Jerrzi Honey Bean vs. KTT Pine
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the KTT Pine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the KTT Pine stand out as top choices. The Honey Bean switch is renowned for its light and linear action, combined with silent operation, making it ideal for office or shared environments where noise reduction is essential. On the other hand, the KTT Pine offers a medium-heavy, buttery smooth typing experience with a polished, factory-lubed finish for minimal friction and smooth key travel. While the Honey Bean is described as easy-to-press and feathery, the KTT Pine is characterized as bassy and creamy. Both switches have their own unique features that cater to different preferences and needs. 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
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Jerrzi Honey Bean and KTT Pine both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Honey Bean utilizes POM for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and more muted sound. On the other hand, the Pine uses polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. While both materials offer distinct sound characteristics, the choice between POM and polycarbonate ultimately comes down to personal preference for sound profile.
One key difference between the two switches lies in the aesthetics of the housing materials. The Pine's polycarbonate housing is translucent, making it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. This allows for a visually appealing experience with customizable lighting options. In contrast, the Honey Bean's POM housing is not translucent, focusing more on the tactile and auditory aspects of the switch. Depending on your preference for visual effects versus sound quality, the choice between the two housing materials can significantly impact your overall typing experience.
Despite their differences, both the Honey Bean and Pine switches showcase the impact of housing materials on keyboard sound and feel. The bottom housing material plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, while the top housing material affects the sound when a key is released. Whether you prefer the deeper, more muted sound of POM or the sharper, crisper sound of polycarbonate, both switches offer unique typing experiences that can be tailored to individual preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the two housing materials comes down to personal preference for sound profile, aesthetics, and typing feel.
Weight
The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch is lighter in terms of actuation force compared to the KTT Pine linear switch, with 42 grams versus 45 grams, respectively. However, the bottom out force of the Pine switch is heavier at 58 grams compared to the unknown bottom out force of the Honey Bean switch. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Honey Bean switch, allowing for longer periods of typing without fatigue. On the other hand, the Pine switch might be favored by those looking for a more substantial typing feel with a heavier bottom out force. Both switches offer their own unique benefits depending on the user's preference for actuation and bottom out force, providing a variety of options for different typing experiences.
Travel distance
The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, which is shorter compared to the KTT Pine linear switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The shorter travel distance of the Honey Bean switch may provide a faster response time, making it more ideal for gamers looking for quick keystrokes. On the other hand, the Pine switch offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial keypress feel. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, and while the difference between 3.7 mm and 4 mm may seem minimal, it can impact the overall typing experience based on individual preferences. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches depends on whether you prioritize speed and responsiveness or a more deliberate keypress 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 KTT Pine has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $4.15.
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, perfect for those looking to minimize noise in shared spaces. On the other hand, the KTT Pine linear switch provides a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, giving a deeper and richer auditory feedback during typing. Both switches offer unique sound characteristics that cater to different preferences, with the Honey Bean focusing on quiet operation and the Pine delivering a more substantial and resonant sound.
In terms of feel, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch boasts an easy-to-press and feathery typing experience, requiring minimal force for key activation and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Conversely, the KTT Pine linear switch offers a buttery and creamy typing sensation, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with factory-lubed finishes for enhanced smoothness. Both switches excel in offering a comfortable typing feel, with the Honey Bean emphasizing light actuation force and the Pine focusing on seamless keystrokes.
Overall, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Honey Bean excels in providing a muted and easy-to-press typing experience, ideal for quiet environments, the Pine stands out for its bassy sound profile and buttery keystrokes, perfect for smooth and effortless typing. Depending on personal preferences for sound and typing feel, both switches offer exceptional qualities that cater to different needs. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on whether you prioritize noise reduction, ease of typing, or smooth keystrokes in your mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, consider the environment in which you'll be using the keyboard. If you value a silent typing experience and need to minimize noise, the Honey Bean switch is an excellent choice with its light and linear action. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy switch that offers a smooth typing experience and a deeper sound profile, the Pine switch is a great option. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you prioritize noise reduction and a light typing feel (Honey Bean) or smooth key travel and a richer sound profile (Pine). Choose the switch that best suits your typing preferences and the environment in which you'll be using your mechanical keyboard.
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