There can be little doubt that the fully automatic espresso machine is exploding in popularity worldwide. And while the humble drip coffee maker is still the chosen brew method for most coffee drinkers, fully automatic machines are selling like hot cakes.
According to a DataM Intelligence press release, the fully automatic espresso machine sector experienced rapid growth in 2025, and DeLonghi’s launch of the Magnifica Smart in Target stores proved that retail growth is stronger than ever.
Interestingly, it is younger people who are driving demand for the kind of premium, high-tech coffee experience that a fully automatic machine can offer. And at the same time, these millennials and Zoomers are looking to recreate a premium coffee bar experience at home.
More and more fully automatic espresso machine manufacturers seem to have recognized that consumer preferences are changing. And they aim to make enjoying coffee at home even more convenient, varied and on-trend.
From morning coffee with oat milk to a coffee cocktail at sunset: I’ll show you some exciting ways to enjoy coffee at home. I’ll also share recommendations for functions and accessories, introduce new ideas for summer drinks and show you what to look for in all-around performers.
This post is sponsored by DeLonghi. However, this doesn’t influence my opinion of the machine featured here. I tested and evaluated it long before this partnership began.
Morning, Noon and Night: Your All-Day Fully Automatic Coffee Machine
Most people buy a fully automatic espresso machine so they can make a good cup of coffee in the morning. But aside from being used for the odd lunchtime cup or mid-afternoon pick-me-up, the machine usually sits idle.
However, modern fully automatic coffee makers like the DeLonghi Rivelia expand their usability to cover the entire day. Thanks to the Rivelia’s Bean Switch System, there’s an easy way to move from caffeinated beans in the morning to decaf coffee beans for the rest of the day:
The machine comes with interchangeable bean hoppers, so you can quickly and easily switch beans without making a mess.
We’re already familiar with this basic principle, having tested fully automatic coffee machines with dual bean hoppers or two grinders. However, the Rivelia has a smaller footprint and a lower asking price than its double-barreled counterparts. It’ll fit nicely in a small kitchen, which can then be transformed into your personal all-day café.
There have been significant changes in the home coffee scene in recent years — and not just in terms of all-day brewing. Customers are becoming increasingly knowledgeable about coffee beans and the proper way to prepare coffee. And that’s leading to an almost revolutionary shift.
A Cup of Coffee From a Fully Automatic Machine? It’s a Piece of Cake!
Coffee and americano from a super automatic machine often used to fall short due to the limitations of the fully automatic brewing process. This method didn’t offer the precision of a semi-automatic espresso machine, and the results were vastly inferior to those from a drip coffee maker. So the milk frother had to step in to mask the poor quality of the black coffee.
Today, grinders are becoming more precise, brew groups tamp more efficiently and water temperature and pressure are increasingly aligning with those of a semi-automatic machine. And, last but not least, we’re using better coffee beans in our machines.
As a result, black coffee has suddenly become the star of fully automatic espresso machines, showing us what quality can really mean. This evolution is particularly evident in DeLonghi espresso machines – if only because they’ve been on the market the longest.
The DeLonghi Rivelia stood out during my test for producing a particularly vibrant cup of coffee, and I recently crowned the DeLonghi Eletta Ultra the best fully automatic espresso machine of all time.
But even the best machines can only make good coffee if you use decent beans and the correct settings. You can find detailed instructions on how to do this in my individual reviews or in my big guide to the best fully automatic espresso machines.
However, the fundamentals for optimal coffee or espresso preparation in a fully automatic machine are always the same:
Fine grind (usually setting 2 or 3 on DeLonghi machines, depending on bean freshness)
Reduced volume (4 ounces (120 milliliters) for coffee, 1.4 ounces (20 milliliters) for espresso)
Adjusted temperature (high for espresso, low for coffee)
Balanced coffee strength (depending on roast and personal taste)
Cold Brew Coffee: More Than a Passing Trend
Fully automatic coffee machines with a cold brew function are all the rage right now. And they’re likely to become even more popular in the future. DeLonghi has been a leader in this field from the very beginning, practically inventing the category.
The DeLonghi Rivelia’s “Cold Extraction Technology” offers one key advantage over traditional cold brew: instead of having to wait at least half a day for your cold coffee, these refreshing beverages are ready in about five minutes at the push of a button. To achieve this, the machine lowers the brewing temperature and slows down the extraction process.
Not only does this take the hassle out of enjoying iced coffee on a summer day, it also unlocks a world of trendy recipes and coffee cocktails that would otherwise take a lot of effort to prepare.
Café con Hielo
This simple Spanish coffee drink offers maximum refreshment. Here’s what you’ll need:
1 cold espresso from your fully automatic machine
Ice cubes
Fresh lemon peel
Traditionally, this recipe is made with hot espresso, but we’re turning “coffee with ice” into a refreshing long drink. The lemon zest adds a fragrant touch to the glass and gives the coffee a burst of freshness. I recommend using well-balanced, medium roast coffee beans such as my Coffeeness Espresso Blend.
Vanilla Iced Latte
When it comes to refreshing Italian coffee specialties and classic drinks like the iced latte, you hardly have to do anything with a machine like the DeLonghi Rivelia. That’s because it already has all the bases covered.
1 cold espresso from your fully automatic machine
5 ounces (150 milliliters) cold milk
Ice cubes
2 pumps vanilla syrup
Add ice cubes and milk to a tall glass, pour in a cold espresso and top it off with vanilla coffee syrup (or a flavor of your choice). For this recipe, I’d recommend using coffee ice cubes so as not to water down the drink.
