MOKiN TrueGround Review: The Class 1 GaN Charger That Stops the Laptop Tingle — Tested
Quick Verdict — MOKiN TrueGround is the world's first compact Class 1 grounded GaN charger. In testing, it reduces leakage current from ~166 µA (typical Class 2 charger at MY 240V) to ~2 µA — the laptop tingle disappears on first use. GaN charging speed is on par with comparable 2-pin models. The 3-pin plug fits every Malaysian and Singaporean wall socket natively. Available from 20W to 140W. If you feel a tingle, vibration, or buzz while charging, this is the fix.
If you own a MacBook, Dell XPS, HP Spectre, ThinkPad, Asus ZenBook, or Surface Laptop — or a metal-body iPhone or Samsung Galaxy — and you've been tolerating a faint tingle, buzz, or mild shock when you touch your device while it charges, this review is for you. MOKiN TrueGround is the first compact GaN charger built to eliminate that sensation entirely, by solving the root cause rather than working around it.
All five MOKiN TrueGround models share the same Class 1 grounded GaN architecture. Every model measures ~2 µA leakage current — regardless of wattage.
Who Is the MOKiN TrueGround Built For?
MOKiN TrueGround is purpose-built for a specific problem that most charger reviews never address: the tingle or buzz you feel when touching your laptop while it charges. If you have experienced this sensation on a MacBook, Dell XPS, HP Spectre, Lenovo ThinkPad, Asus ZenBook, or Microsoft Surface Laptop — and you want it gone — this charger is the direct answer.
It is also the right choice for anyone who has been told the sensation is "normal" and has accepted it. Technically, leakage current within IEC 62368-1 limits (250 µA) is considered safe for a healthy adult. But "within limits" and "acceptable" are different things. In Malaysia and Singapore's 240V/230V mains environment, a typical 2-pin charger produces approximately 166 µA — a level most users feel clearly, particularly on tiled floors. MOKiN TrueGround is for users who want to stop tolerating it.
Secondary audience: metal-body phone users who feel a faint vibration or buzz on their iPhone or Samsung Galaxy handset while charging. The same root cause, the same fix.
This is not the charger for someone whose sole concern is compact size or international travel plug compatibility. TrueGround uses a 3-pin plug that is native to Malaysian and Singaporean BS 1363 wall sockets — which is exactly the right design for the local market, and the feature that makes earth grounding possible.
Design and Build Quality
The TrueGround range shares a clean, functional design language: compact rectangular body in matte black with MOKiN's brand red accent, a single USB-C port on the smaller models (20W–65W), and both USB-C and USB-A on the 140W pro model. The 3-pin plug folds flat on the 65W and 140W variants for easier packing.
Build quality is solid for the price tier. The plug pins are firm with no wobble in a standard wall socket. The body does not flex or creak under normal handling. The 65W and 140W models run warm under sustained load but stay well within normal operating temperature for GaN chargers. The 20W, 33W, and 45W models stay cool even during extended charging sessions.
The most important physical feature is the one that differentiates TrueGround from every other compact GaN charger on Shopee and Lazada: the earth (ground) pin. This is not an aesthetic choice — it is the entire engineering rationale for the product. The third pin connects the charger's internal earth path to the building's electrical ground, providing the route for Y-capacitor leakage current to flow to earth rather than through your device and into your body.
For users switching from 2-pin chargers, the 3-pin plug is a minor adjustment. Every Malaysian and Singaporean wall socket has a ground terminal. Extension leads and power strips in the region are also 3-pin compatible. There is no practical inconvenience.
Charging Speed and Performance
TrueGround uses Gallium Nitride (GaN) switching technology across all models. GaN allows the charger to operate at higher switching frequencies than conventional silicon, producing less heat for a given output power. The result is that all five TrueGround models charge at speeds that match comparable 2-pin GaN chargers of the same wattage — the Class 1 grounded design adds no charging speed penalty.
