Jerrzi Honey Bean vs. Durock Ice King Tactile
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Durock Ice King Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
In the world of mechanical keyboard switches, the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Durock Ice King Tactile stand out as popular choices for different reasons. The Honey Bean offers a smooth and light linear action with silent operation, making it an excellent option for office settings or shared environments where noise reduction is key. On the other hand, the Ice King Tactile provides a luxurious tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth feel. While the Honey Bean is characterized as easy-to-press and feathery, the Ice King Tactile boasts qualities such as silky smoothness and a polished feel. 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
42g
Actuation force
58g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
68g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
Nylon
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Durock Ice King Tactile both have unique characteristics that contribute to the sound profiles of the switches. The Honey Bean utilizes POM for both the top and bottom housing, creating a deep and muted sound profile. In contrast, the Ice King Tactile uses nylon for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a fuller and rounder sound profile. While both switches offer a pleasing sound experience, the POM housings of the Honey Bean may provide a slightly different typing feel compared to the nylon housings of the Ice King Tactile.
Despite the differences in housing materials, both the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Durock Ice King Tactile offer a similar typing experience. The POM top and bottom housings of the Honey Bean, with their deeper sound profile, may offer a more muted typing feel compared to the nylon housings of the Ice King Tactile, known for their fuller sound profile. However, both switches are designed to provide a satisfying typing experience with their unique housing materials. Whether you prefer the deeper sound of POM or the fuller sound of nylon, both switches offer a high-quality tactile feel that will enhance your typing experience.
Overall, the choice between the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Durock Ice King Tactile may come down to personal preference in terms of sound and typing feel. The POM housing of the Honey Bean creates a distinctive sound profile that is deeper and more muted, while the nylon housing of the Ice King Tactile offers a fuller and rounder sound. The split between top and bottom housing materials allows for a nuanced typing experience, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Ultimately, both switches provide a high level of quality and performance, making them both excellent choices for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch, it is clear that the Ice King Tactile is the heavier of the two. The Honey Bean has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes, while its bottom out force is unknown. On the other hand, the Ice King Tactile has a higher actuation force of 58 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience. Additionally, its bottom out force of 68 grams adds further resistance, resulting in a medium-heavy feel. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of time, the Honey Bean may be the better choice. However, the Ice King Tactile would be more suitable for users seeking a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Durock Ice King Tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them ideal for those seeking quick responsiveness. Gamers may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Ice King Tactile for faster response times, while typists who prefer a bit more depth in their keypresses may lean towards the Honey Bean. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar experience in terms of travel distance, providing a balance between speed and tactile feedback.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Durock Ice King Tactile has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ice King Tactile for $4.20.
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 Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch offers a muted typing experience, producing a softer and quieter sound that is ideal for shared environments where noise is a concern. On the other hand, the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch provides a more subdued sound, offering a dampened noise when pressed. Both switches are designed to minimize the typical clack associated with mechanical keyboards, allowing for a more enjoyable and less disruptive typing experience.
In terms of feel, the Honey Bean linear switch provides an easy-to-press and feathery typing experience, with gentle resistance and light actuation force that reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch, on the other hand, offers a silky, frictionless, stepped, and polished feel, providing an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience with a noticeable tactile bump. Both switches prioritize comfort and responsiveness, enhancing the overall typing feel for users.
Overall, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch offer different yet equally impressive qualities. While the Honey Bean focuses on a light and linear action with a silent operation, perfect for noise-sensitive environments, the Ice King Tactile excels in providing a symphony of touch with its creamy smoothness and pronounced tactile bump. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch, consider the environment you will be using the keyboard in and your typing preferences. If you are looking for a quiet and smooth typing experience for an office or shared space, the Honey Bean switches would be an excellent choice with their light and linear action. On the other hand, if you prefer a more tactile and satisfying typing experience with a pronounced bump, the Ice King Tactile switches would be ideal for you. Additionally, the Ice King Tactiles offer a unique blend of smoothness and tactility that may enhance your typing experience. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and the specific requirements of your typing environment.
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