Jwick Ginger Milk vs. SP-Star Polaris Gray

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are a multitude of options to choose from, each with their own unique characteristics and typing experiences. Two popular options to consider are the Jwick Ginger Milk and the SP-Star Polaris Gray. The Ginger Milk is best known for its soft and pastel aesthetics, reflecting the gentle and smooth typing experience it offers. With a muted, snappy sound profile, these linear switches provide a silky and approachable push feel. On the other hand, the Polaris Gray switches are favored by those who prefer a bouncy typing experience. With a clean and clacky sound profile, these linear switches offer a low-pitched and mild thocky feel. They are also polished to perfection. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities, so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your keyboard setup.

By the numbers

Jwick Ginger Milk Linear

SP-Star Polaris Gray Linear

$5.50

$4.25 per 10

$5.60

$5.00 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Jwick Ginger Milk and the SP-Star Polaris Gray share similar housing materials in their polycarbonate top housing. Both switches utilize polycarbonate to create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a stiff plastic that generates a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is advantageous for switches with RGB lighting, making it an ideal choice for the top housing in both switches. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of sound quality and aesthetics when using either the Ginger Milk or the Polaris Gray.

However, the two switches differ in their bottom housing materials. The Ginger Milk features a nylon bottom housing, which is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound than harder materials, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Polaris Gray employs a polycarbonate bottom housing, aligning with the characteristics of the top housing. This means that the Polaris Gray will also produce a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, consistent with the qualities of polycarbonate. Therefore, the bottom housing of each switch will contribute distinct sound profiles, with the Ginger Milk offering a deeper and fuller tone due to its nylon construction, while the Polaris Gray will provide a clearer and more resonant sound associated with polycarbonate.

Overall, the distinction in housing materials between the Jwick Ginger Milk and the SP-Star Polaris Gray lies in their bottom housings. While both switches share polycarbonate top housing, the Ginger Milk stands out with its nylon bottom housing, producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. Meanwhile, the Polaris Gray maintains a consistent sound quality throughout, thanks to its polycarbonate bottom housing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal sound preferences, with the Ginger Milk offering a more mellow tone, and the Polaris Gray delivering a sharper and crisper sound.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to note. In terms of actuation force, the Ginger Milk requires 50 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while the Polaris Gray's actuation force is unknown. However, both switches fall within the medium-heavy category.

Moving on to the bottom out force, the Ginger Milk requires 63.5 grams of force to fully press down the key, whereas the Polaris Gray has a bottom out force of 67 grams. Here, we can see that the Polaris Gray is slightly heavier than the Ginger Milk.

Considering weight as a factor, those who prefer a lighter switch would benefit from the Ginger Milk, as its actuation force and bottom out force are relatively lighter compared to the Polaris Gray. This lighter weight allows for extended typing sessions and is ideal for keyboards used in work or long gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience might prefer the Polaris Gray, as its heavier actuation and bottom out forces provide a stronger push feel.

In summary, while the actuation force of the Polaris Gray is unavailable, we can see that the Ginger Milk is lighter in terms of both actuation and bottom out forces. However, those looking for a heavier switch can opt for the Polaris Gray, which has slightly higher bottom out force than the Ginger Milk.

Travel distance

The Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch have different travel distances. The Ginger Milk has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Polaris Gray has a travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming increasingly popular, especially among gamers who value faster response times. These shorter distances allow for quicker keystrokes and can enhance gaming performance. However, it is important to note that some individuals may find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt or lacking in depth. In such cases, the switch with the longer travel distance may be preferred, as it offers a more substantial feel when pressing down on the keys. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for responsiveness and depth.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch is best known for its soft and pastel aesthetic, which is representative of the typing experience with these switches. When using the Ginger Milk switches, users will experience a silky smooth and approachable push feel, giving a seamless and effortless typing sensation. The sound profile of these switches is described as muted and snappy, providing a pleasing and satisfying auditory feedback.

On the other hand, the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch is favored by those who prefer a bouncy typing experience. These switches offer a more gentle and mild typing sensation, ensuring that the sound and feel are approachable to most users. The sound profile of the Polaris Gray switches is described as clean and clacky, with a low-pitched and thocky characteristic, producing a deep and rich sound when pressed and released.

Based on the available information, both switches have a moderate actuation force requirement, making them suitable for beginners and advanced users alike. The Ginger Milk switch is more on the neutral side, with a moderate sound profile that can be used in various settings, whether at home or work. On the other hand, the Polaris Gray switch provides a low-pitched sound with hints of thockiness, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow tone.

In terms of feel, the Ginger Milk switch provides a buttery typing experience, indicating a smooth and fluid keystroke. This results in a seamless and effortless typing sensation, providing a uniform feel across all keys. On the other hand, the Polaris Gray switch offers a mild typing experience, giving a more gentle and non-pronounced sensation. Additionally, the Polaris Gray switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.

In summary, while the Ginger Milk and Polaris Gray switches have different characteristics, they both offer unique and desirable qualities. The Ginger Milk switch provides a soft and pastel aesthetic with a silky smooth and approachable push feel, offering a muted and snappy sound profile. On the other hand, the Polaris Gray switch delivers a bouncy typing experience with a clean and clacky sound profile, featuring a low-pitched and thocky characteristic. Both switches can be suitable for various intents and purposes, depending on personal preference and the overall setup of the keyboard.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a slightly lighter bottom out force, the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch would be a good choice for you. These switches have a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which is medium-heavy. They offer a smooth and approachable typing experience with a muted and snappy sound profile. The Ginger Milk switches are best known for their soft and pastel appearance, reflecting the typing experience they provide. On the other hand, if you prefer a bouncy typing experience, the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch might be more suitable for you. With a bottom out force of 67 grams, they offer a similar medium-heavy feel. The Polaris Gray switches have a clean and clacky sound profile and are loved by those who enjoy a more tactile typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on your personal preference for the sound and feel. Remember that the Ginger Milk switches offer a silky smooth push feel, while the Polaris Gray switches provide a more bouncy sensation. Whichever switch you choose, both the Ginger Milk and Polaris Gray switches have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various purposes and environments. Whether you are a beginner or advanced user, these switches can be used at home or work. In the end, it's all about finding the switch that meets your specific needs and preferences.

Mentioned in this article

Jwick Ginger Milk Linear

$5.50

$4.25 per 10

Learn more

SP-Star Polaris Gray Linear

$5.60

$5.00 per 10

Learn more