Your old man deserves to be spoiled with brand-new tech this Father’s Day. Your dad doesn’t need another mug or tie this year. You don’t have to go broke trying to impress him, but if you want to splurge, we’ve got you covered, too.
We have suggestions for all kinds of dads—the runner, gamer, cinephile, you name it.
For the dad who likes to take pictures
Fujifilm X100VI
This won’t be a cheap gift, but it could unlock your dad’s long-standing love for photography, which has become dormant. The Fujifilm X100VI is a simple $1,600 fixed 23.5 mm lens shooter that takes brilliant, highly detailed photos at 40.2 MP.
If your dad’s a newbie or his photography skills have rusted a bit, and he doesn’t want to fiddle with exposure, white balance, or ISO, the automatic settings will still grant him some really sharp-looking photos.
For the retro dad with an extensive vinyl collection
JBL Spinner BT
The Spinner is extremely straightforward to use and easy to set up, too, which makes it ideal for dads.
I listened to everything from Mozart’s symphonies to some Gillian Welch and Declan McKenna on this for days and genuinely enjoyed my experience. I’m sure he will enjoy its sound.
The sound has that classic, vintage feel that record player enthusiasts can’t stop talking about. Its subtle hisses and whirs make the listening experience enjoyable. The Spinner BT is a uniquely vintage experience packaged into a modern, contemporary build.
For the dad who’s always on the go
Belkin BoostCharge Power Bank 20K
For active dads who are always on the go, Belkin’s 20,000 mAh BoostCharge power bank is a solid device that can charge multiple devices simultaneously. Be sure to let your dad know, though, that this isn’t one of those small, inconspicuous portable batteries he can tuck in his jeans pocket. It is an unashamedly big and beefy power bank that offers 15W and can power up to three devices.
I could wirelessly charge my iPhone 12 Pro Max from 23% to 100% in around 20 minutes, which is pretty impressive and in line with the company’s claims of charging an iPhone 15 Pro in 35 minutes.
For the dad with sore muscles
TheraGun Mini Electric Massage Gun
There’s no better way to pamper your dad than getting him this mini handheld electric massage gun with QuietForce technology. It’s particularly ideal if he regularly indulges in athletic activities, but it is an efficient solution for sore muscles in general, too. At $170, it’s a gift that won’t break your bank.
The TheraGun features three built-in muscle massager speeds, each indicated with different LED indicators. It connects to the Therabody app via Bluetooth for customized wellness routines, to display the gun’s current speed and force, and step-by-step instructions on routines related to issues such as arthritis or sciatica.
For the garage dad
LED Flashlight Glove
I can imagine this purchase being more useful because nothing is more stressful than holding a flashlight for your dad when working in the garage. I didn’t know LED gloves existed. Probably the invention of a kid who’s been yelled at way too many times.
I don’t think a Father’s Day gift can get cheaper than $17. The gloves are waterproof and one-size-fits-all. If the garage is your dad’s second home, this would make for a great gift.
For the dad who’s looking for a productivity phone
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Starting at $1,800, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the fifth generation of Samsung’s book-like foldable. It sports a 6.2-inch front cover screen with a massive 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED display inside. The price is steep, but Samsung justifies that with a few performance upgrades. The hinge now goes all the way flat as opposed to its predecessor, the 16-hour battery life is better than that of the competitor Google Pixel Fold, and its One UI is arguably the best folding phone software.
If your dad spends most of his time at home reading, watching content, or working on his phone, this is an excellent phone for him.
For the dad who needs music on the go
JBL Clip 5
This $80 portable speaker can be a pretty helpful gift if money’s tight. It’s a thoughtful purchase that doesn’t look or feel cheap.
This is one of JBL’s latest portable speakers: Clip 5. It comes with increased space under the hook to attach to a wider variety of objects and improved water resistance of IP68, which is enough to be used in the shower, around a pool, or on outdoor adventures.
If hiking or camping is your dad’s thing, the Clip 5 is a practical gift worth considering. It lasts around 12 hours, can attach to his backpack’s loop, and can endure dust and liquids.
For the PC gamer dad
SCUF Envision Pro controller
SCUF’s expensive, high-end controller for PC gaming. It’s capable of wired and wireless connections but also feels great in your hands. It’s great for first-person shooters like Call of Duty and Halo: Infinite. Of all the controllers your dad has probably used over the years, only a few would match the responsiveness on SCUF’s.
For the runner, dad
Baseus Eli Sport 1
It’s running season again, and these inexpensive $70 buds are the perfect gift right now. The Baseus Eli Sport 1 earbuds are too good for their price tag. Everything from the charging case to the design and the material used on the buds gives them a much more premium look and feel. They’re also incredibly inconspicuous. The hook that wraps around the cartilage of your ear is more like a thin wire than the thick band we see on most other hook-style buds. And the bulb that rests behind your ear is quite streamlined as well.
These buds should fulfill your father’s workout needs. With an IPX4 rating, it can handle a little sweat.
For the cinephile dad
LG CineBeam Qube 4K
This would be another premium gift that would put around a $1000 dent in your pocket, but it will be worth it. The CineBeam Qube 4K is LG’s latest projector offering that’s touted for its stylish aesthetic.
It aims to blend quietly with your room decor because of its subtle, low-profile design and features a 360-degree rotatable handle that adds to its modern look. Weighing just 3.2 lbs, it’s also quite portable.
The CineBeam Qube isn’t just an artsy gimmick. Despite its small, inconspicuous size, it offers 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160) resolution 120-inch images. Considering its convenient form factor, your dad doesn’t necessarily have to be a hardcore cinephile to take advantage of this. It would also be perfect for casual everyday use or to be taken on the go.
Want more of Gizmodo’s consumer electronics picks? Check out our guides to the best phones best laptops, best TVs, and best headphones. If you want to learn about the next big thing, see our guide to everything we know about the iPhone 16.
