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Durock Black Lotus vs. Jerrzi Honey Bean

An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Jerrzi Honey Bean switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Black Lotus and the Jerrzi Honey Bean are both excellent options to consider. The Black Lotus is praised for its silky smooth feel, precise typing experience, and the reduction of housing and stem wobble. With a 55g actuation weight, it offers a substantial yet comfortable typing experience. On the other hand, the Honey Bean switches provide a light and linear action with silent operation, making them ideal for office or shared environments where noise reduction is important. While the Black Lotus is described as 'Silky', 'Buttery', 'Mild', 'Polished', the Honey Bean is categorized as 'Easy-to-press', 'Feathery', 'Muted'. These general characteristics can help guide your decision, 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

55g

Actuation force

42g

Bottom-out force

63.5g

Bottom-out force

N/A

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Total travel

4.00 mm

Total travel

3.70 mm

Factory lubed

Yes

Factory lubed

Yes

Stem construction

Standard

Stem construction

Partial box

Stem material

POM

Stem material

Ly

Top housing material

Modified PC & UPE Blend

Top housing material

POM

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Bottom housing material

POM

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

Gold-plated

Spring

Stainless steel

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and Jerrzi Honey Bean switches offer unique characteristics that contribute to the overall typing experience. The Black Lotus features a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing, which provides a premium feel and potentially influences the sound when letting go of a key. In contrast, the Honey Bean utilizes a POM top housing, which is known for creating a pleasing and deeper sound profile. Both materials offer a unique sound experience, albeit with different tones and levels of sound projection.

Moving on to the bottom housing, the Durock Black Lotus is equipped with a nylon bottom housing, known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile during typing. The softer nature of nylon allows for more sound absorption, resulting in a rounder and duller sound. Similarly, the Jerrzi Honey Bean's POM bottom housing contributes to a deeper sound profile that is relatively more muted. Despite the different materials used for the bottom housing, both switches offer a more subdued sound compared to their top housing counterparts.

In terms of construction, the qualities of the top and bottom housing materials are split between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. While the Durock Black Lotus and Jerrzi Honey Bean switches feature distinct housing materials, they both provide a unique and satisfying typing experience that caters to different preferences in sound profiles. Ultimately, whether choosing the Black Lotus or Honey Bean, users can expect a high-quality typing experience with nuanced sound profiles.

Weight

In comparing the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Black Lotus has a higher actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Honey Bean's lighter 42 grams. When it comes to bottom out force, the Black Lotus requires 63.5 grams, while the force for the Honey Bean is unknown. This makes the Black Lotus a heavier switch in both actuation and bottom out forces, providing a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Honey Bean offers a lighter actuation force, which may be preferred for longer typing sessions or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and force requirements.

Travel distance

The Durock Black Lotus linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. This means that the Honey Bean requires slightly less travel to actuate compared to the Black Lotus. In terms of preference, gamers might lean towards the Honey Bean for its faster response time due to the shorter travel distance. However, those who prefer a more substantial keypress may opt for the Black Lotus with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, both switches offer a different typing experience with the Black Lotus providing a bit more depth in keypress compared to the quicker actuation of the Honey Bean.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The Durock Black Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Black Lotus for $4.57.

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.

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

In terms of sound, the Durock Black Lotus linear switch is not explicitly described, but based on its build and materials, it can be inferred that it may produce a moderate to slightly audible sound due to its smoother operation. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch is known for its muted sound profile, making it ideal for quiet environments such as offices or shared spaces where noise level is a concern. Both switches offer a more subtle typing experience compared to louder switches, resulting in a more discreet typing session.

When it comes to feel, the Durock Black Lotus linear switch is characterized by descriptors such as silky, buttery, mild, and polished, indicating a smooth and refined typing experience with minimal resistance and gentle keypresses. This results in a satisfying and effortless feel when typing, enhancing overall comfort and typing speed. In contrast, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch is described as easy-to-press and feathery, emphasizing its light actuation force and low-impact typing feel. This light touch reduces finger fatigue and makes typing sessions more comfortable, particularly during extended use for work or gaming.

Overall, both the Durock Black Lotus and Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences and typing styles. The Black Lotus provides a smoother and more refined typing experience, while the Honey Bean excels in delivering a quieter and lighter touch for effortless typing. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, either switch can provide a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two would depend on your priorities in terms of sound level, typing feel, and personal typing preferences.

Conclusion

To wrap up, when deciding between the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams and enjoy a silky smooth feel with precise typing, the Black Lotus is the ideal choice. The unique light column and reduced wobble further enhance your typing experience. On the other hand, if you prioritize a light and linear action with silent operation, perfect for office or shared environments where noise reduction is essential, the Honey Bean is the way to go. Its easy-to-press feel and feathery actuation make typing effortless and comfortable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prefer a heavier, more precise typing experience with the Black Lotus or a lighter, quieter typing experience with the Honey Bean.

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