Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Jwick Ginger Milk
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Jwick Ginger Milk switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the Jwick Ginger Milk are two popular mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct typing experiences. On one hand, the Crystal Violet is a tactile switch that provides a relaxed and stepped tactile feel with a light operating force of 45g. It offers a gentle and comfortable typing experience, accompanied by a pleasantly mellow and lower-pitched sound profile. The rare use of ABS in its housing further enhances the auditory experience. On the other hand, the Ginger Milk is a linear switch that offers a soft and pastel typing experience with a silky smooth and approachable push feel. It has a muted yet snappy sound profile. These switches are categorized as 'Creamy', 'Low-pitched', 'Mild', 'Neutral', and 'Stepped' for the Crystal Violet, and 'Neutral' and 'Buttery' for the Ginger Milk. Choosing between these switches ultimately depends on your 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
55g
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
ABS
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Jwick Ginger Milk switches differ significantly. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, which is a relatively rare plastic to be used in switch housings. This results in a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing on these switches. In contrast, the Ginger Milk switch utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, leading to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it an excellent choice for switches with RGB lighting.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both switches have varying materials. The Crystal Violet uses ABS for its bottom housing, similar to its top housing. This provides a consistent low-pitched sound profile throughout the typing experience. On the other hand, the Ginger Milk employs a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This creates a duller and rounder sound when typing on Ginger Milk switches.
It's important to note that the composition of the housing materials affects different aspects of the typing experience. The bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. Meanwhile, the top housing plays a larger role in the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, the differences between the Crystal Violet's ABS housing and the Ginger Milk's polycarbonate and nylon housings will lead to varying sound profiles and tactile experiences during typing.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Crystal Violet has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, meaning it requires less pressure to trigger a keystroke compared to the Ginger Milk's actuation force of 50 grams. This lighter actuation force of the Crystal Violet might be preferred by those who type for longer periods or engage in prolonged gaming sessions, as it allows for a more comfortable and fatigue-free experience. On the other hand, the Ginger Milk has a heavier actuation force, which provides a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel.
Moving on to the bottom out force, we find that the Crystal Violet has a force of 55 grams, while the Ginger Milk has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams. This means that when pressing down on the keys fully, the Ginger Milk requires more force to bottom out compared to the Crystal Violet. The heavier bottom out force of the Ginger Milk can give users a more satisfying and tactile feedback, enhancing the overall typing experience. However, it should be noted that the Crystal Violet still offers a medium-light bottom out force, providing a good balance between responsiveness and comfort.
In summary, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a lighter actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch. This makes the Crystal Violet suitable for those who prefer a lighter, more effortless keystroke, while the Ginger Milk is better suited for individuals who desire a stronger and more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences and the desired typing feel.
Travel distance
The travel distances of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch differ slightly. The Crystal Violet has a travel distance of 4mm, which is a more traditional distance for a switch. On the other hand, the Ginger Milk has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7mm. This makes the Ginger Milk more suitable for those who prefer a shorter, more responsive switch. Gamers, in particular, may appreciate the faster response times that a shorter travel distance can provide. However, for those who enjoy a deeper, more substantial feel when typing or gaming, the Crystal Violet with its longer travel distance may be the better option. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on personal preference for travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Crystal Violet has an MSRP of $7.08 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Crystal Violet for $4.19.
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 Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch is best known for its light operating force of 45g, offering a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. The sound profile of the Crystal Violet switches is pleasantly mellow, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. This is in part due to the rare and special use of ABS in these switches' housings. On the other hand, the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch provides a soft and pastel typing experience. It offers a silky smooth and approachable push feel and a muted, snappy sound profile. In terms of sound, both switches are described as having a neutral sound profile with the Crystal Violet switches leaning towards low-pitched tones. In terms of feel, the Crystal Violet switches are described as creamy, mild, and stepped, providing a smooth and buttery typing experience with a gentle feel and a two-stage tactile feedback. The Ginger Milk switches, on the other hand, are described as buttery, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Overall, while the Crystal Violet and Ginger Milk switches have their own unique qualities, they both provide enjoyable and comfortable typing experiences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are someone who values a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch would be a great choice. With a light operating force of 55 grams, these switches offer a gentle and comfortable feel. The sound profile of the Crystal Violet switches is pleasantly mellow, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. Additionally, the creamy, mild, and stepped feel of these switches adds to the overall smooth and buttery typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a silky smooth and approachable linear typing experience, the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch would be more suitable. With a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams, these switches provide a muted, snappy sound profile. The Ginger Milk switches offer a buttery typing sensation, ensuring a seamless and effortless keystroke experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet and Jwick Ginger Milk switches depends on your preferred typing experience and sound profile.