Quick Take
Two legendary bats duke it out. Both hot, both balanced, both banned in some leagues. MAKO Beast edges the win with better durability and pop consistency.
Starting in at least 2014, the two most popular baseball bats on the market have been the DeMarini CF and the Easton MAKO series. For 2017, the models introduced are the Easton MAKO Beast and the DeMarini CF Zen. After spending several hours hitting, reviewing, and writing about both lines of bats, we pit the 2017 models head-to-head in this comparison.
What’s the Same? CF Zen vs Beast
The Beast and Zen bats have much more in common than they do in contrast. For starters, both bats are light-swinging two-piece composite bats. Both are designed for players looking for the most barrel per swing weight possible. Additionally, both bats are the flagship products from their respective companies, which are arguably the leaders in the composite and metal bat space. The bats even cost the same amount.
Both bat lines also offer a significant range of sizes. They come in BBCOR, drop 5, drop 8, drop 10, and drop 12 big barrel options, as well as drop 11 youth barrel versions. There are tee-ball and junior big barrel versions too.
Comparing Pop
We discuss at length how to determine which bat has the most pop elsewhere, so we will spare you here. Suffice it to say, both bats exhibit industry-standard pop along the length of their barrel. In other words, pop is comparable.
Structural Differences
Despite what their respective companies may claim, the differences between the Zen and Beast are minor. Chief among them is that the Beast has a longer barrel. However, this isn’t necessarily proof that it has a longer “usable” barrel—it might be physically bigger but not necessarily perform better along the entire length. Easton claims it does, though this has yet to be confirmed or denied.
Size Option Differences
The Beast also offers multiple drops in the youth barrel (2 1/4) space, including drop 10, drop 11, and drop 12 models. The CF Zen only comes in a drop 11. Additionally, the drop 5 version of the Beast is called the MAKO XL Beast—with the XL denoting an end-loaded feel. The CF Zen drop 5 maintains a balanced feel, even though it weighs the same. If this concept is unclear, check out our honest bat size chart for clarification.
Pedigree Differences
Another subtle difference could be the length of each bat’s pedigree. The MAKO line of bats has been at the top of the game since 2012. The CF series, though around since the CF4, really found its stride in 2014.
Which Is Better? CF Zen vs Beast
The only space where one bat clearly outshines the other is in the youth barrel category. The MAKO Beast’s extensive sizing options—drop 9, 10, and 11—give it an edge over the CF Zen, which only offers a drop 11. Player feedback over the years also gives the edge to the Beast’s very long barrel, which is even longer than previous MAKO models.
In the senior barrel version of the Beast vs Zen match-up, early feedback suggests both are excellent performers. Our experience with both was similar. Based on forum questions and Facebook traffic, the CF Zen in the 2 3/4 size might have early-release durability issues. However, as long as you purchase from a verified dealer and get a receipt, this shouldn’t cause you problems. With Wilson’s backing, we fully expect DeMarini to address any issues if they exist.
Design and Color
Design color is often a factor. Since both bats cost the same and perform similarly, deciding on the color scheme isn’t as irrelevant as it might seem. For all we know—and soon we’ll find out—color design might significantly impact confidence and, therefore, hitting ability.
Other Options
The CF series from DeMarini and the MAKO line from Easton dominate the two-piece composite space, which in turn dwarfs other options. However, a couple of other two-piece composites with a focus on a light swing are worth considering. They haven’t reached the same level of stardom but remain legitimate contenders. Notable options include the Louisville Slugger 917 Prime and the Rawlings Quatro.
Starting in at least 2014, the two most popular baseball bats on the market include the DeMairni CF and the Easton MAKO series. 2017’s models introduce the Easton MAKO Beast and the DeMarini CF Zen. We have spent several hours hitting, reviewing, and writing about both lines of bats. After significant research, we pit the 2017 bat models head to head in a 2017 DeMarini CF Zen vs Easton MAKO Beast comparison.
CF Zen vs MAKO Beast: VIDEO
What’s the Same? CF Zen Vs. Beast
The Beast and Zen bats have much more in common than they do in contrast. For starters, both bats are a light swinging two-piece composite bat. Both bats are built for players looking for the most barrel per swing weight possible. As well, both bats are intended as the top shelf product from their respective companies, and both companies are arguably the leader in the composite and metal bat space. The bats even cost the same amount.
Further, both bat lines have significant amounts of sizing options. They come in a BBCOR drop 5, drop 8, drop 10 and drop 12 big barrel, as well as a drop 11 youth barrel. There are tee-ball versions and junior big barrel versions too.
Comparing Pop
We discuss at length how to determine which bat has the most pop elsewhere, so we will spare you here, but it is fair to say both bats exhibit industry standard pop along the length of their barrel. In other words, pop is similar.
What’s the Difference? CF Zen vs Beast
Structural Differences
Despite what their respective companies may claim, the differences between the Zen and Beast are small. The Beast has a longer barrel, which is the highest on the list. Do note that this isn’t proof that it has a longer ‘usable’ barrel—meaning it might be physically bigger, but not necessarily that it performs better along the entire length. Of course, Easton claims it does, and we have yet to confirm or deny it.
Size Option Differences
Also different, the Beast has multiple drops in the youth barrel (2 1/4) space. They come in a drop 10, drop 11, and drop 12. The CF Zen only comes in a drop 11. The drop 5 in the Beast is also referred to as the MAKO XL Beast—the XL denoting a focus for an end-loaded feel. The CF Zen drop 5 still focuses on a balanced feel, although it weighs the same. If that concept is not clear, read more about an honest bat size chart.
Pedigree Differences
Another difference, although Tic-Tac small, could be the difference in pedigree length. That is, the MAKO line of bats have been at the top of the game since 2012. Although produced since a CF4, the CF series didn’t find its stride until 2014.
Which Is Better? CF Zen vs Beast?
The only place we are confident one bat is better than the other is in the youth barrel space. The MAKO Beast sizing options are one of the reasons. It comes in a drop 9, 10 and 11 while the CF Zen only comes in a drop 11. Player feedback on performance over the years gives the edge to the very long barreled Beast, which is even longer than previous years’ MAKO.
In the senior barrel version Beast vs Zen match-up, early feedback claims both are great performing bats. Our experience with both was similar. Based on forum questions and Facebook traffic alone, the CF Zen in the 2 3/4 might have some early release durability problems. As long as you purchase from a verified dealer and get a receipt this should not cause you a problem. We fully expect DeMarini, with Wilson’s backing, to solve that problem if, indeed, there is one.
Design color is often a factor. Since both bats cost the same and perform roughly the same, deciding on color scheme isn’t as irrelevant as it may seem. For all we know, and soon we will, color design might have a serious impact on confidence and, therefore, hitting ability.
Other Options?
The CF series from DeMarini and the MAKO line from Easton dominate the two-piece composite space, and the two-piece composite space dwarfs the other options. There are at least a couple other two-piece composites with a focus on a light swing we’d put in their class. They have not reached the same level of stardom, but they are legit. Some of the more notable ones must include the Louisville Slugger 917 Prime and the Rawlings Quatro.
