Jwick Ginger Milk vs. SP-Star Yanyu
An in-depth look at the Jwick Ginger Milk and the SP-Star Yanyu switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Jwick Ginger Milk and SP-Star Yanyu are two popular options to consider. The Ginger Milk switch is renowned for its soft and pastel appearance, a reflection of the typing experience it offers. With a silky smooth and approachable push feel, accompanied by a muted, snappy sound profile, the Ginger Milk is best characterized as 'Neutral' and 'Buttery.' On the other hand, the Yanyu switch is perfect for those seeking a more delicate typing experience or spending long periods at their keyboard. Known for its crisp sound profile, the Yanyu's material blend provides a distinctive feel. Categorized as 'Neutral,' 'Mild,' 'Thocky,' 'Feathery,' 'Subtle,' and 'Polished,' it offers a unique typing sensation. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities to help you make an informed decision about the best switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The Jwick Ginger Milk and the SP-Star Yanyu differ in their housing materials, leading to variations in their sound profiles. The Ginger Milk features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound, making it an ideal choice for switches with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Yanyu utilizes a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing that offers a more pleasant sound profile without being overly sharp, leaning towards brighter tones.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Ginger Milk incorporates a nylon material that results in a deeper and fuller sound when typing. The softness of nylon absorbs more sound and produces a duller, rounder profile. Conversely, the Yanyu employs a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in its bottom housing. This blend contributes to a sound profile that is equally unique, providing pleasant tones without being particularly sharp.
While the top and bottom housings of the Ginger Milk and Yanyu differ, the impact on both the sound and feel of the switches is affected. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing become prominent, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing primarily affects the sound when releasing the key. Although they have varying housing materials, both switches offer distinct sound profiles that suit individual preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, it is evident that they have significant differences. The Ginger Milk has an actuation force of 50 grams, providing a medium-heavy push when triggering a keystroke. In contrast, the actuation force of the Yanyu is unknown, making it difficult to determine how it compares to the Ginger Milk in this aspect. Moving on to the bottom out force, the Ginger Milk requires 63.5 grams of force to fully press down, which is also medium-heavy. On the other hand, the Yanyu only requires 43 grams of force, classifying it as a lighter option.
Considering weight is an essential factor for many individuals, the Ginger Milk and Yanyu offer distinct experiences. Those who prefer a lighter feel may opt for the Yanyu, allowing for longer typing periods and perfect for work or extended gaming sessions. Alternatively, individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience may gravitate towards the Ginger Milk due to its heavier actuation and bottom out forces. However, since the actuation force of the Yanyu is unavailable, it is challenging to make a direct comparison regarding the push sensation. In cases where both the actuation and bottom out forces are equal or unknown, users can expect similar results in terms of typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch is 3.7 mm, while the travel distance of the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch is slightly longer at 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming increasingly popular, especially among gamers who prioritize fast response times. Opting for the shorter travel distance of the Ginger Milk switch would provide a more responsive typing experience. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial key press and a deeper feel may find the longer travel distance of the Yanyu switch more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference for either a shorter, more instantaneous key press or a slightly longer and more pronounced keystroke.
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 SP-Star Yanyu has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Yanyu for $5.40.
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 sound, the Jwick Ginger Milk and SP-Star Yanyu switches both fall into the neutral category. This means that they have a moderate sound profile, making them suitable for both beginners and advanced users, as well as for use at home or in a work environment. However, the Yanyu switches also have a thocky characteristic, which means they produce a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. Overall, if you're looking for a neutral sound, both switches will provide similar results, but if you prefer a deeper and more satisfying sound, the Yanyu may be the better choice.
In terms of feel, the Jwick Ginger Milk is described as buttery, which implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. These switches provide a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. On the other hand, the Yanyu switches offer a mild typing experience, which is more gentle compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. This makes the Yanyu switches approachable to most users as its qualities fall in a safe, middle-ground zone. Additionally, the Yanyu switches are also described as feathery, meaning they are exceptionally light to press and require little exertion from your fingers. This reduces finger fatigue, making them comfortable for extended typing sessions. The Yanyu switches also have a subtle and polished feel, with gentle resistance and smooth key travel. Both switches provide different tactile experiences, so it depends on personal preference whether you prefer the buttery feel of the Ginger Milk or the mild and feathery feel of the Yanyu.
In conclusion, the Jwick Ginger Milk and SP-Star Yanyu switches have different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ginger Milk offers a silky smooth and approachable push feel, along with a muted, snappy sound profile. On the other hand, the Yanyu provides a more delicate typing experience, with a crisp sound profile. While both switches fall into the neutral category for sound, the Yanyu also has thocky characteristics. In terms of feel, the Ginger Milk offers a buttery experience, while the Yanyu provides a mild, feathery, subtle, and polished feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience. However, both can deliver similar results in terms of sound and feel, so they are both worth considering for different typing preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering the choice between the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, there are a few factors to consider. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a typing experience that is soft and pastel, the Ginger Milk switch would be a great choice. It offers a silky smooth push feel and a muted, snappy sound profile. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a more delicate typing experience, the Yanyu switch would be a better fit. It provides a crisp sound profile and options for a gentle and feathery feel. Both switches have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various purposes. Ultimately, the decision will depend on your personal preferences and typing needs.
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