Save 5% at MonacoKeys (EU)! Code: KBDNEWS
The Cherry MX Northern Light and HMX Taro switches are both standard MX mechanical switches of the silent linear breed. They both feature standard stem shape, 45 g actuation, however, they come with different spring (barrel-shaped, gold colored vs 22 mm), bottom-out force (99.9 g vs 53 g), pre-travel (1.60 mm vs 2 mm), total travel (3.70 mm vs 3.80 mm). That said, they are not too similar. Let's check out this side-by-side specs rundawn with details, availability -- and even current prices -- to figure out which one fits you the best!
The Cherry MX Northern Light is a silent linear standard MX mechanical switch with top housing, bottom housing, and stem (standard shape). It features a barrel-shaped, gold colored spring. The 45g actuation occurs at 1.60mm. The 99.9g bottom-out occurs at 3.70mm. Factory lubing? Yes! Manufactured by Cherry. | The HMX Taro is a silent linear standard MX mechanical switch with PC top housing, PA66 bottom housing, and POM stem (standard shape). It features a 22 mm spring. The 45g actuation occurs at 2mm. The 53g bottom-out occurs at 3.80mm. Light diffuser, double-shot stem. Factory lubing? Yes! Designed by XLLAB. Manufactured by HMX. |
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| Name | Cherry MX Northern Light | HMX Taro |
|---|---|---|
| Type | silent linear | silent linear |
| Footprint | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Top housing | - | PC |
| Bottom housing | - | PA66 |
| Stem material | - | POM |
| Stem shape | standard | standard |
| Spring | barrel-shaped, gold colored | 22 mm |
| Actuation | 45 g | 45 g |
| Bottom-out | 99.9 g | 53 g |
| Pre-travel | 1.60 mm | 2 mm |
| Total travel | 3.70 mm | 3.80 mm |
| Lube | Factory lubing? Yes! | Factory lubing? Yes! |
| Designer | - | XLLAB |
| Manufacturer | Cherry | HMX |
By tracking prices and in-stock status of 30+ well-known keyboard stores worldwide, we can state that the HMX Taro is much more widely available, but the Cherry MX Northern Light is also available in stores.
Clicking the links below take you to some notable keyboard shops offering Cherry MX Northern Light and HMX Taro switches. When accepted, the prices indicated already include the discount - use the KBDNEWS coupon code at checkout to claim your saving!
Prices, discounts, and stock status are checked regularly; however, changes since the last update cannot be ruled out. Everything here is for informational purposes only. Check the product pages for the latest prices!
Cherry MX Northern Light force curve | HMX Taro force curve |
| No HMX Taro force curve available. |
Comments on Cherry MX Northern Light switches | Comments on HMX Taro switches |
In the quiet, clear nights of the North, the Northern Lights illuminate the sky with an unparalleled elegance. This unique aesthetic inspired us to create the MX Northern Light Switch — a fusion of innovative design and exceptional quality. The MX Northern Light captivates with its distinctive color palette, evoking the serene and mesmerizing beauty of the Nordic Aurora. Yet, its true highlight lies in its outstanding performance – Cherry. The MX NORTHERN LIGHT is proof to CHERRY’s neverending commitment to strife for excellence. Created by a team of in-house switch enthusiasts, the MX NORTHERN LIGHT combines the best components of existing CHERRY switches and enhances them with some new tricks, like an extra polished top housing and the new blue bottom, making this our smoothest linear switch ever – MonacoKeys. | The Taro silent linear switch is the newest MX style silent linear switch made by HMX. Different from previous HMX silent switches, the Taro switches utilise a double-shot stem, for a better silencing mechanism – SerpentKeys. |
