Jerrzi Honey Bean vs. Keygeek Keylin

Overview

When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two notable options are the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Keygeek Keylin, both of which are linear switches designed to enhance your typing experience. The Honey Bean stands out for its light and feathery action, ensuring effortless keystrokes while maintaining a silent operation, making it an excellent choice for office environments where minimizing noise is essential. On the other hand, the Keylin leverages new molds from Keygeek to provide a premium typing experience characterized by smoothness and rich acoustics, catering to those who appreciate tactile feedback in a quieter setting. While both switches offer unique advantages—whether it’s the Honey Bean's muted performance or the Keylin's luxurious feel—let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.

By the numbers

Jerrzi Honey Bean Linear

Keygeek Keylin Linear

$4.00

$3.59 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When considering the housing materials of the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Keygeek Keylin, it’s clear that both switches utilize different, yet similarly effective, materials for their construction. The Honey Bean employs POM (Polyoxymethylene) for both its top and bottom housings, known for producing a unique sound profile that is deeper and more muted. In contrast, the Keylin opts for nylon for its housing, which is a traditional choice that also yields a deep and full sound but with a slightly softer character. While both materials result in pleasant auditory experiences, the distinctions lie in their physical properties; POM, being a harder plastic, tends to offer a more pronounced sound, while nylon absorbs some of that sound, creating a rounder profile.

The interactions between these materials also shape the overall feel of the switches. In the Honey Bean, the consistent use of POM for both the top and bottom housing contributes to a cohesive sound and tactile feedback, lending an uninterrupted auditory experience that many users may appreciate. Conversely, the Keylin’s combination of nylon for the top and bottom housings leads to a more nuanced auditory output where the impact of the bottom housing is felt more during bottom-out, while the softer nylon top presents a less sharp release sound. This variance may appeal to users who prefer a softer auditory feedback when releasing keys, as the nylon top will help buffer some of the sharper sounds that can emerge from harder plastics.

Ultimately, despite the differences in materials, both the Honey Bean and Keylin can provide comparable sound profiles through their respective designs. The softer nylon in the Keylin absorbs more sound, creating a duller resonance, while the POM in the Honey Bean enhances depth and clarity, leading to a muted overall sound. If users appreciate a more muted tone or deeper sound, they may achieve similar results by carefully selecting keycap materials and setup. Thus, while the materials vary, their ability to deliver satisfying acoustic feedback remains a common feature that highlights the individualized characteristics of each switch.

Weight

The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Keygeek Keylin linear switch exhibit distinct characteristics regarding actuation and bottom out forces. The Honey Bean switch has an actuation force of 42 grams, while the Keylin is lighter, requiring only 38 grams to actuate. This means that typists who prefer a lighter touch might favor the Keylin switch for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. However, the bottom out force for the Honey Bean is unknown, making it difficult to compare this aspect directly with the Keylin, which has a defined bottom out force of 48 grams. The heavier bottom out force of the Keylin can provide a more substantial typing experience for those who appreciate a firmer feel. Overall, while the Keylin seems to offer a lighter actuation and a solid bottom out feel, the Honey Bean's actuation force is slightly heavier, adding to the debate of preference in typing experience.

Travel distance

The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Keygeek Keylin linear switch both provide a distinct travel distance that can affect user experience. The Honey Bean has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, making it the longer option compared to the Keylin, which offers a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. For those who prioritize responsiveness, the Keylin offers a quicker actuation due to its slightly shorter travel, which is often preferred by gamers seeking rapid response times. Conversely, the Honey Bean's greater travel distance may appeal to users who enjoy a more substantial feel when pressing the keys, offering a more pronounced tactile experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference regarding depth and responsiveness in a switch.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch excels with its muted character, producing a softer and quieter sound than traditional mechanical switches. This makes it an excellent choice for environments where noise minimization is a priority, as it minimizes the typical clattering associated with keyboard usage. In contrast, while the Keygeek Keylin linear switch is noted for delivering a premium typing experience with rich acoustics, specific details about its sound profile are lacking. Therefore, the Honey Bean is a clear winner in terms of quiet operation, but the Keylin potentially brings a unique auditory charm, although it remains unspecified.

In terms of feel, the Honey Bean switch offers an exceptionally light and effortless typing experience. Described as easy-to-press and feathery, it requires minimal force to actuate, significantly reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. This light actuation enhances comfort, making it ideal for both gaming and office work. On the other hand, the Keylin's tactile feel is not explicitly detailed, leaving some ambiguity about its overall typing experience. However, if it follows typical linear switch characteristics, it may share some similarities in smoothness, yet lacks the specific attributes that make the Honey Bean stand out.

In conclusion, for someone seeking a linear switch that provides a quiet, comfortable experience, the Jerrzi Honey Bean is an excellent choice, especially in shared environments. While the Keygeek Keylin linear switch appears to offer its own benefits—such as a premium experience with rich acoustics—its lack of specific sound and feel details means that the choice ultimately depends on individual preferences. If you're looking for ease of use and minimal noise, the Honey Bean will deliver a consistently satisfying performance, whereas the Keylin may appeal to those who prioritize a distinct auditory character in their typing experience.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Keygeek Keylin linear switches ultimately revolves around your specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for a switch that prioritizes a quiet environment, such as in an office or shared space, the Honey Bean stands out with its muted sound profile and easy-to-press, feathery feel. This makes it ideal for long typing sessions without the worry of disturbing others, allowing for a seamless and comfortable experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that offers a richer acoustic feedback and a premium feel while still being on the lighter side, the Keylin linear switch would be an excellent choice. With its 48 grams of bottom-out force, it provides a balanced typing experience that caters well to both gaming and typing without sacrificing comfort. Ultimately, your decision should align with your environment and typing style—choose the Honey Bean for a quieter, effortless experience, or the Keylin for a more tactile yet smooth feel.

Mentioned in this article

Jerrzi Honey Bean Linear

$4.00

$3.59 per 10

Learn more

Keygeek Keylin Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more