Father’s Day is around the corner, which brings up a common gifting conundrum: What to buy dad? Even if he insists that he doesn’t need anything or you’re shopping for a first-time dad, we’ve curated a selection of thoughtful gifts that will be sure to impress him (and likely, the rest of your family). From an upgrade to his typical golf apparel to unique kitchen tools that’ll give his grilling game an upgrade, our list includes picks for just about every type of dad.
For the dad who loves a campfire
Solo StoveBonfire Pit
SOLO STOVE Bonfire Whiskey Bundle
If the backyard or patio becomes your dad’s second home in the summertime, he’ll love the addition of a Solo Stove smokeless fire pit. The sleek, stainless steel container provides the perfect place to roast marshmallows or gather on summer evenings. And since it weighs just over 23 pounds and comes with a carrying case, it’s not a big hassle to tote on camping trips and tailgates. For an extra-special Father’s Day touch, add on one of these cards that doubles as a firestarter.
If he loves whiskey just as much as he loves a campfire, you might hit the jackpot with this Bonfire Whiskey Bundle, a collaboration between Solo Stove and WhistlePig, a Vermont-based distillery. The exclusive collection includes a Bonfire 2.0 Fire Pit, a voucher for one 750-milliliter bottle of CampStock Whiskey, two whiskey glasses, two whiskey ice molds and fire pit accessories.
For the analog guy who wants to track his stats
Pininfarina Hybrid WatchesSenso Hybrid Watch
This watch—with an analog look and digital display—looks old school but lets him track heart rate, steps, calories and sleep. The Pininfarina Senso Hybrid Watch, from the Italian automobile design company, uses an iOS and Android companion app, has a 44 millimeter case and leather strap.
For the vacation-ready dad
Banana RepublicRetromarine Solid Swim Short
Planning a family trip this summer? Gift dad a new pair of swim trunks, like this sleek pair from Banana Republic that he can wear from straight from the beach to a poolside lunch. With a 5.5-inch inseam and eight color options (from bold, burgundy red to classic navy), we have a feeling they’ll instantly become a staple in his vacation wardrobe.
For the avid reader
David GrannThe Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder
Hampton Sides The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook
Erik LarsonThe Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War
Ben MacIntyreThe Siege: A Six-Day Hostage Crisis and the Daring Special-Forces Operation That Shocked the World
Give your dad the gift of his next beach read with this captivating work of nonfiction: “The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder.” Author David Grann tells the story of a naval warship carrying 250 men that left England in 1740 on a secretive mission to steal Spanish treasure, and the chaos that ensued after its shipwreck.
A more recent read is “The Wide Wide Sea,” about the final voyage of Captain James Cook, which The Wall Street Journal called “thrilling and superbly crafted.” WSJ also appreciated “The Demon of Unrest,” about the dawn of the Civil War, calling it “Erik Larson at his best.” In another recent book, “The Siege,” Ben Macintyre writes about the American hostage crisis in Iran.
For the guy who loves movies
BenQGS50
This is a good projector made great thanks to water resistance and impact protection.
This outdoor projector from Benq was our top pick in our tested roundup because it has a smart design with water resistance and impact protection, as well as an impressive battery life. It’s a handy gadget that will give his summer movie nights a cool upgrade.
For the angry-at-mosquitos dad
ThermacellE55 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller
Enjoying a cup of coffee or a cocktail on his back patio might be one of your dad’s favorite simple pleasures. But if he’s constantly slapping at mosquitos, the experience is all but ruined. Thankfully, he can ward off pests with this rechargeable mosquito repeller that Buy Side editors own and swear by, and which make for a useful and lower-price gift he can use all summer long.
For the dad who gets to the airport 5 hours early
Briggs & RileySmall Travel Packing Cubes
This three-piece set is machine-washable and offers thoughtful details (like mesh panels and zipper grips) to make packing a breeze.
Behold: The ultra-practical present. A set of packing cubes might not scream “gift” at first, though a good set, like this one from Briggs & Riley that came out on top of our test, will make preparing for dad’s next trip far easier. We expect he’ll thank you when he’s not stuck fishing through his suitcase for his favorite pair of swim trunks to hit the pool once he reaches his destination.
