Jwick Ginger Milk vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver

Overview

When it comes to comparing and contrasting mechanical keyboard switches, the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Gateron Smoothie Silver both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Ginger Milk is praised for its soft and pastel appearance, translating into a silky smooth and approachable typing experience with a muted, snappy sound profile. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver stands out for its all-POM construction, short travel distance for quick actuation, thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and feather-light touch. While the Ginger Milk is categorized as 'Neutral' and 'Buttery', the Smoothie Silver lacks a specific category. When choosing between these two switches, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Jwick Ginger Milk Linear

Gateron Smoothie Silver Linear

$5.50

$4.25 per 10

$3.00

$2.60 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Gateron Smoothie Silver both offer unique characteristics that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. The Ginger Milk's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharper and crisper sound profile, while the Smoothie Silver's POM top housing produces a deeper and more muted sound. In contrast, the Ginger Milk's nylon bottom housing creates a fuller and deeper sound, whereas the Smoothie Silver's POM bottom housing also contributes to a deeper and muted sound profile. Despite these differences, both switches offer pleasing and unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences.

While the top housing materials of the Ginger Milk and the Smoothie Silver differ in terms of sound profiles, their bottom housing materials share similarities in creating a deeper and fuller sound experience. The nylon bottom housing of the Ginger Milk and the POM bottom housing of the Smoothie Silver both contribute to a more muted sound compared to their respective top housing materials. This shared characteristic results in a consistent sound profile when typing on either switch, providing users with a satisfying typing experience regardless of the housing material used.

Overall, the choice between the housing materials of the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Gateron Smoothie Silver ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound. The polycarbonate top housing of the Ginger Milk offers a sharper and crisper sound profile, while the POM top housing of the Smoothie Silver provides a deeper and more muted sound. Both switches deliver unique sound experiences due to their different housing materials, allowing users to choose based on their desired sound profile. Whether opting for the sharper sound of polycarbonate or the deeper tone of POM, users can enjoy a satisfying typing experience with either switch.

Weight

The Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Gateron Smoothie Silver's 45 grams, making the Smoothie Silver the lighter option. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Ginger Milk requires 63.5 grams while the Smoothie Silver's bottom out force is unknown. Those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Ginger Milk due to its higher bottom out force, while those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Smoothie Silver. In terms of actuation force, both switches offer a relatively similar experience, so users can expect comparable results in that aspect. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to individual preferences in typing feel and weight.

Travel distance

The Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, which is longer than the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch with a travel distance of 3.4 mm. The Ginger Milk offers a slightly deeper travel distance, providing a more substantial feel when pressing down on the keys. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver offers a shorter travel distance, ideal for those seeking a quicker response time, such as gamers. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming more popular, although the Ginger Milk is on the longer end while the Smoothie Silver is on the shorter end. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference for travel distance and typing feel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch is known for its soft and pastel appearance, which reflects the typing experience it offers. Typing on these switches provides a silky smooth and approachable push feel, accompanied by a muted, snappy sound profile. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch features an all-POM construction with a short travel distance for quick actuation. These switches offer a thocky sound, exceptional smoothness, and a very light touch.

When it comes to sound, the Ginger Milk switch is described as having a neutral profile, with a moderate actuation force requirement. This makes it suitable for a wide range of uses, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, or if you plan to use them at home or work. The Smoothie Silver switch's sound profile is not specified, but it's worth noting that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.

In terms of feel, the Ginger Milk switch is often described as buttery, indicating a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. These switches offer a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Unfortunately, there is no description available for the feel of the Smoothie Silver switch.

Overall, the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Ginger Milk switch provides a soft and smooth typing experience with a moderate sound profile, the Smoothie Silver switch features a thocky sound and lightning-fast actuation. Depending on your preferences and typing style, you can achieve similar results with either switch, as both offer unique characteristics that cater to different user needs.

Conclusion

Ultimately, when deciding between the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, it comes down to your personal preference and typing style. If you enjoy a medium-heavy bottom out force and a silky smooth typing experience with a muted, snappy sound profile, then the Ginger Milk may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a short travel distance for lightning-fast actuation, a thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch, then the Smoothie Silver could be the better option. Consider your typing habits, desired sound and feel, and choose the switch that aligns best with your preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different tastes, so trust your instincts and go with the one that feels right for you.

Mentioned in this article

Jwick Ginger Milk Linear

$5.50

$4.25 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Smoothie Silver Linear

$3.00

$2.60 per 10

Learn more