Jwick Ginger Milk vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Durock Sea Glass are two popular options to consider. The Ginger Milk switches are best known for their soft and pastel appearance, which is reflected in their typing experience. These switches provide a silky smooth and approachable push feel, accompanied by a muted, snappy sound profile. Categorized as "Neutral" and "Buttery," the Ginger Milks offer a typing experience that is both comfortable and satisfying. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switches stand out with their captivating selection of five pastel colors. These switches emanate a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness due to their proprietary material blend. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switches possess a weightlessness that defies expectations, making them easy to press. Their frictionless nature is further exemplified by a uniquely hollow sound signature. Categorized as "Frictionless," "Mild," "Feathery," and "Easy-to-press," the Sea Glass switches offer a different but equally enticing typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
62g
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
P3+
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE 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 Sea Glass differ in terms of composition and resulting sound profile. The Ginger Milk features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which leads to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is ideal for RGB lighting purposes. On the other hand, the Sea Glass utilizes a blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its top housing, resulting in a pleasing sound profile that is bright but not overly sharp. While both materials contribute to a pleasant sound, their characteristics differ slightly.
Similarly, the bottom housing materials of the Ginger Milk and the Sea Glass have distinct properties. The Ginger Milk's nylon bottom housing is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon, as a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound when typing. In contrast, the Sea Glass employs a blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its bottom housing, contributing to a unique sound profile that is described as pleasant and slightly brighter. Although both materials offer a satisfying typing experience, their compositions result in slightly different sound profiles.
When considering the impact on the overall typing experience, the combination of top and bottom housings in a switch is important. The Ginger Milk and the Sea Glass showcase this by utilizing different materials for their top and bottom housings. When pressing down on a switch, the feel and sound of the bottom housing are more pronounced, influencing the bottom-out sound and tactile feeling. Conversely, the top housing has more influence on the sound when releasing a key. This distinction showcases how the qualities of each housing material are divided between the top and bottom, ultimately impacting the overall typing experience in a unique way.
In conclusion, although the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Durock Sea Glass exhibit some similarities in terms of providing a pleasant typing experience, their housing materials differ. The Ginger Milk's polycarbonate top housing enables a sharper and crisper sound profile, while its nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound. On the other hand, the Sea Glass's blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE results in a pleasing yet brighter sound profile for both the top and bottom housings. Understanding the distinct qualities of these housing materials allows users to select the switch that best suits their personal preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. In terms of weight, the Ginger Milk switch is slightly heavier, with an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch has a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, placing it in the medium range. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Sea Glass switch may be more suitable as it requires slightly less force to trigger a keystroke. However, for individuals who prefer a more substantial and tactile typing feel, the Ginger Milk switch offers a heavier actuation and bottom out force. In terms of overall typing experience, both switches offer a satisfying level of force, providing a solid and responsive keystroke. Therefore, whether one prefers a lighter or heavier actuation force, both the Ginger Milk and Sea Glass switches can deliver similar results in terms of providing an enjoyable and efficient typing or gaming experience.
Travel distance
The Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch have slightly different travel distances. The Ginger Milk has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Sea Glass has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which have become increasingly popular in recent times. Gamers especially tend to prefer shorter travel distances as they offer faster response times. If you value a more responsive typing experience, the Ginger Milk switch with its slightly shorter travel distance may be the better choice for you. However, for those who prefer a deeper and more substantial key press, the Sea Glass switch with its slightly longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches comes down to personal preference and the desired level of key press depth.
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 Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
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
The Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch is best known for its soft and pastel appearance, which aligns with the typing experience it provides. Users have described the push feel of these switches as silky smooth and approachable. Furthermore, the sound profile of the Ginger Milk is muted and snappy, offering a pleasant typing experience that doesn't distract with loud or harsh noises.
On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch stands out with its captivating selection of five pastel colors. These switches have a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness to their typing experience, thanks to their proprietary material blend. Despite a 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switches possess a weightless quality that defies expectations, showcasing their frictionless nature. Typing on these switches also reveals a uniquely hollow sound signature.
When it comes to sound, the Ginger Milk is described as having a neutral sound profile, which implies a moderate level of actuation force requirement. This makes it suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use the switches at home or work. The sound of the Sea Glass switch series is not mentioned directly, but it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Ginger Milk switch has been described as buttery, indicating a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. This means that using these switches provides a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switches offer a frictionless and effortless typing experience, minimizing any resistance or friction. They are also described as mild, feathery, and easy-to-press, suggesting a gentle typing experience with low finger fatigue and reduced strain on the fingers.
In conclusion, while both the Jwick Ginger Milk and Durock Sea Glass linear switches offer pleasant typing experiences, they have their own unique qualities. The Ginger Milk has a softer and pastel appearance and is characterized by a silky smooth push feel and muted, snappy sound. On the other hand, the Sea Glass series stands out with captivating pastel colors and provides a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness in terms of feel. It also offers a uniquely hollow sound signature. Depending on your preferences and requirements, either switch can provide an enjoyable and comfortable typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a slightly heavier switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams, the Ginger Milk may be the choice for you. It offers a silky smooth and approachable push feel, along with a muted, snappy sound profile. On the other hand, if you appreciate a medium bottom out force of 62 grams and are attracted to a captivating selection of five pastel colors, the Sea Glass switch series by Durock might be more your style. These switches emanate a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, while still maintaining smoothness. They also possess a weightlessness that defies expectations.
In terms of sound, the Ginger Milk can be described as neutral, making it suitable for most intents and purposes. As for the Sea Glass, its uniquely hollow sound signature adds an intriguing element to the typing experience.
In terms of feel, the Ginger Milk offers a buttery and seamless typing sensation. On the other hand, the Sea Glass provides a frictionless and effortless typing experience, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction. It also falls into the mild, feathery, and easy-to-press category, making it comfortable for extended typing sessions.
Ultimately, the choice between the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch depends on your personal preferences for weight, sound, and feel. Consider the typing experience you desire and the aesthetic appeal of each switch series. By making an informed decision based on these factors, you can find the switch that perfectly suits your needs.