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The best gifts for dads that have everything (but deserve more)

Brandt Ranj ・ 2025-11-16 ・ www.theverge.com

What do you get the man who says he has everything? It’s a tough question — and one you have a limited amount of time to answer, given the holidays are nearly upon us. You could try dropping subtle hints or asking friends and family for suggestions, but they might save their best ideas for themselves. Fortunately, if you’re struggling to come up with something, we have more than a few ideas.

With the help of Verge staffers, we’ve compiled suggestions for dads of every make and model. It doesn’t matter if he’s the type to get up early to prep the smart smoker or if his idea of a perfect Sunday is watching his favorite team absolutely crush it on a big-screen OLED. We’ve also collected great ideas for music-loving dads, whiskey aficionados, and anyone looking to top off all of their gadgets at once. Hell, we’ve even included a modern-looking pair of jeans because, despite what your dad might think, not everything from the ’90s is still “en vogue.”

How much do you want to spend?

Belkin UltraCharge Pro 3-in-1 Magnetic Charging Dock

$130

$130

Your dad shouldn’t be walking around with an arsenal of gadgets that are constantly on the brink of dying. Belkin’s 3-in-1 charger sports a magnetic Qi2 charging pad, a second 5W charging pad for earbuds, and a third for fast-charging newer Apple Watch models. It’s also perfect for leveraging Apple’s StandBy mode, making it a truly versatile desk accessory.

$130 at Amazon $130 at Best Buy $130 at Target

Field Notes (three-pack) on a white background. Field Notes (three-pack) on a white background.

Field Notes “Flora” Edition

$15

$15

The Notes app is great, but sometimes pen and paper are where it’s at. Field Notes are small enough to fit in your pocket or a small bag, yet spacious enough to house all your big ideas and errant thoughts. The “Flora” Edition can even add a much-needed pop of color to any desk setup.

$15 at Amazon $15 at Field Notes $15 at Pen Boutique

Apple AirPods Pro 3

$249

$249

Whether your dad prefers to rock out to Sabrina Carpenter or Stravinsky, the AirPods Pro 3 deliver. Apple’s latest pair of earbuds offer improved ANC and sound, a more comfortable design, and real-time fitness tracking courtesy of a new heart rate sensor. That makes them well suited for more than just listening to tunes.

$249 at Amazon $249 at Walmart $250 at Best Buy

BioLite Site Lights

$100

$100

If dear old dad is the one who plans the family camping trip each year, consider getting him a set of BioLite’s Site Lights. Each weatherproof bulb can be attached to one of six durable ABS stakes or suspended over the campsite using the included cable. They also last up to 20 hours and can be topped off via the included case, which offers both solar and USB-C charging.

$100 at Amazon $100 at REI $100 at BioLite

Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th-Gen) on a white background. Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th-Gen) on a white background.

Focusrite Scarlett Solo mic preamp (fourth-gen)

$150

$150

The Scarlett Solo can help your old man finally record that album he’s been noodling on since high school. The fourth-gen gizmo functions as a beginner-friendly USB audio interface, one that comes with its own recording software and the ability to record two tracks at once. Focusrite even offers interfaces with additional inputs if he wants to record with multiple people.

$150 at Amazon $150 at Guitar Center $150 at Focusrite

Nintendo Switch 2 on a white background. Nintendo Switch 2 on a white background.

Nintendo Switch 2

$449

$449

If you’re shopping for a console gamer, the Nintendo Switch 2 hits all the right marks. It boasts a spacious 7.9-inch display, a comfortable design, and backward compatibility with most OG Switch titles, some of which have even been updated to run at higher resolutions and frame rates. Just don’t forget to grab a copy of Mario Kart World or the new Donkey Kong game to go with it.

$449 at Amazon $450 at Best Buy $450 at Target

Liiton Everest Crystal Whiskey Glasses (set of two)

$30 $33 9% off

$30

Using an ice cube in a cocktail will keep it cool, but the melting ice will steadily dilute the flavor. Thankfully, a set of proper whiskey glasses can save your spirits. When chilled, Liiton’s dishwasher-safe Mount Everest crystal can cool your drink in under a minute, letting you enjoy your latest concoction at your own pace.

