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As a cappuccino lover, I was very excited to hear about the new Keurig Rivo. While I’ve always loved the versatility of my Keurig K200, I was delighted to hear that the Rivo is specifically designed for espresso, cappuccino, and lattes (all of my favorites).
I’m a daily coffee drinker, and I use my K200 regularly, but I’m always happy to add a new machine to my collection, especially one that makes my favorite caffeinated drinks. In this Keurig Rivo review, I’ll see if it offers enough for the price.
In Search of Perfect Cappuccinos
If you’re like me, you find that you have to leave the house every time you want to enjoy a quality cappuccino. And that gets annoying.
I would much rather brew my own at home—and truly enjoy it. This is what the Rivo has brought to my life: delicious cappuccinos at home, in my pajamas (no muss, no fuss, no makeup) and I’m saving money in the long run.
Important Espresso Machine Features
- Competent Pressure: With the Rivo, you get 15 bars of pressure (which is a lot! I feel like I’m a barista!).
- Quick Brew: The Keurig brews espresso in just under a minute.
- Froth at the Same Time: The design of the Rivo allows you to brew espresso on one side while you froth milk on the other side.
- 3 Modes and 2 Sizes: It has three modes: Cappuccino, Latte, and Cold Froth—and it gives you two size options (I know a lot of people who have complained about the Keurig sizes in the past…who me? No…): ‘Short’, which is 1.4 ounces, and ‘Lungo’ which is 2.8 ounces. I tend to make a lot of ‘Lungo’ cappuccinos…
- Easy to Use: And the machine is simple to use (anyone can do it), as it has just five buttons. It’s easy for me to make my cappuccino even first thing in the morning before I’ve had my caffeine.
- Simple to Clean: Cleaning the machine is also easy and quick. I suggest cleaning the frothing pitcher between each use, as it makes for the best frothing experience. Make sure to rinse and dry the pitcher well so that the extra moisture doesn’t ruin your froth.
The Taste Test
I think the Rivo serves up an outstanding cup of authentic cappuccino (and a perfect latte).
With this Keurig, I find that I get a consistent cup of cappuccino from batch to batch, I never have to worry if the cup will be good or not. When I head to Starbucks, I’m never sure if my espresso will be as good as the last one.
The Rivo’s milk frother works exceptionally well when you take the time to experiment with milk levels. I like a lot of foam and have found that I need to fill the pitcher to just a hair under the minimum fill line. For a bit less froth, fill the pitcher to just over the minimum fill line. I know everyone’s tastes are different, so I suggest taking some time to experiment and find what works best.
In actuality, you really don’t need a fancy, expensive machine to make a great latte or cappuccino; you simply need a good frother—which the Rivo has. It’s simple, it’s basic, and it does the job.
With the frother, it’s also important to use low-fat milk; the lower the fat content, the better the milk will froth. Once you have put in your desired amount of milk, place the frothing mechanism on top of the cup and slide it into the machine. Then just push a button. You’ll have your steamed milk in less than two minutes, simply and easily.
No holding a stainless steel cup under a steam wand until your wrist gets tired. In fact, the hardest part of the entire process is remembering to clean the frother between uses. It must be hand-washed, and it should be cleaned immediately after use, so as not to allow the milk to sit in the cup after brewing. It can turn the plastic of the frother cloudy.
Temperature Levels
I also believe that the milk and espresso temperatures are good. For me, the temp is perfect right out of the brewer. I don’t like my coffee really hot, but if you do, you will want to preheat the cup first.
Preheating is actually common practice in Italy, so if you prefer an Italian-style cappuccino, preheating may be the option for you. Dual-walled insulated glass cups are perfect for maintaining the perfect temperature of your cappuccino; they are an excellent choice for anyone who likes to sip their drink, like I do.
I would also like to point out that the Rivo makes a very good, very drinkable shot of espresso quite quickly. It gives you the choice of four different varieties of espresso, too.
The machine makes a fantastic tasting cappuccino or latte within just a few minutes that will rival any of your neighborhood coffee houses.
