These Genius Father’s Day Gifts Are Sure to Make Dad’s Day Extra Special

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There’s no denying that shopping for dads can be tough—especially when it comes to picking out a Father’s Day gift that encapsulates how much you appreciate him. He’s already got many (so many) ties he doesn’t wear, and it’s time to accept that very few people actually want, or will use, a fountain pen.

Instead of getting your partner, parent, or friend with kids another present that’ll end up collecting dust in the back of his closet—or worse, getting returned—it’s time to start seriously considering his interests, hobbies, and the things he probably needs but would never buy himself.

If you don’t know where to start looking for that perfect present, we have you covered. From rugged everyday tools to gaming essentials and so much in between, these are our top picks for the best Father’s Day gifts this year.

Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch

If the dad you love hasn’t stopped playing Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom since its release a few weeks ago, this wireless controller is an excellent pick. Make his gaming experience more pleasant with this Nintendo-approved wireless controller with a more comfortable grip than the stock Joy-Con cradle and extra, mappable buttons. It’s available in plain black, too, if the blood moon design is too flashy for pops.

3-Pack Grill Basket Set

If the proud dad on your list is looking to add some extra veggies to his meals, this grill basket set is a great addition to his culinary tools. All he has to do is load them with his favorite vegetables, place them on the grill, and, in minutes, he’ll have flavorful, healthy grilled greens to enjoy.

Freestanding Beverage Refrigerator

Cracking open a beer is all some dads want to do after a long day at work. And with this freestanding fridge, he won’t even have to venture into the kitchen to get one. It can hold up to 126 cans of his favorite beer, and it has removable storage racks to create even more space for additional drinks.

The fridge will keep its contents cooled down to 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Bonus: Its thermostat has seven other settings in case he wants a different temperature for different drinks.

Insulated Can Cooler

Speaking of frosty beverages, dad will need something to actually keep them cool once they’re out of the fridge. Once he finds himself halfway done with his beer, he can put it in this fancy BrüMate steel koozie to ensure it doesn’t get warm. It can fit 12- and 16-ounce cans and is made of double-walled stainless steel with an extra copper layer for insulation.

Breakfast Sandwich Maker

For a quick and easy first meal of the day, dad can whip up a sandwich with this breakfast maker from Hamilton Beach. All he has to do is load each layer with his desired ingredients—the type of bread, an egg, and other add-ins, like meat—and then secure everything together so it can get warm and toasted.

If he hasn’t found his go-to breakfast sandwich just yet, this kitchen gadget comes with a book of recipes he can test out to find his favorite.

Fix-It Kit

Dads are, of course, the first people we go to when we need help building or fixing anything. So, to help him help you, get him this fix-it kit that’s stocked with all the basics, like a hammer, tape measure, pliers, LED flashlight, and more.

It’s relatively small and lightweight, fitting in a kitchen cabinet, on a garage shelf, or stashed in his bag for on-the-go repairs.

Hike to Swim 8-In. Ripstop Short

Say dad only hikes to get to his favorite natural hot spring. This swimsuit from Lululemon is perfect. It’s a hybrid short style that’s both water-repellant and stretchy for a comfortable fit while he’s walking. It comes in three colors, and the 8-inch inseam falls just right.

Industrial Reach Deep Hole Mechanical Pencil

If your dad is a woodworker, he’ll love this Dixon model. It will allow him to reach deeply into tight or awkward places, and it has a sharpener built right into the handle. We also love the bright color, making it tough for him to lose while working.

Universe2go Planetarium AR Gadget

Let Dad take a journey through far-out galaxies with his own personal observatory. With this gadget, he’ll be able to view all 88 constellations, travel to different planets, and see objects captured by the Hubble Space Telescope.

It works with an accompanying app, which he downloads to his phone. He can then slot his phone into the Universe2go and look up through it to see additional info superimposed over his actual view,

Eyeris 1 Eye Massager

Let your dad’s eyes take a rest with this top-rated eye massager. Using a combination of air pressure and heat, the goggle-like device gently massages the eyes, brow, and temples to reduce fatigue from daily screen use. This device is great before bedtime or right when he clocks out of work for the day.

Hot Sauces of America Gift Box

If your dad or partner likes their food to have a bit of a kick to it, they’ll love this set that showcases hot sauces from around the country. It’s made in small batches, and he’ll get to experience the kind of local heat from places like Georgia and Texas.

Coffee Subscription

For long days at work—or those even longer nights spent awake with a new baby—busy dads will need some fuel to keep their energy high. The solution: a coffee subscription. Through Misto Box, you can gift anywhere from three shipments of beans up to 12. Each shipment is personalized based on their tastes, and comes from a selection of more than 600 fresh-roasted beans.

Moab 2 Mid Hiking Boots

Merrell’s Moab 2 Mid lightweight waterproof hiking boots are a great affordable option, and dad won’t have to forego comfort and support. Online reviewers note that these (which rank as the best value lightweight hiking boots in our evaluations) are great for all seasons, meaning he’ll only need one shoe, even if he decides to get out in late fall or early spring.

