Giving a Gift of Sight is a perfect way to honor friends, family, or colleagues for birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, weddings, or any occasion.
Don't get your dad another tie this year. This list of gadgets includes scanners, cameras, speakers, rechargeable batteries and other tech toys that will make this Father's Day a memorable one.
From 2012: Father's Day Gift Guide: 8 Great Gadgets
Paul Mah is a freelance writer and blogger who lives in Singapore. Paul has worked a number of years in various capacities within the IT industry. Paul also enjoys tinkering with tech gadgets, smartphones and networking devices. You can reach Paul at paul@mah.sg and follow him on Twitter at @paulmah.
Gifts For Men Who Love Beer
- February 11, 2019 3:20PM EST
- February 11, 2019
Gifts For Men Who Love Music
Socks? Ties? Come on, you can do better than that.
When it comes to the tech-savvy man in your life, you might not be able to swing a Tesla Model X, or even the iPhone XS for that matter. Still, there are plenty of gadgets and gizmos that will surely brighten his day.
And yes, before you mention that all the items listed below could just as easily be gifted to a woman, you are correct. But you're the ones searching 'gifts for men' on the interwebs, so here we are, feeding the SEO monster. (Here's a roundup of gifts for women, if you're looking.)
Amazon Fire TV Cube
Has he been searching for the perfect way to enjoy all his movies and TV in one place? Look no further than the Amazon Fire TV Cube, which combines the power of the Fire TV with the functionality of an Echo device. He will enjoy sitting on the couch and asking Alexa to cue up Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, and any other media he's looking to consume this winter. It's an excellent streamer for anyone who doesn't already own Fire TV and Echo devices, and earns it our Editors' Choice.Amazon Kindle Oasis
Some guys like music, others like to stay fit, then there are the ones who like to read. For them, the Kindle Oasis is the e-reader of his dreams. It's expensive, but it's also the best Kindle you can buy. It's waterproof, has a large screen, and is filled with the most innovative technology you can get, which just means it will stay relevant for years to come. If the Oasis is too pricey, there are a few good alternatives to consider, like the brand-new waterproof Kindle Paperwhite.Anker PowerCore II 20000
If a man in your life is constantly needing a phone charge, it might be a good idea to pick him up an Anker PowerCore II 20000. This pocket powerhouse has fast-charging capabilities and allows you to charge two different devices at once. That means he can keep his Samsung Galaxy Note 9 fully charged without having to neglect his iPad. If he's the kind of person who obsesses over the battery life of his devices, he will love the Anker PowerCore II 20000.Apple iPad Pro
The latest Apple iPad Pro is an amazing feat of engineering that gives the device a new focus on doing actual work. Paired with an updated Apple Pencil, it makes a great gift for designers who need some versatility in their life. Choose the specs you want and customize it to their needs.Audio-Technica AT-LP60-BT Turntable
There are some guys out there who are really into their vinyl records, but why settle for the old-fashioned way when some new tech will make things a lot more fun? For the man who likes his vinyl, the Audio-Technica AT-LP60-BT turntable will stream his music through Bluetooth speakers. Check out PCMag's review.August Doorbell Cam Pro
If you know a guy who is interested in smartening up his home, the August Doorbell Cam Pro is the gift to beat. This video doorbell will allow him to lock the door with a mobile app and tap into a live video feed to monitor the front door with two-way audio. The app will also notify him if it picks up any movement, and automatically start recording, just in case.BioLite FirePit
This is the perfect gift for the outdoorsman on your list. The Biolite FirePit is a portable firepit that uses Bluetooth connectivity, air jets, and a mobile app to control flame height and radiant heat. It brings the outdoors into the 21st Century, like no other gift can.Corsair K95 RGB Platinum
The Corsair K95 RGB Platinum is a pricey gaming keyboard with an ideal blend of aesthetics and functionality that leaves little room for improvement. As an Editors' Choice, it is one of the best keyboards you can get, and it's easily our favorite option for gaming.Fitbit Charge 3
Get the health buff in your life a new fitness tracker. One of the best designed for everyday fitness tracking is the Fitbit Charge 3, which offers a few noted improvements over its predecessor while keeping everything that made it such a great choice. But we've also rounded up some of the best trackers for runners and those that were made for swimmers.GoPro Hero7 Black
The GoPro Hero7 Black adds stabilization to 4K60 video, and is the lone Hero with live streaming support. That makes the Hero7 the best action cam we've tested, and our Editors' Choice in the category.
LG Minibeam LED Projector (PH550)
This is also on the expensive side, but if you have the coin and he's a film lover, the LG Minibeam LED Projector is a worthy splurge. The Minibeam is portable, has a built-in TV tuner, includes many connection options, and features great video quality for projecting his favorite movies and TV shows onto the wall at home. It's our Editors' Choice for best portable palmtop projector.Logitech Harmony Elite
The Logitech Harmony Elite is the most advanced universal remote you can buy without a custom installation, and comes with a hub that can control most of your smart home devices. The bulk of the price is in the powerful touch-screen remote, so you can save some money by just getting the Harmony Hubon its own, or the Harmony Hub with a button-only remote in the $150 Harmony Companion bundle. For features and polish, though, the Harmony Elite is Logitech's flagship remote, and our Editors' Choice.Nest Cam IQ Outdoor
For a wider view of your outside space, the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor boasts several improvements over the 2016 version, including a more powerful image sensor, facial recognition, alerts that differentiate between people and other motion events, and enhanced audio. It's expensive, though; our picks for best home security cameras have options starting as low as $30, so you can certainly find something to help keep your home safe.Nest Thermostat E
If he's worried about how hot or cold the house is at any given time, get him a smart thermostat. The Nest Thermostat E offers most of the same smart features as its more expensive siblings, but it can't control complex multi-stage HVAC systems. For that, look to the original Nest Learning Thermostat, or one of our top picks.Nintendo Switch
If you're shopping for a gamer, you can't go wrong with a Nintendo Switch, a two-in-one rig for gaming on the go. It's also the cheapest console on the market, and the online store allows him to add several games to the Switch in minutes. There's also a great assortment of accessories, if you're looking to add a stocking stuffer or two to the equation.
