TTC Honey vs. Jwick Taro
An in-depth look at the TTC Honey and the Jwick Taro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two highly popular options to consider are the TTC Honey, a linear switch, and the Jwick Taro, a tactile switch. The TTC Honey switches are best known for their smooth and creamy feel, providing a satisfying typing experience. These switches also feature a deep and pleasant sound profile, adding a touch of elegance to your typing sessions. On the other hand, the Jwick Taro switches offer a cozy typing experience with a subdued color scheme. They provide a snappy, medium-level of tactility, giving you a satisfying feedback with each key press. Additionally, the Taro switches produce acute and crisp clacks, adding an extra layer of satisfaction to your typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
25.5 mm lengthened spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Honey and Jwick Taro switches share many similarities. Both switches utilize polycarbonate in their top housings, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate offers a clear and resonant sound, making it a popular choice for switches with clear housings. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it an excellent option for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. Therefore, users can expect similar sound and aesthetic benefits from both the Honey and Taro switches when it comes to their polycarbonate top housings.
However, the bottom housings differ between the two switches. The Honey switch features a polycarbonate bottom housing, while the Taro switch utilizes a nylon bottom housing. The polycarbonate bottom housing of the Honey switch retains its stiffer quality, contributing to a clear and resonant bottom-out sound and feel. In contrast, the nylon bottom housing of the Taro switch produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a slightly duller and rounder sound. Consequently, when pressing down on the switches, users will experience different tactile and auditory feedback due to the distinct characteristics of their bottom housings.
In conclusion, while both the TTC Honey and Jwick Taro switches share the benefits of polycarbonate top housings, they differ in their bottom housing materials. The Honey switch's polycarbonate bottom housing offers a clear and resonant sound upon bottoming out, while the Taro switch's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. Depending on the user's preference, the choice between the two switches can be based on the desired tactile feedback and the specific sound characteristics desired during typing.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Honey linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch, there are noticeable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Honey switch has an actuation force of 42 grams, while the Taro's actuation force is unknown. However, the Taro's bottom out force is heavier at 67 grams, compared to the Honey's 50 grams. This means that the Taro switch provides a more substantial typing experience, requiring a stronger push to trigger a keystroke and a firmer bottoming out sensation. On the other hand, the Honey switch is lighter in both actuation and bottom out force. If one prefers a lighter feel for longer typing sessions or extended gaming, the Honey switch would be a suitable choice. However, if someone desires a keyboard with a more solid and heavier feel, the Taro switch would be the better option.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the TTC Honey linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch, it is clear that the Honey has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Taro has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which have become more prevalent in recent times. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances for faster response times. If you are seeking a more responsive typing or gaming experience, opting for the Taro with its shorter travel distance may be the better choice. On the other hand, some individuals find short travel distances to feel abrupt and prefer a deeper keystroke. In this case, the Honey with its slightly longer travel distance would be the more suitable option. Overall, the difference in travel distance between these two switches is minimal, and both can provide similar results depending on individual preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Honey has an MSRP of $9.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Honey for $6.78.
The Jwick Taro has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Taro for $4.25.
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 TTC Honey linear switch is best described as subdued. This means that it produces a dampened sound when pressed, offering a more subtle sound profile compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Jwick Taro tactile switch is described as neutral, with a moderate sound profile. This makes it suitable for a wide range of purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and regardless of whether you use it at home or at work. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps you choose.
Moving on to feel, the TTC Honey linear switch is often described as creamy, frictionless, buttery, subtle, and polished. This means that it offers a smooth and buttery typing experience, with a silky sensation as your fingers effortlessly glide across the keys. The switch provides a seamless and uniform typing sensation, thanks to its smooth and refined finish, reduced friction, and smooth key travel. Additionally, the Honey switch has a gentle resistance that adds a light and pleasant typing feel. On the other hand, the Jwick Taro tactile switch is characterized as buttery and stepped. The buttery feel implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, just like the Honey switch. However, the stepped feature of the Taro switch means that it has a more mild tactile feedback compared to hyper-tactile switches. With stepped switches, you can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel, adding a subtle tactile element to the typing experience.
In conclusion, the TTC Honey linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch offer different subjective qualities. In terms of sound, the Honey switch has a subdued sound profile, while the Taro switch has a neutral sound profile. In terms of feel, the Honey switch provides a creamy, frictionless, buttery, subtle, and polished typing experience, while the Taro switch offers a buttery and stepped feel. Although they have some similarities in terms of sound and feel, the overall experience will differ based on these subjective qualities. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a lighter switch with a smooth and creamy typing experience, the TTC Honey linear switch would be a great choice for you. With a bottom out force of 50 grams, these switches offer a light and effortless typing feel. They are best known for their smooth and buttery sensation, as well as a deep and pleasant sound profile. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy switch with a snappy tactility and acute clacks, the Jwick Taro tactile switch is the way to go. With a bottom out force of 67 grams, these switches provide a cozy typing experience and a moderate sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on your personal preferences in terms of typing feel and sound.
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