Suppose you have read some of the reviews on this website. In that case, you will know that the De’Longhi Magnifica Plus and Rivelia are among the best super-automatic models from De’Longhi. Additionally, both coffee machines cost more or less the same. Hence, it begs the question: Which one is better and/or more recommendable?
I will answer this question with a comparison. It so happens that I have been able to try both and can answer this question with quite a bit of confidence.
Comparative Specification Table
| Magnifica Plus | Rivelia | |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Recipes | 15–18 types (depending on the model) | 18+ 6 optional |
| Screen / Interface | 3.5″ color touchscreen, up to 4 user profiles | 3.5″ color touchscreen, up to 4 user profiles |
| Milk System | LatteCrema Hot (3 milk foam textures) | LatteCrema Hot (3 milk foam textures) and optional LatteCrema Cool |
| Bean Hopper | Capacity for 250 g | 2 interchangeable hoppers of 250 g each |
| Grinder | Steel conical with 13 grind levels | Steel conical with 13 grind levels |
| Water Tank | 1.4 L | 1.4 L |
| Maximum Pump Pressure | 15 bars | 19 bars |
| Dimensions and Weight | 24 x 44 x 36 cm, 9.7 Kg | 24.5 x 43 x 38.5 cm, 9.7 Kg |
What are the differences in terms of coffee quality?
The Magnifica Plus is the super-automatic with which I have prepared the best espresso. In this sense, it is a more recommendable coffee machine. The Rivelia extracts a good espresso, but it cannot compete with that of the Magnifica Plus.
The reason why the Magnifica Plus is so good at serving espresso has to do, above all, with the high dose of ground coffee it uses for espresso. In my tests with it, I weighed a dose of 30 grams, which is a substantial amount and allows for a much more intense espresso than the Rivelia, whose maximum dose I weighed was 16 grams.
Not only that, but the Magnifica Plus was also able to extract using finer grinds. The grinder of both coffee machines is the same (or so I believe, as it is the same in all the brand’s coffee machines). Yet, the Magnifica Plus, even using a higher dose of ground coffee and a finer grind, was still able to extract coffee. The Rivelia, using a lower dose and the same grind thickness, struggled more.
Obviously, these advantages also influence the quality of long coffee or Americano. The high dose used by the Magnifica Plus makes the coffee more intense in all its varieties.
Cappuccino/Latte Quality and Milk Texture
In this section, both the Magnifica Plus and the Rivelia show almost identical performance. Regarding milk texture, both coffee machines offer three adjustment levels, allowing for a milk texture with a light foam layer, a denser foam layer, or a much more airy texture, ideal for a traditional Italian cappuccino.
So the only difference in terms of flavor may come from the greater intensity of the coffee in the Magnifica Plus. If you appreciate strong and intense cappuccinos/lattes, then you will love the Magnifica Plus; otherwise, the Rivelia will better meet your requirements.
Settings, Customization, and Variety of Recipes
This is the section where the Rivelia beats the Magnifica Plus. Let me explain why, as it is a very curious case.
By default, both coffee machines have a fairly similar number of recipes (15 for the Magnifica Plus and 17 for the Rivelia), with the most common ones in both, such as espresso, lungo, cortado, cappuccino, latte, or flat white. Both coffee machines also have some cold coffee recipes, where the machine performs an extraction at a slightly lower temperature than usual (around 80ºC) and then on the screen recommends the number of ice cubes to cool it. So you see, it’s not a cold brew in any case.
However – here’s where it gets curious – in the Rivelia, it is possible to add the LatteCrema Cool jug – an accessory originally intended exclusively for the Eletta Explore – and by doing so, you will gain access to six additional recipes in the machine’s menu: Flat White, Cappuccino, Latte Macchiato, Latte, and Cappuccino Mix, all with cold milk foam, in addition to the possibility of serving cold frothed milk separately. You can check it out in this video.
However, I also don’t forget the main appeal of the Rivelia: its two interchangeable coffee bean containers, which, in practice, allow you to use two varieties of coffee beans and up to three types of coffee, considering the hopper for ground coffee.
This possibility does not exist in the Magnifica Plus, so it is clear that the Rivelia offers more versatility, a wider variety of recipes, and more possibilities when preparing different coffee recipes and using various beans in each of them.
Design and Material Quality
In terms of design, both coffee machines follow two distinct aesthetic lines from De’Longhi. The Magnifica Plus takes the traditional appearance of the Magnifica range. It updates it with a touchscreen and a more modern look and feel with better finishes.
The Rivelia has a completely new aesthetic line for the brand, which some find much more attractive. In fact, it has earned De’Longhi recognition from the two most famous design awards: the IF Design Awards and the Red-Dot.
There is only one thing I don’t like about the Rivelia, and that is how “plasticky” the exterior of the casing feels. In this aspect, the Magnifica Plus gives a greater sense of robustness, even though it also mostly uses plastic (in fact, they weigh exactly the same, and the dimensions are very similar).
I believe that the Magnifica Plus conveys more timelessness and elegance. At the same time, the Rivelia is a more innovative and youthful coffee machine, so to speak.
My Verdict and Final Words
As you can see, I am a big fan of the Magnifica Plus. I loved it when I had the opportunity to test it, and I was very surprised by the quality of the coffee produced with that coffee machine – the best I have tried in a super-automatic. For that reason alone, the Magnifica Plus is my favorite among the two and the one I would recommend if you prioritize coffee intensity and flavor.
However, the virtues of the Rivelia are undeniable: it is a more versatile coffee machine, offering a wider variety and greater possibilities if you purchase the accessory for frothing cold milk. I believe the Rivelia shines as a coffee machine that will be used by several members at home, each with their own tastes and preferences, so you see, it really is a matter of priorities and preferences.
If you want to continue exploring these two coffee machines, I recommend you read the reviews I wrote at the time. Here is the review of the De’Longhi Rivelia, and here is the one for the Magnifica Plus.
