Dad’s birthday is coming up, and you’re trying to decide on the best gadget gifts out there that will offer him the most benefits without breaking the bank. Sometimes shopping for dads can be tough, but you just need to keep in mind what his interests are.
Is he an avid photographer that wants to have his camera with him at all times so he can get the perfect shot? Is he a fitness junkie that wants to be able to track his daily activity and stay in tip-top shape? Or does he just like having the coolest new gadgets on the market to keep up with the times in this technology-driven world?
Whether he’s into photography, fitness, or tech devices of any kind, chances are you’ll find something for him here. In this guide, we look at the five best gadget gifts for dad’s birthday.
1. Apple Watch Series 5 (Overall Winner)
Apple Watches have taken the smartwatch industry by storm since their release, and the newest addition to the lineup is a surefire way to get your dad one of the most useful gadgets on the market. The Apple Watch Series 5 is our pick for the overall best gadget gift for dad’s birthday hands down.
While it is a bit on the pricey side at $384, the versatility and functionality of the watch more than make up for it. With how many features it has, this review could go on for much longer. So we’ll give you a rundown of some of its best features that your dad will love:
- All-in-One Fitness Tracker – The fitness tracking capabilities of the Apple Watch Series 5 make it as viable as a dedicated fitness tracker but with way more options.
- Always-On Retina Display – This means that even when the watch face is dark, it is still on. All your dad needs to do is look at it and the display comes up immediately.
- Swimproof – If your dad is an active swimmer or likes to take the boat out on the weekend, the Apple Watch Series 5 will stand up to the water (up to 50m in depth).
- Built-in Compass – The compass can come in handy for those adventurous dads who like to go on hikes, go mountain biking, or do anything outdoors.
These are just a handful of some of the most useful features. Your dad will love his new Apple Watch without a doubt.
2. Peak Design CapturePRO Camera Clip
For the dads out there who love photography, the CapturePRO Camera Clip from Peak Design is a great birthday gift! If he likes to take his camera with him anytime he goes anywhere that he might need to snap a quick shot, having his camera clipped to his backpack strap or belt can make the difference between getting the ultimate shot or letting it get away from him.
The clip is versatile enough to work with all DSLR, compact, and point-and-shoot cameras, while robust enough to keep its grip during any physical activity as its quick-release lock holds up against 200 pounds of force.
The quick-release mechanism will allow your dad to quickly get his camera ready to go at a moment’s notice in order to catch the perfect shot whenever it comes up.
3. Amazon Fire TV Cube
Don’t let the name fool you, the Amazon Fire TV Cube will let your dad do a whole lot more than just watch TV. With Amazon’s smart assistant Alexa built in, your dad can control his TV and even other smart home devices with just his voice.
Easy to set up in just a couple of minutes, the Fire TV Cube will be able to stream shows and movies in 4K Ultra HD using your dad’s favorite apps. The Fire TV Cube is compatible with Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, ESPN, and more, so no matter if he wants to watch a movie or catch the big game, he’ll be able to without even touching the remote.
Through the Fire TV Cube, your dad can have Alexa give a weather report, play music, or control any other Alexa-compatible smart devices in his home such as dimming the lights and more, even if the TV is off. It’s a versatile product that your dad will get endless use out of!
4. GoPro 3-Way Camera Mount
Another great option for the adventurist photographer dads out there is the GoPro 3-Way Camera Mount. This budget-friendly gadget is the perfect gift for the dad who loves taking his GoPro camera everywhere he goes so that he’s always ready to capture the moment.
The mount can be used with a camera grip, extension arm, or tripod. The functionality of the mount makes it the perfect gift for someone who gets a lot of use out of their GoPro.
If he wants to use it as a camera grip to steady the video, perfect! If he wants to use it as an extension to record you and himself jumping into the lake, great! With the tripod, he’ll be able to set it up and take the perfect still or video every time. As a bonus, the features can be combined to get the perfect shot every time.
5. JOBY GorillaPod 1K (Budget Winner)
If you’re on a tight budget, the best gadget gift for dad’s birthday is the JOBY GorillaPod 1K tripod, coming in at only $32. This flexible, multi-function camera mount is the perfect gadget gift for any dad who’s into photography. The mount has an attachment that will screw right into any standard camera (that weights 1kg or less – hence the 1K) and be ready to go.
The flexible arms on the GorillaPod 1K will allow your dad to twist and turn them as needed in order to mount the camera in the perfect place to snag the exact shot that he wants. The legs of the tripod can be held as a camera grip, wrapped around a post or tree branch, or used to stand up like a normal tripod.
I’ve used one of these JOBY GorillaPods for two years now and have never had any issues. It’s allowed me to capture some great shots, and for the price, it is without a doubt the most versatile camera tripod on the market!
Help Him Celebrate with the Best Gadget Gifts for Dad’s Birthday
With how vast the tech industry has become in recent years, there always seems to be some new gadget or fancy device out there that proclaims to be the best. Some are great, many are just overhyped.
In this guide, we wanted to focus on tried and true gadgets that your dad will love whether he’s a photographer, a fitness junkie, or just likes to relax on the couch and watch his favorite shows and movies. No matter what he’s into, chances are that he’d enjoy something from this list!
