If Father’s Day somehow snuck up on you (Sunday, June 18, this year), don’t worry. We have dozens of gift suggestions that say, “I’m a thoughtful person who didn’t wait until the last second to buy something.” All of the gifts here will arrive in two days or less. And if you’re reading this 20 minutes before the dad in your life is due for a Father’s Day dinner, we also suggest some gifts that you can send directly to an email address.
Gifts that arrive in two days
A smooth speed cube
MoYu RS3M Maglev
Old-school Rubik’s Cube fans might appreciate a modern-day upgrade. This cube is smooth-twisting, highly adjustable, and pleasingly light, perfect for fidgeting or for flexing one’s spatial aptitude.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $13.
The 3×3 twist puzzle has come a long way since the Rubik’s Cube was introduced in the ’70s. These days, the magnetic works make for smoother twisting and turning, the cheapo stickers are gone, and the cubes are mostly silent (or at least not as crunchy sounding as the old ones). After speaking to speed cube experts and trying a bunch of models, resident game enthusiast and staff writer James Austin declared the MoYu RS3M Maglev the best speed cube for beginners and competitors alike for its fluid movements and well-made parts. Solvers can adjust the cube’s elasticity using the included screwdriver, and it comes with a stand.
Non-dorky sandals
Birkenstock Arizona EVA Sandals
These iconic sandals, made of a flexible plastic, are waterproof, versatile, and comfortable enough for long walks.
After years of being labeled “dad sandals,” Birkenstocks have had a renaissance in the past few years. The dad you’re shopping for probably won’t care that they’re cool now, but he’ll likely appreciate how comfortable and versatile the Arizona EVA Sandals are. Made with a soft and flexible plastic, they’re easier to maintain than traditional leather and shearling Birks: You can wipe them down with a damp cloth or toss them into a washing machine. The EVAs also come in over a dozen colors, perfect for complementing whatever socks he may insist on wearing with them—a look that some people consider quite stylish now, luckily!
Yard games
SunNordic Kubb Yard Game Set
Requiring both strategy and dexterity, this Swedish yard game involves tossing wooden dowels at larger blocks. It’s simple, satisfying, and great for groups.
Although kubb—pronounced “koob”—isn’t the best-known yard game, it is one of the most fun. Also known as Viking chess, kubb involves throwing wooden sticks at blocks to knock them over. It’s a great cross-generational family game, and the SunNordic kubb set is made of durable rubber wood, bundled with a compact carrying case, and sturdy enough to last for years. You’ll see teammates come together and break apart as new alliances form.
Stylish sunnies
Sungait Vintage Round Sunglasses
These stylish, affordable sunglasses are comfortable and sturdy. Wearers get a lifetime warranty and a money-back guarantee.
The dad in your life needs a proper pair of sunglasses—not just because they look cool but also to protect his eyes against harmful UV rays. Give him one of our favorites, the Sungait Vintage Round Sunglasses. In our testing, they proved more comfortable and sturdier than others we tried, and they look good on most face shapes. Clumsy dads needn’t worry—they come with a lifetime warranty that covers breaks.
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 adults for hours, too.
If the dad you’re shopping for is a bit of a jokester, give him one of these handmade wooden voice recorders. He’s bound 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.
A real chef’s knife
Mac Mighty MTH-80
Prepping ingredients should go a lot smoother with this knife, thanks to its super-sharp edge, sleek shape, and comfortable handle.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $145.
The utilitarian-chic Mac Mighty MTH-80, Wirecutter’s favorite chef’s knife for good reason, stays sharp, feels great in the hand, and looks totally badass as it slices and dices dinner ingredients. It’s a cross between German- and Japanese-style blades, which gives it an especially nice weight and balance. You might consider a good cutting board as a companion gift.
A portable party
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
With sound quality comparable to that of a small stereo system, the Wonderboom 3 is the ideal portable speaker for a backyard and beyond.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $85.
