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KTT Darling vs. Jerrzi Honey Bean

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

Overview

The KTT Darling, a linear switch, is recognized for its chewy and substantial typing sensation, along with a pronounced bounciness that adds springy responsiveness to each keystroke. This switch delivers a resonant, high-pitched sound upon bottoming out, providing a blend of tactile and auditory feedback. In contrast, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switches offer a light and linear action, ideal for quiet environments like offices due to their silent operation. They provide an easy-to-press feel with a feathery touch, offering a muted typing experience that is discreet yet satisfying. Both switches have unique characteristics that cater to different preferences and environments. 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

53g

Bottom-out force

N/A

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Total travel

3.50 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

Polycarbonate

Top housing material

POM

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Bottom housing material

POM

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

Stainless steel

Spring

Stainless steel

Housing materials

The housing materials of the KTT Darling and the Jerrzi Honey Bean differ in terms of the top housing material used. The Darling employs a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffness. On the other hand, the Honey Bean utilizes a POM top housing, which creates a deeper and more muted sound. While the Darling's top housing provides a clear and resonant sound suited for RGB lighting, the Honey Bean's top housing offers a unique and pleasing sound profile. Despite these differences, both top housings contribute significantly to the overall sound profile of the switches, albeit with distinct characteristics.

In contrast, when it comes to the bottom housing materials, both the KTT Darling and the Jerrzi Honey Bean use different materials that provide similar sound profiles. The Darling's nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer plastic composition, absorbing more sound and creating a duller tone. Similarly, the Honey Bean's POM bottom housing also produces a deep and muted sound profile, showcasing the unique characteristics of POM material. While the nylon bottom housing and POM bottom housing differ in material, both contribute to the overall sound experience of the switches in a similar manner, providing a rich and full sound profile.

Overall, the use of different housing materials in the KTT Darling and Jerrzi Honey Bean switches results in contrasting sound profiles that cater to different preferences. The combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing in the Darling produces a sharp and clear sound on key presses, while the POM top and bottom housing of the Honey Bean offers a deeper and more muted sound experience. Despite these differences, both switches deliver a unique and pleasing sound that enhances the typing experience. Whether choosing the Darling for a sharper sound profile or the Honey Bean for a deeper tone, both switches showcase the importance of housing materials in creating distinctive sound profiles for mechanical keyboards.

Weight

In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Darling linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, it is evident that the Darling requires a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Honey Bean's 42 grams. Both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the Darling requiring 53 grams while the Honey Bean's bottom out force is unknown. The Darling can be considered as the heavier option compared to the Honey Bean due to its slightly higher actuation force. However, both switches offer a relatively light typing experience, which is favorable for users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for actuation force and the typing experience desired.

Travel distance

The KTT Darling linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. In this case, the Darling has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Honey Bean. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are popular among gamers for their faster response times. However, the slight difference in travel distance may result in a slightly different typing experience. Those who prefer a quicker, more responsive feel may opt for the Darling, while those who enjoy a bit more depth in their keystrokes may lean towards the Honey Bean. Overall, both switches offer a relatively short travel distance that can cater to different preferences in typing feel.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The KTT Darling has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Darling for $3.90.

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 KTT Darling linear switch is characterized by its clacky, high-pitched, and resonant sound profile, delivering a sharp and engaging auditory experience. In contrast, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch is known for its muted operation, providing a quieter typing experience suitable for shared environments where noise reduction is important. Both switches offer distinct sound qualities that cater to different preferences, with the Darling excelling in providing a more vibrant and crisp sound, while the Honey Bean prioritizes a more discreet and subdued typing experience.

Turning to the feel of the switches, the KTT Darling linear switch is praised for its bouncy tactile sensation, offering a spring-like feedback that enhances the typing experience with a sense of liveliness and bounce. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch is lauded for its easy-to-press and feathery feel, requiring minimal force to activate the keys and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. While the Darling focuses on providing a energetic and responsive typing feel, the Honey Bean prioritizes comfort and low-impact typing, making it effortless to use for extended periods.

In conclusion, the KTT Darling linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch both offer unique and desirable qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Darling excels in providing a vibrant and engaging typing experience with its clacky, high-pitched, and bouncy characteristics, while the Honey Bean prioritizes a quiet and comfortable typing sensation with its muted operation and easy-to-press, feathery feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel, as both switches offer excellent performance in their respective qualities, ensuring a satisfying typing experience regardless of the option chosen.

Conclusion

In closing, when deciding between the KTT Darling linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, consider your preferences and needs. If you're looking for a typing experience that is both chewy and substantial, with a bouncy and resonant feel accompanied by a clacky and high-pitched sound, the Darling switch 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 quiet environments like offices, the Honey Bean switch might be more to your liking. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what type of typing sensation, sound profile, and level of force you prefer in a mechanical keyboard switch. Choose wisely based on your personal preferences and typing environment.

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