Jerrzi Honey Bean vs. TKC Kiwi

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the TKC Kiwi are two popular options that cater to different preferences. The Honey Bean is a linear switch known for its light and silent operation, making it ideal for office settings or shared environments where noise is a concern. On the other hand, the Kiwi is a tactile switch that offers a satisfying medium bump at the top of each key press, creating a more immersive typing experience with a snappy sound profile. The Honey Bean is best described as easy-to-press, feathery, and muted, while the Kiwi is categorized as stepped, low-pitched, neutral, accented, and polished. Ultimately, your choice between the two switches will depend on whether you prefer a smooth and quiet typing experience or a more tactile and engaging one. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Jerrzi Honey Bean Linear

TKC Kiwi Tactile

$4.00

$3.59 per 10

$8.00 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Jerrzi Honey Bean and TKC Kiwi switches offer contrasting sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Honey Bean's POM top and bottom housing create a deeper, more muted sound when typing, providing a quieter and more tactile feel. In comparison, the Kiwi's UHWMPE top and bottom housing produce a brighter, resonant clack when typing, offering a more audible and satisfying typing experience. These differences in sound and feel can greatly impact a user's preference for a particular switch.

Despite their differences, the housing materials of the Honey Bean and Kiwi switches both aim to enhance the overall typing experience. The POM housing of the Honey Bean creates a unique sound profile that is pleasing to the user, while the UHWMPE housing of the Kiwi offers a bright sound signature that is satisfying to type on. Both materials bring their own qualities to the switches, resulting in a tailored experience for users who have a preference for either a quieter, more muted sound or a louder, more resonant sound when typing.

While the housing materials of the Jerrzi Honey Bean and TKC Kiwi switches differ in terms of sound profiles and tactile experiences, they ultimately serve the same purpose of improving the overall typing experience. Whether it be the deep, muted sound of the POM housing or the bright, resonant clack of the UHWMPE housing, both materials bring their own unique qualities to the switches. Users can choose between the two based on their personal preferences for sound and feel, ensuring a customized typing experience with either switch.

Weight

The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a slightly lighter actuation force of 42 grams compared to the TKC Kiwi tactile switch with 43 grams. However, the Honey Bean does not have a specified bottom out force, while the Kiwi has a bottom out force of 67 grams, which is medium-heavy. This means that the Honey Bean may provide a slightly lighter typing experience overall, while the Kiwi offers a more substantial push feel. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches would depend on personal preference, with the Honey Bean being more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch and the Kiwi being better for those who enjoy a heavier typing experience.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the TKC Kiwi tactile switch, we can see that the Honey Bean has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Kiwi has a travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Kiwi the longer option of the two. In general, a shorter travel distance can provide faster response times, making it a popular choice among gamers. On the other hand, a longer travel distance can offer a more substantial feel when typing or gaming, which some users may prefer for a more satisfying tactile experience. Both options offer slightly different experiences, so choosing between them would depend on personal preference.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch offers a muted sound profile, which is softer and quieter compared to regular mechanical switches. This makes it ideal for shared environments or situations where noise reduction is important. On the other hand, the TKC Kiwi tactile switch provides a low-pitched sound that is bass-heavy and mellow, creating a more immersive typing experience. The Kiwi is also described as having a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various purposes and preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct sound qualities that cater to different preferences, with the Honey Bean emphasizing quiet operation and the Kiwi featuring a satisfyingly snappy sound.

In terms of feel, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch is characterized by its easy-to-press nature, offering gentle resistance and requiring minimal force for activation. This results in a light and feathery typing experience that reduces finger fatigue and enhances overall comfort during extended use. On the other hand, the TKC Kiwi tactile switch features a stepped feel with two distinct stages, providing a medium amount of tactility without being overwhelming. The switch is also accented and polished, offering smooth key travel and reduced friction for a sleek typing experience. Both switches offer unique tactile feedback and actuation forces, catering to users with different preferences for typing comfort and feedback.

Overall, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the TKC Kiwi tactile switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Honey Bean excels in providing a muted and easy-to-press typing experience, making it ideal for quiet environments and users looking for a light touch. On the other hand, the Kiwi stands out with its low-pitched and snappy sound profile, coupled with a stepped and polished feel that enhances tactility and smoothness during typing. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience, with both switches offering quality options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.

Conclusion

In closing, when deciding between the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the TKC Kiwi tactile switch, consider your typing environment and preferences. If you value a silent and light typing experience ideal for office settings or shared spaces, the Honey Bean switch with its easy-to-press and feathery feel may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a snappy and immersive typing experience with a medium-strong bump and a low-pitched sound profile, the Kiwi switch's stepped, accented, and polished feel might be more to your liking. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize noise reduction and effortless typing or tactile feedback and a satisfying sound profile in your mechanical keyboard switches.

Mentioned in this article

Jerrzi Honey Bean Linear

$4.00

$3.59 per 10

Learn more

TKC Kiwi Tactile

$8.00 per 10

Learn more