Best Marbly HMX Switches

Overview

HMX mechanical switches are widely recognized for their crisp, clacky sound profile, making them a favorite among fans of bright and snappy acoustics. However, a few switches in the HMX lineup defy this norm, delivering a surprisingly "marbly" sound that is deep, muted, and smooth, with a soft, polished resonance and resembles the sound of dropping marbles. These marbly-sounding HMX switches offer a unique twist for users who enjoy the signature smoothness of HMX but prefer a more refined, low-pitched typing experience.

Curious which HMX switch has the most marbly sound to your ears?

HMX Hibiscus

Product Details

Name	HMX Hibiscus
Switch Type	Linear
Top Housing Material	PA12
Bottom Housing Material	PA66
Stem Material	T3
Actuation Force	42±5g
Bottom Out Force	48±5g
Mount	5 pin
Pre Travel	2.0±0.3mm
Total Travel	3.5±0.3mm
Factory Lubed	Yes

Switch Feel

The typing feel of the HMX Hibiscus feels smooth and comfortable with no scratchiness. HMX factory lubing evenly distributes the lube and enables a consistent typing experience. Similar to other HMX switches, the HMX Hibiscus is smooth and has a relatively lighter bottom out force to provide a typing feel free of fatigue. The HMX Hibiscus has a slight bit of the syringe feel at the top of the keypress when pushed slowly, but it is not noticeable during normal typing.  The HMX Hibiscus also has almost no stem wobble. The N/S direction has no stem wobble at all and the E/W direction has barely any stem wobble with excessive teetering. HMX Hibiscus is consistent with the rest of the HMX switches in providing a clean typing experience,

Switch Sound

HMX Hibiscus presents a slightly thockier and marbly sound profile relative to most of HMX's clacky switches. It has a sound profile more in the mid tones when bottoming out with a similar poppy top out sound. There are no scratchy or plastic-y noises and no spring ping or leaf chatter as well. The HMX Hibiscus allows you to enjoy the pure sound of the switch void of any unnecessary noises. HMX Hibiscus would be a great choice for you if you are looking for an HMX that is slightly deeper than some of their other known switches but still want that HMX sound and feel. 

Here is a sound test of the HMX Hibiscus:

HMX Blue Topaz

Product Details

Name	HMX Blue Topaz
Switch Type	Linear
Top Housing Material	PC
Bottom Housing Material	PA
Stem Material	LY
Actuation Force	40±2g
Bottom Out Force	48±2g
Mount	5 pin
Pre Travel	2.0±0.2mm
Total Travel	3.9±0.2mm
Factory Lubed	Yes

Switch Feel

The HMX Blue Topaz, like with other HMX switches, are smooth, have almost no stem wobble, and have a solid bottom out due to the short travel distance with a snappy top out due to the long spring. The HMX Blue Topaz, however, feels more similar to a full travel switch with its 3.9mm travel distance. The HMX Blue Topaz has a softer feeling bottom out that most other HMX switches, due to its 3.9mm total travel distance in combination with its nylon bottom housing. The HMX Blue Topaz also stands out as in in its tight tolerances. Some switches have tight tolerances for stem wobble when the switch is not actuated but start to have more stem wobble as the switch actuates. The HMX Blue Topaz retains its tight tolerances and minimal to nonexistent stem wobble through the entirety of its actuation. The HMX Blue Topaz is a solid choice for enthusiasts who enjoy the HMX sound profile but prefer the feel of a full travel switch. 

Switch Sound

Just like its appearance, the HMX Blue Topaz has an aesthetically pleasing sound. The design of the HMX Blue Topaz retains the classic clacky HMX sound signature but makes the sound profile more petite due to its design elements. The HMX Blue Topaz has a similar bottom out sound profile as other HMX switches, but the sound is slightly softer due to its combination of a nylon bottom housing and an almost full total travel distance. The HMX Blue Topaz has a hard and crisp sounding top out due to the PC top housing with its improved molds for stem tolerances, removing any extra unnecessary noises and pinpointing on the pure sound of the switch. The HMX Blue Topaz is a would be the perfect choice for those who enjoy the sound signature of HMX but prefer the sound of full travel switches over the sound of long stem pole switches. 

