fathers day 2023

The 35 Best Father’s Day Gifts for Techie Dads

Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

In this article

Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 18, which means you don’t have much time to find a thoughtful gift for Dad. Shopping for a tech-savvy dad can be tricky — especially if you don’t keep up with all of the latest gadget and gizmo releases. To make your search easier, we’ve rounded up a variety of gifts for your tech-head father — including some of the best stuff we’ve tested this year. The options cover dads who are into everything from home-security systems to fitness tracking. Whether he’s interested in experimenting in the kitchen, snapping photos of the fam, or setting up a beautiful audio experience with wireless or portable speakers, you’re bound to find something here that he’ll love. (We have guides to gifts for new dads, golf dads, grilling-enthusiast dads, and, well, every other type of dad as well.)

We scoured our archives to find the best Father’s Day gifts for techie dads and broke them down into categories for every type of gear-head. But with such a short time window before the big day, some of these items may not arrive on time. (But these gifts are good enough that we don’t think he’ll mind if they’re late.)

For dads who like smart homes

For the dad who’s always asking who touched the thermostat

Google Nest Thermostat
$100
$100

This version of Google’s smart thermostat “makes suggestions on scheduling tweaks to help you save energy while tracking and alerting you to odd patterns in your heating and cooling usage,” says Strategist contributor Kyle Schurman. It’s a great gift for any father in the smart-thermostat market.

For the dad who likes a moody room

To add a little immersive ambience to Dad’s TV-viewing experience, these lights offer bright but not distracting background colors. They can adjust their colors in response to the movie or TV show that’s playing, making his home setup feel even more like a mini movie theater.

For the dad with not enough cords

A favorite of Strategist contributor (and former tech columnist) David Pogue, this wireless charger will keep Dad’s phone from running out of juice. Instead of having to keep your phone flat on a charging pad, the stand makes it easy to see your screen while you’re charging.

For the security-conscious dad

$180

Stephen Farrell, director of merchandising at Hammacher Schlemmer, likes Nest’s smart security camera, which sends alerts of suspicious activity directly to the app and includes speakers and a microphone. Farrell says it helps his family feel more secure.

For the dad who’s always losing his keys

Tile Sticker - 2 Pack
$44 for 2

If your father is always doing that thing where he pats his pockets in a panic, looking for his wallet or keys every time he’s leaving the house, get him a Tile Sticker. The simple Bluetooth tracker is about the size of a nickel and can stick to anything he’s worried he’ll forget. Instead of spending 15 minutes searching the couch the next time he can’t find his keys, he can just pull up the Tile app.

For the dad who hates flipping switches

$24 for 2

If your dad is obsessed with being energy efficient and always yells when the lights are left on in an empty room (is there any dad who hasn’t said this?), he will love these dimmable lightbulbs. He can control the lights from his favorite chair using his voice via a smart home assistant like Google Assistant or Alexa.

For the dad who likes his floors squeaky-clean

iRobot Roomba Combo j7+
$800
$800

This robot vacuum can sweep and mop the floors, all with the push of a button, so he can have his Sundays back.

For the dad always snapping family photos

If he wants a digital picture frame that can double as a smart speaker, Google’s Nest Hub Max comes with Google’s Assistant, so he can control his smart-home gadgets as your family photos play onscreen.

For the dad who needs a lot of light

This tiny smart light can change the vibe of a room without needing to replace any bulbs, and you can carry it from room to room.

For the dad who monitors his health

This well-reviewed and affordable Bluetooth-connected scale can make tracking health and fitness metrics even more enjoyable for dads who are into the whole quantified-self thing. One reviewer liked “that the app can connect to Apple HealthKit, so all of this data can be synced with other health and fitness applications.”

For the dad with too many cords

$20 for 2

These plugs let Dad make any device smart. He’ll be able to turn a regular old lamp on or off from his phone or set up a schedule. As Strategist contributor Kyle Schurman explains, “You can have the Wyze turn on any time one of your other smart devices is activated. For example, if someone approaches your video doorbell, you could have a lamp in the window automatically turn on to make it look like someone is home.”

For audiophile dads

For the dad who keeps it groovy

JBL Pulse 5
$200
$200

This Bluetooth speaker is packed with LED lights that make it feel like a futuristic lava lamp he can zone out with after a long day.

For the dad who needs some peace and quiet

In his testing, former Strategist writer Jordan Bowman highlighted the XM4’s three-hour battery life, comfortable ear cups, and engaging sound. He loved quick-attention mode, which engages when you place your hand over the right ear cup — the headphones instantly lower the volume a bit so you can more easily pick up on the sounds around you.

For the dad who likes a gadget with some smarts

If a simple speaker won’t cut it, Apple’s smart speaker stands out for its impressive sound quality and integration with other Apple devices like Apple TV or iPhone.

For the dad who can carry a tune

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
$68
$68

If he doesn’t need the flashy light show, this tiny speaker packs plenty of punch and makes a good travel companion.

For the dad who takes his tunes outdoors

This tennis-ball-tube-shaped speaker packs enough sound to entertain a small group of people without any trouble.

