The dad, or dad figure in your life, is likely one of the most important people to buy for — even if he insists he “doesn’t need anything.” Dads seemingly already have everything they want and tend to be totally satisfied with that, which makes shopping for them much more difficult.
Instead of wasting money on a “#1 Dad” mug or another tie to add to his collection, it may help to focus on finding gifts for dads that he’ll actually use. Sure, gift cards always work, but why not showcase how much you’ve been paying attention to him all these years with a thoughtful gift?
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect gift for your dad and looking for a bit of inspiration, you’ve come to the right place. This gift guide has got you covered with the best options, no matter his interests or the occasion.
Note that these selections make suitable gifts for every father figure in your life, including stepdads, fathers-in-law, grandpas, uncles and even godfathers. Whether he’s into reading, cooking or technology, there’s something for him on this list.
Cheap gifts for dads under $25
Who doesn’t love a Rubik’s Cube? Dad’s ego may be a bit bruised after countless times of not being able to solve it, so surprise him with this hands-on, step-by-step guide to mastering the infamous 3D puzzle.
Upgrade his key ring with this more elevated version that will keep keys and keychains secure. Available in two different finishes, (brass and vapor black), this key ring is made out of cold rolled metal, that clasps and unclasps to add or remove keys.
Dads are full of random knowledge, so put his trivial pursuit to the test with a few rounds of trivia. With 400+ questions spanning across multiple categories, this fast-paced game has drawn a considerable crowd — 18,000+ verified Amazon shoppers who have rated this five stars, for starters.
Does he love curling up with a good book or crossword puzzle before he hits the hay? This ingenious LED reading light sits securely around his neck and has three levels of brightness, which should help him avoid waking the missus in the middle of the night.
Upgrade Dad’s morning cup of coffee with this pour-over coffee maker from OXO that earned the title of best overall in our testing. The device sits comfortably on top of most standard-sized coffee mugs. All Dad needs to do is put a filter in the cone along with his favorite coffee and pour it over hot water. In minutes he’ll have a flavorful cup of coffee that tastes better than anything from a plastic pod.
Perfect for the crafty home chef, this cute crustacean would much rather hold his utensils on the counter over getting a steamy bath in a bubbling pot.
He jokes with you year-round, why not give him a taste of his own medicine? These faux lottery tickets will make him believe he hit the jackpot.
They’re called dad caps for a reason! Get him this aptly-named accessory where he can show off his alma mater pride or rep his child’s current school.
If he’s earned the nickname of “Mr. Fix-It,” gift him with this fun puzzle that will put his skills to the test. Commerce editor Vivien Moon plans on doing just that with this fun wine game. Place a wine bottle into this wooden contraption and watch as dad completes the puzzle to get it out before he drinks.
Best classic gifts for dads
This pick has four card slots, three slip pockets and one large bill compartment with a bill divider so he has plenty of space for all his cash and credit cards (and maybe even a wallet-sized picture of the family, too). It also comes in a variety of colors and patterns, so you can rest assured there is an option for every dad’s personal aesthetic.
For the dad who wants to experiment turning his whiskey on the rocks into a craft cocktail, this gift set (made in collaboration with famed distillery Woodford Reserve) allows him to do just that. The set comes with mint julep, old fashioned and whiskey sour cocktail syrups to make three classic drink options. If your dad isn’t one for alcohol, these can also be paired with sparkling water for a tasty mocktail.
Writer Emma Stessman has previously gifted these to her dad who has since dubbed them “the most comfortable shoes he’s ever owned.”
This lightweight pair of sneakers can carry dad for miles on end, without weighing him down. Crafted of lightweight materials, the midsole also provides cushioning that will help him feel supported and comfortable all day long.
“If there’s one thing I want to accomplish in this life, it will be getting my dad to wear cool sandals,” Shop TODAY associate editor Sierra Hoeger proudly proclaimed about her beloved pops. “My sister and I got these Chacos for him one year for his birthday and he loved them so much, he gifted his dad a pair! They rock in their Chacs all the time and it’s so wholesome and pure.”
If your dad’s been rocking the same pair of sweats all year, help him upgrade with these easy-fitting Lululemon joggers. A winner for Best Overall Men’s Pants during the Start TODAY x Shop TODAY Wellness Awards, these pants are made out sweat-wicking, quick-drying fabrics and have a tapered fit that gives it an extra flattering look.
These slippers are shaped from rich leather with a rubber traction sole so they’re extra durable, meaning you won’t have to worry about them wearing thin over time. The stylish design is great for the dad who likes to lounge around the house.
Dads and Lego sets go way back. While he might not be building towers to make them fall over and be rebuilt again, we can almost guarantee that he’s probably hoping to get this Lego set of one of his favorite shows. He’ll light up like a little kid when he sees all the Dunder-Mifflin characters he knows and loves.
What's more classic than a sports-related gift? The NHL season is underway so gift Dad a new sweater to rock at the next game he attends (or just while he watches from home). '47 offers multiple styles of lace-up hoodies for every team in the NHL, so you can find one that best suits him.
The NBA is back! Help Dad show his team pride with this jacket that shows off his favorite team in a way that's casual enough to wear long beyond the end of the season. It's currently available for pre-order and will begin shipping on Nov. 3, according to the brand, so order it now to get a head start on holiday shopping!
Best cooking and kitchen gifts for dads
Stanley’s recently been synonymous with the viral oversized tumbler trend, but the rest of their product line deserves equal attention. Take, for example, their “tough and durable” one-liter thermos that’s leakproof and designed to keep liquids hot or cold for up to 24 hours, according to the brand. “My dad had a Stanley before Stanleys were even cool, and he takes this one on hunting trips, to work and road trips,” adds Hoeger.