Here is a sound test of the HMX Blue Topaz:

HMX Jelly

Product Details

Name	HMX Jelly
Switch Type	Linear
Top Housing Material	PA12
Bottom Housing Material	P4
Stem Material	T2
Actuation Force	42±5g
Bottom Force	48±5g
Mount	5 pin
Pre Travel	2.0±0.5mm
Total Travel	3.8±0.3mm
Factory Lubed	Light factory lubed

Switch Feel

HMX Jelly feels incredibly smooth in stock form. Just like other HMX switches, the HMX Jelly comes with excellent factory lube. It also has minimal stem wobble in comparison to other switches which allows for a smoother typing experience. It creates an even typing feel regardless of where the keycap is pressed. The tight tolerances for HMX Jelly also translates to a clean and clear sound. Even though the HMX Jelly has a total travel distance of 3.8mm, it feels closer to a full travel switch than many other popular HMX switches like the HMX Cheese. The HMX Jelly feels similar to a full travel switch while still producing the solid bottom out feel of a long pole stem. 

Switch Sound

The HMX Jelly still retains the essence of a HMX switch with an overall clacky plastic-y sound signature. However, unlike some of the more popular HMX switches known for their high pitched clack, the HMX Jelly provides a more mellow sound profile. The HMX Jelly still has the usual long pole bottom out sound signature, but the overall sound of the HMX Jelly is more poppy and creamy than just the usual HMX clack. The bottom out of the HMX Jelly sounds more softer and less harsh than sound of the louder HMX switches. This helps to round out the sounds and create a switch that is more well rounded and achieves sounds ranging from the mid tones to the high tones without sounding too sharp. The HMX Jelly would be a good option to try if you are looking for a poppy and creamy sound profile or if you are interested in trying an HMX switch that has a more individualistic sound.

Here is a sound test of the HMX Jelly:

HMX x BCKeys Pink Pig

Product Details

Name	HMX x BCKeys Pink Pig
Switch Type	Linear
Top Housing Material	PC
Bottom Housing Material	P5
Stem Material	T2
Actuation Force	45±2gf
Bottom Out Force	50±2gf
Mount	5 pin
Total Travel	3.5±0.2mm
Factory Lubed	Yes

Switch Feel

The HMX x BCKeys Pink Pig is made with a newer HMX mold with better tolerances between the housing and stem to create an even smoother typing feel. In comparison to HMX switches with older molds, the HMX x BCKeys Pink Pig feels smooth at the initial actuation while still retaining the consistent smoothness and factory lube application that HMX has been known for. Some HMX switches has a syringe-like feel at the very start of the keypress, but with the new molds, the HMX x BCKeys Pink Pig feels incredibly smooth throughout the entire keypress. With a 3.5mm bottom out and a 21mm spring, the HMX x BCKeys Pink Pig has a very responsive typing feel.

Switch Sound

Among the HMX x BCKeys switches, the HMX x BCKeys Pink Pig sounds closer to the mid tones relative to the HMX x BCKeys Martini (which has higher and clacky pitch among the three HMX x BCKeys switches) and the HMX x BCKeys Gulf (which has the deepest and thockiest pitch among the three HMX x BCKeys switches). The P5 bottom housing of the HMX x BCKeys Pink Pig produces a lively poppy sound on bottom out and a soft thocky top out. These two contrasting sounds of the HMX x BCKeys Pink Pig, overall creates a creamy and marbly sound profile that leans towards a brighter tone. The HMX x BCKeys Pink Pig would be a great fit for those who are looking for a slightly higher pitched marbly sound. 

Here is a sound test of the HMX x BCKeys Pink Pig:

HMX x BCKeys Gulf

Product Details

Name	HMX x BCKeys Gulf
Type	Linear
Bottom Material	P5
Stem Material	P2
Actuation Force	50±2g
Bottom Out Force	58±2g
Spring	21mm single-stage
Total Travel	3.8±0.2mm
Mount	5 pin

Switch Feel

Consistent with HMX quality, the keypresses on the HMX Gulf are silky smooth with their thoroughly applied factory lube. The housing of the HMX Gulf is also consistent with HMX with very tight tolerances between opening in the top housing with the stem, allowing a clean and stable typing experience without any plastic rattling noises. The HMX Gulf has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8mm, creating a long pole responsiveness with a comfortability similar to a full travel switch. 

Switch Sound

The HMX Gulf is one of the more unique HMX switches in terms of sound. The HMX Gulf produces a relatively deeper sound than most of the previous HMX switches that have been known for their clacky sound profiles. The HMX Gulf takes the poppy sounds from previous HMX switches with a deeper and more thocky bottom out using a combination of materials like the T2 stem and P5 bottom housing. This creates a sharp and thocky bottom out and a lively poppy top out for the HMX Gulf. 

