Jwick Ginger Milk vs. Cherry MX Red
An in-depth look at the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Cherry MX Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Jwick Ginger Milk and Cherry MX Red mechanical keyboard switches, it is clear that both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Ginger Milk switch is praised for its soft and pastel aesthetic, providing a silky smooth and approachable typing experience with a muted, snappy sound profile. On the other hand, the MX Red switch from Cherry is recognized for its slightly heftier feel and deeper sound profile, offering a robust typing experience that combines responsiveness with a satisfying auditory depth. While the Ginger Milk switch is categorized as 'Neutral' and 'Buttery', the MX Red switch is categorized as 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', and 'Textured'. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal to different types of users. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Cherry MX Red switches exhibit distinct characteristics that can impact the overall typing experience. The Ginger Milk features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its relatively stiffer nature. In contrast, the MX Red utilizes a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. Despite these differences, both switches offer a unique sound profile that can cater to different preferences.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Ginger Milk and MX Red switches use nylon for this component. Nylon's softer nature absorbs sound effectively, contributing to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on these switches. This similarity in bottom housing material ensures that the typing experience on both switches is consistent in terms of sound quality. While the top housing may influence the sound upon key release, the bottom housing plays a significant role in the overall typing sound and feel, providing a cohesive experience for users of both switches.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in mechanical switches such as the Jwick Ginger Milk and Cherry MX Red can have a significant impact on the sound profile and typing feel. The use of polycarbonate in the Ginger Milk's top housing creates a distinct, crisp sound profile, while the nylon top housing of the MX Red offers a deeper and fuller sound. Both switches utilize nylon for the bottom housing, ensuring a consistent sound profile during typing. Whether you prefer a sharper sound or a fuller sound, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, making them popular choices among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Cherry MX Red linear switch which has an actuation force of 45 grams, making the MX Red the lighter option. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Ginger Milk requires 63.5 grams while the MX Red's bottom out force is unknown. The Ginger Milk switch provides a more substantial typing experience with its medium-heavy bottom out force compared to the MX Red. Both switches offer a smooth linear feel, but the Ginger Milk may be more suitable for those who prefer a slightly heavier key press, while the MX Red may appeal to users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch, we find that the Ginger Milk has a shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm compared to the MX Red's 4 mm. The shorter travel distance of the Ginger Milk may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the MX Red may provide a more satisfying key press for those who prefer a deeper feel. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Ginger Milk on the shorter end and the MX Red on the longer end. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preference for travel distance and key feel.
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 Red has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Red for $4.00.
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
Overall, when comparing the Ginger Milk linear switch to the Cherry MX Red linear switch, there are distinct differences in both sound and feel. The Ginger Milk offers a neutral sound profile with a silky smooth and approachable push feel, creating a typing experience that is soft and pastel. In contrast, the MX Red provides a thocky, low-pitched sound with a slightly heftier and textured feel, giving a more robust typing experience. While both switches are linear and offer a satisfying typing experience, the choice between the two will ultimately come down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel. If you prefer a softer and smoother typing experience, the Ginger Milk may be more suitable for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a deeper and more textured feel while typing, the Cherry MX Red could be the better option. Ultimately, both switches provide excellent options for a linear switch experience, ensuring that you'll get similar results in terms of performance and overall typing satisfaction.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch, consider the following factors. Choose the Ginger Milk if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a soft, pastel typing experience with a silky smooth push feel and muted, snappy sound profile. This switch is great for a neutral typing experience suitable for various purposes. On the other hand, opt for the MX Red if you enjoy a slightly heftier feel and deeper sound profile, offering a robust typing experience with a thocky, low-pitched sound. The MX Red switch provides a textured typing sensation for those who prefer a bit of friction when pressing the keys. Ultimately, your choice should be based on your preference for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel.
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