Huano Acacia vs. Jerrzi Honey Bean
An in-depth look at the Huano Acacia and the Jerrzi Honey Bean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Huano Acacia and the Jerrzi Honey Bean are two noteworthy contenders in the linear switch category, each offering distinct benefits to enhance your typing experience. The Acacia is celebrated for its medium-light weight and generous factory lubrication, providing a smooth and satisfying feel with minimal stem wobble straight out of the box; it’s ideal for those who appreciate a well-balanced typing experience that allows for both speed and accuracy. On the other hand, the Honey Bean switches are designed for users who prioritize a feather-light touch combined with silent operation, making them perfect for office settings or shared environments where noise levels need to be controlled without sacrificing the satisfaction of a responsive keypress. While the Acacia focuses on providing a solid overall typing experience, the Honey Bean excels in creating a discreet yet enjoyable atmosphere for those who type in quiet surroundings. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When examining the housing materials of the Huano Acacia and the Jerrzi Honey Bean, we can identify a distinct contrast in their top materials, which significantly influences their respective sound profiles. The Acacia features a polycarbonate top housing, known for delivering a sharper and crisper sound due to its rigidity. This makes the Acacia particularly advantageous for setups that utilize RGB lighting, as polycarbonate is translucent and enhances the aesthetic appeal of illuminated switches. In contrast, the Honey Bean utilizes a POM top housing that produces a deeper and more muted sound profile, leading to a unique auditory experience. While both materials offer their own benefits, the Acacia's choice of polycarbonate clearly leans toward a more vibrant and resonant output, while the Honey Bean's POM lends itself to a more subdued and rounded auditory character.
Moving to the bottom housing, both the Huano Acacia and the Jerrzi Honey Bean utilize materials that promote a deeper sound profile, albeit through different means. The Acacia features a nylon bottom housing, a classic choice that absorbs sound effectively and offers a fuller sound experience, though it may lack some of the bite found in its polycarbonate counterpart. The Jerrzi Honey Bean, on the other hand, employs a POM bottom housing that also creates a deeper and muted sound profile, akin to the characteristics of the nylon used in the Acacia. Although the materials differ, both the nylon and POM contribute to enhanced auditory satisfaction by allowing for a softer bottom-out sound. Thus, while the specific properties differ slightly, both switches provide a satisfying sound experience, although in unique ways.
Ultimately, the interaction between the top and bottom housing materials in both switches illustrates how different combinations can lead to varied sound profiles. In the case of the Acacia, the polycarbonate top's crispness contrasts its nylon bottom's fullness, creating a dynamic sound experience when pressing and releasing keys. Similarly, the Honey Bean combines its muted POM top with a POM bottom, reinforcing a consistent, albeit more subdued sound profile throughout. If one were to achieve similar results to the Huano Acacia's auditory output using the Jerrzi Honey Bean, adjustments in the overall keyboard setup could be necessary. In essence, understanding the individual attributes of these materials gives insight into how sound is produced and perceived, allowing enthusiasts to select switches that align with their acoustic preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, we can observe notable differences in actuation force and bottom out force. The Acacia features an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, categorizing it as medium-light, making it suitable for those who prefer extended typing sessions without excessive strain. In contrast, the Honey Bean has a slightly lighter actuation force at 42 grams, indicating that users may experience a softer touch when activating the key. However, the bottom out force for the Honey Bean remains unknown, making it challenging to assess its overall feel when fully depressed. This uncertainty may affect users' choices, especially for those who prefer a firmer typing experience. With the Acacia being the heavier option, it may appeal more to individuals seeking a substantial tactile response, while the lighter Honey Bean might be favored by typists looking for ease of use over extended periods. Ultimately, if the bottom out force for the Honey Bean were known, a more thorough comparison could be drawn, potentially showcasing similar or divergent experiences based on that metric.
Travel distance
The Huano Acacia linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch exhibit different travel distances, with the Acacia measuring 3.5 mm and the Honey Bean measuring 3.7 mm. This means that the Honey Bean has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Acacia. Gamers and users who prioritize quick response times may prefer the Acacia, as its shorter travel distance can facilitate faster actuation. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more pronounced feel when pressing keys might appreciate the Honey Bean's longer travel distance, which can provide a more satisfying experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for responsiveness versus tactile depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jerrzi Honey Bean has an MSRP of $4.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Honey Bean for $3.59.
The Huano Acacia comes in at $3.39 per 10 switches.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
The Huano Acacia linear switch produces a subtle sound profile that is relatively quiet, making it suitable for environments where noise levels are a concern. This is contrasted with the Jerrzi Honey Bean switch, which is explicitly designed to be muted, producing an even softer and quieter sound than many traditional mechanical switches. The Honey Bean's muted characteristic ensures that users can type with confidence in a shared workspace, as it minimizes the mechanical noise usually associated with keyboards. Both switches, however, will still be influenced by the choice of keyboard construction and keycap materials, which can further alter their sound signature.
When it comes to feel, the Acacia switch is known for offering a highly enjoyable typing experience due to its medium-light weight and generous factory lubrication, which enhance smoothness with minimal stem wobble. In contrast, the Honey Bean switch is noted for its easy-to-press and feathery action, requiring minimal force for actuation. This lightness allows for a very comfortable typing experience, significantly reducing finger fatigue during prolonged usage. While the Acacia provides a satisfying tactile feedback, the Honey Bean leans heavily into an effortless typing experience, making it particularly appealing for those who prefer a light touch.
In summary, both the Huano Acacia and Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switches cater to users looking for a pleasant typing experience, though they approach it from slightly different angles. The Acacia offers a solid balance of sound and feel with moderate resistance, while the Honey Bean focuses on quiet operation and minimal actuation force for a super light experience. If you prioritize sound, the Honey Bean will provide a distinct advantage in silence, but both switches will deliver a satisfying and efficient typing experience suitable for various environments.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, your choice ultimately hinges on your typing environment and personal preferences. If you seek a reassuringly tactile experience with a medium-light actuation force of 55 grams that provides a balanced feel, the Acacia switch is an excellent option. Its generous factory lubrication and minimal stem wobble ensure a smooth typing experience, making it especially appealing for those who appreciate a more engaging feedback in their keystrokes, possibly for extended typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, if you work in a shared space or prioritize noise reduction, the Honey Bean switches are the ideal choice. Their muted sound profile, combined with an effortless actuation that feels easy-to-press and feathery, allows for discreet yet satisfying typing—perfect for office environments or late-night sessions when you want to keep noise to a minimum. In summary, your decision should align with whether you value more tactile engagement with the Huano Acacia or if you prefer the silky smooth and silent typing of the Jerrzi Honey Bean.