Sweet Silence

Toddler or teenager, it doesn't matter. Every dad needs some peace and quiet occasionally, and the only way he might get it is a good pair of noise canceling headphones. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series 2 are arguably the best you can get when it comes to canceling noise, and they sound good too. They'll help any dad relax, even if the world around him never does. For a more affordable option (that still rocks), try the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 or Voyager 8200.

Durable Drink

This 16-ounce travel mug may remind the dad in your life of the Thermos his own father had. Whether he likes its rugged, blue-collar design or its ability to keep his drinks hot (or cold) for hours on end, this will be a mug that lasts. It also comes with a slide-in bottle opener, so it's ready to party, which is probably why it's one of our favorite travel mugs.

Socks Optional

When you're living the #DadLife, comfy shoes can be a lifesaver. But who says they can't look good, too? OluKai designs shoes and sandals that are durable enough to handle a Hawaiian lifestyle, and comfortable to wear. The Nohea Moku shoes have a great drop-in heel that bends inward so dad can slide his shoes on quickly, if needed. The rest of the shoe is made from non-marking rubber and a breathable mesh with elastic lacing.

Night Light

Can you envision the father in your life wearing a headlamp? They aren't just for miners. If he carries a lot of things, likes to camp, or just hangs out in places where a flashlight would be nice (along with two sets of hands), he may really like this gift. This BioLite headlamp gets 40 hours of battery life before it needs a charge, and it stays stable even if he's running.

Thule's Crossover 2 is the perfect travel backpack for the dad who takes business trips. The hard SafeZone compartment protects his sunglasses and other fragile items. It has multiple interior pockets, including a fleece-lined electronics pocket and a discreet side zipper pocket, so he can store all his doodads, and a bright blue interior to make it easy for him to find them later. Raised rails will also protect it when he's sliding it in and out of overhead bins.

Pocket Relief

If the father you know needs a serious wallet makeover, the Ridge Wallet is a great choice. It clamps together with a unique elastic design to hold anywhere from one to 12 cards, plus some cash in a money clip on one side. A groove on one edge lets you press out the card or cards you want and the frame is made of metal with a lifetime guarantee. If rigidness isn't of interest, try the Big Skinny Wallet. It's what I've used for years.

Music Therapy

The Sonos One is one of our favorite smart speakers you can buy, and one of the easiest to use. It sounds amazing for its size and has Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice controls built in. Sonos's app connects to every audio service, and you can stream directly from apps like Spotify. Sonos speakers also work together, letting Dad create a network of speakers around the house. This model is mostly identical to the Sonos One Gen 2. Sonos speakers last forever, so we suggest you take the savings.

Sleep Sounds

Give dad the gift of sleep. The Google Home Mini has a lot of uses, but it's also one of our favorite white noise machines. Just have him say "Hey Google, play rain sounds" or "white noise" or "fan sounds." There's a whole list of relaxing sounds any Google Assistant speaker can make. Anything that helps Dad, or anyone he loves, sleep a little easier is worth its weight in gold.

Dirt Deliverance

When kids come along, everything gets harder. Finding the time to vacuum is especially hard, which is why a Roomba 690 can really help. This Roomba is one of the best robovacs and a particularly good bargain for the price, with solid dirt detection and an easy-to-use app that lets you set virtual barriers.

Get Lost

With battery life that can last about a week, the Garmin Fenix 5S is an outdoorsy fitness watch made for a dad. It has an accurate heart rate monitor, GPS and GLONASS satellite positioning, workout tracking, and step counting. The 5S is particularly nice because it fits a wider variety of wrists, both large and small, but there are plenty of other awesome fitness trackers if you're shopping for someone with particular needs.

Cold Brewed

Holidays are a fun time to introduce people to new trends. Cold brew coffee isn't going anywhere, and it's a delightful way to get your caffeine fix in the summer. We've tested more than two dozen high-profile cold brew makers in the past year, and this Primula is one of the best. It's cheap, has a good filter, and is easy to clean. Just tell Dad to fill the hopper with coarsely ground beans, fill the pitcher with water, and wait 12 hours (24 in the fridge).

Movie Night

A dad would have to get pretty lucky to get a hot new TV for Father's Day, but if you're that kind of gifter (or if you're treating yo' self), the Vizio P-Series is the most affordable way to get a high-end, no-apologies, truly killer movie experience. This 2018 model is cheaper because it's being replaced by a nearly identical 2019 model that's wonderful but … so is this! We still consider it one of the Best TVs available now.