$33 at Amazon $30 at Barnes & Noble $33 at Liiton

The GameSir Cyclone 2 Wireless Controller on a white background. The GameSir Cyclone 2 Wireless Controller on a white background.

GameSir Cyclone 2

$44 $56 21% off

$44

If your giftee owns more than one system, a wireless controller that works with multiple platforms makes for a great gift. The Cyclone 2 features drift-free Hall effect joysticks, built-in RGB lighting, and support for GameSir’s Connect PC app, which lets you customize trigger, joystick, and button settings. Best of all, it works with the Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS, and Android devices.

$49 at Amazon $44 at Walmart $55 at Best Buy

Noco Boost X GBX45- 1250A UltraSafe Jump Starter Noco Boost X GBX45- 1250A UltraSafe Jump Starter

Noco GBX45 UltraSafe Jump Starter

$125 $160 22% off

$125

You might be able to help your father out with a car problem for once with Noco’s GBX45. The handy 1250A jump starter allows you to revive a dead battery without hooking it up to another car, whether you’re working with a gas or diesel engine. It also provides up to 60W of power via USB-C, so you can charge other gadgets in an emergency.

$125 at Amazon $125 at Best Buy $125 at Autozone

Nomad ChargeKey 240W V2 on a white background. Nomad ChargeKey 240W V2 on a white background.

Nomad ChargeKey V2

$29

$29

Everybody forgets to bring their charging cable with them from time to time, but it’s a lot harder to do with Nomad’s ChargeKey. The 6-inch zinc cable comes attached to a loop, which is easy to affix to the same ring as your keys. It even supports up to 240W of power and 10Gbps data transfer speeds, despite its short stature.

$29 at Amazon $29 at Nomad

OXO Good Grips Grilling Tools on a white background. OXO Good Grips Grilling Tools on a white background.

OXO Good Grips Grilling Turner and Tongs Set

$30

$30

OXO’s grilling set is an essential piece of kit for any dad who considers himself to be “king of the grill.” The stainless steel spatula and tongs let you flip food without getting too close to the heat, while the textured grip on the handles makes them easier to hold. The tongs also feature a scalloped edge for gripping food and a built-in bottle opener, which, honestly, might be more important.

$30 at Amazon $30 at Bloomingdales $30 at OXO

Sony BRAVIA 8 II on a white background. Sony BRAVIA 8 II on a white background.

Sony Bravia 8 II

$2298 $3499 34% off

$2298

Sony’s Bravia 8 II was voted the top TV of 2025 by a panel of experts — including our own Nilay Patel. The dazzling QD-OLED has a 120Hz panel, terrific AI processing for image optimization, and support for Dolby Vision. It also features support for both Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as Apple’s AirPlay 2 and Google’s intuitive TV interface.

$2298 at Amazon (65-inch) $3000 at Best Buy (65-inch) $2998 at B&H Photo (65-inch)

Paladone’s NES Cartridge Coasters on a plain white background. Paladone’s NES Cartridge Coasters on a plain white background.

Paladone NES coasters

$10 $15 33% off

$10

Finding the right video game to gift can be a challenge, but Paladone’s cartridge-shaped coasters are a fun alternative for fans of the 8-bit era. Each coaster features cover art from a popular game from that era — whether it be Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, or Metroid — and each can be hand-washed should a beverage spill on it.

$10 at Amazon $10 at Barnes & Noble $10 at Hallmark

Sony WH-1000XM6 on a white background. Sony WH-1000XM6 on a white background.

Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones

$428 $458 7% off

$428

They might cost $50 more than their predecessor, but the latest iteration of Sony’s best-in-class noise-canceling headphones up the ante in every way. Sony made subtle improvements to every facet of the WH-1000XM6, from sound quality to ANC performance, while wisely bringing back the foldable, travel-friendly design last seen on the XM4.

$428 at Amazon $428 at Best Buy $428 at B&H Photo

RTIC Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler on a white background. RTIC Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler on a white background.

