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HMX EMO vs. Jerrzi Honey Bean

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

Overview

When looking at mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX EMO and Jerrzi Honey Bean both stand out for their unique characteristics. The HMX EMO is a linear switch that is best known for its lively and clacky feel, paired with a feather-light 46g bottom-out force. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Honey Bean, also a linear switch, stands out for its light and linear action, as well as its silent operation, making it ideal for office settings or shared environments. While the EMO offers a bouncy typing experience with factory-lubed smoothness, the Honey Bean provides a discreet yet satisfying typing 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

Technical specifications

Actuation force

40g

Actuation force

42g

Bottom-out force

46g

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

Ly

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

The HMX EMO and Jerrzi Honey Bean switches both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The EMO's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound compared to the Honey Bean's POM top housing, which produces a deeper and more muted sound. However, both materials offer durability and aesthetic appeal, with polycarbonate being clear and ideal for RGB lighting effects while POM provides a pleasing visual appearance.

In terms of bottom housing, the EMO utilizes nylon which generates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition. On the other hand, the Honey Bean uses POM for its bottom housing, resulting in a similar deep and muted sound profile but with its own unique characteristics. Despite the differences in material, both switches offer a comfortable typing experience with their respective bottom housing materials absorbing sound to create a duller and rounder tone.

Overall, the combination of different housing materials in the EMO and Honey Bean switches showcases how various plastics can impact sound profiles and aesthetics. The EMO excels in producing a clear and sharp sound with its polycarbonate top housing, while the Honey Bean's POM top housing offers a deeper and more muted tone. Similarly, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience with their nylon and POM bottom housings, enhancing the overall sound profile and feel of each keystroke. Whether opting for the EMO or Honey Bean, users can expect high-quality housing materials that contribute to a unique and enjoyable typing experience.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the HMX EMO linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, it is clear that the EMO is lighter in both aspects. The EMO has an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 46 grams, while the Honey Bean has an actuation force of 42 grams and an unknown bottom out force. The lighter actuation and bottom out force of the EMO may appeal to those who prefer a more feather-light typing experience, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the heavier actuation force of the Honey Bean may provide a more substantial typing feel to those who prefer a stronger push. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference, with the EMO offering a lighter touch and the Honey Bean providing a potentially more robust typing experience.

Travel distance

The travel distance of the HMX EMO linear switch is 3.5 mm, while the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming increasingly popular, especially among gamers seeking faster response times. The EMO switch may provide a slightly quicker key press due to its shorter travel distance, while the Honey Bean switch offers a touch more depth for those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the desired typing experience.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The HMX EMO has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the EMO for $2.79.

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

Overall, the HMX EMO linear switch is characterized by its lively and clacky feel with a feather-light bottom-out force, providing a bouncy typing experience that is both satisfying and smooth. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch offers a light and linear action with silent operation, making it ideal for quiet environments like offices. When it comes to sound, the EMO switch may produce a more pronounced noise compared to the Honey Bean's muted sound, which is perfect for those looking for a quieter typing experience. In terms of feel, the EMO switch offers a unique tactile experience, while the Honey Bean switch is easy-to-press and feathery in its actuation, reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. Overall, both switches have their own unique qualities that cater to different preferences, ensuring that users will get a satisfying typing experience based on their needs and preferences.

Conclusion

In closing, when deciding between the HMX EMO linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, you should consider your typing preferences and environment. If you prefer a lively and clacky typing experience with a light bottom-out force, the EMO switch is a great choice. On the other hand, if you prioritize a silent operation and easy-to-press keys that are perfect for office or shared environments, the Honey Bean switch is the way to go. Both switches offer unique benefits in terms of sound and feel, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific use case for your mechanical keyboard.

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