HMX Switches Guide: Sorting 159 Models by Use Case
Introduction
HMX is a Chinese switch maker known for consistent factory lubing at affordable prices. KeyLab DB lists 159 HMX switches, more than any other brand.
With that many options, it is hard to know where to start. This article uses KeyLab DB data to explain the trends in the lineup and introduces representative models for each type.
The Short Answer
| If you want… | Try |
|---|---|
| An easy-going linear for your first HMX switch | HMX Iris (40g) / HMX Nono (45g) |
| A light switch for long typing sessions | HMX Blush Charm (37g) |
| A quiet linear you can use at the office | HMX Sakura V2 Silent (45g) / Cinnamon Semi Silent (30g) |
| A tactile with a thocky sound | HMX Puppy (45g) / HMX Reze (35g) |
| A quiet tactile | HMX Moksae Silent (45g) |
| A switch for a magnetic (HE) keyboard | HMX Crystal HE Magnetic Gaming (35g) |
| Something with a truly different feel | HMX Rain (rail bottom-out) |
Trends Across the HMX Lineup
Based on KeyLab DB data as of October 2026.
| Group | Models | Actuation force range |
|---|---|---|
| Linear (standard) | 117 | 30–57g |
| Linear (silent) | 9 | 30–45g |
| Linear (magnetic, HE) | 5 | 30–45g |
| Tactile (standard) | 23 | 35–55g |
| Tactile (silent) | 5 | 35–48g |
| Clicky | 0 | — |
Four things stand out:
- Over 80% are linear. 131 of the 159 models are linear, and no clicky switches are listed.
- Nearly all are 5-pin and factory lubed. 157 are 5-pin and 153 are factory lubed.
- Light weights dominate. The average actuation force is 43g, and 32 models actuate at 37g or less.
- Many are collaborations. 98 models have a designer listed (80 Retros, Su Lab, and others), so the target sound and feel vary a lot from model to model.
HMX also uses its own names for stem materials, such as "LY," "H2," and "UPE+." Retailers describe H2 as a strengthened UPE blend and LY as a low-friction material. Since the material names alone say little about the sound, read them together with the comparison table and the model notes below.
Representative Models Compared
KeyLab DB data as of October 2026. Force is actuation / bottom-out; travel is pre-travel / total travel.
| Model | Type | Force | Travel | Stem |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMX Iris | Linear | 40g / 48g | 2.0 / 3.6mm | — |
| HMX Nono | Linear | 45g / 53g | 2.0 / 3.7mm | LY |
| HMX Blush Charm | Linear | 37g / 45g | 2.0 / 3.7mm | UPE+ |
| HMX Rain | Linear (RBO) | 42g / 50g | 2.0 / 4.0mm | POM blend |
| HMX Sakura V2 Silent | Silent linear | 45g / 53g | 2.0 / 4.0mm | POM |
| HMX Cinnamon Semi Silent | Silent linear | 30g / 37g | 2.0 / 3.8mm | LY |
| HMX Puppy | Tactile | 45g / 50g | 2.5 / 3.5mm | H2 |
| HMX Reze | Tactile | 35g / 45g | 2.0 / 3.5mm | H2 |
| HMX Cream Tea Light | Tactile | 42g / 49g | 2.0 / 3.9mm | H2 |
| HMX Moksae Silent | Silent tactile | 45g / 53g | 2.0 / 3.7mm | POM + TPE |
| HMX Crystal HE Magnetic Gaming | Magnetic linear | 35g / 42g | — / 3.3mm | POM |
By Type
Linear: Start with Iris or Nono
HMX
HMX Iris is a standard-weight linear that makes a good baseline for the brand. The retailer describes its sound as a rounded, concentrated mid-frequency profile without harsh high-frequency noise. At 40g, it is easy to type on, and the retailer notes it sounds brighter in a lightly damped board and deeper and more compact in a heavily damped one.
HMX
HMX Nono is designed by Su Lab. The retailer calls its bottom-out a clean, rounded crisp sound and recommends it for people who like crisp, clacky switches but find many of them too loud. At 45g, it is slightly heavier than the Iris.
If you want something lighter, try the HMX Blush Charm (37g), designed by 80 Retros. It pairs a vibration-damping UPE+ stem with PA housings for a low, rounded sound. A heavier version with a 53g bottom-out is also available.
For a scratchy, unusual feel, there is also the rail bottom-out HMX Rain, covered in Featured Switch: HMX Rain.
Silent Linear: Sakura V2 Silent and Cinnamon Semi Silent
The HMX Sakura V2 Silent was our top overall pick in 6 Recommended Silent Linear Switches. Its 4.0mm total travel keeps the typing feel from turning dull, even with the silencing.
The HMX Cinnamon Semi Silent is a "semi-silent" linear with a 30g actuation force, one of the lightest in the HMX lineup. The retailer describes a soft yet firm bottom-out with a deep sound. It is not fully silent, so if quiet matters most, the Sakura V2 Silent is the better fit.
Tactile: Thocky Puppy and Reze
H2 large spherical stem tip
The HMX Puppy, designed by Su Lab, is an early-bump tactile with a large bump near the top of the press. According to the retailer, its large spherical stem tip softens the bottom-out for a deep, thocky sound, and the bump is rounded and gentle rather than sharp.
HMX
The HMX Reze is a light tactile at 35g. The retailer says it fills the gap for a thocky, creamy HMX tactile. It is a good one to try if you find tactiles heavy and tiring.
If you want a slightly lighter bump, there is also the HMX Cream Tea Light (42g), whose spherical-bottom stem softens high frequencies at bottom-out. For a designer collaboration tactile, see Featured Switch: HMX Waverider V2.
Silent Tactile: Moksae Silent
The HMX Moksae Silent is the tactile version of the Moksae silent linear. The retailer says it uses HMX's most advanced silencing mechanism and aims for a bottom-out that is quiet without being mushy. It suits people who want a tactile in places where noise matters, like an office.
Magnetic (HE): Crystal HE Magnetic Gaming
HMX also makes magnetic (Hall effect) switches. The HMX Crystal HE Magnetic Gaming is a light 35g linear that the retailer says is compatible with the major magnetic keyboards. Keep in mind that magnetic switches only work in keyboards built for them. See Best Magnetic (HE) Keyboards for how to choose one.
How to Choose
HMX has a huge lineup, but most models share the same basics: 5-pin, factory lubed, and on the lighter side, so it is hard to go badly wrong. If you are unsure, start with the Iris or Nono to get a feel for the HMX baseline, then branch out toward quieter, lighter, or tactile models from there.
Explore More
References
FAQ
- Who makes HMX switches?
- HMX is a Chinese switch manufacturer. Besides its own switches, it produces many collaborations with designers and retailers such as 80 Retros and Su Lab. Of the 159 HMX switches in KeyLab DB, 98 have a designer listed.
- Are HMX switches factory lubed?
- Almost all of them are. In KeyLab DB, 153 of the 159 models are factory lubed, so most can be used as-is without lubing them yourself.
- Can I use HMX switches in a 3-pin keyboard?
- 157 of the 159 models are 5-pin. To fit them into 3-pin sockets, you need to clip off the two plastic side pins with flush cutters.
- Does HMX make clicky switches?
- None are listed in KeyLab DB as of October 2026. The HMX lineup focuses on linear and tactile switches.