If you typically find your giftee vibing to Apple Music, Spotify, or some other streaming service, consider the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3. We made this portable Bluetooth speaker our top pick for its clear, full sound, 11-hour battery life, and cute round shape. The Wonderboom 3 is a solid option if the dad on your gift list wants to listen to music while working from home—with its speakerphone feature, he can easily toggle between his tunes and work calls. And since it’s water and dust resistant, he can bring it to the pool or beach.
The ultimate comfort shoe
Crocs Classic Clog
Both brazenly unstylish and crazily comfortable, these slide-on clogs are made of a waterproof and easy-to-clean proprietary resin.
Use promo code SAVE4JULY4TH
Depending on your point of view, the return of the Croc is either a reason for celebration—comfort trumps fashion!—or something you will never understand. If the father you’re shopping for is a member of the comfort club, these classic, airy slip-ons are a no-brainer. They’re made of a proprietary resin that is springy and elastic and washes clean with ease. Your giftee might like a black or army-green pair, but white is a great choice, too. A tip: If he wears them with the strap against his heel, it’s called “sport mode”; otherwise, it’s just plain dad mode.
Waffles made easy
Krups GQ502 4 Slice Belgian
This model makes up to four waffles at a time—ideal for family breakfast—and has removable plates for easy cleaning.
If the most important meal of the day is also Dad’s favorite, give him one of our favorite waffle makers, the Krups GQ502. It’s our pick for families because it can make four waffles at a time—Dad can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying breakfast with his favorite people. Plus, unlike many other waffle makers we tested, the Krups model has removable plates, which makes cleaning much easier. (Maybe the kids can pitch in and help.) Best of all, it makes waffles with extra-deep pockets that can hold all the toppings he desires.
A throwback radio
Sangean WR-11SE
This eye-catching retro-design radio offers reliable performance, solid build quality, and superb value.
Whether the dad you’re shopping for always has the dial set to NPR or never misses a grainy ballgame broadcast, a radio makes a great gift. The Sangean WR-11SE, one of Wirecutter’s favorite tabletop radios, has a pleasing vintage look and a big tuning knob that makes scrolling through channels easy. It has some modern touches, too, including an auxiliary audio input that lets you play music from your phone.
Gamer headset
HyperX Cloud Alpha
This comfortable headset fits a wide range of head sizes and works with any modern platform or device. It also offers clear distinction and spacious sound.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $89.
Maybe the father in your life is an aspiring Twitch star, or maybe he just wants to chat with his gaming buddies without sounding like he’s speaking through a tin can. Give him the HyperX Cloud Alpha. Wirecutter’s favorite gaming headset sounds great and is comfortable enough to wear for long playing sessions—so he may start spending even more time lost in his games.
An easy-to-fly drone
DJI Tello
This drone is perfect for beginners. It’s easy to use and has a basic, solid camera that can autonomously take photos and 720p videos from the air.
The DJI Tello quadcopter is our favorite inexpensive drone because it makes piloting especially simple: It doesn’t drift in gusts of wind, it offers some basic autonomous-photography modes, and it has surprisingly long battery life for such a tiny drone. If your gift recipient likes puttering around with tech gadgets or photography gear, a quadcopter is a delightful gift (especially if you get to play with it, too).
The perfect pot
Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 5½-Quart Round French Oven
This exceptionally durable, high-quality pot can be passed down for generations. It’s expensive, though.
A Dutch oven is the perfect tool for making soups, roasts, complicated braises, and simple one-pot pasta dinners. Le Creuset models (our upgrade pick for a Dutch oven) come in gorgeous colors (including the new lavender-hued “shallot”), so they’re perfect for leaving out on the stove or presenting a dish on any holiday. Don’t be surprised if your gift recipient accuses you of actually getting it for yourself—Le Creuset Dutch ovens are known to last for generations, so it may be handed down to you someday.
BYO growler
Stanley Classic Easy-Pour Growler
This dishwasher-safe, classically styled growler keeps liquids fizzy, cold (or hot), and delicious.
May be out of stock
*At the time of publishing, the price was $38.
