Aflion Carrot vs. Jerrzi Honey Bean
An in-depth look at the Aflion Carrot and the Jerrzi Honey Bean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Carrot and Jerrzi Honey Bean are two popular options that cater to different preferences. The Carrot is a tactile switch known for its bouncy tactile experience, thanks to its long, two-stage spring, and mid-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the Honey Bean is a linear switch that offers a light and silent typing experience, making it ideal for environments where noise reduction is important. While the Carrot provides a more tactile and firm typing feel, the Honey Bean offers a smooth and quiet operation. 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
37g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
45g
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
No
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
20mm two-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Aflion Carrot and Jerrzi Honey Bean keyboards both offer unique characteristics with their housing materials. The Carrot features a polycarbonate top housing, providing a sharper and crisper sound profile, especially when paired with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Honey Bean utilizes a POM top housing, which creates a deeper and more muted sound profile. While both materials offer distinct sound qualities, they cater to different preferences in terms of sound profile.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Carrot incorporates a nylon bottom housing, known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon allows for the absorption of more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Honey Bean employs a POM bottom housing, similar to its top housing material, offering a pleasing and unique sound profile that leans towards the deeper end. Despite using different materials, both keyboards aim to provide users with a satisfying typing experience through their distinct sound profiles.
When comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Carrot and Jerrzi Honey Bean, it is evident that each material contributes differently to the overall sound profile of the keyboard. While the Carrot's polycarbonate top housing delivers a sharper sound, the Honey Bean's POM top housing offers a deeper and more muted tone. Similarly, the nylon bottom housing of the Carrot provides a fuller sound, contrasting with the POM bottom housing of the Honey Bean, which also adds to the deeper sound profile. Overall, both keyboards offer unique sound experiences due to their housing materials, catering to a variety of preferences for keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The Aflion Carrot tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams compared to the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, which has a slightly heavier actuation force of 42 grams. When it comes to bottoming out, the Carrot requires 45 grams of force, while the force required for the Honey Bean is unknown. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Carrot switch for longer typing sessions or gaming sessions, while those who prefer a more substantial push feel may opt for the Honey Bean switch. Both switches offer different levels of force for actuation and bottoming out, allowing users to choose based on their personal preferences for typing feel.
Travel distance
The Aflion Carrot tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm while the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. The Carrot offers a slightly longer travel distance than the Honey Bean. In terms of feel and responsiveness, the Carrot may be preferred by those who enjoy a bit more depth when typing or gaming, while the Honey Bean may be favored by individuals who prefer a slightly shorter travel distance for quicker response times. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, so you can expect similar results in terms of key feel and performance with either option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference for travel distance and typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Carrot has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Carrot for $3.57.
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 Carrot tactile switch is known for its distinctive clacky and high-pitched sound that is crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch offers a more muted sound profile, designed to minimize noise and provide a quieter typing experience. Both switches cater to different preferences in sound, with the Carrot being more lively and sharp, while the Honey Bean offers a more subtle and discreet typing experience for shared environments.
Moving on to feel, the Aflion Carrot switch is characterized by its bouncy, snappy, and stepped tactile feedback, offering users a lively and responsive typing experience. The keys provide a rebound effect when pressed, giving a unique tactile sensation. In contrast, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch is described as easy-to-press and feathery, requiring minimal force to activate and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Both switches offer a different typing feel, with the Carrot emphasizing bounce and responsiveness, while the Honey Bean focuses on effortless and low-impact typing.
Overall, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch cater to different preferences in sound and feel. Users seeking a lively and clacky typing experience with a bouncy tactile feel may prefer the Carrot switch, while those looking for a quieter, more subtle typing experience with an easy-to-press feel may lean towards the Honey Bean switch. It's important to consider personal preferences in sound, feel, and typing experience when choosing between the two switches to ensure a satisfying and enjoyable mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, it is essential to consider your personal preferences and needs. If you enjoy a bouncy tactile experience with a firm sound profile and are looking for a switch that offers a unique typing sensation, the Carrot may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize a light and linear action with silent operation, making it suitable for office or shared environments where noise reduction is crucial, the Honey Bean switch would be a great option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prefer the bouncy and tactile experience of the Carrot switch or the light and low-impact typing feel of the Honey Bean switch. Consider the sound and feel descriptions provided for each switch to make an informed choice that aligns with your typing preferences.
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