Tech Bucket Hat

Whether your dad is on the tractor during the summer, hanging by the pool, or hiking outside, a wide-brimmed hat will keep him shielded from the sun. We like that it has mesh side panels to allow for good airflow, and that the materials come from a Fair Trade-certified factory.

LB6405 Cordless Leaf Blower

Up your dad or partner’s yard cleanup game with this highly rated electric leaf blower. It’s won a Gold Award from our Test Team for its power, focused air stream, and run time. Plus, it weighs less than 12 pounds, making it easy to carry around.

Portable Neck Fan

Help the father figure in your life stay cool with this wearable air conditioner. Designed as a blade-less fan, it can run for between 4 and 16 hours, depending on the fan speed. It’s ideal for the beach, picnics, and traveling when the forecast calls for high temperatures.

IceFlow Flip Straw Jug

Available in three sizes to fit in cupholders, this new take on the viral Stanley cup is a great pick for dads who stay active, spend a lot of time outside, and prefer ice-cold water. Ice lasts up to two and a half days in this jug. Plus, the flip-up carrying handle and straw make it easy to bring fishing. And don’t worry about durability; this stainless steel jug is designed to withstand drops.

Optik Armor MagSafe Phone Case

If dad has expressed interest in a case that helps his phone last longer before it’s time for the next upgrade, get him this. It’s one of our top-recommended MagSafe cases because of its sliding shutter that protects the back-facing camera from scratches and falls. It’s also MagSafe friendly, of course, so you can use it with wireless chargers or MagSafe mounts.

Go Travel Coffee Maker

If your dad cares about coffee, you’ve probably heard him gripe about the watered-down office brew or the overpriced lattes from the cafe. Help him get his perfect cup every time with this travel-friendly Aeropress, which uses pressure and agitation to brew espresso-like cups in just a few minutes. It won us over as the best overall portable coffee maker not just for the delicious joe it makes, but also for its packability—this press is camping- and hiking-friendly.

Men’s Jungle Leather Slip-On Shoes

One of the most popular items from our guide to the best travel shoes for men, these Merrell slip-ons are a wonderful Father’s Day gift. They’re reliable, supportive, and a little dorky, just like your dad. Best of all, he won’t have to bend down to put these on, since the rigid sides let them truly slide on and off.

Titanium Spork

If you’re on a budget for this year’s Father’s Day gifts, this titanium utensil is perhaps one of the most useful things you can give him. We love it so much, we wrote an entire review about just this spork. It’s durable, easy to clean, and works for meals both soupy and solid. He can use it for adventures, lunch breaks, or emergency road snacking. And it’ll only cost you $11.

Leather Duffel Bag and Backpack Bundle

Face it: That ratty tote bag he’s been carrying to work and the gym isn’t a good look. If you want to give his carry-all an upgrade, gift him this duo of handsome leather bags from EnvivaCor. The set includes both a leather backpack ideal for stashing his laptop, plus a leather duffel bag into which he can throw his gym clothes or essentials for a weekend trip.

Compression Shorts

Dads who love working out would definitely benefit from a pair of compression shorts. This pair is made from a moisture-wicking fabric that is breathable and comfortable, and they'll stay on securely, thanks to their form-fitting elastic waistband. The shorts are designed to neither move around nor bunch up while he's on a run, hiking, or doing flips on the trampoline with the kids.

Cooking Apron

No grill master’s cooking arsenal is complete without a great apron to protect his duds. This one from Kona also happens to have tons of pockets. Think a breast pocket for his phone, larger hip and kangaroo pockets for a wallet or keys, and a fabric loop and D-ring ideal for attaching tools and grilling accessories.

Small Batch Whiskey

At the end of the day, he might want to kick back and treat himself to a drink. And when that time comes, he'll be grateful you got him this tasty whiskey from Uncle Nearest. It’s aged for four years and is bottled at 93 proof, making it perfect to sip neat or mix into a cocktail. Y0u can get his bottle engraved, too, making this already thoughtful gift a bit more special.

Fusion Smart Notebook

Help your pop or partner explore his creative side with this smart notebook. It has 42 pages and seven page styles for taking notes, drawing pictures, or jotting down big life goals. Once he gets everything down on paper, he can transfer the contents of the pages to any cloud service, like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Evernote, all through the free Rocketbook app. Then, when he wants a clean slate, he can wipe the pages down with the included microfiber cloth.

The Iconics Cooking Utensil Set

If your partner or pop is still using the same crappy set of kitchen tools they bought for their first apartment, they’re overdue for an upgrade.

This gorgeous set from Material Kitchen includes a whisk, tongs, a slotted spatula, an almost-4-inch knife, a 6-inch serrated knife, an 8-inch knife, a wood spoon, a slotted spoon, and a metal spoon. It also comes with a handsome base in your choice of walnut or maple. You can choose from three different utensil handle colors, too.

Mambo Sauce Two-Pack

This two-pack of Capital City Mambo Sauce. It comes with a bottle of the brand’s mild flavor and one of its sweet heat variety, both of which are great for topping everything from chicken to burgers to mac and cheese. As a bonus, neither flavor contains high-fructose corn syrup.

