Jwick Ginger Milk vs. Cherry MX Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Cherry MX Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Cherry MX Silent Red both offer unique qualities to consider. The Ginger Milk switch is praised for its soft and pastel design, providing a silky smooth and approachable typing experience with a muted, snappy sound profile. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red offers a similar typing feel to the MX Red but with the added benefit of operating silently, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. While the Ginger Milk switch is categorized as 'Neutral' and 'Buttery', the MX Silent Red is categorized as 'Muted', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', and 'Textured'. Both switches have their own advantages and reasons for choosing them, 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
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The materials used for the top housing of the Jwick Ginger Milk and the Cherry MX Silent Red switches are different - polycarbonate for the Ginger Milk and nylon for the MX Silent Red. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, whereas nylon results in a deeper and fuller sound. The translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that plan to use RGB lighting, while nylon is a classic switch housing material that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound.
When it comes to the bottom housing of the switches, both the Jwick Ginger Milk and Cherry MX Silent Red use nylon. This means that both switches will elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. The qualities of the bottom housing will have more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. The split between the top and bottom housings allows for a combination of different sound profiles depending on whether the key is being pressed or released.
Overall, the choice of housing material for both the top and bottom of a switch plays a significant role in determining the sound profile and feel of typing on the keyboard. While the Ginger Milk and MX Silent Red switches have different top housing materials, they both feature nylon for the bottom housing. This means that users can expect a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on either switch, with the nuances of the sound profile varying based on whether they are pressing down or releasing a key. Ultimately, the housing materials contribute to the overall typing experience and can be a deciding factor for users looking for a specific sound profile in their mechanical keyboard switches.
Weight
The Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, which has an actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Ginger Milk switch requires a bit more pressure to register a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Ginger Milk switch has a higher force of 63.5 grams, while the Cherry MX Silent Red's bottom out force is unknown. In terms of weight, the Ginger Milk switch is slightly heavier overall compared to the Cherry MX Silent Red switch. For users who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Cherry MX Silent Red may be the better option, while those who prefer a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the Ginger Milk switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch both have a travel distance of 3.7mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when pressing down on a key with either switch, you will experience the same amount of distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both switches will provide a similar typing experience. So, whether you choose the Ginger Milk or the MX Silent Red, you can expect to feel a consistent 3.7mm travel distance when using either switch.
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 Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
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 Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch offers a muted and snappy sound profile, with a soft and pastel aesthetic that reflects the typing experience it provides. Users can expect a silky smooth and approachable push feel, described as buttery, which enhances the typing sensation. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch is known for its quiet operation, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. The sound profile of the MX Silent Red is muted, thocky, and low-pitched, offering a deep and satisfying sound when pressed. In terms of feel, while the Ginger Milk provides a buttery typing experience, the MX Silent Red is described as textured, meaning it has noticeable friction when pressed.
When comparing the subjective qualities of the Jwick Ginger Milk and Cherry MX Silent Red linear switches, it is evident that they offer distinct typing experiences. The Ginger Milk excels in providing a soft and pastel aesthetic with a smooth and effortless keystroke, perfect for those seeking a more muted sound profile. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red offers a quiet operation and a textured feel, catering to users who prefer a quieter typing experience with noticeable friction. Ultimately, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience, but users can choose between the Ginger Milk for a buttery feel and muted sound or the MX Silent Red for a quiet operation and textured typing sensation.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Jwick Ginger Milk linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience and noise level. If you enjoy a soft and pastel typing experience with a muted, snappy sound profile, the Ginger Milk may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heftier feel with a significantly quieter sound profile, the MX Silent Red would be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize a buttery typing feel and neutral sound profile or a textured feel and muted, thocky, low-pitched sound profile. Choose the switch that aligns best with your preferences and needs to enhance your overall typing experience.
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