The lighter 37g option reduces initial resistance; the 45g option provides a firmer press.
Description
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HMX Snow Flake Linear Switch
The HMX Snow Flake is a creamy linear switch designed to feel soft and solid under the fingers—like stepping into fresh snow—rather than chasing the most extreme possible muted profile. Its transparent housing and patterned light diffuser fill a niche for a clear switch with a snowflake design.
Snow Flake is HMX’s first spherical-on-spherical bottom-out linear: a third-generation stem mold forms a large, spherical H2 stem tip, while the P4 spherical stem mast in the bottom housing provides the matching contact surface. This structure helps prevent off-center bottom-outs, keeps the feel consistent around the keypress, and gives the switch a fuller sound.
The paired spherical contact surfaces meet gently for a soft but substantial bottom-out. The PA12 top housing supports smooth travel and a fast return, creating a coherent sound profile without a hollow or one-note creamy character.
Its light diffuser uses the same high-precision UV screen-printing process used on other HMX switches, with a snowflake printed directly on the diffuser. A protective top coating helps keep the design clear and resistant to scuffs from switch installation and tweezers.
Specs:
| 1 quantity = 10 switches | |
| Switch Type | Linear |
| Designer | Minikeys |
| Manufacturer | HMX |
| Stem | H2 large spherical stem tip |
| Top Housing | PA12 |
| Bottom Housing | P4 spherical bottom housing mast |
| Operating Force | 37g / 45g ± 5gf |
| Bottom-out Force | 43g / 53g ± 5gf |
| Pre-travel | 2.0mm ± 0.3mm |
| Total Travel | 3.6mm ± 0.2mm |
| Spring | 22mm single-stage extended KOS fine-wire spring |
Spherical Bottom-Out Design
A Creamy Linear Built Around a Spherical-on-Spherical Contact
The HMX Snowflake is a linear switch designed by Minikeys and manufactured by HMX. Its defining feature is HMX's spherical-on-spherical bottom-out structure: a large spherical H2 stem tip meets a matching P4 spherical mast in the bottom housing.
This geometry is intended to reduce off-center bottom-out contact and keep the keypress more consistent across the stroke. UniKeys describes the result as soft but substantial, with a fuller creamy sound rather than an extremely muted or hollow profile.
- Linear mechanical switch with a five-pin style housing shown on the product page.
- H2 large spherical stem tip paired with a P4 spherical bottom-housing mast.
- PA12 top housing and HMX custom molding.
- Factory lubed and intended for out-of-box use.
- Transparent housing with a snowflake-pattern light diffuser.
Specification Guide
Two Force Options with 3.6mm Total Travel
Snowflake is offered in two spring-weight options. Both share the same material and geometry, so the main purchasing decision is how light or firm you want the keypress to feel.
The two variants finish at 43g or 53g at the end of the stroke.
This is the listed travel distance before actuation.
A moderately shortened total travel compared with many traditional full-travel MX-style switches.
Sound & Construction
Soft Bottom-Out, Smooth Travel and a Fuller Creamy Character
UniKeys positions the Snowflake around a creamy, thocky-leaning sound profile with smooth travel and a firm-but-not-stiff bottom-out. The sound character comes from the complete keyboard system, so case, plate, keycaps, mounting style and dampening will still influence the final result.
- The spherical contact surfaces are designed to meet more evenly at bottom-out.
- The PA12 top housing is described as supporting smooth travel and a quick return.
- A 22mm single-stage extended KOS fine-wire spring is used in both force variants.
- The transparent housing and printed diffuser add a visual element without changing the core linear-switch function.
Sound, Feel & Build Fit
Who Is the HMX Snowflake Most Likely to Suit?
The Snowflake sits between very light linear switches and firmer enthusiast options, with two spring weights and a design focused on a soft, substantial bottom-out rather than an aggressively muted feel.
May Suit
- Users looking for a smooth linear switch with a creamy or fuller acoustic direction.
- Typists who want a choice between light 43g and firmer 53g bottom-out variants.
- Custom builds where transparent housings and a decorative light diffuser fit the visual theme.
- Buyers who want factory-lubed switches that can be installed without a mandatory hand-lube step.
May Not Suit
- Users who specifically need a tactile bump or click mechanism.
- Quiet shared spaces where a purpose-built silent switch is more appropriate.
- Anyone seeking a deliberately sharp, thin or highly clacky sound as the primary goal.
- Users who strongly prefer a traditional 4.0mm total travel.
Before You Order
Choose the Spring Weight, Then Calculate Packs for Your Layout
One quantity contains 10 switches. Select the 45g or 53g bottom-out variant first, then calculate the number of packs required for the target keyboard layout and any desired spares.
For hot-swap or soldered builds, confirm the PCB mounting format and physical compatibility before installing. Final sound and feel will still depend on the keyboard case, plate, mounting system, keycaps and dampening.
Ordering note: Each cart quantity equals 10 switches. A full keyboard build usually requires multiple packs.
Product Questions
HMX Snowflake Linear Switch FAQ
Is the HMX Snowflake a linear switch?
Yes. The Snowflake is a mechanical linear switch designed by Minikeys and manufactured by HMX.
What is special about the bottom-out design?
The switch uses a large spherical H2 stem tip that meets a matching P4 spherical mast in the bottom housing. UniKeys describes this spherical-on-spherical contact as helping create a more even, soft and substantial bottom-out.
What force options are available?
The current product page lists 37g and 45g operating-force variants, paired with 43g and 53g bottom-out forces.
What is the travel distance?
Snowflake is specified at 2.0 ± 0.3mm pre-travel and 3.6 ± 0.2mm total travel.
What spring does it use?
The confirmed specification lists a 22mm single-stage extended KOS fine-wire spring.
Is the HMX Snowflake factory lubed?
Yes. UniKeys lists the Snowflake as factory lubed and ready for out-of-box use.
What sound profile should I expect?
UniKeys describes the switch as creamy and thocky-leaning with a full sound and smooth travel. The final result will vary with the keyboard case, plate, keycaps, mounting style and dampening.
How many switches are included per quantity?
Each quantity contains 10 switches. Order enough packs for the keyboard layout plus any desired spare switches.
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Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 5.0 / 5 from 1 reviews.
I love how everything is coordinated in white, and the snowflake UV print on the diffuser is really cute. The switches have a pleasant, soft, thocky sound.