Jerrzi Honey Bean vs. Gateron Melodic
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Gateron Melodic switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Gateron Melodic stand out as popular options, each offering unique qualities to suit different preferences. The Honey Bean is a linear switch known for its light and feathery actuation, providing a muted and silent typing experience ideal for shared environments like the office. On the other hand, the Melodic from Gateron is a clicky switch that delivers a buttery, resonant click sound with invigorating tactile feedback, thanks to advancements like factory lubing and dual-railed stems. While the Honey Bean is perfect for those seeking a quiet and easy-to-press typing experience, the Melodic appeals to users in search of a classic clicky sound without sacrificing smoothness. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Jerrzi Honey Bean and Gateron Melodic switches both offer unique sound profiles based on their housing materials. The Honey Bean features a POM top housing, which creates a deeper and relatively muted sound. In contrast, the Melodic utilizes a polycarbonate top housing that produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. While the POM housing focuses on a more subdued sound profile, the polycarbonate housing is known for its clarity and resonance. The difference in sound between the two switches can be attributed to the stiffness of polycarbonate compared to POM.
Moving on to the bottom housing of the switches, the Honey Bean's POM material continues to contribute to a deep and pleasing sound profile. In contrast, the Melodic utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer composition that absorbs more sound. The use of nylon in the bottom housing allows for a rounder sound that complements the sharpness of the polycarbonate top housing in the Melodic switch. The combination of different housing materials in each switch showcases how the top and bottom housings can impact the overall sound and feel of the switch.
In general, the use of different housing materials in switches can provide a variety of sound profiles based on their characteristics. While the Honey Bean and Gateron Melodic switches have distinct housing materials for the top and bottom, they both aim to create a unique typing experience through their sound profiles. The POM and polycarbonate materials offer different tonal qualities, with POM emphasizing depth and muting, while polycarbonate focuses on sharpness and clarity. Similarly, the nylon bottom housing in the Melodic switch complements the polycarbonate top housing by providing a fuller sound profile. Overall, the choice of housing material in switches can greatly impact the typing experience and the resulting sound.
Weight
When comparing the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch to the Gateron Melodic clicky switch, we can see a clear distinction in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Honey Bean has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes with minimal effort. On the other hand, the Melodic has a heavier bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. While the actuation force of the Melodic is unknown, we can infer that it is likely heavier than the Honey Bean due to the difference in bottom out forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on whether you prefer a lighter actuation force for extended typing sessions or a heavier bottom out force for a more tactile typing experience.
Travel distance
The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Gateron Melodic clicky switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Melodic switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Honey Bean switch. A 0.3 mm difference may not seem like much, but it can have an impact on the overall feel and responsiveness of the switch. Gamers may lean towards the Honey Bean switch for its slightly shorter travel distance, which can lead to faster response times during intense gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who prefer a bit more depth and feedback in their keystrokes may find the slightly longer travel distance of the Melodic switch to be more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and the specific needs of the user.
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 Melodic has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Melodic for $6.00.
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, producing a softer and quieter sound ideal for shared environments. On the other hand, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch provides a resonant and crunchy sound profile, offering a classic clicky sound and tactile feedback for a more immersive auditory experience. Depending on personal preference and the acoustic characteristics of your setup, you can enjoy a subtle and discreet typing experience with the Honey Bean or a more pronounced and engaging sound with the Melodic.
Regarding feel, the Honey Bean linear switch offers an easy-to-press and feathery typing experience with minimal resistance during key presses, making typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue over extended use. Conversely, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch provides a buttery and invigorating keystroke experience with smooth and fluid actuation, creating a snappy and reactive typing sensation for a more dynamic feel. Whether you prefer a light and responsive touch with the Honey Bean or a more tactile and engaging typing experience with the Melodic, both switches offer unique characteristics tailored to individual typing preferences.
Overall, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Gateron Melodic clicky switch provide distinct qualities in sound and feel, catering to different typing preferences and environments. While the Honey Bean offers a quieter and softer typing experience with gentle resistance, the Melodic delivers a more pronounced sound profile and a snappy feel for a more engaging typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on your preferences for sound, feel, and typing style, ensuring that you can find a mechanical keyboard switch that suits your individual needs and enhances your overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Gateron Melodic clicky switch, consider the environment you'll be using them in and your preferences for sound and feel. If you value a silent operation and gentle typing experience, the Honey Bean switch is the ideal choice for office or shared environments. On the other hand, if you enjoy the classic clicky sound and tactile feedback with a smooth keystroke feel, the Melodic switch is the perfect fit. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and the atmosphere in which you'll be using the keyboard.
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