Theatrical Sound

If Dad has a big TV, gift him a good soundbar for Father's Day. You can buy the fanciest flat panel in the world, but virtually none of them have good speakers. The second he hears sound from this Vizio soundbar and subwoofer, he'll realize what he's been missing out on. There are better soundbars, but few that give you as much bang for your buck as this Vizio. It also pairs well with the Vizio P-Series TV we recommend.

Instant Netflix

If the parent in your life hasn't properly connected their TV world to the wonders of Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and other streaming apps, a Roku is the best way to do it. Just plug this stick into a TV's HDMI slot, follow the instructions, and off you go. It's easy to set up, and dead simple to operate.

Book Bringer

Like a Roku, many dads may already have a Kindle by now. For those who don't, it's an excellent gift that lasts for years (and stays alive up to a month on a single battery charge). Books are cheap—many are free with Amazon Prime—and the new standard Kindle comes with a light-up screen for under $100. There are other Kindles with extra features like waterproofing, but we think this is the one to buy.

Pizza Party

If Dad likes to grill, maybe he'll like to bake you pizzas in this outdoor oven too. Ooni makes our top two pizza ovens, and this is a semi-affordable way to give pizza making a go. It runs on gas, weighs only 21 pounds, gets up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit, and bakes a 12-inch pizza in minutes. Read our full review here.

A New Screen

iPads have a universal appeal to them. Your dad may be not be an iPhone user or even much of a Mac person, but the iPad is a really easy way to browse the web, read the news, and watch TV, among a zillion other things. This model is the basic 9.7-inch, prototypical iPad. It does everything he'll need, and even has support for Apple's Pencil stylus, if he's into doodling or note-taking. You can read about all iPad models here. It often sells for $250-$280 on Amazon.

Phone FOMO

If the dad in your orbit is clinging to a really old phone, maybe now is a good time to free him. Google's Pixel 3A (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is our top Android phone. Its fast, has an outstanding camera, and gets regular security updates from Google. Best of all, its affordable and it works on all four major US wireless networks, so it should run on whatever carrier he uses.

Baby Palace

Baby carriers are a way of life for some parents, but few of them are made with dads in mind, and even fewer are good for long-distance walks or hikes. This carrier is perfect for getting infants and toddlers out of the house. They won't be old enough to know what it's like to be hoisted into the air and carried around in a throne like a pharaoh, but they'll enjoy it nonetheless. It has plenty of storage space for odds and ends too. (More baby carrier picks.)

Number 2

Everybody poops, and there's a good chance it's not always pleasant. A squatty potty is a funny gift that's good for a laugh, and if Dad uses it, it really is helpful every day. It fits right around the toilet and helps you mimic a squatting position, which reduces the bend in your colon. Squatting is how our ancestors did their deed. Everything goes a little smoother with a squat.

Dry Bones

This is one of the best rain jackets you can buy, and it's pretty affordable, too. Unlike many jackets in its price range, the Rainier has high-quality laminate waterproofing, is made from recycled nylons, and has pit zips for ventilation. It's great for any outdoorsy dad.

Smart Jacket

I wore this jacket throughout the winter and spring, and its low-key design hides a lot of fun tech. It's thin enough that it works as a casual jacket for mild days, and warm enough that I didn't need much else on a snowshoeing trip. It's waterproof, comes with a battery pack, temperature sensor, three carbon fiber heating elements, and a portable battery (most USB phone charging batteries will work with it). Dad will want to set it up with the app to get the most responsive heating, and I tend to use it without plugging in the USB battery if it's warm enough (you get about 10 hours per charge).

Vinyl Junkie

WIRED Gear editor Michael Calore uses a Fluance RT81 and loves it. The RT80 doesn't have the wood finish, but it's more affordable and an incredibly nice turntable. Michael advises: "If dad misses his records and just needs something nice to play them on, get him this. If he’s already a full-on vinyl nut and has been aching for a nicer rig, upgrade him to the top-of-the-line Fluance RT85." The company also sells a bundle that matches the RT80 turntable with a pair of powered speakers.

Middle Seat Comfort

Most airplane travel pillows look like an inflatable horseshoe that goes around your neck. Bullbird's Travel Rest is a little different. It supports your neck with a "tri-blend" of memory foam that keeps you cool. It comes with a pouch, a carabiner to attach it to luggage, and a band you can put around your neck if desired. Any dad who flies a lot will likely appreciate the support—and the fact he can get it without looking ridiculous.

Drink Up

Gear reviewer Jess Grey recommends a little booze for pops this Father's Day. This single-malt whiskey has a hint of richness to it, like a red wine, along with notes of toffee and caramel, with a light smoky finish. You can get it custom engraved or packaged in a classy leather bottle holder too.