Nvidia Shield TV
The Shield TV is a powerful Android TV-based media streaming microconsole with plenty of gaming tricks and hands-free Google Assistant support to help justify its hefty price tag.Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
The excellent Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 superzoom offers a long focal range with a fixed-aperture lens, 4K video, and instant autofocus. This camera is an Editors' Choice among the best bridge cameras on the market.Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit
Curious about smart lights? The Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit is a great way to get started. It comes with light bulbs and the Hue Bridge that allows you to connect and control your lighting. Philips Hue leads the way in smart light bulbs, and the company has done a lot to improve its own product over other iterations. The bulbs now last longer, the colored lighting is stronger, and they are compatible with third-party apps like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and others to make sure they stay connected.Roku TV Wireless Stereo Speakers
The Roku TV Wireless Speakers are an affordable way to add powerful stereo audio to your home theater setup, as long as it includes a Roku TV.Ryze Tello Drone
Drones are usually a big investment, but the Ryze Tello is an affordable gadget that can hang with the big boys. It's recommended for beginners, considering it lacks some of the high-quality functions of the more expensive variety. Just think of this as baby's first drone, and let him get his feet wet before he moves up a level. There are some even cheaper options out there, but then you're getting into toy territory.Samsung Portable SSD T5
Samsung's Portable SSD T5 drive has a speedy USB-C interface, plenty of reliable storage, and it takes up about as much room in your pocket as a short stack of credit cards. This Editors' Choice item comes with two terabytes of space, and is one of the best SSDs you can get.Sennheiser HD 4.40 BT
If you're looking to get him a nice pair of headphones, you should know what he cares about most. Does he want wireless headphones or earbuds? Would you describe him as an audiophile who obsesses over music quality? The Sennheiser HD 4.40 BT headphones do a lot of things well—bass lovers will enjoy these well-designed Bluetooth headphones—making them an Editors' Choice in the midrange price point.Shure SE215 Wireless
The Shure SE215 Wireless earphones offer some of the best in-ear Bluetooth audio performance available under $200. As an Editors' Choice, they're among the best wireless headphones options.Sjcam SJ6 Legend
If you can't afford a GoPro, the Sjcam SJ6 Legend records stabilized 4K video and boasts a touch-screen interface. It's an Editors' Choice and also our favorite low-cost action cam.Sonos Beam
Does he like the Amazon Echo, but wished it packed more of a punch in terms of audio quality? Look no further than the Sonos Beam, an Editors' Choice soundbar that combines multi-room, multi-service audio streaming and Amazon's Alexa voice assistant into a deceptively small package and puts it in front of your TV.Tile Mate or Pro Trackers
If he's always losing his keys, wallet, or other important items, it's time to get him a few Tiles, which work like GPS trackers for things like keys and wallets. Add a Tile Pro to a key ring or slip a Tile Mate inside a wallet, and the next time they're lost, use the Tile app to locate them.Breville Precision Brewer
The Breville Precision Brewer is for people who know exactly what they want from their coffee but are sometimes hindered by the standard coffee maker's limitations. This machine, of course makes good old drip coffee, but it also has settings for cold brew (with optional attachment), iced coffee, and fast brews, and you can even have it make a cup of pour-over coffee for you. The thermal carafe keeps your brew hot for about four hours, and it comes with a goldtone filter as well as paper filters and an adapter for cone filters. The bloom time can be adjusted to your liking, and it can brew into a single cup if you don’t need the whole carafe. The only way this versatile coffee maker could be improved would be by the addition of a burr grinder.
—Sarah KovacNuraphone Headphones
With the July release of the G2 over-the-air software update, Nuraphone headphones now boast high-definition personalized sound, active noise cancellation, spoken battery level indication, and 'Social Mode,' which allows outside sound in via the external microphone without pausing the music.
But the main attraction here is technology that bounces soundwaves off your eardrums to adjust the music in a way your brain will understand. The headphones produce sound via speakers that sit inside your ear (like earbuds) and also around the ear (like over-ear headphones). The accompanying app can store several unique hearing profiles and offers an 'immersion' setting. Adjusting the immersion allows you to control how much sound is produced by the ear cups, which give you the feel of front-row concert seating.
I had my husband, who has hearing loss and uses hearing aids, create a profile with these headphones, and though he said the music was pretty quiet (they are not quiet to my ear), he could hear a wider range of sound with the Nuraphone than with his hearing aids listening through regular headphones. When I listened to music using his profile, the sound was very tinny – a reflection of his hearing loss being in the higher range (right about where the female voice falls, lucky me).
—Sarah KovacGift Guides
For more, check out our list of best tech gifts under $50 and gifts under $20.