Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar vs. Jerrzi Honey Bean

Overview

When comparing mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and the Jerrzi Honey Bean stand out as two excellent options for those seeking a linear switch experience. The Everfree Cedar is celebrated for its smooth and reliable performance, embodying affordability without sacrificing quality. With its signature poppy sound profile, it caters to users who appreciate tactile feedback during their typing sessions. On the other hand, the Honey Bean switch offers a feather-light action that prioritizes silence, making it an ideal choice for office environments or shared spaces where noise reduction is paramount. While the Everfree Cedar leans towards a more audible, engaging typing experience, the Honey Bean excels in delivering a muted and discreet performance. Both switches have their unique advantages, but choosing between them ultimately depends on your specific typing preferences and environment. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.

By the numbers

Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar Linear

Jerrzi Honey Bean Linear

$2.99

$2.75 per 10

$4.00

$3.59 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and the Jerrzi Honey Bean switches, we see a notable contrast in their construction. The Everfree Cedar utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for its rigidity and capacity to produce a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This feature makes it particularly favorable for enthusiasts who prioritize auditory clarity and resonance, especially when RGB lighting effects are involved, as the translucency of polycarbonate enhances the visual component of lighting. In contrast, the Honey Bean employs a POM (Polyoxymethylene) top housing, which results in a sound profile that is deeper and more muted. The characteristics of POM offer a distinct auditory experience that diverges significantly from the Everfree's brightness, making it something quite unique for users who appreciate a softer, smoother soundscape.

Examining the bottom housings reveals another layer of differentiation that affects how each switch feels and sounds during use. The Everfree Cedar features a nylon bottom housing, a traditional choice in the world of mechanical switches, which contributes to a rounded and fuller sound due to its softer material. This cushioning effect means that the bottom-out sound and tactile feel are more pronounced on the Everfree Cedar. Conversely, the Honey Bean also employs a POM material for its bottom housing, which echoes the deep and somewhat muted characteristics of its top housing. While both switches may utilize soft plastic for dampening sound, the specific acoustic quality of each material—nylon’s fullness versus POM’s pleasing uniqueness—offers distinct experiences for the users.

Ultimately, while the two switches leverage different materials for their top and bottom housings, the Everfree Cedar and Jerrzi Honey Bean can still yield similar results in terms of sound engagement if one appreciates deeper sound profiles. When pressed, the bottom-out feel of the Everfree Cedar will be influenced by the nylon’s softer properties, while the Honey Bean’s sound will be shaped by the POM’s characteristics. Meanwhile, at release, the Everfree’s sharper notes from the polycarbonate top will significantly differ from the muted nature of the Honey Bean's POM. Consequently, users seeking to fine-tune their typing or gaming setups may find that while the materials differ, the emotional and experiential responses evoked can overlap, allowing for personalization in sound preferences.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, the actuation forces highlight a notable difference in typing experience. The Everfree Cedar has a heavier actuation force of 55 grams, while the Honey Bean requires only 42 grams to actuate. This means that the Honey Bean switch is lighter and may allow for longer typing sessions with less fatigue, making it a great option for those who prefer a more effortless keystroke. Conversely, the Everfree Cedar's heavier actuation force may appeal to users looking for a more substantial typing feel. However, it's worth noting that both switches have unknown bottom out forces, which means we cannot compare their overall travel characteristics. Regardless, the difference in actuation forces suggests that users will experience distinct typing sensations, with the Honey Bean providing a lighter touch and the Everfree Cedar offering a firmer response.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, the Everfree Cedar has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Honey Bean comes in slightly longer at 3.7 mm. This minor difference of 0.1 mm highlights a preference for the Honey Bean among those who enjoy a more pronounced keypress, as it provides a marginally deeper feel. Users who prioritize responsiveness might lean toward the Gateron Everfree Cedar, given its shorter travel distance, which could facilitate quicker actions in gaming scenarios. Ultimately, if you're seeking faster response times, the shorter Everfree Cedar may be a better choice, whereas those who appreciate a more substantial keypress experience might prefer the Jerrzi Honey Bean due to its longer travel distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch delivers a satisfying, poppy sound profile, adding a pleasant auditory element to the typing experience. This characteristic may provide an enjoyable feedback loop for users who appreciate a little acoustic engagement while they type. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Honey Bean switch offers a muted sound profile, making it an ideal choice for environments where noise reduction is a priority, such as offices or shared spaces. While the Everfree switches emphasize a poppy resonance, the Honey Bean's silent operation allows for a more discreet typing experience, underscoring the importance of usage context in switch selection.

Regarding the feel of each switch, the Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch maintains its position as a smooth performer, offering a reliable typing experience that is both comfortable and consistent. In contrast, the Honey Bean switches are characterized by their easy-to-press actuation, requiring minimal force, which results in a comfortable and fatigueless typing experience. The feathery touch of the Honey Bean further enhances this sense of ease, making it particularly appealing for extended typing sessions. While the exact tactile feedback of the Everfree Cedar is not specified, users can generally expect a level of smoothness and reliability that aligns with many high-quality linear switches.

In conclusion, both the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switches cater to different preferences and environments. While the Everfree Cedar provides a more engaging, poppy sound and smooth typing feel, the Honey Bean excels in silent operation and an easy-to-press, lightweight response that reduces finger fatigue. Ultimately, individuals will benefit from considering their specific needs—whether it's sound preference or typing comfort—when choosing between these switches, as both options deliver distinct yet satisfying experiences suitable for various typing environments.

Conclusion

To sum up, the choice between Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switches and Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switches ultimately boils down to your specific preferences and typing environment. If you seek a switch that offers a smooth and satisfying typing experience with a bit of character, the Everfree (EF) Cedar could be the right fit for you. It’s an excellent option for those who enjoy a cost-effective solution without compromising on reliable performance. On the other hand, if you work in a shared space or prefer a quieter typing experience, the Honey Bean switches shine with their muted sound profile and easy-to-press, feathery feel, making them ideal for extended typing periods without causing fatigue. Furthermore, if the tactile feedback and sound of your switches matter to you, the Everfree’s poppy sound may be more desirable, while the Honey Bean’s soft, subtle sound caters perfectly to those conscious of noise. So, ultimately, consider your typing habits, workspace, and personal preferences when selecting between these two excellent options.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar Linear

$2.99

$2.75 per 10

Learn more

Jerrzi Honey Bean Linear

$4.00

$3.59 per 10

Learn more