Akko Dracula vs. Jerrzi Honey Bean
An in-depth look at the Akko Dracula and the Jerrzi Honey Bean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Akko Dracula and Jerrzi Honey Bean both offer unique characteristics that cater to different user preferences. The Akko Dracula, with its innovative POK material construction, promises ultra-smooth typing and increased durability, thanks to its extra stem hole that enhances airflow for a more fluid keystroke. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Honey Bean is recognized for its light, linear action and silent operation, making it an excellent choice for office environments or shared spaces where noise reduction is a priority. While the Dracula offers a robust and smooth typing experience, the Honey Bean brings a feather-light touch with a muted response. Each switch has its strengths, making them appealing for various needs, whether you prioritize durability or a quiet environment. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
35g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POK
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
POK
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
When comparing the housing materials of the Akko Dracula and the Jerrzi Honey Bean switches, it is evident that they utilize different top housing materials, resulting in distinct tactile and auditory properties. The Dracula features a POK top housing, renowned for its exceptional smoothness and durability. With a coefficient of friction of 0.04, it provides a seamless keystroke experience, while its wear resistance is significantly higher than that of POM, making it an ideal material for longevity. In contrast, the Honey Bean employs a POM top housing, which is known for creating a unique sound profile. Although the POM material is smoother with a slightly lower coefficient of friction (0.03), the Honey Bean's sound is characterized by a more muted and deeper tone compared to the Dracula's clacky experience.
In terms of bottom housings, both switches feature the same material. The Dracula utilizes Nylon for its bottom housing, a traditional choice that offers a fuller sound profile due to its softer composition, which absorbs sound effectively. The Honey Bean, on the other hand, incorporates a POM bottom housing, which similarly produces a pleasing and muted sound. Despite the differing top housings—POK for the Dracula and POM for the Honey Bean—the shared characteristics of the POM bottom housing in the Honey Bean mean that both switches will deliver a rounded auditory experience when bottoming out, albeit with different tonal qualities arising from the top housing materials.
Ultimately, the combination of a POK top housing in the Akko Dracula and a POM bottom housing presents a distinctive switch profile that emphasizes clackiness and durability. In contrast, the Jerrzi Honey Bean, with its POM top and bottom housings, offers a smoother and deeper sound experience. If the purpose is to achieve a well-rounded sound profile, the Aluminum encapsulating both switches showcases how different materials can create unique auditory results while also revealing where these similarities lie. Ultimately, even when employing different materials in the top housing, both switches can achieve similar overall performance in key feel and sound depth due to the significant impact the bottom housing has on the overall experience.
Weight
When comparing the Akko Dracula linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces that influence the typing experience. The Dracula features a lighter actuation force of 35 grams, making it ideal for prolonged use, as users may find it less tiring during extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Honey Bean has a higher actuation force of 42 grams, which may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial response when typing. As for the bottom out force, the Dracula’s is 45 grams, which indicates a definite resistance felt when pressing the key all the way down. Conversely, there's no available measurement for the bottom out force of the Honey Bean, leaving some uncertainty regarding its overall feel during heavy presses. Thus, while the Akko Dracula is the lighter switch, the Jerrzi Honey Bean opts for a heavier typing experience but lacks information on its bottom out force, making it more difficult to fully assess its characteristics in comparison.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Akko Dracula linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, the Dracula boasts a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Honey Bean measures slightly shorter at 3.7 mm. This makes the Honey Bean the shorter option, offering a faster response time that may appeal to gamers seeking quick key presses. On the other hand, the Dracula's 3.8 mm travel distance provides a bit more depth, which may be preferred by users who enjoy a more substantial feel when typing. Thus, if you're looking for responsiveness, the Honey Bean is the better choice, whereas the Dracula is suited for those who appreciate a deeper key travel experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko Dracula has an MSRP of $4.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dracula 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
The Akko Dracula switch has yet to have its sound characteristics described, but the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch is highlighted for its muted and soft auditory profile. This quieter nature makes the Honey Bean an excellent choice for environments where noise is a concern, such as offices or shared spaces. Its sound minimizes the clunky noises often associated with traditional mechanical switches, allowing for a discreet typing experience that doesn't compromise on satisfaction.
When discussing the feel of these switches, the Akko Dracula switch also lacks a detailed description. In contrast, the Honey Bean switches are characterized by an easy-to-press mechanism and a feathery touch. With a gentle resistance that requires minimal force to actuate, these switches significantly reduce finger fatigue during long typing sessions. The lightweight actuation further enhances the typing experience, making it comfortable for extended use, whether for gaming, school, or work.
In summary, while the sound characteristics of the Akko Dracula switch remain unspecified, the Jerrzi Honey Bean switch offers a muted, quiet experience ideal for shared environments. Furthermore, the Honey Bean's easy-to-press and feathery feel creates a comfortable and responsive typing experience. If you're seeking an ultra-smooth typing experience, the Dracula's design innovations suggest it may also serve well in a similar capacity, even without explicit sound and feel qualities stated. Thus, your choice may ultimately depend on which aspects are most critical for your typing needs.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between the Akko Dracula linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, it ultimately boils down to your specific preferences and typing environment. If you appreciate a light bottom-out force paired with an innovative design that enhances smoothness and durability, the Akko Dracula switch might be the right choice for you. Its POK material and improved airflow can provide a responsive and enjoyable typing experience, making it great for both gaming and typing tasks where tactile feedback is valued. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quiet and subtle operation, especially in shared workspaces, the Jerrzi Honey Bean switch may be ideal. Its muted sound and easy-to-press, feathery feel ensure that you can type comfortably without disturbing others around you, reducing finger fatigue during prolonged use. Ultimately, your decision should reflect your desire for either a more dynamic typing experience with the Dracula or a serene and gentle feel with the Honey Bean.