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Kailh Box Royal vs. Jerrzi Honey Bean

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

Overview

When comparing the Kailh Box Royal, a tactile switch, to the Jerrzi Honey Bean, a linear switch, a clear distinction can be made in their key features. The Box Royal is renowned for its sharp and aggressive tactility, making it ideal for those seeking a highly tactile typing experience with a higher-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the Honey Bean stands out for its light and linear action, offering a quieter typing experience suitable for office settings or shared environments. While the Box Royal excels in providing a pronounced tactile feedback, the Honey Bean focuses on a more subdued and smooth 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

45g

Actuation force

42g

Bottom-out force

70g

Bottom-out force

N/A

Pre-travel

1.80 mm

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Total travel

3.60 mm

Total travel

3.70 mm

Factory lubed

No

Factory lubed

Yes

Stem construction

Box

Stem construction

Partial box

Stem material

POM

Stem material

Ly

Top housing material

Nylon

Top housing material

POM

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Bottom housing material

POM

Mount type

Plate (3-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

Stainless steel

Spring

Stainless steel

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Kailh Box Royal and Jerrzi Honey Bean switches bring different qualities to the typing experience. The Box Royal's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Honey Bean's POM top housing produces a more muted and deep sound that is unique and pleasing to the ear. While both materials contribute to a deeper sound profile, the Box Royal's nylon top housing may offer a slightly rounder sound compared to the Honey Bean's POM top housing.

On the other hand, when it comes to the bottom housing, both switches use different materials that influence the typing experience in their own ways. The Box Royal's nylon bottom housing also contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, similar to its top housing. In comparison, the Honey Bean's POM bottom housing enhances the overall sound profile by adding a deeper and more muted tone. These differences in bottom housing material may result in a slightly varied typing experience between the two switches, with the Box Royal offering a potentially duller sound and the Honey Bean providing a more distinctive sound profile.

Overall, the combination of top and bottom housing materials in a switch plays a significant role in determining the sound and feel of typing on that switch. While the Box Royal and Jerrzi Honey Bean switches both aim to create a deeper sound profile, the specific characteristics of their nylon and POM housing materials result in unique typing experiences. Whether it's the slightly rounder sound of the Box Royal or the more muted and pleasing sound of the Honey Bean, keyboard enthusiasts will appreciate the subtle differences brought by the choice of housing materials in these switches.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, it is evident that the Box Royal requires a heavier force for both actuation and bottoming out compared to the Honey Bean. While the Box Royal has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, the Honey Bean has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and an unknown bottom out force. This makes the Box Royal better suited for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, while the Honey Bean would be more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions. In terms of weight, the Box Royal would be considered heavier, while the Honey Bean is lighter. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.

Travel distance

The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for gamers looking for faster response times. The slight difference in travel distance between the two switches may not be noticeable to the average user, as both are relatively short compared to traditional switch travel distances. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches may come down to personal preference and whether a slightly shorter or longer travel distance is preferred for a more responsive or more substantial typing experience.

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 Kailh Box Royal comes in at $6.25 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

In terms of sound, the Kailh Box Royal switch is known for its high-pitched and sharp sound profile, providing a crisp and distinct noise with each keypress. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Honey Bean switch offers a muted and quiet operation, perfect for environments where noise reduction is essential. Depending on personal preference, the Box Royal would be suitable for those who enjoy a more prominent and high-pitched sound, while the Honey Bean caters to individuals who prefer a softer and quieter typing experience.

Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Kailh Box Royal is characterized by its sharp tactile feedback, offering a strong and intense tactile bump with each keypress. In contrast, the Jerrzi Honey Bean switch provides an easy-to-press sensation with gentle resistance, requiring minimal force to activate. Additionally, the Honey Bean switch is described as feathery, meaning it is exceptionally light to press and reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Ultimately, the Box Royal excels in delivering a crisp and intense tactile feel, while the Honey Bean focuses on offering a responsive and comfortable typing experience with minimal finger strain.

Considering all the available information, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Box Royal stands out for its aggressive tactility and sharp sound profile, making it suitable for those who prefer a more pronounced typing experience. In contrast, the Honey Bean excels in providing a smooth and quiet operation, ideal for shared environments or individuals seeking a gentle typing feel. Both switches cater to different preferences, so choosing between the two ultimately depends on whether you prioritize intense tactility and sharp sound (Kailh Box Royal) or a quiet, easy-to-press typing experience (Jerrzi Honey Bean).

Conclusion

In closing, if you are someone who enjoys a highly tactile typing experience with a sharp and crisp feedback, then the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch would be the ideal choice for you. The Box Royal's medium-heavy bottom out force and high-pitched sound profile make it perfect for those who prefer a more pronounced tactile sensation and audible feedback. On the other hand, if you work in a shared environment or prefer a quieter typing experience, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch would be more suitable for you. The Honey Bean's light and linear action, coupled with its muted sound profile, offers a discreet yet satisfying typing experience that is perfect for office settings or environments where noise reduction is essential. Ultimately, your decision between these two switches will depend on your personal preference for tactile feedback and sound level during typing sessions.

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