HMX Hydra switch
The HMX Hydra is a tactile mechanical switch with PC top housing, P2 bottom housing, and POM stem (standard). 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.
Where to buy HMX Hydra switches?
Here are some notable keyboard shops offering HMX Hydra switches. When available, the prices indicated already include the discount - use the KBDNEWS coupon code at checkout to claim your saving!
Currency:
| Store | Area | Offer | Price | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeaverKeys | CA | 5.32 CAD / 10 pcs 5% off, KBDNEWS | 0.38 USD | buy | |
| Lume Keebs | US | 3.99 USD / 10 pcs 5% off, KBDNEW (not kbdnewS) | 0.40 USD | buy | |
| UniKeys | CN | 3.91 USD / 10 pcs 7% off, KBDNEWS | 0.39 USD | buy | |
| SerpentKeys | UK | 3.61 GBP / 10 pcs 5% off, KBDNEWS | 0.49 USD | buy | |
| MonacoKeys | DE | 3.99 EUR / 10 pcs 5% off, KBDNEWS | 0.46 USD | sold out |
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!
HMX Hydra data sheet
| Name | HMX Hydra |
|---|---|
| Type | tactile |
| Footprint | 5-pin |
| Top housing | PC |
| Bottom housing | P2 |
| Stem | POM standard |
| Spring | 22 mm single-stage extended KOS |
| Tactile force | - g |
| Actuation | 42 g |
| Bottom-out | 50 g |
| Tactile bump position | - mm |
| Pre-travel | 2.30 mm |
| Total travel | 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. |
| Designer | HMX |
| Manufacturer | HMX |
Comments on HMX Hydra switches
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.
HMX Hydra alternatives
Here are some notable alternatives to the HMX Hydra, our reference switch. Competitors with comparable specs across parameters like switch type, housing material, actuation and bottom-out forces and travel distances — even color. Not perfect matches but the closest results in order of similarity.
| Sim. | Similar switches | Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93% | Gateron Beer tactile, 5-pin, PC/PC/POM, 38/50gF, 2.0/3.4mm | Compare | ||
| 93% | Sillyworks X HMX Waverider V2 tactile, 5-pin, PC/PA66 Nylon/POM, 42/53gF, 2.0/3.8mm | Compare | ||
| 93% | Duhuk Lumia Bitter Tea V2 tactile, 5-pin, PC/PBT/POM, 42/58gF, 1.8/3.0mm | Compare | ||
| 93% | HMX Retro J tactile, 5-pin, PC/Nylon PA66/POM, 36/55gF, 2.5/3.0mm | Compare | ||
| 93% | MMD Holy Panda V3 tactile, 5-pin, PC/Nylon/POM, 45/60gF, 2.2/3.2mm | Compare | ||
| 92% | HMX Sandstorm tactile, 5-pin, PC/PA66 Nylon/POM, 50/58gF, 2.3/3.1mm | Compare | ||
| 92% | BSUN x Zuoce Studio Cheese Grape tactile, 5-pin, PC/PA+30% fiberglass/POM, 27/45gF, 2.0/3.2mm | Compare | ||
| 91% | HMX Yamatake tactile, 5-pin, PC/PA-2/POM, 40/50gF, 2.0/3.5mm | Compare | ||
| 90% | Wingtree Golden Apple V2 tactile, 5-pin, PC/PEI/LY, 45/53gF, 2.2/3.3mm | Compare | ||
| 90% | BSUN Hutt tactile, 5-pin, PC/Nylon PA12 (modified)/POK, 40/49gF, 2.0/3.5mm | Compare | ||
| 90% | Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) tactile, 5-pin, PC/Nylon/POM, 59/67gF, 2.0/3.4mm | Compare | ||
To recap: we were looking for tactile mechanical switches possibly with PC top housing, P2 bottom housing, and POM stem (standard). The 42g actuation occuring at 2.30mm. The 50g bottom-out being at around 3.10mm. Extra: Light diffuser. Factory lubing? Yes! — similar to the HMX Hydra.