Real-world charging benchmarks across the lineup:
- 20W model: iPhone from 0–50% in approximately 30 minutes via USB-C PD; suitable for fast-charging phones and wireless earbuds
- 33W model: Samsung Galaxy flagship from 0–100% in approximately 75 minutes; handles mid-range tablets comfortably
- 45W model: MacBook Air (M2/M3) from 0–80% in approximately 90 minutes; Dell XPS 13 to full charge in under 2 hours
- 65W model: MacBook Pro 14" from 0–100% in approximately 2 hours; powers the MacBook Pro 16" at near-full speed; handles ThinkPad X1 Carbon, HP Spectre x360 13", and Asus ZenBook 14
- 140W model: Full 140W PD 3.1 delivery for demanding laptops; USB-A secondary port for simultaneous device charging; powers a MacBook Pro 16" and phone concurrently
All models support USB Power Delivery (USB PD) and are compatible with the fast-charge protocols of current MacBook, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, and Microsoft laptop lines, as well as iPhone and Samsung Galaxy devices.
Does It Actually Eliminate the Tingle? The Leakage Current Test
This is the defining test for TrueGround — and the result is unambiguous.
A standard 2-pin Class 2 GaN charger at Malaysia's 240V mains produces approximately 166 µA of leakage current at the device chassis. This is well within the IEC 62368-1 safety limit of 250 µA, but it is clearly perceptible to most users on tiled floors or when grounded through contact with another surface. Users on bare feet, with damp hands, or in contact with a metal desk experience it most strongly.
With MOKiN TrueGround connected to the same 240V wall socket and the same laptop, measured leakage current at the chassis: ~2 µA.
Test result: ~98% leakage current reduction. The reason is straightforward engineering: TrueGround's earth pin provides a direct, low-resistance path for Y-capacitor leakage current to flow to the building's ground. The current takes this path before it reaches the laptop's chassis. From the user's perspective, the tingle is gone — not reduced, not improved. Gone. Users who switch to TrueGround after years of tolerating the sensation consistently describe the difference as immediate and complete.
This result is consistent across all five wattage models. The leakage current reduction is a function of the Class 1 architecture (the earth pin and internal earth connection), not the wattage or GaN topology. A 20W TrueGround produces ~2 µA. A 140W TrueGround produces ~2 µA. The engineering is the same.
For context: the leakage current of a properly earthed device is effectively the residual noise floor of the measurement — not a functional leakage current path to the user at all.
Which TrueGround Wattage Is Right for You?
The correct wattage depends on your primary device and workflow:
- 20W — Phone-primary users. Fast-charges any current iPhone and Samsung Galaxy flagship. Best for users who only need to charge a phone and want the smallest footprint with earth protection.
- 33W — Phones and tablets. Handles an iPad, Android tablet, or larger-battery phones at good speed. Suitable as a desktop charger for mobile-only users.
- 45W — Light laptops and phones. The minimum recommended wattage for MacBook Air and Dell XPS 13. Can charge both a phone and a light laptop at reasonable speed on alternating sessions.
- 65W — The most versatile option. Powers MacBook Pro 14", Dell XPS 15, HP Spectre x360, ThinkPad X1 Carbon, Asus ZenBook, and Surface Laptop at full speed. Recommended for most laptop users.
- 140W — Pro and multi-device users. Handles the MacBook Pro 16", demanding Windows laptops, and simultaneous phone charging via the USB-A port. Includes a smart display showing output power in real time.
If you are unsure, the 65W is the most popular choice. It covers the full range of current MacBook and Windows laptop models and charges phones at their maximum fast-charge speed — a single charger that replaces everything.
Any Downsides Worth Knowing?
TrueGround is a focused product that solves a specific problem. Within that scope, it performs exactly as described. There are a few practical trade-offs worth noting:
- 3-pin only — no international travel adapter included. The BS 1363 3-pin plug is native to Malaysia, Singapore, the UK, and several other countries. If you travel to countries with 2-pin wall sockets (Europe, US, Japan), you will need a travel adapter. The 3-pin design is required for earth grounding and cannot be changed without removing the grounding function entirely.
- Single port on 20W–65W models. The smaller models charge one device at a time. Users who want to charge a laptop and phone simultaneously should either choose the 140W model (USB-C + USB-A) or use a USB-C hub.
- Slightly larger than the thinnest 2-pin GaN models. The earth pin adds a small amount of physical depth compared to the most compact 2-pin chargers. The difference is minor and within the range of standard 3-pin chargers in the MY/SG market.
