Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers
Father’s Day is Sunday, June 18, which means you still have time to find a thoughtful gift for Dad. If you’re shopping for a tech-savvy dad but aren’t someone who keeps up with the latest gadgets and gizmos yourself, we’ve rounded up a variety of gift suggestions, including some of the best tech we’ve tested this year. The options cover dads who are into everything from home-security systems to fitness tracking. Whether he’s interested in experimenting in the kitchen, snapping photos of the fam, or setting up a beautiful audio experience with wireless speakers or portable ones, you’re bound to find something here that he’ll love. (But we also have guides to gifts for new dads, golf dads, grilling-enthusiast dads, and, well, every other type of dad.) We scoured our archives to find the best Father’s Day gifts for techie dads, and though most of these products will arrive by Father’s Day (or well before), some shipment times will depend on your location. (But these gifts are good enough that we don’t think he’ll mind if they’re late.)
This version of Google’s smart thermostat “makes suggestions on scheduling tweaks to help you save energy, while also 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.
Stephen Farrell, director of merchandising at Hammacher Schlemmer, likes Nest’s smart security camera, which sends alerts of suspicious activity directly to the app and includes speakers and a microphone. Farrell says it helps his family feel more secure.
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 Strategist contributor Kyle Schurman explains, “You can also 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.”
A favorite of Strategist contributor (and former tech columnist) David Pogue, this wireless charger will keep Dad’s phone from running out of juice. Instead of having to keep your phone flat on a charging pad, the stand makes it easy to see your screen while you’re charging.
If your father is always doing that thing where he pats his pockets in a panic, looking for his wallet or keys every time he’s leaving the house, get him a Tile Sticker. The simple Bluetooth tracker is about the size of a nickel and can stick to anything he’s worried he’ll forget. Instead of spending 15 minutes searching the couch the next time he can’t find his keys, he can just pull up the Tile app.
If your dad is obsessed with being energy efficient and always yells when the lights are left on in an empty room (is there any dad who hasn’t said this?), he will love these dimmable lightbulbs. He can also control the lights from his favorite chair using his voice via a smart home assistant like Google Assistant or Alexa.
This robot vacuum can sweep and mop the floors, all with the push of a button, so he can have his Sundays back.
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.
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 as your family photos play onscreen.
If your father is obsessed with keeping a perfect sleep routine (or is desperately in need of one), the Philips Wake-Up Light comes recommended by Terry Cralle, a clinical sleep educator. “Research indicates that a more naturalistic exposure to light can improve sleep quality,” he says. “The gradual nature of the increasing level of light mimics a natural sunrise, essentially waking us up before our eyes open.”
This well-reviewed and affordable Bluetooth-connected scale can make tracking health and fitness metrics even more enjoyable for dads who are into the whole quantified-self thing. One reviewer liked “that the app can connect to Apple HealthKit, so all of this data can be synced with other health and fitness applications.”
In his testing, former Strategist writer Jordan Bowman highlighted the XM4’s three-hour battery life, comfortable ear cups, and engaging sound. He loved quick-attention mode, which engages when you place your hand over the right ear cup — the headphones instantly lower the volume a bit so you can more easily pick up on the sounds around you.
If he doesn’t need the flashy light show, this tiny speaker packs plenty of punch and makes a good travel companion.
This tennis-ball-tube-shaped speaker packs enough sound to entertain a small group of people without any trouble.
The Nintendo Switch will tap into his nostalgia for games like Mario Kart or Zelda. Writer Joshua Rivera recommends the portable console for gamers of all ages, including beginners. Jamin Warren, founder of video game consulting firm Twofivesix, says, “Not only does it easily dock to your television, but there are also lots of great new games on it. For those who are looking for something really versatile and social, it’s a perfect device.”
When we interviewed gamers to find suitable alternatives to the frequently sold-out Switch, three of them recommended Apple Arcade. “I honestly find myself reaching more for my phone when it comes to playing games,” says Sophie Orchard, a gaming YouTuber. “Right now, there is a much larger variety of games for mobile.” Andrew Webster, games editor at the Verge, recommends the subscription service, which offers high-quality games and a more streamlined gaming experience compared to the regular games you might find in the App Store.
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 is looking to step up his gaming, this is the mouse to get.
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 wireless keyboard streamlines the gaming process and is perfect for gamer dads with its attractive low price, says Emily Heller, Vulture’s recommendations editor.
If your dad is finally getting tired of cable and wants to stream TV shows and movies on Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+, get him a Roku Streaming Stick+. It’s easy to install: Just plug it into the television, connect to the internet, and start watching. And it can handle HD and 4K broadcasts. Plus, he can also use the voice-activated remote to search for shows and control the volume.
BenQ’s rugged portable projector works great indoors, but it’s also durable enough to take on a weekend camping trip for an outdoor movie night.
Just in time for grilling season, dad can stick this thermometer in his steak or chicken and monitor the temperature from his phone while he’s playing cornhole.
Baristas say a gooseneck kettle is essential to creating the optimum pour-over brew because it gives you greater control over the timing and direction of your pour. This kettle holds water at your temperature of choice for up to an hour, and a built-in stopwatch counts the extraction or steep time.
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 and 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.
When we interviewed athletes about their favorite workout headphones, eight of them praised Apple’s classic AirPods for their reliable connection and small size — an important feature that makes the AirPods less likely to impede movement during intense exercise.
“A USB adapter is extremely practical, and I find myself using mine on every trip,” says Rachel Coleman, the social-media lead at Berlin-based travel agency GetYourGuide. She loves that this adapter has four USB ports, meaning she can charge her phone, headphones, and external batteries all with one device. (Just note that you would still need four USB cords.) Plus, she says, it’s universal: “I can charge everything in one place, no matter which country I’m in.”
This simple device will allow your dad to seamlessly connect his Bluetooth headphones or AirPods to his flight’s onboard entertainment system. Food stylist Judy Kim is a huge fan and uses it frequently while traveling.
This smartwatch pairs perfectly with an iPhone, and it’ll give him a way to track his workouts and check his pings without pulling out his phone.
If he has an Android phone, Google’s Pixel Watch is basically Google’s version of the Apple Watch, and its rounded screen looks great.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans, rolling luggage, bed sheets, coffee makers, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.
