Jwick Ginger Milk vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Durock Piano, both of which fall under the category of linear switches. The Ginger Milk switches are often praised for their soft and pastel appearance, which translates into a silky smooth typing experience and a muted, snappy sound profile. On the other hand, the Durock Piano switches stand out for their proprietary material blend, resulting in a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature. The Piano switches are often described as bassy, frictionless, and silky. While these general descriptions can provide an initial idea of what to expect from each switch, it is important to explore deeper into their characteristics and features to make an informed decision about which switch will best suit your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
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
Mystery material
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Durock Piano keyboards have distinct differences that contribute to their sound profiles. The Ginger Milk features a polycarbonate top housing, which offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The relatively stiffer polycarbonate material provides a clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the Piano utilizes a proprietary POM blend in its top housing, resulting in a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. While the specific details of the blend are unknown, the POM material creates a distinctly deep sound experience.
In terms of their bottom housings, the Ginger Milk incorporates a nylon material, which is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound. The relatively softer plastic of nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound profile. On the contrary, the Piano utilizes its proprietary POM blend in the bottom housing as well, offering a similar deep sound experience as its top housing. Although the exact details of the blend are not revealed, the POM material enhances the overall sound profile of the Piano.
Despite these differences, it is worth noting that both keyboards share similar qualities due to their housing materials. Both the Ginger Milk and the Piano utilize proprietary blends for their top and bottom housings, resulting in unique and satisfying sound profiles. While the Ginger Milk emphasizes a sharper and crisper sound with its polycarbonate top housing, the Piano presents a deep sound experience with its POM blend top and bottom housings. These diverse characteristics cater to different preferences and offer a range of options for keyboard enthusiasts seeking specific sound profiles.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, we find some similarities and differences. The actuation force of the Ginger Milk is 50 grams, while the actuation force of the Piano is unavailable. However, both switches have a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which falls into the medium-heavy category. In terms of weight, lighter switches like the Ginger Milk are favored by those who value longer typing sessions or extended gaming periods. These switches provide a lighter typing experience. On the other hand, for individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, heavier switches like the Piano are preferred. In this case, both switches offer a medium-heavy bottom out force, providing a similar result for those who appreciate a heavier key press. Overall, the Ginger Milk is lighter in terms of actuation force, while both switches have the same bottom out force.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch is 3.7mm, while the Durock Piano linear switch has a travel distance of 4mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which have become increasingly popular. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances as they allow for faster response times. Therefore, if you value responsiveness, the Jwick Ginger Milk switch may be a suitable choice due to its slightly shorter travel distance. However, it is worth noting that some individuals may find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt or lacking in depth. In such cases, the Durock Piano switch with its slightly longer travel distance could be a more suitable option for those seeking a more substantial feel when pressing down on the keys.
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 Durock Piano has an MSRP of $6.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Piano for $5.57.
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 has a muted, snappy sound profile. It is considered a neutral switch, meaning it has a moderate sound profile that is suitable for most intents and purposes. On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch offers a deep, creamy sound signature. It is described as bassy, providing a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch will also depend on other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
In terms of feel, the Ginger Milk switch provides a silky smooth and approachable push feel. It is often described as buttery, offering a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. On the other hand, the Durock Piano switch offers a gliding push feel. It is described as frictionless and silky, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance or friction when pressing and releasing keys.
Overall, both the Jwick Ginger Milk and Durock Piano switches offer subjective qualities that make them enjoyable to type on. While the Ginger Milk is known for its soft and pastel aesthetics, it provides a muted, snappy sound profile and a buttery smooth typing feel. On the other hand, the Durock Piano stands out with its proprietary material blend and offers a deep, creamy sound signature and a gliding push feel. However, it is important to note that individual preferences may vary, and the choice between these two switches will ultimately depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch is a great choice if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and are looking for a soft and pastel typing experience. These switches offer a silky smooth and approachable push feel, as well as a muted and snappy sound profile. On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch is ideal if you also prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force but want a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature. The proprietary material blend used in the Piano switches enhances their overall typing experience, making them one of the most pleasant linear switches to type on. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will come down to your personal preference in sound and feel.
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