Skip the novelty gifts — these practical tech picks solve everyday annoyances, upgrade his everyday tech and make his hobbies better
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Finding gifts for a dad who wants nothing can be surprisingly difficult. If he already buys the things he needs, says he doesn't want any more stuff or is simply hard to shop for, another novelty mug or gadget destined for a drawer probably isn't the answer.
For Father's Day, I've focused on useful tech that earns its place: things that solve an everyday annoyance, upgrade something Dad already uses or make one of his hobbies a little better. That could be anything from a compact charger or tracker to better headphones, coffee gear or fitness tech.
I've also kept the list practical rather than filling it with products just because they look giftable. As much as possible, the recommendations are gear TechRadar has tested or recommended, along with options that are on sale, so offer particularly good value right now.
The picks cover a mix of budgets and interests, including a few easy last-minute options, so there should be something here whether Dad needs a small upgrade or you want to buy him a more substantial gift.
If you want some extra inspiration, Amazon's bestsellers are an easy place to see what other shoppers are buying, while its electronics bestsellers are particularly handy for inexpensive USB cables, chargers, power banks and other tech essentials.
If you've left it too late for delivery, our last-minute Father's Day gift ideas cover gift cards and other no-delivery options you can buy right away.
The safest gifts for a dad who says he wants nothing are often the ones that make everyday life a little easier. I've focused on practical tech he'll reach for every day rather than something that's only useful once or twice a year.
A power bank is one of those practical gifts dad might not think to buy for himself, but can quickly become something he uses all the time. This compact 10,000mAh Iniu model can fast charge a phone on the go, and our review explains why it earned a place in our everyday carry. Want something slimmer? Iniu also has a screen-free version that's just 1.8cm thick.
If dad is forever misplacing his keys, bag or another everyday essential, a Bluetooth tracker is an easy problem-solving gift. Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag 2 can help him keep tabs on whatever it's attached to using a compatible Samsung Galaxy phone, and its small size makes it easy to add to a keyring or bag.
Dad might already have earbuds, a desk setup, some basic car tech and home-security gear, but that doesn't mean he's using a particularly good version of any of it.
These ideas are worthwhile upgrades to things he already uses, with the current discounts making the jump to higher quality a little more affordable.
If Dad uses an iPhone but is still hanging onto an older pair of earbuds, the AirPods 4 are an easy everyday upgrade. Our AirPods 4 review found they sounded good and offered a secure, comfortable fit despite the lack of in-ear tips, while the open design will appeal to anyone who doesn't like silicone eartips.
This is a particularly practical gift for a dad who has been meaning to add a security camera around the house. In our TP-Link Tapo C660 Kit review, we liked its crisp 4K video, local microSD storage and solar panel, which can keep the camera topped up without regular charging. The main compromise is limited smart-home compatibility, although Alexa is fully supported.