To do this, make a few servings of cold brew, pour the coffee into ice cube trays and pop them in the freezer. To keep the coffee jitters in check, decaf coffee is a great alternative – and it’s easy to make thanks to the Rivelia’s switchable bean hoppers.
Cold Brew Tonic
In the past, no one would have thought to mix cold coffee with soft drinks. But the cold brew craze has fundamentally changed that – and now the combination of coffee and tonic is a classic:
1 cold coffee from your fully automatic machine
Fresh lemon juice
Ice cubes
5 ounces (150 milliliters) tonic water
Add ice and tonic water to a tall glass, then pour in the coffee. Finish with a few squeezes of lemon. Feel free to experiment not only with different beans and roast profiles, but also with different types of tonic water. There are many exciting variations to try.
Cold Brew Spritz
If an Aperol spritz leaves you yawning out of boredom, a cold brew spritz will perk you right up. This sparkling summer alternative is still a hidden gem. But that could change quickly with this recipe:
1 shot of cold coffee from your fully automatic machine
Ice cubes
3.5 ounces (100 milliliters) Prosecco
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon lime juice
1 fresh rosemary sprig
1 orange slice
Stir the honey and lime juice vigorously in a glass. Add the rosemary and orange slice, then fill with ice. Pour in the coffee and top off with Prosecco. Stir gently and serve.
Tip: After cold coffee comes cold milk foam. All newer high-end DeLonghi fully automatic espresso machines come with the cold foam option as standard. And you can now upgrade to the LatteCrema Cool Carafe if you want to make cold foam with the Rivelia.
Hosting Tips: Shared Coffee Rituals at the Touch of a Button
Let’s get back to the popularity of fully automatic coffee machines in rural areas. I’d say that people there are much more likely to invite guests over and treat them to coffee and cake or cocktails.
In the old days, serving coffee to guests usually meant making as much as possible at once – which involved using a drip coffee maker. The latest fully automatic machines, however, make hosting easier. Plus, you don’t have to stand by the machine the whole time to prepare iced coffee, lungo or flat white for everyone.
After all, the biggest challenge is catering to guests with different coffee preferences. Here are a few tips for that:
Place cups, glasses, spoons, sugar, etc., next to the machine instead of on the table. That way, everyone can customize their coffee however they like without you having to get up all the time to fetch missing items.
Place a supply of milk, beans, etc., in a (small) cooler next to the machine and label it. Everyone knows how to fill the containers. And if they don’t, they can just follow the instructions on the touchscreen.
Provide an (attractive) waste bin for coffee grounds. It’s the same idea, just the other way around: if the machine stops working because the used grounds container is full, guests can quickly take matters into their own hands.
Provide smaller glasses and cups, or reduce the serving sizes. While guests may have to go to the machine more than once, they’ll spend less time per visit. This cuts down on congestion and reduces the need for refills.
Set up a coffee cocktail station. Group spirits, mixers such as tonic water, an ice cube tray, orange slices, lemons, etc., away from the fully automatic machine. This allows guests to prepare their coffee cocktails at their own pace without getting in the way of others at the machine. Custom-designed recipe cards provide inspiration and speed up the process.
When it comes to choosing the right beans for fully automatic coffee machines, go for a roast that hits every note and excels for every brewing method. A clear recommendation? Check out my Espresso Blend in the Coffeeness shop!
Home Coffee Bar: Smart Brewing, Enjoyable Coffee Time
In my opinion, kitchen appliances should not only be functional, but also attractive. Coffee lovers want to showcase their passion and, with their own custom coffee bar, show it off a little.
With its vintage vibe and many trendy color options, the DeLonghi Rivelia works quite well for this. You don’t need any special furniture to round out your coffee and tasting experience at home. But there are a few essentials to get hold of. In my opinion, the following coffee accessories are a must:
Stylish coffee glasses or cups. You can’t do without them. It’s best to have a selection of different sizes and keep them within easy reach of the machine.
Coffee canister. Storing your coffee beans in a dedicated coffee canister is the best way to preserve their flavor and aroma. Plus, the best coffee storage containers will look really cool sitting on your bar.
Mat for fully automatic machines. Often overlooked, but quite clever. A special mat reduces vibrations on your cabinet or countertop, catches spills and helps your glasses dry. An unassuming accessory with a big impact!
Cleaning and descaling products. While cleaning supplies aren’t exactly eye-catching, they are indispensable. Fortunately, the DeLonghi Rivelia makes cleaning and maintenance a breeze thanks to its automatic rinsing functions and on-screen prompts. Plus, when the machine senses that a descaling cycle is due, it’ll walk you through the process. Tuck your cleaning supplies away in a nearby cupboard and you’ll always have them on hand.
When it comes to decor and presentation, anything that’s fun goes. But take a close look at the spot you have in mind for your coffee corner. First and foremost, it needs to allow you to make your coffee comfortably and without any hassle.
Having convenient access to the faucet and the trash can is just as important as having enough space on all sides of the machine to remove the drip tray, water tank, etc. With the Rivelia, you should have extra room above the machine, so you can easily swap out the bean hoppers.
Coffee at Home: There’s Still Plenty of Room for Improvement!
I am absolutely certain that the new models featured in my fully automatic espresso machine reviews are increasingly becoming all-in-one solutions for enjoying coffee at home.
My predictions: Soon, fully automatic machines will be able to make real filter coffee, the cold brew trend will continue to grow and coffee recipes will lean even more toward cocktails and the like.
I’m also certain that DeLonghi fully automatic coffee machines will continue to be at the forefront of this evolution. After all, they’ve proven time and again that they can contribute a great deal to home coffee culture. I mean, just look at the DeLonghi Rivelia.
Would you like more guides, suggestions and ideas on how to make better coffee at home? Feel free to leave me a comment!
