Aflion Panda vs. Jerrzi Honey Bean
An in-depth look at the Aflion Panda and the Jerrzi Honey Bean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Aflion Panda, a tactile switch, and the Jerrzi Honey Bean, a linear switch. The Panda is renowned for its hyper-tactile sensation and "thocky" sound profile, making it an excellent choice for those who value a responsive tactile force and a satisfying audio feedback. On the other hand, the Honey Bean switches offer a light and linear action with silent operation, making them perfect for office or shared environments. While the Panda excels in providing a full-bodied and resonant typing experience, the Honey Bean prioritizes ease of pressing and noise reduction. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Single-stage 15mm long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Aflion Panda and the Jerrzi Honey Bean differ in their choice of housing materials for both the top and bottom components. The Panda utilizes a polycarbonate top housing that results in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffness, whereas the Honey Bean features a POM top housing that produces a deeper and more muted sound. In terms of aesthetics, the translucency of polycarbonate in the Panda allows for RGB lighting effects, while the POM top housing of the Honey Bean offers a unique sound experience.
On the other hand, both switches share similarities in their choice of bottom housing materials. The Panda features a nylon bottom housing which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile thanks to its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound. Similarly, the Honey Bean also incorporates a POM bottom housing that contributes to a deeper and more muted sound profile. While the top and bottom housings of the switches may differ, the qualities of each material still play a significant role in the overall sound and feel of the switches.
Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Panda and the Jerrzi Honey Bean comes down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and aesthetic preferences. The Panda's polycarbonate top housing offers a crisper and resonant sound, ideal for those who prefer a sharper sound experience, while the Honey Bean's POM top housing provides a deeper and more muted sound for a different auditory experience. Both switches offer unique qualities in their choice of housing materials, catering to a variety of preferences among keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, it is clear that the Honey Bean is the lighter option with an actuation force of 42 grams, while the Panda is heavier with an actuation force of 50 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Panda is 60 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience compared to the unknown bottom out force of the Honey Bean. Those who prefer a lighter feel for longer typing sessions may lean towards the Honey Bean, while those who enjoy a more forceful keystroke may opt for the Panda. Ultimately, both switches offer different tactile experiences, with the Panda providing a slightly heavier touch than the Honey Bean.
Travel distance
The Aflion Panda tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is slightly longer than the 3.7 mm travel distance of the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Panda being on the longer side and the Honey Bean being a bit shorter. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may lean towards the Honey Bean due to its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more hearty keypress may find the Panda more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and the type of typing or gaming experience you are looking for.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Panda has an MSRP of $5.20 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Panda for $3.56.
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.
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
In terms of sound, the Aflion Panda switch offers a resonant typing experience with a deep, immersive sound profile that is sharp and clean. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Honey Bean switch provides a muted typing experience, producing softer and quieter sound to minimize noise in shared environments. The Panda switch leans towards a more distinct and pronounced auditory feedback, while the Honey Bean switch focuses on a discreet and subtle typing sound.
When it comes to feel, the Aflion Panda switch is characterized as offering an accented and invigorating typing experience with a medium tactile feel that is not overwhelming but still prominent. This switch provides pronounced feedback and a snappy, reactive feel for an immersive typing sensation. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Honey Bean switch is described as easy-to-press and feathery, requiring minimal force to activate and offering a light touch that reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The Honey Bean switch prioritizes effortless and comfortable typing with its gentle resistance and low-impact feel.
Overall, the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch offer contrasting experiences in both sound and feel. The Panda switch delivers a hyper-tactile sensation with a deep thocky sound profile, while the Honey Bean switch provides a light and linear action with silent operation. Each switch caters to different preferences and environments, with the Panda switch being ideal for those who value hypertactility and a resonant typing experience, and the Honey Bean switch being perfect for those looking for a discreet and effortless typing feel. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on individual preferences for typing sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a hyper-tactile sensation and a deep, "thocky" sound profile, the Aflion Panda tactile switch would be a fantastic choice for you. Its medium bottom out force of 60 grams provides a satisfying typing experience for those seeking a tactile switch that is both responsive and sonorous. On the other hand, if you value a light and linear action with silent operation, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch is the way to go. Perfect for shared environments or office settings where noise reduction is key, the Honey Bean offers a gentle typing feel with minimal resistance. Ultimately, your choice between the two switches will depend on your preferences for tactility, sound, and typing experience.
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