As a company, Keurig is famous for producing single-serve coffee machines (K-cup). Recently, however, the company has expanded its products, introducing a unique kind of single-serve machine which offers an interesting coffee experience at home. This is through the Keurig Rivo R500 cappuccino and latte brewing system.
Are you looking for a coffee machine that can produce the kind of coffee that you need to start and perk up your day? Read this Keurig R500 review further to learn about the features of this product, and see whether or not it is suitable for you.
Keurig Rivo R500 Key Features and Benefits
Taking into consideration the capabilities of the KeurigRivo means looking closely into its key features and benefits. Here are some of them:
Aesthetic Appeal (Appearance)
Keurig Rivo R500 coffee machine comes in a sharp-looking, elegant design, with a combination of black and silver colors. It is designed as a cube that can just be placed easily on your countertop, waiting for you to command it to create amazing cappuccinos and lattes, with minimum hassle.
Special Coffee Pods
While other coffee machines under the Keurig brand produce regular coffee through the use of K-cups, the Keurig Rivo model uses specially created coffee pods from Lavazza. This will allow you to select from a couple of flavors, cappuccino and latte.
Water Reservoir
The Rivo model is proud of its large capacity reservoir for water (60 oz). This is especially larger compared to other models, taking into consideration that it is not designed to produce regular brewed coffee.
With this capacity of its water reservoir, now you can brew other drinks, including espresso drinks, as well as milk froth, and not worry about having the need to constantly stop just to refill the water in the reservoir.
Added the convenience is the fact that the reservoir can be removed easily, thus making it easy to clean, as it is also dishwasher safe.
Pressure Level
The Keurig Rivo R500 brewer also comes with a professional grade pressure level. This is accomplished through the use of a water pump which can produce 15 pressure bars. This is similar to the pressure level used in actual machines at local coffee shops.
This does not just mean that you can experience tasting the same quality of espresso right at the very comfort of your home, but it also means that the coffee machine’s water pump is expected to last for several years, despite being used everyday.
Brewing Versatility
The Rivo model from Keurig comes with two options of brewing sizes.
- Short – 1.4 oz. (standard single shot)
- Lungo – 2.8 oz. (standard double size shot)
The best part about this is that you have the option to control the beverage size that you can make, including the strength. If you opt to use a lungo with a small beverage, you can expect a stronger flavor for your espresso.
Multiple Froth Settings
Rivo comes with an automatic milk frother that is equipped with three settings, offering optimum versatility for your beverage. The process of selection and programming is very easy, as it only involves pressing a button
How Durable Keurig Rivo R500 Parts Are
Aside from the popularity of the products under the Keurig brand, much has been said about the durability of the machine parts. For one, all the parts are dishwasher safe. This means that aside from the convenience that it offers in terms of cleaning, it has been built to withstand constant cleaning and detaching from the main machine.
The Keurig R500 coffee machine also comes with a limited 1-year manufacturer’s warranty. This is a standard under the brand, providing the assurance of the quality of the materials that are used in the construction of this machine, including the actual assembly of this product.
There are also some coffee parts that can be purchased separately. These parts are also under the same manufacturer, which ensures compatibility with the coffee machines.
Keurig Rivo R500 vs. Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine
One of the standout competitors of the KeurigRivo is the Nespresso Inissia. While both of the coffee machines come with their own set of features, advantages and disadvantages, there are some differences when it comes to their overall capabilities as a single-cup coffee supreme. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Capsules
Every machine comes with its own batch of uniquely designed coffee capsules. While Nespresso uses exclusive Nespresso capsules, Keurig Rivo R500 uses capsules that are produced by Lavazza, which is a leading coffee brands in Italy.
There is also a difference with the variety of capsules that are available. Nespresso offers more than 20 capsules, even introducing some limited edition flavors at times. On the other hand, the capsules for Rivo R500 are available in 4 options. However, they provide you variety in espresso intensities.
The capsules for these machines are both available in retail stores, as well as from online sources.
Compare Features Between Keurig Rivo R500 And Nespresso Inissia
Here are some features that are specific to each model:
Nespresso Inissia
- Easy to insert and inject capsules
- 25 seconds preheating time
- 19 bar pressure pump
- Easy to remove 24 oz. water tank
- 2 programmable buttons (espresso and lungo)
Keurig Rivo R500
- Auto on/off function
- Under 1 minute brewing time
- 14 bars (pressure)
- Convenient design (simultaneous brewing of espresso while frothing milk)
- 2 size options (short and lungo)
- 3 frothing modes (cold froth, latte and cappuccino)
Keurig Rivo R500 users Opinions
It seems that the Keurig Rivo R500 cappuccino and latte system has attracted the attention of several users. Some of these users have also left positive responses about this product.
One customer has nothing but high praises about this Rivo R500, especially the way in which the capsules are designed to create pressure. The use of holes on top ensures that all of the grinds are used well. Afterward, the pressure is released evenly, starting from the bottom, in a similar pattern involving the use of holes. According to the user, this process is quite efficient when it comes to extracting flavor from the coffee in the capsule.
Another customer was just extremely satisfied that he actually wished to rate it with more stars than the maximum rating. In fact, he said that it was the best espresso machine that he has ever purchased. While it may not really be the best in producing the best froth, but it is also a force to reckon in terms of overall capability.
Yet another customer who has compiled a comprehensive review about the Keurig R500 mentioned that if you are interested in a product that is very easy to use, and not to mention, not messy, you will definitely love this machine. With KeurigRivo, there is no need to measure, grind and tamp. All you need to do is just to take the pod, insert it into the machine, add some milk in the other compartment, press a button, and expect your espresso to be ready in just a few minutes.
User Experience (after 3 months)
Durability can only be measured depending on how well it can hold up to several uses. After three months of use, the machine is still producing good cappuccinos and espressos, even when used every day. One thing I like about it is that I never had to deal with cloud issues in the plastic frothing unit.
When it comes to performance, this Keurig R500 is still superb. In order to further lengthen the life of this coffee machine, I run warm water on both the espresso maker component, as well as the milk frother each time before making a drink. This is quite important as it helps in bringing the machine to the right temperature in milk frothing. At the same time, it also helps in cleaning milk residues form the frother before you add milk and make your coffee.
The parts are still up and running, producing the same cup of coffee that I loved the first time I started using it. With this, I can say that the overall quality of the KeurigRivo makes up for its extra price compared to other models. However, this can be considered as a good investment on your part, provided that you also do your share to take care of the machine parts.
Why Keurig Rivo R500 Perfect for Any Housewife?
There are three reasons why Keurig Rivo R500 is perfect for any housewife. One, it offers convenience. Whether you are a stay-at-home wife who needs to take care of the kids, or a working woman who needs to balance time and family chores, making your delicious cups of coffee becomes easier and more convenient.
Second, it is durable. As such, you can expect that it will last for a long time, thus serving as a good investment on your part. Lastly, it is beautiful aesthetically speaking. It can be placed on your countertop and it can easily match with the other appliances in your kitchen.
Final Verdict
Overall, if you are searching for a single-serve coffee machine that is easy to use, while producing high quality cups of coffee, the Keurig Rivo R500 is an option that you definitely need to take into consideration. Its main selling factor is its convenience, not just with the use of coffee pods, but also with cleaning. There are only a few parts that you need to deal with, that’s why.