RTIC Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler (20-can)

$99

$99

Whether your dad is a fan of massive IPAs or cherry lime La Croix, RTIC’s Soft Pack Cooler can keep the chilled drinks flowing. The cooler’s insulated, waterproof design can keep drinks and other contents cold for up to two days with minimal prep, while a comfortable shoulder strap and end handles help ensure it’s never too difficult to lug from one hang to the next.

$99 at Amazon $99 at Walmart $99 at RTIC

Apple Watch SE 3

$200 $249 20% off

$200

The Apple Watch SE 3 is a great tool if your dad wants to keep tabs on his health, in addition to the time. The entry-level smartwatch is chock-full of sensors for tracking things like heart rate and sleep activity, and this time around, Apple outfitted it with an always-on display, on-device Siri, and surprisingly intuitive gesture controls. What’s not to like?

$200 at Amazon $200 at Walmart $249 at Best Buy

Duluth Trading Company Men's Ballroom Double Flex Standard Fit Carpenter Jeans on a white background. Duluth Trading Company Men's Ballroom Double Flex Standard Fit Carpenter Jeans on a white background.

Duluth Trading Company Men’s Ballroom Double Flex Standard Fit Carpenter Jeans

$85

$85

You can help upgrade your dad’s wardrobe without making him uncomfortable with Duluth’s double flex jeans, which have extra material around the crotch to prevent him from feeling constricted while crouching or bending down. They also have side pockets that are perfect for stowing a wrench, a screwdriver, and other svelte tools.

$85 at Duluth (Standard Fit) $85 at Duluth (Relaxed Fit)

Brisk It Origin-580 Electric Wood Pellet Smoker Grill on a white background. Brisk It Origin-580 Electric Wood Pellet Smoker Grill on a white background.

Brisk It Origin 580 AI-powered smart grill

$569 $850 33% off

$569

Aspiring grill masters might appreciate some help for tougher smoking jobs, perhaps to avoid overcooking expensive brisket. The generative AI in the cheekily named Brisk It Origin 580 not only offers recipe-specific tips and cooking instructions, but it can manage the entire process. It sets the ideal temperature and even detects when the food is done to stop cooking autonomously.

$569 at Amazon (with on-page coupon) $600 at Brisk It $699 at The Home Depot

Selkirk Nexus Pickleball Paddle on a white background. Selkirk Nexus Pickleball Paddle on a white background.

Selkirk SLK Nexus Max Pickleball Paddle

$50

$50

Is your dad officially on the pickleball bandwagon? If so, let us introduce you to the Selkirk Nexus Max, a durable fiberglass paddle with a cushioned grip and a large sweet spot that allows even beginners to hit the ball with greater control and consistency. The attractive color combos are just an added plus.

$50 at Amazon $50 at Dick’s Sporting Goods $50 at Target

Twelve South AirFly Pro 2

$60

$60

The AirFly Pro 2 can amp up the sound quality of in-flight entertainment, making it a handy tool for frequent travelers. The long-lasting Bluetooth adapter can sync with two pairs of wireless earbuds or headphones at once, allowing you and a partner to share a movie, a podcast, or music without relying on the subpar earbuds most airlines provide.

$60 at Amazon $60 at Twelve South

The Good Hurt Fuego hot sauce gift set

$28 $35 20% off

$28

They say variety is the spice of life, which makes the Good Hurt Fuego box doubly so. Thoughtfully’s 20-pack of tiny hot sauce bottles includes flavors like cilantro jalapeño, bacon cayenne, and ghost pepper. Each bottle contains 0.7 fluid ounces of sauce, too, which is enough to get a taste before you lather them on your favorite pair of wings, Hot Ones -style.

$28 at Amazon $28 at Walmart

Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro keyboard

$119

$119

The Rainy 75 is the kind of budget board that simply did not exist a decade ago. The mechanical keyboard supports both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections, comes in a variety of charming colors, and delivers a fantastic typing experience. What’s more, the Pro model comes with Kailh Cocoa linear switches, which produce the TikTok-famous “raindrop” sound for which it’s known.

