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Ideal Home reviewer Lindsey Davis tested De’Longhi’s Rivelia Start automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine for a month in September 2026. She reported that it made her usual flat white in a couple of minutes, while offering several hot and cold drinks; the review also notes a lengthy initial setup and a control panel on top of the machine.
Ideal Home reviewer Lindsey Davis says De’Longhi’s Rivelia Start made her regular oat flat white in a couple of minutes during a month-long test, offering a faster alternative to her manual espresso routine. Her report describes the machine as a lower-priced version of the Rivelia, with automatic drink options and two interchangeable bean hoppers, while noting that setup took considerably longer than making a coffee.
Davis tested the automatic bean-to-cup machine in September 2026, after using a manual De’Longhi espresso machine for more than five years. She had been spending as long as 15 minutes making coffee while working from home and wanted to know whether an automatic machine could save time without giving up the coffee she preferred. In her account, the Rivelia Start delivered her double-shot oat flat white quickly and to her satisfaction.
The machine has a 15-bar pump, a 1.4-litre water tank and dimensions of 38.5 by 24.5 by 43 centimetres. The box includes a milk-frothing carafe, a water filter, cleaning supplies and two 250-gram bean hoppers. De’Longhi lists an RRP of £599.99 in the supplied review material. The report says the model omits the touchscreen and smart bean-adaptation technology found on the more expensive Rivelia.
According to Ideal Home, users can select espresso, Americano, filter-style coffee, flat white, latte, cappuccino, cold brew and iced coffee, as well as hot water or steamed milk. Davis found the machine’s unpacking and assembly took less than 10 minutes, but the first setup and cleaning sequence took about 40 minutes. It involved washing components, testing water hardness and following the manual and setup instructions before brewing a drinkable coffee.
Speed Comes With Setup Trade-Offs
The review speaks to a practical choice for people making coffee at home: whether one-touch convenience is worth the purchase price and the change from a hands-on espresso routine. Davis’s test suggests that the machine can cut the time involved in preparing a regular drink, a potentially useful difference for people making coffee during a workday. That is her experience, not a guarantee that every user or recipe will produce the same result.
The report also points to a trade-off between the Start and the pricier Rivelia. De’Longhi removes some higher-end features, but the reviewer found the Start still offered a range of drinks and a customisable coffee routine. The initial preparation is a separate consideration: anyone expecting a machine to work immediately out of the box may need to set aside time to read instructions, configure water hardness and clean the components.
For households comparing machines, details beyond the drink menu may matter. The reviewer notes that the control panel sits on the top, which can affect visibility and ease of use depending on where the machine is placed and the user’s height or mobility. Its height and the clearance needed above it also affect whether it will fit beneath kitchen cabinets.
automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine
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A Lower-Cost Rivelia Option
De’Longhi markets the Rivelia Start as a more affordable alternative to its Rivelia model. The supplied review says the company achieved the lower price by leaving out a touchscreen display and automatic bean-adaptation technology. The original Rivelia had received a five-star rating from Ideal Home, according to the report; that rating is the publication’s assessment, not an independent performance measure.
Davis approached the test as an experienced user of manual espresso equipment, but said this was her first review of a fully automatic machine. Her usual drink was a double-shot oat flat white, and her month of use covered both hot and cold coffee options as the weather changed. That experience gives the review a specific basis, but it remains a single tester’s assessment rather than a controlled comparison of machines or a survey of owners.
The Start has a predominantly plastic body, with smooth and textured finishes, and is sold in several colours, including Onyx Black, Sand Beige and Jade Green. The review describes storage for small accessories and hidden areas for the grounds inlet and milk attachment. Its published specifications and design observations help readers judge the fit and features, but they do not establish long-term durability.
““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.””
— Ideal Home reviewer Lindsey Davis
DeLonghi Rivelia Start coffee maker
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What the Test Does Not Establish
The supplied material contains one reviewer’s experience, not independent laboratory testing, a long-term durability assessment or a broad comparison with competing machines. It does not provide measured brewing times across different drinks, a detailed account of taste testing, or information about performance after extended use. Davis’s positive assessment should be read as an individual review finding.
The source describes the Start as a cheaper alternative and gives an RRP of £599.99, but it does not state the comparison model’s price or explain how much buyers save. It also does not provide current retailer prices, availability by colour or information about warranty terms. Those details may vary and are not confirmed by the supplied report.
The review material ends during its explanation of water-hardness setup. It therefore does not establish the full maintenance schedule, ongoing cleaning workload, running costs or how well the machine performs over time. The reported 40-minute setup should not be confused with routine use, but the source does not quantify how often later cleaning tasks are required.
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Check Price, Fit and Maintenance
Readers considering the machine can compare its current selling price with the £599.99 listed RRP, and check whether the model’s dimensions and overhead clearance suit their kitchen. The review also suggests looking closely at the top-mounted controls, particularly if the machine will sit beneath cabinets or be used by someone who may find a high control panel difficult to see or reach.
Before buying, prospective owners may want to consult De’Longhi’s current product information for confirmed availability, warranty coverage and maintenance guidance. The supplied review does not report a later follow-up or additional testing, so long-term reliability and routine upkeep remain open questions rather than established findings.
best coffee machine for flat white
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Key Questions
What did the Ideal Home review find about the Rivelia Start?
Reviewer Lindsey Davis said the machine made her usual oat flat white in a couple of minutes and found its convenience and coffee satisfactory during a month of testing. That is her assessment, not a guarantee of results for every user.
How much does the De’Longhi Rivelia Start cost?
The supplied review lists a recommended retail price of £599.99. It does not give current retailer prices or confirm whether that price has changed.
What drinks can it 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 or steamed milk.
How long does setup take?
Davis says unpacking and assembly took less than 10 minutes, while the initial configuration and cleaning process took about 40 minutes. The latter included checking water hardness and following the setup instructions.
What is different about the Start compared with the Rivelia?
According to the supplied report, the Start is a lower-priced alternative that leaves out the touchscreen and smart bean-adaptation technology found on the more expensive Rivelia. The material does not give a direct price comparison.
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