Jerrzi Honey Bean vs. Durock Light Tactile
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Durock Light Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking for a mechanical keyboard switch, you may come across the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Durock Light Tactile switches. The Honey Bean switch offers a delightful, light, and linear action with a silent operation, making it ideal for office or shared environments where noise reduction is essential. On the other hand, the Durock Light Tactile switch stands out for its gentle tactility, providing a more subdued typing experience compared to sharper tactile switches. The Honey Bean switch is categorized as easy-to-press, feathery, muted, while the Light Tactile switch falls under neutral, mild, polished. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, but diving deeper into their specific characteristics will help you determine the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
52g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Durock Light Tactile, it is evident that their top housings differ significantly. The POM top housing of the Honey Bean offers a deeper and more muted sound profile, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Light Tactile creates a sharper and crisper sound. The translucency of polycarbonate also makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. In terms of sound quality, the POM top housing provides a unique and pleasing sound, while the polycarbonate top housing delivers a more distinct and resonant sound experience.
On the other hand, the bottom housings of the two switches also showcase contrasting characteristics. The POM bottom housing of the Honey Bean contributes to its deep and muted sound profile, while the nylon bottom housing of the Light Tactile produces a fuller and rounder sound. The softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller but more immersive typing experience. In comparison, the POM bottom housing offers a more consistent and rich sound profile, enhancing the overall typing experience of the switch.
Overall, the differences in housing materials between the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Durock Light Tactile highlight the impact that each material has on sound quality and typing feel. While the POM housings of the Honey Bean focus on creating a unique and pleasing sound experience, the polycarbonate and nylon housings of the Light Tactile aim to deliver sharper and fuller sound profiles, respectively. Despite their differences, both switches prioritize sound quality and typing experience, ensuring that users will be satisfied with the tactile feedback and overall performance of the switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch, it is evident that the Honey Bean is the lighter of the two with an actuation force of 42 grams. On the other hand, the Light Tactile is heavier with an actuation force of 52 grams. The Honey Bean has no listed bottom out force, while the Light Tactile has a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. Those who prefer a lighter touch may find the Honey Bean to be more suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions, while individuals who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may gravitate towards the heavier Light Tactile switch. In both cases, the actuation force contributes to the feel of the keystroke, with the bottom out force determining the force required to fully depress the key. Overall, selecting the right switch weight is crucial in achieving a comfortable and satisfying typing experience.
Travel distance
The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Honey Bean offers a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Light Tactile. The 0.3 mm may not seem like much, but it can make a difference in terms of the feel and responsiveness of the switch. Gamers may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Honey Bean for faster response times, while those who enjoy a more substantial keypress may lean towards the Light Tactile. In the end, both switches offer slightly different experiences due to their travel distances, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
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 Light Tactile has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Light Tactile for $4.25.
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 typing experience, ideal for shared environments where noise reduction is key. On the other hand, the Durock Light Tactile switch provides a neutral sound profile that balances actuation force and noise level, making it versatile for various settings. The choice between the two will ultimately depend on personal preference and the accompanying keyboard and keycap setup.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Honey Bean is characterized by its easy-to-press nature, offering a feathery touch that reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. In contrast, the Light Tactile switch provides a mild and polished feel, creating a gentle typing experience with smooth key travel. Both switches cater to users looking for a comfortable typing feel, with slight variations in their tactile feedback.
Overall, while the Jerrzi Honey Bean and Durock Light Tactile switches may differ in sound and feel characteristics, they both provide a satisfying typing experience tailored to different preferences. Whether you prioritize a silent typing environment with light linear switches or prefer a gentle tactile feel with a neutral sound profile, both options offer quality switches worth considering for your mechanical keyboard setup. Ultimately, experimenting with different switches on a personal setup will help determine which suits your typing style and environment best.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch or the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch, you should take into account your typing preferences and environment. If you value a light and linear typing experience with minimal noise, the Honey Bean switch is the way to go. It offers a feathery and easy-to-press feel, making it ideal for extended typing sessions without causing finger fatigue. However, if you prefer a gentle tactile feedback and a jelly-like sound signature, the Light Tactile switch is the better choice. With its mild tactility and polished finish, you can enjoy a smooth typing experience suitable for various purposes. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize silence and linear action or gentle tactility and a unique sound profile.
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