Kailh Box Mute Jade vs. Jwick Ginger Milk
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Jwick Ginger Milk switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a mechanical keyboard switch, the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Jwick Ginger Milk offer two distinct experiences to cater to different preferences. The Box Mute Jade is a clicky switch that provides a satisfying tactile feedback with a more subdued sound profile. It offers a crunchy and stiff typing experience, perfect for those who enjoy the clicky sensation without the loud noise. On the other hand, the Ginger Milk is a linear switch that exudes a soft and pastel aesthetic. It provides a silky smooth typing experience with a muted, snappy sound profile. The Ginger Milk is known for its approachable push feel and buttery smoothness. 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
75g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
82g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Box
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
Kailh Box spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Comparing the housing materials of the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Jwick Ginger Milk, it becomes evident that both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. This choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to polycarbonate's stiffness. In terms of aesthetics, both switches benefit from the translucency of polycarbonate, making them suitable for RGB lighting. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of sound and visual appeal from both switches' top housings.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Box Mute Jade and the Ginger Milk employ nylon. This classic switch housing material contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile as nylon is softer and absorbs more sound than harder plastics. Consequently, both switches elicit a duller and rounder sound when typing, thanks to the qualities of their nylon bottom housings.
When considering the impact of the different housing materials on the overall switch experience, it is important to highlight that the Box Mute Jade and the Ginger Milk split these qualities between their top and bottom housings. When pressing down on the switch, the characteristics of the bottom housing become apparent as it influences the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the impact of the top housing becomes prominent when releasing a key. Therefore, while the housing materials may differ in the Box Mute Jade and the Ginger Milk, users can anticipate similar results in terms of sound and feel, albeit with a division in focus between the two switches.
Weight
When comparing the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch and the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch, one notable difference lies in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Box Mute Jade requires a higher actuation force of 75 grams, whereas the Ginger Milk has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams. This means that the Ginger Milk switch will register keystrokes with a lighter touch, potentially allowing for faster typing speeds. In terms of bottoming out, the Box Mute Jade has a heavier force of 82 grams, while the Ginger Milk requires 63.5 grams to bottom out. Consequently, the Box Mute Jade switch offers a more substantial typing experience, as the keys require a stronger push to fully depress. Ultimately, the weight preferences of the user will come into play when choosing between these switches. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods may lean towards the Ginger Milk, while individuals who desire a more pronounced and forceful keystroke may opt for the Box Mute Jade.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch and the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch, it is evident that the Ginger Milk has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Box Mute Jade has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Although the difference between the two is minimal, it is worth noting that the Ginger Milk offers a slightly deeper keystroke experience. However, both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which have become increasingly popular, particularly among gamers seeking faster response times. If you prioritize quick and responsive typing or gaming, either of these switches would provide similar results. Ultimately, the decision between the two depends on personal preferences, with those favoring a more pronounced keystroke depth opting for the Ginger Milk, while the Box Mute Jade offers a slightly shallower but still satisfying typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Kailh Box Mute Jade comes in at $6.50 per 10 switches.
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
In terms of sound, the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch offers a crunchy sound profile, reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. It provides a more subdued clicky sound while still maintaining the distinct clickiness that is characteristic of clicky switches. On the other hand, the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch offers a more neutral sound profile. It has a moderate sound profile, making it suitable for various purposes and environments. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch provides an accented tactile experience. It falls into the category of "medium tactile" switches, offering a prominent level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. Additionally, it has a stiff feel, meaning that it requires more force to actuate and bottom out compared to other switches. The Box Mute Jade switch is also described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch offers a buttery feel. This implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. While the exact details of its feel are not provided, the term "buttery" suggests a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience.
To summarize, the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch is best known for its crunchy feel and more subdued clicky sound profile. It provides an accented tactile experience with a stiff feel and polished finish. On the other hand, the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch offers a buttery feel and a neutral sound profile. While both switches offer unique qualities, they cater to different preferences. If you prefer a clicky switch with a more subdued sound, the Box Mute Jade is a suitable choice. If you prefer a smooth and effortless typing experience, the Ginger Milk may be more appealing. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your personal preferences and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you enjoy the crunchy feel of a clicky switch but prefer a more subdued sound, the Kailh Box Mute Jade is the perfect choice for you. With a bottom out force of 82 grams, these switches offer a heavy typing experience. You will feel a slight bump when using them, and the sound signature is quieter yet unmistakably clicky. Additionally, the Box Mute Jade switches have an accented and polished feel, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a softer and more muted typing experience, the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switches are the way to go. With a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, these switches provide a medium-heavy typing feel. The Ginger Milks offer a silky smooth push feel and a muted, snappy sound profile. Described as buttery, these switches provide a seamless and effortless typing sensation.
Ultimately, the choice between the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switches and the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switches depends on your preferences for sound and feel. If you prioritize a clicky sound with a more subdued profile and enjoy a heavy typing experience, the Box Mute Jade switches are the better option. On the other hand, if you prefer a softer and muted typing experience with a fluid keystroke feel, the Ginger Milk switches are the more suitable choice. Consider your personal preferences and typing style to make the decision that best suits your needs.
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