Jerrzi Honey Bean vs. Cherry MX Orange
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Cherry MX Orange switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Cherry MX Orange both represent compelling options, each with unique characteristics appealing to different typing preferences. The Honey Bean switches stand out with their light, linear action and whisper-quiet operation, making them an excellent choice for office environments and shared spaces where noise reduction is important. Their easy-to-press and muted feel ensures a satisfying typing experience without distracting those around you. In contrast, the Cherry MX Orange switches, recently revived by Cherry with enhancements, offer a traditional linear feel that has been well-received by enthusiasts. While they lack the specific categories found with the Honey Bean, they are known for their reliability and durability, ensuring a robust typing experience for users who value performance. Ultimately, your choice may depend on whether you prioritize a softer touch and quieter keystrokes with the Honey Bean or the longstanding quality and familiarity of the MX Orange. 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
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
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 Cherry MX Orange switches exhibit distinct housing materials that influence their sound profiles and tactile experiences. Both the Honey Bean and MX Orange utilize different plastics for their top and bottom housings. The Honey Bean employs POM (polyoxymethylene) for both the top and bottom, creating a soundscape that is deep and muted, which contributes to a unique auditory experience. In contrast, the Cherry MX Orange features a nylon top and bottom housing. Nylon is known for its ability to absorb sound, resulting in a fuller and deeper sound profile that is also relatively rounder due to its softer composition. This stark difference in materials signifies how the characteristics attributed to each plastic impact the overall acoustic feel of their respective switches.
In exploring the sonic qualities of each switch based on the materials used, both the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Cherry MX Orange can be appreciated for their deeper sound profiles, though the mechanisms behind the sound differ. The POM material in the Honey Bean reinforces its muted and unique auditory quality, allowing for a pleasant typing experience that prioritizes sound dampening. Comparatively, the nylon material of the MX Orange provides a classic feel and sound, characterized by a fuller resonance due to its inherent softness, which helps to absorb and disperse sound waves more effectively than harder plastics. Therefore, while both switches produce similar deeper sound profiles, the approach to achieving these results varies due to the inherent characteristics of the materials each switch employs.
When considering how the housing materials affect user experience, it's essential to note that both switches will respond differently during typing. The Jerrzi Honey Bean's POM housings ensure that the deep sound is felt in both the bottom-out and release phases, providing a consistent auditory experience. However, with the MX Orange, the nylon top and bottom work in tandem: the bottom housing will play a larger role in the bottom-out sound, while the softer top housing will significantly influence the sound produced during key release. As a result, while the Honey Bean excels in delivering a consistently muted sound across interactions, the Cherry MX Orange offers a slightly varied acoustic experience that emphasizes the distinction between bottoming out and releasing the keys.
Weight
When comparing the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch with the Cherry MX Orange linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces. The Honey Bean has a lighter actuation force at 42 grams, while the Cherry MX Orange requires a heftier 55 grams to actuate a keystroke. This difference suggests that the Honey Bean may be more suitable for extended typing sessions or gaming, allowing for less strain on the fingers due to its lighter touch. However, some users may prefer the more substantial feel of the MX Orange switch, as its heavier actuation force can provide a more pronounced tactile feedback, making each keypress feel more defined. Both switches have unknown bottom out forces, which leaves their performance at that final keypress uncharacterized. Overall, if you favor a lighter feel for longer use, the Honey Bean will serve you well, while the MX Orange may appeal to those who appreciate a firmer push.
Travel distance
The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Cherry MX Orange linear switch features a distance of 4 mm. This makes the Honey Bean switch the shorter option, offering a slightly more responsive feel that may appeal to gamers looking for quicker key actuation. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Orange, with its longer travel distance, provides a more substantial depth that some users may find more satisfying during typing. If you prefer a snappier response, the Honey Bean is the better choice; however, if you enjoy the sensation of pressing down further, the MX Orange would be more suitable. Overall, the difference in travel distances between these two switches caters to varying preferences for responsiveness versus depth in key 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 Cherry MX Orange has an MSRP of $4.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Orange for $3.89.
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 excels with its muted operation, offering a softer and quieter typing experience compared to traditional mechanical switches. This makes it an ideal choice for shared environments such as offices where minimizing noise is essential. Conversely, while the Cherry MX Orange switch is reintroduced from an earlier generation, specific sound characteristics have not been detailed in the available information. However, it's important to note that the overall sound quality of any switch can also be affected by other factors like the keyboard's construction and keycap materials.
In terms of feel, the Honey Bean switch stands out due to its easy-to-press nature and feathery lightness, which greatly enhances comfort during long typing sessions. The gentle resistance and low actuation force make it effortless to type, reducing finger fatigue significantly, which is beneficial whether for gaming, work, or general use. On the other hand, the tactile feel characteristics of the Cherry MX Orange switches have not been provided, leaving a gap in comparison.
In summary, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch is particularly appealing for those seeking a quiet and comfortable typing experience, making it highly suitable for workplace use. While the MX Orange switch carries a legacy status and exposes both historical nostalgia and advanced updates, its specific qualities remain unclear. For newcomers choosing between these switches, opting for the Honey Bean would ensure a particularly soft and silent experience, while exploring the MX Orange could be worthwhile if they are looking for a classic yet refined option.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Cherry MX Orange switch, your choice will depend largely on your specific needs and preferences. If you find yourself working in a shared or quiet environment where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum, the Honey Bean switches are an excellent option. Their muted sound profile and easy-to-press, feathery feel make them ideal for extended typing sessions without the worry of disturbing others around you. On the other hand, if you're looking for a switch that maintains the classic feel of traditional mechanical switches while incorporating enhancements for a modern typing experience, the Cherry MX Orange switch might be the better choice for you. While the sound profile isn't specified, they are known for their quality and responsiveness, making them suitable for both gaming and typing. Ultimately, consider how important sound and feel are to your keyboard experience, and choose the switch that aligns best with your environment and typing habits.
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