After testing over 200 coffee machines, I still can't forget about this slim, smart and affordable Italian gem

Of the over 200 coffee machines that I've tested in this job, there's one that I've never quite got over: the De'Longhi Rivelia. It brews exceptional coffee, looks like it belongs in a Milanese kitchen and has become the benchmark by which every other bean-to-cup machine must be measured. However, in my small flat, where every inch of worktop is precious, the Rivelia is simply too big to earn a permanent place, no matter how much I adore it.

With that in mind, you can imagine what my caffeinated heart did when I heard De'Longhi was launching the Rivelia Start. Smaller, more affordable, and designed with compact kitchens in mind, it keeps everything I love about the original: beautiful Italian styling, the clever Bean Switch system for swapping between different beans, barista-worthy hot and cold drinks, and even cold brew in under five minutes.

Whilst I haven't managed to get my coffee cup under the Rivelia Start, my experience with the devastatingly chic collection De'Longhi models gives me a huge amount of hope that this will be one of the best coffee machines of all time, especially if it brews with the same beauty and barista-skills as its bigger sibling, this is finally be the bean-to-cup coffee machine I've been waiting for.

De'Longhi Rivelia Start

The original De'Longhi Rivelia is one of the most impressive bean-to-cup machines I've tested, so the question I had when I heard about the Rivelia Start wasn't whether De'Longhi could make a great coffee machine, it was whether they could make one that fitted more easily into everyday homes.

From the first look, it seems like the brand has focused on keeping the style, whilst slimming it down. The Rivelia Start has all the sleek Italian styling that made the original such a standout on the worktop, but with a more compact design that's better suited to smaller kitchens.

The feature I was most excited to see return: Bean Switch

One of my favourite things about the original Rivelia was the Bean Switch system. Unlike many bean-to-cup machines, which require you to empty out the hopper if you want to change coffee, the interchangeable bean hoppers let you switch between different beans with minimal fuss.

As someone who loves exploring different roasts (but also needs a decaf option later in the day), this is a feature that I look for in every coffee machine that I test, but rarely find. Recently, Ninja featured it on their first bean-to-cup machine and it has been a hit.

The feature I wouldn't give up ever: Cold Brew

If you've ever heard me speak about coffee, you'll know how evangelical I am about cold brew. This is a method of making coffee that uses pressure at a lower temperature, which gives a much smoother and sweeter flavour than hotter, classic brewing styles. This means you won't get acid reflux and you can cut back on the sweetener in your coffee.

More machines are integrating this popular function, but De'Longhi make it better than Sage, Ninja, and the other giants. According to the site, the Rivelia Start uses De'Longhi's technology to create a smooth cold brew in under five minutes.

So, next time you want to make an iced coffee, this has you covered nicely.

The features that make this stand out: versatility and maintenance

The modern, sleek aesthetic is one of the Rivelia Start's biggest selling points. De'Longhi has always understood that a coffee machine is no longer something to hide away in a corner of the kitchen, and the Rivelia Start feels designed to be displayed. With its curved silhouette and carefully considered colourways, it looks just as much like a piece of Italian kitchen design as it does a home barista.

But the beauty isn't just skin deep. One of the things I have always appreciated about De'Longhi's machines is how much thought goes into making them easy to live with. The Rivelia Start takes care of much of the everyday maintenance itself, with automatic rinsing, flushing and cleaning cycles that happen behind the scenes. It heats up quickly, keeps you updated on what it needs, and guides you through the more involved cleaning tasks when they do arise.

As Joe Hunter, Head of Marketing at De’Longhi UK, explains: “With Rivelia Start, we are welcoming a new generation of design-conscious coffee lovers into the automatic bean-to-cup world. By combining a versatile hot and cold menu and our Bean Switch System, we’ve made one-touch bean-to-cup coffee effortlessly simple.”

How is it different to the De'Longhi Rivelia?

The Rivelia Start isn't a complete reinvention of De'Longhi's much-loved bean-to-cup machine; instead, it takes the features that made the original such a standout and makes them more accessible. Both machines offer the same 1.4-litre water capacity, automatic brewing and the clever Bean Switch system, allowing coffee lovers to move between different beans without emptying the hopper.

The biggest change is the footprint. The original Rivelia measures 24.5cm wide and 43cm deep, making it relatively compact compared to many bean-to-cup machines, but the Rivelia Start has been designed for even more space-conscious kitchens. It also comes with a slightly lower price point, making De'Longhi's premium coffee experience easier to bring home.

The original Rivelia does have a higher stated pump pressure at 19 bar compared to the Rivelia Start's 15 bar, but this is only one part of espresso extraction. The quality of the grinder, temperature control and brewing technology all play a role in the final cup.

It looks like my search for a coffee machine that won't take over my kitchen counter may finally be over. The Rivelia Start feels like a delicious dream come true: the style, versatility and coffee quality I loved from the original, now with a smaller footprint and the added treat of cold coffee on demand. All that's left is to put it through my full testing process - preferably with a fresh espresso in hand.