SP-Star Ayara vs. Jwick Ginger Milk
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Ayara and the Jwick Ginger Milk switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are a plethora of options available to suit various preferences and typing styles. Two popular options are the SP-Star Ayara and the Jwick Ginger Milk, both of which fall under the category of linear switches. The Ayara is best known for its medium heftiness, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a robust typing experience. It provides a soft bottom-out feel and emits a perfectly clacky sound profile, giving a satisfying feedback to each keystroke. On the other hand, the Ginger Milk distinguishes itself with its soft and pastel aesthetic, which translates into a silky smooth and approachable push feel. It boasts a muted yet snappy sound profile, adding a touch of elegance to the typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so that you can make an informed decision about the best switch for your specific needs and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Two-stage
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Ayara and the Jwick Ginger Milk differ significantly, with the Ayara utilizing nylon for both its top and bottom housing, while the Ginger Milk features a polycarbonate top housing paired with a nylon bottom housing. These distinct housing materials contribute to noticeable differences in sound profiles and typing experiences. The Ayara's nylon top housing absorbs more sound due to its softer plastic, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound with a duller and rounder tone. Conversely, the Ginger Milk's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, thanks to its stiffer plastic, which produces a more clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, polycarbonate's translucency is advantageous if RGB lighting is desired.
While the housing materials of the Ayara and the Ginger Milk present contrasting characteristics, they do share similarities in terms of the bottom housing. Both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer plastic absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder tone. Thus, the bottom housing of both switches contributes significantly to the resulting sound and feel when a key is pressed down. However, the differentiation in the top housing between the Ayara's nylon and the Ginger Milk's polycarbonate brings about variations in the sound when a key is released. The top housing material plays a more prominent role in the sound produced upon releasing a key, influencing its sharpness, pitch, and clarity.
In summary, the housing materials of the SP-Star Ayara and the Jwick Ginger Milk impact the typing experience and sound profiles of the switches. The Ayara's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound with a duller and rounder tone, while the Ginger Milk's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Both switches share the use of nylon for their bottom housing, resulting in a similar deep and full sound profile. Thus, the choice between the Ayara and the Ginger Milk ultimately depends on individual preferences for sound characteristics and the desire for RGB lighting, considering the polycarbonate's translucency.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch, there are noticeable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Ayara's actuation force is listed as unavailable, making it difficult to directly compare with the Ginger Milk's actuation force of 50 grams. However, both switches have a medium level of actuation force.
Moving on to bottom out force, the Ayara has a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Ginger Milk has a slightly higher bottom out force of 63.5 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy.
Considering weight as a factor, those who prefer a lighter switch for extended typing or gaming sessions may find the Ayara to be a suitable choice. The Ginger Milk, with its slightly heavier bottom out force, may be preferred by users who seek a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the actuation force and bottom out force differences provide distinct options for individuals with varying preferences.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the SP-Star Ayara linear switch is 4 mm, while the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. This means that the Ayara has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Ginger Milk. The Ayara's 4 mm travel distance is considered to be a more traditional distance, while the Ginger Milk's 3.7 mm is slightly shallower. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. Therefore, if you prioritize responsiveness, the Ginger Milk would be a better option. However, some people find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt and may prefer a switch with a longer travel distance like the Ayara. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and whether you prefer a shorter or longer travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Ayara has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ayara for $5.40.
The Jwick Ginger Milk has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ginger Milk for $4.25.
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
The SP-Star Ayara linear switch is best known for its medium heftness, making it ideal for those who prefer a hearty typing experience. When using these switches, users can expect a soft bottom-out feel and a perfectly clacky sound profile. On the other hand, the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch is described as soft and pastel, which is indicative of the typing experience. Users will enjoy a silky smooth and approachable push feel along with a muted, snappy sound profile.
When it comes to sound, the Ayara switch falls into the neutral category, offering a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile. This makes it suitable for various purposes and skill levels, whether it be at home or in a professional setting. The Ginger Milk switch also falls into the neutral category, providing a similar sound profile that will cater to most users. It is important to note that the overall sound of a switch can be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Ayara switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish. The result is a sleek and satisfying typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Ginger Milk switch offers a buttery feel, providing a seamless and effortless keystroke experience. This switch ensures uniform typing sensations, allowing for comfortable and enjoyable typing sessions.
Overall, both the SP-Star Ayara and the Jwick Ginger Milk switches offer their own unique qualities. The Ayara switch is known for its hearty typing experience, with a soft bottom-out feel and a clacky sound profile. On the other hand, the Ginger Milk switch provides a soft and pastel typing experience, featuring a silky smooth push feel and a muted, snappy sound profile. While they may differ in certain aspects, both switches cater to various preferences and deliver satisfying typing experiences.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch, consider your preference for typing experience and sound profile. If you prefer a hearty typing experience with a soft bottom-out feel and a clacky sound, the Ayara switch is the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a silky smooth and approachable push feel with a muted and snappy sound, the Ginger Milk switch is the better option. Both switches have a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile, making them suitable for most intents and purposes. Additionally, the Ayara switch offers a polished finish for a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel, while the Ginger Milk switch provides a buttery, seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal preferences and typing style.
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