For the golfing dad
Bad BirdieShush Golf Polo
LululemonTapered Golf Pant
If your dad is a regular at the golf club, why not up his game with some new gear? We’re fans of this patterned polo from Bad Birdie, which is made of a soft, stretchy and moisture-wicking blend of polyester and spandex that’ll hold up to long days on the course. To complete his outfit, consider a pair of these stylish golf pants from Lululemon to offer an upgrade from his usual khakis.
For the dad on the go
Cole Haan Zerogrand Wingtip Oxford, Men's
We included these Cole Haan oxfords on our list of the best travel shoes because of their versatility and comfort. They look elevated enough for business meetings and nights out, but they have the comfort of a sneaker, so they’re a great option for dads who are always on the go—for work and pleasure.
For the vegan dad
BLUNDSTONE Original 2116 Vegan Chelsea Boots, Men's
A pair of comfortable, classic boots is a must-have for any guy, but if he doesn’t wear leather, it can be hard to find the perfect pair. Luckily, Blundstone makes a vegan version of its classic Chelsea boots, which one writer says “are as wearable as sneakers, but can pass for shoes you’d wear to a reasonably good dinner” in his review.
For the dad who loves Taco Tuesdays
Verve CultureTaco Lovers Bundle
If your dad is always looking for his new go-to recipe, he’ll love this Taco Lovers Bundle from Verve Culture. He’ll take Taco Tuesday to the next level with the set’s tortilla press kit, colorful, artisan-made napkins, habanero hot sauce trio and hand juicer. Homemade tortillas and three different hot sauce flavors will be a treat for his taste buds—and yours, too, if he wants to share.
For the chef
Hedley & BennettEssential Apron
Home chefs, grillers and bakers are likely used to getting their hands (and clothes) dirty in the kitchen. While a little mess comes with the territory when dad’s grilling burgers or whipping up chocolate mousse, he can stay fresher (and even store some of his kitchen tools) with this stylish apron from Hedley & Bennett.
For the new dad
AdidasStan Smith, Men's
AdidasStan Smith Crib Shoes
Know a new dad who’s also a sneakerhead? Treat him to some new Stan Smiths (a classic style that he can dress up or down) and a matching infant-sized pair (sizes range from one to four months). He’ll appreciate the new kicks, as well as the ability to coordinate outfits with his mini me.
For the athleisure-loving father
VuoriSunday Performance Jogger, Men's
Whether he’s headed to the gym or spending the afternoon on the couch, a pair of cozy joggers from Vuori will keep your dad comfortable (and stylish). With a tapered leg, 10 color options and soft, stretchy fabric, the joggers offer a more put-together take on classic sweats.
For the dad who likes to experiment in the kitchen
BrevilleThe Smoking Gun Pro Smoke Infuser
Adventurous home chefs and bartenders will appreciate this smoke infuser that can be used to add a smoky flavor to meat, fish and vegetables, as well as cocktails. The handheld device is far easier to use than a large smoker, so you can help him elevate his cooking game without adding clutter to his kitchen.
For the dad who loves game night
WS GAME COMPANY Monopoly Luxury Collection
If your dad is always the one organizing family game nights, consider this gift: The Monopoly Luxury Edition. This version of the classic game comes with a handsome wooden cabinet featuring decorative wooden plaques and drawers for cards and game accessories that he’ll be excited to display.
For the techie dad
Sandman dopplerSmart Alarm Clock with Alexa
An alarm clock is a practical gift, but one that will be appreciated, especially for the father figure who wants to streamline his personal tech setup. This clock features built-in Amazon Alexa voice assistant that he can use to play music or set alarms, as well as six USB charging ports to keep his devices juiced up.
For the dad who overdoes it
Toloco Massage Gun
With 20 speeds to choose from, 10 interchangeable head attachments and six hours of battery life—all at a lower price—this device is our top pick.
Dads who frequent the gym may be looking for a massage gun to help soothe their muscles. We named Toloco’s massage gun our top pick on our list of the best massage guns since it has 20 speeds to choose from, 10 interchangeable head attachments and six hours of battery life. It’s also quieter than some of the other models we tested.
