Jerrzi Honey Bean vs. Outemu Red Panda
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Outemu Red Panda switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch to the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, it's clear that both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Honey Bean is praised for its light and linear action, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a quiet typing experience, perfect for office or shared environments. On the other hand, the Red Panda provides a light-medium amount of tactility, along with distinctive bottom-out and top-out sounds, catering to those who enjoy a more tactile typing experience. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Outemu Red Panda switches offer distinct sound profiles and characteristics. The Honey Bean utilizes POM for both its top and bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and more muted sound profile. In contrast, the Red Panda features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The use of polycarbonate in the Red Panda allows for a more resonant sound profile and is ideal for switches with RGB lighting due to its translucency. While both materials have unique qualities, the Honey Bean's POM housing offers a more subdued sound compared to the Red Panda's polycarbonate housing.
In terms of the bottom housing material, the Honey Bean and Red Panda switches take on different characteristics. The Honey Bean utilizes POM for its bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This softer plastic absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound when typing on the switch. On the other hand, the Red Panda features a nylon bottom housing, which also contributes to a deeper sound profile. However, nylon is a relatively softer plastic compared to POM, leading to a different tactile experience when typing on the switch. Both materials bring their own unique qualities to the switch's sound profile and feel.
While the top and bottom housings of the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Outemu Red Panda switches differ in material, both contribute to the overall sound profile and feel of the switch. The bottom housing material has more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. In contrast, the top housing material influences the sound when releasing a key. Despite the differences in material, both switches offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences. Whether you prefer a deeper, more muted sound or a sharper, crisper sound, the housing materials of these switches play a significant role in shaping the overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, it is evident that the actuation force and bottom out force play a crucial role in the typing experience. The Honey Bean has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams compared to the Red Panda's 50 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes with less effort. However, the Red Panda has a heavier bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience when pressing all the way down. For those who prefer a lighter typing feel and a more extended typing duration, the Honey Bean would be the ideal choice. On the other hand, individuals seeking a stronger push feel and a more robust typing experience may gravitate towards the Red Panda. Overall, the actuation and bottom out forces of each switch cater to different preferences, allowing users to select the one that best suits their typing needs.
Travel distance
The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. In this case, the Red Panda has the shorter travel distance compared to the Honey Bean. While both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances preferred by gamers for faster response times, the slight difference in travel distance may be noticeable to some users. Those who prioritize a more abrupt keypress may prefer the Red Panda, while others who prefer a bit more depth in their keypresses may opt for the Honey Bean. Ultimately, both switches offer similar results in terms of travel distance, providing users with a choice based on their personal preferences.
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 Red Panda comes in at $3.40 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 experience, producing a softer and quieter sound that minimizes the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. In contrast, the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch provides a thocky sound, with a deep and satisfying tone when pressed. The choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for sound, with the Honey Bean providing a more discreet typing experience while the Red Panda offers a richer and more pronounced sound.
In terms of feel, the Honey Bean switch is known for being easy-to-press and feathery, requiring minimal force to activate and offering a low-impact typing feel that reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the Red Panda switch is described as mild, providing a gentle typing experience that falls in a safe middle-ground zone in terms of feel. Depending on individual typing preferences, the Honey Bean switch may be preferred for its light and effortless typing experience, while the Red Panda switch may appeal to those looking for a more approachable tactile feedback.
Taking into consideration the sound and feel qualities of the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, it is evident that they cater to different preferences. The Honey Bean switch excels in offering a silent and light typing experience, suited for quiet environments, while the Red Panda switch provides a more tactile and pronounced typing feel and sound. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on whether the user values a silent operation and easy typing with the Honey Bean, or a more tactile and audible typing experience with the Red Panda.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, consider the environment in which you will be using your keyboard. If you prioritize a silent typing experience suitable for the office or shared spaces, the Honey Bean switches with their light and linear action are the way to go. However, if you prefer a more tactile and audible typing experience with a light-medium amount of tactility and satisfying sound, the Red Panda switches would be a better fit. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your personal preferences and the specific requirements of your typing environment.
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