Jwick Ginger Milk vs. Durock Lupine
An in-depth look at the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Durock Lupine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Durock Lupine. Both switches fall into the linear category, offering a smooth and uninterrupted typing experience. The Ginger Milk is known for its soft and pastel colors, which reflect the delightful feel of these switches. Typing with the Ginger Milk provides a silky smooth and highly approachable push, accompanied by a muted and snappy sound profile. On the other hand, the Lupine stands out with its unique two-stage long springs, offering a consistent weight distribution while pressing down and a powerful upward movement during the rebound. The Lupine produces a classic clacky sound when in use. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
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
Stainless steel
Spring
Two-stage long spring
Housing materials
The Jwick Ginger Milk and the Durock Lupine both use polycarbonate as the material for their top housings. This choice of housing material creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for enhanced aesthetic appeal when using RGB lighting. Therefore, if you are looking for a switch that provides a distinct and vibrant sound with the option for colorful lighting effects, both the Ginger Milk and Lupine with their polycarbonate top housings would be suitable choices.
In terms of the bottom housing material, both the Ginger Milk and Lupine utilize nylon. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. As a result, the use of nylon as the material for the bottom housing creates a duller and rounder sound, providing a different auditory experience compared to the polycarbonate top housing. So, if you prefer a switch with a softer and more muted sound, both the Ginger Milk and Lupine with their nylon bottom housings would deliver that desired effect.
The differentiation in housing materials between the top and bottom of the switch is worth noting. While the top housing primarily affects the sound when you let go of a key, the bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when you press down on the switch. Thus, depending on your preference for the sound and tactile feedback during typing, you can consider how the qualities of the top and bottom housings in each switch might complement each other or provide distinct characteristics. Ultimately, both the Ginger Milk and Lupine offer a balance between sharpness and clarity with their polycarbonate top housings and depth and fullness through their nylon bottom housings, ensuring a satisfying typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the Durock Lupine linear switch, it becomes evident that there are both similarities and differences between them. The Ginger Milk has an actuation force of 50 grams, while the Lupine's actuation force is unknown. In terms of bottom out force, the Ginger Milk requires 63.5 grams, whereas the Lupine has a force of 62 grams.
In terms of weight, the Ginger Milk is slightly heavier than the Lupine when it comes to actuation force. The Ginger Milk's actuation force of 50 grams provides a medium-heavy feeling, making it suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel while typing. On the other hand, the Lupine's actuation force remains unknown, making it difficult to compare directly.
When it comes to bottom out force, however, the Lupine and Ginger Milk are quite similar. Both switches provide a medium force for bottoming out, with the Lupine requiring 62 grams and the Ginger Milk requiring 63.5 grams. This means that both switches offer a comparable typing experience in terms of how much force is needed to press the keys fully.
Considering the weight aspect, individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Lupine switch as it offers a medium force bottom out. This allows for prolonged typing sessions without causing fatigue. On the contrary, those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Ginger Milk switch as its actuation force is slightly heavier, providing a stronger push feel.
In conclusion, while the actuation force of the Ginger Milk and Lupine switches differs, their bottom out forces are similar. The Ginger Milk offers a medium-heavy actuation force, making it suitable for individuals who desire a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Lupine's actuation force remains unknown, but it provides a medium force for bottoming out. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on the individual's preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the Durock Lupine linear switch is exactly the same, with both switches having a travel distance of 3.7 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance of travel. Therefore, whether you opt for the Ginger Milk or the Lupine, you can expect similar results in terms of the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom.
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 Durock Lupine has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lupine 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
When it comes to sound, the Ginger Milk and the Lupine switches both fall into the neutral category, meaning they have a moderate sound profile that is suitable for most purposes. However, the Ginger Milk is described as having a muted, snappy sound profile, while the Lupine produces a classic clacky sound. This indicates that the Ginger Milk may have a slightly quieter sound compared to the Lupine. Keep in mind that the sound produced by these switches can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Ginger Milk is often described as providing a silky smooth and approachable push feel. This implies a buttery switch that offers a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. On the other hand, the Lupine is described as providing a consistent weight distribution when pressing down and a more powerful upward movement on the rebound. The Lupine's feel is often referred to as mild, meaning it offers a more gentle typing experience. Additionally, the Lupine is described as having a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, both the Ginger Milk and the Lupine switches offer their own unique qualities. The Ginger Milk provides a softer and more pastel experience, with a silky smooth and approachable push feel and a muted, snappy sound profile. On the other hand, the Lupine offers a two-stage long spring design, providing a consistent weight distribution and a more powerful rebound. It produces a classic clacky sound and has a mild feel with a polished finish. If you are looking for a neutral switch that falls within the middle-ground zone, both switches can provide similar results, but with slight differences in sound and feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your personal preference and typing preferences.
Conclusion
Bringing it all together, when it comes to choosing between the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the Durock Lupine linear switch, there are a few factors to consider.
If you prioritize a slightly heavier bottom out force, the Ginger Milk with its 63.5 grams would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium bottom out force, the Lupine with its 62 grams would be more fitting.
In terms of sound, both switches fall under the neutral category, making them suitable for most purposes. However, if you prefer a sharper and crisper sound profile, the Lupine's high-pitched characteristic might be more appealing to you.
When it comes to feel, the Ginger Milk offers a buttery typing experience with its smooth and fluid keystrokes, providing a seamless and effortless sensation. On the other hand, the Lupine offers a mild typing experience, which is gentle and approachable to most. Additionally, the Lupine's polished finish ensures smooth key travel with reduced friction.
Ultimately, the choice between the Ginger Milk and the Lupine depends on your personal preferences and priorities. If you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and a buttery typing experience, the Ginger Milk would be a great fit for you. However, if you prefer a medium bottom out force, a high-pitched sound profile, and a more polished feel, the Lupine would be a better choice for you. Consider your typing style, sound preferences, and desired level of tactile feedback to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard.
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