Jwick Ginger Milk vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Jwick Ginger Milk and Aflion Windy Shadow both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Ginger Milk switch is praised for its soft and pastel design, reflecting the smooth and approachable typing experience it provides. With a muted, snappy sound profile and categorized as 'Neutral' and 'Buttery', this switch is ideal for those who prefer a gentle yet satisfying typing feel. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow stands out for its neutral sound profile and distinctive bounce from the extended spring, offering a comfortable medium-light 55g bottom-out. Categorized as 'Low-pitched', 'Mild', and 'Neutral', this switch is perfect for those who enjoy a balanced typing experience. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Jwick Ginger Milk and the Aflion Windy Shadow both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate enhances resonance and clarity in typing sound, making it ideal for switches intended for use with RGB lighting. The similarities in their polycarbonate top housing mean that users can expect similar sound profiles and aesthetics from both switches, allowing for consistency in typing experience.
In terms of bottom housing material, the Ginger Milk and the Windy Shadow both feature nylon, known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to harder plastics. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound during typing. Despite the differences in their top housing materials, the identical choice of nylon for the bottom housing means that users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of sound characteristics between the two switches.
While the top housing material primarily affects the sound when keys are released, the bottom housing material plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. With the Ginger Milk and the Windy Shadow utilizing different materials for their top and bottom housings, the unique qualities of each material are distributed throughout the typing experience. Whether it's the sharper sound profile of polycarbonate or the deeper sound of nylon, users can enjoy a combination of these characteristics depending on which part of the switch they are interacting with.
Weight
The Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch has a higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, which has an unknown actuation force. On the other hand, the Ginger Milk also has a higher bottom out force of 63.5 grams compared to the Windy Shadow's bottom out force of 55 grams. This makes the Ginger Milk switch heavier overall in terms of both actuation and bottom out forces. For those who prefer a heavier typing experience, the Ginger Milk would be the better choice. However, for individuals who prefer a lighter typing feel, the Windy Shadow would be more suitable. Both switches offer a different typing experience due to their varying actuation and bottom out forces, catering to different preferences in terms of typing speed and keypress sensation.
Travel distance
The Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances which are preferred by gamers for faster response times. However, the Ginger Milk offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may provide a slightly more substantial feel when pressed compared to the Windy Shadow. Overall, if you are looking for a switch with a slightly longer travel distance, the Ginger Milk would be the better option, while if you prefer a slightly shorter travel distance for faster response, the Windy Shadow would be the choice for you.
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 Aflion Windy Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Windy Shadow for $3.91.
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 Ginger Milk linear switch is known for its neutral sound profile with a muted, snappy sound, providing a smooth and approachable typing experience. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow linear switch offers a low-pitched sound with a distinctive bounce from its extended spring, delivering a comfortable medium-light typing experience. When it comes to feel, the Ginger Milk switch is described as buttery, offering a seamless and uniform typing sensation. In contrast, the Windy Shadow switch provides a mild typing experience, with qualities that fall in a safe, middle-ground zone. Overall, both switches offer a pleasant typing experience with their unique sound profiles and tactile feels, catering to a range of preferences. Depending on personal preference, you can expect similar satisfactory results from either the Ginger Milk or Windy Shadow switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a slightly heavier switch with a silky smooth and approachable typing experience, the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch would be a great choice for you. Its medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams provides a satisfying push feel and a muted, snappy sound profile. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light switch with a distinctive bounce and a comfortable bottom-out force of 55 grams, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch might be more suitable for you. With its neutral sound profile and mild typing experience, the Windy Shadow offers a gentle and approachable feel for most users. Ultimately, your decision between these two switches will depend on your preference for bottom-out force, sound profile, and typing experience.
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