$159 at Wobkey (Pro) $119 at Mechanical Keyboards (standard)

Lodge 8 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet on a white background. Lodge 8 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet on a white background.

Lodge 8-inch Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

$18 $22 18% off

$18

Lodge’s 8-inch cast iron skillet only gets better with age, just like dad. It comes pre-seasoned, is deep enough for both frying and searing, and can be used either on a stovetop or in the oven. Cast iron is often associated with savory foods, but if your dad has a sweet tooth, it can also be used to whip up pancakes, cinnamon rolls, and other treats.

$18 at Amazon $18 at Target $22 at Lodge

Marshall Acton III

$275 $300 8% off

$275

Marshall’s handsome Acton III resembles the classic amps used by rock icons like AC/DC and Jimi Hendrix, right down to its vintage brass knobs and control switches. However, the powerful Bluetooth speaker lets you kick out the jams via your phone or any device that’s connected to the speaker’s 3.5mm audio jack, as opposed to a ’64 Stratocaster.

$275 at Amazon $300 at Best Buy $300 at B&H Photo

Northern Brewer HomeBrewing Starter Set on a white background. Northern Brewer HomeBrewing Starter Set on a white background.

$150

Northern Brewer’s all-inclusive kit includes everything you need to make up to 5 gallons of beer from scratch. Many of the tools that come with the set — including the test jar, kettle, and bottling bucket — can be reused if you catch the beer-making bug; however, you may also want to include a pack of bottles to store the hoppy suds between batches.

$150 at Amazon $150 at Northern Brewer $150 at Midwest Supplies

Fluance RT82 turntable

$350

$350

Vinyl has been making a comeback for years, which means your dad may have a few LPs in his collection by now. That being said, Fluance’s RT82 offers several features older turntables lack, including a fresh Ortofon OM10 cartridge and feet that are less prone to vibration. It doesn’t have a built-in phono preamp, though, so make sure to get him a receiver with a phono input if he’s just getting back into wax.

$350 at Amazon $350 at Target $350 at Fluance

Bones Coffee World Tour Single-Origin Sample Pack

$38

$38

You can help dad put a little extra pep in his step (and refine his taste) with Bones’ latest sampler. The eclectic variety pack includes five 4-ounce bags of single-origin coffee grounds from around the world, including locales like Sumatra and Ethiopia, each with its own distinct flavor profile. The only question is whether he prefers it ground or not.

$39 at Amazon (whole bean) $39 at Amazon (ground) $38 at Bones Coffee (whole bean)

Paper Apps Dungeon Notebook

$8

$8

You’ve heard of procedurally generated video games, but how about procedurally generated paper dungeon crawlers? Each 60-page Dungeon Notebook is completely unique and requires nothing other than a six-sided die and a pencil, which give you the means to navigate a variety of floors filled with coins, four-legged baddies, and hearts.

$8 at Gladden $20 at Pluto & Nessie

Exceptionally Bad Dad Jokes on a white background. Exceptionally Bad Dad Jokes on a white background.

Exceptionally Bad Dad Jokes

$5

$5

There’s nothing quite like a bad joke… until you’ve heard it a hundred times. Luckily, if you’re looking to expand your dad’s comedic repertoire, this 106-page book is loaded with clean, family-friendly puns that are exceptionally bad. In fact, did you ever hear the one about the police officer who caught two kids playing with a firework and a car battery? He charged one and let the other off.

$11 at Amazon (paperback) $5 at Walmart (paperback) $5 at Target (paperback)

Distil Folly magnetic sunglasses

$69

$69

It’s not the timeless look that makes Distil’s Folly Sunglasses attractive — though they do look quite good. The real appeal lies in their hidden neodymium magnets, which allow you to clip the polarized shades to your shirt or bag without having to worry about them falling off. That alone is worth the $69 price tag.

$69 at Amazon $69 at Distil Union


Credits

Photographer, photo editor: Amelia Holowaty Krales

Art director and designer: Cath Virginia

Creative director: Kristen Radtke

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