Kailh Box Navy vs. Jwick Ginger Milk

Overview

If you are looking for a mechanical keyboard switch that offers a heavy typing experience and brings back the nostalgic sound signature and tactility of vintage buckling keyboards, then the Kailh Box Navy switches are perfect for you. These switches are known for their heftiness and are categorized as sharp, resonant, invigorating, crunchy, and stiff. On the other hand, if you prefer a softer and more subdued typing experience, the Jwick Ginger Milk switches may be more suited to your taste. These switches provide a silky smooth feel with a muted, snappy sound profile. They are categorized as neutral and buttery. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision on which switch suits your needs the most.

By the numbers

Kailh Box Navy Clicky

Jwick Ginger Milk Linear

$5.50 per 10

$5.50

$4.25 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Kailh Box Navy and the Jwick Ginger Milk switches, specifically their polycarbonate top housing, offer similar benefits in terms of sound profile and aesthetics. Both switches utilize polycarbonate, a relatively stiff plastic, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The clarity and resonance of the sound are enhanced by the polycarbonate material. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is especially useful if RGB lighting will be incorporated into the switch design. Therefore, users can expect comparable results from both switches in terms of sound quality and visual appeal.

Similarly, the nylon bottom housing of the Box Navy and Ginger Milk switches offers similar advantages in terms of the sound produced. Nylon, known as a classic switch housing material, contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on switches. The relatively softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, both switches will deliver a satisfying and immersive typing experience due to the presence of nylon in their bottom housings.

It is worth noting that when a switch features different materials for its top and bottom housings, the characteristics of each material will be divided between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing primarily influences the sound and feel during key bottom-out, while the top housing plays a more significant role in the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, users can expect nuanced differences in the sound produced by the Box Navy and the Ginger Milk switches, as the qualities of their respective housing materials are distributed across the switch's construction.

Weight

When comparing the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch and the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch, one noticeable difference is in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Box Navy has a higher actuation force of 60 grams, while the Ginger Milk requires a slightly lighter force of 50 grams for actuation. This means that a slightly softer touch is needed to activate the Ginger Milk switch compared to the Box Navy. In terms of bottom out force, the Box Navy is heavier with a force of 90 grams, whereas the Ginger Milk has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams. This indicates that the Box Navy requires a higher amount of pressure to fully press down compared to the Ginger Milk. Overall, the Box Navy provides a heavier and more substantial typing experience, while the Ginger Milk offers a slightly lighter touch. Both switches offer a distinct feel and response, allowing users to choose based on their preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.

Travel distance

The Kailh Box Navy clicky switch and the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch have different travel distances. The Box Navy has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Ginger Milk has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. In terms of traditional travel distances, both switches fall within a similar range. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Box Navy, as it allows for quicker key presses. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial depth to their keystrokes may lean towards the Ginger Milk with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Kailh Box Navy clicky switch is best known for its heavy typing experience and vintage sound signature. When typing on these switches, you can expect a resonant and crunchy sound profile reminiscent of the buckling keyboards from the 80s. The sharp and invigorating feel of the Box Navy switch offers a high feedback intensity, making each keypress distinct and immersive. These switches also have a stiff tactility that requires a higher amount of force to actuate and bottom-out. Overall, if you prefer a heavy typing experience with sharp feedback and a vintage sound, the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch is an excellent choice.

On the other hand, the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch provides a completely different typing experience. The Ginger Milk switches offer a soft and pastel typing experience, with a silky smooth and approachable push feel. When typing on these switches, you can expect a muted and snappy sound profile. The Ginger Milk switches have a moderate actuation force requirement and a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for most intents and purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced typist, and whether you plan to use these switches at home or work. The Ginger Milk switches are often described as buttery, implying a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation.

In conclusion, the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch and the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch offer very different subjective qualities. The Box Navy provides a heavy typing experience with a resonant and crunchy sound, and a sharp and invigorating feel. On the other hand, the Ginger Milk offers a soft and pastel typing experience with a muted and snappy sound, and a buttery and effortless feel. Depending on your preferences, you can choose between the heavy and vintage experience of the Box Navy or the smooth and approachable typing sensation of the Ginger Milk. Both switches have their own unique qualities that will provide a satisfying typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are seeking a heavy typing experience and enjoy the sound and feel of a clicky switch, then the Kailh Box Navy switches would be a perfect fit for you. These switches have a bottom out force of 90 grams, giving them a heavy and substantial feel. The sound profile of the Box Navy is resonant and crunchy, reminiscent of vintage buckling keyboards. Additionally, the tactile feedback of the Box Navy is sharp, invigorating, and offers a stiff typing experience.

On the other hand, if you prefer a softer and more muted typing experience, then the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switches would be a great choice. With a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, the Ginger Milk switches have a medium-heavy feel. The sound profile of these switches is neutral, making them suitable for various environments and purposes. The typing sensation of the Ginger Milk switches can be described as buttery, providing a smooth and effortless keystroke experience.

Ultimately, the choice between the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch and the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch depends on your personal preferences. If you enjoy a heavy and clicky typing experience, with strong tactile feedback and a resonant sound profile, go for the Box Navy. However, if you prefer a softer and smoother typing experience, with a quieter sound profile, the Ginger Milk is the way to go. Whatever your preference, both switches offer unique and enjoyable typing experiences. In the end, it comes down to what suits your typing style and preferences best.

Mentioned in this article

Kailh Box Navy Clicky

$5.50 per 10

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Jwick Ginger Milk Linear

$5.50

$4.25 per 10

Learn more