The greatest gift you can offer the father in your life is time spent together. A distant second is a thoughtful sentiment or token that recognizes your unique connection. With that in mind, we selected our favorite Father’s Day gifts that will show your heartfelt affection for Dad—and will be used and loved for years to come.
Flip-flops with a twist
Reef Draftsmen
These leather flip-flops are supportive, well made, and comfortable. But the bottle opener embedded in the sole is what will delight any good-time guy.
Reef flip-flops are beloved among surfers and frequent beachgoers because they are well made, comfortable, and designed with a supportive, arch-friendly sole. But this particular style, made from ethically sourced full-grain leather and non-marking, super-grippy rubber, has a secret in the form of an at-the-ready bottle opener embedded in the sole. Staff writer Samantha Schoech’s husband and surfing father of two loves Reef quality and says that he can’t feel the opener under his foot at all. Dude! Bundle this pair with your gift recipient’s favorite pry-off six-pack, and watch the good times roll.
Vintage vinyl
The Songs Of Bacharach & Costello
Newly remastered, this double album collects all the published songs from the 30-year collaboration of the songwriting duo of Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello.
The late Burt Bacharach and crooner Elvis Costello wrote and composed together for more than three decades. This newly remastered double album compiled by Costello contains recordings of every song they published in that time. Largely sung by Costello and accompanied on piano by Bacharach, these 18 songs have a throwback, jazzy sound that would play just as well at a cocktail party as in a headphone listening session.
An all-season scarf
Trendhim Grey Striped Cotton Mix Scarf
Light and soft as a feather, this cotton and modal scarf is nearly 6 feet long and lends flair to a range of looks.
A casually looped scarf elevates nearly any outfit, from a T-shirt to a sport coat, and of course it comes in handy if your giftee lives in a place where the weather is changeable. We love this simple, stylish scarf because it’s airy, exceptionally soft, and the perfect length—nearly 6 feet—to serve as a breezy accessory. The frayed-edge scarf is designed in Denmark, woven from cotton and modal, and available in 17 colors and patterns, and it arrives gift-ready in a handsome kraft-paper envelope.
Hangout spot
ENO SingleNest Hammock
Available in 26 colors, this breathable, quick-drying nylon hammock is small enough to take anywhere but durable enough to last for years.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $55.
This strong-yet-silky hammock is perfect for camping and backpacking but suitable for close-to-home hangs in the backyard, too. Made from a stretch nylon material and reinforced with triple stitching at the seams, it weighs only 1 pound and stuffs down to the size of a grapefruit. One of our favorite portable hammocks, it comes with strong wire gate carabiners and a nautical-grade line for hanging, so it can safely and securely support up to 400 pounds—more than enough for dogpiles.
An everyday hoodie
Hanes EcoSmart Men’s Full-Zip Hoodie
It doesn’t get simpler or more classic than this cotton-blend, zip-up hoodie with front pouch pockets.
Everyone needs at least one of these in their wardrobe, and this fleece hoodie sweatshirt is affordable enough for you to scoop up a couple (which is a good idea considering how likely it is to be “borrowed” by other family members). This soft, 50-50 cotton-poly hoodie is double-stitched and durable, washer and dryer friendly, and made in part from recycled plastic. It comes in about a dozen colors and in extended sizes from S through 3XL, and it resists pilling. We love it for throwing on over PJs to grab the paper or take the dog out, for wearing on early morning power walks, or for packing as a you-never-know extra layer.
Next-level grilling
Asada: The Art of Mexican-Style Grilling
Asadas, or Mexican-style grilled meats, are a surefire way to kick his barbecue game up a notch. This cookbook rounds up the best sizzles alongside mouthwatering salsas, agua frescas, and veggies.
If the father in your life loves to grill but finds himself in a burger and chicken rut, consider a little inspiration in the form of an asada, a Mexican-style backyard barbecue. In this cookbook, Los Angeles food scene duo Bricia Lopez and Javier Cabral provide more than 100 recipes for main-act asadas (grilled meats), plus essential companions such as botanas (appetizers), seafood, side dishes and vegetables, salsas, aguas frescas, cocktails, and desserts. The book is also an education in ingredients, culture, and handy traditions, like the surprising benefits of cleaning one’s grill with an onion. (Allicin, a compound found in raw alliums, is highly antimicrobial.)
Tip-top toolbox
Trusco Two-Level Toolbox
This two-tier Japanese steel toolbox has a roomy primary chamber and adjustable top compartments to hold smaller objects. It’s more scratch-prone than plastic counterparts, but it makes up for that with cheery colors and butter-smooth hinges.
