If your dad is into technology, Father's Day will be the least stressful occasion to shop for, because he'll like anything to do with gizmos or gadgets (which Moms might just take to calling "dadgets" when discarded all over the house).
Here are 20 innovative electronics, tools, and doodads that your father will actually use. He'll be the envy of every dad on the block – especially those poor papas that just got a tie from their uncreative children for Father's Day.
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Gladiator GarageWorks
Price: $69.99 - $399.99
Where to buy: Gladiator GarageWorks
Gladiator GarageWorks is about as manly and "dad-like" as you can get when it comes to finding a prototypical Father's Day gift. To help Dad get clutter off the floor so he can park the car in the garage again, Gladiator GearWall Panels can store everything from bicycles to ladders to bins on the wall; available for $69.99. For the avid golfer, you can add the Gladiator Golf Caddy for $149.99. If Dad likes to garden, the Gladiator Project Caddy for $79.99 is the perfect fit for storing general supplies and tools.
Weber Bear Claw Shredders
Price: $17.99
Where to buy: Weber
This is a sharp-looking BBQ doodad that Hugh Jackman's Wolverine might give to his father. Never mind the usefulness of having cutting edge, stainless steel spikes at the tip of your fingertips for picking up and cutting large pieces of meat straight from the grill. The mere fact that you can say the phrase: "I got my dad Bear Claw Shredders for Father's Day" is reason enough to consider this gift idea.
Zepp Golf Sensor
Price: $149.95
Where to buy: Apple
Make your dad the talk of the golf course with the futuristic looking Zeep Golf Sensor. It's a motion sensor device that attaches to your dad's golf glove and allows him to see his swing in 3D from any angle on his iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. The app that comes with the device also tracks data such as club head speed, club plane, hand path, tempo, backswing, hip rotation and more. Pretty soon, your dad's golfing buddies will start giving him the nickname: Tiger Tech.
DeLonghi Reversible Grill
Price: $119.99
Where to buy: DeLonghi
If there was a remix of the song "My Favourite Things" for dads, two items would definitely make the chorus: Gadgets that can convert into other gadgets, and BBQs. Well, DeLonghi has combined two of your dad's favourite things into one awesome Father's Day gift. No longer will dad's craving for BBQ be dampened by rain, sleet or snow. The DeLonghi Reversible Grill allows him to grill steak, fish, chicken, burgers or sausages indoors. Then he can reverse the grill and fire up some veggies as well. The plate is dishwasher safe, so cleanup is a snap afterwards.
SWIMS Sport Loafer Hightop
Price: $125 (Euros)
Where to buy: Swims
SWIMS is not a well-known brand in North America yet, but that just makes this popular European line of footwear even more trendy and exclusive. While other dads walk around with their typical Crocs – your dad could be sporting a multi-coloured, hightop SWIMS loafer that makes it look as if he could be ready to go yachting, going to a fancy dinner, or even playing basketball. The shoe is extremely lightweight and waterproof, but still sleek looking enough to make Dad forget that he is essentially wearing beach shoes.
Broil King Pizza Stone Grill Set
Price: $59.99
Where to buy: Lowe's
Instead of going out to eat on Father's Day, you could offer to make him his favourite pizza – on his very own Pizza Stone Grill. The set includes a pizza stone that is built for hot temperatures, an Old World-looking pizza handle, and a stainless steel cradle with a built-in thermometer. By prepping your dad's favourite dish and giving him the tools to bring out his inner chef, you are essentially taking care of two birds with one pizza stone.
Gear Shift Underwear
Price: $29.99
Where to buy: 2UNDR
It might seem a little odd buying your dad underwear for Father's Day. But this is not just any underwear. 2UNDR is a Vancouver-based company that produces a specially designed underwear that's been worn by NHLers, major leagues baseball players, PGA tour golf pros, and other professional athletes. The company's Gear Shift Underwear technology was inspired by a kangaroo pouch, in an effort to reduce unwanted skin-on-skin contact, improve air flow, and provide the best fit/support (comfort and joy).
Projekt Co-Pilot Rolling Duffel
Price: $149.99
Where to buy: Projekt
If your papa is a rolling stone type of traveller who just likes to pick up and go with little hassle, he'll love the Co-Pilot Rolling Duffel from Projekt. The bag works exactly as it is named: A portable duffel back with inline skate wheels and a pull-out handle so your dad can easily zip around the airport. The bag itself is extremely lightweight, which is surprising, considering its outer shell and materials look very durable and protective. The duffel bag is compact enough to act as a carry-on for the airplane, while also has enough storage space for Dad to pack for a romantic getaway with Mom.
TomTom Runner Cardio GPS Sport Watch
Price: $299
Where to buy: TomTom
If your dad is a fitness buff, the TomTom Runner Cardio GPS watch will get his heart racing. With a built-in heart rate monitor, the Runner Cardio GPS Sport Watch provides Dad with accurate, real-time metrics that will help him understand how his body is responding to exercise. He can track his distance, time, pace, speed, and even calories burned – before and after his jog to Burger King.
KitchenAid Sausage Stuffer
Price: $19.99
Where to buy: KitchenAid
Turn Father’s Day into one big sausage party with the KitchenAid Sausage Stuffer kit. Culinary dads who like cooking from scratch will love the opportunity to experiment with different ingredients and then stuff them all into sausages of every shape and size.
