Jwick Ginger Milk vs. Gateron Ink Black V2

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that have caught the attention of enthusiasts are the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Gateron Ink Black V2. While both switches fall under the linear category, they offer distinct characteristics that make them appealing to different users. The Ginger Milk switches are best known for their soft and pastel nature, both in terms of their appearance and typing experience. They provide a silky smooth push feel and produce a muted yet snappy sound profile, making them ideal for those who prefer a more gentle and approachable typing experience. On the other hand, the Ink Black V2 switches are a long-time community favorite with a smooth downstroke and a rich clack. Classified as low-pitched, bassy, chirpy, mild, and polished, these switches offer a unique sound and feel that can be satisfying for those who enjoy a distinct and more pronounced typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences perfectly.

By the numbers

Jwick Ginger Milk Linear

Gateron Ink Black V2 Linear

$5.50

$4.25 per 10

$7.50

$7.24 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Gateron Ink Black V2 differ in several aspects. Firstly, the Ginger Milk features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This stiffer plastic leads to a more clear and resonant sound, making it especially useful for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Ink Black V2 utilizes a proprietary INK blend top housing that produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile. While still satisfyingly thin, it is not overly sharp and is often described as clacky. Therefore, while both switches have distinctive sound profiles, they differ in their tonal qualities.

Furthermore, the Ginger Milk has a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Ink Black V2 utilizes a proprietary INK blend bottom housing that shares similar qualities with its top housing. It also produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, contributing to its clacky reputation. Therefore, while both switches have a different blend of materials for their top and bottom housing, the Ink Black V2 offers a more consistent sound profile throughout.

When it comes to the overall typing experience, the bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. This means that with the Ginger Milk, the nylon bottom housing will contribute to a deeper and fuller sound upon keypress. In contrast, the proprietary INK blend bottom housing of the Ink Black V2 will result in a higher-pitched and potentially clacky sound. On the other hand, the top housing plays a more significant role in the sound when releasing a key. Given the distinct characteristics of their respective housing materials, both the Ginger Milk and Ink Black V2 will offer unique sensations and audio feedback during typing, ensuring a diverse range of options for keyboard enthusiasts.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch, there is a noticeable difference in the weight. The Ginger Milk has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Ink Black V2's 60 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Ginger Milk requires 63.5 grams while the Ink Black V2 requires 70 grams. Both switches fall into the medium-heavy range, providing a satisfying push feel for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience.

Considering weight is essential for different preferences and purposes. Those who prioritize longer typing sessions or prolonged gaming may find the lighter actuation force of the Ginger Milk to be more suitable. The lighter force allows for extended periods of comfortable use without excessive fatigue. On the other hand, for users who appreciate a stronger push feel, the heavier actuation force of the Ink Black V2 provides a more robust typing experience.

While the Ginger Milk has a lighter actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Ink Black V2, the differences are not significant enough to drastically alter the overall typing experience. Therefore, users can expect similar results from both switches, albeit with slightly varying levels of tactile feedback. Ultimately, the decision between the Ginger Milk and Ink Black V2 will depend on personal preferences and the desired level of force required for a satisfying typing experience.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch, it is clear that the Ginger Milk has a shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Ink Black V2 has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. The 4.0mm travel distance of the Ink Black V2 is considered more traditional, while the 3.7mm of the Ginger Milk falls on the shorter end of the spectrum. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances for faster response times. So, if speed and responsiveness are important to you, the Ginger Milk switch would be the better option. However, for individuals who prefer a more substantial key press and a deeper feeling when typing, the Ink Black V2 with its longer travel distance may be more suitable. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and the specific user's typing or gaming style.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch is known for its soft and pastel color scheme, which reflects the typing experience it offers. When using these switches, you can expect a silky smooth and approachable push feel, accompanied by a muted and snappy sound profile. This switch provides a neutral sound, which means it has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile suitable for most purposes, whether you're a beginner or advanced user, and whether you intend to use it at home or work. The feel of the Ginger Milk switch is often described as buttery, implying a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. This switch delivers a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation.

On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch is considered a classic and popular choice within the mechanical keyboard community. It offers a smooth downstroke and a rich clack sound. The sound profile of the Ink Black V2 is low-pitched, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Additionally, this switch can be characterized as bassy, offering a deeper and richer sound during key presses, reminiscent of bass tones. It also has a unique acoustic signature, described as chirpy, which sets it apart from other switches. However, keep in mind that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.

When it comes to feel, the Ginger Milk switch is lauded for its buttery sensation, which translates into a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. This switch provides a seamless and effortless typing experience, with a uniform feel across all keys. On the other hand, the Ink Black V2 switch is described as mild, offering a gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. Its qualities fall within a safe and middle-ground zone, making it approachable for most users. Additionally, the Ink Black V2 switch is often referred to as polished, meaning it has a smooth and refined finish. This results in a sleek typing experience, characterized by reduced friction and smooth key travel. The polished feel can be achieved through materials used and/or factory lubing.

In conclusion, the Jwick Ginger Milk and Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of their sound and feel. The Ginger Milk switch provides a muted, snappy sound profile with a silky smooth and approachable push feel. It has a neutral sound, and its feel is described as buttery, offering a seamless and effortless typing sensation. On the other hand, the Ink Black V2 switch features a rich clack sound with a low-pitched and bassy tone. Its feel is described as mild and polished, providing a gentle typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. When considering all available information, it is evident that these switches offer distinct characteristics, allowing users to choose based on their personal preferences. However, both switches can offer similar satisfactory results in terms of sound and feel, ensuring a pleasant typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you're looking for a medium-heavy switch that offers a soft and pastel typing experience with a silky smooth feel and muted, snappy sound profile, then the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch is the way to go. It provides a moderate actuation force requirement and a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced users in any setting. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy switch with a smooth downstroke and a rich clack, the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch is a great choice. It offers a low-pitched, bassy sound profile with a unique chirp and a mild, polished feel that provides a gentle and approachable typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel.

Mentioned in this article

Jwick Ginger Milk Linear

$5.50

$4.25 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Ink Black V2 Linear

$7.50

$7.24 per 10

Learn more