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30 Unique Gifts for Dads He’s Sure to Love

Whether he’s into DIY projects or camping, these presents are bound to please the proud papa in your life.

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the best gifts for dads
Popular Mechanics; Courtesy

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The hardest part about shopping for your dad—or any father in your life, really—is knowing what gifts he’ll actually use. Speaking from experience, those gifts you once thought were clever sometimes get pushed aside for the tried-and-true pieces Dad already has and refuses to replace. Maybe your dad is a huge DIYer who still resorts to using his battered old pair of work gloves because there’s “nothing wrong with them,” or he’s an outdoorsman who insists his beer-stained camp chair works as great as it did a decade ago. While those may be true, a little upgrade couldn’t hurt.

This Father's Day, surprise your dad, a friend with kids, or a father figure in your life with a gift he might not know he needed. Does he like houseplants? Get him one with a gorgeous monochrome pot. Is he a whiskey drinker? Instead of getting a bottle of the usual, consider a unique, customized oak barrel. Is he particular about the aroma of his home or office? Have him try out some incense instead of the typical candle.

Check out our picks for some truly unique gifts for dads down below, spanning all categories and price ranges to best suit your giftee and your wallet. Give him those upgrades he least expects, and you’ll give him a reason to use something new.

For more presents for the members of your inner circle, check out our picks for the best gifts for husbands, best tech gifts, and best gifts for movie lovers.

For a Fresh Feeling

Marlowe Exfoliating Body Scrub Soap 3-Pack

Exfoliating Body Scrub Soap 3-Pack
For a Fresh Feeling

Marlowe Exfoliating Body Scrub Soap 3-Pack

$27 at Amazon

Refreshing, nourishing, and pleasantly potent, Marlowe’s exfoliating soaps are some of the freshest. (We’re talking from experience here.)

Made with a blend of passionflower fruit, green tea, and willow bark extracts, this variety pack gives the dad on your list three new scents to try out on his next wash: Marlowe’s woodsy original scent; the amber, citron, and spicy Santal scent; and the lightly earthy, birchy, and vanilla scent of Oud Wood.

For the Roadtripper

Gestalten The Great American Road Trip Coffee Table Book

On Sale
<I>The Great American Road Trip</i> Coffee Table Book
For the Roadtripper

Gestalten The Great American Road Trip Coffee Table Book

Now 35% Off

Inspire your father (or father figure) to hit the road with his family with this coffee table book. Featuring over 600 pages of photos and words about the culture, people, and food of the open road, it could be the incentive your giftee needs to plan his next road trip.

For the Cyclist

JBL Clip 4 Portable Speaker

On Sale
Clip 4 Portable Speaker
For the Cyclist

JBL Clip 4 Portable Speaker

Now 25% Off

A favorite of our friends at Bicycling, the JBL Clip 4 is the Bluetooth speaker for taking on the go. It snaps onto a pack or frame with its carabiner, plus its water- and dust-proof case gives it extra protection. Grab it in one of eight colors and styles, from black to pink to camouflage.

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For the Pet Dad

Petcube Pet Monitoring Camera 2-Pack

On Sale
Pet Monitoring Camera 2-Pack
For the Pet Dad

Petcube Pet Monitoring Camera 2-Pack

Now 20% Off

Have a dad in your life who loves to keep an eye on his pets? This two-pack of pet cams is sure to please. Each relays 1080p HD video to a smartphone app, features two-way audio, and even has night-vision capabilities. They’re also mountable for setting up high and a wider scope of view.

For the Camper

The North Face Nuptse Mule Slipper

Nuptse Mule Slipper
For the Camper

The North Face Nuptse Mule Slipper

Now 20% Off

These mules from The North Face are a solid gift for lounging at home or hanging around a campsite, and their insulated interior gives them a nice, cozy feel. They come in three colors and have a thick, rubber outsole for some added grip.

For the Classy Dresser

Timex Q Timex Falcon Eye Reissue Watch

Q Timex Falcon Eye Reissue Watch
For the Classy Dresser

Timex Q Timex Falcon Eye Reissue Watch

Timex recently reissued one of its famous watches from the archives: the 1979 Q Timex. A sleek, sophisticated timepiece, the blue variant is nicknamed Falcon Eye because, well, it looks similar to the eye of a falcon.

With a 38-millimeter bezel, woven stainless-steel bracelet, rotating top ring, and two-tone case, this sharp ticker is sure to attract attention.

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For the Professional

Bellroy Work Folio A5

Work Folio A5
For the Professional

Bellroy Work Folio A5

This handsome leather folio has enough space to store and carry notes, pens, a passport, business cards, and a smartphone. An A5 notebook stuffs right into its inner pocket, while elasticized compartments help hold any overflow items your giftee may want to keep around. If the caramel color pictured here doesn’t suit his style, this folio is also available in black.

For the Mindful Dreamer

Loftie Alarm Clock

Alarm Clock
For the Mindful Dreamer

Loftie Alarm Clock

A smart alarm clock, the Loftie comes with an easy-to-read display and a dimmable nightlight. What’s more, the pre-loaded meditations, breath-work exercises, sound baths, and bedtime stories this gift has can help Pops get a good night’s sleep. (The Loftie will also update periodically with new content.)

For Daily Carry

Nite Ize DoohicKey QuicKey 5-in-1 Keychain Multitool

DoohicKey QuicKey 5-in-1 Keychain Multitool
For Daily Carry

Nite Ize DoohicKey QuicKey 5-in-1 Keychain Multitool

This unassuming 5-in-1 tool is shaped like a key and takes up no additional space on your dad's keyring. It has a #2 screwdriver tip, a file, a scoring point for opening boxes, a serrated edge for tearing clothing tags and twine, and a bottle opener.