If the dad you’re shopping for loves picking up beer from local breweries or bringing his latest creation over for a taste test, a nice growler will keep the brew cold and better tasting. We like Stanley’s Classic Easy-Pour Growler because it keeps drinks fizzy and is easy to hold. It also keeps liquids hot for up to 18 hours, so it’s a great choice for the dad who also drinks a lot of coffee or tea.
Picnic pro
MIU Color Outdoor Picnic Blanket
Don’t worry about spills or damp lawns with this waterproof picnic blanket. It folds up nice and small for easy transport, but it’s not machine washable.
Give the gift of unlimited alfresco meals with a picnic blanket. One of our top picks from testing, the 79-by-61-inch MIU Color Outdoor Picnic Blanket is durable and easy to clean, thanks to its polyester top fabric and PVC-film bottom. And with its cheery print options (pineapple, plaid, or striped), this blanket looks great in any park or backyard. Just add sandwiches, sunscreen, and a few bottles of something festive, and you have the perfect outdoor-dining experience. It can be wiped or hosed down, but don’t throw it in the washer.
Health tracker
Fitbit Charge 5
This sleek, feature-packed activity tracker records a range of activities accurately and automatically. It includes built-in GPS support and has a simple, customizable app.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $125.
If the dad on your gift list is trying to get more active, a fitness tracker might be just the gadget for him. Our favorite is the Fitbit Charge 5, which accurately identifies and records workouts—including running, walking, and biking—though an especially user-friendly interface and app. If your giftee is a more socially motivated exerciser, the Fitbit Charge 5 also offers the option of connecting to a wide network of other Fitbit tracker wearers through the app.
A gentle awakening
Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light HF3520
This alarm clock simulates a soothing sunset and sunrise to help lull you to sleep and wake you up in the morning.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $90.
Whether the dad in your life rises first thing in the morning to walk the dog or gets to snooze late, waking up can still be hard. Make the process easier with a sunrise alarm clock such as the Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light HF3520. People are biologically coded to wake up as the sun rises, and our top-pick sunrise clock from Philips simulates that effect, starting with a dim, red-tinted light that grows to the brilliance of a bright day over the course of about 30 minutes. Plus, with the option of five additional alarm sounds and a backup power source, your giftee will have no excuse to hit snooze.
Churn at home
Whynter ICM-201SB
This large-capacity compressor maker is easy to use, scoop from, and clean. It also produces scrumptious, smooth ice cream.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $319.
If the dad on your list loves enjoying ice cream and experimenting in the kitchen, a compressor-style ice cream maker is the perfect gift. He can play around with endless flavors and mix-ins, and it’s the perfect activity to share with kids or grandkids, too. After testing more than 20 models over several years, we’ve found that the best of the bunch, among compressor-style models, is the Whynter ICM-201SB. Not only did it make some of the smoothest ice cream we tasted, but it was quieter and easier to clean than others we tried, too.
A stash of chocolate
Tony’s Chocolonely Milk Chocolate Bundle
This three-bar combo of chunky, tasty, ethically sourced chocolate includes plain, hazelnut, and caramel.
Chances are, the dad you’re shopping for likes chocolate. If you’re looking for something less formal than a box set, consider a bundle of gourmet bars. The bars from Tony’s are wrapped in cheery, bright packaging, and the nutty, salty, creamy chocolate inside is delectable. This pack of three features some of Tony’s best flavors, so it should satisfy whatever dessert craving your gift recipient may have. And if you haven’t tasted or even held a Tony’s bar before, rest assured: They’re substantial, and they’re a lot more special than a Snickers.
Gift cards and subscriptions you can get today
Hard-to-find films
The Criterion Channel
True film aficionados will appreciate this ever-changing assembly of the world’s top docs, foreign films, arthouse faves, and other hard-to-stream flicks.
