The Gateron Plus and Siliworks X HMX Sonja switches are both standard MX mechanical switches of the linear breed. They both feature POM stem material, standard stem shape, 2 mm pre-travel, however, they come with different top housing (PA66 milky vs PA66 (with texture for scratchiness)), bottom housing (PA66 milky vs PA66), spring (15 mm KOS double-stage extended vs 22 mm KOS single-stage extended), actuation (46 g vs 45 g), bottom-out force (55 g vs 52 g), total travel (4 mm vs 3.90 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 Gateron Plus is a linear standard MX mechanical switch with PA66 milky top housing, PA66 milky bottom housing, and POM stem (standard shape). It features a 15 mm KOS double-stage extended spring. The 46g actuation occurs at 2mm. The 55g bottom-out occurs at 4mm. Factory lubing? Yes! Designed by Sensy. Manufactured by Gateron. | The Siliworks X HMX Sonja is a linear standard MX mechanical switch with PA66 (with texture for scratchiness) top housing, PA66 bottom housing, and POM stem (standard shape). It features a 22 mm KOS single-stage extended spring. The 45g actuation occurs at 2mm. The 52g bottom-out occurs at 3.90mm. Factory lubing? Yes! Designed by Silliworks. Manufactured by HMX. |
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| Name | Gateron Plus | Siliworks X HMX Sonja |
|---|---|---|
| Type | linear | linear |
| Footprint | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Top housing | PA66 milky | PA66 (with texture for scratchiness) |
| Bottom housing | PA66 milky | PA66 |
| Stem material | POM | POM |
| Stem shape | standard | standard |
| Spring | 15 mm KOS double-stage extended | 22 mm KOS single-stage extended |
| Actuation | 46 g | 45 g |
| Bottom-out | 55 g | 52 g |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 2 mm |
| Total travel | 4 mm | 3.90 mm |
| Lube | Factory lubing? Yes! | Factory lubing? Yes! Sonja switches are lubed using the same method as Snow Crash switches; only the leaves and springs are factory-lubed. Leaves are lubed with a thin coat of 205g0 and 105g0 mix, and springs are lubed with dry-film. The stem, bottom housing, and top housing |
| Designer | Sensy | Silliworks |
| Manufacturer | Gateron | HMX |
By tracking prices and in-stock status of 30+ well-known keyboard stores worldwide, we can state that the Gateron Plus is available at a single shop at the moment, while the Siliworks X HMX Sonja can be found in multiple stores.
Clicking the links below take you to some notable keyboard shops offering Gateron Plus and Siliworks X HMX Sonja 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!
Gateron Plus sound test | Siliworks X HMX Sonja sound test |
No Siliworks X HMX Sonja sound test available. |
Comments on Gateron Plus switches | Comments on Siliworks X HMX Sonja switches |
The Gateron + linear switch is a rail bottom-out full travel switch. On top of the Gateron classic milky housing and POM stem, Sensy requested Gateron to upgrade the leaf to match modern-day custom keyboards' PCBs, which come with 5ms of delay or less – Unikeys. | The HMX Sonja linear switch designed by Siliworks (previously Sillyworks) is a new HMX rail bottom-out switch. Different from the snow crash switches, the housing mold Sonja switches use is customized by Silliworks; The top housing comes with an intentional rough texture to create a satisfying scratchy feel - unikeys. |