This exquisite Japanese toolbox is less ding-resistant than plastic toolboxes—including our toolbox pick—so it’s not ideal for a tradesperson on rough-and-tumble job sites. But for someone whose hobby is more genteel (fishing, leatherwork, painting, woodworking), the clean lines and enamel finish of this box are an invitation to create. And it can look quite fetching all beaten up, too. This one is about 13 inches long, with 10 adjustable compartments on top, but the company also sells smaller and larger versions.
Comfy slippers
L.L.Bean Men’s Wicked Good Moccasins
These super-soft, warm, and durable moccasins are fluffier and more breathable than other sheepskin shearling slippers. Although they’re pricey, they’re worth the investment.
Dad’s trek to the garage just got cozier. Plush enough to chill in at home but durable enough to wear outside on a quick errand, the L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins have earned their place as one of our favorite pairs of slippers—and one of our favorite gift suggestions. Available in six colors and sizes 7 through 14, they are constructed of cozy suede shearling with garage-proof rubber bottoms. Even if your gift recipient somehow manages to damage their tight construction, L.L.Bean offers a one-year guarantee.
Joe on the go
Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug
Perfect to take on the go, this mug offers excellent heat retention and a leakproof lid.
The Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug is one of Wirecutter’s oldest and most beloved picks: Even after five years of testing, it still beats the 13 other travel mugs we’ve tried. Thanks to its vacuum insulation, it keeps coffee (or tea, or bone broth—whatever your giftee is into) piping hot for hours, even in cold environments. And its lid locks so securely that even the bumpiest drives won’t cause splashes or spills. It comes in a number of peppy colors (salmon, aqua) and subdued hues (navy, black, gray) to best match your giftee’s style.
A classic cool tee
Bonobos Soft Everyday Tee
This Bonobos T-shirt is blocky and stretchy, and it comes in a dozen colors and in sizes up to XXL.
Whether your gift recipient has serious sartorial tastes or just needs to upgrade their collection of comfy basics, the Bonobos Soft Everyday Tee will get them looking sharp and feeling fresh. It stood out as one of our top white men’s T-shirts since it was sturdier than some shirts we tried that were double the price. And it was stretchy yet still had a boxy shape that our testers found flattering. It’s also available up to size XXL, in a dozen colors, and in several cuts. You can choose a crew neck or a V-neck, with a front pocket or without, a slim fit or a standard fit, and a regular or short torso length.
Sunny side up
Lululemon Men’s Days Shade Ball Cap
This adjustable and lightweight ball cap is waterproof and features a sweat-wicking interior headband.
The father in your life probably has a few baseball caps, and in all likelihood, they’ve probably seen better days. The Men’s Days Shade Ball Cap from Lululemon is perfect for exercising or just wearing in hot summer weather. Not only is this ultra-lightweight hat more sleek and attractive than whatever raggedy college cap your giftee usually rocks, but it’s also made with a sweat-wicking fabric that in our tests didn’t smell after several outdoor runs.
Better cold brew
VacOne Air Brewer
This compact vacuum-extraction coffee maker designed by an engineer brews up to 100 cups of hot or cold joe on one charge.
Trade Coffee Subscription
When you sign up, you take a quiz that asks about your coffee experience level, what you use to brew, and your flavor preferences. Then Trade intelligently curates a selection of coffee from high-end roasters.
Eduardo Umaña is an engineer and watch designer with an affinity for the flavorful nuances of cold-brew coffee. To satiate that love, he designed the VacOne Air Brewer as an effectively fast vacuum-extraction system, and it has proved capable of retaining the delicate notes of some of our favorite roasts. The USB-powered battery allows the appliance to run 100 extractions between charges, and the brewer is adept at making both hot coffee and cold brew with the push of a button. Get one for the coffee aficionado who has limited counter space and pair it with a monthly coffee subscription from a premium roaster.
A gentleman’s chainsaw
Ego Power+ 18″ Chainsaw
This electric chainsaw is light, quiet (compared with gas versions), and powerful enough to get through a season of firewood or springtime tree trimming.
If the dad you’re shopping for loves to trim the trees but hates the drone of most equipment, he’ll appreciate the opportunity to ditch his heavy, gas-powered tool for something like this quiet, light, yet still very capable electric chainsaw. We’ve found that gear from Ego is strong, and this tool runs on long-lasting and fast-charging batteries (that are also compatible with other Ego tools).
Decisions made easy
Pocket Art Director II
This 20-sided die is like a Magic 8 Ball for adults, helping the user make decisions with a roll. It’s especially amusing to anyone who works in design.
