Jwick Ginger Milk vs. TTC Gold Red
An in-depth look at the Jwick Ginger Milk and the TTC Gold Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two popular choices are the Jwick Ginger Milk and the TTC Gold Red. The Ginger Milk, a linear switch, is widely recognized for its soft and pastel aesthetics, mirroring the typing experience it offers. With a silky smooth push feel and a muted, snappy sound profile, these switches provide an approachable and delightful typing experience. On the other hand, the Gold Red linear switches offer a buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance. The snappy sound profile adds a modest touch of personality, without being too ostentatious. Categorized as both 'Neutral' and 'Buttery,' the Ginger Milk offers a unique combination of smoothness and subtlety. Conversely, the Gold Red switches fall under categories such as 'Thocky,' 'Low-pitched,' 'Neutral,' 'Mild,' 'Silky,' 'Subtle,' and 'Polished,' amplifying the smoothness and polish associated with these switches. 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
50g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Jwick Ginger Milk and TTC Gold Red switches share many similarities. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings, which leads to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The translucency of the polycarbonate also makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, providing a visually pleasing effect. Additionally, both switches have nylon bottom housings, which elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is softer and absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
However, it is important to note that while the materials used are the same, their distribution within the switches differs. The Ginger Milk has a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing, while the Gold Red features a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing as well. This difference in housing distribution affects the overall sound and feel of the switches. When pressing down on the Ginger Milk, the qualities of the nylon bottom housing become more pronounced, impacting the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing's influence is more evident when releasing a key. The same can be said for the Gold Red, with the bottom and top housings splitting the qualities accordingly.
Ultimately, both the Ginger Milk and the Gold Red provide unique sound profiles due to their housing materials. The polycarbonate top housings contribute to a sharp and crisp sound, while the nylon bottom housings enhance the depth and fullness of the sound. Although the distribution within the switches may vary, the overall effect is similar. Whether you choose the Ginger Milk or the Gold Red, you can expect a pleasing combination of clarity, resonance, and a balanced sound experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the TTC Gold Red linear switch, there are some noticeable differences. The actuation force of the Ginger Milk is 50 grams, while the Gold Red is slightly lighter at 43 grams. This means that the Gold Red requires less force to trigger a keystroke compared to the Ginger Milk. In terms of bottom out force, the Ginger Milk is heavier with a force of 63.5 grams, while the Gold Red measures at 50 grams. This indicates that the Ginger Milk provides a more substantial typing experience, as it requires more force to fully press down compared to the Gold Red. However, both switches still offer a comfortable typing feel, with their forces falling within the medium-heavy and light categories respectively. For those who prefer a lighter switch, the Gold Red would be a suitable choice, allowing for longer typing sessions or gaming sessions. On the other hand, if a stronger push feel is desired, the Ginger Milk would be the better option. Both switches offer reliable actuation and bottom out forces, ensuring a satisfying typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the TTC Gold Red linear switch, we can see that the Ginger Milk has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Gold Red has a travel distance of 4 mm. These travel distances indicate that both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular, especially among gamers who value faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel when typing or gaming, the Ginger Milk with its shorter travel distance would be a suitable choice. However, for those who enjoy a deeper, more substantial key press, the Gold Red with its slightly longer travel distance may be the preferred option. Overall, while the Ginger Milk offers a slightly shorter travel distance than the Gold Red, both switches provide similar results in terms of a shorter travel distance 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 TTC Gold Red has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Red for $3.28.
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 Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch is best known for its soft and pastel appearance, which is indicative of the typing experience it offers. When using these switches, users can expect a silky smooth and approachable push feel, accompanied by a muted and snappy sound profile. On the other hand, the TTC Gold Red linear switches provide a buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance. These switches have a snappy sound profile that adds a modest touch of personality to the keyboard without being too ostentatious.
In terms of sound, the Ginger Milk switch is described as neutral, meaning it has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile. This makes it a suitable choice for both beginners and advanced users, and suitable for use at home or work. On the other hand, the Gold Red switch is described as thocky and low-pitched. Thocky switches produce a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed, while low-pitched switches have a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. Both switches also fall under the category of neutral, with a moderate actuation force requirement and sound profile. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Ginger Milk switch offers a buttery experience characterized by a smooth and fluid keystroke. This results in a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. On the other hand, the Gold Red switch provides a mild and silky typing experience. The switch feels gentle and approachable, falling in a safe middle-ground zone. It also offers a subtle and polished typing feel, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The overall smoothness of the typing feel is enhanced, making it easier to press and release the keys.
In conclusion, the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the TTC Gold Red linear switch have their own unique subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ginger Milk offers a more muted and snappy sound profile, while the Gold Red provides a thocky and low-pitched sound. In terms of feel, the Ginger Milk is buttery, while the Gold Red is mild, silky, subtle, and polished. Both switches fall under the category of neutral for both sound and actuation force requirements. Overall, both switches offer smooth and approachable typing experiences, with the Ginger Milk being soft and pastel, and the Gold Red being buttery and adding a touch of personality. While the specific qualities may differ, users can expect similar results in terms of sound and feel from both switches.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when deciding between the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the TTC Gold Red linear switch, there are a few factors to consider. The Ginger Milk offers a slightly heavier bottom out force at 63.5 grams, providing a medium-heavy feel. It is best known for its soft and pastel aesthetic, giving it a silky smooth and approachable push feel. The sound profile of the Ginger Milk is neutral, making it suitable for both beginner and advanced users, as well as for use at home or work. On the other hand, the Gold Red has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams, offering a light typing experience. It is best known for its buttery smooth feel and snappy sound profile. The sound of the Gold Red is described as thocky and low-pitched, providing a deep and satisfying tone. The feel of the Gold Red is mild, silky, subtle, and polished, offering a gentle and smooth typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on your preference for key force, aesthetic, sound profile, and typing feel. Consider your personal preferences and desired typing experience when making your decision.
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