Dareu Holly vs. Jerrzi Honey Bean
An in-depth look at the Dareu Holly and the Jerrzi Honey Bean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Dareu Holly and Jerrzi Honey Bean mechanical keyboard switches, two distinct options emerge for users seeking varying typing experiences. The Dareu Holly switch stands out with its medium 50g actuation force and unique sound signature that combines chirpy and clacky elements, appealing to those looking for a balanced and distinctive typing feel. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Honey Bean switches offer a light and linear action accompanied by silent operation, making them perfect for shared environments where noise reduction is essential. While the Holly switch is characterized as 'Chirpy', 'Clacky', and 'Neutral', the Honey Bean switch is recognized for being 'Easy-to-press', 'Feathery', and 'Muted'. Each switch has its own strengths and qualities to consider when selecting the best fit for individual preferences. 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
50g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
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 Dareu Holly and the Jerrzi Honey Bean both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Holly's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound, while the Honey Bean's POM top housing produces a deeper, more muted sound. This contrast in sound profile can greatly impact the typing experience for users, with the Holly offering a crisper sound and the Honey Bean offering a more pleasing, unique sound. Despite these differences, both switches are designed to enhance the overall typing experience with their innovative housing materials.
In terms of bottom housing, the Holly utilizes nylon which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Honey Bean's POM bottom housing also contributes to a deeper and muted sound, aligning with the overall sound profile of the switch. While the bottom housing may not have as direct of an impact on the typing experience as the top housing, it still plays a significant role in shaping the overall sound and feel of the switch.
Overall, the choice between the Dareu Holly and Jerrzi Honey Bean ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile. The difference in housing materials between the two switches results in distinct typing experiences, with the Holly offering a sharper, crisper sound and the Honey Bean providing a deeper, more muted sound. Both switches are designed to enhance the overall typing experience through their housing materials, showcasing the importance of material choice in keyboard design. Ultimately, whether you prefer the sharper sound of polycarbonate or the deeper sound of POM, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences.
Weight
The Dareu Holly tactile switch has a higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch's 42 grams. This means that the Holly switch will require a slightly heavier touch to trigger a keystroke. However, both switches have an unknown bottom out force, so it is unclear how much force is needed to press the keys all the way down. In terms of weight, some may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Honey Bean for longer typing sessions or gaming, while others may prefer the heavier actuation force of the Holly for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation force and typing feel.
Travel distance
The Dareu Holly tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. This means that the Holly has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Honey Bean. The 4.0mm travel distance of the Holly is more in line with traditional switch travel distances, offering a satisfying depth when pressed. On the other hand, the 3.7mm travel distance of the Honey Bean is slightly shorter, providing a quicker response time which is favored by gamers. Both switches offer a decent amount of travel distance, but the Holly provides a bit more depth while the Honey Bean offers a slightly faster key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for switch travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Holly has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Holly for $3.76.
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
When it comes to sound, the Dareu Holly tactile switch stands out for its unique combination of chirpy and clacky elements, offering a balanced and distinctive typing experience. The chirpy sound adds a fun and quirky element, while the clacky sound provides a sharp and snappy feel to each key press. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch is known for its muted sound profile, making it an ideal choice for environments where noise reduction is a priority. The Honey Bean switch offers a softer and quieter typing experience compared to the more lively sound signature of the Holly. Ultimately, the sound produced by a switch is influenced not only by the switch itself, but also by the keyboard and keycaps used.
Turning to the feel of the switches, the Dareu Holly tactile switch does not have specific descriptors provided, so it is less clear how it feels to type on them. In contrast, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch is praised for its easy-to-press nature, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The feathery feel of the Honey Bean switch further enhances the typing experience by providing a responsive and low-impact typing feel, making it an excellent choice for various typing tasks.
Overall, the Dareu Holly and Jerrzi Honey Bean switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Holly switch caters to users seeking a more lively and balanced typing experience with its chirpy and clacky sound elements, the Honey Bean switch appeals to those looking for a quiet and easy-to-press linear switch. Depending on your preferences for sound and key feel, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience, albeit with different characteristics. Whether you choose the Holly or Honey Bean switch, you can expect unique and enjoyable typing experiences tailored to your individual preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Dareu Holly tactile switch or the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, you should take into account your typing preferences and environment. If you enjoy a balanced and distinctive typing experience with a medium actuation force, then the Dareu Holly switch with its chirpy and clacky sound profile would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a light and linear action with silent operation, perfect for minimizing noise in shared spaces like the office, then the Jerrzi Honey Bean switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your desired typing feel and the level of noise tolerance in your surroundings. Choose wisely to enhance your typing experience with the right switch for your needs.