Does a costly coffee machine make a better brew?

I was lucky enough to visit the De’Longhi headquarters in Treviso, Italy. This is where I was first introduced to its new offering, the Rivelia – a sleek machine just begging to be popped into a super-modern kitchen.

The research that went into this coffee machine was interesting – essentially, it’s been made for the UK market. De’Longhi did lots of research to discover discovering that we Brits want from a coffee machine.

“We worked with a community of British coffee makers over several months exploring every aspect of their coffee experience,” explains Plamena Stavreva, Global Coffee Marketing Manager at De’Longhi.

Rivelia coffee machines in four colour ways

The Rivelia has been designed for British tastes

“We translated these needs and experiences into product designs, usability, technology features, forms, and materials, ultimately turning an idea into a concrete product they can truly enjoy at home.”

So, what did we want? Apart from the ability to add double shots to our coffee, we demand technology from our kitchen appliances, but only when it’s easy to use, and we prefer using coffee beans to brew a cuppa. Oh, and we don’t like blunt corners on our devices, which we want available in a range of modern-kitchen-friendly colours. We don’t ask for much, do we?

De’Longhi, it must be said, has risen to the challenge. The Rivelia is a bean-to-cup coffee machine, which essentially means it automatically grinds fresh coffee beans, turning them into a cup of coffee at the touch of a button.

I’ve been testing this machine for two weeks and here’s what I’ve learned about costly coffee machines.

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De'Longhi Rivelia automatic coffee machine

RRP: £749.99

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De'Longhi Rivelia automatic coffee machine

Does a high price tag mean better coffee?

Here’s what I discovered when I used an expensive coffee machine

You’re paying for the years of expertise

De’Longhi plays to its strengths. It started manufacturing heating units in 1974 and then went into the coffee and small kitchen appliances business in 2001, after acquiring Kenwood. The company has not deviated from its strengths since, which means it has become an expert in its field.

Part of my trip to Italy involved visiting the De’Longhi factory. Hair net pulled on and very much channelling my inner Gregg Wallace, I was taken on a tour of the factory to see how the coffee machines are made.

De'Longhi headquarters in Treviso, Italy

De’Longhi have their HQ and one of their main factories in Treviso, Italy

I learnt that the manufacturer makes a lot of the parts in-house – such as the grinders – rather than shipping them in, and that for premium machines, such the Rivelia, they are put together by one person. Other machines go down the factory line, with each person looking after one component, but when it comes to the fancier ones, more experienced employees put it together from start to finish.

Expensive coffee machines don’t have to be complicated

I really didn’t think it could get much simpler than a coffee pod machine. Put a pod in, press a button and you’re done. However, what coffee pod machines make up for in convenience, they can lack in the final coffee taste.

Before I tried this coffee machine, I thought decent-tasting coffee required spending thousands on an espresso machine, similar to the ones seen in cafés. I had a glimpse, though, of how tricky they are to use when I reviewed the Dualit 3-in-1 coffee machine.

There’s a reason that baristas are artisans – they’re trained to understand coffee to the nth degree and can craft the perfect coffee by making manual alterations. This wasn’t for me.

The LCD display makes the Rivelia so easy to use that I never once had to consult a manual

 With the Rivelia, though, not only is it easy to use (my tech-phobic husband had it worked out in a matter of minutes), but also it results in delicious coffee. Obviously, this is very much subjective – what I deem tasty, others may not, but it definitely floats my coffee boat. Like those UK residents De’Longhi questioned, I like convenience and this machine delivers on that.

Expensive products solve most problems

As I see it, if you’re paying out for an expensive machine, whether that be the best cordless vacuum cleaner or a smart speaker, you want it to make life easier and help solve any issues you have.

The more expensive coffee machines certainly do that. For example, the Rivelia comes with two sealed hoppers – the tub on top of your grinder where you store your coffee beans. If then you want to change the roast, you simply twist in the new hopper and you’re ready to go.

Changing the hopper on the Rivelia automatic coffee machine

I loved that the Rivelia comes with two coffee hoppers so you can change up your coffee beans in an instant

It also comes with a smaller milk frother that’s the perfect size to store in the fridge. Once you’ve made your milky coffees, you just remove it from the machine and pop it back into the fridge to keep cold. It’s neat, convenient, and saves on lots of washing up.

Cheaper coffee machines, such as the straightforward Lakeland coffee pod machine, won’t have any extras. However, this isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes, less is actually more. The more complicated a machine, the more there is to go wrong with it.

But a high price doesn’t guarantee perfection

I challenge anyone to say they wholly love any tech product they’ve bought, especially after using it for a while. Whether it’s Bluetooth headphones that disconnect for no reason or iPhones that overheat, tech is rarely problem-free.

The Rivelia is no different. It’s annoying that it drips water when heating up, and while the drip tray catches it, I’d prefer this not to happen. It’s also loud when grinding the beans, so not one to use if you’re trying to keep quiet in the morning.

As with all our reviews, we always show pros and cons and it’s exactly for this reason. There will always be negatives, but you’ll know it’s the coffee machine for you if those cons don’t bother you that much and that overall, you still feel positive about the machine.

The pricier the machine, the more you can customise

Even though the coffee machine I tested is fully automatic – it even gets to know your coffee tastes and what type you drink during the day – there is also a good element of customisation. You can, for example, change the grinder settings or add an extra shot to ensure you have the perfect cup of joe.

This is what I’ve always missed with my coffee pod machine. I often used the long coffee choice and always ended up with a super-weak coffee. 

Want to personalise your cuppa from a coffee pod machine?

Our in-house coffee guru and product tester Philip Sowels told me that most automated coffee machines will never reproduce that true café coffee taste. His tip if you’ve got a coffee pod machine, for example, and want a better-tasting long coffee is to make two espressos. Obviously, it’s not so cost-effective when you’re using two pods, but it’s a workaround.

It’s important to look at the long game

Over the years, I’ve tested and bought a variety of different coffee makers, from the simpler AeroPress to pricier coffee pod machines, but there’s no doubt that this machine trumps them all. Yes, it’s costly, but with my habit of two takeaway coffees a week, it will pay for itself within two years.

Brewing my morning coffee with the Rivelia

Using a high quality coffee machine has helped curb my takeaway coffee habit

Compared to, say, coffee pod or other bean-to-cup machines, £750 seems steep, but compare it to “real” espresso machines and you’ll see what a saving you’re making.

However, if instant coffee is your go-to but you want to upgrade your experience, then a drip coffee or coffee pod machine will fulfil that brief – and they don’t have to cost the earth. It’s all about what works with your tastes and lifestyle.

The experience is what really matters

When it comes to splashing the cash on a machine, it’s worth the money if the experience you get is what you want. At the end of the day, worth is a quality judgement that only you can make.

Some people are happy with a cafetiere, especially if they love their coffee black. But for me, the Rivelia combines everything I want in a coffee machine – style, ease of use and the final taste – so even though it’s not cheap, it’s the right machine for me.