Your guides Gregory Han and Dorie Chevlen
The greatest gift we can offer the fathers in our lives is our time. A distant second is a thoughtful sentiment or token that recognizes the unique connection between the giver and the recipient. With that in mind, we’ve selected our favorite Father’s Day gifts (chosen from Wirecutter guides and small retailers across the country) that will show your heartfelt affection for your dad—and that can be used and loved for years to come.
Better cold brew
Photo: VAC Coffee VacOne Cold Brew & Coffee Maker ($75 at the time of publication) SEY Coffee Subscription ($35 a month for two bags at the time of publication) Eduardo Umaña is an engineer and watch designer with an affinity for the flavorful nuances of cold-brew coffee. He designed the VacOne brewer as an effectively fast vacuum extraction system to satiate that love, and it has proved rather capable of retaining the delicate notes of some of our favorite roasts. The USB-powered battery can power 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 really great electric chainsaw
Photo: Ego Ego Power+ 18″ Chainsaw ($450 at the time of publication) If your dad is the kind who loves to trim his own trees but hates the cacophonous 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. In our own tests, we’ve found that gear from Ego is strong, and this tool has long-lasting and fast-charging batteries (that are also compatible with other Ego tools).
Decisions made easy
Photo: Pretend Store Pocket Art Director II ($17 at the time of publication) One of the hardest parts of fatherhood is the responsibility of 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. Because isn’t being a dad the ultimate adventure in role-playing? It’s also available in Developer, Founder, and Emoji editions.
A kit for craft brewing
Photo: Midwest Supplies Midwest Supplies Micro Brü Brewing Kit ($90 at the time of publication) While some gents spent last year fussing over their sourdough starters, others may prefer to now enjoy their carbs in liquid form. The Midwest Supplies Micro Brü Brewing Kit, our favorite 1-gallon kit, offers a rewarding way for dad to learn how to brew, ferment, and bottle his own microbrew in manageable batches. The kits are available in brown ale, red ale, and pale ale recipes, with the option to add a 12-pack of bottles, so your dad can personalize his efforts to share with friends and family. And if your dad happens to be a maximalist, you could give him Northern Brewer’s Brew Share Enjoy Homebrew Starter Set, which is basically the same as the Micro Brü kit, but it brews 5 gallons at a time.
A do-it-all gardening tool
Photo: Plant Material Hori Hori Stainless Steel Serrated Edge ($36 at the time of publication) Plant Material is not your typical plant nursery. Co-founded by a Los Angeles landscape architect with an affinity for local native flora, it’s been described as a “punk rock plant shop,” where local handmade goods and drought-tolerant species intermingle with positively green-thumbed vibes. Its curated nursery carries some of the best Japanese gardening tools, including this serrated, multi-purpose instrument with a name so nice you have to say it twice. We consider the Hori Hori a treasured tool for digging, sawing, picking, and prodding in the garden, so give it to the gentleman who also appreciates a single tool that’s always at the ready.
Headphones to block out the noise
Photo: Rozette Rago Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 ($380 at the time of publication) Now more than ever, a pair of active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones may prove to be a godsend for any dad who’s trying to weather a multitude of distractions while working from home. Bose has always made great ANC cans, but these are some of the best we’ve ever tested—lightweight, comfortable, and rated for 20 hours of use between charges. Give Dad a pair and tell him you hear him loud and clear, recognizing that everyone needs a little peace and quiet these days.
A view into nature
Photo: Rozette Rago Athlon Optics Midas ED ($235 at the time of publication) 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 like these to watch birds and insects from the backyard while social distancing at home. The Athlon Optics Midas ED 8x42, our favorite overall binoculars, are exceptional for their ability to adapt to focusing on both bright and dark subjects from afar.
A sleek turntable to bring Dad back
Photo: Rozette Rago U-Turn Orbit Basic Turntable ($180 at the time of publication) 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 U-Turn Orbit Basic model, outfitted with a built-in preamp, makes it a cinch for him to renew his license to ill with minimum hassle, delivering a tactile satisfaction 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. Get one for the dad whose vinyl collection has gathered dust for far too long … but ask him about his desert island discs at your own peril.
Cocktails and mocktails made easy
Photo: Cocktail Kingdom Usagi Cobbler Shaker ($50 at the time of publication) A complete set of mixology tools, per our best barware guide, would make for an elegant Father’s Day gift. But if budget dictates a more-targeted choice for making cocktails at home, get him a shaker. Cocktail Kingdom’s Usagi Cobbler Shaker’s no-leak strainer and all-in-one design makes this one easy to use and nearly as simple to clean.
A fitness tracker that also looks great
Photo: Michael Murtaugh Fitbit Charge 4 ($100 at the time of publication) If your dad wants to keep track of his physical activity, the Fitbit Charge 4 is our favorite fitness tracker, capable of tracking sleep, heart rate, and physical activity throughout the day, for up to seven days between charges. This device excels at tracking a bevy of exercises—such as lifting weights, interval training, spinning, and yoga—so no matter what your dad’s routine is, he’ll stay motivated with daily data of his progress.
