Jerrzi Honey Bean vs. Outemu Tom

Overview

When considering the right mechanical keyboard switch for your needs, two popular options stand out: the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Outemu Tom. The Honey Bean switch is celebrated for its delightful, light, and linear action, making it a fantastic choice for those who prefer a smooth and uninterrupted keystroke. Its silent operation is particularly advantageous in shared environments, allowing for a discreet yet satisfying typing experience without disturbing colleagues. On the flip side, the Outemu Tom is known for its tactile feedback, which provides a more physical response to each keystroke, perfect for typists who enjoy a noticeable bump to signal that their input has been registered. While the Honey Bean excels in quietness and ease of use, the Tom caters to those who appreciate a more traditional typing feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that fits your typing style and environment.

By the numbers

Jerrzi Honey Bean Linear

Outemu Tom Tactile

$4.00

$3.59 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When analyzing the housing materials of the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Outemu Tom, a clear distinction arises between the top housings made of POM and polycarbonate, respectively. The Honey Bean's POM top housing is noted for producing a sound profile that is deeper and more muted, providing a unique auditory experience that appeals to users seeking a softer sound. In contrast, the Outemu Tom's polycarbonate top housing results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to polycarbonate’s stiffer composition. The translucency of the polycarbonate also allows for enhanced lighting effects when RGB is utilized, making it not only a choice for acoustics but also for aesthetic purposes. Therefore, while both materials serve their purpose in creating a distinct sound quality, they cater to differing preferences in sound depth and clarity.

On the other hand, the bottom housing of the two switches also showcases contrasting materials: POM for the Honey Bean and nylon for the Tom. Both of these materials contribute to the overall auditory experience of their respective switches but in different ways. The POM bottom housing of the Honey Bean promotes a deeper and more muted sound, resonating with users who prefer a softer acoustic touch. Meanwhile, the nylon bottom housing of the Tom is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer nature, which absorbs sound more effectively than harder plastics. This distinction means that, while both switches provide a gratifying sound while typing, they achieve this through different mechanisms, with nylon yielding a rounder, more muted sound profile.

Ultimately, if we consider how these varying materials impact the overall experience, it becomes evident that the interaction between top and bottom housings plays a crucial role. While the Jerrzi Honey Bean’s combination of POM top and bottom housings leans towards a consistent deeper sound, the Outemu Tom balances the sharper top housing with a softer nylon bottom to achieve a unique auditory profile. Users looking for a compromise between sound depth and clarity might find interest in experimenting with mixes of these materials, as the softer qualities of the bottom housing will influence the bottom-out feel, while the top housing will contribute to the sound upon release. By understanding each material's strengths, one can appreciate how similar or diverging results can be achieved without necessarily using the same materials throughout.

Weight

The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Outemu Tom tactile switch exhibit differences in actuation force, impacting user experience during typing and gaming. The Honey Bean has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams compared to the heavier 55 grams of the Tom switch. This lighter force may appeal to those who prefer a more effortless typing experience, especially beneficial for extended use during long work hours or gaming sessions. However, both switches have an unknown bottom out force, making it difficult to directly compare their resistance when fully pressed down. Without this information, we can't draw conclusions about their bottoming out characteristics. If the bottom out forces were comparable, one could expect similar results in terms of user feedback on responsiveness upon key presses. In summary, those seeking a lighter touch may gravitate towards the Honey Bean, while those preferring a more robust pressure feel would likely favor the Outemu Tom.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Outemu Tom tactile switch, we find that the Honey Bean travels 3.7 mm, while the Tom has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. This distinction indicates that the Honey Bean is better suited for those who enjoy a more substantial key press, offering a more pronounced tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Outemu Tom, with its shorter travel distance, caters to users who prefer quicker response times and more rapid key activations, which is often favored by gamers. Therefore, if you value a more responsive and quicker actuation, the Outemu Tom would be the ideal choice, whereas the Jerrzi Honey Bean appeals to those who prefer a more traditional and hearty depth in their key presses.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch stands out due to its muted character, making it a perfect choice for environments where noise control is paramount, such as offices or shared workspaces. The soft and quiet operation of the Honey Bean minimizes the typical clacking that can accompany mechanical keyboards, allowing for a more discreet typing experience. In contrast, there is little to say about the Outemu Tom tactile switch since no specific sound qualities have been provided. However, if the Tom switch operates similarly to it known counterparts, it could offer varying sound levels based on the board and keycap choices.

In terms of feel, the Honey Bean switch is known for its easy-to-press action that requires minimal force, resulting in a gentle resistance during use. This responsive feel, combined with its feathery lightness, significantly reduces finger fatigue, making it ideal for prolonged typing sessions, whether at work or during gaming sessions. On the other hand, the lack of information on the Outemu Tom's feel suggests that it may not have the same characteristics, which could affect comfort during extended use.

Overall, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch excels in both sound and feel, providing a light, muted experience ideal for quiet settings and long typing endeavors. Without comparable characteristics being provided for the Outemu Tom tactile switch, it remains uncertain how it might perform in comparison. As such, if you seek a linear switch with a silent operation and a comfortable touch, the Honey Bean is an excellent option, while the Tom's qualities remain an unknown factor for potential users.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Outemu Tom tactile switch will largely hinge on your specific needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a switch that fosters a quiet typing experience, particularly in shared environments like an office or library, the Honey Bean is your best bet. Its muted sound, feathery feel, and ease of actuation make it ideal for extended typing sessions, allowing you to type comfortably without disturbing those around you. On the other hand, if you thrive on tactile feedback and enjoy knowing precisely when a key has been actuated, the Outemu Tom switch may be more suited to your style, especially if such feedback enhances your typing or gaming experience. Ultimately, your decision should reflect whether you prioritize a seamless, silent typing experience or the satisfying sensation of tactile feedback.

Mentioned in this article

Jerrzi Honey Bean Linear

$4.00

$3.59 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Tom Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more