Jerrzi Honey Bean vs. Outemu Cold Plum
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Outemu Cold Plum switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Outemu Cold Plum mechanical keyboard switches, both linear switches offer distinct features that cater to different preferences. The Honey Bean is praised for its light and linear action, along with its silent operation, making it ideal for quiet environments such as offices. On the other hand, the Cold Plum stands out for its thocky sound profile and smooth keystroke, providing enthusiasts with a unique typing experience. While the Honey Bean offers an easy-to-press and feathery feel, the Cold Plum delivers a satisfying sound with its fully nylon construction. 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
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
Nylon
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Outemu Cold Plum switches have unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Honey Bean features POM top and bottom housings, which create a deep and muted sound when typing. In contrast, the Cold Plum switches utilize nylon for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a fuller and rounder sound profile. Despite the difference in materials, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience with their unique sound characteristics.
The POM top housing of the Jerrzi Honey Bean switch provides a pleasing and distinct sound that leans more towards the deeper end of the spectrum. On the other hand, the Cold Plum's nylon top housing offers a sound profile that is also deep but with a fuller quality due to the softer nature of nylon. Both materials absorb sound effectively, creating a more muted and dull sound compared to switches with harder plastic housings. While the sound profiles of the two switches may vary slightly, they both excel in providing a unique typing experience.
When comparing the bottom housings of the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Outemu Cold Plum switches, similar characteristics can be observed. Both POM and nylon are known for their ability to create a deeper sound profile when typing. The impact of the bottom housing on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch is significant, contributing to the overall experience of typing on these switches. Despite the differences in material, the bottom housings of both switches play a crucial role in delivering a satisfying typing experience with their distinct sound profiles.
Weight
The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams compared to the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams. The bottom out force for the Honey Bean is unknown, while the Cold Plum has a bottom out force of 70 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Honey Bean for longer typing sessions or gaming, while those who prefer a stronger push feel may opt for the Cold Plum for a more substantial typing experience. Both switches offer different preferences for actuation and bottom out forces, allowing users to choose based on their typing style and preferences.
Travel distance
The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. In this case, the Honey Bean has a longer travel distance compared to the Cold Plum. A shorter travel distance is often preferred by gamers for faster response times, while a longer travel distance can provide a more satisfying and stable typing experience for some users. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming more popular in the market. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and responsiveness.
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 Outemu Cold Plum comes in at $3.10 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 switch offers a muted typing experience, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical switches. This makes it a great choice for those who value a discreet typing environment, such as in an office or shared space. On the other hand, the Outemu Cold Plum switch is known for its thocky sound profile, providing a unique and satisfying auditory feedback for enthusiasts seeking a distinct typing experience. Ultimately, the sound produced by each switch will also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch is praised for its easy-to-press and feathery qualities. These switches offer gentle resistance during key presses, requiring minimal force to activate. The light actuation force not only enhances typing efficiency but also reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Similarly, the Outemu Cold Plum switch's feel is not explicitly described. However, given the linear nature of both switches, users can expect a smooth keystroke and a satisfying typing experience from both.
In conclusion, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch each offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Honey Bean excels in providing a silent and easy-to-press typing experience, making it ideal for quiet environments and extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the Cold Plum stands out with its thocky sound profile and smooth keystroke, appealing to enthusiasts looking for a distinct and enjoyable typing feel. Ultimately, both switches offer similar linear characteristics, ensuring a consistent typing experience across different usage scenarios.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch, it's important to consider your priorities. If you value a light and linear typing experience with minimal noise, the Honey Bean switches would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a distinctive thocky sound profile and smooth keystrokes, then the Cold Plum switches would be the perfect fit. Whether you're looking for a silent and easy-to-press option or a unique typing experience with a satisfying sound, both switches offer their own advantages for different preferences. Ultimately, the decision between the Honey Bean and Cold Plum switches boils down to your personal typing preferences and the specific use case for your keyboard.
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