Introduction
When watching pro CS2 matches, it’s clear that the M4A1-S is the preferred CT rifle. There are some dedicated M4A4 users out there, but if the pros are to be believed you should go for the silenced version. If you’re looking to purchase a new M4A1 skin and you don’t really know what to look for, we’ve got just the article for you. Here, we will list the best M4A1 skins according to professional CS2 players.
As always, we round up all skin conditions in order to prevent the list from becoming too repetitive.
The image above was taken from the official M4A1-S Printstream Workshop Page.
Our Data
Rather than using our own (subjective) opinions to form this list of best M4A1 skins, we use our data on pro CS2 players. This gives the article a unique angle, as it’s not based on the opinions of one or two editors. Obviously, this does not mean that our list is ‘better’. With skins, it all comes down to personal opinions. Don’t take this guide as gospel; simply treat it as a fun piece of content that allows you to see what the pros like to use.
Lastly, we want to make it clear that this guide is not investment advice. There are tons of people who invest in CS2 skins, but -like all investments- this requires in-depth knowledge and is not without risk. When buying CS2 skins as an investment, you should always do your own research.
M4A1-S Printstream
The Printstream M4 isn’t even 5 years old, but it can rightfully be called an iconic skin already. Back when it released in CS:GO, it was known for its beautiful pearlescent finish that changed the hue of the white finish, depending on the light.
The Printstream then notably got (accidentally) nerfed when CS2 released. The pearlescent effect is much less pronounced in CS2 than it was in CS:GO due to lighting changes with the new engine. Players still seem to love it though. Printstream skins are everywhere, and they are by far the most used M4A1 skins in the pro scene.
Of course, the Printstream is a beautiful skin even without the pearlescent effect. The combo of white, black, and tiny design elements make this an incredibly sleek and modern-looking skin that’s interesting to look at and that fits into just about every inventory with ease.
Due to the incredible popularity, prices for Printstreams have notably been going up over the years. A Field-Tested one will set you back around $220. That’s far less than some other options on this list, but it’s still a significant chunk of money. And that’s without the pearlescent effect. Don’t take our word for it, but if that effect ever gets added back (there is no official indication on that happening though) we could see the prices go through the roof.
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Assault RiflesM4A1-S | Printstream (Field-Tested)
M4A1-S Blue Phosphor
It’s no secret that the CS2 community loves shiny skins. Dopplers, Fades, Gamma Dopplers, … A lot of the most popular knives are flashy as can be. With the M4A1 Blue Phosphor basically being a Sapphire Doppler M4, we shouldn’t be surprised to see it in this list.
Released in December of 2020 as part of Operation Broken Fang, this is a rather rare M4. Couple popularity with rarity and the outcome is predictable: you get an expensive skin. If you want a Factory New Blue Phosphor (the skin is float-capped at 0.08, so there are only Factory New and Minimal Wear versions available) you’ll have to cough up around $750. That’s the price of a very nice mid tier knife, so this is definitely not a skin for budget-minded people.
You do get a lot in return, however. The deep, dark blue finish with all of its layers looks extremely interesting, almost as if the skin is slightly translucent. Depending on how light hits the gun, you’ll see it shine in various ways, and if you’re a fan of the color blue you’ll never get tired of looking at this skin.
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Assault RiflesM4A1-S | Blue Phosphor (Factory New)
M4A1-S Hot Rod
If the M4A1 Blue Phosphor is Kyogre, then the Hot Rod is Groudon. For those who aren’t familiar with Pokémon: they’re both legendary and similar in some ways, though very different in others. Also, Kyogre is blue and Groudon is red.
Like the Blue Phosphor, the Hot Rod is an operation skin. It’s also float-capped at 0.08, so you can only get it in Factory New and Minimal Wear conditions. It’s also extremely expensive. A Factory New Hot Rod will set you back around $1,190. Both have a colored finish with no other design elements to it.
If red is your color and you want an exclusive, rare, and awe-inspiring M4A1, the Hot Rod is the one to go for. It has a very nice deep red metallic color that looks right at home in red-themed inventories. Thanks to the black parts on the gun, it can also suit more neutral inventories, which is an advantage that it has over the Blue Phosphor.
