HMX Cheese vs. HMX Poro

Overview

When it comes to enhancing your typing experience, the choice of mechanical keyboard switches is crucial, and two standout options are the HMX Cheese and the HMX Poro, both of which are linear switches. The HMX Cheese is celebrated for its unparalleled smoothness and a uniquely satisfying clacky, poppy sound profile, making it a delight for those who enjoy a lighter touch—these switches are lighter than 90% of their competitors, providing an effortless typing experience. On the other hand, the HMX Poro offers a silky smooth keystroke, thanks to its meticulous lubrication, and shares a similarly poppy sound signature, also marked by an ultra-light actuation force, making it another compelling choice for gamers and typists alike. While both switches promise a lightweight feel and an engaging auditory experience, they cater to slightly different preferences in terms of sound and tactile feedback. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX Cheese Linear

HMX Poro Linear

$5.50

$3.99 per 10

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The HMX Cheese and HMX Poro switches both feature nylon top and bottom housings, highlighting a consistency in their material selection that significantly influences their acoustic properties and typing experience. Nylon, as a classic switch housing material, provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its relatively softer nature. This unique characteristic enables the absorption of sound waves, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when compared to harder plastics. Because both switches utilize the same nylon material for their housings, users can expect a similarly enriched auditory experience, regardless of which switch they choose. This uniformity means that both models excel in creating a warm and pleasant typing ambiance.

Furthermore, given that both the Cheese and Poro switches utilize nylon for both top and bottom housings, the overall performance will remain comparable when it comes to sound quality. The nylon's effective sound absorption properties play a critical role in shaping not only the bottom-out sound but also the release sound of the keys. When these switches are pressed, the impact of the softer nylon material means that users will enjoy sound dampening on bottoming out, which helps to minimize the sharpness of key strikes. Meanwhile, the softer top housing will lend a rounded quality to the sound when keys are released, ensuring both types of interactions remain harmoniously consistent across the two switch models.

While both the HMX Cheese and HMX Poro switches employ the same nylon materials for their housings, it’s important to note how these materials influence user experience in terms of tactile feedback. Since the bottom housing carries more significance in the bottom-out feel, users will perceive its characteristics while typing. Nevertheless, as the material remains identical between both products, users can anticipate a cohesive feel across their experiences, with the nylon providing a smooth and reliable keypress. Ultimately, whether it’s the HMX Cheese or HMX Poro, the use of nylon in their construction guarantees similar sound properties and tactile feedback, delivering a satisfying experience to typists.

Weight

The HMX Cheese and HMX Poro linear switches both exhibit relatively light actuation and bottom out forces, although there are slight differences between them. The Cheese switch requires an actuation force of 43 grams and bottoms out at 46 grams, while the Poro switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This means the Cheese switch is the lighter option, making it potentially more suitable for prolonged typing or gaming sessions, as it requires less effort to actuate. In contrast, the Poro switch, being marginally heavier, may provide a more substantial typing experience for users who prefer a stronger push feel. Despite the differences, both switches maintain a similar light characteristic overall, ensuring that users will experience less fatigue during extended use.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Cheese linear switch and the HMX Poro linear switch, we find that the Cheese has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Poro measures slightly longer at 3.7 mm. This makes the Cheese the shorter option, which may provide a quicker response time, appealing to gamers or users who favor rapid actuation. On the other hand, the Poro, with its longer travel distance, may offer a more substantial feel, which some typists and gamers might prefer for a deeper feedback experience. Therefore, choosing between these two switches largely depends on personal preference: the Cheese caters to those seeking agility, while the Poro suits those who favor a more pronounced key press.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the HMX Cheese switches are recognized for their clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature, which provides an engaging auditory experience during typing. This makes them enjoyable for users who appreciate noticeable feedback in their keystrokes. On the other hand, the HMX Poro switches also feature a similarly poppy and clacky sound profile, allowing for a lively typing experience as well. It’s important to note that the overall sound can also be influenced by the specific keyboard build and the type of keycaps used, meaning both switches can achieve a satisfying acoustic result depending on setup.

When it comes to feel, the HMX Cheese switches are celebrated for an unparalleled smoothness and a pristine typing experience. They are ultra-light and designed to provide excellent responsiveness with little resistance. The HMX Poro switches, while also linear, emphasize silky smooth keystrokes with meticulous lubrication that ensures an effortless glide. Both switches cater to users seeking a lightweight and smooth typing sensation, yet the Cheese might carry a slight edge in terms of overall feedback due to its famed smoothness.

Ultimately, the HMX Cheese and HMX Poro linear switches both excel in providing a delightful typing experience with their respective sound and feel characteristics. While the Cheese is notable for its supreme smoothness and engaging sound, the Poro complements this with its silky actions and equally vibrant audio profile. Choosing between them may come down to personal preference, but users can expect enjoyable tactile experiences and satisfying sounds from either option, making both switches appealing choices for newcomers.

Conclusion

In summary, choosing between the HMX Cheese linear switch and the HMX Poro linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and intended use. If you're seeking a truly light typing experience that boasts a pronounced, clacky, and responsive feel, the Cheese switches are an excellent choice. They are crafted for those who prioritize a fast, effortless actuation and can appreciate the delightful auditory feedback of a lightly pushed switch. On the other hand, if you favor a smoother, more refined keystroke with a touch of elegance, the Poro switches would be more to your liking. With their meticulously lubricated design that provides a silky glide, they are ideal for long typing sessions where comfort and a subdued sound are crucial. Both switches offer a unique appeal, but in selecting one over the other, consider whether you want a lively and vibrant typing experience with the Cheese or a smooth and sophisticated feel with the Poro.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Cheese Linear

$5.50

$3.99 per 10

Learn more

HMX Poro Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more