Jerrzi Honey Bean vs. Bsun Olive
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Bsun Olive switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Bsun Olive offer distinct characteristics to cater to different preferences. The Honey Bean, a linear switch, prides itself on its light and linear action, making it ideal for an office setting or any environment where noise reduction is key. On the other hand, the Bsun Olive, a tactile switch, stands out for its all-POM housing that produces a deep and resonant sound, coupled with pronounced tactile feedback for a satisfying typing experience. While the Honey Bean is categorized as 'Easy-to-press', 'Feathery', and 'Muted', the Olive is described as 'Accented', 'Invigorating', 'Sharp', and 'Snappy'. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
POM
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Bsun Olive both feature POM top and bottom housings, creating a similar sound profile that is deep and relatively muted. This commonality suggests that both switches will offer a pleasing and unique typing experience with a focus on a deeper sound profile. However, they may differ in the specific nuances of the sound when pressing down versus releasing a key due to the split qualities of the housing materials.
The choice of POM material for both the Honey Bean and the Olive housing helps in delivering a consistent typing feel and sound profile. The POM top housing is likely to influence the sound when releasing a key, providing a satisfying acoustic feedback for the user. On the other hand, the POM bottom housing is expected to impact the bottom-out sound and feel, affecting the overall typing experience. These differences in the distribution of qualities between top and bottom housings may lead to subtle distinctions in how each switch performs during use.
Despite the potential variations in sound and feel due to placement of qualities in the top and bottom housings, both the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Bsun Olive can be expected to offer a similar level of typing satisfaction and performance. The shared use of POM material for both top and bottom housing ensures a consistent sound profile and tactile experience that typists may appreciate. While there may be slight differences in how these qualities manifest during key presses, overall, both switches are likely to provide a satisfying typing experience for users seeking a deep and muted sound profile.
Weight
The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch offers a lighter actuation force of 42 grams compared to the Bsun Olive tactile switch, which has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Olive is significantly heavier at 65 grams, while the Honey Bean's bottom out force is unknown. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Honey Bean may be the better choice, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the Olive switch provides a more substantial push feel, ideal for those who prefer a stronger typing experience. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, but the actuation force and bottom out force ultimately play a significant role in determining the overall typing experience.
Travel distance
The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Bsun Olive tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for those who prioritize quicker response times. Gamers, in particular, may appreciate the shorter travel distance for faster key presses. However, some users may find the shorter travel distance of the Olive switch too abrupt, preferring a slightly longer travel distance like that of the Honey Bean switch for a more substantial key press feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the type of typing or gaming experience desired.
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 Bsun Olive has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Olive for $4.70.
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
The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch offers a muted sound profile, making it an excellent choice for quiet environments such as offices or shared workspaces. On the other hand, the Bsun Olive tactile switch produces a resonant and deep sound due to its all-POM housing, providing a unique auditory experience.
When it comes to feel, the Honey Bean switch is described as easy-to-press and feathery, offering a light and effortless typing experience that reduces finger fatigue. In contrast, the Bsun Olive switch is characterized by its accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy tactile feedback, creating a tactile sensation that is prominent and immersive.
Overall, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch is best for those seeking a silent and gentle typing experience, while the Bsun Olive tactile switch is ideal for users looking for a pronounced tactile feedback and a deep sound profile. Both switches provide unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so choosing between them ultimately depends on the individual's typing style and environment.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a quiet and smooth typing experience that is ideal for shared environments like offices, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more tactile and audible typing experience with a medium-heavy actuation force, the Bsun Olive tactile switch would suit your preferences better. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize quietness and smoothness (Honey Bean) or tactility and audible feedback (Olive) in your mechanical keyboard switches. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so choose the one that aligns best with your individual needs and preferences.
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