Jerrzi Honey Bean vs. SP-Star Polaris Gray
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the SP-Star Polaris Gray switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Jerrzi Honey Bean, a linear switch, and the SP-Star Polaris Gray, another linear switch, it becomes evident that each offers unique features that cater to different preferences. The Honey Bean switches are celebrated for their light and linear action, along with their silent operation, making them ideal for office settings or shared environments where noise reduction is crucial. On the other hand, the Polaris Gray switches provide a bouncy typing experience with a clean and clacky sound profile, appealing to those who enjoy a bit more feedback while typing. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Gold plated
Housing materials
The Jerrzi Honey Bean and the SP-Star Polaris Gray both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their overall sound profiles. The Honey Bean utilizes POM for both its top and bottom housings, resulting in a deeper and more muted sound. In contrast, the Polaris Gray incorporates polycarbonate for both housings, leading to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. While POM creates a pleasing sound, polycarbonate offers a more clear and resonant profile, especially advantageous if RGB lighting is used.
Despite their differences, both the Honey Bean and the Polaris Gray benefit from the qualities of their respective housing materials. The POM top and bottom housing in the Honey Bean work together to create a consistent deep sound, whereas the polycarbonate housings in the Polaris Gray offer a sharper and more distinct sound experience. This demonstrates how the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall typing experience and sound profile of a keyboard switch, showcasing the importance of material selection in keyboard design.
In terms of design and functionality, the housing materials of the Honey Bean and the Polaris Gray play crucial roles. The translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting, as it allows the light to shine through for a visually appealing effect. On the other hand, the solid and muted characteristics of POM create a unique typing experience that may appeal to those looking for a quieter sound profile. Ultimately, both housing materials bring their own set of advantages and considerations to the table, allowing users to choose the switch that best suits their preferences and needs.
Weight
The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams compared to the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the Polaris Gray switch has a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams, while the bottom out force of the Honey Bean switch is unknown. In terms of weight, the Honey Bean may be more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the Polaris Gray switch would appeal to users who enjoy a more substantial typing feel and prefer a heavier push force. Both switches have their strengths, with the Honey Bean offering a lighter actuation force and the Polaris Gray providing a medium-heavy bottom out force for a different typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the individual's preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, making it a bit shorter than the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. While both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Polaris Gray being slightly longer, the Honey Bean offers a slightly quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance. Gamers may prefer the Honey Bean for this reason, as it allows for faster keystrokes. However, those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing may opt for the Polaris Gray with its slightly longer travel distance. Overall, the choice between the two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of responsiveness and 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 SP-Star Polaris Gray has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Polaris Gray for $5.00.
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
In terms of sound, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch provides a muted and quiet typing experience, making it ideal for shared environments where noise reduction is important. On the other hand, the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch offers a low-pitched and clean sound profile, with a satisfying thocky sound when pressed. The choice between the two would depend on personal preference for sound, with the Honey Bean providing a more subtle and quiet typing experience, while the Polaris Gray offers a more bass-heavy and clacky sound.
When it comes to feel, the Jerrzi Honey Bean switch is characterized by its easy-to-press and feathery nature, requiring minimal force to activate and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. In contrast, the SP-Star Polaris Gray switch provides a mild and polished typing experience, offering a gentle feel that is approachable to most users. Both switches aim to enhance the typing experience by providing a smooth and comfortable typing feel, albeit with slightly different characteristics.
Overall, while both the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the SP-Star Polaris Gray switches offer unique sound and feel qualities, ultimately the choice between the two would come down to individual preferences in terms of typing experience. Whether you prefer a quieter and light typing feel with the Honey Bean switch, or a bouncier and more pronounced typing experience with the Polaris Gray switch, both switches can provide a satisfying and enjoyable mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch or the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing needs. If you prioritize a quiet typing experience and light actuation force, the Honey Bean switch would be a great choice, especially for office or shared environments. On the other hand, if you prefer a bouncy feel and a clean, clacky sound profile, the Polaris Gray switch may be more suited to your liking. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing styles, so consider your priorities and choose accordingly.
Mentioned in this article
