Unique Gift Ideas for Dad That He Won’t See Coming

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It’s notoriously difficult to find a great Father’s Day gift that Pops will actually love and use. Does anyone know what’s with dads and their love of returning / hoarding and never using presents? But there’s hope. We’ve put together a list of our favorite unique gift ideas this year that’ll help dad feel amazing on his big day.
If your dad likes to grill, we included a cooking essential that’ll ensure his meats and veggies are crisp to perfection (while his grill stays drip-free). If he’s more into random gadgets and gizmos, we have the nerdiest, funkiest 9-in-1 tool that’ll have him smiling ear to ear when he unwraps it. If he’s more into sports and streaming, we’ve got a device that’ll turn his phone into a projector of sorts to make his viewing experience so much better (you really have to see it to believe it). That’s not even close to all of the incredibly unique, wacky, personal gift ideas we have ready for him.
Whether you’re buying for a new dad, a granddad, or a dad shopping for himself, this list will save you from the last-minute gift-buying panic.
Set dad up for success this summer with a grill mat that’ll cook up meats to perfection without letting anything drip into the fire and smoke the place up. This particular mat can work with up to 600 degrees of heat and can be used 1,000 times per side. Which is much better than all the others out there.
You’ll rest easy knowing he’s on top of his health with this Fitbit Charge 5. The Daily Readiness feature will give your dad a score based on activity, sleep, and heart rate variability that determines whether he should go light or kick it to the max with his workouts.
It’ll also track your calories burned, heart rate, and the oxygen level in your blood for advanced fitness and health tracking.
Frigidaire Retro Mini Fridge With Side Bottle Opener
Your dad’s man cave has everything — but what about the mini beer fridge? This Frigidaire Retro Mini Fridge is a stainless steel cooling chest that will keep your dad’s beer, snacks, and water icy cold. The fridge comes with an ice tray and is compact enough to fit in small spaces.
As a bonus, the fridge has a beer bottle opener on the side. But we’re going to warn you now — you may not see your dad emerge from his man cave for at least a week.
If dad loves to know what’s going on in the neighborhood, he’ll get a kick out of this video doorbell. It’ll allow him to see who’s delivering what, even if he’s not home. The smart doorbell is a great security addition to his place — and, right now, it’s more than $100 off.
If your dad is known as “King of the Grill,” this smart meat thermometer will help him hold onto his reign. Our tech editor and frequent griller, Our testing editors love it for its intuitive app, long cordless range, and ability to cook meats to the perfect temperature. Overcooked meat doesn’t stand a chance!
Pop these bad boys in the freezer for just two hours, and you’ll have cold whiskey all night long. The insulated walls of these tumblers will have your dad enjoying everything from an Old-Fashioned to a Manhattan without it ever watering down and compromising the flavor. If your dad is more of a beer or wine drinker, the brand has those glasses, too!
Keeping your dad’s coffee at the perfect temperature is easy, as can be done with this vacuum-insulated thermos. Unlike most thermoses, this one has a ceramic coating on the inside, meaning that there’s no metallic flavor or odor that will change the coffee experience. Plus, it’s just the right size for Dad’s first cup of Joe for the day.
Related: 14 Best Iced Coffee Cups, According to Experts and Iced Coffee Fanatics
Your dad no longer needs to babysit you, so he shouldn’t have to babysit his food either. This Anova precision cooker allows for stove-free cooking he can monitor from anywhere with the Anova app.
Help dad chef it up with this indoor/ outdoor smoker that works on meats, veggies, and anything else he might like to add some richness to. The easy-to-carry cooker can be used on stovetops, grills, firepits, you name it.
What better gift for dad than some socks with his face on it? Actually, we know what’s a better gift — getting these for your whole family to wear in his honor. He’ll love the absurdity, and think of all the picture-perfect moments the gang will have together.
If dad needs his reading glasses to see his texts, he could get great use out of this phone screen magnifier. The wild gadget does exactly what it says and makes the tiny phone screen appear in a larger 12-inch display. It’s great for when he’s streaming or playing video games.
Related: Our Editor’s Arzopa Portable Monitor Review: This Discounted Gadget Is Worth Every Cent
A lot of times, dads would rather us not spend an arm and a leg for their gifts. So, one way to keep to his affordability wishes and get him something he’ll like, is to gift him with this funky 9-in-1 pen. It comes with nine different gadgets for him to nerd out over, including a ruler, screwdriver, bottle opener, stylus, leveler, flashlight, and more.
If your dad is a curious person, this camera will enthrall him. It attaches to phones and shows what’s on the other end. The small camera can snake around things, into tight spots, and even go underwater!
Your dad can never have enough swag. It’s a rule of life. Gift him this embroidered sweater so he can rock his title proudly wherever he goes. Bonus points if her wears it with his favorite New Balance sneakers.
Related: The 25 Best Personalized Gifts That’ll Show How Thoughtful You Are
If you know a “golf dad,” you know how dedicated they are to the sport. (They willingly watch it on television.) For them, saying “Happy Father’s Day” a la Happy Gilmore is absolutely perfect. Let him spend his time off the green on a mini green right in his very own home, where he can use this par 3 putting green to his heart’s content.
This Lego Bonsai tree makes for an unsuspecting gift for Dad. It combines his love of plants and building into one creative, maintenance-free desk companion. The interchangeable pieces allow him to style the tree with classic green leaves or pink cherry blossoms for a pop of color. With over 878 pieces, this bonsai tree makes for a peaceful, engaging project.
Related: The 6 Best Flower-Subscription Services to Treat Them Again and Again
LifePro PowerFlow Plus Adjustable Dumbbell Set
Introduce weightlifting to your dad’s fitness routine with these dumbbells. Adjustable dumbbells are extremely convenient and incredibly space-saving. Dads can get fit without taking up an entire room with racks, plates, and bars. Each of these weights carries between 5 and 25 pounds and are perfect for a quick workout.
Related: The 75 Best Fitness Gifts for the Gym Lover in Your Life
This inflatable kayak is fit for two with its adjustable seats and backrests. Made of heavy-duty puncture-resistant vinyl, this kayak is ideal for lakes, mild rivers, and the dad who needs another reason to be out in the water.
It comes with a high-output pump, two paddles, and a carry bag for easy setup and travel. The included removable SKEG provides directional stability, while the bright yellow provides increased visibility.
Whether he’s crushing it at the gym or flying high in the skies, this little device will give him a cordless experience. It wirelessly transmits the audio from in-flight entertainment, gym equipment, and any device with a 3.5 audio jack to wireless headphones without sacrificing quality and comfort. With a battery life of over 16 hours and a range of 10 meters, this gift has your dad covered.
ToiletTree LED Fogless Lighted Shower Mirror
Your dad is in for a pleasant surprise with this adjustable mirror. He needs to simply add warm water to the chamber, and this shatterproof mirror will remain fogless as he showers. It mounts easily without damaging your bathroom tiles or walls, thanks to the water-resistant double-sided tape it comes with. It’s a gift that any clean-shaven dad will find absolutely useful.