Buy Dad Something Useful
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Father’s Day is less than five days away, and if you’re still stumped, here’s a simple workaround: All dads appreciate something useful. Even the most spendthrift dad can’t argue with an alarm clock that will ensure he never hits snooze or a luggage tag that allows him to track the progress of his suitcase. Bonus points if you can tie the useful gift to one of Dad’s hobbies (by now, there are thousands of gadgets to enhance the life of a grill dad and more than enough options to make an outdoorsy dad’s next excursion even more stress-free). Below, I’ve found useful gift options for every kind of practical dads — and to be extra practical, I organized them by price, so you can scan with your budget in mind.
Updated June 10, 2025
All items should arrive by Sunday with Prime/expedited shipping options. Make sure to double-check delivery estimates for your area before purchasing, though.
Under $25
For the dad who would live outdoors …
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“Get your dad something that does everything,” says Strategist writer Ambar Pardilla, like this camping utensil set that includes a knife, fork, spoon, and bottle opener.
… and the dad who simply enjoys a beer al fresco
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Not even a drop of beer will go to waste with this pocket-size bottle opener that also acts as a resealer.
For the sniffly dad
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This unblocking eucalyptus, pine, peppermint, and cajeput is manufactured by a tiny family-owned firm in New Jersey.
For the hairy dad
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A big upgrade from the newspaper (or hands and prayers) he’s currently using.
For the speedy dad
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A truly practical dad would never sniff at socks as a gift — especially compressing ones recommended to us by runners.
For the crafty dad …
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“Once you’ve purchased a hot-glue gun, there’s no going back,” says Strategist contributor Lesley Arfin. Dad can complete crafting projects with his to his heart’s content.
… and the handy dad
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He’ll never lose nuts, bolts, and screws mid-job again.
For the dad who nurses his drinks
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He can still sip away at his breakfast coffee well into lunchtime with this compact mug warmer.
For the dad whose hobby is grill…
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Lodge Cast-Iron Grill Press - 6.75" x 4.5"
Grill aficionados will go wild at being able to flatten their meat closer to the grill — for an even cook all over and serious cookout points among his friends.
… and the dad who has every hobby
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Battery Daddy
Our tech writer found a neat caddy to keep batteries of every size organized — and it comes with a battery tester, too, to make sure everything is charged and ready to go.
Under $50
For the dad who never switches off
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Geyes Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard
Travel writer Kat Gillespie travels everywhere with this teeny-tiny keyboard that turns her iPhone into a makeshift laptop — ideal for dads who check their email by the pool.
For the dad who gets luggage separation anxiety …
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Pelican’s luggage tags have long been among our favorites for their durability and their AirTag stowing capabilities — so Dad can actually unwind in duty-free.
… and the dad who gets you to the gate on time
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Gillespie calls this her phone-passport-boarding-pass bag, and with it she breezes through the airport.
For the dad who sweats …
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Comlife Neck Fan
Practical dads won’t be caught in a heat wave without a lifeline: This one is powerful enough to endure the hottest L.A. summers.
… and the dad who’s always cool
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A rapid cooler for dads who throw their beers in the freezer (minus the explosion risk).
Under $100
For the old-school dad
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The simplest (and in my opinion, as our grooming writer, the best) way to shave — this steel safety razor has been our top pick for over three years.
For the doomsday dad
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Can also be enjoyed by less doom-prepping dads, thanks to its durability, ease of use, and impressive battery life.
For the dad who has a signature spice rub
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A meat thermometer that you can track … via your phone? Something a proper grill dad will probably have on his wish list.
Under $200
For the dad who doesn’t trust the iPhone alarm
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There’s no snoozing this “personal sunrise alarm clock” that wakes you up ever so gradually from deep sleep.
For the dad who inherited pet duties when you moved out
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This device will keep food fresh and scheduled for a long weekend or day at the office.
Over $200
For the dad who always burns rice
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Our kitchen writer guarantees evenly tender, fluffy rice every time with this generously sized rice cooker.
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The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