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For the Tool Guy

Carhartt Legacy Tool Bag

Legacy Tool Bag
For the Tool Guy

Carhartt Legacy Tool Bag

Those fix-it and DIY dads need a place to store their tools. Get them the classic gift of a Carhartt tool bag. Rugged and hefty, this storage bag is triple-stitched for extra toughness.

For the Modest Dresser

Wills Cable Knit Wool Sweater

Cable Knit Wool Sweater
For the Modest Dresser

Wills Cable Knit Wool Sweater

This casual cable-knit wool sweater is perfect for dad during the upcoming cold season. It’s crafted with humanely sourced merino wool and has a close fit for a flattering, cozy silhouette. Plus, it’s comfortable while looking sophisticated. Get one in oatmeal, steel, or charcoal.

For the Spice Lover

Truff Original Black Truffle Hot Sauce

Original Black Truffle Hot Sauce
For the Spice Lover

Truff Original Black Truffle Hot Sauce

One part luxe condiment, one part pantry staple, Truff combines black truffles with red chili peppers for a unique spin on ordinary hot sauce. This stuff can elevate any meal with the gourmet taste of truffle and some heat for balance. Plus, it’s packaged in a beautiful bottle.

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For the Home Cook

Shun Classic Blonde 7-Inch Santoku Knife

On Sale
Classic Blonde 7-Inch Santoku Knife
For the Home Cook

Shun Classic Blonde 7-Inch Santoku Knife

Now 39% Off

This 7-inch santoku knife from Shun is light and agile, resistant to both corrosion and stains, and protected by 68 layers of stainless Damascus cladding for a long-lasting edge. This gift also has a beautiful pakkawood handle that won’t harbor bacteria.

For the Lounger

Sierra Designs Double Lightweight Portable Hammock

Double Lightweight Portable Hammock
For the Lounger

Sierra Designs Double Lightweight Portable Hammock

This hammock from Sierra Designs also comes with the gift of R&R. It supports up to 400 pounds and is crafted with a durable nylon fabric that packs down into a sack for easy portability. Get it in one of eight colors and opt for the two-person model so dad can share if he wants, or sprawl out solo.

For a Moment of Zen

Shoyiedo Moss Garden Incense Nokiba (500 Sticks)

Moss Garden Incense Nokiba (500 Sticks)
For a Moment of Zen

Shoyiedo Moss Garden Incense Nokiba (500 Sticks)

If Dad needs a cooldown, these Japanese-made incense sticks by Shoyeido are the perfect gift. Produced with no synthetic oils or fragrances, each of these 500 sticks takes 30 minutes to burn. Let him take in the pleasing aroma before going back to dad duty.

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For Soothing Sore Muscles

Hyperice Hypervolt Plus Massage Gun

Hypervolt Plus Massage Gun
For Soothing Sore Muscles

Hyperice Hypervolt Plus Massage Gun

Here’s a massage gun that’s powerful yet quiet. With three speeds and five head attachments, the Hypervolt Plus will help alleviate tension, soreness, and stiffness. It’s also Bluetooth-compatible and pairs with the Hyperice app, which has detailed instructional videos on how to best use it.

For the Pizza Fan

Ooni Fyra 12 Wood-Fired Outdoor Pizza Oven

On Sale
Fyra 12 Wood-Fired Outdoor Pizza Oven
For the Pizza Fan

Ooni Fyra 12 Wood-Fired Outdoor Pizza Oven

Now 23% Off

Know a dad who loves pizza? Ooni is one of the most popular brands for pizza ovens, and its Fyra 12 is one of the best we’ve tested. Reaching a maximum temperature of 950 degrees, this stainless-steel gift is lightweight (22 pounds) and compact (with foldable legs).

For the Techy One

Holy Stone HS710 Drone with Camera

HS710 Drone with Camera
For the Techy One

Holy Stone HS710 Drone with Camera

If Dad’s interested in drone piloting, here’s a beginner-friendly quadcopter that can shoot UHD 4K video quite literally on the fly. It’s fairly lightweight for portability, plus it’s strapped with GPS for hands-free piloting.

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For Staying Hydrated

Yeti Rambler 36-Ounce Bottle

On Sale
Rambler 36-Ounce Bottle
For Staying Hydrated

Yeti Rambler 36-Ounce Bottle

Now 11% Off

Built tough to handle accidental drops, the Rambler has double-insulated walls that’ll hold 36 ounces of cold or hot liquids. This gift has a spout cap (unlike the default wide mouth) makes sipping easier and helps keep liquid (and dad) from spilling all over the place.

For the Organizer

T Taranto Wood Phone-Docking Station

On Sale
Wood Phone-Docking Station
For the Organizer

T Taranto Wood Phone-Docking Station

Now 20% Off

A classy addition to a desk or nightstand, this wooden phone-docking station comes with slots for everything he carries daily: a shelf for eye- or sunglasses, a nook for wallets, an area for notepads, keys, and a pen, and a place to hang watches. It also has a notch for a power cord so the phone can stand upright while charging.

Headshot of Kevin Cortez
Kevin Cortez
Commerce Editor

Kevin Cortez is an editor for Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics covering reviews. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He most recently worked as the Style Editor for Reviewed, a top product recommendation site owned by USA TODAY. He also helped with the launch of WSJ's Buy Side commerce vertical, and has covered the music and podcast industries for Mass Appeal, Genius, Vulture, Leafly, Input, and The A.V. Club. Equally passionate about leisure as he is his penmanship, Kevin dedicates his spare time to graphic novels, birding, making cold brew, and taking long, meandering walks.

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