The HMX Black Cat and HMX Hydra switches are both standard MX mechanical switches of the tactile breed. They both feature POM stem material, standard stem shape, - g , - mm , however, they come with different top housing (PA12 Nylon vs PC), bottom housing (P3 vs P2), spring (single-stage extended KOS vs 22 mm single-stage extended KOS), actuation (35 g vs 42 g), bottom-out force (48 g vs 50 g), pre-travel (2.50 mm vs 2.30 mm), total travel (3 mm vs 3.10 mm). That said, they are only slightly 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 HMX Black Cat is a tactile standard MX mechanical switch with PA12 Nylon top housing, P3 bottom housing, and POM stem (standard shape). It features a single-stage extended KOS spring. The 35g actuation occurs at 2.50mm. The 48g bottom-out occurs at 3mm. Extra: Light diffuser. Factory lubing? Yes! Manufactured by HMX. | The HMX Hydra is a tactile standard MX mechanical switch with PC top housing, P2 bottom housing, and POM stem (standard shape). It features a 22 mm single-stage extended KOS spring. The 42g actuation occurs at 2.30mm. The 50g bottom-out occurs at 3.10mm. Extra: Light diffuser. Factory lubing? Yes! Designed by HMX. Manufactured by HMX. |
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| Name | HMX Black Cat | HMX Hydra |
|---|---|---|
| Type | tactile | tactile |
| Footprint | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Top housing | PA12 Nylon | PC |
| Bottom housing | P3 | P2 |
| Stem material | POM | POM |
| Stem shape | standard | standard |
| Spring | single-stage extended KOS | 22 mm single-stage extended KOS |
| Tactile force | - g | - g |
| Actuation | 35 g | 42 g |
| Bottom-out | 48 g | 50 g |
| Tactile bump position | - mm | - mm |
| Pre-travel | 2.50 mm | 2.30 mm |
| Total travel | 3 mm | 3.10 mm |
| Lube | Factory lubing? Yes! Stem legs and stem sliders are covered with a very thin coat of 205g0. The spring and leaf are lubed with dry film. | Factory lubing? Yes! Stem legs and stem sliders are covered with a very thin coat of 205g0. The spring and leaf are lubed with dry film. |
| Designer | - | HMX |
| Manufacturer | HMX | HMX |
By tracking prices and in-stock status of 30+ well-known keyboard stores worldwide, we can state that the HMX Hydra is much more widely available, but the HMX Black Cat is also available in stores.
Clicking the links below take you to some notable keyboard shops offering HMX Black Cat and HMX Hydra 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!
Comments on HMX Black Cat switches | Comments on HMX Hydra switches |
The Black Cat tactile switch is a clacky-sounding long-pole tactile switch manufactured by HMX. Unlike most short travel HMX tactile switches, the Black Cat tactiles have a PA12 top housing instead of a PC one. The PA12 material is better for calming down the overall top-out sound to make it not too shrill. With the POM stem and P3 bottom housing, the Black Cat switch overall sounds very pleasant. The tactile bump is very close to a D shape, like the retro J or Hydra switches. It's rounded and very comfortable to type on – Unikeys. | The HMX Hydra tactile switch is designed by XLLAB and features a big almost D-shaped tactile bump similar to Retro J. It is an attempt to replicate the classic Gateron Type R's D-shaped bump, but with a touch of the signature HMX clacky sound profile and fantastic stem wobble control. Thanks to the P2 bottom housing, the Hydra switches are one of the clackiest HMX tactile switches so far – Unikeys. |
