Jerrzi Honey Bean vs. SP-Star Meteor Orange
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the SP-Star Meteor Orange switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the SP-Star Meteor Orange stand out as excellent options for different preferences. The Honey Bean is a linear switch known for its light and silent operation, making it perfect for quiet environments like offices. On the other hand, the Meteor Orange offers a gentle tactile feedback with a neutral sound profile, providing a pleasing typing experience. While the Honey Bean is easy-to-press and feathery, the Meteor Orange is described as mild, thocky, and polished. Both switches have their unique characteristics that cater to different tastes and needs. 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
57g
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
Nylon
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 SP-Star Meteor Orange both feature unique housing materials that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. The Honey Bean utilizes POM for both the top and bottom housings, creating a deeper and more muted sound. In contrast, the Meteor Orange utilizes nylon for both the top and bottom housings, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. While both materials offer a pleasing typing experience, the POM of the Honey Bean may provide a slightly different feel compared to the nylon of the Meteor Orange.
However, if we were to compare the top and bottom housings separately, we can see how the qualities of each material contribute to different aspects of the typing experience. The POM bottom housing of the Honey Bean may have a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, while the Nylon bottom housing of the Meteor Orange may offer a similar but slightly softer experience. On the other hand, the POM top housing of the Honey Bean and the Nylon top housing of the Meteor Orange will have a more noticeable effect on the sound when releasing a key.
Overall, both the Jerrzi Honey Bean and SP-Star Meteor Orange provide a unique and pleasing typing experience thanks to their choice of housing materials. While the POM and nylon materials have their own distinct characteristics, they both contribute to creating a deeper and more muted sound profile. Whether you prefer the slightly sharper feel of POM or the softer touch of nylon, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience that showcases the impact housing materials can have on the overall sound and feel of mechanical switches.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch, it is clear that they offer different typing experiences. The Honey Bean has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes quickly. However, its bottom out force is unknown, which could affect the overall typing feel. On the other hand, the Meteor Orange has a bottom out force of 57 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience. While the actuation force of the Meteor Orange is unknown, its medium-light bottom out force suggests that it may require a bit more effort to push down fully compared to the Honey Bean. Ultimately, the choice between these switches comes down to personal preference - lighter for longer typing sessions or heavier for a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, making it a shorter option compared to the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Meteor Orange has a slightly longer travel distance. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Honey Bean being on the shallower end and the Meteor Orange being closer to the standard 4.0mm. Gamers may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Honey Bean for faster response times, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the longer travel distance of the Meteor Orange. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and key press feel.
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 SP-Star Meteor Orange has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor Orange for $5.00.
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
When it comes to sound, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch offers a muted typing experience, making it ideal for quiet environments such as offices or shared spaces. On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch has a neutral sound profile with a thocky quality, providing a satisfying yet gentle typing sound. Both switches offer different sound characteristics, with the Honey Bean focusing on minimizing noise while the Meteor Orange provides a more tactile and rich sound.
In terms of feel, the Honey Bean switch is described as easy-to-press and feathery, offering a light and effortless typing experience that reduces finger fatigue during extended use. In comparison, the SP-Star Meteor Orange switch provides a mild and polished feel, offering a gentle typing experience with smooth key travel and reduced friction. While the Honey Bean switch focuses on a low-impact and responsive feel, the Meteor Orange switch provides a more refined and approachable typing experience for most users.
Overall, when comparing the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch, both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Honey Bean excels in providing a silent and light typing experience, while the Meteor Orange stands out for its gentle tactility and smooth key travel. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, either switch can provide a satisfying typing experience tailored to your needs. Ultimately, both switches offer high-quality performance that will result in an enjoyable typing experience for any newcomer looking to explore the world of mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
In closing, when it comes to choosing between the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch, consider your environment and preferences. If you prioritize a silent typing experience and light actuation force, the Honey Bean switch is perfect for office or shared spaces. On the other hand, if you enjoy a gentle and tactile typing experience with a medium-light actuation force, the Meteor Orange switch is the way to go. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal taste and typing needs. Happy typing!