The stone for better pizza and bread baking
Photo: Sarah Kobos FibraMent-D Home Oven Baking Stone ($108 for an 18-by-24-inch stone at the time of publication) 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 temps of commercial ovens. But a pizza stone can help: Unlike a cookie sheet, it will store heat better, and that concentrated heat will result in crispier pizza bread and crustier bread. Our highest-rated model is the FibraMent, which not only works the best but also comes in the most size options of all those we tested.
Weights to switch up his routine
Photo: REP Fitness REP V2 Sandbags ($35 for the small sandbag at the time of publication) 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 sandbag an especially effective gift for the dad who’s looking to get shredded. Filled with sand, rice, beans, or pebbles, these heavily reinforced stitched workout bags—which can weigh anywhere between 25 pounds and 125 pounds, depending on the bag’s size and what you fill it with—offer a killer means of keeping muscles challenged and fatigued.
A deceptively simple timepiece
Photo: Tian Watches Tian Black + White Watch ($255 at the time of publication) Smartphones have rendered the wristwatch a bit of an anachronism these days, but if your dad would appreciate being unbound from the passing of every minute, give him one of these monochromatic Tian Black + White wristwatches. Although this watch’s Japanese Miyota movement is precisely kept, the two-dial display itself is intended to slow down everyday life by offering time in only 15-minute increments, rather than by exact seconds or minutes.
A weird and wonderful instrument
Photo: BrandNewNoise Loopy Lou ($76 at the time of publication) If you consider your dad to be a bit of a jokester, give him one of these handmade wooden voice recorders. He’ll probably 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 looper capabilities. Just expect to get a few phone calls or voice messages by way of his new best friend, Lou.
Barbershop-quality clippers
Photo: Michael Murtaugh Oster Fast Feed Adjustable Pivot Motor Clipper ($110 at the time of publication) For many people in the past year, being able to cut their own hair crossed over from a curiosity into a practical superpower. If your father has shown interest in taking things into his own hands, it might be a good idea to gift him the proper tools to hone his haircutting skills. The Oster Fast Feed is a classic found in many barbershops, and one of the best we’ve tested. While there’s no guarantee dad’s first haircut using these clippers will come out perfect, at least he’ll be using “extremely powerful and pleasingly quiet” clippers that are easy to adjust, shearing down the learning curve alongside his mane. Just be sure to advise him to watch a few tutorials online before he flips the switch.
A solid beginner guitar
Photo: Yamaha Yamaha TRBX174 Bass Guitar ($200 at the time of publication) Many of us have more free time than ever to learn some new skills (or revisit some old ones). If the father, husband, partner, brother, or friend in your life has always talked about picking up a guitar “one day, when I have more time,” tell him that “one day” has arrived by giving him a bass guitar—a noteworthy way of saying, “I love you, man!” This Yamaha is well made, comfortable, and an affordably priced entry-level model for a beginner to strum.
A handsome apron
Photo: Michael Murtaugh Williams-Sonoma Classic Apron ($14 to $25 at the time of publication) 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 one from Williams-Sonoma stood out for its durable cotton construction, roomy front pockets, and long ties. Plus, it should retain its color (and there are several fun ones to select) for years and years. For an extra $10, you can get the apron monogrammed with up to nine characters—not enough to spell out Paterfamilias, but enough to accommodate Best Dad.
Pretty playing cards
Photo: Parks Project Minimalist National Park Playing Cards ($14 at the time of publication) Whether your dad is an avid poker player or more of a Go Fish fan, elevate his game with a set of elegant cards that benefit 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 Yosemite, Zion, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone. The company gives back 5 percent of each sale to benefit the National Parks Conservation Association, too.
Better bread
Photo: Sugus House Sugus House Oval Banneton Basket ($12 at the time of publication) You don’t need a banneton for proofing bread—any old bowl will do. But if your dad got really hooked on sourdough last year and wants to keep the hobby up, the Sugus House basket will make the process feel special. This banneton from Sugus House is one of our favorites, and when it’s not being used for baking, he can use it as a fruit or vegetable bowl, too. Just remember that it’s not microwave-safe, in case he gets any ideas.
Beloved faces on the fridge
Photo: Inkifi Inkifi Square Magnets ($17 at the time of publication) If your dad is the sentimental type, he’ll love seeing you, your siblings, or his grandchildren every time he opens the fridge with custom photo magnets. Our favorite service for the job is Inkifi, through which you can easily select images from your desktop, phone, or even Instagram 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 $12, but the experience is so easy and fast we think it’s worth the investment.
A luxurious robe
Photo: Brooklinen Brooklinen Waffle Robe ($79 at the time of publication) There are few pleasures on this planet better than padding around home in a soft robe on a lazy morning, a cup of coffee in hand, no jeans, or obligations insight. 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 plus, comes in a wide range of unisex sizes (from XS to 2X), and comes in four colors to suit any dad on your list.
About your guides Gregory Han Gregory Han is a design, travel, and lifestyle writer, and the co-author of Creative Spaces: People, Homes, and Studios to Inspire. His work can be found at Design Milk, Dwell, Domino, Apartment Therapy, and Airbnb. Dorie Chevlen Dorie Chevlen is a staff writer from Youngstown, Ohio, now living in New York. She has worked as a copy editor, fact-checker, and sandwich maker, but this is probably her favorite gig. Her writing has also been published in Science, Slate, and The Wall Street Journal, among others. She has been called—both flatteringly and not—“a lot.”
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