HMX Cloud - 50g vs. Jerrzi Honey Bean

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often find themselves torn between options that cater to different preferences and environments. The HMX Cloud - 50g stands out with its clacky sound profile, offering a lightweight typing experience that is smooth and bright, making it ideal for those who enjoy a bit of auditory feedback while typing. In contrast, the Jerrzi Honey Bean switches provide a softer, lighter touch with an emphasis on silent operation, making them a perfect choice for office settings or shared spaces where noise reduction is essential. While the Cloud - 50g delivers an engaging, clacky feel that appeals to enthusiasts, the Honey Bean assures users of a discreet yet gratifying tactile 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

HMX Cloud - 50g Linear

Jerrzi Honey Bean Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

$4.00

$3.59 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The HMX Cloud - 50g and the Jerrzi Honey Bean employ different materials for their top and bottom switch housings, which contributes to their distinct sound profiles while simultaneously showcasing some comparable characteristics. The Cloud - 50g features a nylon housing, both top and bottom, renowned for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is largely due to nylon's softer plastic composition, which absorbs sound well and results in a duller, more rounded auditory experience. In contrast, the Honey Bean utilizes polyoxymethylene (POM) for both its top and bottom housings. POM is celebrated for offering a pleasing and unique sound, also on the deeper side but relatively more muted than nylon. Both materials have their advantages in terms of sound quality, though the specific character of the sound varies based on the properties of the plastics used.

When comparing the bottom housings of both switches, the nylon in the Cloud - 50g and the POM in the Honey Bean each impact the switch's bottom-out sound and feel. The softer nylon inherently provides a more subdued bottom-out experience, enhancing the overall muffled sound when the key is pressed down. On the contrary, the POM material may offer a slightly crisper bottom-out sound while still maintaining a deeper profile, creating a unique tactile feedback. This difference might seem subtle but plays a crucial role in how typists perceive their key presses, as the bottom housing is responsible for more than just sound—it directly affects tactile feedback as well.

On the other hand, the top housings reveal another layer of sound differentiation. The nylon top housing of the Cloud - 50g produces a unique auditory sensation upon release, characterized by its capacity for sound absorption leading to a more profound auditory profile, again aligning with the switch's overall softer nature. Meanwhile, the POM top housing of the Honey Bean lends itself to creating a distinctive muted sound when a key is released. While each switch creates an enveloping sound experience, the differences in materials highlight how the qualities of nylon and POM affect the sound both during keypress and release. Ultimately, while the switches utilize distinct materials, the similar focus on producing deeper sound profiles allows users to experience satisfying results in both cases, albeit with different auditory nuances.

Weight

The HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch present an interesting comparison in terms of actuation force, while the bottom out force for the Honey Bean switch remains unspecified. Both switches feature an actuation force of 42 grams, which means they will provide a similar typing experience in terms of the force required to trigger a keystroke. This lighter actuation force makes both options suitable for extended typing sessions, whether at work or during lengthy gaming marathons, catering to users who prefer less effort when pressing the keys. However, the Cloud switch has a bottom out force of 50 grams, indicating a firmer feel when the switch is fully pressed down, while there is no data provided on the Honey Bean's bottom out force. Consequently, the Cloud switch can be considered the heavier option between the two when it comes to bottoming out, creating a more substantial typing sensation for users who enjoy that feeling. Overall, while both switches share the same actuation force, the presence of a defined bottom out force in the Cloud switch offers a unique characteristic that the Honey Bean lacks.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, it is evident that there is a slight variation between the two. The HMX Cloud - 50g features a travel distance of 3.9 mm, while the Jerrzi Honey Bean has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. This makes the Honey Bean the shorter option, providing a quicker response time which is often preferred by gamers seeking more rapid keypress feedback. On the other hand, the Cloud - 50g, with its greater travel distance, may appeal to users who favor a more pronounced depth in their keystrokes, as it provides a slightly more substantial tactile experience. Thus, while both switches cater to different preferences, their travel distances highlight the distinctions between users who prioritize speed versus those who appreciate depth in their typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch presents a clacky sound profile, attracting users who appreciate a bright auditory feedback while typing. This character makes it an engaging choice for enthusiasts who enjoy a bit of acoustic stimulation with every keystroke. In contrast, the Jerrzi Honey Bean switch is designed for a more subdued auditory experience, featuring a muted sound quality that minimizes noise levels. This makes the Honey Bean particularly appealing for those in shared workspaces where maintaining a quiet environment is essential. The overall acoustic experience will vary based on additional factors such as the keyboard’s construction and the choice of keycaps, but you can expect a more vibrant soundscape from the Cloud - 50g and a softer, less intrusive performance from the Honey Bean.

In terms of feel, the HMX Cloud - 50g excels with its silky smooth action, providing a fluid typing experience that can contribute to faster and more accurate input. This smoothness is especially appreciated by those who value a seamless transition between key presses. On the other hand, the Honey Bean switches stand out with their easy-to-press nature, requiring minimal force to actuate, which enhances typing comfort and reduces finger fatigue, particularly during long typing sessions. The feathery characteristic of the Honey Bean also adds to this comfort, making it ever so lightweight and reducing strain during prolonged use. Thus, while the Cloud - 50g focuses on a smooth motion, the Honey Bean prioritizes ease of use and comfort.

In conclusion, choosing between the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switches ultimately depends on your typing priorities. If you enjoy an engaging sound and a smooth feel, the Cloud - 50g is an excellent option. Conversely, if you need silent operation combined with a light and easy typing experience, the Honey Bean would serve you well. Each switch offers unique advantages, helping you tailor your keyboard experience to your specific needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing between the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switches ultimately depends on your typing preferences and the environments in which you plan to use them. If you favor a lively and engaging typing experience with a tactile feedback that enhances your keystrokes, the Cloud - 50g may be the way to go, especially given its clacky sound profile that many enthusiasts appreciate. This switch is ideal if you enjoy the responsive feel and sound that comes with a lighter actuation force of 50 grams, making it great for fast-paced typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, if you need a more subdued option, particularly for shared workspaces or quieter settings, the Honey Bean's muted sound and feathery key presses make it an exceptional choice. These switches promote a smoother, silent typing experience while minimizing finger fatigue, allowing for comfort during long hours of work or study. By considering your preferences for sound, feel, and use case, you can confidently select the switch that will best enhance your keyboard experience.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Cloud - 50g Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

Jerrzi Honey Bean Linear

$4.00

$3.59 per 10

Learn more