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Jerrzi Honey Bean vs. Neo Lavender HE

An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Neo Lavender HE switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Neo Lavender HE offer distinct experiences tailored to different user preferences. The Honey Bean switches are celebrated for their delightful, light, and linear action that delivers a smooth typing experience, all while maintaining a silent operation. This makes them an ideal choice for office environments or shared spaces where minimizing noise is paramount, allowing users to focus without distraction. On the other hand, the Neo Lavender HE switches utilize innovative hall effect technology, providing a clean, low sound that stands apart from conventional mechanical switches. Compatible with Wooting keyboards, these switches are designed for those who appreciate modern enhancements in their typing experience. While the Honey Bean emphasizes a muted and feather-light feel, the Lavender HE focuses on a more unique and responsive action. 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

40g

Bottom-out force

N/A

Bottom-out force

50g

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

N/A

Total travel

3.70 mm

Total travel

3.80 mm

Factory lubed

Yes

Factory lubed

Yes

Stem construction

Partial box

Stem construction

Standard

Stem material

Ly

Stem material

POM

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

16mm single-stage spring

Housing materials

The Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Neo Lavender HE switches, while made from different materials for their top and bottom housings, produce similar auditory characteristics due to their shared design philosophy. The Honey Bean features a POM (polyoxymethylene) material, whereas the Lavender HE utilizes nylon. POM is known for its durability and unique sound properties, offering a deeper and relatively muted audio profile. Conversely, nylon is a classic housing material that also yields a fuller, deeper sound, attributed to its softer nature which absorbs more sound waves compared to harder plastics. Both switches excel in creating a satisfying auditory experience, albeit through different material dynamics.

When comparing the bottom housings, both the Honey Bean and Lavender HE further emphasize their unique sound profiles. The Honey Bean’s POM bottom housing aims for a pleasing and unique sound, maintaining the muted quality that corresponds to its top housing. In contrast, the Lavender HE's nylon bottom housing supports a rounder and deeper sound profile, again highlighting the distinction between the materials. While the palliative sound profile of the Honey Bean may be slightly less pronounced than that of the Lavender HE, they both effectively deliver sound characteristics that align with the preferences of typists seeking a deeper audio experience without excessive sharpness or clamor.

Despite the differences in materials, both the Jerrzi Honey Bean and Neo Lavender HE can achieve similar overall sound outcomes, resulting in satisfying keystrokes that appeal to both casual and dedicated users. The interplay of the POM and nylon materials manifests in how sound is experienced when typing—specifically, the bottom housing influences the bottom-out feel and sound, while the top housing shapes the release sound. Thus, the unique contributions of each housing material ensure that, although they vary, the Honey Bean and Lavender HE maintain a synergy in sound quality that makes them both desirable options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.

Weight

When comparing the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch, we find some intriguing differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Honey Bean features a slightly higher actuation force of 42 grams compared to the Lavender HE’s 40 grams, making the Honey Bean a marginally heavier switch in this regard. However, the bottom out force for the Honey Bean is listed as unavailable, while the Lavender HE has a specified bottom out force of 50 grams, which is considered light but still provides a more substantial feel when pressed all the way down. As a result, users who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended use might gravitate towards the Lavender HE switch, since it has both a lower actuation force and a clear bottom out measurement. In contrast, typists who appreciate a firmer resistance might favor the actuation feel of the Honey Bean despite the lack of information on its bottom out force. Overall, the differences in actuation and bottom out forces will cater to varied preferences, making each switch appealing to different types of users.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch, we find a slight difference between the two. The Honey Bean has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Lavender HE features a travel distance of 3.8 mm. This makes the Honey Bean the shorter option, which may cater more to gamers or users seeking quicker response times due to the shorter distance. On the other hand, the Lavender HE, with its longer travel distance, might appeal to those who appreciate a more substantial feel when typing or gaming, as it provides a sense of depth and satisfaction that some users prefer. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches will depend on whether you prioritize responsiveness or a more robust tactile 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 Neo Lavender HE comes in at $4.50 per 10 switches.

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 is characterized by its muted operation, which produces a softer and quieter sound than typical mechanical switches. This makes it an excellent choice for environments where noise control is essential, such as offices or shared spaces. On the other hand, while the exact sound profile of the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch is not elaborated upon, it is noted that it provides a clean, low sound, which suggests it may offer a similar level of discreetness and low profile when typing. However, it’s important to recognize that sound can vary based on the keyboard construction and keycap selection, which can influence the final acoustic output of either switch.

In terms of feel, the Honey Bean switches are celebrated for their easy-to-press and feathery action, allowing for minimal force during key presses. This lightweight actuation leads to a comfortable typing experience that significantly reduces finger fatigue, making them suitable for prolonged use whether you’re typing for work, gaming, or school. In contrast, information regarding the feel of the Neo Lavender HE is not available. Thus, while the Honey Bean excels in this category, the tactile experience of the Lavender HE remains undetermined, leaving a gap in comparative analysis.

In conclusion, both the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch can potentially offer a quiet typing experience, making them suitable for noise-sensitive environments. The Honey Bean stands out with its light and effortless feel, ideal for long typing sessions. However, the feel of the Lavender HE is unknown, which leaves some uncertainty regarding its comfort level. Users can expect a similar sound profile from both switches, but the Honey Bean definitely has an established reputation for delivering an enjoyable and fatigue-free typing experience.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you find yourself frequently in shared spaces or office environments where noise minimization is key, the Honey Bean's muted sound profile and easy-to-press, feathery feel will cater well to your requirements. Its exceptionally light actuation and silent operation make it an ideal choice for long typing sessions, ensuring you can work or game without disturbing those around you. On the other hand, if you seek a balance of responsiveness with a tactile feel and are looking to utilize a Wooting keyboard for a more modern setup, the Lavender HE with its clean sound and light bottom-out force could be the better fit. Ultimately, if you value a more traditional linear experience with an emphasis on silence and ease, go with the Honey Bean. However, if you want innovative technology and a little more resistance in your keystrokes, then the Lavender HE is worth considering.

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