34 Father’s Day Gifts for the Dependable Dude in Your Life
34 Father’s Day Gifts for the Dependable Dude in Your Life
If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED
A Daily Dose of the Written Word
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021, 11th Generation)
Jack of All Trades
Leatherman Wave+
Mix Up Something Sweet
KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer
Eye in the Sky
Garmin inReach Mini 2
Yeah, yeah, the “bear foot” slippers were a riot when you gave them to Pop Pop last year, but this is a good time to go beyond the gags and give him something that won't end up in a landfill. Dads are notoriously hard to shop for, what with their tendency to tell you exactly what they want and then go out and buy it for themselves two days before Father's Day. Outflank him and use our guide to snag him the perfect gift that not even he knows he desperately needs in his life.
For more ideas, many of our Mother’s Day picks would make good gifts for dads too. Don’t forget to check out our other guides, like the Best Gifts for New Parents and the Best Kid Podcasts.
Updated June 2023: We added new gift ideas, like a high-end water gun and Pedro Pascal's trucker jacket. We also updated pricing and availability throughout.
-
Photograph: Amazon
A Daily Dose of the Written Word
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021, 11th Generation)Reading is everything good—exciting, relaxing, hilarious, poignant. While we have a deep and everlasting love for the tactile joy of holding a physical book, it matters much more that Dad reads, period, than in which kind of format.
The 2021 Kindle is our pick for the Best Kindle for the most people. This digital tablet's glare-free, 6.8-inch display is optimized for text, making it much easier on the eyes than, say, an iPad. Its 8-GB onboard storage holds about 5,000 books (good luck filling that), and the battery lasts for about 28 hours of reading.
-
Photograph: Leatherman
Jack of All Trades
Leatherman Wave+Life is full of small tasks, and too often it takes longer to go fetch the right tool than to just tighten that screw or snip that plastic zip tie. Let Dad keep 17 tools within arm's reach, including a stainless steel knife, Phillips screwdriver bits, needle-nose pliers, bottle opener, scissors, and more by giving him a pocket-sized Wave+, which I called the overall best pick in my guide to the Best Multi-Tools. Made in Portland, Oregon, Leathermans come with a robust 25-year warranty, too.
-
Photograph: Amazon
Mix Up Something Sweet
KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand MixerIf any home chef needs a helping hand in the kitchen, it'd be for mixing up doughs and batters, which can grow tiring and tedious. The 5-quart stainless steel bowl is big enough for nearly any recipe, and the tilt-back head makes removing it a cinch. Although people say the Professional model is the way to go for thick doughs, I haven't had problems with the Artisan's ample power.
-
-
Photograph: Garmin
Eye in the Sky
Garmin inReach Mini 2Does Pop's adventurous spirit worry the hell out of you? This personal locator beacon has 100 percent global coverage through the Iridium satellite network so that even when he hikes or sails outside of cell range, he can send up a rescue signal if something goes wrong. He can also set it to provide periodic tracking updates to loved ones back home, and two-way satellite text communication keeps him linked to civilization. In order to work, he'll need one of Garmin's subscription plans, which go as low as $12 per month if you sign an annual contract.
-
-
Photograph: GSI Outdoors
Just a Sip
GSI Outdoors Glacier FlaskMost flasks are pretty cookie-cutter; they all look the same. The Glacier flask felt more substantial than any flask I've handled, and could still slip into an interior coat pocket. It holds 6 fluid ounces, which is about four shots of liquor—more than enough to share.
-
Photograph: Huckberry
Wax On
Flint and Tinder Lined Waxed Trucker JacketEver walk in on Dad napping as he sleep-talked that he wants to look like Pedro Pascal in The Last of Us? Be honest. Of course he wants that. Grab the actual jacket Joel wore throughout the show. Made in Los Angeles, its 7-ounce, waxed-cotton outer fabric repels rain and develops a worn-in patina over time, like a leather jacket. The interior is lined in polyester blanket cloth for warmth, as well.
-
Photograph: Walmart
For a Piece of the Action
Lego Typewriter KitLet the kiddos have their bucket of Lego bricks. This Technic kit is for adults, although Dad would appreciate a hand as you build it together with him. You two won't need an engineering degree to complete this 2,079-piece kit (but it might help). When it's all finished, typing on the little keys actually moves the carriage like a real typewriter. Whlie you're at it, check out former WIRED executive editor Brian Barrett's book, The Art of the Minifigure.