None of these are engineering compromises — they are inherent trade-offs of building a correctly grounded charger for the Malaysian and Singaporean market. The leakage current elimination is a direct result of the same design decisions.
TrueGround Model Comparison
| Model | Wattage | Best For | Ports | Leakage Current | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TrueGround 20W | 20W | Phones, earbuds | 1× USB-C | ~2 µA | Class 1 GaN |
| TrueGround 33W | 33W | Phones, tablets | 1× USB-C | ~2 µA | Class 1 GaN |
| TrueGround 45W | 45W | Light laptops + phone | 1× USB-C | ~2 µA | Class 1 GaN |
| TrueGround 65W | 65W | MacBook Pro, Dell XPS, most laptops | 1× USB-C | ~2 µA | Class 1 GaN |
| TrueGround 140W | 140W | Pro laptops, multi-device | 1× USB-C + 1× USB-A | ~2 µA | Class 1 GaN |
| Typical Class 2 GaN (2-pin) | Various | General use | Various | ~166 µA at MY 240V | Class 2 |
| Metal-body phone on TrueGround | — | iPhone, Samsung Galaxy | — | ~2 µA | Class 1 benefit |
MOKiN TrueGround — eliminate it, don't tolerate it
Class 1 grounded GaN charger. Leakage current routed safely to earth — before it reaches you. Choose your wattage:
Ready to Eliminate the Tingle?
MOKiN TrueGround is available on mokin.my and via Shopee and Lazada. Five models from 20W to 140W — all Class 1 grounded GaN.
Shop MOKiN TrueGround →Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes MOKiN TrueGround different from other GaN chargers?
MOKiN TrueGround is a Class 1 grounded GaN charger — the world's first in a compact form factor. Unlike every standard compact 2-pin GaN charger (Class 2), TrueGround includes a third earth pin that provides a direct path for Y-capacitor leakage current to flow safely to ground. This eliminates the tingle or shock sensation that Class 2 chargers produce. Charging speed and GaN efficiency are identical to comparable 2-pin models — the only difference is where the leakage current goes: to earth, not through you.
Q: Does the TrueGround actually stop the laptop tingle?
Yes — and the result is immediate. At Malaysia's 240V mains, a standard Class 2 charger produces approximately 166 µA of leakage current at the laptop chassis. MOKiN TrueGround measures approximately 2 µA under the same conditions — a 98% reduction. The leakage current is diverted to earth through the third pin before it reaches the device. Users who have tolerated the sensation for years consistently describe the elimination as complete from the first use.
Q: Which TrueGround wattage should I buy for my MacBook?
For MacBook Air (all generations including M4), the 45W model is sufficient. For MacBook Pro 14" and 16", the 65W model is the recommended choice — it delivers full-speed charging and handles all current MacBook Pro models. If you also need to charge a phone simultaneously, consider the 140W model with its dual-port output.
Q: Will TrueGround work with my laptop's original charger cable?
Yes. TrueGround uses USB-C Power Delivery (USB PD) — the same standard used by Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, and Microsoft. Any USB-C cable that supports your laptop's original wattage will work with TrueGround. The earth grounding function is entirely within the charger and its wall connection — it requires no special cable.
Q: Does TrueGround also stop the buzz on metal-body phones?
Yes. The faint vibration or buzz that metal-body phones (iPhone aluminum frame, Samsung Galaxy metal builds) exhibit when charged with a 2-pin charger is caused by the same Y-capacitor leakage current. Connecting your phone to a MOKiN TrueGround charger eliminates the sensation in exactly the same way it does for laptops. The 20W and 33W TrueGround models are designed for phone-primary use.
Q: Can I use TrueGround when travelling outside Malaysia and Singapore?
TrueGround uses a BS 1363 3-pin plug, which is native to Malaysia, Singapore, the UK, Hong Kong, and several other countries. For countries with different socket standards (Europe, US, Japan), you would need a travel adapter. Importantly: using TrueGround through a 2-pin travel adapter defeats the earth grounding function, since most travel adapters do not connect the earth pin. In international locations, a locally purchased Class 1 charger with the correct plug type is the proper solution. TrueGround is designed and optimised for Malaysian and Singaporean use.
Last Updated: May 12, 2026
