Gazzew Bobagum vs. Jerrzi Honey Bean
An in-depth look at the Gazzew Bobagum and the Jerrzi Honey Bean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to compare and contrast are the Gazzew Bobagum and the Jerrzi Honey Bean, both linear switches. The Bobagum stands out for its smoothness and unique tactility, offering a matte feel that sets it apart from other switches. In contrast, the Honey Bean provides a light and linear action with a silent operation, making it ideal for quiet environments like offices. While the Bobagum is known for its nearly silent sound profile and bubblegum color, the Honey Bean offers a feathery and easy-to-press typing experience. 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
N/A
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel 14.5mm Korean spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gazzew Bobagum and the Jerrzi Honey Bean switches both have unique qualities that contribute to the sound and feel of the keyboard switches. The Bobagum's proprietary Gazzew blend top and bottom housings are known for delivering a rich and deep sound profile due to their softness. On the other hand, the Honey Bean's POM top and bottom housings create a pleasing and muted sound that leans towards the deeper side. While both switches aim to provide a deep sound profile, the Bobagum's Gazzew blend may offer a slightly richer tone compared to the Honey Bean's POM material.
In terms of sound profile, the Bobagum and the Honey Bean switches offer slightly different experiences due to their housing materials. The Gazzew blend top and bottom housings of the Bobagum switch deliver a soft and rich sound profile, while the POM top and bottom housings of the Honey Bean switch produce a muted and deep sound. Despite these differences, both switches aim to provide a pleasing and unique sound that enhances the typing experience. Whether you prefer a richer sound with the Bobagum or a deeper, more muted sound with the Honey Bean, both switches offer a distinct auditory experience that can cater to different preferences.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the housing materials play a significant role in determining the overall tactile experience. The impact of the bottom housing is more pronounced when pressing down on the switch, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. In contrast, the top housing has a greater effect on the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, the choice between the Gazzew Bobagum and the Jerrzi Honey Bean switches not only affects the sound produced but also influences the tactile feedback felt while typing. Despite their differences, both switches offer a unique typing experience that can be tailored to individual preferences based on the desired sound and feel.
Weight
The Gazzew Bobagum linear switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 46 grams compared to the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch with a force of 42 grams. Both switches have a medium actuation force, making them suitable for a wide range of users. However, the bottom out force of the Bobagum is 62 grams, while the bottom out force of the Honey Bean is unknown. This means that the Bobagum switch may provide a slightly heavier typing experience when fully pressed compared to the Honey Bean, which could be preferred by some users. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences for typing feel and weight.
Travel distance
The Gazzew Bobagum linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. The Bobagum offers a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Honey Bean. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming increasingly popular among users, especially gamers looking for faster response times. However, some users may find the longer travel distance of the Honey Bean to provide a more satisfying tactile feedback compared to the quicker actuation of the Bobagum. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for travel distance and key feel.
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 Gazzew Bobagum comes in at $6.50 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
When it comes to sound, both the Gazzew Bobagum and the Jerrzi Honey Bean switches are categorized as muted, providing a softer and quieter typing experience compared to other mechanical switches. This quality makes them both ideal choices for environments where minimizing noise is important, such as offices or shared spaces. Keep in mind that the overall sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors like the keyboard's chassis and keycap material used.
Moving on to the feel, the Bobagum switch offers a unique tactile experience with a subtle resistance, giving it a distinct smoothness that sets it apart from other switches. On the other hand, the Honey Bean switch boasts an easy-to-press and feathery feel, requiring minimal force to activate and reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. Both switches provide a pleasant typing experience, but they cater to slightly different preferences in terms of tactile feedback and actuation force.
In conclusion, while the Gazzew Bobagum and Jerrzi Honey Bean switches both offer muted sound profiles, they differ in feel with the Bobagum focusing on smooth tactility and the Honey Bean emphasizing easy actuation. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of tactile feedback and typing experience. Experimenting with different switches is the best way to determine which one suits your typing style and preferences.
Conclusion
Therefore, when deciding between the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, you should consider your preference for bottom out force and typing experience. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and enjoy a smooth, tactile typing experience with a nearly silent sound profile, the Bobagum switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a light and linear action with a silent operation, perfect for office or shared environments, the Honey Bean switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the environment in which you'll be using the keyboard.
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