Top 10 Gadget Gifts for Dad
Updated: Mar. 20, 2019
Looking for the perfect Father’s Day gift? Forget the tie and cologne. What Dad really wants is another electronic gadget for his collection, preferably something with lots of buttons, flashing lights and LED readouts. Check out our countdown of the 10 latest and greatest gadget gift ideas.
These days, good things come in small packages. Check out our gadget guide to find the best electronic gizmo to give your dad.
1. Apple iPod Touch
I think Apple decided not to call it the iTouch because it sounds kind of dirty so instead it was dubbed the iPod Touch. It is, in essence, an Apple iPhone without the phone. Dad can use it to listen to music, watch movies, surf the net via a wi-fi connection and lots more. It is the ultimate gadget and Dad would forgive just about all of your sins if you got him one.
Price: starting at $259
2. Digital Photo Frame
Does your dad work long hours at the office? Remind him that he’s got a family by loading up a digital photo frame with snapshots of you and the rest of your kin that he can gaze at from the discomfort of his cubicle. It may even encourage him to leave work early once in a while.
Price: $50 – $300
3. Universal Remote Control
In living rooms across the nation it’s Dad who is the master of the remote control. The problem is that with so many electronic devices cluttering our home theatres, chances are there are half a dozen remotes to master and Dad may have troubles remembering which remote does what. Help him downsize his collection by replacing them with one universal remote that will do it all.
Price: $20 – $200
4. Car GPS
Everyone’s dad has a collection of vinyl records and audio tapes mouldering in the basement that contains the music of his youth. Help him recover those treasures by getting him a device that makes it easy to convert them to digital files that he can store on his computer and upload to his MP3 player. Don’t be surprised if Dad asks you for help, but as a bonus you may score some decent retro tunes that you can poach for your own playlist.
Price: $70
5. Analog-to-Digital Device for Unlocking Vinyl and Tape
Everyone’s dad has a collection of vinyl records and audio tapes mouldering in the basement that contains the music of his youth. Help him recover those treasures by getting him a device that makes it easy to convert them to digital files that he can store on his computer and upload to his MP3 player. Don’t be surprised if Dad asks you for help, but as a bonus you may score some decent retro tunes that you can poach for your own playlist.
Price: $70
6. Bluetooth Headset
Those mobile phone headsets may make people look like they’re ready to take your order at a Tim Horton’s drive-through window, but they’ll help your dad keep his hands on the wheel when he’s trying to drive and talk on the phone at the same time. Unfortunately, he’ll still want to fiddle with the radio station when you’re in the car with him.
Price: $35 – $200
7. Digital Tire Gauge
Cars have become so complicated that your average dad is baffled when he lifts up the hood. If you’re lucky, he might be able to use the dipstick. The one thing that he can still do is read tire pressure. An electronic tire gauge makes it even easier. The thing that Dad will like best of all is that having properly inflated tires will give him better gas mileage and put a few bucks back in his pocket.
Price: $15 – $20
8. Head-Lamp
Did you learn to swear by listening to your dad try to fix things in dark corners of the house? I know I did. Help him clean up his language and save him from hitting his fingers with a hammer by getting a head-mounted light that will let him see what he’s doing, no matter how dark it gets.
Price: $15 – $60
9. Electronic BBQ Fork
Fire, meat and electronics – this is the trifecta of things that dads love. They all come together in the electronic barbecue fork. Dad can flip steaks with it and use its electronic readout to measure the internal temperature of the meat to see if it’s cooked. If you could get one that also controls the TV, you’d be all set.
Price: $15
10. Robot Mower
Not many dads enjoy mowing the lawn. In fact, many of them have kids just so they’ll have teenagers who’ll mow the grass for them one day. Free yourself from the drudgery by getting him his very own lawn-mowing robot. The RoboMow from Friendly Robotics does the trick, although you’ll still have to do the fertilizing and watering on your own. At nearly two grand, it’s probably not in your budget, so read on for some more affordable gadget gift suggestions.
Price: $1,900
