Jwick Ginger Milk vs. HMX Xinhai (Heavy)
An in-depth look at the Jwick Ginger Milk and the HMX Xinhai (Heavy) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, preferences often hinge on the tactile experience and sound profile. The Jwick Ginger Milk switch offers a delightful typing experience characterized by its soft pastel aesthetics, delivering a buttery and neutral feel with a silky smooth actuation and muted, snappy sound. This makes the Ginger Milk an excellent choice for typists who value a gentle response without sacrificing feedback, perfect for long typing sessions or a more subdued workspace. In contrast, the HMX Xinhai (Heavy) switch presents a more robust option, utilizing a unique PA12 top housing that contributes to a softer acoustics profile, paired with a POM stem that provides a crisp and higher-pitched resonance. This switch is ideal for users who prefer a firmer touch and appreciate the blend of subtlety and distinct performance. Both switches cater to different preferences within the linear switch category, making the choice between them a matter of personal taste 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
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
62.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Jwick Ginger Milk and HMX Xinhai (Heavy) switches showcase a stark contrast in their top housing materials, which significantly influences their acoustic properties. The Ginger Milk employs a polycarbonate top housing, known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is attributed to the material's stiffness, which enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound emitted from the switch. Additionally, the transmittance of light through the clear polycarbonate makes it especially conducive for RGB lighting, offering an aesthetic advantage for users who seek a vibrant visual experience. In stark opposition, the Xinhai (Heavy) features a nylon top housing, a material recognized for its softer texture. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, as the nylon absorbs more sound energy, leading to a rounder and less defined auditory response.
On the other hand, both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housings, which results in a similarity in sound profiles when typing. As nylon is a classic material in switch housings, its qualities are consistent across both models, providing a duller and rounder sound due to its sound-absorbing properties. This shared use of nylon for the bottom housing means that the bottom-out feel and sound during key presses will maintain similar characteristics in both switches. Therefore, while the Ginger Milk and Xinhai (Heavy) differ in their top housing materials, they converge on sound performance at the bottom, ensuring that users experience a consistent typing sensation regardless of the specific design choice.
When the overall performance of the Ginger Milk and Xinhai (Heavy) switches is considered, the impact of each housing material becomes evident in how sound profiles are crafted through their unique designs. The contrasting materials of the top housings yield different auditory experiences, with the polycarbonate providing clarity and the nylon contributing depth. Meanwhile, their matching nylon bottom housings help unify their bottom-out experiences, resulting in switches that reflect distinct design philosophies yet share a fundamental sound quality in their performance. Ultimately, the choice of material directly affects not only the acoustics but also the tactile experience, allowing users to select a switch tailored to their individual preferences in both sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the HMX Xinhai (Heavy) linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Ginger Milk switch features an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, classifying it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the Xinhai (Heavy) requires a slightly stronger actuation force of 55 grams, but it has a lower bottom out force of 62.5 grams. While both switches provide a solid feel during typing, the Ginger Milk's lighter actuation force may appeal to those who prefer a more effortless typing experience, making it ideal for extended use during work or gaming sessions. Conversely, the Xinhai's heavier actuation might be better suited for users seeking a more substantial tactile feedback while typing. Overall, the Ginger Milk is the lighter option in terms of actuation force, whereas the Xinhai maintains a heavier touch, despite both switches offering a comfortable experience for different typing preferences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the HMX Xinhai (Heavy) linear switch, the Ginger Milk features a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Xinhai (Heavy) measures slightly less at 3.4 mm. This makes the Ginger Milk the longer option by 0.3 mm, providing a deeper feel that some users may find more satisfying. On the other hand, the shorter travel distance of the Xinhai (Heavy) could offer a quicker response time, making it more appealing for gamers who favor swift key presses for enhanced performance. Ultimately, the choice between these switches may come down to individual preference; those who enjoy a more pronounced keypress might gravitate towards the Ginger Milk, while users seeking rapid actuation may prefer the Xinhai (Heavy).
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 HMX Xinhai (Heavy) has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Xinhai (Heavy) for $2.99.
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 sound profile of the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch presents a muted, snappy quality that delivers a pleasant auditory experience without being overly intrusive, making it a suitable choice for both home and office environments. This creates a neutral acoustic environment, allowing users to enjoy a balanced typing sound that doesn’t distract from workflow or conversation. Conversely, while there isn't specific information on the sound characteristics of the HMX Xinhai (Heavy) switch, it is designed with a unique PA12 top housing intended for softer acoustics, and the POM stem contributes to a crisp, higher-pitched resonance. Thus, while both switches aim for a subtle sound experience, the Xinhai may offer a more pronounced sound profile depending on user preferences and additional factors like keycap choice and keyboard design.
When it comes to feel, the Ginger Milk switch is celebrated for its buttery smoothness, which translates to a seamless and fluid keystroke. This quality makes it exceptionally approachable, providing an effortless typing experience that is often favored by those who prioritize comfort during extended use. The feel of the Xinhai (Heavy), however, is not specifically mentioned. Yet, with its focus on "precise performance," it can be inferred that the switch is designed to deliver a responsive tactile sensation that aligns well with a performance-oriented typing experience.
In conclusion, both the Jwick Ginger Milk and HMX Xinhai (Heavy) linear switches provide distinct sound and feel qualities that cater to different typing preferences. The Ginger Milk excels with its muted, soft sound and buttery feel, making it ideal for casual users or those who type for long periods. In contrast, the Xinhai switch is designed with the subtle sophistication of its build materials aimed at a more precise performance, potentially catering to users looking for a refined typing experience. Depending on individual usage needs and preferences, both switches can deliver a satisfying typing experience, with the right choice ultimately depending on whether users prioritize a muted sound or a crisper auditory feedback.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the HMX Xinhai (Heavy) linear switch will depend on your specific typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you favor a typing experience that is soft, pastel, and more approachable, the Ginger Milk is the ideal option for you. Its silky smooth and buttery feel, combined with a muted sound profile, makes it perfect for long typing sessions, whether for work or casual use. On the other hand, if you desire a switch with a slightly heavier push and a more sophisticated acoustics profile, the Xinhai (Heavy) would be your best bet. It offers precise performance with its distinctively crisp, higher-pitched resonance, making it suitable for users who enjoy a bit more feedback and who appreciate the subtler nuances of sound. Ultimately, your choice should align with your typing style—choose the Ginger Milk for a comforting and effortless feel, or the Xinhai (Heavy) for a robust and refined experience.
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