Jerrzi Honey Bean vs. Huano Sakura
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Huano Sakura switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Huano Sakura both exemplify the benefits of linear designs while catering to different typing preferences. The Honey Bean switches are celebrated for their light, feathery action and silent performance, making them an excellent choice for office environments where noise reduction is essential, ensuring a discreet but enjoyable typing experience. Conversely, the Sakura switches also provide a feather-light touch but with a medium acoustic level, striking a balance that can enhance longer typing sessions without overwhelming sound. While the Honey Bean offers a muted experience perfect for shared spaces, the Sakura might appeal more to those who appreciate a slight auditory feedback during use. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
35g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Huano Sakura switches showcase distinct yet comparable properties that contribute to their unique sound profiles and overall performance. The Honey Bean uses POM (polyoxymethylene) for both its top and bottom housings, which is known for creating a pleasing and muted sound profile characterized by deeper tones. In contrast, the Huano Sakura utilizes a POK (polyketone) top housing, which, while also designed to produce quality audio feedback, promises a slightly different experience thanks to its lower coefficient of friction, which supports smoother key presses. The choice of POM in the Honey Bean provides a consistent, deeper sound across both housings, while the Sakura's POK top allows for a potentially brighter and clackier auditory profile.
When examining the bottom housing materials, a contrast is evident between the Honey Bean's POM and the Sakura's nylon. The POM bottom housing of the Honey Bean continues the trend of creating a muted sound profile, enhancing the switch's ability to deliver a deeper and fuller auditory output. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing in the Sakura emphasizes sound absorption properties, providing a rounder and duller sound. While both materials contribute to a more subdued audio experience, nylon's softness allows for an increased depth in sound, which may appeal to users looking for a richer auditory feedback. This divergence in material choice highlights how the Honey Bean maintains a consistent sound profile through a cohesive material like POM, whereas the Sakura takes advantage of a combination of nylon and POK to create a layered acoustic signature.
Ultimately, both the Jerrzi Honey Bean and Huano Sakura switches can achieve similar results in terms of user experience, even with their differing housing materials. The impact of the top and bottom housings plays a significant role when using the switches, with the respective sound profiles and feel being shaped by their compositions. The muted depth of the Honey Bean is maintained consistently due to the use of the same materials throughout, while the Sakura's varied materials allow for a more dynamic variation in sound and feedback. This nuanced difference reflects how each switch's materials contribute uniquely to the overall typing experience while still appealing to enthusiasts seeking quality auditory and tactile satisfaction.
Weight
When comparing the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Honey Bean features an actuation force of 42 grams, while the Sakura is lighter with an actuation force of 35 grams. This makes the Honey Bean a better choice for users who prefer a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier actuation requirement. In contrast, the Sakura, being lighter, could be more suitable for those who type for extended periods, as it requires less force to actuate, potentially reducing finger fatigue during long sessions. The bottom out force for the Honey Bean remains unknown, whereas the Sakura has a bottom out force of 45 grams, further emphasizing its overall lighter feel compared to the heavier actuation of the Honey Bean. In summary, while both switches cater to different typing preferences, the Huano Sakura is the lighter option, making it favorable for prolonged use.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch, there is a slight difference to consider. The Honey Bean has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, making it the longer switch compared to the Sakura, which has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that if you prefer a more substantial depth to your key presses, the Honey Bean would be the better choice, providing a more pronounced feel when typing or gaming. Conversely, if you're seeking faster response times and a more responsive experience, the shorter travel distance of the Sakura could be more appealing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on your preference for depth versus speed.
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 Huano Sakura has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura for $3.29.
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
The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch is designed for minimal noise, characterized by its muted sound profile that produces a softer and quieter output, making it especially suitable for environments where discretion is valued, such as offices. In contrast, while the sound characteristics of the Huano Sakura linear switch are not explicitly detailed, it is noted that they provide medium acoustics. This suggests that compared to the Honey Bean, the Sakura may produce a slightly more noticeable sound without being overly intrusive. Ultimately, if silence is your priority, the Honey Bean is the better choice, but both switches can cater to a variety of environments depending on preference.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Honey Bean boasts an easy-to-press action, requiring minimal force to activate, which lends itself to a comfortable and effortless typing experience that greatly reduces finger fatigue during long typing sessions. Additionally, its feathery touch further enhances user comfort, making it ideal for extended use. The Sakura switch, on the other hand, does not have specific details about its feel, leaving it unknown how it might compare in terms of resistance or actuation force. However, if the Sakura is also designed for prolonged use, it may still offer a comfortable experience, albeit without the explicit descriptions available for the Honey Bean.
In summary, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch stands out with its muted sound and exceptionally light feel, making it a prime option for users seeking quiet and comfortable performance, particularly in shared spaces. While the Huano Sakura linear switch is noted for its feather-light touch and medium acoustics, specific details on its sound profile and feel are less defined, leaving potential users to explore those characteristics further. Ultimately, both switches aim to provide a pleasurable typing experience, but the Honey Bean edges ahead in terms of sound minimization and tactile ease.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch will greatly depend on your specific typing needs and environment. If you prioritize a silent and muted typing experience, especially in shared spaces like offices where noise can be disruptive, the Honey Bean would be your ideal pick. Its easy-to-press, feathery feel requires minimal effort, making it perfect for long typing sessions without fatigue. Conversely, if you prefer a light touch with a bit more tactile feedback and can handle a medium level of sound, the Sakura might be the better option for you. With a bottom-out force of 45 grams, it offers a balance that can help you maintain a steady typing rhythm while still being comfortable for extended use. Ultimately, choose the Honey Bean for a tranquil and effortless experience, and reach for the Sakura when you want a delightful typing feel with just a touch of acoustic feedback.