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Jerrzi Honey Bean vs. Haimu Orange Sea

An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Haimu Orange Sea switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch for your typing needs, the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Haimu Orange Sea both present appealing options, each with their distinct attributes. The Honey Bean switches are celebrated for their light, feathery action and silent operation, making them an excellent choice for office settings or any shared space where minimal noise is essential. Their easy-to-press design provides a smooth, muted typing experience that many find satisfying. In contrast, the Haimu Orange Sea switches offer an impeccably smooth feel that enhances typing fluidity while maintaining a neutral sound signature, making them suitable for those who appreciate a seamless keypress without the distraction of audible feedback. While both switches cater to linear preferences, the Honey Bean excels in noise reduction, while the Orange Sea shines in tactile smoothness. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs the most.

By the numbers

Technical specifications

Actuation force

42g

Actuation force

37g

Bottom-out force

N/A

Bottom-out force

45g

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Total travel

3.70 mm

Total travel

3.60 mm

Factory lubed

Yes

Factory lubed

Yes

Stem construction

Partial box

Stem construction

Partial box

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

22mm extended double-stage spring

Housing materials

The Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Haimu Orange Sea differ significantly in their choice of housing materials, which directly influences their acoustic profiles and overall user experience. The Honey Bean utilizes a POM (Polyoxymethylene) top housing, known for producing a deeper and more muted sound profile. In contrast, the Orange Sea employs polycarbonate for its top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This difference in materials reflects a deliberate design choice aimed at catering to distinct auditory preferences among keyboard enthusiasts. While both materials serve the purpose of encasing the switch mechanisms, the tonal outcomes they generate are markedly different, with POM housing offering a soft and warm sound versus the vibrant clarity provided by polycarbonate.

When examining the bottom housings, the disparity continues, with the Honey Bean opting for a POM housing that similarly yields a pleasing and unique sound, albeit on the muted side, while the Orange Sea features a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is a classic choice that complements the Orange Sea’s overall sound profile by contributing to a deeper, fuller acoustic quality. The nature of nylon as a softer plastic allows for greater sound absorption compared to the harder materials, thereby resulting in a duller, rounder auditory experience. This divergence in bottom housing materials further enhances the distinct sound profiles of each keyboard, with the Honey Bean leaning towards a rounded sound, while the Orange Sea produces a sharper tonal response through its composite materials.

Despite these differences, both keyboards can produce enjoyable sound profiles by harmonizing the unique qualities of their respective top and bottom housings. The interaction between the two components allows for a nuanced auditory experience that reflects the intentions behind their material selections. While one may yield a more muted sound via POM and nylon, and the other a crisper tone using polycarbonate and fiberglass, both can ultimately achieve satisfying results based on the user's preferences. This interplay between housing materials emphasizes the importance of considering both the top and bottom components of a switch to fully appreciate the overall sound production and tactile feedback in mechanical keyboards.

Weight

When comparing the Jerrzi Honey Bean and Haimu Orange Sea linear switches, there are some notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Honey Bean switch has an actuation force of 42 grams, which provides a slightly heavier response compared to the Orange Sea’s actuation force of 37 grams. This means that the Honey Bean switch requires a bit more pressure to register a keystroke, potentially making it more suitable for users who prefer a more substantial typing feel. However, the bottom out force for the Honey Bean is unknown, while the Orange Sea features a bottom out force of 45 grams, quantified as light. This discrepancy means that while the Honey Bean may provide a consistent actuation experience, it lacks the defined bottom out measure that the Orange Sea offers. Overall, the Honey Bean is the heavier switch by actuation force, making it less ideal for users seeking lighter feedback for extended typing or gaming sessions, in contrast to the lighter and more tactile feel of the Orange Sea.

Travel distance

The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch have slightly different travel distances, with the Honey Bean measuring 3.7 mm and the Orange Sea at 3.6 mm. This means that the Honey Bean has a longer travel distance compared to the Orange Sea. If you are looking for a more responsive feel, the shorter travel distance of the Orange Sea might be more appealing, as it is better suited for quick response times favored by gamers. Conversely, the Honey Bean's longer distance could provide a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a deeper keystroke. Overall, while both switches offer decent travel distances for contemporary preferences, the Honey Bean offers a bit more depth, while the Orange Sea is slightly shorter and may facilitate quicker actions.

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 Haimu Orange Sea comes in at $2.79 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 it comes to sound, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switches are notable for their muted character, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to typical mechanical switches. This quality makes them particularly well-suited for office environments or shared spaces where noise reduction is a priority. On the other hand, the Haimu Orange Sea switches come with an undefined sound signature, leaving some uncertainty regarding their acoustic profile. However, given that the Honey Bean focuses heavily on sound dampening, it's likely that if a user prioritizes a quieter typing experience, the Honey Bean would be the clear choice.

In terms of tactile feel, the Honey Bean switches stand out with their easy-to-press and feathery characteristics. These switches require minimal force to actuate, making typing feel effortless and comfortable while reducing the potential for finger fatigue during prolonged use. The described light actuation force allows users to type swiftly without much strain, making them perfect for heavy typists or gamers. The feel of the Orange Sea switches, however, remains unspecified, which adds a layer of ambiguity regarding how they would compare in comfort and responsiveness during use.

Overall, those looking for a smooth and enjoyable typing experience will find the Honey Bean switches appealing, especially given their focus on silent operation and light touch. While the Orange Sea switches offer the promise of a smooth feel, their unknown qualities lead to uncertainty about their suitability for those who value noise reduction or a specific tactile response. Ultimately, if you prioritize a quiet workspace and effortless typing, the Honey Bean switches are likely to meet those needs effectively, whereas more information is needed for the Orange Sea to make a definitive comparison.

Conclusion

To sum up, when deciding between the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch, it ultimately hinges on your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize a quiet and unobtrusive typing experience, particularly in shared spaces like offices, the Honey Bean is your ideal choice. Its light actuation force and muted sound make it exceptionally comfortable for long typing sessions, minimizing noise while still delivering a feathery, responsive feel that reduces finger fatigue. On the other hand, if you favor a smooth typing action with a bit more substance, the Orange Sea offers a neutral sound signature and a firm bottom-out force of 45 grams, providing a satisfying balance between tactile feedback and ease of use. This makes it suitable for those who appreciate a more traditional typing feel but still want a linear switch experience. Therefore, consider your environment and typing preferences carefully: opt for the Honey Bean if silence and comfort are your main goals, and choose the Orange Sea if you desire a bit more resistance and control without sacrificing smoothness.

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