Monster SuperStar speakers
Price: $139.99
Where to buy: The Source
This is a great gift for dads who like to listen to music while doing outdoor projects. The Monster speaker is a compact Bluetooth enabled device that delivers superstar stereo sound. It also has a built-in mic with advanced noise-cancelling technology for wireless hands-free calling. So Dad doesn’t have to put down his tools to chat with his friends while working on his hot rod.
Kobo Arc reader
Price: From $149.99 to $299.99
Where to buy: To celebrate Father’s Day in Canada, Kobo is offering $30 off the Kobo Arc 7HD 16GB, $50 off the Kobo Arc 7HD 32 GB, and $100 off the Kobo Arc 10HD. The offer is available at Indigo, Chapters, Coles, Future Shop, Best Buy, Staples and The Source from May 28 to June 18.
The Kobo is an electronic reader that is more than words. In addition to more than four million books and magazine titles, the app-friendly device gives Dad access to a music player, photo gallery, video player, movies, web browsing, and the most popular and latest games from Google Play. With so much portable entertainment value in the palm of his hand, Dad will never come out of the washroom.
Moto G Smartphone
Price: $150
Available on: Wind, Koodo, Virgin and Videotron
The Moto G is the ideal fit for a dad who is in the market for a new smartphone that is both cost-efficient (cheap) and packed with features (cool). On the surface, the Moto G's uniquely curved back will get some attention. The phone's shell is also interchangeable, so your dad can customize with different colours depending on his mood. For instance, he could go with a pink Grip Shell for his fancy days and a black Flip Shell for his Batman days. On the inside, the device comes equipped with a 4.5-inch HD display — the sharpest in its class.
HP Pavilion x360 Convertible Laptop
Price: $449.99
Where to Buy: HPShopping.ca, Best Buy and Future Shop
Not everyone can afford to buy their dad a convertible hard top sports car for Father's Day. But a convertible laptop might be more realistic, and almost as cool. The HP Pavilion x360 features a distinctive 360-degree hinge that easily converts the laptop into a notebook for work, a stand to watch videos or play games, and a tablet for everything on-the-go.
OxiClean solutions
Price: $5.87-$10.73
Where to buy: Walmart
If you have a practical, unsentimental dad that would scoff at frivolous gifts, you'll need to honour him with a practical, unsentimental present. OxiClean is as practical a Father's Day gift as you can get. Give your dad a gift set that includes OxiClean Laundry Detergent Paks, OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover, and OxiClean White Revive Laundry Stain Remover with the promise that you will clean his car interior for him. The Versatile Stain Remover is especially great at wiping out grass, wine, and blood stains. Although, cleaning solutions would be the least of your dad's concerns if he was dealing with those types of stains on his car seats.
Adidas Pure Boost Shoe
Price: $120
Where to buy: Foot Locker
Adidas' new Pure Boost running shoe is for the dad who likes to run, but doesn't like the joint pain afterwards. The Pure Boost is like the Tai Chi of running shoes, in that, the cushioning is technologically designed to absorb energy … and then return it to the runner. Your dad will suddenly feel stronger, faster, and more comfortable during his runs. As an added bonus, the shoes are specifically designed as a "blank canvas" so that Dad can go from jogging around the block to a classy lunch date. Just make sure he at least towels off first.
Champ Survival Sidekick 8-in-1 Multi-tool
Price: $24.99
Where to buy: Champ
Your dad is a multi-talented guy. As such, he'll appreciate a multi-tool that would make him feel like the second coming of MacGyver. The Champ Survival Sidekick is a flashlight, glass breaker, seatbelt cutter, Emergency mobile device charger via USB (cables included), distress light, compass, radio, and siren. Hopefully, he's never in a situation where he'll need to use all the tools in one night.
Ryobi 18V One+ AirStrike Brad Nailer
Price: $199
Where to buy: Home Depot
Get your tool-loving dad ready to take on a summer of DIYs with the Ryobi 18V Brad Nailer. This portable compressed air nailer is oil-free, so no maintenance is required. It features depth and pressure adjustment, nail-jam clearing and an adjustable power setting. With 18 gauge, 110 nail capacity, it is compatible with 5/8” - 2” nails. From fence and deck repair, to building a new play structure for the kids, this nailer is going to keep Dad happily nailed to projects for months.
I’m WATCH - Smart Watch
Price: $360
Where to buy: Essential Man
Get your dad the latest trend in gadgets and gizmos with the I’m Watch – Smart Watch. It looks classy enough for James Bond to wear – and is also functional enough for 007 to use on a mission. The Smart Watch connects with a smartphone to alert Dad of incoming calls, emails, social media updates and text messages. An added feature even let’s your dad monitor his heart rate during workouts, or whatever secret agent missions he’s pretending to be on.
Justin Power Stick
Price: $19.79
Where to buy: Staples
Give your dad the power …to charge his device anywhere and never again have that helpless feeling of seeing his smartphone’s battery at 6% with no hope in sight. The Justin Power Stick’s universal USB charging port is compatible with devices from Apple, Samsung, Blackberry, among others. It is lightweight and can discreetly fit into your dad’s front pocket for easy transport on the plane, camping, or other areas where he won’t have access to a charge.