One of the hardest parts of fatherhood is being responsible for making some of life’s most difficult and lasting decisions. This 20-sided die is intended to take a little pressure off professional or personal decision-making with a design that’s instantly recognizable to any self-professed geek or nerd. And isn’t being a dad the ultimate adventure in role-playing? The die is also available in Developer and Emoji editions.
A gardener’s BFF
Hori Hori Stainless Steel Serrated Edge
The humble hori hori knife digs, cuts, saws, picks, and prods. This one has a durable, rust-resistant steel blade, a strong wood handle, and a synthetic-leather sheath.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $24.
Whether the father in your life is a regular green thumb or is just getting into gardening, the Hori Hori Stainless Steel Serrated Edge will become his most treasured helper. This Japanese knife’s sharp teeth make it ideal for digging, sawing, picking, and prodding in the garden, and its stainless steel body prevents it from dulling or rusting. The knife comes with a handsome synthetic-leather sheath that allows your gift recipient to safely stow it in a pocket or apron.
Headphones of his own
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
These noise-cancelling headphones are lightweight and travel friendly, and they offer the most versatile active noise cancellation we’ve ever encountered in our tests.
Everyone needs to shut out the cacophony of life sometimes, but if the dad you’re shopping for is trying to put a chatty co-worker on mute or to drown out a multitude of work-from-home distractions, a pair of active noise-cancelling headphones is a godsend. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 pair is our top pick and one of the best sets of noise-cancelling headphones we’ve ever tested. These headphones are lightweight and comfortable, and they can last for 20 hours between charges.
A closer look
Athlon Optics Midas ED
View birds, vistas, and other faraway things with these tough, waterproof binoculars that offer ultra-high definition 8x magnification at a much lower price than similar models.
For the dad who loves observing nature in all its detail—even from a distance—you can’t go wrong with a pair of capable binoculars to watch birds and insects from the backyard or on a hike. The Athlon Optics Midas ED binoculars, our favorite binoculars overall, are exceptional for their ability to adapt to focusing on both bright and dark subjects from afar.
A sleek turntable
U-Turn Orbit Basic
This affordable record player offers good sound quality and tons of customizable options.
Alongside punny jokes and questionable choices in sneakers, dads have a notorious propensity for waxing nostalgic about the music of their youth. A turntable like the Wirecutter-approved U-Turn Orbit Basic model, outfitted with a built-in preamp, makes it a cinch for your giftee to renew their license to ill with minimum hassle, as it delivers a tactile satisfaction that no Spotify playlist could ever deliver. This deck keeps things simple, delivering proficient noise rejection and producing a wide stereo image at a very reasonable price. Speakers, however, are sold separately.
Shake it up
Cocktail Kingdom Usagi Cobbler Shaker 500ml/17oz
This stainless, Boston-style shaker (a big cup and a small cup that fit together) can make anyone feel like a mixology pro.
A complete set of mixology tools, as described in our best barware guide, makes an elegant Father’s Day gift. But if budget dictates a more-targeted choice for crafting cocktails at home, get the father in your life a handsome and functional shaker. The no-leak strainer and all-in-one design of the Usagi Cobbler Shaker make it easy to use and nearly as simple to clean. If you’re lucky, your giftee might even fix you a drink the next time you visit.
A stone for better baking
FibraMent-D Home Oven Baking Stone
Make crisp, puffy pizzas with this all-purpose, 0.75-inch-thick baking stone that holds plenty of heat for non-soggy crusts.
The balance between the crispiness and chewiness of proper pizza is hard to reproduce at home because most residential-grade ovens cannot reach the same high temperatures that commercial ovens can. But a pizza stone can help: It stores heat better than a cookie sheet, and that concentrated heat produces crispier pizza and crustier bread. Our highest-rated pizza stone, the FibraMent stone, not only works the best but also comes in the most size options of all those we tested.
For heavy workouts
Rep Stone Sandbags
These reinforced bags can hold a variety of materials, from sand to beans, up to 125 pounds. Use them for lifting, squatting, and pressing to change up a tired workout routine.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $70.
Variety is the spice of life, and it’s also the secret to fitness, since muscles adapt quickly to routine. That’s what makes a Rep Stone Sandbag an especially effective gift for the dad who’s looking to get shredded. These heavily reinforced stitched workout bags can weigh from 25 to 125 pounds, depending on the bag’s size and what you fill it with—sand, rice, beans, or pebbles. Using them for lifting, squatting, and pressing keeps muscles challenged and fatigued.
A deceptively simple timepiece
Tian Black/White
Both timepiece and art piece, this elegant watch keeps track of time only to the nearest 15 minutes, freeing wearers from the every-second-counts grind of modern life.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $221.
