DeMarini and Easton have just released all-new baseball bats for 2016, which leaves some room for questions – for example – what’s the difference between the 2016 Easton Mako and the 2016 DeMarini CF8? We’re going to break it down with each particular type of bat, from BBCOR to Youth Big Barrel to Youth to Junior Big Barrel.
BBCOR -3oz Comparison:
DEMARINI CF8 BBCOR BASEBALL BAT – The CF8 BBCOR is constructed with a 2-Piece Design and crafted with 100% Paradox +Plus Composite material. This CF8 features the D-Fusion 2.0 Handle, which is new and improved from last year with even better energy transfer and less vibration/sting felt in the hands. The new grip is nice and tacky, while the bat overall just feels like it’s made for champions. It’s flawlessly put together with a great combo of balance & power, not to mention the insane pop it has once you’ve passed the 200+ hit break-in period.
EASTON MAKO BBCOR BASEBALL BATS – Easton has not one, not two, not three (LeBron?), but FOUR Mako BBCOR Bats for 2016! They got the balanced Mako, the end-loaded Mako XL, the balanced Mako Torq, and the end-loaded Mako Torq XL. All of these bats are made with a 2-Piece Design using the patented barrel-to-handle ConneXion piece, which connects the 100% TCT Composite barrel and handle. The energy transfer is fantastic and the bat is made to perform at this highest level for the most elite hitters. The balanced Mako and the end-loaded Mako XL have 1.2mm Hyperskin Bat Grip, while the balanced Mako Torq and the end-loaded Mako Torq XL have a 1.0mm Torq Tac Bat Grip. The Torq Taq is a HUGE improvement, as last year the Torq bats had a gauze grip that was not very popular amongst hitters. Having a great stock grip is very important on Torq bats because it’s more difficult to re-grip due to the rotating part of the handle that’s closest to the knob. With the four different Mako BBCOR models, Easton really does make a bat for every hitter. Balanced or end-loaded – Torq handle or not – Easton has you covered.
Youth Big Barrel, Youth, & Junior Big Barrel Comparison:
All of the CF8 & Mako Youth Big Barrel, Youth, & Junior Big Barrel Bats (except the Mako Junior Big Barrel) are constructed with the same materials as the BBCOR, all being 2-Piece crafted with their own brand of composite (CF8 with Paradox +Plus, Mako with TCT). Just like the BBCOR, Easton has more models to choose from due to the Mako Torq being available in most sizes. Below is a list of the models for each bat:
Youth Big Barrel:
2016 DeMarini CF8 2 5/8″ -5oz -8oz 10oz
2016 DeMarini CF8 2 3/4″ -10oz
2016 Easton Mako XL 2 5/8″ -5oz -8oz
2016 Easton Mako 2 5/8″ -10oz
2016 Easton Mako 2 3/4″ -10oz
2016 Easton Mako Torq 2 5/8″ -5oz -8oz
2016 Easton Mako Torq 2 3/4″ -10oz
Youth:
2016 DeMarini CF8 2 1/4″ -11oz
2016 Easton Mako XL 2 1/4″ -10oz
2016 Easton Mako 2 1/4″ -11oz -12oz
2016 Easton Mako Torq 2 1/4″ -10oz
Junior Big Barrel:
2016 DeMarini CF8 2 3/4″ -11oz
2016 Easton Mako 2 3/4″ -12oz
It’s amazing how these two brands, which are HUGE in the baseball world, have such a different approach. You have DeMarini, as always, staying with their traditional models and improving upon them each and every year. Then you have Easton, who probably has as many bat models themselves as the rest of the bat world has combined, continuing to strive for new ways to engineer greatness. While some of you buy simply because you have a name brand preference, it’s tough to say that one is better than the other. No matter which way you go – know this – your friends won’t have a better bat than you.
Get your 2016 Baseball Bat, along with any other bat you’re looking for, at CheapBats.com!
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Thank you for the info! easton has a lot of bats so it’s a lot to take in. im glad the mako is available in the xl so its end loaded! that’s awesome
You’re welcome, Joey! Yes, Easton has focused on giving every hitter two options – Mako or Mako Torq – Balanced or End-Loaded. That way everyone gets the bat they want and need.
My son will be playing 9U AA ball and needs a 28″ bat. The DeMarini CF8 sounds like a great bat. Is there any difference in the construction and/or performance of the -11 Junior Big Barrel and -10 Senior League? He is currently using a -12 Mako Jr. Big Barrel, which, as you mention above, is made from different material than the larger Mako.
The Junior Big Barrel bats, whether 2 5/8″ or 2 3/4″, are typically made for ages 8 and under. They are designed to give younger kids a big barrel with fast swing speed. The Senior League bats are made for kids a bit younger with the -10oz, and rarely a -12oz, while the -8oz and the -5oz are more for young teenagers and adults playing senior league ball. It sounds like your son is on the border of moving on from the JBB bats and moving into lighter youth big barrels. If he can swing a youth big barrel, I would recommend him doing so over a JBB.
Each bat on CheapBats.com has the specifics on how that particular bat was built, while also naming the materials used to do so.
Man I’m so stuck on these bats can’t decide if I should get the cf8 drop 11 or mako drop 11 is the sweet spot the same size on these bats? All the kids in this area swing the Orange mako’s and the ball does seem to jump off that bat..my son is 9 but will be 10 in May I’m not sure on the length he swings a 29″ now I’m hoping the bat will last until he is 12 should I get the 30″. he is 4’5″ & 100lbs
Honestly, the CF8 -11 and Mako -11 are going to perform the same, it just comes down to the feel of the bat & name brand preference. They are both made to perform under the same regulations and standards, so one is not “hotter” than the other. They are both balanced bats with pretty big sweet spots & long barrel lengths.