-
Photograph: Solo Stove
Make Every Day Pi Day
Solo Stove PiSure, Dad could pop a frozen one in the oven, but pizza deserves … fire. Give him a wood-fired pizza oven that turns pizza night into an event on the same level as barbecuing. Reviews editor Adrienne So gave it our WIRED Recommends badge for its ease of use, with round pans and integrated wood hopper. It currently has an estimated ship date of July 11. But good things come to those who wait, right? And “good things” equals pizza.
-
Photograph: TGT
To Stash His Cash
TGT WalletFor those who don't like carrying around a huge wallet, check out these alternatives that are an elastic band, a leather cash pocket, and little else. Brooklyn-based TGT offers made-in-America slim wallets that'll slip into a front pocket without an uncomfortable bulge. I've been using TGT's wallets for years. My previous one lasted 10 years until I replaced it with another TGT.
-
Photograph: Filco
For a Touch of Class
Filco Majestouch 2Nobody needs a mechanical keyboard, but they offer a sublime typing experience. If good old Pop uses one a lot, make it more enjoyable for him. There are tons of mechanical keyboards out there nowadays, but my favorite is my trusty Filco. Just a word of warning: While the Cherry MX Blue switches are amazing, they're loud as hell. Buy him some Cherry MX Browns if he's primarily a typist, or Reds if he's a gamer.
-
Photograph: Coleman
Taste the Meat, Not the Heat
Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 StoveCertified dad Hank Hill would agree that a propane stove is a beautiful start to a weekend (or weeknight) cookout. Senior product reviewer Scott Gilbertson gave the newly released Coleman Cascade our coveted WIRED Recommends badge, thanks to its great flame control and cast-iron cooking grates. Slightly larger than a typical Coleman camp stove, the Cascade (and the nearly identical 1900) has enough room to grill eats for a full family and evenly heat 10-inch pans.
-
Photograph: REI
To Get Up and Go
REI Co-op Big Haul 40 DuffelWhether Dad needs a solid carry-on for airline travel or a weekend getaway bag to take camping, the REI Co-Op Big Haul 40 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is my favorite duffel bag on the market. Most of the exterior is water-resistant fabric, and there are two stashable backpack straps so Dad can sling it over his back for easier carrying. Plenty of zippered pockets inside and out make this a fully featured bag at a price that undercuts its closest competition, the Patagonia Black Hole.
-
Photograph: REI
For Outdoor Excursions
REI Co-op Flash 22I'm also very fond of REI's 22-liter daypack. It's my favorite pack for hikes and lakeside lunches where you won't be staying out overnight, and it's perfectly sized for a sweater, lunch, water, rain jacket, and a few bonus amenities.
-
Photograph: Breville
Under Pressure
Breville Barista ExpressWIRED reviewer Jaina Grey called the Barista Express the best all-in-one espresso machine on the market in her Best Espresso Machines guide. It'll carry Dad through the whole espresso-making process, from grinding the beans to steaming the milk with an adjustable steam wand. WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu also has owned this model for several years and says it's held up extremely well.
-
Photograph: Home Depot
You Know the Drill
DeWalt 20V Max 1/2-Inch Cordless DrillA good power drill is a cornerstone of a good tool kit. Might as well give Dad a good one. Cordless drills are powerful and lightweight enough these days that there's no need to bother with a corded one, and DeWalt's 20V has plenty of power for drilling holes and driving screws. It comes with two batteries, a charger, and a soft case to hold it all. The batteries are interchangeable with DeWalt's other power tools. If he needs more tools (he probably doesn't), Channellock pliers are still made in the US, and the quality is so good that you can expect them to last a lifetime.
-
Photograph: Harbor Freight
Organized Tools
Harbor Freight Hercules Tool ToteWhether your dad lives in a single-family house, duplex, apartment, or a big elaborate treehouse in the sky, he ought to build a tool kit to take care of those small DIY tasks around the home. Give him a place to keep all his random tools with this rigid, yet soft-sided tool tote. It's the best indoor toolbox I've come across, and it beats keeping every tool loose in a cheap tool bag.
-
Photograph: Barnes and Noble
Boozy Books
Cocktail BooksThere's nothing selfish about giving Dad a gift that boomerangs and benefits you. Whether his drink-making needs a helping hand or you think cocktails are something he'd be interested in learning more about, a good book or two will benefit him more than any particular tool or fancy piece of gear. The Joy of Mixology and The PDT Cocktail Book are two of the best for breaking down the elements of making a good drink, and each comes with hundreds of recipes. If Dad does need gear, we have a roundup of bar accessories that might help.
