Jwick Ginger Milk vs. Cherry MX Brown
An in-depth look at the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Cherry MX Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Jwick Ginger Milk and the Cherry MX Brown are two popular mechanical keyboard switches, each with their unique qualities. The Ginger Milk is a linear switch, while the MX Brown is a tactile switch. When it comes to the Ginger Milk, users often praise its soft and pastel characteristics, which perfectly reflect its typing experience. This switch provides a silky smooth and approachable push feel, accompanied by a muted, snappy sound profile. On the other hand, the MX Brown switches are best recognized for their subtlety. With a relatively light typing experience, these switches offer gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. They are often described as textured, bassy, and low-pitched. Overall, both switches have their merits, offering different typing experiences depending on individual preferences. However, let's delve deeper into their features beyond these generalities so you can make an informed decision about the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
No
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Cherry MX Brown differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Ginger Milk features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a stiffer plastic, allowing for a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate is ideal for RGB lighting. In contrast, the MX Brown utilizes a nylon top housing. Typing on switches with nylon housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both the Ginger Milk and MX Brown rely on nylon. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. Its softer nature allows for the absorption of sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. Thus, in this aspect, both switches will yield similar sound profiles.
The difference between the top and bottom housings lies in the impact they have on the overall sound and feel of the switch. The bottom housing, whether it is nylon or polycarbonate, will primarily affect the bottom-out sound and feel. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing become prominent. On the other hand, the top housing material, be it polycarbonate or nylon, will have a greater influence on the sound produced when a key is released. Therefore, while both switches may have similar qualities in their bottom housing, the top housing material will be crucial in determining the sound profile when releasing a key.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, there are notable differences to consider. The Ginger Milk switch has an actuation force of 50 grams, slightly heavier than the MX Brown's 45 grams. This means that a slightly stronger push is required to trigger a keystroke on the Ginger Milk switch compared to the MX Brown.
In terms of bottom out force, the Ginger Milk switch surpasses the MX Brown. With a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, the Ginger Milk provides a more substantial typing experience, as pressing all the way down requires greater force compared to the MX Brown's 55 grams.
Considering weight preference, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the MX Brown switch. With a lower actuation force, it allows for longer typing sessions without causing excessive strain. This would make it an ideal choice for situations such as work or extended gaming sessions.
On the other hand, individuals who desire a stronger push feel may opt for the Ginger Milk switch. With a heavier actuation force and a higher bottom out force, this switch offers a more substantial typing experience. The increased force required for keystrokes may be preferred by those who enjoy a more tactile and deliberate typing feel.
Ultimately, weighing the actuation force and bottom out force of both switches, it is clear that the Ginger Milk switch is both heavier in terms of actuation and bottom out force. However, for those looking for a lighter typing experience, the MX Brown switch offers similar results with a slightly lighter touch.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch is 3.7 mm, while the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Ginger Milk has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the MX Brown switch. A travel distance of 4.0 mm is considered the most traditional, while 3.0 mm is the shallowest. However, shorter travel distances have become more popular, especially among gamers who value faster response times. If you prioritize responsiveness, the shorter travel distance of the Ginger Milk switch may be preferable. On the other hand, some individuals may find short travel distances too abrupt and prefer a switch with a longer travel distance, such as the MX Brown. Both options offer distinct experiences, catering to different preferences for depth and responsiveness.
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 Cherry MX Brown comes in at $4.00 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, the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch offers a muted and snappy profile. It has a moderate actuation force requirement and produces a neutral sound overall. This makes it a versatile option suitable for both beginners and advanced users, whether for home or work purposes. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch provides a deeper and richer sound profile, with a lower frequency range that resembles bass tones. It offers a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used. Overall, if you prefer a soft and pastel sound experience, the Ginger Milk switch is a great choice, while the MX Brown switch provides a subtler and bass-oriented audio feedback.
When it comes to feel, the Ginger Milk switch is described as "buttery", which implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Using these switches provides a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. In contrast, the MX Brown switch is described as "textured" or "scratchy". This means that it has noticeable friction when pressed, which some users may prefer for a tactile feedback during typing. However, others might prefer a smoother, friction-free typing experience. The choice between the Ginger Milk and MX Brown switches will depend on your personal preference for a buttery smooth feel or a textured tactile feedback.
Considering all the available information, the Ginger Milk and MX Brown switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ginger Milk switch provides a muted and snappy sound profile, making it suitable for most purposes. Its buttery smooth feel ensures a seamless and effortless typing experience. On the other hand, the MX Brown switch offers a bassy and low-pitched sound, giving it a deeper and richer audio feedback. Its textured feel adds noticeable friction for a tactile typing sensation. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on your preferences in sound and feel. If you seek a similar sound experience to the Ginger Milk switch, you can achieve comparable results by opting for a switch with a neutral sound profile. Similarly, if you desire a similar feel to the MX Brown switch, you can look for switches that provide a textured or scratchy typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch or the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, there are a few key factors to consider. The Ginger Milk switch has a slightly heavier bottom out force at 63.5 grams, making it suitable for those who prefer a medium-heavy typing experience. It is best known for its soft and pastel appearance, which reflects the silky smooth and approachable push feel it offers. Additionally, it produces a muted, snappy sound profile, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced users in various settings.
On the other hand, the Cherry MX Brown switch has a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it slightly lighter than the Ginger Milk. It is best known for its subtlety, offering a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. The MX Brown switch also produces a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, which offers a deeper and richer tone during key presses.
When it comes to feel, the Ginger Milk switch is described as buttery, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. This switch ensures a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. On the other hand, the MX Brown switch is described as textured, meaning it has noticeable friction when pressed. While some users may prefer this subtle texture, others may prefer a smoother and friction-free typing experience.
Ultimately, the choice between the Ginger Milk linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch depends on personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a slightly heavier typing experience with a soft and pastel appearance, the Ginger Milk switch may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter typing experience with gentle tactility and a deeper, bassy sound profile, the MX Brown switch may be more suitable. Consider your desired bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel to make an informed decision.
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