Can you compare the barrel length (sweet spot) of the Mako XL and the CF8 in the 2 1/4 youth models?
The Mako XL is a -10, while the CF8 is a -11. There is a -11 Mako, but it’s not the Mako “XL”. Both the -11 CF8 & Mako have just about the same barrel length and are made balanced, but the -10 Mako XL is going to have a bit longer of a barrel length and will be end-loaded.
Hi Kris,
Thanks for sharing this nice post. “DeMarini 2015 CF7 BBCOR Baseball Bat” has so much pop. My son and his team mate have been crushing the ball. Line drives get off the barrel so fast the defense is in self defense mode.
He has hit more triples and ground rule doubles then ever. He had a cf-6 last year but this bat is even better. The price is a little to high but I guess the production of the bat is making it worth it. I would buy it again. Thank you…
Regards,
Kayla Robey
Man! I seriously can’t decide which to get. I’m playing 8th grade middle school ball and I have to use bbcor bats.I need a 33/30. Which bat would be the best for me?
Easton and DeMarini make great bats, so it simply comes down to brand preference and what type of hitter you are. There’s no way for me to know exactly what you need. My suggestion is to read the bat information and make the best decision for yourself. If you buy the bat from CheapBats.com you have 100% Batisfaction Guaranteed with every bat purchase.
Me and my son have demoed the new maxim mako and we just used the cf8 yesterday it feels end loaded we were planning on getting the cf8 because he has a cf4 now and all the kids have a mako around here but after the demo we are going to go with the mako maybe the maxxum but I’m worried about durability but the cf8 is out now just didn’t feel that the ball jumped off it the way it did the mako that’s just our opinion I’m sure people will feel the polar opposite but figured I’d chime in as I’ve wrote on this thread before and know it’s tough when trying to pick between these pricey bats best way for us to decide was to try them out
Can you help me with understanding the differences between the mako youth, not big barrel, drop 11 and drop 12? Is it just weight or are the bats actually made differently?
Justin,
The -11 and -12 are the length to weight ratio of the bat. If the bat is a -11, and the length is 31″, then the weight would be 20oz (length MINUS weight = 11, making it a drop 11). Make sense?
Comparing the BBCOR models, does the Easton Mako or CF8 have the longer barrel?
It all depends on which Mako BBCOR you’re asking about… Easton, for 2016, has the Balanced Mako, End-Loaded Mako XL, Balanced Mako Torq, and End-Loaded Mako Torq XL. Each of these bats has a different barrel length. The CF8’s barrel length is about the same as the Balanced Mako and Balanced Mako Torq, but the End-Loaded Mako XL and End-Loaded Mako Torq XL have longer barrel lengths.
CF8 vs The Prime 916. Whats your feelings on these two
They’re both the top of the line for their respective manufacturer. The DeMarini CF8 is a 2-Piece Composite featuring the D-Fusion Handle & the Louisville Slugger Prime 916 is a 3-Piece Composite featuring the TRU3 handle technology. Both will give you the extended sweet spot a composite barrel offers, an overall optimized feel, great durability, & very limited vibration/sting felt in the hands. It honestly comes down to personal preference.
I played baseball for 18 years and now have been coaching for 6. Up until last year we started looking at bats more seriously and i will say the cf7 and the cf8 2 3/4 barrel is hand downs better bat than a mako and mako torq. The no comparison in pop and carry between the 2. To clarify the -11 through -8 is what i see alot of the sound and hop off the bat is night and day. find a demo site and see for yourself.
I am a 8th grade baseball player about to go to high school, I am looking for a -3 BBCOR bat and I have cut it down to two bats, the Louisville Slugger Prime 916 and Demarini CF8. Which one of these two would you recommend? It is a close call but many reviews show that these bats are very alike.
Ryan, both the Prime 916 and the CF8 BBCOR Baseball Bats are great. They’re each the top 100% composite bat of their respective manufacturer. You can’t really go wrong. Each bat will have a different feel, but the barrel performance and durability are going to be about the same.
2016 Little League Season. I bought the Easton Mako -11 in February. Cracked in June. Warranty is solid if you have the receipt, and warranty sticker. I know 3 other families in our league with the same issue. It’s a pain to keep turning in the bat for a new one. (Easton won’t accept eBay or Amazon receipts for warranty.)
No one has a DeMarini CF7 or 8 to compare, but I can’t imagine it being as fragile!
I’m not going to buy another composite Easton. I’m going to try the DeMarini CF8 next.
We sell A LOT of Easton baseball and softball bats, and they are usually very durable with little issues. Bats do take a bit of a beating if they’re used a lot, so that’s why the warranty comes in handy if/when needed. I’d say the fact that it happened with a few of them in your close circles is more of an anomaly than anything, but DeMarini bats are great as well (including the CF8 that you mentioned). It all comes down to personal preference.
Hi! My son is really interested in a Mako bat. Curious to know if you know when the 2017 bats will be released? Wondering if I should take the plunge now or wait? Thanks!
Am stuck between the Easton Mako Beast and the Demarini Zen. Looking at 29/19 (2-3/4″). Any subtle differences in your opinion?
It just comes down to personal preference as each bat has a different feel. They’re both top of the line 2-piece composite bats, so you can’t go wrong with either one.
How do I decide if my son needs a balanced or end-loaded bat?
That’s just a personal preference based on the hitter, and it also depends on the size bat your son likes to swing. For example, if we’re talking about a 32″/29oz BBCOR bat and that’s the size for your son, a balanced option would increase his swing speed and improve his bat control. An end-loaded option would give him a bit more power at the end of the barrel that would increase hitting distances, but he would need to have the extra strength to make up for that slight loss of swing speed. I suggest trying out some bats, both balanced and end-loaded, to find the size, weight distribution, and feel that your son prefers.