Aflion Cloudy Shadow vs. Jwick Ginger Milk
An in-depth look at the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Jwick Ginger Milk switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Jwick Ginger Milk both offer unique characteristics worth considering. The Cloudy Shadow from Aflion is praised for its balanced typing experience with a neutral sound signature and bouncy feel, thanks to the extended springs and 63.5g bottom-out force. On the other hand, the Ginger Milk switches from Jwick are known for their soft and pastel appearance, reflecting the silky smooth and approachable push feel and muted, snappy sound profile they provide. While the Cloudy Shadow offers a more neutral and mild typing experience, the Ginger Milk switches lean towards a buttery and soft feel. 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
N/A
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial 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
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Jwick Ginger Milk both use polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic that leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, both switches benefit from the translucency of polycarbonate, making them ideal for use with RGB lighting. While the top housing influences the sound when a key is released, the nylon bottom housing of the Cloudy Shadow and Ginger Milk contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound.
In terms of housing materials, the main difference between the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Jwick Ginger Milk lies in their bottom housing. The Cloudy Shadow's nylon bottom housing creates a duller and rounder sound profile, contrasting with the sharper and crisper sound produced by its polycarbonate top housing. Similarly, the Ginger Milk's nylon bottom housing also provides a deeper and fuller sound compared to its polycarbonate top housing. While the top housing affects the sound upon key release, the qualities of the bottom housing influence the bottom-out sound and feel of typing on both switches.
Overall, both the Cloudy Shadow and the Ginger Milk showcase the importance of housing materials in determining the sound profile of a switch. Despite using different materials for their top and bottom housings, they still offer similar results in terms of sound characteristics. The use of polycarbonate for the top housing enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound, while the nylon bottom housing adds depth and fullness to the typing experience. Whether using the Cloudy Shadow or the Ginger Milk, users can expect a unique and satisfying sound profile that is a result of the combination of these contrasting housing materials.
Weight
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow and Jwick Ginger Milk linear switches have similar bottom out forces of 63.5 grams, making them both medium-heavy switches in terms of resistance. However, the Cloudy Shadow has an unknown actuation force, while the Ginger Milk has a lower actuation force of 50 grams. This means that the Ginger Milk switch requires less force to register a keystroke compared to the Cloudy Shadow. For those who prefer a lighter touch, the Ginger Milk would be the better option, allowing for easier typing over extended periods. On the other hand, the Cloudy Shadow may appeal to those who prefer a slightly heavier actuation force for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for typing feel and the desired level of resistance.
Travel distance
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are popular among gamers for their quick responsiveness. However, the Ginger Milk has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Cloudy Shadow. Gamers who prefer a slightly more substantial keypress may lean towards the Ginger Milk, while those looking for a quicker response time may opt for the Cloudy Shadow. Overall, both switches offer similar characteristics due to their close travel distances, providing users with comparable results in terms of keypress feedback.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cloudy Shadow for $3.91.
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
In terms of sound, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch has a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone suitable for various typing environments. On the other hand, the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch also offers a neutral sound profile, making it versatile for different typing needs. Both switches will deliver a pleasant typing experience, with the Cloudy Shadow focusing on a more low-pitched sound, while the Ginger Milk offers a more muted and snappy tone.
Moving on to the feel, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch is described as providing a mild typing experience, offering a gentle and approachable feel to users. The extended springs in these switches contribute to a bouncy sensation, enhancing the overall typing experience. In contrast, the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch is known for its buttery feel, providing a smooth and effortless keystroke that ensures a uniform typing sensation. While the Cloudy Shadow emphasizes a mild and gentle feel, the Ginger Milk focuses on delivering a seamless and fluid typing experience.
Considering the available information, both the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Cloudy Shadow emphasizes a low-pitched sound and a mild typing feel with extended springs, the Ginger Milk showcases a more muted and snappy sound profile with a buttery and smooth typing experience. Ultimately, users can expect a balanced and quality typing experience with either of these switches, ensuring that they will receive similar pleasurable results despite their nuanced differences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch, consider the typing experience you are looking for. If you prefer a bouncy feel with a neutral sound signature and a medium-heavy bottom-out force, the Cloudy Shadow switch is a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a silky smooth and approachable push feel with a muted, snappy sound profile and the same medium-heavy bottom-out force, the Ginger Milk switch would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, both switches offer a unique typing experience, so choose based on your personal preferences for sound and feel.
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