Jwick Ginger Milk vs. KTT Matcha
An in-depth look at the Jwick Ginger Milk and the KTT Matcha switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the Jwick Ginger Milk and the KTT Matcha. The Ginger Milk is a linear switch, known for its soft and pastel appearance, which accurately mirrors the typing experience it provides. With silky smooth key presses and a muted, snappy sound profile, these switches offer a comfortable and approachable feel. On the other hand, the KTT Matcha is a tactile switch that stands out for its satisfying tactile feedback. Typing on these switches delivers a comfortable and snappy tactile sensation, while the long pole stem ensures a clean bottom-out sound. The Matcha switch is categorized as having a stepped, snappy, accented, clacky, feathery, and subtle feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your typing preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials used in the Jwick Ginger Milk and KTT Matcha keyboards, specifically the polycarbonate top housing, share similar qualities. Both keyboards employ polycarbonate in their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, which contributes to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the use of polycarbonate allows for translucency, making it ideal for those who plan to utilize RGB lighting. In terms of aesthetics and sound performance, users can expect similar results from both the Ginger Milk and Matcha keyboards.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, there is a notable difference between these two keyboards. The Jwick Ginger Milk employs a nylon bottom housing, while the KTT Matcha utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing. The choice of nylon for the Ginger Milk's bottom housing leads to a deeper and fuller sound profile during typing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. As a result, the Ginger Milk produces a duller and rounder overall sound when compared to the Matcha keyboard, which lacks these qualities due to its stiffer polycarbonate bottom housing.
The difference in bottom housing materials also affects the overall feel and sound experience of the keyboards. When pressing down on the keys, users will primarily feel the qualities of the bottom housing. The nylon bottom housing of the Ginger Milk contributes to a more cushioned and yielding feel, offering a distinct tactile experience. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Matcha provides a firmer and more solid feel. Furthermore, the bottom housing has a significant influence on the bottom-out sound, enhancing the overall auditory experience. Conversely, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key.
In summary, while both the Jwick Ginger Milk and KTT Matcha keyboards share the use of polycarbonate in their top housing, they differ in terms of bottom housing materials. The Ginger Milk's nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, offering a softer and cushioned typing experience. On the other hand, the Matcha's polycarbonate bottom housing provides a sharper and crisper sound, accompanied by a more solid typing feel. Despite these differences, both keyboards offer distinct qualities in their respective sound profiles and tactile experiences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the KTT Matcha tactile switch, there are noticeable differences. The Ginger Milk has a slightly higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Matcha's 40 grams, making it require a slightly stronger push to trigger a keystroke. On the other hand, the Ginger Milk has a significantly higher bottom out force of 63.5 grams, whereas the Matcha has a lower bottom out force of 45 grams. This makes the Ginger Milk provide a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. In terms of weight, the Matcha is the lighter option as both its actuation and bottom out forces are lower. This lighter weight can be beneficial for individuals who need to type for extended periods of time, such as in a work or gaming scenario. Overall, the Jwick Ginger Milk switch offers a medium-heavy actuation force and a higher bottom out force, providing a stronger typing experience, while the KTT Matcha switch offers a lighter actuation and bottom out force for those who prefer a lighter touch.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch is 3.7 mm, while the travel distance of the KTT Matcha tactile switch is 4 mm. As the Ginger Milk has a shorter travel distance, it would be favored by gamers who value faster response times. The Matcha, on the other hand, with its longer travel distance, would be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial and deep press when typing. It is worth noting that both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Matcha being slightly closer to the average of 4.0 mm. Overall, the decision between the two switches ultimately depends on individual preference for either a shorter and more rapid response or a longer and more satisfying key press.
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 KTT Matcha has an MSRP of $5.20 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Matcha for $4.88.
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 Ginger Milk switch has a muted, snappy sound profile that can be described as neutral. This means that it produces a moderate sound that is suitable for most intents and purposes. The Matcha switch, on the other hand, has a clacky sound profile. It produces a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, giving it a crisp, bright, and percussive quality. However, it's important to note that the sound of the switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Ginger Milk switch provides a buttery experience. This means that it offers a smooth and fluid keystroke, providing a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. On the other hand, the Matcha switch is described as stepped, snappy, accented, feathery, and subtle. It has a stepped tactile feel, meaning it has two stages of tactility with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. It also has a snappy response, making the typing experience feel more alive. The Matcha switch provides a medium amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle, making it accented. Additionally, it has a feathery and subtle typing feel, meaning it is exceptionally light to press and requires little exertion from the fingers.
In conclusion, the Ginger Milk switch offers a silky smooth and approachable push feel with a muted, snappy sound profile. It provides a buttery typing experience. The Matcha switch, on the other hand, offers a comfortable, snappy tactility with a distinctly clean bottom-out sound. It has a stepped feel with some pre-travel and/or post-travel, and it is described as accented, feathery, and subtle. Both switches have their own unique characteristics, and the choice between them depends on personal preference. However, if you are looking for a similar experience in terms of sound and feel, you can expect a moderate sound profile and a smooth typing sensation with the Ginger Milk switch, while the Matcha switch offers a sharp and snappy sound with a light and responsive typing feel.
Conclusion
In summary, if you are looking for a switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a smooth and approachable typing experience, the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch is the way to go. These switches provide a silky smooth push feel and a muted, snappy sound profile. They are suitable for both beginners and advanced users and can be used at home or work. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a tactile typing experience, the KTT Matcha tactile switch is the perfect choice. These switches offer a comfortable and snappy tactility, along with a clean bottom-out sound. Additionally, they have a variety of descriptors such as stepped, snappy, accented, feathery, and subtle, ensuring a unique and enjoyable typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches should be based on your preference for bottom out force, typing feel, and sound profile.
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