Jwick Ginger Milk vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking for a mechanical keyboard switch, the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Gateron Mountain Top both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Ginger Milk is known for its soft and pastel aesthetic, providing a silky smooth push feel and a muted, snappy sound profile. On the other hand, the Mountain Top switches from Gateron are designed for office environments, offering a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience with a comfortably light actuation. While the Ginger Milk is categorized as 'Neutral' and 'Buttery', the Mountain Top is categorized as 'Bouncy', 'Easy-to-press', 'Mild', 'Neutral', 'Snappy', and 'Subtle'. Both switches have their own advantages and are suited for different scenarios. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Gateron Mountain Top, we can see that they both feature nylon bottom housings. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition. This means that both switches will likely produce a similar sound when pressed down, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to switches made with harder plastics for the bottom housing. However, the differences lie in the top housings, with the Ginger Milk utilizing a polycarbonate top housing for a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. In contrast, the Mountain Top features a nylon top housing, which absorbs more sound and creates a deeper sound compared to polycarbonate.
The use of different materials for the top housing in the Ginger Milk and Mountain Top switches results in distinct sound profiles when pressing down and releasing a key. The polycarbonate top housing of the Ginger Milk creates a clear and resonant sound, especially when combined with RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the Mountain Top absorbs more sound, leading to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This difference in top housing materials highlights how the choice of housing material can impact the overall typing experience and sound of a switch.
Overall, the contrasting housing materials of the Jwick Ginger Milk and Gateron Mountain Top switches offer unique sound profiles and typing experiences. While both switches share a nylon bottom housing for a deeper and fuller sound, their top housings - polycarbonate for the Ginger Milk and nylon for the Mountain Top - provide distinct characteristics in terms of sound sharpness and depth. Whether you prefer a sharper, crisper sound or a deeper, fuller sound, the housing materials of these switches play a crucial role in defining their overall performance and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, it is clear that the Ginger Milk is heavier overall. The Ginger Milk has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, while the Mountain Top has an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This means that the Ginger Milk requires a more substantial push to trigger a keystroke compared to the Mountain Top, making it better suited for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Mountain Top is lighter in both actuation and bottom out forces, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods of time. Both switches offer different options for users based on their preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are currently popular among gamers for faster response times. However, the Ginger Milk has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Mountain Top. Gamers who prefer a bit more depth in their keystrokes may find the Ginger Milk to be a better fit, while those looking for the shortest possible travel distance may prefer the Mountain Top. Overall, both switches offer a similar experience in terms of travel distance, with slight variations that may cater to individual preferences.
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 Gateron Mountain Top comes in at $6.00 per 10 switches.
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, both the Jwick Ginger Milk and Gateron Mountain Top switches fall into the category of neutral switches, meaning they have a moderate sound profile that is suitable for most intents and purposes. However, the Ginger Milk offers a muted and snappy sound profile, while the Mountain Top provides a quiet typing experience ideal for office environments. The actual sound produced by both switches can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Ginger Milk switch is described as providing a buttery typing experience, characterized by a smooth and fluid keystroke sensation. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switch offers a bouncy and easy-to-press feel, featuring a spring-like feedback and gentle resistance that makes typing effortless and comfortable. Additionally, the Mountain Top switch is described as having a mild, snappy, and subtle feel.
In conclusion, while both the Jwick Ginger Milk and Gateron Mountain Top switches fall under the neutral sound category, each offers a distinct typing feel. The Ginger Milk switch provides a buttery and seamless typing experience, while the Mountain Top switch delivers a bouncy and easy-to-press sensation tailored for professional settings. Depending on personal preference and typing environment, users can choose between the two switches to achieve similar results in sound quality but different tactile experiences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, consider the factors that matter most to you. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a smooth, muted typing experience, the Ginger Milk switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you value a lighter actuation force and a quiet yet responsive typing feel, the Mountain Top switch could be the ideal option. Both switches have their own unique qualities that cater to different preferences and needs, so it ultimately comes down to your personal typing style and environment. Happy typing!
Mentioned in this article
