Jerrzi Honey Bean vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Gateron Mountain Top both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Honey Bean switch stands out for its light and linear action, making it perfect for office or shared environments due to its silent operation. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is designed for discreet typing in professional settings, striking a balance between a quiet sound signature and light actuation. While the Honey Bean is categorized as 'Easy-to-press', 'Feathery', and 'Muted', the Mountain Top boasts qualities such as 'Bouncy', 'Snappy', and 'Subtle'. Both switches have their strengths and are ideal for specific environments; 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
1.40 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Gateron Mountain Top both offer unique sound profiles, with the Honey Bean using POM housing and the Mountain Top using nylon housing. POM housing in the Honey Bean creates a deeper and more muted sound profile, while nylon housing in the Mountain Top elicits a fuller and rounder sound due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. Despite these differences, both housing materials provide a pleasing typing experience with distinct sound characteristics.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Honey Bean's POM and the Mountain Top's nylon contribute to the overall sound profile when the switch is pressed down. The POM bottom housing of the Honey Bean adds to the deeper and muted sound profile, while the nylon bottom housing of the Mountain Top enhances the fuller and deeper sound. These housing materials play a crucial role in determining the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for users of both switches.
When it comes to the top housing of the switches, the impact on the sound when a key is released varies between the POM housing of the Honey Bean and the nylon housing of the Mountain Top. The POM top housing of the Honey Bean creates a unique and pleasing sound, while the nylon top housing of the Mountain Top enhances the rounder and fuller sound profile. Despite these differences, both housing materials contribute to the overall typing experience in their respective switches, providing users with distinct sound characteristics to enjoy.
Weight
The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 42 grams compared to the Gateron Mountain Top switch which has an actuation force of 40 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Mountain Top switch is 50 grams, which is heavier than the Honey Bean switch for which the bottom out force is unknown. This means that the Mountain Top switch requires a lighter touch to register a keystroke but will provide a more substantial typing experience when fully pressed. On the other hand, the Honey Bean switch offers a slightly lighter actuation force but lacks information on the bottom out force. Both switches cater to different preferences, with the Honey Bean being lighter for longer typing sessions and the Mountain Top providing a more pronounced typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on the individual's preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, it is evident that the Honey Bean has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm compared to the Mountain Top's 3.4 mm travel distance. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are popular for gaming keyboards due to their faster response times. Gamers looking for a more responsive key press may prefer the Honey Bean with its slightly longer travel distance, which can provide a more substantial depth to the keystroke. However, the difference between the two is minimal, and users can expect similar results in terms of key feel and performance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to personal preference for the specific feel and depth of the key press.
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 Mountain Top comes in at $6.00 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 comparing the sound of the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, the Honey Bean offers a muted typing experience, producing softer and quieter sound levels compared to regular mechanical switches, making it ideal for shared environments. On the other hand, the Mountain Top switch has a neutral sound profile, providing a moderate sound level suitable for various settings. Both switches cater to a quieter typing experience, making them suitable for office environments.
In terms of feel, the Honey Bean switch offers an easy-to-press and feathery typing experience with gentle resistance and light actuation force, reducing finger fatigue and providing a comfortable typing feel. In comparison, the Gateron Mountain Top switch offers a bouncy, easy-to-press, mild, snappy, and subtle typing experience, catering to a variety of preferences with its lively feel and gentle resistance. Overall, both switches provide responsive and low-impact typing feels, enhancing the overall typing experience for users.
In conclusion, both the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch offer a similar level of sound reduction and a comfortable typing experience with their light actuation forces. The Honey Bean switch leans towards a quieter and gentler typing experience, ideal for discreet environments, while the Mountain Top switch provides a bit more liveliness and versatility in its feel. Ultimately, choosing between the two would depend on personal preferences for sound and feel in a mechanical keyboard switch.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, consider the environment in which you will be using the keyboard. If you value a completely silent typing experience in a shared office or workspace, the Honey Bean switch would be an excellent choice for its muted sound and easy-to-press feel. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch that is still quiet but offers a slightly bouncier and more subtle typing experience, the Gateron Mountain Top switch would be a great option with its neutral sound profile and comfortable actuation force. Ultimately, both switches cater to different preferences and typing needs, so choose based on your desired typing experience and the environment in which you will be using the keyboard.
Mentioned in this article