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Assault RiflesM4A1-S | Hot Rod (Factory New)
M4A1-S Cyrex
The M4A1-S Cyrex is one of the OG M4 skins. It released over a decade ago and used to be one of the go-to high tier M4s. Nowadays, it’s arguably outclassed by many newer releases, but if you want to own a piece of history and you like more subtle futuristic designs then this can be a great option.
It’s also a great option because it’s quite affordable. A Field-Tested Cyrex costs around $20 right now, whereas a Factory New one sits at $50.
Like with many older skins, the Cyrex shows wear pretty quickly. If you want an absolutely pristine looking one, you will have to shop around for a Factory New version. Luckily, most of the wear shows on the darker parts of the skin, so it won’t be very obvious that you’re rocking a more worn skin. Unless someone really takes a good look at the finish, that is.
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Assault RiflesM4A1-S | Cyrex (Field-Tested)
M4A1-S Mecha Industries
To many players, the Mecha Industries is kind of the spiritual successor the the Cyrex. We definitely see why. It has that same red-black-white color scheme and it has a futuristic theme to it.
The Mecha Industries has much more white to it though, and barely any red. This -to us- gives it a bit more of contemporary sci-fi vibe than the almost retrofuturistic theme that the Cyrex offers, but whether you like that or not will come down to personal tastes.
Leaving the colors aside for a moment, the Mecha Industries is a well-done skin. There are tons of little details to discover, from the bullets that you see sitting in the magazine to the textured section on the back of the grip. As the cherry on top, it also has a shiny finish, giving it an interesting metallic look. The better the condition of the skin, the shinier it looks. Battle-Scarred versions, for example, look more beige than white.
Field-Tested versions can be bought for around $30. A Factory New Mecha Industries currently costs around $125.
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Assault RiflesM4A1-S | Mecha Industries (Field-Tested)
M4A1-S Golden Coil
If you want a skin fit for a king or queen, the Golden Coil is a good option. The black base combined with gold and just a hint of beige already hints at something vaguely regal, but the curly finishes and scale patterns that adorn the gun really finish the look if you ask us.
In the middle of the skin, you’ll find an image of a serpent that seems to be mid attack. This image continues on the stock of the gun, which is a nice little detail.
Released in 2015, this is an older skin. As a consequence, the 3D effects aren’t as pronounced as they are on some of the newer skins, but this is without a doubt a cool and rather niche skin. It’s a good option for players who use a Gold Arabesque AK due to the golden accents, and the fact that there’s a serpent on it makes it a cool option for AK Fire Serpent users.
Due to the fact that the Golden Coil isn’t insanely popular, it can be bought at rather friendly prices. Expect to pay around $65 for a Field-Tested version, and $185 for a Factory New one. That’s pretty decent for a covert M4A1.
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Assault RiflesM4A1-S | Golden Coil (Field-Tested)
M4A1-S Decimator
If you want to decimate your enemies with old school retrowave swagger, the M4A1-S Decimator is probably your best option.
This skin was already a favorite for players who wanted to craft a neon-themed inventory back in CS:GO. The fact that it got a small buff in CS2 (the finish is more shiny now) makes it an even more attractive option.
This neon blue/pink skin has shapes on it that remind us of old games where you could still see the polygons in the game world. Obviously, the color scheme and overall theme of the rifle also resembles the world of the original TRON movie. Whatever feelings it invokes in you personally; it’s clear that this is a take on the retrowave vibe that was extremely popular a couple of years ago.
If you want to get in on this, you’ll be pleased to hear about the price. A Field-Tested Decimator costs around $12. You can buy a Factory New one for around $50.
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Assault RiflesM4A1-S | Decimator (Field-Tested)
Best M4A1-S Skins in CS2 – Conclusion
Contrary to AK skins, which -on average- cost a lot more than M4A1 skins, there are a lot of skins in this list that seem attainable to the regular player. Obviously, an M4A1 Hot Rod is way too expensive for the vast majority of the player population, but something like a Field-Tested Cyrex (an old, iconic skin in its own right) can be bought for as little as $20.
This varied list should contain a little something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a budget skin or a very rare and expensive skin; you should be able to find what you’re looking for.
