Jerrzi Honey Bean vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 43g
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering the ideal mechanical keyboard switch, the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g stand out as excellent options, each offering unique characteristics to enhance your typing experience. The Honey Bean switches boast an easy-to-press, feathery feel, providing a delightful linear action that prioritizes a muted sound profile, making them particularly suitable for bustling office environments or shared spaces where noise reduction is a priority. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 43g is meticulously engineered for light typists, featuring an ultra-light 43g bottom-out force that delivers a whisper-quiet typing experience, reminiscent of gentle raindrops, perfect for creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere. While both switches excel in minimizing noise and offering linear responsiveness, your choice may hinge on factors such as typing force and the subtle nuances of tactile feedback. 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
37g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
43g
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
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm extended single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Jerrzi Honey Bean and HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches showcase distinct characteristics in their housing materials that significantly influence their sound profiles. The Honey Bean features a POM top housing, known for its ability to create a uniquely pleasing sound profile that leans towards a deeper and more muted quality. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 43g opts for a nylon top housing, a classic in the world of switch materials characterized by its relatively softer plastic, which contributes to an equally deep and full sound. While both materials elicit deeper sound, the POM top may provide a more distinct muted character compared to the warmer, softer tones of nylon, indicating that users may experience subtle differences in auditory feedback depending on the switch they are using.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Jerrzi Honey Bean continues with POM material, maintaining its signature sound profile that provides a deep and muted auditory experience. Conversely, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g incorporates polycarbonate for its bottom housing. This choice is notable because, while POM and nylon contribute to a similar sound depth, polycarbonate is recognized for its stiffer nature, which produces a sharper, more resonant sound. The contrasting properties of these bottom housing materials enhance the differences in sound profiles when keys are pressed down, where the clarity seen in the polycarbonate bottom of the Silent Sakura may lead to a more pronounced bottom-out sound compared to the muted qualities of the Honey Bean's POM bottom.
Ultimately, both the Jerrzi Honey Bean and HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches deliver satisfying auditory results, albeit through different material properties. Despite the contrasting top and bottom housing materials, users may find similarities in the overall deeper sound profile both switches emit. The tactile experience when pressing down on each switch will highlight the bottom housing's characteristics, while the sound as the key is released will largely depend on the top. Whether one prefers the muted tones of POM or the pronounced clarity of polycarbonate and nylon, both switches promise to provide enjoyable feedback that caters to varied user preferences.
Weight
The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch offer differing experiences in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Honey Bean has an actuation force of 42 grams, while the Silent Sakura has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams. This means that the Honey Bean requires slightly more force to register a keystroke, which may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. The Silent Sakura, being lighter, is better suited for long typing sessions or gaming, as it reduces finger fatigue. However, the bottom out force of the Honey Bean is unknown, whereas the Silent Sakura has a bottom out force of 43 grams. This means that when fully pressed, the Silent Sakura provides a firmer feedback compared to what is expected from the Honey Bean's unspecified bottom out force. In summary, the Honey Bean is the heavier option in terms of actuation, while the Silent Sakura features a defined bottom out force, making it the lighter choice for users seeking comfort and prolonged use.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch, there is a clear difference. The Honey Bean has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Silent Sakura - 43g features a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that if you choose the Honey Bean, you will experience a shorter key press, which can be beneficial for gamers or those who prefer quicker responses from their keyboard. On the other hand, the Silent Sakura offers a more traditional depth with its 4 mm distance, allowing for a more robust feel when typing, which some users may find preferable for extended use. Therefore, the Jerrzi Honey Bean is the shorter option, ideal for those seeking a snappier response, whereas the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g provides a deeper, more substantial keystroke for users who enjoy a generous travel distance.
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 HMX Silent Sakura - 43g comes in at $3.50 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, both the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch are designed to be discreet, making them ideal selections for noise-sensitive environments. The Honey Bean switch features a muted sound profile, providing a softer and quieter typing experience that minimizes the typical clattering of mechanical keyboards. This makes it particularly suitable for office settings. Although specific details on the sound profile of the Silent Sakura - 43g are not provided, it is engineered to deliver a whisper-quiet typing experience, likened to gentle raindrops, which suggests a similar commitment to minimizing noise during use. Therefore, both switches promise a quiet experience, though the exact acoustic characteristics of the Silent Sakura remain unspecified.
In terms of feel, the Honey Bean switches shine with a combination of an easy-to-press mechanism and a feathery action. This means they require minimal force to activate, resulting in a low-impact and comfortable typing experience that reduces finger fatigue, particularly beneficial during extended use. The ease of actuation enhances responsiveness, making it an inviting choice for both typing and gaming. In contrast, no specific information is provided about the feel of the Silent Sakura - 43g switches, which leaves a gap in the comparison. However, based on its ultra-light 43g bottom-out force, it can be inferred that it would also promote a light and responsive typing experience, making it suitable for light typists.
In conclusion, both the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch cater to users seeking a quiet and comfortable typing experience, particularly in shared environments. The Honey Bean excels in providing a muted sound and a notably easy-to-press feel, while the Silent Sakura's focus on delivering a whisper-quiet operation suggests it also maintains a similar level of discretion. Although the absence of details on the Silent Sakura's feel leaves some questions unanswered, it is reasonable to assume that both switches lead to similarly satisfying typing experiences characterized by light actuation forces and minimal noise.
Conclusion
In summary, when choosing between the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch, your specific typing preferences and environment are key factors to consider. If you prioritize an exceptionally light feel and a silent operation, the Honey Bean is an excellent choice, as it requires minimal effort to press and offers a muted sound profile. This makes it ideal for busy office settings or shared spaces where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum while still providing a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a slightly more tactile experience while still maintaining a whisper-quiet sound, the Silent Sakura - 43g could be your go-to switch. With its 43g bottom out force, it strikes a balance between ease of actuation and a gentle resistance that many typists appreciate, especially during longer typing sessions. Ultimately, weigh your noise sensitivity and typing style to determine which switch resonates best with your needs, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable mechanical keyboard experience.