Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers
Father’s Day is on Sunday, June 16, which means you don’t have much time to find a thoughtful gift for Dad. Shopping for a tech-savvy dad can be tricky — especially if you don’t keep up with all of the latest gadget and gizmo releases. I do, so I’ve rounded up a variety of gifts for your tech-head father — including some of the best stuff I’ve tested this year. Whether he’s interested in experimenting in the kitchen, snapping photos of the fam, or setting up a beautiful audio experience with wireless or portable speakers, you’re bound to find something here that he’ll love. (We have guides to gifts for new dads, golf dads, grilling-enthusiast dads, and, well, every other type of dad as well.)
This simple device will allow your dad to seamlessly connect his Bluetooth headphones or AirPods to his flight’s onboard entertainment system.
This power adapter has four USB ports, meaning he can charge his phone, headphones, and external batteries all with one device, no matter what country he’s in.
Anker’s nifty cube-shaped MagSafe charger has three spots to charge: one for an iPhone, one for AirPods, and one for an Apple Watch. And it can charge all three using just one cable.
Now he can charge his phone while he watches TikToks or YouTube.
As long as he doesn’t lose his keys, he’ll always have a cord handy.
This is the smartwatch that dads want, if they don’t already have one (and if they have an older Apple Watch, they’ll undoubtedly appreciate the upgrade).
If he has an Android phone, the Pixel Watch is basically Google’s version of the Apple Watch, and its rounded screen looks great.
Kobo’s latest e-reader has a color screen that will let him read comics and graphic novels (and even picture books if he wants to read with the kids), or take notes inside his books with a stylus. It’s my new favorite e-reader.
This pocket-size drone is perfect for taking along on a family camping trip or hike to get some nice overhead shots of the scenery.
He can slap this camera, which shoots in 4K, to his bike or ski helmet or shoulder strap, or hold it on a gimbal to get that perfect action shot.
Our favorite compression boots will give him a post-massage feeling after his rides or runs and help speed up his recovery.
Apple’s latest stylus — compatible with M4 iPad Pros and M2 iPad Airs — has new gestures and haptic feedback to enhance the drawing experience, so he can work on his next masterpiece.
Now he can carry a bottle opener, ruler, box opener, and some hex wrenches, all in his wallet.
This 12-sided timer looks like a dice you’d use for Dungeons & Dragons, but it’ll be a lot more effective for helping him get work done.
This case will keep his iPhone safe without adding a lot of bulk, and it comes in a flashy orange color he can spot from across the room.
… and an older car that requires a Bluetooth adapter for the aux.
Help him cut back on paper. This reuseable notebook can even sync to cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox.
This version of Google’s smart thermostat “makes suggestions on scheduling tweaks to help you save energy while tracking and alerting you to odd patterns in your heating and cooling usage,” says Strategist contributor Kyle Schurman. It’s a great gift for any father in the smart-thermostat market.
To add a little immersive ambience to Dad’s TV-viewing experience, these lights offer bright but not distracting background colors. They can adjust their colors in response to the movie or TV show that’s playing, making his home setup feel even more like a mini movie theater.
This smart alarm clock has many soothing tunes he can choose to wake up to, and it emits a soft light that can simulate the sunrise to ease him into the morning. It’s one of my picks for best alarm clocks.
Now he can snap photos without having to pull his phone out.
This smart security camera sends alerts of suspicious activity directly to the app and includes speakers and a microphone.
Unlike an AirTag, this tracker (which works with Apple’s Find My feature) can slip right into his wallet without adding any noticeable bulk.
It’s geared toward streamers, but this programmable dashboard can be set up to trigger tasks on his computer like opening his favorite apps or controlling his smart-home gadgets.
These hexagonal smart lights can be programmed to display different colors for ambience that suits any mood or occasion.
Our favorite robot vacuum can sweep and mop the floors, all with the push of a button, so he can have his Sundays back.
If he wants a digital picture frame that can double as a smart speaker, Google’s Nest Hub Max comes with Google’s Assistant, so he can control his smart-home gadgets (like his Nest thermostat and camera) and also display family photos onscreen.
This tiny smart light can change the vibe of a room without needing to replace any bulbs, and he can carry it with him from room to room.
It’s more subtle than an Apple Watch, but this fitness tracker can still log his steps and monitor his sleeping habits. It will also be less distracting.
These plugs let Dad make any device smart. He’ll be able to turn a regular old lamp on or off from his phone or set up a schedule. As Schurman explains, “You can have the Wyze turn on any time one of your other smart devices is activated. For example, if someone approaches your video doorbell, you could have a lamp in the window automatically turn on to make it look like someone is home.”
If a simple speaker won’t cut it, Apple’s smart speaker stands out for its impressive sound quality and integration with other Apple devices like Apple TV or iPhone.
With this camera-equipped bird feeder, he can watch his feathery pals even when he’s not at home.
Get him some sweat-proof earbuds that can withstand a real workout. This pair sounds great and has solid noise cancellation.
When I need to block out distractions, these noise-canceling headphones are the ones I turn to. They have excellent sound quality too.
Sonos is known for its multi-room audio capabilities and excellent sound. This portable speaker is no exception: It sounds great, and he can lug it from room to room or outside for a barbecue.
Kodak’s compact projector, which comes with a tripod, is perfect for a weekend camping trip or a movie night in the backyard.
Lenovo’s handheld console is my favorite of the many that I’ve tested, thanks to its high-res screen and flexible design, plus the ability to play PC games on the fly.
Numerous gamers have recommended this Logitech gaming mouse, including Cameron Faulkner, a staff writer at the Verge who says it’s his current favorite. The grip is comfortable, and he likes “that it includes customizable weights for a personalized feel,” if you’re looking for some more resistance while playing. If your dad wants to step up his gaming, this is the mouse to get.
Give him three months of Xbox Cloud Gaming, which will let him stream nearly any game he wants right to his phone or laptop.
This controller can turn his iPhone or Android phone into a portable, Switch-like console that’s great for gaming on the go without weighing down his bag.
This mechanical keyboard has a satisfying clickety-clack and replaceable keys, so he can find his own fancy set to give his board a custom look.
He’ll appreciate this controller’s upgraded ergonomics during long sessions of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
With multiple sensors along its shaft, this smart thermometer can tell him the temperature from the surface to the center of his steak, and it can also predict when the steak will finish cooking. It works on the stove, grill, and smoker.
This mug is ideal for dads who complain about thermoses that never keep their coffee hot enough. The Ember Mug² keeps their drink consistently warm for hours thanks to its built-in, battery-powered heating system and charging plate. The whole setup connects to Ember’s app via Bluetooth, so Dad can change the temperature of his drink from his phone — or the other room.
The Click & Grow Smart Garden is perfect for any dad who likes to grow their own fresh herbs. Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo recommended it as one of her favorite indoor smart gardens. It’s about the size of a loaf of bread with space to grow three plant pods at a time, and you can choose from over 50 different types of plants.
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