HMX Taro Silent Linear Switches

This silent linear switch is designed for users who want a quiet typing experience with smooth keypresses. It suits office workers or anyone needing reduced noise without tactile feedback. The switch offers a consistent, light actuation force and a soft bottom-out, making it comfortable for extended typing or gaming sessions where silence is valued.

Feel & Sound

The switch provides a smooth, linear keystroke without tactile bumps. Its double-shot stem improves the silencing mechanism compared to earlier models, reducing noise on both press and release. This results in a quieter typing experience with minimal audible click or clack. The bottom-out feel is soft due to the silent design, which can reduce finger fatigue over time.

Actuation Characteristics

The actuation force is light to moderate, requiring 45g to register a keypress and 53g to bottom out. Pre-travel is 2mm, allowing for quick response, while total travel is 3.8mm, providing a standard key travel distance. This balance supports fast typing and gaming without sacrificing comfort.

Build Quality

The switch uses a polycarbonate top housing and a PA66 bottom housing, materials known for durability and stability. The stem is made from POM, a low-friction plastic that contributes to smooth key movement. It comes factory lubed, which reduces initial scratchiness, a common issue in mechanical switches that affects smoothness and noise.

Compatibility

It features a 5-pin mount, making it compatible with most MX-style PCBs and plate-mounted keyboards. The switch design supports standard MX stems, so keycap compatibility is broad. LED compatibility and hot-swap friendliness are unknown.

Trade-offs

While factory lubed, additional lubing may further reduce any residual scratchiness but is not guaranteed. The silent design may slightly reduce the tactile feedback some users prefer. Stem wobble and spring ping are unknown. It is less ideal for users who want tactile or clicky feedback or louder switches for auditory confirmation.