Dads are notoriously hard to shop for, whether it’s for Father’s Day or any other occasion. Even new parents and beloved grandparents can be difficult to shop for at an event this special, especially if you’re on a budget. While we tried to find a variety of gift recommendations for dads of all ages and years of experience, we found that the best people recommending gifts for dads were actually co-dads.
We enlisted the help of our dads and that of several employees to put together a list of Father’s Day gift ideas that go beyond a new tie or a delicious homemade breakfast. Our fathers gave us a multitude of ideas – from clothing to household appliances to kitchen utensils and more – in different price ranges. If you’re worried about your Father’s Day gift arriving on time, you can also check out our last minute gift ideas.
Best Dad Approved Father’s Day Gift Ideas
If you’re not sure what to buy this Father’s Day, consider these recommendations from Select Dads. Some are products we’ve already highlighted, and each option is highly rated, meaning other buyers (other than our dads) love them, too.
Ryobi 18V cordless grass trimmer
The father of writer-elect Gabriella DePinho enjoys spending time tending to his family’s garden and lawn. One of his favorite lawn care tools is this Ryobi lawn trimmer. This model comes with a rechargeable battery and offers an adjustable cutting width of 11 to 13 inches. DePinho’s father loves that the Ryobi is “lightweight, easy to use, [and has] no gas fumes or cables.”
Apple Airpods Pro
Elected writer Zoe Malin’s father said any Apple product can make a good Father’s Day gift. Malin’s father in particular is a fan of the Airpods Pro: Malin recently bought him the wireless earbuds and her father “loves them for running”. The Airpods Pro have both active noise cancellation and a transparency mode, so you can control the amount of outside noise you hear while using it.
dpnao alarm clock with wireless charging
Selected writer Mili Godio’s father prefers to use an alarm clock when waking up, so she gifted him this one from dpnao to update his setup. It offers both wireless and USB cable charging for a cellphone or other device, and has a digital display that shows the time and internal temperature. In addition to an alarm, the device has a warm yellow night light and three brightness levels. Godio’s father likes it because the alarm clock is loud enough to wake him up but not too loud or shocking, which is a plus since he wakes up early for work.
Ooni Fyra 12 Wood Pellet Pizza Oven
The father of featured writer Rebecca Rodriguez loves his Ooni pizza oven, which the brand says can cook a 12-inch pizza in just a minute. It runs on wood pellets — much like a pellet grill — and can heat up to 950 degrees Fahrenheit in 15 minutes, according to Ooni.
Yeti Rambler 30 ounce mug
Malin’s father loves using his Yeti so much that he has tried to get the whole family to invest in one. One of our most popular travel mugs, the dishwasher-safe stainless steel mug is insulated to withstand both hot and cold temperatures, according to the brand. It is available in a variety of sizes and colors and can be customized with text and graphics for an additional fee.
Rothy’s RS01 sneaker
Editor’s Select Morgan Greenwald gave these Rothys to her father last year and he wears them frequently. The machine-washable sneakers are made with Rothy’s signature yarn (made from plastic water bottles) and, according to Rothy’s, feature a padded ankle collar padded with excess yarn from sewing to reduce waste. Greenwald bought them in black for her father, but they come in several classic and seasonal colors.
Ugg Ascot Slipper
If your dad wears his slippers until there’s no sole left, he might need a new pair. Malin’s dad loves these because they have rubber soles so they can wear them to take out the garbage early in the morning or walk the dog. These suede slippers have also been pre-treated to repel “light amounts of water,” according to Ugg. The slippers are also available in leather and a matte leather material and are offered in men’s sizes 7 to 18 in regular and wide widths.
Utopia compost bin for the kitchen
If your dad has a green thumb, he might be interested in reducing his food waste by using a compost bin. This highly-rated option uses charcoal filters to trap and control odors so you can fill the bin all week, according to Utopia Kitchen. DePinho’s family gave her dad this trash can when his old trash can stinks in the kitchen — DePinho’s dad gets to keep composting, and her mom appreciates how the trash can looks (and smells) on the counter.
Home depot gift card
Writer-elect Justin Redman’s father always wants Home Depot tools — but he never actually buys any for himself as he doesn’t really need them. To stock his father’s tool shed, Redman’s father suggested a gift certificate from Home Depot that would give them a “guilt-free” purchase.
Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Malin’s dad needed a portable Bluetooth speaker for his tee time, so she bought him this Bose speaker along with a carabiner clip to attach it to his golf bag. Malin’s dad is ‘obsessed’ with the speaker – it works for 12 hours on a single charge and is dust and waterproof to IP67 to stay protected even when the golf course sprinklers go haywire.
Philips Norelco Multigroom 7000
Godio’s father loves his Philips Norelco, one of our favorite hair and beard trimmers. It comes with 23 different attachments and the brand says you can use the trimmer on your face, body, head, nose and ears. The trimmer can run for up to five hours on a single charge, the brand says.
Craft a Brew Cabernet Sauvignon Winemaking Kit
If your dad is a wine connoisseur, he might enjoy making his own vino – and this kit includes everything he needs to make a Cabernet Sauvignon, from juice and yeast to carboy and airlock. (The kit is also available in a Pinot Grigio or Merlot option if they prefer.) It takes them 30 days to first open the kit to make the wine. DePinho’s father has made wine before, and he said it’s just “just fun” to make it in his own kitchen.
Planter’s Choice Bonsai Starter Kit
Rodriguez’ dad loves tending to his bonsai tree – and this kit can help your dad get started with his own. The Planter’s Choice Bonsai Starter Kit includes seeds for four different trees, four jute pots, four plant markers, an expanding soil disc and bonsai scissors. It also includes instructions for growing and caring for your plants.
Lululemon City Sweat Joggers
If your father figure needs some new loungewear, Malin’s dad recommends these sweatpants from Lululemon, which he first invested in at the start of the pandemic. The pants are made from a soft cotton French terry fabric with Lycra fibers, which Lululemon says make the joggers stretchy, sweat-wicking, breathable and quick-drying. The pants are available in short, regular and long lengths to keep dads of all sizes comfortable.
Pick-a-Palooza Make your own guitar pick
Greenwald bought this stainless steel guitar pick maker for her father years ago and he still loves it. You can take any extra plastic you have, like old credit cards, and stamp out a brand new guitar pick, the brand says.
GoSports Backyard Bocce Set
Bocce ball is a classic backyard game at all of DePinho’s summer family gatherings. Although the original set her family had was full of sentimental values, her mother recently gifted this new GoSports set to her father. The eight glossy balls and one pallino are supplied in a sturdy canvas bag for easy portability.
Teva Men’s Hurricane 4 Sandals
Ever since Godio bought her dad these Teva sandals, they’ve become a favorite among his favorite shoes (in addition to his “very beloved Crocs”). When he wears them to the beach, Godio says, “They dry quickly and are durable.”
Bushnell Tour V5 Laser Range Finder
Malin’s father, an avid golfer, uses his Bushnell rangefinder to measure his shots on the fairway. The device connects to the companion Bushnell app which can show you hole layouts, 3D flypasts and other insights.
Untuckit Short Sleeve Cotton Seersucker Pavao Shirt
Select Editor Gideon Grudo recently bought his father-in-law an Untuckit. The shirts are shorter in length compared to most button-down shirts, making them better suited to being worn open, according to the brand. You can choose between Regular, Relaxed, Slim, Regular Tall and Slim Tall fits.
‘Freakonomics Revised and Expanded Edition’
DePinho’s father has read a lot of books on economics and says “Freakonomics” is one of his favorites. Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner’s book is just one in a four-part series and covers school cheating, information control, the socioeconomic patterns of child naming, and other social phenomena as analyzed by economic theories. This first book in the series has an average rating of 4 stars from over 790,000 reviews on Goodreads.
Home team baseball game
Rodriguez’s dad loves this baseball board game from Uncommon Goods. The game is designed for use with at least two players – so you can play together after gifting – and will be customized with logos and designs of your favorite major league team.
Pottery Barn Bleecker cocktail shaker
Malin started making palomas for her father during the pandemic because she once saw Amy Schumer make them on the Food Network. “If your dad likes cocktails,” Malin said, “a shmancy shaker makes a great gift.” This glass and stainless steel shaker holds up to 16 ounces and comes in your choice of blackened bronze or antique gold.
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