It's a rainy Sunday in New York, and after a few days of researching my ideal espresso machine within my $1100 budget, it looks like the Anita is the best choice (the Bric and Valentina were suggested, but they are higher priced units).
Now I will retire my recently purchased Baratza Virtuoso to drip use and need to match up the Anita with
the MAZZER MINI or MACAP M4 Stepless (I'm sure the purists out in EspressoLand might want to chime in with another grinder suggestion.......will going up to $600 improve the espresso shot)?

Any suggestions from experienced users about these 2 grinders? (Remember my $500 budget on a grinder). Thanks to all for your patience.

perstare wrote:I'm sure the purists out in EspressoLand might want to chime in with another grinder suggestion.......will going up to $600 improve the espresso shot?

As part of the Titan Grinder Project, I've been comparing the Mazzer Kony and Mazzer Super Jolly. They are a lot closer than I expected. The Super Jolly is a noticeable step up from the Mini, another observation I didn't expect. With this newfound knowledge, it's only a matter of time before my Mazzer Mini is relegated to French press duty, although I'm waiting my turn in the final rounds of TGP before deciding.

That said, the Mini and M4 are very fine choices indeed.

perstare wrote:Any suggestions from experienced users about these 2 grinders? (Remember my $500 budget on a grinder). Thanks to all for your patience.

Mazzer's exterior fit and finish are superior to the Macap's. The site's espresso grinder reviews get into the details. Past discussions like Choosing an Espresso Grinder - Macap M4 Stepless or Mazzer? and Opinions of Macap M4 doser vs. Mazzer Mini elaborate on owners' opinions. It's a tough call, but there isn't a "wrong" choice between these two options. Does that help?

PS: Selecting View related topics will search the forum for topics matching your topic title; that's how I found these prior discussions in one click.

For my 2d, the Mazzer adjustment is a PITA compared to the M4 Stepless.

Teardown for cleaning on the MC4 is a tad easier as well.

That the fit and finish is better on a Mazzer, is completely subjective.

Replacement burrs are more expensive for the M4 as only OEM and no aftermarket are currently available. Burr sets should last 5 to 10 years in home use.

Either will serve.

Remember not only will any of the above referenced reputable grinders produce excellent grinds, but I'll have to live with it as it will become a permanent part of my kitchen. Photographed images of the two on the internet are lacking in good lighting. Thus--and forgive me for being somewhat superficial--which of the two, Mazzer/Macap4, will triumph in the aesthetics department? Thanks.

perstare wrote:Remember not only will any of the above referenced reputable grinders produce excellent grinds, but I'll have to live with it as it will become a permanent part of my kitchen. Photographed images of the two on the internet are lacking in good lighting. Thus--and forgive me for being somewhat superficial--which of the two, Mazzer/Macap4, will triumph in the aesthetics department? Thanks.

Some think the chrome Macap looks tacky and the painted Mazzer elegant. Others think the Mazzer looks industrial. A chrome M4 next to a chrome machine looks great, IMO

perstare wrote:Thus--and forgive me for being somewhat superficial--which of the two, Mazzer/Macap4, will triumph in the aesthetics department?

They are both nice looking. Neatniks will appreciate how the Macap's tinted doser and hopper hide mess better than the Mazzer's.

I have a Mini and Cimbali Jr. I prefer the Jr over the Mini, larger burrs, easy fine adjustments but more industrial looking. I think it does a better job than the Mini when it comes to espresso, but if you are going to use it for French press, it is a major pain to adjust. Your hand will go numb turning the adjustment knob 50 times.

Here are some photos of the two side by side. Maybe someone can post photos of the Macap.

Thanks for your point of view. However, which is quieter w/the beans in the hopper, the Mazzer or Cimbali Jr.?

perstare wrote:Remember not only will any of the above referenced reputable grinders produce excellent grinds, but I'll have to live with it as it will become a permanent part of my kitchen. Photographed images of the two on the internet are lacking in good lighting. Thus--and forgive me for being somewhat superficial--which of the two, Mazzer/Macap4, will triumph in the aesthetics department? Thanks.

IMO, the M4 is a better looking machine, and that was one of the factors I used in deciding on the M4 over the Mini. If you're considering a stainless or chrome E-61 machine, the M4 will look great beside it. As Dan said, the smoked plastic hopper and doser help the look as well.

There's a few other things that made the M4 more desirable for me too. The worm gear on the M4 makes fine adjustments super easy. And the cord comes out the bottom of the M4, and can be fed straight out the back or either side very neatly. The cord on the Mini comes straight out one side and can't be hidden very easily. Finally, the M4 has an on/off toggle switch which is more useful for a home user than the timer switch on the Mini, IMO.

I haven't second-guessed my decision to get the M4 for a second.

I purchased a Macap M4 doserless grinder a few months ago and it was a nice grinder but I didn't feel satisfied after spending over $400. The grinds were very clumpy and this required me to use the WDT method which didn't sit well with me. I ended up exchanging the grinder for a black mazzer mini and I was satisfied the moment I took it out of the box. It seemed better built and had more metal. It also looked a lot nicer than the shiny Macap IMO. There were a couple things on the MACAP which made things easier (toggle switch, power cord position, and the worm gear adjuster) but these aren't major IMO and I would go for the Mazzer any day.