For my money, nothing really comes as close as the Rivo to giving you a consistently good quality espresso or cappuccino in your home. It’s an affordable option for those who love a good cappuccino, often, like I do!
The Look-Curb Appeal
While the Rivo isn’t that impressive sitting on my counter, it is kind of big and bulky, I don’t really care. I don’t love it for its aesthetics, I love it for what it does. It provides me with an authentic tasting, a consistently good cup of espresso or cappuccino in my own home at a very affordable price.
Customer Service
I should mention that Keurig has excellent customer service. I have not had a problem with my Rivo, but I have heard of others who had problems with theirs. That being said, those who reported problems said that Keurig replaced their machines immediately with new ones.
At a Glance Comparison – Key Metrics
The following is a quick overview of the key specs/features at a glance:
| Features | Keurig Rivo |
| Weight | 17 lbs |
| Dimensions | 11.4 x 10.8 x 11.4 inches |
| Power Requirements | 1000 Watts |
| Water Tank Capacity | 60 oz. (external tank) |
| Brew Time | 1 minute or less |
| Brew Modes | Cappuccino, Latte, Cold Froth |
| Brew Pressure | 15 bars |
| Brew Sizes | 1.4 or 2.8 oz. |
| Pod Compatibility | Proprietary Rivo Packs |
| Extra Features | Built in milk frother |
| List Price | Normally $199 |
Cons – Things That Might Cause Problems
Only Compatible with One Capsule Type
Note that the Rivo does not use K-Cups, it uses capsules instead (which is why it brews such delicious cappuccinos!). Plus, it uses only Lavazza coffee, which some people may not like, but in my opinion, it’s pretty good. Lavazza supplies more than half of all the espresso used in Italy, so it’s not too shabby.
Not the World’s Best
The Rivo is good but it’s probably not the greatest cappuccino or espresso you have ever tasted; it’s not going to give you one just like you had on vacation in Italy, but it is darn good. If you’re looking for the best espresso you have ever tasted, this machine is probably not for you. Again, I like it, but I need my cappuccino regularly and love that I no longer have to go out and get it. This great machine is a combination of performance and value.
Not Stainless Steel
Another thing that may turn some people off is that the Rivo is made of plastic rather than stainless steel. The machine costs less than $200, so it is to be expected. I do wish the drip tray was metal so that it was more durable, as it is currently painted plastic which may come right off after months of washing.
Keurig Rivo Alternatives to Consider
Clearly, there is a giant elephant in the room. Namely, Nespresso and the new Ninja Coffee Bar.
Nespresso Virtuoline vs Keurig Rivo
The Nespresso is a bit more functional than the Rivo, at least at face value. It can prepare regular coffee AND espresso-style drinks.
Drawbacks? The VertuoLine IS a bit more expensive types, but check this listing for the latest pricing.
Ninja Coffee Bar vs Keurig Rivo
This isn’t really a fair comparison, because the Ninja doesn’t make “true” espresso. BUT, you can adjust the concentration of the coffee to create a strong base for espresso-style drinks. Again, the coffee purists will cringe (and so did I… a bit), but the end result was a fairly good imitation.
Also, it’s a more versatile machine that can make all kinds of coffee (with variable concentrations).
Drawbacks? It’s not a true espresso brewer. It’s slightly LESS than the Rivo, but check this listing for the latest pricing.
Bottom Line – Is the Rivo Worth the Ask?
For me, the bottom line is that the Keurig Rivo does what it says at an affordable price. For less than $150I have a machine that makes me a great cup of cappuccino in my own home.
I don’t have to go out and get it (I just have to remember to order more pods so that I don’t run out) and I don’t have to worry about spending big bucks at the local coffee house every week. The pods save me time, money and stress.
Remember, a bit of trial and error with the milk will allow you to find the amount of froth that’s right for you (and again, the lower the milk fat, the better). It took me a little bit of time to get it right. The great customer service at Keurig assures me that if my Rivo does ever give me a problem, they will fix it. It’s a no-brainer, if you love cappuccino or espresso and love the idea of making your own, give the Rivo a whirl.
