Sillyworks x HMX Waverider
The Sillyworks x HMX Waverider is a single-stage POM tactile switch with a rounded bump, smooth travel, and a deep stock sound. Full feel notes inside.
How it feels
How it sounds
Full review
Quick Summary
The Sillyworks x HMX Waverider is a single-stage tactile built on HMX tooling with a POM stem in a PC-top, nylon-bottom housing. It pairs a rounded, medium-weight bump with smooth pre-lubed travel and a notably deep, full stock sound. It’s a strong pick for anyone who wants the feedback of a tactile without the snappy aggression that tires the fingers.
Specs and Feel
The Waverider actuates around 50gf and bottoms out near 53gf, with a 2.0mm pre-travel and a 3.8mm total stroke. That narrow force window matters: the tactile event sits early and high in the keystroke, then drops you into a quick, light bottom-out. The bump itself is rounded and single-stage: clearly present, but smooth rather than sharp, so it reads as a gentle nudge instead of a hard click into place.
Smoothness is the standout. The POM stem and factory lube give a clean, scratch-free downstroke with no grit reaching through the bump. Stem wobble is well controlled in both axes, which keeps tall keycaps stable. Stock sound is on the deeper, fuller side thanks to the nylon bottom housing, landing closer to a muted thock than the higher pitch some HMX linears produce.
Tuning
The Waverider needs nothing to perform well: the pre-lube is even and there’s no scratch to chase out. Filming is optional given the already tight tolerances; if you want to deepen the sound further, a softer keycap profile and a foamed plate will do more than any switch mod here. Run it stock and it holds up.
Verdict
Buy it if you want a smooth, easygoing tactile with a deep voice and zero setup overhead. The rounded bump and snug force window make it forgiving for long typing sessions, and the stock refinement means you’re not paying for mods you’ll never do. Skip it only if you crave a sharp, pronounced tactile snap. The Waverider is deliberately gentler than that.
Frequently asked
Is the Waverider a heavy tactile switch?
It sits in medium territory. Actuation is around 50gf with a bottom-out near 53gf, so the gap between the two is narrow: the bump leads and the bottom-out arrives quickly without a long, heavy push.
Does the Waverider need lube?
No. It ships pre-lubed and feels smooth out of the bag. Most people can run it stock; hand-lubing only refines an already clean travel.
What kind of bump does it have?
A single-stage, rounded tactile bump near the top of the stroke. It is noticeable but not snappy or aggressive, which makes it easy to type on for long sessions.
Compare Sillyworks x HMX Waverider against another switch
Stack specs, sound profiles, and feel side by side.