Here is a sound test of the HMX x BCKeys Gulf:

Product Details

Name	HMX x EILAB West Cowboy
Type	Linear
Top Housing Material	PA12
Bottom Housing Material	P2
Stem Material	T5
Actuation Force	42±5gf
Bottom Out Force	48±5gf
Total Travel	3.5±0.2mm
Mount	5 pin
Factory Lube	Yes

Switch Feel

HMX x EILAB West Cowboy retains the consistently smooth and clean typing feel that HMX switches are known for. Due to their tight tolerances, some of the earlier versions of HMX switches had batches where the initial keypress felt sticky between the stem and the top housing. The HMX x EILAB West Cowboy uses a newer version of HMX molds that adjusted the tolerance to keep the wobble free typing experience while removing the potential sticky feel at the top of the keypress. It also has minimal stem wobble in comparison to other switches which allows for a smooth typing experience. It allows for an even typing feel regardless where the keycap is pressed. 

HMX x EILAB West Cowboy feels incredibly smooth in stock form. Just like other HMX switches, the HMX x EILAB West Cowboy comes with consistent factory lube.

Switch Sound

HMX x EILAB West Cowboy has a deep and creamy bottom out and a soft and poppy top out. For comparison, the HMX Hibiscus and HMX Caramel Pudding were known to be one of the lower pitched HMX switches. The HMX x EILAB West Cowboy has a distinctive lower pitch and fuller bottom out sound than the two. HMX switches used to be known solely for their high pitched and clacky sound profiles. The HMX x EILAB West Cowboy is one of the HMX switches that are made with a newer mold and newer materials to aim for switches that produce deeper and fuller typing sounds to achieve a thocky sound profile. The HMX x EILAB West Cowboy would be a great option to try for those who have been looking for a HMX switch that truly sounds full, deep, and thocky.

Here is a sound test of the HMX x EILAB West Cowboy:

HMX x Sillyworks Nap

Product Details

Name	HMX × Sillyworks Nap
Type	Linear
Top Housing Material	PA66
Bottom Housing Material	PA66
Stem Material	UPE
Actuation Force	37g
Bottom Out Force	43g
Spring	20mm single-stage
Pre Travel	2mm
Total Travel	3.6mm
Mount	5 pin
Factory Lube	Yes

Switch Feel

HMX × Sillyworks Nap retains the consistently smooth and clean typing feel that HMX switches are known for. Due to their tight tolerances, some of the earlier versions of HMX switches had batches where the initial keypress felt sticky between the stem and the top housing. The HMX × Sillyworks Nap uses the newest of HMX molds that adjusted the tolerance to keep the wobble free typing experience while removing the potential sticky feel at the top of the keypress. It also has minimal stem wobble in comparison to other switches which allows for a smooth typing experience. It allows for an even typing feel regardless where the keycap is pressed. With the newest molds for HMX switches, the HMX × Sillyworks Nap also has a more defined area on the underside of the stem for where the spring sits, which allows for a more stable and even typing experience. 

HMX × Sillyworks Nap feels incredibly smooth in stock form. Just like other HMX switches, the HMX × Sillyworks Nap comes with consistent factory lube.

Switch Sound

Made with the newest HMX mold, the HMX × Sillyworks Nap has a full and creamy sound signature. Most of the earlier HMX switches were known to sound thin with a high-pitched clacky sound profile. Since the new molds, HMX switches like the HMX × Sillyworks Nap have a much fuller sound. The HMX × Sillyworks Nap has a solid bottom out that lies within the mid to low tones giving it the potential to sound either creamy or thocky depending on the build configuration. On keyup, the HMX × Sillyworks Nap has a soft and poppy sounding top out that lies within the mid tones. The HMX × Sillyworks Nap would be a great choice to try for those who have been wanting to try an HMX switch that produces a full and creamy sound reminiscent of other popular milky housing switches. 

Here is a sound test of the HMX × Sillyworks Nap:

👉 You can buy these switches on our site: 

Share your thoughts in the comments and let us know if you have any questions!

• HMX Hibiscus
• HMX Blue Topaz
• HMX Jelly
• HMX Pink Pig
• HMX x BCKeys Gulf
• HMX x EILAB West Cowboy
• HMX x Sillyworks Nap

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