Jwick Ginger Milk vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Jwick Ginger Milk and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Jwick Ginger Milk and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream mechanical keyboard switches, both linear switches, it's clear that they each offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Ginger Milk is known for its soft and pastel appearance, providing a silky smooth and approachable typing experience with a muted, snappy sound profile. Categorized as 'Neutral' and 'Buttery', this switch is perfect for those looking for a gentle and pleasant typing feel. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream stands out with its use of POK material in both the stem and bottom housing, offering typists a remarkably smooth and creamy feel. Categorized as 'Buttery', 'Creamy', 'High-pitched', 'Marbly', and 'Resonant', this switch delivers a unique high-pitched and clacky sound signature. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
The Jwick Ginger Milk and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches both offer unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Ginger Milk features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream utilizes a proprietary KTT blend top housing for a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. Both switches aim to provide distinct auditory experiences for users, with the choice of housing material impacting the overall sound produced.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Ginger Milk utilizes a nylon material known for its ability to create a deeper and fuller sound profile. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream switches feature a POK bottom housing, which is renowned for its smoothness, durability, and shock resistance. While both housing materials offer unique qualities that contribute to the overall typing experience, they cater to different preferences in terms of sound and feel. The Nylon of the Ginger Milk provides a softer and more absorbent typing experience, while the POK of the Vanilla Ice Cream offers a smooth and durable option for users.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in the Jwick Ginger Milk and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches showcases the diversity in materials used in mechanical switches. While the Ginger Milk focuses on creating a clearer and more resonant sound profile with its polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing, the Vanilla Ice Cream emphasizes a high-pitched and clacky sound with its proprietary KTT blend top housing and POK bottom housing. Whether users prefer a sharper sound or a smoother typing experience, both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboards.
Weight
The Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch is heavier than the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch. The Ginger Milk has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, while the Vanilla Ice Cream has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. This means that the Ginger Milk requires more force to trigger a keystroke and to press all the way down compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream. For those who prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience, the Ginger Milk may be the better choice. On the other hand, the lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Vanilla Ice Cream make it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods of time, such as during work or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the Ginger Milk switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream switch. The Ginger Milk switch may provide a slightly deeper and more satisfying key press experience, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch may feel slightly more responsive due to its shorter travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and what type of typing experience you are looking for. Both switches offer a different feel to the user, but both can provide a satisfactory typing experience depending on individual preferences.
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 KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
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
In terms of sound, the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch offers a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement, making it suitable for various typing intents and purposes. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch delivers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, providing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. This difference in sound profiles between the two switches can cater to different preferences, with the Ginger Milk being more versatile and the Vanilla Ice Cream offering a more distinctive auditory experience.
When it comes to feel, both the Ginger Milk and Vanilla Ice Cream switches are described as offering a buttery typing experience, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke sensation. The Ginger Milk switch's soft and pastel appearance translates into a silky smooth push feel, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch's use of POK in both the stem and bottom housing results in a remarkably smooth and creamy feel. Typists can expect a uniform and effortless typing experience with either switch, emphasizing comfort and ease of use during extended typing sessions.
In conclusion, while the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch both offer a buttery typing experience, they differ in sound profiles with the Ginger Milk providing a neutral sound and the Vanilla Ice Cream offering a high-pitched and clacky sound. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches would depend on personal preference regarding sound and the typing experience desired, with both switches delivering satisfactory results for users seeking a smooth and enjoyable typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, your choice will largely depend on your preference for bottom out force, sound profile, and feel. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams and a more neutral sound profile with a buttery typing feel, then the Ginger Milk switch may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force of 48 grams and a high-pitched, marbly sound profile with a creamy and buttery typing feel, then the Vanilla Ice Cream switch could be the ideal choice. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so be sure to consider what aspects are most important to you in a keyboard switch before making your decision.
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