There’s nothing we won’t do for bacon, including setting up our dad with a monthly subscription to have a few pounds of hand-cut, small batch bacon sent to his door from small butchers around the country. While this is a gift for dad, it shouldn’t be hard to get him to cook some up so we can reap the benefits of this gift, too.
There is nothing like a sandwich from a New York City deli. Give Dad a taste of the Big Apple with this box that’s filled with everything he needs to make a mile-high sandwich, including a pound of pastrami and corned beef, seedless rye bread, sour pickles, mustard and sauerkraut.
Best tech gifts for dads
Help Dad never lose his keys, wallet — or anything else for that matter — ever again with Apple AirTags. The Shop TODAY Travel Gear Awards winning small device connects to his phone via Bluetooth and can help him locate the desired item with the click of a button. These are great for luggage too if Dad is an avid traveler, whether for work or pleasure.
Wireless earbuds fan? These will likely be his jam. Dad can listen to his favorite podcasts, tunes or pair with his smartphone to take calls on the move.
Commerce editor Julie Ricevuto gifted her dad with Beats Studio Pro headphones over the holidays. She notes that he’s been looking for ways to drown out background noise during the workday and a pair of quality noise cancelling headphones will help him do just that.
These over-the-ear headphones feature a number of modes, including transparency mode, which allows you to blend your surroundings with the music you’re listening to. It also has an “active noise cancelling” mode, that effectively blocks outside sound.
Retro dads will want to spin all of their vintage vinyl on this modern turntable enabled with Bluetooth technology. With over 5,600 verified five-star ratings on Amazon, this pick is almost a guaranteed favorite for many families.
Best useful gifts for dads
Give Dad the gift of the perfect shave with this curated travel kit. It comes with self-care essentials like an ergonomic handle (available in five two-toned hues), travel cover, rich shave gel and a water-resistant Dopp bag to hold his goods in. We know Dad already looks great, but after using this, he’ll feel great, too.
Help Dad keep his electronics organized with this docking station. The wooden stand can hold his cellphone, keys, wallet, watch, sunglasses and anything else that’s small and used daily — all in one convenient spot.
If your dad needs some pain relief, this neck wrap may do the trick. It contours to the shape of his upper shoulders and delivers soothing, therapeutic heat.
Everyone has a list of things they want to do with their dad, but they rarely write them down and actually do them. This activity bucket includes cards that provide ideas of things to do with dad throughout the year to allow you to spend some quality time together.
Every dad needs a knife handy for unexpected cutting or slicing. This one is loaded with 12 different tools so he’ll be the most prepared person in every situation from opening a package to opening a bottle.
This bestselling weighted blanket is perfect for the dad who loves to sleep. It’s available in 5- to 39-lb options and over 25 different colors and has an impressive average rating from over 36,000 verified shoppers.
Dad deserves a throne that’s worthy of his greatness, and Tushy’s got his bottom plenty covered with their bestselling bundle (seriously, just check out the 16,000+ five-star ratings!). It comes with a slim, easy-to-install bidet with a patented self-cleaning SmartSpray nozzle and precision adjuster for the perfect aim, plus a sleek curved toilet stool to keep him comfortable.
So, Dad’s got the grooming kit — what about a beard trimmer? This powerful and cordless wet/dry clipper will have his beard shaped up in no time!
For the dads who love to entertain outdoors, this speaker is designed to do just that while blending in with nature. Replace those big, bulky speakers with these large stones to amaze guests and wow your dad.
This cooler is easy to transport, thanks to the backpack straps and can hold up to 20 of his favorite canned beverages or up to 12 pounds of ice.
“My sister and I are filling this cooler with my dad’s favorite snacks and gifting it to him,” Hoeger says. “It’s perfect for hunting season, when he’s out in the deer stand all day and wants to pack snacks, meals and more.”
Best books for dads
This book of essays about fatherhood will remind you and your dad why your relationship is so special. Its meaningful words will leave your dad laughing, tearing up and feeling more grateful that ever for his family.
We can always learn something from Dad, and that’s exactly what this book does. He can fill it out with stories and wisdom that you can cherish forever. A gift for him now will also be a gift passed down to future generations one day.
For the dad who lived for the Barbenheimer hype this summer, this comprehensive page-turner takes the reader through the themes and influences of director Christopher Nolan’s most iconic films throughout his career. There’s also plenty of intriguing behind-the-scenes photography along the way, which should appeal to the family’s biggest cinephile.
We catch our dad watching National Geographic most of the time the TV is on. If he loves history, then he’s going to enjoy this new history book from National Geographic about the evolution of humans, which includes maps and stunning photos from the past and present.
Sports fans will enjoy this guide to sports along the iconic Route 66. The book highlights venues, sports players and events along the famous backroad from Chicago to Santa Monica. No matter if he’s a fan of the NFL, NBA, NHL or MLB, there’s something in here for him.
Astronaut Tim Peake takes readers behind the scenes and answers hard-hitting questions about life in space. “Was it fun to do a space walk?” and “What were your feelings as you looked down on Earth for the first time?” are just a few of the topics touched on in this fascinating read.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY team works hard to find the best products and coolest gifts out there. We use our own personal experiences with brands and shopping to find the most unique gifts on the market that are sure to be a hit.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect gift for anyone on your list including babies, toddlers, tweens, teens, seniors and more.