Bsun Chiikawa - 28g vs. Jerrzi Honey Bean
An in-depth look at the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g and the Jerrzi Honey Bean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g and the Jerrzi Honey Bean both present appealing options for different user preferences, despite sharing similarities as linear switches. The Chiikawa - 28g is renowned for its incredibly light actuation force and bright sound profile, making it an excellent choice for those who value responsiveness and enjoy a crisp, high-pitched sound while typing. This switch can enhance typing speed and efficiency, especially for users who prefer a more tactile auditory feedback. In contrast, the Honey Bean switches excel in providing a muted yet enjoyable linear action, making them ideal for office settings or shared environments where noise reduction is a priority. Their easy-to-press design coupled with a feathery touch offers a discreet experience, ensuring that productivity remains high without disturbing others. Both switches offer unique benefits tailored to different situations; however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
28g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
34g
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
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Y3X
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
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g and the Jerrzi Honey Bean, a notable distinction arises between the top housings. The Chiikawa features a polycarbonate top housing, which contributes to a sharper, crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. This characteristic makes polycarbonate an excellent choice for those looking to enhance the clarity of sound, particularly for RGB lighting effects since its translucency allows light to shine through more vibrantly. In contrast, the Honey Bean uses a POM top housing that produces a deeper, more muted sound. While both materials lead to distinct auditory experiences, the utilities they provide align with different preferences among users who might prioritize either high clarity or a rounder sound profile.
When examining the bottom housings, the differences between the two switches become even more pronounced. The Chiikawa utilizes a nylon bottom housing, traditionally known for delivering a deeper and more resonant sound profile, which is attributed to nylon's softer nature that absorbs more sound. This softness contributes to a fuller typing experience, allowing a warmth to the auditory feedback. Meanwhile, the Honey Bean also employs POM for its bottom housing, known for creating a unique and pleasing sound with a similar deeper quality. Although POM shares some sound characteristics with nylon, the medium delivers a more muted effect overall, giving the Honey Bean a distinctive auditory and tactile sensation when compared to the Chiikawa.
In terms of overall performance, the differences in material composition between the two switches could lead to contrasting acoustic experiences, but they can also offer some overlapping traits. Both switches, despite their differences, are designed to provide satisfying sound profiles; the Chiikawa shines with its brightness from the polycarbonate top, while the Honey Bean affords a unique and deeper sound from its combined POM materials. If users are searching for a comprehensive typing experience with a balanced sound, they may find satisfaction in both switches, albeit stemming from different aural qualities resulting from their respective housing materials. This interplay between the top and bottom housing materials ultimately contributes to the unique sound profiles while retaining the potential for enjoyable typing experiences in both switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, significant differences emerge. The Chiikawa switch has a light actuation force of 28 grams and a bottom out force of 34 grams, making it a suitable choice for extended typing sessions, as its lighter weight can reduce fatigue. In contrast, the Honey Bean switch requires a heavier actuation force of 42 grams, which appeals to those who prefer a more substantial and tactile typing experience. However, the specific bottom out force for the Honey Bean switch is unknown, leaving its total key feel somewhat ambiguous. Thus, while the Chiikawa is the lighter option overall, ideal for prolonged use, the Honey Bean offers more resistance, catering to users who favor a firmer keystroke.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, there is a slight difference to note. The Chiikawa - 28g features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Honey Bean offers a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. This makes the Chiikawa the shorter option, which may appeal to users who prioritize quicker response times typically favored by gamers. Conversely, the Honey Bean's longer travel distance may provide a more pronounced tactile feel, which some users prefer for a more substantial typing experience. Thus, if you aim for responsiveness, the Chiikawa - 28g is the better choice, whereas for a depthier key press, the Honey Bean would be more suitable.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Chiikawa - 28g has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Chiikawa - 28g for $3.29.
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 Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch is known for its bright and crisp sound profile. The high-pitched tones generated by each keystroke create an engaging auditory experience, making typing feel lively and responsive. This switch produces a distinct sound that might be more pronounced depending on the keyboard build and keycap materials used. In contrast, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch is characterized by its muted sound, offering a much quieter typing experience. This makes the Honey Bean suitable for environments where noise levels need to be kept low, like offices or shared spaces. The muted operation of the Honey Bean creates a more subdued soundscape, allowing for comfortable typing without disturbing those around you.
In terms of feel, the Chiikawa - 28g offers a notably light actuation force, making it very responsive while typing. However, specific descriptors regarding its tactile feedback are not provided. Comparatively, the Honey Bean switches excel in creating a comfortable typing experience, being easy-to-press with gentle resistance and a feathery touch. The light actuation force facilitates a low-impact feel, which reduces finger fatigue during prolonged use. This comfort makes the Honey Bean switches attractive for anyone seeking a switch that balances responsiveness with ease of use, particularly during extended typing sessions.
In summary, the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch both cater to users looking for lighter and responsive typing experiences, though they differ significantly in their sound profiles. The Chiikawa switch provides a bright, engaging sound while the Honey Bean keeps things discreet with its muted operation. On the feel side, while the Chiikawa's specific tactile properties are less defined, the Honey Bean offers a distinctly easy and feathery touch that enhances comfort. Ultimately, both switches deliver their unique advantages, making either a solid choice depending on your sound and feel preferences.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch ultimately hinges on your specific needs and environment. If you seek a switch that offers a bright sound profile and a notably light actuation force, making your typing experience feel exceptionally responsive, the Chiikawa - 28g is an excellent pick. Its 34-gram bottom-out force provides a satisfying feedback while typing, delivering a crisp, high-pitched sound that appeals to many enthusiasts. However, if you prioritize a quiet typing experience—especially in shared spaces like offices or libraries—the Honey Bean switches are your best bet. They feature a muted sound profile and a gentle actuation force, making them easy to press and ideal for long typing sessions without worrying about disturbing others. Thus, both switches have unique strengths: choose the Chiikawa - 28g for a lively typing experience filled with sound or the Honey Bean for silent efficiency during extensive use.
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