HMX Linear 5-Pin MX Mechanical Keyboard Switches for Custom Keyboards (HMX Cheese, 90 Switches) Review (2026)

Who this switch pack is for

This pack is built for people assembling or upgrading a custom hot swappable keyboard rather than someone shopping for a prebuilt board. HMX switches have built a strong reputation among enthusiasts for smooth, consistent keystrokes straight out of the packaging, which is exactly what builders want when chasing a clean, controlled sound and feel in a custom project. The 90 switch count is sized to fill boards in the tenkeyless range and smaller, such as 65 percent or 75 percent layouts, with a handful of spares left over for a switch tester or replacing a damaged unit later. It is not a fit for anyone who owns a board with soldered switches.

What the switch specs mean for feel

The HMX Cheese is a linear switch, meaning it has no bump or click and moves smoothly from top to bottom, with an actuation point around 43 grams of force at about 2 millimeters of travel and a bottom out weight near 46 grams at roughly 3.5 millimeters. It uses a 5-pin mount for stable seating on hot swap PCBs, nylon PA12 top housing paired with PA-2 bottom housing, and a single stage spring rated at 22 millimeters. Factory lubrication on the housing, stem and spring is a key part of the appeal, since it reduces the scratchy feeling some unlubed budget switches have out of the box.

Installing and living with them

Because these are 5-pin switches, they drop straight into any hot swap socket without needing to clip the extra plastic legs, which some 3-pin only boards require. Installation is simple: align the pins, press each switch firmly into the socket until it seats flush, and test each key before installing keycaps. Since the switches arrive pre-lubed from the factory, most builders can use them as is without further lubing, though tuning enthusiasts sometimes add film or additional lube for an even smoother, quieter result. Keeping the extra switches from the 90 count pack as spares is worth doing, since a bent pin during installation is the most common reason a key stops registering.

How HMX Cheese compares with other linear switches

Against Gateron's Milky Yellow Pro V2, a popular budget linear pick, HMX Cheese sits at a higher price point but is generally regarded by the custom keyboard community as smoother out of the box thanks to its factory lube and housing tolerances. Compared with Gateron Jupiter Reds, which use a lighter 45 gram spring, the Cheese switch's roughly 43 gram actuation feels similar in weight but with a different housing material that changes the sound signature. JWICK's Red Linear switches undercut HMX on price while offering a comparable pre-lubed feel, making them a reasonable budget alternative if the HMX brand premium is not worth it to a particular builder.

Verdict and when to look elsewhere

Choose HMX Cheese switches if you are building or upgrading a hot swap keyboard and want a well regarded, smooth linear feel without doing your own lubing work first. The 90 count pack comfortably fills a tenkeyless board with spares to keep. Look elsewhere if your board only accepts 3-pin switches without socket support for the extra alignment pins, since these are 5-pin only, or if budget is the main concern, where switches like JWICK Reds or Gateron's Milky line deliver a similar linear experience for less money. Always confirm your board's hot swap socket type before ordering any switch set.

Frequently asked questions