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For some, coffee isn’t just a warm drink to perk you up little, it’s a fundamental part of their daily routine that should be enjoyed to its full splendor. Instant coffee is a swear word and only freshly ground coffee is the only way to go.
The Macap M2M and the Macap M4a1 are top-quality coffee grinders that can allow for a rich flavor and fresh aroma with each cup of coffee. Whole coffee beans are put into the top and worked through two metal plates to become fine powder ready to create your favorite coffee.
We are going to compare Macap M2M vs M4a1, taking a closer look at things like appearance and abilities. We will also look further inside at the mechanics of these two coffee grinders. We will include a comparison chart for a quick review of both, as well as some pros and cons, before our final verdict.
There is actually only one thing that the two Macap coffee grinders have in common.
Macap M2M vs M4a1 – Similarities
Quick Glance
For a quick view, we have put all of the specific information of the Macap M2M and the Macap M4a1 in a side by side chart.
The Bean Hopper
The bean hopper is the part of the machine that holds the whole beans before grinding. The Macap M2M and the Macap M4a1 have a bean hopper capacity of 1.3 pounds.
With that in mind, now let’s concentrate on what makes the Macap M2M and the Macap M4a1 different.
Differences Between Macap M2M and Macap M4a1
Appearance
Both have the main body and the bean hopper on the top. While one is much larger, the other has a greater range of colors.
Macap M2M
The overall dimensions are 5.91 x 9.84 x 14.96 inches and it weighs 13.2 pounds. The body of this coffee grinder is available in white, black, red, chrome, light blue, grey, yellow, orange, and green.
Macap M4a1
There is only one color option for this model with the body coming in chrome. It is 12.5 x 7.5 x 17 inches and weighs a hefty 25 pounds.
The Winner Is- The Macap M2M
Power
The motor will require a certain amount of power to turn the blades inside the grinder.
Macap M2M
This is a 150W motor and at 60Hz is has a low RPM (revolutions per minute) of 1680rpm.
Macap M4a1
The motor is 250W and at 60Hz with a slightly lower RPM at 160, this means that there will be less heat buildup.
The Winner Is- The Macap M4a1
The Grinder
Coffee grinders work by two flat rings or burrs with serrated edges working together to grind the coffee beans into a uniform size. It is important that the coffee is ground as fine as possible in order to extract the most amount of strength and flavor.
Macap M2M
This is a smoothly stepped grinder. The grind levels are pre-determined.
Macap M4a1
There is a significant difference here with a worm gear-driven stepless adjustment grinder. The grind settings can be micro adjusted so that each coffee bean is ground to perfection.
The Winner Is- The Macap M4a1
The Burrs
There are some debates about this but it is generally agreed that larger burrs reduce the bitterness in the coffee. Strength and flavor will also obviously depend on the brand of coffee beans and the quality of the build of the machine. Burrs range from 38mm to 83mm.
Macap M2M
This grinder has a 50mm burr size.
Macap M4a1
Slightly larger but perhaps not a significant amount when you look at the range, the burr is 58mm
The Winner Is a Tie
Dosing
As the name suggests, dosing is getting the right amount of ground coffee for the filter basket.
Macap M2M
This machine is for manual dosing. Some prefer this because they only grind what is needed.
Macap M4a1
There is a great range of dosing levels from 5.5g to 9g.
The Winner Is- A Tie
Value for Money
When you consider the coffee industry, there is no surprise that high-end coffee grinders can cost thousands of dollars. To the other extreme, you can pick one up for around $50. For the average coffee enthusiast, you are probably looking at between $150 to $1000.
Macap M2M
We felt that this coffee grinder was very well priced at the lower end of average. It also comes with a 12-month warranty on parts.
Macap M4a1
It is approximately double the price of the Macap M4a1. It also comes with a 12-month warranty on parts.
The Winner Is- The Macap M2M
Pros and Cons
The last thing that we feel will help with the buying decision is a few pros and cons of the Macap M2M and the Macap M4a1.
Macap M2M
Pros:
- The ground coffee beans are clump-free, fine and smooth
- It’s well built and solid, yet it doesn’t weigh a ton
- It’s excellent value for money
Cons:
- Really, it’s only designed for expressos
Macap M4a1
Pros:
- It makes a mean espresso that you would expect from a professional
- It’s an attractive machine that looks great in everyone’s kitchen
- The grind is very consistent and it’s surprisingly quiet
Cons:
- The design of the funnel could be improved
The Final Verdict
Both the Macap M2M and the Macap M4a1 were simple to set up and after a few grinds to play around with the settings, they were very easy to use. We felt both did a great job the grinding beans but if we had to choose one, we would say that the Macap M4a1 produced a superior flavor that was just a bit silkier. We were able to make other coffees with the Macap M2m, but it is true, it’s definitely more suited to espressos.
The design of the Macap M2M and the Macap M4a1 was perfect. They looked great, professional and clean. We felt that the Macap M2M had an advantage because of the size. 25pounds is quite heavy, plus if you have a smaller kitchen, the Macap M4a1 might look too big for it. Neither one made a noise that would annoy you whilst grinding.
If you own a café, B&B, or something similar, the Macap M4a1 is certainly the right choice for you. Also, if you know you are going to get the most out of it, then choose the Macap M4a1. If you are hesitant and particularly regarding the size, then you should choose the Macap M2M. We wouldn’t want anyone to invest in the Macap M4a1 only to regret their choice because it is too big. The Macap M2M produces great results for excellent value for money. It is easy to use and sits nicely on your countertop, impressing your guests with style and flavor.