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Ideal Home reviewer Lindsey Davis tested De’Longhi’s lower-priced Rivelia Start automatic bean-to-cup machine for a month in September 2026. She reported that it made her flat white in a couple of minutes and offered hot and cold drinks, while setup took about 40 minutes and the top-mounted controls may not suit every kitchen or user.
Ideal Home reviewer Lindsey Davis says De’Longhi’s Rivelia Start made her usual flat white in a couple of minutes during a month-long test, presenting a faster option for people who make coffee at home. The review describes the machine as a lower-priced alternative to the brand’s Rivelia, with a broad drinks menu but a setup process that took about 40 minutes.
Davis tested the automatic bean-to-cup machine in September 2026, comparing it with her experience using a manual De’Longhi espresso machine for more than five years. She said her existing coffee-making routine could take as long as 15 minutes, while the Rivelia Start prepared her flat white in a couple of minutes. Those timings are the reviewer’s reported experience, not a guarantee for every drink or user.
The review lists options including espresso, cappuccino, latte, flat white, Americano, filter-style coffee, cold brew and iced coffee. The machine can also dispense hot water or steamed milk. Its listed specifications include a 1.4-litre water tank, a 15-bar pump and dimensions of 38.5 centimetres high, 24.5 centimetres wide and 43 centimetres deep. The package includes two 250-gram bean hoppers and a milk-frothing carafe.
Davis reported that unpacking and assembling the parts took less than 10 minutes, but preparing the machine for its first drink took around 40 minutes. Setup involved testing water hardness and running the machine through initial functions. She said instructions and De’Longhi videos helped her understand the process. The review does not give a separate independently measured preparation time for every drink.
Speed Comes With Setup Trade-Offs
The review addresses a practical choice for home coffee drinkers: whether an automatic machine can reduce preparation time without sacrificing a preferred drink. Davis said the Rivelia Start made her usual double-shot oat flat white quickly and that its taste left her with no complaints. That is a personal assessment from one tester, rather than a controlled comparison of taste or performance.
For readers weighing the machine against a manual espresso maker, the test suggests convenience is its clearest reported advantage. The range of hot and cold drinks may also suit households with different preferences. However, buyers should factor in the initial setup and the space needed for the machine’s hopper, as well as access to its top-mounted controls.
Price is part of the product’s positioning: the review gives a UK recommended retail price of £599.99 and says De’Longhi removed features found on the pricier Rivelia, including a touchscreen display and smart bean-adaptation technology. The article characterizes the Start as more affordable, but the supplied review does not provide a full price comparison or establish how its long-term running costs compare.
DeLonghi Rivelia Start coffee machine
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A Simpler Rivelia Model
The Rivelia Start is presented in the review as a more affordable counterpart to De’Longhi’s Rivelia, which Ideal Home had previously rated five stars. According to the article, the Start omits the touchscreen and smart bean-adaptation functions to reach its lower price point. It retains features such as two interchangeable bean hoppers, allowing a user to switch between beans, and concealed storage for accessories.
The reviewed machine came in Onyx Black; the article lists Sand Beige, Umber Brown, Jade Green, Onyx Black and Arctic White as colour options. Davis described the housing as predominantly plastic, with smooth and textured finishes. She also noted that the milk carafe is removable and that a sliding panel hides its connector when it is not attached.
Although the machine is described as compact, its layout matters. It is just under 40 centimetres tall, and the review says it needs about 15 centimetres of additional clearance for use. Because the controls sit on top, placement may affect visibility and reach. Davis specifically cautioned that this arrangement could be difficult for shorter users and people using wheelchairs.
“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
automatic bean-to-cup coffee maker
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Questions Beyond One Month
The source is a single reviewer’s month-long test; it does not establish how consistently the machine performs across different beans, water conditions or users. It also does not provide laboratory measurements comparing drink quality, noise, energy use or speed against other machines.
The review describes the Start as a cheaper alternative but the supplied material does not state its final sale price, availability by market or how often retailers may discount it. Long-term reliability, repair costs and the frequency or expense of maintenance are also not established. The reviewer notes that the water-hardness test affects settings and descaling reminders, but the source does not report results from extended use.
espresso and flat white coffee machine
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Check Price and Kitchen Fit
Readers considering the Rivelia Start can compare its current price with the listed £599.99 UK recommended retail price, then check the machine’s dimensions against their counter space and overhead clearance. The review also advises reading the instruction manual and completing the water-hardness test and initial setup before making a drink.
Ideal Home’s published test covers one month of use, but the supplied source does not announce a follow-up review or a further testing date. Questions about longer-term durability, maintenance costs and performance across a wider range of households remain open.
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Key Questions
How quickly did the Rivelia Start make the reviewer’s coffee?
Ideal Home reviewer Lindsey Davis said it made her flat white in a couple of minutes. Her existing manual-machine routine could take as long as 15 minutes, but these are her reported timings, not guaranteed preparation times.
What drinks can the machine prepare?
The review lists espresso, cappuccino, latte, flat white, Americano, filter-style coffee, cold brew and iced coffee. The machine can also provide hot water or steamed milk.
How long does setup take?
Davis said unpacking and assembly took less than 10 minutes, while the initial setup before making a drink took about 40 minutes. This included checking water hardness and running initial functions.
What is the listed price?
The review lists a UK recommended retail price of £599.99. That is the stated RRP; the article does not establish current retailer prices or discounts.
Could the machine be difficult to place or use?
The review says the machine needs additional overhead clearance and has controls on top, which could affect visibility or reach for some users. It advises checking the dimensions and placement before buying.
Source: rss
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