Jwick Ginger Milk vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves weighing the subtle nuances that can greatly affect their typing experience. The Jwick Ginger Milk switch offers a unique blend of softness and pastel aesthetics, embodying a silky smooth actuation with a muted yet snappy sound profile, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer a more approachable and gentle typing feel. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie presents a medium-weight linear experience that balances quality and affordability, delivering a satisfying thocky sound profile and remarkable smoothness. While the Ginger Milk is characterized by its neutral and buttery feel, perfect for long typing sessions, the Sea Salt Smoothie breaks the price barrier without compromising on performance. Both switches cater to distinct preferences, whether it’s the refined softness of the Ginger Milk or the rich auditory feedback of the Sea Salt Smoothie. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
48g
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
3.70 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
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
When analyzing the housing materials of the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches, it is evident that each employs different materials in both the top and bottom housings, which directly influences their sound profiles. The Ginger Milk utilizes a polycarbonate top housing that produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This quality is enhanced by the stiffness of polycarbonate, which allows for a clearer and more resonant sound when the key is released. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie's top housing is made from POM, a material known for delivering a more muted and deeper sound profile. As a result, while both switches have unique auditory characteristics, the Ginger Milk's polycarbonate housing leans toward a bright sound, whereas the Sea Salt Smoothie's POM top creates a warmer, softer resonance.
Examining the bottom housings offers further insights into the contrasting acoustic qualities of these switches. The Ginger Milk is equipped with a nylon bottom housing, a classic choice that contributes to a deeper and fuller sound experience. Nylon's softer plastic nature enables it to absorb more sound, resulting in a rounder auditory profile that complements the crisper top housing effectively. Meanwhile, the Sea Salt Smoothie's bottom housing also consists of POM, which, while creating a pleasing sound, maintains a deeper and muted quality similar to its top housing. This means that both switches share a common trait in their bottom housings, leading to an overall softer and deeper sound profile; however, the contrast lies in the combination of materials that define each switch's complete acoustic experience.
Overall, when pressing either the Ginger Milk or the Sea Salt Smoothie switches, users will notice the distinct impact of the bottom housing on the key's bottom-out sound and feel. The Ginger Milk’s nylon bottom housing emphasizes the full-bodied characteristic and provides a unique, resonant experience, while the Sea Salt Smoothie’s POM bottom housing produces a consistently muted sound across the board. Although the Ginger Milk's crisp top housing and nylon bottom housing create contrasting effects against the Sea Salt Smoothie's dual POM construction, both switches promise an engaging typing experience. Users seeking a balance between clarity and depth can expect a satisfying performance from both types of switches, albeit with different auditory nuances.
Weight
The Jwick Ginger Milk and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switches offer distinct differences in their actuation forces, making them suited for different typing preferences. The Ginger Milk has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy and providing a more pronounced resistance that some typists may prefer for its tactile feedback. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie boasts a lighter actuation force of 48 grams, which may appeal to users seeking to reduce finger fatigue during long typing or gaming sessions. However, the bottom out force for the Sea Salt Smoothie is unknown, leaving an incomplete comparison for that aspect. Overall, the Ginger Milk is the heavier option, while the Sea Salt Smoothie is slightly lighter, making the former more suitable for those who appreciate a heftier feel, whereas the latter caters to those who prefer a lighter touch.
Travel distance
Both the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch have an identical travel distance of 3.7 mm. This means that when pressing down on keys equipped with either of these switches, users will experience the same amount of travel, resulting in a similar tactile feedback and actuation experience. Since their travel distances are the same, users can expect comparable performance and feel when typing or gaming, making both switches equally appealing for those seeking a consistent key press experience.
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 Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Salt Smoothie for $2.70.
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 the sound profile of the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch, it is characterized by a muted yet snappy quality that produces a neutral sound. This makes the switch versatile enough to suit a variety of environments, whether at home or in the office. The sound is moderate, providing a pleasant auditory experience without being overly distracting. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switch delivers a thocky sound profile, which typically offers a deeper and more resonant auditory feedback. This difference in sound will impact your typing experience greatly, depending on whether you prefer a more subdued sound or a richer, thocky experience.
Regarding feel, the Ginger Milk is noted for its buttery smoothness, providing a seamless and fluid keystroke experience that feels effortless during typing. This smooth action invites a more comfortable typing experience, ideal for long hours at a keyboard. On the other hand, specifics about the feel of the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie have not been provided, leaving it unclear whether its feel mirrors the smoothness found in the Ginger Milk. However, the quality of being a medium-weight switch suggests it may also offer a balanced experience that is not overly taxing on the fingers.
In summary, both the Jwick Ginger Milk and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switches bring unique qualities to the table. The Ginger Milk offers a muted sound and buttery feel, ideal for those seeking a harmonious typing experience. The Sea Salt Smoothie boasts a deeper thocky sound, which could appeal to users who prefer a more substantial acoustic response. Ultimately, while both switches promise a smooth experience, the choice comes down to personal preference regarding sound and perhaps feel, where the Ginger Milk’s characteristics are well defined, but the experience of the Sea Salt Smoothie remains somewhat unknown.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch largely hinges on your personal preferences and typing style. If you appreciate a medium-heavy actuation force and desire a typing experience characterized by a silky smooth, buttery feel with a muted sound profile, then the Ginger Milk will suit you well. This switch is ideal for those who want a more tactile typing sensation that remains soft and pastel-like, making it a versatile option for both home and work environments. On the other hand, if you're looking for an exceptional value switch that delivers a rich thocky sound profile alongside premium smoothness, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is worth considering. Although its bottom-out force is unspecified, its medium-weight nature and all-POM construction promise a durable and satisfying experience. In essence, choose the Ginger Milk for a more pronounced tactile experience and muted sound, whereas the Sea Salt Smoothie offers a punchy auditory feedback with smooth keystrokes, appealing to those who prefer a more impactful typing experience.
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