-
Photograph: Logitech
A Comfier Mouse
Logitech MX Master 3SYour dad should really use a quality gaming mouse, even if he doesn't play video games. Gaming mice are made to be ergonomic and reduce wrist pain and repetitive injury. WIRED reviewer Eric Ravenscraft calls the MX Master 3S the “perfect general-purpose mouse.” He says that once Dad learns to use (and love) the horizontal scroll wheel, he'll never want to go back to a typical mouse. It can be customized to scroll through tabs, adjust volume, and more. The left- and right-click buttons are also whisper-quiet.
-
Photograph: Fender
Pocket-Sized Tunes
Fender Mustang MicroWhat if the dad in your life wants to make music instead? Kids don't make it impossible for dad to be a guitarist, but they can make it harder. Amplifiers take up space, and kids need to sleep. By the time Dad has a moment to play, it's probably late enough that belting out “Bold As Love” will wake everyone in the house. Enter the Fender Mustang Micro (9/10, WIRED Recommends). It plugs right into the electric guitar itself and pairs with headphones so he can play without waking the neighborhood.
-
Photograph: Apollo
Scoot Around
Apollo City (2022)This is our Best Upgrade in our guide to the Best Electric Scooters because it's incredibly powerful scooter, can reach 27 miles per hour, has self-sealing tubeless tires, and packs a triple-spring suspension system that offers a smooth ride. Dad will never want to get off—at least until he uses up all of its claimed 25 miles of range and needs to recharge. (Reviews editor and known giant person Julian Chokkattu got a respectable 16 miles on a single charge, and he's 6'4".)
-
Photograph: Foreo
Face Treatment
UFO Foreo Face MaskSkincare is typically marketed to women, but all of us have skin that needs love, including dear old Dad. Whether the dad in your life is already an expert or has never used a moisturizer, WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano recommends the Foreo UFO Mask Treatment, which pairs with his smartphone (you need to download an app for it to work). But Dad doesn't need to spend 15 minutes sitting absolutely still for the process—it takes 90 seconds. The relaxing spa treatment uses pulsations and LED lights, as well as warming and cooling cycles to soothe skin and increase circulation and blood flow. If you know what skin type your dad has, you can choose the corresponding mask to pair with it. If you don’t, most people should be fine with the H2Overdose or Call It a Night masks.
-
Photograph: Amazon
A Mug for Dad’s Mug
Fellow Carter (16 Ounce)The Fellow Carter is one of my favorite travel mugs because it's so unique. Its ceramic coating prevents that metallic taste from contaminating the coffee inside. Its 69-millimeter diameter may make it too wide for cup holders in a car, but the opening is wide enough that Dad can place a manual coffee brewer like an AeroPress or pour-over directly on top. Plus, its width means it's less likely to be tipped over next to a laptop or desk full of papers.
-
Photograph: Trade Coffee
For Coffee Lovers Who Like Novelty
Trade Coffee SubscriptionA subscription service like Trade Coffee offers beans from a wide variety of roasters all over the country. WIRED senior reviewer Scott Gilbertson and I both like Trade Coffee. (Check out our Best Coffee Subscriptions guide for more.)
Your dad can tweak how often bags arrive and build a taste profile that will select beans based on how he prepares his coffee (say, French press versus drip), whether he likes dark roasts, and if he leans toward sweeter blends or well-roasted single-origin beans. The algorithms do a good job of recommending coffees, but I appreciate that Trade lets you choose particular ones if you're feeling more hands-on. A jolt of icy java from a cold-brew coffee maker will hit the spot in the hot summer months. We suggest a hand grinder here, further down, but check out all our coffee grinder picks here in case Dad needs one.
-
Photograph: Positive Grid
Rock Out
Positive Grid Spark MiniBedroom amps get a bad rap. Too often, they strangle the sound coming out of the guitar and make it tinny. Not the Positive Grid Spark Mini (9/10, WIRED Recommends). Associate reviews editor Parker Hall loves its sound quality and the ability to really crank up the volume. There are thousands of sound presets available, and the companion app offers guitar-playing tips. Oh, and Dad can just use it as a regular Bluetooth speaker for listening to music if he wants to give his fingers a break from playing.
-
Photograph: Vizio
Sound Off
Vizio M Series 2.1If your Pop already has a nice television, the best way to enhance the experience would be to get him a soundbar. Even an inexpensive model is a massive step up in quality from the tinny, small-sounding speakers that come built into most TVs. It pumps out a decent amount of bass, considering this soundbar doesn't come with a subwoofer. It's the best budget soundbar out there. If you need more advice on soundbars, we have a handy explainer on all the terms and factors to consider.
