Longhi Rivelia Start for a month, reporting that the automatic bean-to-cup machine made her usual flat white in a couple of minutes rather than the up to 15 minutes she said her manual coffee routine could take. Her account presents the machine as a lower-priced alternative to De’Longhi’s Rivelia, while also noting that initial setup took longer than making a drink once the machine was ready.
Davis, who said she had used a manual De’Longhi espresso machine for more than five years, tested the Rivelia Start in September 2026. She was looking for an easier way to make her preferred double-shot oat flat white without giving up control over the result. In the review, she said the machine’s speed and coffee taste met her expectations, although the piece does not provide a formal taste score or a controlled comparison with other machines.
The machine’s listed functions include espresso, Americano, filter-style coffee, flat white, latte, cappuccino, cold brew and iced coffee. It can also dispense hot water or steamed milk. The product is listed with a 1.4-litre water tank, a 15-bar pump, two 250-gram bean hoppers and a milk-frothing carafe. De’Longhi’s listed recommended retail price in the review is £599.99.
The review describes a compact, roughly 10-kilogram machine with several colour options and storage for accessories. Davis said unboxing and assembling it took under 10 minutes, but water-hardness testing, configuration and cleaning steps took about 40 minutes before the machine was ready to make coffee. She also noted that the controls sit on top of the unit, which could affect visibility and ease of use depending on placement, a person’s height or whether they use a wheelchair.
Faster Coffee, With Setup Trade-Offs
The review speaks to a practical choice for people who want freshly ground coffee without preparing each drink manually. Davis’s account suggests the Rivelia Start can cut the hands-on time for a weekday drink, while still giving users a menu that extends beyond espresso and milk-based coffee. That is a personal test result, not evidence that every drink will take the same time or taste the same for every user.
The £599.99 listed price and broad drink selection may appeal to shoppers comparing automatic machines, but the review also identifies costs in time and usability: setup involved several steps, and the top-mounted panel requires careful placement. The machine’s two hoppers and cold-drink options may be useful for households with different preferences, though the supplied report does not establish how often users would need to switch beans or how the machine performs over longer-term use.
De'Longhi Rivelia Start coffee machine
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A Lower-Cost Rivelia Alternative
De’Longhi’s Rivelia Start is described by Ideal Home as a cheaper alternative to the original Rivelia. The review says the Start omits the touchscreen display and smart bean-adaptation technology found on the higher-priced model. Ideal Home had previously given the original Rivelia a five-star rating, according to the article, but the supplied material does not include a full side-by-side test or the original model’s current price.
Davis approached the test as an experienced manual-machine user, but said this was her first review of a fully automatic coffee machine. The trial covered a month and included both hot and cold drink options. That background matters: the findings reflect one reviewer moving from a familiar manual method to an automatic system, rather than a laboratory test or a survey of owners.
““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
Questions Beyond One Month
The supplied review material does not establish how the Rivelia Start compares with competing machines in controlled taste, speed or reliability tests. Davis’s positive comments are one reviewer’s assessment; no broader customer results or long-term ownership data are included. The source also does not state the article’s publication date, provide an independently verified current selling price, or give a detailed account of cleaning frequency and ongoing maintenance costs.
It is also unclear how well the controls work for users with different access needs beyond the reviewer’s warning about the panel’s top-mounted position. The review says the machine includes two interchangeable bean hoppers, but the supplied extract does not explain how quickly or conveniently they can be swapped in regular use.
Check Price and Fit Before Buying
The next step for shoppers is to compare the Rivelia Start’s current retail price and features with other automatic machines, then check whether its dimensions and top-facing controls fit their kitchen. The review lists a height of 38.5 centimetres and says additional headspace is needed to use the hopper, so cabinet clearance and access to the control panel are worth checking before purchase.
Potential buyers should also account for the first-use setup and routine cleaning described in the instructions. The supplied source reports a month of testing but does not identify a longer-term follow-up or a separate comparison test. No further product announcement or review milestone is specified.
Key Questions
How much does the De’Longhi Rivelia Start cost?
The Ideal Home review lists a recommended retail price of £599.99. That is the price stated in the source, not confirmation of current shop prices or discounts.
How quickly did the reviewer make a coffee?
Lindsey Davis said the machine made her flat white in a couple of minutes. She contrasted that with her usual manual routine, which could take as long as 15 minutes; these are her reported experiences, not a controlled timing test.
What drinks can the machine make?
The review lists espresso, Americano, filter-style coffee, flat white, latte, cappuccino, cold brew and iced coffee. It also says the machine can dispense hot water and steamed milk.
How long does first-time setup take?
Davis said unboxing and assembly took under 10 minutes after washing some parts. Water testing, configuration and cleaning steps then took about 40 minutes before she could make a drinkable coffee.
What should buyers check before choosing it?
Check the machine’s roughly 38.5-centimetre height, the extra clearance needed to use the bean hopper, and whether the top-mounted controls are easy to see and reach in the intended location. The review also advises following the setup instructions, including the water-hardness test.
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