HMX Lotus vs. Cherry MX Silent Red
An in-depth look at the HMX Lotus and the Cherry MX Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the HMX Lotus and the Cherry MX Silent Red mechanical keyboard switches, both are linear switches offering different benefits for users. The HMX Lotus is known for its medium weight of 50g bottom out and bright, resonant sound, providing a super bouncy feeling with every keystroke. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red maintains the classic characteristics of the MX Red but operates silently, offering a quieter typing experience ideal for noise-sensitive environments. While the Lotus switch focuses on a more tactile and responsive typing experience, the MX Silent Red emphasizes a quiet and smooth operation. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the HMX Lotus and the Cherry MX Silent Red use nylon as the material for both their top and bottom housings. This choice of material gives both switches a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's ability to absorb more sound than harder plastics. As a result, both switches produce a duller and rounder sound, creating a more pleasant typing experience for users.
Despite both switches using nylon for their housing materials, there may still be slight differences in sound and feel due to the design of the switches. The placement of the nylon top and bottom housing can impact the overall typing experience, with the bottom housing having more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key. Conversely, the top housing will influence the sound when releasing a key, potentially leading to subtle variations in sound and feel between the HMX Lotus and the Cherry MX Silent Red.
Overall, the similarities in housing material between the HMX Lotus and the Cherry MX Silent Red mean that users can expect a comparable typing experience from both switches. The use of nylon for both the top and bottom housing ensures a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a more enjoyable typing experience. Whether you choose the HMX Lotus or the Cherry MX Silent Red, you can expect a high-quality switch with excellent acoustics and a satisfying feel while typing.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, it is evident that both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams. However, the Lotus has a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the bottom out force of the MX Silent Red is unknown. The Lotus is the lighter option in terms of bottom out force, which may be preferred by those looking for a lighter typing experience. The MX Silent Red, on the other hand, offers a softer bottoming out force, which may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial push feel while typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The HMX Lotus linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. In this case, the Cherry MX Silent Red has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the HMX Lotus. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are favored by gamers for faster response times. However, some users may find the shorter travel distance of the HMX Lotus to be too abrupt, while others may prefer the slightly deeper feel of the Cherry MX Silent Red. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Lotus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lotus for $2.99.
The Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
When it comes to sound, the HMX Lotus linear switch offers a bright and resonant typing experience, creating a super bouncy feeling with every keystroke. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red switch is designed to be muted, thocky, and low-pitched, providing a quieter sound profile that is ideal for noise-sensitive environments. Both switches offer unique sound characteristics, catering to different preferences when it comes to the audible feedback of typing.
In terms of feel, the HMX Lotus linear switch is known for providing a medium weight of 50g bottom out, offering a satisfying tactile experience with each key press. On the contrary, the Cherry MX Silent Red switch is described as having a textured feel, which may provide noticeable friction when pressed. This textural aspect can offer a different tactile sensation compared to the smoother feel of other switches.
Taking into consideration the subjective qualities of sound and feel, the HMX Lotus and Cherry MX Silent Red linear switches offer distinct typing experiences that cater to different preferences. While the Lotus switch provides a bouncy and resonant sound paired with a medium-weight feel, the MX Silent Red switch offers a quieter sound profile and a textured feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches would depend on individual preferences for sound and tactile feedback. However, both switches are capable of delivering a satisfying typing experience, albeit with different sensory characteristics.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, you should consider the factors of bottom out force, sound profile, and feel. If you prefer a light bottom out force of 50 grams and enjoy a bright, resonant sound with a bouncy feeling, then the HMX Lotus switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you value a silent typing experience and prefer a slightly heftier feel with a muted sound profile, the Cherry MX Silent Red switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it's essential to consider your personal typing preferences and the environment in which you'll be using your keyboard when making your decision.
Mentioned in this article