-
Photograph: Nutcase
To See and Be Seen
Nutcase VioProtect Dad's noggin. I gave it an 8/10, WIRED Recommends award, thanks to its integrated rechargeable battery, which lights up 360-degree protection when you toggle the power button. The front light shines 200 lumens—so-so on a dark road, but it's fine on city streets. Having lights on his head, up higher than the handlebars, makes Dad more visible to cars. That goes double if he bikes through crowded cities, where other cars' fenders can block headlamps mounted on bike frames. Plus, stand-alone headlights and taillights can be a pain. You often have to take them off to recharge. Then when you're in a store, you have to bring them inside to keep them from being stolen. The Vio doesn't have those problems.
-
Photograph: Amazon
The Sound of Music
Audioengine A1 Home Music SystemGive Dad the choice of using these speakers via a corded connection or—for easier positioning around the room—a Bluetooth connection. For $30 more you can choose the Wi-Fi-capable version. Senior associate reviews editor Julian Chokkattu gives them top marks for their well-balanced sound and booming bass that never gets muddled.
-
Photograph: Pela
Go Green With Brown Dirt
Pela LomiIf space on your Dad's kitchen counter is at a premium, check out this toaster-sized home composter that can hold about a cubic foot of food waste at a time. Once Dad puts his scraps inside, the Lomi will heat up and turn them into compost within about 24 hours. Carbon filters keep odors at bay so that he can save the Earth one scoop of dirt at a time without losing his lunch. Take a look at more picks in our Best Home Composters guide.
-
Photograph: HyperX
Tune In, Tune Out
HP HyperX Cloud Alpha WirelessFor the Dad who's a dyed-in-the-wool gamer, he ought to have his own gaming headset. This wireless over-the-ear headset comes with a dongle that plugs into a PC or PlayStation 4 or 5, with which the headset communicates. The Cloud Alpha received an extraordinarily rare 10/10 rating and a WIRED Recommends from reviewer Eric Ravenscraft because of its comfort, excellent sound quality, and unbelievable 300-hour battery life.
-
Photograph: Spyra
The Best Water Gun
SpyraLX Spray BlasterMaybe you've heard about Spyra's game-changing squirt guns, which are rippling across backyard water war zones with as much of an impact as the Super Soaker 50 had back in 1989. We've now tested the manual pump LX, which is half the price of Spyra's electric-powered originals. The LX shoots just as accurately with a similar range and has the advantage of being submersible in a pool or lake.
Does your dad want a squirt gun that shoots hyper-accurate bursts? Yes, he does. If you require a veneer of practicality, tell the family it's to deter squirrels or something. Spend your Father's Day enjoying an afternoon of target practice with a row of empty White Claws and some meat on the grill.
-
Photograph: The Grommet
Bee House
Wildlife World Stacking Solitary Bee HiveWhat with all the pesticides, habitat loss, and climate change, bees are in a dire situation. But ecosystems big and small can't function as well without them. You can give bees a home in Dad's backyard with a hive made of sustainably harvested wood and watch them pollinate the flowering bushes and trees in his garden, making it lusher and healthier. It'll do the bees, and him, some good to carve out space for a colony. Everybody wins.
-
Photograph: BenQ
Cast a Projection
BenQ HT2150STProjecting is good … when it's TV. No television screen can replicate that sense of being at the movies as well as a projector and a massive screen. If you want to go big without breaking the bank, a projector is much more affordable too. Associate reviews editor Parker Hall called this model the best projector under $1,000. Dad is going to need either an outdoor screen or an indoor screen to go with it, depending on where he wants to hold movie nights. See our guide on how to buy a projector if you need more details.
-
Photograph: REI
Just Hang Around
Eno SingleNest HammockLounging around inside the house on a beautiful summer day is a waste, but lounging around outside the house is a splendid idea. Give your dad a place to chill in the backyard or at the park so he can gently sway in the breezes. The one-person SingleNest is 9.5 feet long, holds up to 400 pounds, and is made of a 70-denier nylon fabric that strikes a balance between durability and compactness when stored. When packed away, it's about the size of a mango.
-
Photograph: Backbone
Get a Grip
Backbone OneYour Pop may be one of the billions of people who play games on their smartphones. But with some games, the interface can hold the player back. Give Dad a device that can easily and quickly turn his iPhone into a full-sized controller, complete with joysticks and a directional pad. Product reviewer Louryn Strampe gave it a WIRED Recommends, thanks to how easy it is to put on and take off and how comfortable it is during long gaming sessions. The Backbone One works with iPhone models going all the way back to the 6S.
Related Posts
25 Last-Minute Deals on Father's Day Gifts (2023)
Microsoft Adds Bing Chat to SwiftKey Beta for Android
Satisfyer Pro 2 Gen 3 Review: Starter Pleasure
About The Author
