Gateron Box CJ vs. Jwick Ginger Milk
An in-depth look at the Gateron Box CJ and the Jwick Ginger Milk switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron Box CJ and the Jwick Ginger Milk are two linear mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique typing experiences. The Box CJ is designed for those who prioritize rapid response and higher-pitched clacks, with an incredibly smooth push feel that glides effortlessly. On the other hand, the Ginger Milk offers a soft and pastel typing experience, with a silky smooth push feel and a muted, snappy sound profile. While the Box CJ is characterized as 'Clacky', 'Mild', 'Neutral', and 'Chirpy', the Ginger Milk is categorized as 'Neutral' and 'Buttery'. Choosing between these switches ultimately depends on personal preference and typing style; 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
50g
Bottom-out force
57g
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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15.4mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the Gateron Box CJ and Jwick Ginger Milk feature a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a relatively stiffer plastic that produces a clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, the translucency of polycarbonate is ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. While both switches share this top housing material, the differences in their overall sound and feel may lie in their respective bottom housings.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Box CJ and Ginger Milk utilize nylon, a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This material plays a significant role in the overall typing experience, impacting the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches. Despite having different top housings, the shared nylon bottom housing may contribute to a similar typing experience between the Gateron Box CJ and Jwick Ginger Milk.
While the top and bottom housings of the Gateron Box CJ and Jwick Ginger Milk may differ in material, each housing brings distinct qualities to the typing experience. The bottom housing, whether polycarbonate or nylon, has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches. Conversely, the top housing material, particularly polycarbonate, influences the sound when releasing a key. By understanding the role of each housing material, users can better appreciate the nuances in sound and feel between the Gateron Box CJ and Jwick Ginger Milk.
Weight
The Gateron Box CJ linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch with an actuation force of 50 grams, making the Box CJ the lighter option in this comparison. The bottom out force of the Box CJ is also lighter at 57 grams, while the Ginger Milk has a heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams. This means that the Ginger Milk switch provides a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, whereas the Box CJ switch is better suited for longer typing or gaming sessions due to its lighter actuation and bottom out forces. Overall, the choice between the two switches should be based on individual preferences regarding typing feel and the desired level of force required for keystrokes.
Travel distance
The Gateron Box CJ linear switch and the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch have differing travel distances. The Box CJ has a travel distance of 4 mm, making it the longer option, while the Ginger Milk has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, making it slightly shorter. In terms of typing experience, the Box CJ may provide a deeper and more tactile feel due to its longer travel distance, while the Ginger Milk may offer a quicker and more responsive typing experience with its slightly shorter travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference, with some preferring the longer travel distance for a more pronounced keypress and others opting for the shorter travel distance for a faster response time. Overall, both switches offer unique typing experiences, and either one can provide satisfying results depending on individual preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Box CJ has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Box CJ for $5.35.
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 Gateron Box CJ linear switch is characterized by its high-pitched and clacky sound profile, providing a crisp and percussive typing experience. In contrast, the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch offers a more muted and snappy sound, creating a softer and pastel typing experience. When it comes to feel, the Box CJ switch is praised for its impossibly smooth push feel that glides effortlessly, offering a mild and gentle typing experience that falls in a safe middle-ground zone. On the other hand, the Ginger Milk switch is known for its buttery smooth and uniform typing sensation, providing a seamless and effortless keystroke experience. Overall, while the Box CJ switch leans towards a clacky and mild typing experience, the Ginger Milk switch offers a more muted and buttery feel. Depending on personal preferences and typing styles, both switches provide unique qualities that cater to different tastes and needs in the mechanical keyboard community. Ultimately, choosing between the Gateron Box CJ and Jwick Ginger Milk switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gateron Box CJ linear switch and the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch, you should consider your preference for bottom out force, sound profile, and feel. If you prefer a medium-light bottom out force and enjoy a higher-pitched clacky sound with an impossibly smooth push feel, the Box CJ would be the optimal choice for a rapid and responsive typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a muted, snappy sound with a silky smooth and approachable push feel, the Ginger Milk would be more suitable for a softer typing experience. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it ultimately depends on your personal typing style and preferences.
Mentioned in this article
