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Gateron Beer vs. Jerrzi Honey Bean

An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the Jerrzi Honey Bean switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Gateron Beer and the Jerrzi Honey Bean. The Gateron Beer is a tactile switch that evokes the sparkling allure of a Tsingtao beer bottle with its mesmerizing translucent green design. It offers a refreshingly lightweight feel with a stepped tactility, providing a subtler tactile experience compared to other switches. In contrast, the Jerrzi Honey Bean is a linear switch known for its light and linear action, coupled with silent operation for a discreet typing experience. While the Beer switch is praised for its clacky sound signature and ease of pressing, the Honey Bean switch is lauded for its feathery touch and muted sound. Both switches have their own unique advantages, catering to different preferences depending on the user's needs. 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

38g

Actuation force

42g

Bottom-out force

50g

Bottom-out force

N/A

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Total travel

3.40 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

Polycarbonate

Bottom housing material

POM

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

22mm lengthened gold-plated spring

Spring

Stainless steel

Housing materials

The Gateron Beer and the Jerrzi Honey Bean both offer a unique experience when it comes to housing materials. The Beer features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This makes it ideal for those looking for a more vibrant and resonant typing experience. On the other hand, the Honey Bean comes with a POM top housing, offering a deeper and relatively more muted sound. This gives it a distinct and pleasing sound profile that may appeal to those who prefer a quieter typing experience.

In terms of the bottom housing, both the Beer and the Honey Bean offer a similar experience when it comes to sound profile. The polycarbonate bottom housing of the Beer shares the same qualities as the top housing, providing a sharp and clear sound when typing. Similarly, the POM bottom housing of the Honey Bean offers a deeper and more muted sound profile, aligning with its overall typing experience. This ensures consistency in sound and feel throughout the entire switch, regardless of whether you're pressing down or letting go of a key.

Overall, the choice between the Gateron Beer and the Jerrzi Honey Bean ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile and typing experience. The polycarbonate housing of the Beer offers a sharper and crisper sound, ideal for those who enjoy a more vibrant and resonant typing experience. On the other hand, the POM housing of the Honey Bean provides a deeper and more muted sound, catering to those who prefer a quieter typing experience. Whichever switch you choose, you can expect a high-quality typing experience with distinct sound profiles that suit your preferences.

Weight

In comparing the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, it is evident that the Beer has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams compared to the Honey Bean's 42 grams. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Beer requires 50 grams while the force for the Honey Bean is unknown. The Beer switch offers a lighter typing experience overall, making it ideal for prolonged typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, the Honey Bean may provide a more substantial typing feel due to its slightly higher actuation force. Both switches have their advantages, with the Beer being lighter and the Honey Bean potentially offering a more tactile experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on individual preferences for typing force and feedback.

Travel distance

The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. In this case, the Honey Bean switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Beer switch. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for those who prioritize quick response times, such as gamers. However, the difference of 0.3 mm in travel distance may result in a slightly different typing experience between the two switches. Ultimately, the choice between the Beer and Honey Bean switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing feel.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The Gateron Beer has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Beer for $4.59.

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

When it comes to sound, the Gateron Beer tactile switch is known for its clacky sound, producing a sharp and snappy noise that can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch offers a muted sound, providing a softer and quieter typing experience that is ideal for shared environments where noise reduction is important. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, so choosing between them would depend on whether you prefer a more pronounced or a more subdued auditory feedback while typing.

In terms of feel, both the Gateron Beer and Jerrzi Honey Bean switches are described as easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance during key presses that require minimal force to activate. This light actuation force enhances typing comfort and reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Additionally, the Beer switch is noted for its stepped tactility, offering a more subtle tactile feedback compared to the continuous curve of other tactile switches. On the other hand, the Honey Bean switch is described as feathery, providing an exceptionally light keypress that requires little exertion from the fingers. Both switches prioritize typing comfort and ease of use, making them suitable for individuals who engage in prolonged typing tasks.

Overall, the Gateron Beer tactile switch and Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch offer unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel that cater to different preferences and typing needs. While the Beer switch provides a clacky sound and stepped tactility, the Honey Bean switch offers a muted sound and feathery feel. Ultimately, choosing between these switches would depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience. Regardless of the choice, both switches prioritize comfort, ease of use, and a satisfying typing experience.

Conclusion

In closing, when choosing between the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, consider the following factors. If you are looking for a switch with a light bottom out force and a unique, clacky sound profile, the Gateron Beer may be the choice for you. Its stepped tactility and characteristic sound signature provide a refreshing typing experience. On the other hand, if you prioritize a silent operation and a feathery, easy-to-press feel, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch might better suit your needs. With its light actuation force and muted sound, it offers a discreet yet satisfying typing experience, ideal for shared environments. Ultimately, your selection should be based on your preferences for sound, feel, and bottom out force to ensure the best typing experience for you.

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