For gamer dads

For the dad who games when he’s away

The Nintendo Switch will tap into his nostalgia for games like Mario Kart or Zelda. Writer Joshua Rivera recommends the portable console for gamers of all ages, including beginners. Jamin Warren, founder of video game consulting firm Twofivesix, says, “Not only does it easily dock to your television, but there are lots of great new games on it. For those who are looking for something really versatile and social, it’s a perfect device.”

For the dad who games from his phone

When we interviewed gamers to find suitable alternatives to the frequently sold-out Switch, three of them recommended Apple Arcade. “I honestly find myself reaching more for my phone when it comes to playing games,” says Sophie Orchard, a gaming YouTuber. “Right now, there is a much larger variety of games for mobile.” Andrew Webster, games editor at the Verge, recommends the subscription service, which offers high-quality games and a more streamlined gaming experience compared to the regular games you might find in the App Store.

For the PC gamer dad

Numerous gamers have recommended this Logitech gaming mouse, including Cameron Faulkner, a staff writer at the Verge who says it’s his current favorite. The grip is comfortable, and he likes “that it includes customizable weights for a personalized feel,” if you’re looking for some more resistance while playing. If your dad is looking to step up his gaming, this is the mouse to get.

For the dad who doesn’t need another console

Backbone One
$59

This controller can turn his iPhone or Android phone into a portable, Switch-like console that’s great for gaming on the go without weighing down his bag.

For the dad with limited space

This wireless keyboard streamlines the gaming process and is perfect for gamer dads with its attractive low price, says Emily Heller, Vulture’s recommendations editor.

For cinephile dads

For the dad who likes to binge watch

Roku Streaming Stick 4K
$39
$39

If your dad is finally getting tired of cable and wants to stream TV shows and movies on Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+, get him a Roku Streaming Stick+. It’s easy to install: Just plug it into the television, connect to the internet, and start watching. And it can handle HD and 4K broadcasts. Plus, he can use the voice-activated remote to search for shows and control the volume.

For the dad who takes his movies on the road

Kodak’s compact projector, which comes with a tripod, is perfect for a weekend camping trip or a movie night in the backyard.

For dads who can cook

For the dad who likes a perfect piece of meat

Just in time for grilling season, dad can stick this thermometer in his steak or chicken and monitor the temperature from his phone while he’s playing cornhole.

For the dad who never misses tea time

Baristas say a gooseneck kettle is essential to creating the optimum pour-over brew because it gives you greater control over the timing and direction of your pour. This kettle holds water at your temperature of choice for up to an hour, and a built-in stopwatch counts the extraction or steep time.

For the dad on his fifth cup of coffee

This mug is ideal for dads who complain about thermoses that never keep their coffee hot enough. The Ember Mug² keeps their drink consistently warm for hours thanks to its built-in, battery-powered heating system and charging plate. The whole setup connects to Ember’s app via Bluetooth, so Dad can change the temperature of his drink from his phone — or the other room.

For the dad with a green thumb

The Click and Grow Smart Garden is perfect for any dad who likes to grow their own fresh herbs. Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo recommended it as one of her favorite indoor smart gardens. It’s about the size of a loaf of bread with space to grow three plant pods at a time, and you can choose from over 50 different types of plants.

For dads on the go

For the frequent-flier dad

Twelve South AirFly Pro
$44
$44

This simple device will allow your dad to seamlessly connect his Bluetooth headphones or AirPods to his flight’s onboard entertainment system. Food stylist Judy Kim is a huge fan and uses it frequently while traveling.

For the dad who flies with all their gear

“A USB adapter is extremely practical, and I find myself using mine on every trip,” says Rachel Coleman, the social-media lead at Berlin-based travel agency GetYourGuide. She loves that this adapter has four USB ports, meaning she can charge her phone, headphones, and external batteries all with one device. (Just note that you would still need four USB cords.) Plus, she says, it’s universal: “I can charge everything in one place, no matter which country I’m in.”

For the dad who’s always listening to something

$99

When we interviewed athletes about their favorite workout headphones, eight of them praised Apple’s classic AirPods for their reliable connection and small size — an important feature that makes the AirPods less likely to impede movement during intense exercise.

For the dad who tracks his workouts from his wrist

From $400

This smartwatch pairs perfectly with an iPhone, and it’ll give him a way to track his workouts and check his pings without pulling out his phone.

For the dad with an Android phone

If he has an Android phone, Google’s Pixel Watch is basically Google’s version of the Apple Watch, and its rounded screen looks great.

For the dad with clumsy hands

$30

If he’s always dropping his phone, this blocky case makes the iPhone’s slippery sides easier to grip and gives it a unique look.

For the dad who’s easily distracted

$550

If he’s always talking about finishing that novel that’s been brewing in his head, this distraction-free tablet doubles as an e-reader and a distraction-free note-taking and writing tool.

For the dad who needs a new phone

Google Pixel 7a
$374
$374

Maybe he needs a new phone without all the bells and whistles. Google’s Pixel 7a is cheaper than flagship devices like the Pixel 7 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro, while still offering the best features like a great camera and impressive battery life.

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans, rolling luggage, bed sheets, coffee makers, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.

The 35 Best Father’s Day Gifts for Techie Dads