The HMX Taro Ball and HMX Bad Sweetheart switches are both standard MX mechanical switches of the linear breed. They both feature PA12 top housing, standard stem shape, 22 mm KOS single-stage extended spring, 45 g actuation, 2 mm pre-travel, however, they come with different bottom housing (P2 vs P4), stem material (H2 vs T5), bottom-out force (53 g vs 50 g), total travel (3.60 mm vs 3.80 mm). That said, they are quite 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 Taro Ball is a linear standard MX mechanical switch with PA12 top housing, P2 bottom housing, and H2 stem (standard shape). It features a 22 mm KOS single-stage extended spring. The 45g actuation occurs at 2mm. The 53g bottom-out occurs at 3.60mm. Factory lubing? Yes! Designed by XLLAB. Manufactured by HMX. | The HMX Bad Sweetheart is a linear standard MX mechanical switch with PA12 top housing, P4 bottom housing, and T5 stem (standard shape). It features a 22 mm KOS single-stage extended spring. The 45g actuation occurs at 2mm. The 50g bottom-out occurs at 3.80mm. Factory lubing? Yes! Designed by RENA LAB. Manufactured by HMX. |
|
|
| Name | HMX Taro Ball | HMX Bad Sweetheart |
|---|---|---|
| Type | linear | linear |
| Footprint | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Top housing | PA12 | PA12 |
| Bottom housing | P2 | P4 |
| Stem material | H2 | T5 |
| Stem shape | standard | standard |
| Spring | 22 mm KOS single-stage extended | 22 mm KOS single-stage extended |
| Actuation | 45 g | 45 g |
| Bottom-out | 53 g | 50 g |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 2 mm |
| Total travel | 3.60 mm | 3.80 mm |
| Lube | Factory lubing? Yes! Mixed GPL105&GPL205 on leaf spring, stem feet, and bottom housing rails. | Factory lubing? Yes! Mixed GPL105&GPL205 on leaf spring, stem feet, and bottom housing rails. |
| Designer | XLLAB | RENA LAB |
| Manufacturer | HMX | HMX |
By tracking prices and in-stock status of 30+ well-known keyboard stores worldwide, we can state that the HMX Taro Ball is not available at the moment, while the HMX Bad Sweetheart can be found in 4 stores.
Clicking the links below take you to some notable keyboard shops offering HMX Taro Ball and HMX Bad Sweetheart 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 Taro Ball switches | Comments on HMX Bad Sweetheart switches |
The HMX Taro Ball linear switch is XLLAB's newest design. It has an H2 modified UPE stem with a small spherical stem tip. Compared to switches that come with a big spherical stem tip, such as Canglan V3 or Sprite switches, the smaller spherical tip further solidifies the sound signature. The housing is made of PA12 and P2, the same as the Cheese and Sugar Rush switches. They work with the new H2 stem to create a thockier but still very loud bottom-out sound – Unikeys. | The Bad Sweetheart switch designed by Rena Lab is one of the deepest sounding HMX switches so far; Thanks to the T5 UPE blend stem, the spherical stem tip, and the new P4 bottom housing molding, they don't sound like your usual HMX type. The new P4 bottom housing comes with as less fiberglass as possible in order to eliminate the clacky tone from the sound profile. If you are a fan of deep and thocky sounding switches that are not muted, the Bad Sweetheart switches would be a great option – Unikeys. |
