HMX Swift vs SteelSeries OptiPoint Linear
The HMX Swift and the SteelSeries OptiPoint Linear are often cross-shopped. The main differences: they are not interchangeable: the SteelSeries OptiPoint Linear is a proprietary SteelSeries optical switch that only fits keyboards built for it, not the standard MX hot-swap sockets the HMX Swift uses; the SteelSeries OptiPoint Linear is lighter to actuate (35g versus 42g); travel is 3.9 mm on the HMX Swift and 3.2 mm on the SteelSeries OptiPoint Linear.
Choose the HMX Swift if
- you want a switch popular for gaming.
- you want a switch popular for typing.
- you want a heavier, more deliberate press (42g).
Choose the SteelSeries OptiPoint Linear if
- you want a switch popular for esports.
- you want a switch popular for hot-swap gaming boards.
- you want a lighter keystroke (35g).
HMX Swift vs SteelSeries OptiPoint Linear, spec by spec
| HMX Swift | SteelSeries OptiPoint Linear | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Linear |
| Compatibility | Standard MX sockets | SteelSeries optical boards only |
| Actuation force | 42g | 35g |
| Bottom-out force | 50g | n/a |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 1 mm |
| Total travel | 3.9 mm | 3.2 mm |
| Stem | LY | n/a |
| Top housing | nylon | n/a |
| Bottom housing | nylon | n/a |
| Spring | single-stage | n/a |
| Factory lube | light | n/a |
| Pins | 5-pin | n/a |
| Price / switch | $0.35 | n/a |
| Sound profile | creamy, mid-pitched | Light, consistent linear sound with no need for factory lube since actuation is optical. |
| Released | 2024 | n/a |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ; a check marks the objectively stronger spec (price, battery, modability). Feel and preference rows never get a check. Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.
Where they sit among all 227 switches we track
15% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the HMX Swift; 0% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the SteelSeries OptiPoint Linear.
55% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the HMX Swift; 6% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the SteelSeries OptiPoint Linear.
30% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the HMX Swift.
Where to buy the HMX Swift
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
Where to buy the SteelSeries OptiPoint Linear
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