Features - Best Monitor Radar

I didn’t plan to write about Gawfolk this week, but after a couple of messages asking whether it makes sense for a gaming desk, I ended up spending more time with it than expected. I’ve had plenty of budget monitors on my desk over the years, and Gawfolk has been showing up more often lately on Amazon, Walmart, and those strange online stores that sell everything from headphones to RGB chairs in the same place. After seeing the name pop up again and again, I felt it made sense to slow down and figure out what actually sits behind it, and whether it’s something I would keep on my own desk, or at least suggest to someone who wants an extra screen without spending much. What Is Gawfolk? Gawfolk isn’t a brand you casually run into in local electronics stores. I’ve never seen it on shelves at Best Buy or in smaller gaming shops. It mostly lives online, aimed at people chasing gaming-friendly numbers like 165 Hz or 180 Hz while spending as little as possible. The idea feels familiar: curved panels, high refresh rates, and prices that stay well below the big names, with the understanding that some corners are going to be cut. I kept noticing it mentioned in deal threads and Reddit discussions, often by students, casual gamers, or people building triple-screen setups for racing games who simply didn’t want to spend the cost of a gaming laptop just on displays. That seems to be the crowd Gawfolk goes after. What Models Are Available? From what I’ve seen on store listings and from units people have shown me, the lineup stays pretty straightforward: Curved screens at 27 inches with Full HD resolution and refresh rates ranging from 144 Hz up to 180 Hz, mostly using VA panels. Larger curved options at 32 inches with QHD and even 4K resolution, which still feels unusual at this price level. Smaller 24 and 27 inch displays aimed at basic gaming, work, or use as a side screen. The 27 inch model advertised at 165 Hz seems to be the one most people end up with. It’s pushed hard as a gaming screen, and the price usually slips under even the cheapest models from MSI or AOC. First Impressions: Living With the Screen I spent time with a Gawfolk unit at 27 inches, running at Full HD on a VA panel with a listed 165 Hz refresh rate. The first thing that struck me was how light it felt when I lifted it onto the desk. The bezels stay slim, which works nicely if you’re lining up multiple screens side by side. The stand feels simple and does what it needs to do, though adjusting it means grabbing the monitor itself rather than using any fancy mechanism. The curve sits around the tighter end of what you usually see at this size, and if you’re curious how that compares to other curved displays, I’ve written more about that in my guide on monitor curvature and the differences between 1500R and 1800R screens. Sitting close, the curve felt natural during longer sessions, and I didn’t find myself shifting position as much as I sometimes do on flat panels. Gawfolk mentions HDR support, but I treated that as a checkbox rather than something that changes how games or videos look day to day. Anyone who has used entry-level screens will recognize this kind of HDR, and it behaves much like what I’ve described before when talking about what HDR really means on monitors at this level. The VA panel helped darker scenes feel deeper in slower games, though colors looked muted next to even a modest IPS screen sitting nearby. If you’ve ever compared different LCD panels side by side, the behavior here won’t surprise you, and it lines up with what I’ve covered in my breakdown of TN, VA, and IPS panels. The claimed 1 ms response time never lined up with what I saw while playing. Motion felt closer to what I’d expect from something slower, which was fine for casual sessions but not something I’d lean on for competitive shooters. Brightness stayed comfortable in a room without much direct sunlight, but once the room got brighter, reflections and washout became harder to ignore. Connections stay basic. There’s HDMI, DisplayPort, and a headphone jack. No USB ports here, which didn’t surprise me at this price. Real User Feedback I Came Across Before forming a final opinion, I spent time reading what other owners were saying on Reddit, Walmart reviews, and forums. People who went in with realistic expectations often sounded content with what they bought. The general theme was simple: you pay less, and you accept a few compromises. “I have 3 of their 27 inch curved monitors, and they’re really good for the price.” — reddit.com Another owner using a 32 inch model mentioned: “Brilliant image, but support is poor if you need it.” — reddit.com I’ve seen similar patterns when looking into other budget-focused brands like CRUA, Z-Edge, and Sansui, where satisfaction often depends on getting a good unit right out of the box. Common Complaints Worth Knowing There’s another side to owning a Gawfolk monitor, and it comes up often enough that it’s hard to ignore. Some users report early failures, where the screen simply stops working after a few weeks. “It died in just over 6 weeks… stay away from Gawfolk.” — reddit.com Warranty support is the biggest question mark. On paper, coverage exists, but several people mentioned difficulty getting help once something went wrong. “Warranty only on paper… DO NOT BUY.” — mmo-champion.com If someone asked me about buying one, I’d say the safest route is sticking with a seller that has an easy return process, and considering an extended plan if it’s available. If the thought of a screen failing early is going to bother you, this brand may not sit well with you. How It Sits Next to Bigger Brands Putting Gawfolk next to familiar names makes the trade-offs clear. You save money and still get high refresh rates and curved panels, but you give up things like consistent color behavior, sturdier build feel, and dependable support. I’ve had LG screens on my desk for years without issues, including models like the one I talked about in my LG UltraGear review, and even entry-level gaming displays from established brands tend to feel more reassuring over time. Final Thoughts So, is Gawfolk a good monitor brand? It depends on what you expect from it. If you want a cheap curved gaming screen and you’re fine with some risk, it can make sense. You might end up with a screen that stays on your desk for years and saves you a fair bit of money. If warranty worries, color work, or long-term reliability are high on your list, it’s probably wiser to look at more established brands instead.