(one-year subscription)
A subscription to The Criterion Channel will give the dad in your life access to some of the most critically acclaimed films of all time, from a library that dates back over 100 years and spans every corner of the globe. The channel also categorizes its selections in creative ways—think double features paired with expert commentary, erotic thrillers, classic Hollywood, and a David Lynch collection. It works more like a film festival than an on-demand streaming service; films are carefully curated, and not everything is available all the time. Highlights for this summer include Time Bandits, Scorsese’s After Hours, and five westerns directed by Budd Boetticher.
Lifelong learning
MasterClass
This collection of over 180 digestible lessons from industry-spanning celebrity talent is as edifying as it is entertaining.
Give the dad on your gift list a membership to MasterClass, and he’ll be able to pick from a long list of virtual classes taught by famous instructors, including cooking with Gordon Ramsay, chess with Gary Kasparov, poker with Daniel Negreanu, and problem solving with Bill Nye. It’s also a great gift for dads with young kids: Deputy editor Christine Cyr Clisset’s kids watched the Alice Waters cooking class by themselves, and her 9-year-old “can now make an amazing salad dressing.” Now that’s a gift that keeps on giving.
A book of their choice
Bookshop.org Gift Card
When you purchase from this online book vendor, you also support a favorite local bookstore.
With a gift card from Bookshop.org, the dad you’re shopping for can choose the exact books he wants to read, in addition to choosing the indie bookstore he’d like his purchase to support. If he can’t choose just one indie store, Bookshop.org has a general fund that it divides among all participating shops. So far, it has raised more than $25 million for the cause. Like a brick-and-mortar bookstore, Bookshop.org has sections for browsing, best-seller lists, and bookseller recommendations.
Microlending made easy
Kiva Card
Kiva works across the globe to facilitate microloans between individuals. Choose a gift card amount, and your giftee can pick projects or people from a menu of countries and categories.
The dad you’re shopping for can support a single dad in El Salvador who’s trying to grow a banana business, or help pay the school fees for an Albanian student finishing university. Kiva works with microfinance institutions all over the world to facilitate microloans between individuals. You choose the gift card amount (starting at $25), and then your giftee can pick projects or individuals from a menu of countries and categories, including agriculture, arts, and health. The loan recipient repays in small increments, which appear in your giftee’s Kiva account. Once your giftee has made the original loan back, a new loan can start.
Audiobooks for indies
Libro.fm Membership
Unlike with other audiobook services, each purchase from this one supports a local bookstore. Plus, the in-app recommendations are a cut above.
On the surface, Libro.fm is a lot like other audiobook services: A $15 monthly fee entitles subscribers to one title a month, plus a 30% discount on additional à la carte books. Listeners can return books that are not to their liking, and subscribers can cancel anytime without penalty. But that’s where the similarities end. Rather than supporting a massive retailer, Libro.fm lets customers choose an indie bookstore (by name or location) to support via their purchases. And the editorial content—including bookseller picks and themed reading lists—is far superior.
Endless recipes
The New York Times Gift Subscription
Search, sort, and save more than 1,000 recipes by ingredients, meal, prep time, or cuisine.
(Cooking)
Does the dad in your life know the best substitution for marjoram? Has he picked up an interest in baking sourdough bread? Whether he’s looking for recipe inspiration or trying to improve his cooking skills, NYT Cooking publishes a mix of recipes—both classic and modern—as well as guides to cooking techniques for all skill levels. We especially like the app, which lets you save and quickly access favorite recipes.
Customized sports news
The Athletic Subscription
Here you’ll find the best sports journalism, analysis, and discussions, all of which you can customize to follow favorite teams and bookmark to read offline.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $20.
Sports publication The Athletic is a cut above the rest because of its stable of talented, well-sourced writers who are deeply knowledgeable about the teams they cover. In the app, your giftee can set up a customized feed that focuses on favorite teams, with relevant news, game scores, and schedules. The site also features a healthy mix of podcasts, plus a commenter community that seems especially well informed and civil. Plus, if your gift recipient bookmarks articles, he can read them offline, so the next time he hops on a plane, he’ll be set for reading material.
We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See even more gift ideas we recommend.
