Comparison · Bean-to-cup machines
Philips 5500 LatteGo vs De'Longhi Rivelia: premium bean-to-cup compared
Philips 5500 vs De'Longhi Rivelia: milk systems, swappable hoppers, drinks, noise and UK prices checked 3 Oct 2026, with the Guardian's findings on both.
The Philips 5500 vs Delonghi Rivelia choice is between a big drinks menu with a very simple milk jug (the Philips) and swappable bean hoppers with stronger coffee reviews (the De’Longhi). On 3 Oct 2026 the Rivelia was also the cheaper of the two at Currys. We haven’t tested this in person. Our verdict is based on Philips UK’s and De’Longhi UK’s specs, Currys’ listings, the Guardian’s bean-to-cup roundup (April 2026), which tested both, and UK prices checked 3 Oct 2026. Read how we compare.
Philips 5500 vs Delonghi Rivelia: the short answer
Get the De’Longhi Rivelia if coffee quality matters most, or you keep two beans on the go. The Guardian said the Rivelia is more solidly built and makes far better coffee than the Philips 5500 for the money. It was from £594 at Currys.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a quiet grinder or controls at front height. The Guardian measured a 68dB grinding peak and noted that the top-mounted touchscreen could be awkward for shorter people and wheelchair users.
Get the Philips 5500 if you want the longest one-touch menu, including iced drinks, and the simplest milk system to rinse. Philips UK lists 20 recipes and four user profiles. It was £669.99 at Currys.
Who it isn’t for: espresso drinkers. The Guardian found its default espresso watery.
What they cost right now
These are the prices we found at Currys on 3 Oct 2026, all in stock. Prices can change.
- Philips 5500 EP5546/70: £669.99 at Currys, and £669.99 at Philips UK. Currys showed no Was price. See the 5500 at Currys
- Rivelia EXAM440.55.B (black): £594. See the Rivelia at Currys
- Rivelia EXAM440.55.BG (beige): £599.
- Rivelia EXAM440.55.G (grey): £599.99.
John Lewis’s site didn’t respond, and Argos blocked our checks.
Who it isn’t for: anyone assuming the Philips is the budget pick. On the day, it was £75.99 more than the black Rivelia.
Beans and grinding
The Rivelia comes with two interchangeable 250g hoppers, according to Currys’ box contents. The Guardian said you can swap them in seconds. When you twist one out, the touchscreen offers to make a final drink from the beans left in the chute, or to purge them. De’Longhi UK describes Bean Adapt, which adjusts brewing settings for the beans you use. The Guardian said the finest of its 14 grind settings can make syrupy, intense espresso.
The Philips has one 275g bean container (Currys) and a 12-setting ceramic grinder (Philips UK).
Who it isn’t for: single-bean households. The Rivelia’s main trick goes unused if you only ever buy one bag.
Drinks and profiles
- Philips 5500: Philips UK lists 20 hot and iced recipes and four user profiles. You adjust strength, length and milk volume on the display, then save.
- Rivelia: De’Longhi UK lists 16 one-touch drinks and up to four user profiles. The Guardian noted short, long, milk-based and over-ice coffees. For cold milk drinks, De’Longhi UK says its separate LatteCrema Cool upgrade set unlocks six cold milk recipes.
Who it isn’t for: iced latte fans on a budget. On the Rivelia, cold milk drinks need the extra LatteCrema Cool set.
Milk systems
The Philips uses LatteGo, a 260ml container (Currys). Philips UK says it has two parts and no tubes and can be rinsed in under 10 seconds, but it doesn’t clean automatically. The Guardian called the design wonderfully simple but found the froth coarse and bubbly. It also noted that the machine doesn’t prompt you to attach LatteGo.
The Rivelia uses De’Longhi’s LatteCrema Hot carafe (Currys). The Guardian said its milk frothing is good and adjustable from light to thicker foam, though not as smooth and glossy as pricier machines.
Who it isn’t for: latte art fans. Neither machine has a manual steam wand.
Noise, size and build
The Guardian measured these peaks:
| Brewing | Steaming | Grinding | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philips 5500 | 58dB | 64dB | 63dB |
| Rivelia | 51dB | 51dB | 68dB |
Philips UK lists SilentBrew with Quiet Mark certification on the 5500.
The Guardian measured the Philips at 25cm wide and found it light and plasticky. It gave the Rivelia’s dimensions as 24.5 x 43 x 38.5cm (W x D x H) and a 1.4-litre tank. Currys lists the Philips with a 1.8-litre tank.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who brews early while others sleep and wants a quiet grind. The Rivelia’s grinder peaked higher in the Guardian’s measurements.
Downsides
- Philips 5500: watery default espresso, coarse froth and a plasticky build, according to the Guardian. It also cost more at Currys.
- Rivelia: a noisy grinder and controls on top, according to the Guardian. It has a smaller 1.4-litre tank, and cold milk drinks need an add-on set.
Alternatives
- De’Longhi Magnifica Start: a cheaper De’Longhi. See our Magnifica Start review.
- Philips 2200 EP2220/10: a much cheaper Philips with a steam wand. See our Philips 2200 review.
For more machines, browse our bean-to-cup machines hub. If you’re stocking two hoppers, see our coffee beans page.
Related guides: Philips vs De’Longhi bean to cup: the brand-level picture.
FAQ
Is the De’Longhi Rivelia better than the Philips 5500? For coffee quality and build, the Guardian thought so. It said the Rivelia is more solidly built and makes far better coffee for the money. The Philips has more one-touch recipes and simpler milk cleaning.
Which is quieter, the Philips 5500 or the Rivelia? It depends on the stage. In the Guardian’s measurements, the Rivelia was quieter brewing and steaming, and the Philips was quieter grinding.
Can you use two different beans in the Philips 5500? Not in the same way. It has one bean container. The Rivelia comes with two swappable 250g hoppers.
Which is cheaper in the UK? On 3 Oct 2026 the Rivelia was from £594 at Currys, and the Philips 5500 was £669.99.