Variety Pack

Shopping for someone who loves nothing more than to enjoy some snacks while watching their favorite movie or show? This Moonshot Snacks variety pack comes with the brand’s climate-friendly crackers in three delicious flavors: Sea Salt, Rosemary Garlic, and Margherita Pizza.

They’re USDA-organic, made with regeneratively grown wheat, and have no sugar, preservatives, artificial flavors or colors, or animal products in their recipe.

Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker

Dads and partners who love to cook are sure to get plenty of use out of this 7-in-1 Instant Pot. It has a variety of functions, including pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, and more. And its 13 customizable programs cater the cook to different meal types.

The pot is made of a dishwasher-safe stainless steel and has side grips for portability. This would be a great gift for dad to put to use for the next big family gathering this spring (or that summer chili cook-off he’s been too scared to enter).

Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival by Dave Canterbury

This field guide is our top-recommended piece of literature to study up for spending a lot of time outside. It’s fit with guidance on how to make tools, gather edible food, start fires, and keep safe on a planned—or unexpected—night in the wilderness.

Personal Blender

Is he always rushing out the door without time to enjoy a morning meal? Well, help him get his fix of nutrients from fruits and vegetables with this personal blender from NutriBullet.

All he has to do is load it up with his favorite ingredients—like berries, greens, nuts, and his liquid of choice—and blend. The blending chamber doubles as a cup, too, hence the included lid.

Cocktail Shaker Set

Make Dad’s next get-together a whole lot more sophisticated by gifting him this stylish cocktail set from Tom Bullock’s. It comes with a silver 25-ounce cocktail shaker, a strainer, a double-sided jigger, mixing spoons, and ice tongs. All that makes it easier for him to whip up a martini or margarita in a hurry.

Rocks Glasses

Even if he’s not exactly Don Draper, odds are your dad, pal, or partner could use an upgrade from the Solo cups he’s been making his Old Fashioneds in. This set of six hand-blown Estelle Colored Glass rocks glasses comes in your choice of two stylish hues—smoky gray or amber—and have a weighty lower half that’s reminiscent of vintage bar sets.

While the cups are delicate, hand-wash-only pieces, their superior craftsmanship ensures they’ll last years—maybe even long enough to pass down to the next generation.

Rambler 30-Ounce Travel Mug

To keep his coffee tasting fresh and warm all day, he’ll need something that’s insulated and portable. The solution: this Yeti Rambler. It’s made of double-wall stainless steel, ensuring that any liquid inside remains at his desired temperature for longer. And the magnetized lid is easy to open with one hand. What’s more, the tapered base ensures the Rambler fits in any standard-size cup holder.

EcoCool Roller Cooler

What says it’s time for summer fun like busting out his trusty cooler? This 90-quart model is made out of 90 percent post-consumer recycled material. Its wheels facilitate easy transportation, and the insulated body and lid can keep ice in solid form for up to five days.

Watertight II Jacket

To keep Pop dry, give him this waterproof rain coat for Father’s Day. It’s incredibly lightweight and breathable and has an adjustable hood, chin guard, and cuffs, plus zippered pockets.

Dad's Playbook

Becoming a father is an undeniable adjustment. Whether he's building furniture for his kids or just learning how to change a diaper, there's a lot to learn. To guide him along a successful path as a new dad, give him this playbook filled with inspirational quotes, advice, and insight from some of sports’ greatest coaches. Their words of wisdom will help Dad navigate fatherhood and the many challenges that come along with it.

Oculus Quest 2

While taking Dad on a trip around the world may be cost-prohibitive, you can get him the next best thing with this VR headset. With it, he can play games, tackle workouts, or explore locales he doesn’t necessarily have the money—or time—to check out in person. With super-fast processing speeds and high-resolution imagery, he’ll feel like he’s in the center of the action, even from the comfort of his own couch.

Roomba i3 Evo Robot Vacuum

Busy dads and partners may not be able to find the time to thoroughly clean their home or work space regularly. With this vacuum, though, they can simply press a button and let the bot do the rest. The Roomba i3+ Evo will learn how to navigate the home, and dad can schedule its cleaning times. And if there’s a dog or cat around, the rubber rollers don’t easily tangle up with pet hair.

Beard Serum

If dad is proud of his facial hair, get him the tools he needs to keep that beard looking lustrous. This Scotch Porter Beard Serum is vegan, contains no parabens, sulfates, or silicones. Ingredients like jojoba and avocado seed oils, copper, zinc, and vitamins B, C, and E nourish his whiskers.

Microfiber Sheet Set

A great set of sheets can not only make over a room aesthetically, but can also make getting in bed a joy. This set from Pampered by Porsha has a 4.3-star average customer rating, comes in 15 stylish hues, from neutrals like white and gray to lively colors like aqua and eggplant, and is available in sizes ranging from twin to California King.

Living Room Plant Duo

Indulge his green thumb. This set includes a philodendron and a snake plant laurentii in 7-inch ceramic planters that come in your choice of black, cream, mint, or terra-cotta hues. The Sill also offers great add ons, from potting mix to soil moisture meters, that can help you round out your gift.

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