Smartphones have rendered the wristwatch a bit of an anachronism these days. But if the dad you’re shopping for would appreciate being unbound from the passing of every minute, give him the monochromatic Tian Black/White wristwatch. Although this watch’s Japanese Miyota movement is precisely kept, the two-dial display is intended to slow down everyday life by expressing time in only 15-minute increments, rather than by exact seconds or minutes.
A looping laugh machine
BrandNewNoise Loopy Lou
This handmade wooden voice recorder featuring pitch control and a switch to play recordings on a loop is a children’s toy, but it can entertain kids at heart for hours, too.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $82.
If you consider your giftee to be a bit of a jokester, give one of these handmade wooden voice recorders. The father in your life is likely to be pleased as punch when he’s speaking into the built-in microphone and manipulating his voice with the device’s simple-to-use pitch control and looping capabilities. Just expect to get a few phone calls or voice messages by way of his new best friend, Lou.
Barbershop-quality clippers
Oster Fast Feed Adjustable Pivot Motor Clipper
This hair clipper is a pro-grade classic that’s ideal for a close buzz or fade, as well as frequent home touch-ups.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $79.
If the father you’re shopping for has shown interest in taking charge of his hair maintenance, get him the proper tools to hone his skills. The Oster Fast Feed clipper is a classic found in many barber shops, and it is one of the best clippers we’ve tested. Of course, there’s no guarantee that his first haircut using these clippers will come out perfect. But at least he’ll be using “extremely powerful and pleasingly quiet” clippers that are easy to adjust, shearing down the learning curve along with his mane. Just be sure to remind him to watch a few video tutorials online before he flips the switch.
A handsome apron
Williams Sonoma Classic Apron
This affordable bib apron is constructed from thick cotton and comes in a rainbow of colors.
If the dad in your life likes to cook (or likes to look like he cooks), give him the gift of a classic and comfortable apron. While we were testing aprons for our guide, this timeless model from Williams Sonoma stood out for its durable cotton construction, roomy front pockets, and long ties. Plus, it should retain its color (you have several fun hues to choose from) for years and years. For an extra $10, you can get the apron monogrammed with up to nine characters—enough to accommodate “Best Dad” or “Yes, Chef.”
Royal flush
Parks Project Minimalist National Park Playing Cards
These artistic playing cards celebrate the National Parks with pastel illustrations.
Whether the dad you’re shopping for is an avid poker player or more of a Go Fish guy, elevate his game with a set of elegant cards benefiting a great cause. These cards from Parks Project feature spare and almost poetic line drawings of some of the most famous sites from America’s national parks, including Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion. The company gives back 5% of each sale to benefit the National Parks Conservation Association, too.
Better bread
Sugus House Oval Banneton Basket
This handmade banneton, or rattan basket for proofing dough, lends shape, structure, and a distinctive pattern to loaves. Use it with or without the included cotton liner.
You don’t need a banneton for proofing bread—any old bowl will do. But if the father in your life has recently taken to baking or is trying to up his sourdough game, the Sugus House Oval Banneton Basket makes the process feel special. And when he isn’t using it for baking, he can use it as a fruit or vegetable bowl. Just remind him that it’s not microwave safe, in case he gets any new culinary ideas.
Meaningful magnets
Inkifi Square Magnets
Make custom photo magnets from your Instagram, desktop, or mobile photos. These sets of four or nine (depending on the size) are super strong and laminated to protect against errant kitchen splashes.
If your gift recipient is the sentimental type, they’ll love seeing you, your siblings, or their grandchildren on custom photo magnets every time they open the fridge. One of our favorite services for the job is Inkifi, through which you can easily select images from your desktop, your phone, or even your Instagram feed to convert into a four-pack of 3-by-3-inch magnets or a nine-pack of 2-by-2-inch magnets. We don’t love that shipping these little magnets costs about $10, but the experience is so easy and fast, we think it’s worth the investment.
A luxurious robe
Brooklinen Waffle Robe
This generously sized unisex waffle robe made from 100% Turkish cotton is cozy and thick but still lightweight enough for all seasons.
There are few pleasures on this planet better than padding around home in a soft robe on a lazy morning, cup of coffee in hand, no jeans or obligations in sight. The dad in your life deserves such a moment, and you can supply the uniform (even if you can’t guarantee the other elements). We tested dozens of robes, and one of our favorites for this task is Brooklinen’s Waffle Robe, which is lightweight yet plush and comes in a range of unisex sizes from XS to XL and four colors (plus a few limited-edition colors that change each season) to suit any dad on your list.
We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See even more gift ideas we recommend.