What do you buy for the dad that (says he) has everything? If you’re on the hunt for the perfect gift for a tech-savvy dad, we’re here to help. Whether he’s always upgrading his devices, tinkering with electronics, or cooking up a storm with high-tech kitchen gadgets, we’ve got you covered with our list of gift ideas.
We’ve rounded up 15 gifts — from DIY dads to gamer dads — so, whether his birthday is fast approaching, or you’re shopping for Christmas or Father’s Day, browse through our list of the coolest gadget gifts for dads below.
1. A Smart Speaker
If your dad’s a music fan, why not take his tunes to the next level with a smart speaker? With impressive sound quality and a relatively simple set-up, smart speakers are the perfect way to enrich anyone’s listening experience.
If your dad loves tech, a smart speaker like the Google Nest or Amazon Echo is a cool way to automate listening to music and, since they’re hands-free, are perfect for use when he’s cooking or working in the garage or garden.
Wait till Dad hears that smart speakers can read out the weather forecast too…
2. A Ring Doorbell
If your dad loves gadgets and keeping an eye on who might be visiting his front porch (usually the neighbor’s cat), then a Ring doorbell is basically his dream come true.
With a video doorbell, your dad can transform into a security mastermind — checking on every visitor and potential parcel thief — all without leaving the comfort of his recliner. With real-time alerts sent straight to his phone and an in-doorbell speaker, your dad will never miss an opportunity to deliver one of his legendary jokes to passersby, even if he’s out of the house.
3. A Fitness Tracker
If your dad thinks every workout is an Olympic event, this one’s for you. A fitness tracker like a WHOOP or a Fitbit is the perfect gift for a dad looking to keep up with both the latest tech and his workout regime.
With features like heart rate monitoring, step counters, and even sleep tracking, these fitness trackers can get pretty high-tech and will arm your dad with all the insights he needs to brag about his new PB over breakfast (we’re sorry in advance).
4. A Smart Thermostat
Do you remember living in fear of touching the thermostat growing up? One tiny temperature increase and Dad’s on your case about heating bills… Well, now you can pay Dad back for all the times you cranked up the heating with the ultimate climate control gadget: the smart thermostat.
With a high-tech thermostat like Nest or Ecobee, not only will your dad be able to adjust the temperature from his phone (hello, remote thermostat policing!), but he’ll also enjoy saving on his energy bills — his proudest achievement by far (apart from you, of course).
5. A Drone
Looking for a gift that will take your dad’s hobbies — and bragging rights — to new heights? Opt for a drone. Drones have been all the rage in recent years owing to their fun but challenging controls and capabilities. So, whether your dad’s been dreaming of becoming a pilot or just wants to one-up the neighbors’ garden shots, this high-tech gadget will have him buzzing with excitement.
6. A VR Headset
If your dad loves gaming as much as he loves acting like a big kid, a VR headset is the perfect gift — just be sure to dad-proof the house before he puts it on!
No matter if he’s dodging virtual aliens or exploring distant fantasy lands, give Dad a break from reality with one of these high-tech headsets. Allowing for a complete immersive experience, be it underwater or in space, these VR headsets have been a hit in recent years with highly impressive graphics and sound.
7. A Smart Coffee Maker
For the tech-savvy dads who think they’re baristas, you can’t go wrong with a smart coffee maker. If your dad can’t function in the morning without his trusty ‘cup of joe’ and has been known to say that coffee is a science, not an art, a smart coffee maker is his dream come true.
Be it touch screens or automatic bean grinding tools, coffee machines have come a long way from simply popping a Nespresso pod in and hoping for the best.
8. A High-Tech Backpack
If your dad spends a lot of time traveling or commuting for work, he’ll appreciate a practical gift like a high-tech backpack. There are plenty of rucksacks on the market that blend functionality and futuristic design, including ones with features like:
- Built-in USB charging ports so Dad can fuel up his devices safely on the go
- Anti-theft zippers to prevent pickpocketing
- Dedicated, cushioned laptop sleeves to protect tablets and PCs from damage while in transit
For a dad who’s as serious about his tech as he is his organization, a high-tech backpack is the perfect gift to keep hardware safe and cables organized while he travels.
9. A Heavy-Duty Portable Power Bank
While it might seem like an obvious choice, getting your gadget-loving dad a portable charger is the perfect gift because, let’s face it, he’ll need to charge up all those devices somehow, right?
Whether he’s out on a hike, commuting to work, or on a fishing trip without access to a socket, this power bank is guaranteed to be his new best friend. The latest power banks from Anker and Otterbox have some impressive functionalities — including fast charging and multiple ports — so, if you really want to wow Dad, opt for something he can charge all his devices on at once!
10. Smart Light Bulbs
Lightbulb moment! The ideal tech gift for a dad who loves DIY and home improvements is a set of smart light bulbs.
We’ve fully entered the realm of energy-saving light bulbs and are now progressing quickly towards lightbulbs with an array of connected solutions. Including voice-activated control and operation from smartphones, the functionality of these smart light bulbs is super impressive and bound to please any dad who’s a lover of tech and stickler for saving energy.
11. A Streaming Stick
If your dad still insists on crowding the coffee table with a dozen TV remotes, it might be time to gently bring him out of the dark ages and into the era of convenience with a streaming stick.
From Roku and Google Chromecast to the Amazon Fire Stick, there are a multitude of highly-rated options out there that will allow Dad to streamline his home theater experience and enjoy being a movie-loving couch potato more efficiently.
12. A DIY electronics kit for dads who tinker
If your dad likes to think he’s Tony Stark, we have the perfect gift in mind. A DIY electronics kit is practically designed for dads who haven’t quite left their childhood dreams of becoming an inventor behind. These kits can range from robotic arms and alarm clocks to mini Mars Rovers and intruder alarms.
13. A Tech Repair Kit
We’ve all seen how ‘dad mode’ gets activated every time news of a broken device spreads in the house. So, why not equip Dad with all the tools he needs to repair tablets, smartwatches, phones, and more in one compact kit?
With this gift, you’ll no longer have to listen to your dad telling you to “put your phone in rice” when you drop it in the bath. Instead, your dad can use the handy tools in this kit to have a proper go at fixing household electronics when they go wrong. Kits like these include the whole works — from mini screwdrivers and lens wipes to spudgers (yes, a real term) and tweezers.
14. Solar-Powered Anything
Anything solar-powered has got to be the Holy Grail of gifts for tech-loving dads. Why? Because not only do dads get to show off their high-tech gadgets and enjoy tinkering with them but these gadgets are also powered for free!
Whether you opt for a solar-powered phone charger for camping trips, a solar-powered flashlight for emergencies, or a solar-powered Bluetooth speaker for the ultimate off-grid party, this style of eco-friendly tech gift is bound to please.
15. Tech-Themed Decor
Lastly, we simply couldn’t make a list of gifts for tech-loving dads without a nod to the ‘man cave’. Whether it’s the garden shed, the basement, the garage, or his office, every dad has their sanctuary where they ritually retreat to game, tinker, repair things, or even just watch movies. So, treat your tech-loving dad to some man cave decor with Displate. From his favorite sports teams to retro drawings of his favorite game consoles, we’ve got it all.
Displate for Dads…
If you’re stumped by what to get Dad for Christmas, his birthday, or Father’s Day, our impressive range of themed metal posters awaits you. Whether your dad loves coding, fishing, or gardening, our collections will have the perfect design to show your dad you understand his interests.
Browse our collections today and, for more gift advice, keep up with the Displate blog.