Jwick Ginger Milk vs. TTC Neptune
An in-depth look at the Jwick Ginger Milk and the TTC Neptune switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the TTC Neptune linear switch, there are some key differences to consider. The Ginger Milk is known for its soft and pastel aesthetic, offering a silky smooth push feel and a muted, snappy sound profile. On the other hand, the TTC Neptune stands out with its innovative internal structure that provides a smooth, frictionless glide and a unique springy resistance akin to chewy delights like mochi. While the Ginger Milk is categorized as neutral, buttery, the Neptune offers a plethora of qualities like being buttery, gummy, frictionless, low-pitched, mild, muted, neutral, polished, subdued, and thocky. Depending on your preferences, you may lean towards the Ginger Milk for its approachable typing experience or the Neptune for its unparalleled matte feel. 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
41g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Lengthened 21.5mm spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Jwick Ginger Milk and the TTC Neptune, one noticeable difference is in the top housing material. The Ginger Milk features a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper and crisper sound profile, especially when used with RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the Neptune uses a POM top housing which produces a deeper and more muted sound. This contrast in sound profiles showcases how different housing materials can significantly impact the overall auditory experience of a mechanical keyboard switch.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, another point of comparison can be drawn between the Ginger Milk's nylon bottom housing and the Neptune's polycarbonate bottom housing. While the Ginger Milk's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to the softer plastic absorbing more sound, the Neptune's polycarbonate bottom housing offers a sharper and clearer sound. This divergence highlights how the choice of bottom housing material affects the typing experience and the resulting sound, whether it's a more muted and rounder sound or a crisper and resonant one.
When considering switches where the top and bottom housings differ, it's important to understand how each material contributes to the overall typing experience. The qualities of the bottom housing, such as impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, will be felt when pressing down on the switch. Conversely, the top housing material will have a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. This distinction illustrates how the combination of different housing materials in a switch can create a unique typing experience, with each material offering its own sound and feel characteristics.
Weight
The Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch has a higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the TTC Neptune linear switch, which has an actuation force of 41 grams, making the Ginger Milk heavier in this aspect. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Ginger Milk requires 63.5 grams while the Neptune only needs 50 grams, making the Neptune lighter in this aspect. This means that the Ginger Milk will provide a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, while the Neptune will be lighter and more suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming. Both switches offer a different typing experience due to their varying actuation and bottom out forces, so users should choose based on their preference for a lighter or heavier feel.
Travel distance
The Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, slightly shorter than the TTC Neptune linear switch which has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances which are currently popular, especially among gamers looking for quick responsiveness. The slight difference in travel distance may not be noticeable to most users, as both switches offer a relatively short travel distance compared to more traditional options. Ultimately, the choice between the Ginger Milk and Neptune switches will depend on personal preference for a slightly shorter or longer travel distance.
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 TTC Neptune has an MSRP of $7.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Neptune for $5.09.
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
In terms of sound, the Jwick Ginger Milk and TTC Neptune switches provide different auditory experiences. The Ginger Milk offers a neutral sound profile that is suitable for various settings and preferences. On the other hand, the Neptune boasts a low-pitched and muted sound signature, providing a quieter and more refined typing experience. Both switches offer a pleasant auditory ambiance, with the Neptune's sound being more subdued and bass-heavy compared to the Ginger Milk.
When it comes to feel, both the Ginger Milk and Neptune switches excel in providing a smooth and effortless typing experience. The Ginger Milk switch is likened to a buttery sensation, offering a seamless and uniform keystroke experience. Similarly, the Neptune switch is described as buttery as well, but also includes descriptors like gummy, frictionless, mild, and polished. This unique combination in the Neptune switch results in a textured pleasure with a matte feel that ensures swift and effortless typing.
Overall, newcomers to the world of mechanical keyboard switches can expect top-quality performance from both the Jwick Ginger Milk and TTC Neptune switches. While the Ginger Milk excels in providing a neutral sound and a buttery feel, the Neptune stands out with its low-pitched, muted sound profile and a unique combination of textures for an unparalleled typing experience. Ultimately, both switches offer a satisfying and approachable typing experience that will cater to a wide range of preferences and typing styles.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the TTC Neptune linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a smooth, approachable push feel with a muted, snappy sound profile, the Ginger Milk may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a unique typing experience that combines a smooth, almost frictionless glide with a springy resistance reminiscent of chewy delights like mochi or tapioca pearls, the Neptune may be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal typing preferences and the type of typing experience you desire.
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