For the party host dad
OoniKaru 12 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven
OoniVolt 12 Electric Pizza Oven
Looking for a show-stopping group gift? You’ll want to check out this pizza oven from Ooni that can be powered by wood, charcoal or gas. It’s Buy Side writer-approved, since it’s easy to set up and store; plus you can bake delicious pizzas in around 90 seconds. If he doesn’t have outdoor space, consider this electric option that we also tested and enjoyed.
For the pickleball-playing dad
RokneCurve Classic Pickleball Paddle
Pickleball is as popular as ever, and for the dad who can’t get enough of the sport, consider this expert-approved paddle, which comes recommended in our dedicated pickleball gift guide. It comes in a variety of prints and colors, allowing you to find one to match your dad’s sport style.
For the home-workouts dad
BowflexSelectTech 552 Dumbbells
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 has everything you need without features you don’t. Out of all the options we tested, this was the most dummy-proof and easy to use, right out of the box.
Exercising at home doesn’t have to be boring (or force your dad to turn the entire living room into a gym). These adjustable dumbbells were our top pick after testing popular models, since they’re easy to use right out of the box and can be adjusted from 5 to 52.5 pounds.
For the puzzle doer
Frank Lloyd Wright Double Sided Puzzle
If you come from a family that puzzles together or have a dad who likes to cozy up with one of his own, this double-sided option—featuring Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater house on one side and the Guggenheim Museum on the other—is a great option, especially for architecture fans.
For the podcast listener
AnkerSoundcore Life Q30
These headphones offer respectable sound quality and noise cancellation at a fraction of the price of the rest of the headphones we tested.
We included Anker’s Soundcore Life Q30 headphones on our list of the best noise-canceling headphones because they offer respectable sound quality and noise cancellation at a fraction of the price of the other models we tested. Whether your dad works from home and likes to block out background noise or enjoys turning on a podcast episode while traveling, this pair will instantly improve his audio experience.
For the softie
Bond TouchLong Distance Touch Bracelet (Set of 2)
You may live hundreds of miles away from your dad, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still stay close. These long-distance touch bracelets are a great gift for a sentimental dad; the set comes with two (so you can give one to him and keep one for yourself). Just download the corresponding app and send him a tap when you’re thinking of him, which will light up and vibrate his bracelet.
For the grill master
ThermoworksThermapen One
Any true grill master knows the importance of achieving specific temperatures for dishes, especially when it comes to meat. The Thermapen One is easy to use and comes recommended by multiple experts in our dedicated gift guide for grillers.
For the luxe jet setter
Stouchi Passport Holder with Airtag Slot
AppleAirTag
AirTags beat every other tracker in terms of their network size and precision, the two most important factors when it comes to finding lost goods.
If your father has a big trip coming up, consider the gift of more organized and stylish travel. This passport holder comes with an AirTag slot so he’ll have an easier time keeping track of his important documents and cards. Choose from eight colors, including green, red and brown in soft, faux leather.
For the game-day TV watcher
Hulu TVHulu + Live TV Subscripton
If your dad is still working on his streaming set up, Hulu Live TV offers a lot in a monthly subscription: 85+ live channels, ESPN+, Hulu, Disney+ (great if he’s a “Star Wars” buff) and unlimited DVR. Note that this is a “with ads” option. If you’ve been suggesting he watch “Only Murders in the Building” or “History of the World, Part II,” here’s an opportunity.
For the fashionable dad
Thom Browne Cotton Piqué Polo Shirt
Shopping for clothing as a gift can be tricky, but an elevated polo shirt is a solid bet. This one from Thom Browne has a classic silhouette but modern details, like striped trim on the pocket and hem, making it just as fashionable untucked as it is tucked into jeans or slacks.
For the happy homebody
Beckett Simonon Jones Slippers in Pebbled Leather
Who wouldn’t want to receive a pair of cozy slippers, no matter the season? This pair from Beckett Simonon offers warmth, since each shoe has a plush fleece lining, but is still slim enough to easily pack into a suitcase if he prefers to take his comfiest footwear on the go.
For the dad with big travel plans
BombasEveryday Compression Socks, Men's
If your dad has a big trip coming up, especially one with a long-haul flight or a road trip, consider a pair of compression socks. This pair from Bombas has graduated compression, with more support in the ankles and lighter compression on the calves. They’re available in nine color combinations and three sizes.
Meet the contributor
Buy Side Staff
Buy Side Staff is a contributor to Buy Side from WSJ.