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Jerrzi Honey Bean vs. Gateron Ink Yellow

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

Overview

When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Jerrzi Honey Bean and Gateron Ink Yellow both offer unique advantages to users. The Honey Bean's linear action and silent operation make it ideal for shared environments where noise reduction is important, providing a quiet yet satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Yellow's shorter travel and smooth, clacky feel cater to those seeking a typing experience that falls between a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. While the Honey Bean is characterized as 'Easy-to-press', 'Feathery', and 'Muted', the Ink Yellow is labeled as 'Neutral', 'Clacky', 'Mild', and 'Polished'. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on individual preferences and needs. 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

60g

Bottom-out force

N/A

Bottom-out force

67g

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

1.50 mm

Total travel

3.70 mm

Total travel

3.50 mm

Factory lubed

Yes

Factory lubed

Yes

Stem construction

Partial box

Stem construction

Partial box

Stem material

Ly

Stem material

POM

Top housing material

POM

Top housing material

Proprietary INK blend

Bottom housing material

POM

Bottom housing material

Proprietary INK blend

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

Stainless steel

Spring

Gold-plated

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Gateron Ink Yellow switches both play a significant role in determining the sound profile of the keyboard. While the Honey Bean features a POM top housing known for creating a deeper and muted sound, the Gateron Ink Yellow utilizes a proprietary INK blend top housing that produces a pointed and high-pitched, yet not overly sharp, sound. This contrast in sound profiles highlights the different acoustic experiences each switch can offer to users.

Moving on to the bottom housings, both switches showcase the use of POM material for the Honey Bean and the proprietary INK blend for the Ink Yellow. The POM bottom housing of the Honey Bean contributes to its deep and muted sound profile, similar to its top housing. On the other hand, the INK blend bottom housing of the Gateron Ink Yellow complements the high-pitched and clacky sound produced by its top housing. This shows how the combination of both top and bottom housing materials can work together to create a cohesive sound profile for the switch.

Overall, the differences in the housing materials of the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Gateron Ink Yellow switches result in distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences. While the Honey Bean offers a more subdued and deeper sound with its POM housings, the Ink Yellow provides a sharper and clackier sound with its proprietary INK blend housings. Despite these differences, both switches demonstrate the importance of top and bottom housing materials in shaping the overall typing experience, showcasing how varying materials can lead to unique auditory sensations for keyboard enthusiasts.

Weight

When comparing the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch, it is evident that the Honey Bean is the lighter option of the two. The Honey Bean has an actuation force of 42 grams, while the Ink Yellow has an actuation force of 60 grams, making it the heavier switch. In terms of bottom out force, the Honey Bean's force is unknown, whereas the Ink Yellow has a bottom out force of 67 grams, which is considered to be medium-heavy. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of time, the Honey Bean may be the better choice. However, for individuals looking for a more substantial typing feel, the heavier actuation force of the Ink Yellow may be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing habits.

Travel distance

The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the Ink Yellow has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Honey Bean. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are popular among gamers for faster response times. However, the slight difference in travel distance may be noticeable to some users. Those who prefer a more immediate key press may lean towards the Ink Yellow, while those who prefer a slightly deeper feel may opt for the Honey Bean. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing experience.

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 Gateron Ink Yellow has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Yellow for $7.35.

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

In terms of sound, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch offers a muted experience, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to other switches. This makes it ideal for environments where noise needs to be kept at a minimum, such as in an office setting. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch provides a neutral sound profile with a hint of clackiness, delivering a moderate sound that is suitable for various settings and preferences. Ultimately, your choice of keycaps and keyboard will also play a role in the overall sound produced by these switches.

Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch is recognized for its easy-to-press nature, offering gentle resistance and minimal force required for activation. This light actuation force makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended use. In contrast, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch provides a mild typing experience with a polished feel, offering a smooth and refined finish that enhances the overall typing experience. Both switches offer a comfortable typing experience with their distinct qualities, catering to different preferences in terms of typing feel.

In conclusion, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch each provide unique sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences and settings. While the Honey Bean switch offers a muted sound profile and an easy-to-press feel, ideal for quiet environments and effortless typing, the Ink Yellow switch delivers a neutral sound with a hint of clackiness and a polished feel for a comfortable and smooth typing experience. Both switches offer satisfying typing experiences, and selecting between them would depend on personal preferences for sound and feel. Ultimately, whether you choose the Honey Bean or the Ink Yellow, you can expect a pleasant and enjoyable typing experience with similar results in terms of overall satisfaction.

Conclusion

To sum up, when deciding between the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch, you should consider your preferences in terms of sound, feel, and environment. If you value a silent operation and a light, linear typing experience, the Honey Bean switch is the way to go, especially for office or shared environments where noise reduction is important. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a moderate actuation force, a shorter travel distance, and a slightly clacky sound, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch is a great choice. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal typing style and environment preferences.

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