Jerrzi Honey Bean vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Honey Bean switch is praised for its light and linear action, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a silent typing experience in office or shared environments. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch stands out for its smooth and creamy feel, thanks to the innovative use of POK material in both the stem and bottom housing. It also provides a high-pitched and clacky sound signature for a unique typing experience. While both switches have their own strengths and characteristics, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what suits your typing style best. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches offer unique characteristics that contribute to their overall sound profiles. The POM top housing of the Honey Bean creates a deep and muted sound, while the KTT blend top housing of the Vanilla Ice Cream provides a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. In terms of the bottom housing, both switches differ significantly. The POM bottom housing of the Honey Bean mirrors the characteristics of the top housing, offering a deep and muted sound. On the other hand, the POK bottom housing of the Vanilla Ice Cream is known for its smooth, clacky, and durable properties, making it ideal for creating a satisfying typing experience.
While the top housing materials of the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches vary in sound profile, the bottom housing materials play a crucial role in enhancing their overall performance. The POM bottom housing of the Honey Bean contributes to a deep and muted sound profile, similar to its top housing. In contrast, the POK bottom housing of the Vanilla Ice Cream provides smooth and clacky attributes, making it highly durable and resistant to wear. These differences in bottom housing materials contribute to the overall feel and sound of the switches, allowing users to experience a variety of typing sensations depending on their preference.
Overall, the housing materials of the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches showcase the importance of selecting the right materials to achieve the desired sound and feel. While the Honey Bean utilizes consistent POM materials for both the top and bottom housings, resulting in a cohesive and pleasing sound profile, the Vanilla Ice Cream mixes proprietary KTT blend top housing with POK bottom housing to create a unique high-pitched and clacky sound signature. Both switches offer users a different typing experience based on the combination of their housing materials, highlighting the importance of understanding how each material contributes to the overall performance of a switch.
Weight
The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a slightly lighter actuation force of 42 grams compared to the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, which has an actuation force of 43 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Vanilla Ice Cream switch is 48 grams, indicating that it requires more force to fully press the key compared to the unknown bottom out force of the Honey Bean switch. In terms of weight, the Honey Bean linear switch is lighter overall, making it a good option for those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch provides a slightly heavier typing feel, which may be preferred by those who want a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for actuation force and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Honey Bean switch. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are favored by gamers for faster response times. However, the slight difference in travel distance may result in a slightly different feel when typing or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for a shorter or slightly longer 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 KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
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 Honey Bean linear switch offers a muted sound profile, creating a quieter typing experience suitable for office or shared environments. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch provides a high-pitched and clacky sound, adding a unique auditory element to typing sessions. The Honey Bean switch focuses on minimizing noise, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch delivers a distinctive and crisp sound that stands out from its competitors. Depending on personal preference, users can choose between the subdued sound of the Honey Bean or the more distinct sound of the Vanilla Ice Cream.
When it comes to feel, the Honey Bean switch offers an easy-to-press and feathery typing experience, requiring minimal effort to activate the keys. This light actuation force reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions, enhancing the overall comfort and responsiveness of typing. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch provides a buttery and creamy typing sensation, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Typists can expect a seamless and effortless typing feel with the Vanilla Ice Cream switch, creating a satisfying tactile feedback while typing.
Overall, both the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch have their own unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Honey Bean excels in providing a quiet and gentle typing experience, ideal for shared environments where noise is a concern. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream stands out with its high-pitched and clacky sound, accompanied by a buttery and creamy feel that enhances the typing experience. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, users can choose between the discreet elegance of the Honey Bean or the distinctive flair of the Vanilla Ice Cream switch to achieve their desired typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Jerrzi Honey Bean and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switches, consider the environment in which you'll be using the keyboard. If you value a silent typing experience and need to minimize noise in your workspace, the Honey Bean switches would be a great choice with their light and linear feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother and creamier typing sensation with a high-pitched and clacky sound profile, the Vanilla Ice Cream switches would be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel, so consider your typing preferences and workspace requirements before making your choice.