Let’s be honest: dad is tired of the socks, underwear, and hot sauce of the month club subscriptions. Get him something cool that he can tinker with and enjoy all year ’round. Dads of all ages love tech, and whether he’s a hard-core enthusiast, music lover, traveler, sports nut, or just fascinated with the latest gadgets, there’s something here to consider getting him this year.
Top Picks (Editor’s Choice)
1. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Foldable Phone
Samsung Galaxy users are a devoted bunch, never wanting to divert from their favourite phone type, and now ecosystem. If dad falls into this camp, upgrade him from a traditional bar phone to a foldable with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. It’s ultra-thin, lightweight, and it’s like having a small phone and a tablet in one.
He’ll love using the cover display for quick glances at notifications or the Now Brief for daily summaries. Being able to open up the phone for things like video calls, streaming video, gaming, web surfing, and more is a big bonus. Plus, you can orient it in different ways so it becomes a stand for snapping photos or watching videos on a plane, video chatting, even using cool modes like interpreter. I love features like being able to edit photos on one side while previewing what it will look like with changes on the other.
The phone boasts tons of power to keep up with the busiest days, from the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor to 12GB RAM. Get it with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB non-expandable storage. The thinner and lighter Armor FlexHinge with a multi-rail structure has been re-engineered to better disperse stress and protect the integrity of the display and reduce visible creasing. So it’s worth an upgrade even if dad has an older-model foldable, for this reason and more.
It comes in Silver Shadow, Blue Shadow, or Jetblack (as well Mint as an online exclusive colour) starts at $2,500, so band together with the siblings to get this for dad if it’s above your budget. Read my review.
2. Ooni Koda 2 Pro Outdoor Pizza Oven
I had the pleasure of testing this pizza oven this summer, and we enjoyed tons of delicious homemade pies that were world’s better than take-out. The best part? Everyone can make their own customized pie. The Ooni Koda 2 Pro is big with a capital “B,” able to make pies up to 18 inches in size. The patent-pending G2 Gas Technology includes a tapered flame gas burner system that delivers improved heat distribution to eliminate hot and cold spots and heat the stone faster.
The temperature range is 320°F up to a blazing 950°F that can yield a fully cooked pizza in 90 seconds; and dad can use it to make other things, too (check out the companion app for lots of creative ideas using a compatible cast iron pan or skillet, like the S’mores Pizza dessert I made!)
Dad can give the barbecue or smoker a break and switch to pizza for a while, donning his white apron and practicing his dough stretching skills in the kitchen. Along with the app, its high-tech features include a Bluetooth-enabled digital thermometer hub, front-mounted display that shows real-time temperature, and pyrolytic cleaning so after-cook clean-up is a breeze. Get it for $1,110 in Canada. Read my review.
Other Gift Ideas
DJI Mini 5 Pro Drone
Tech-savvy dads and drones go together like peanut butter and jelly, and if dad loves to capture fun footage, he’ll love the DJI Mini 5 Pro. It captures images and videos using its 50MP one-inch sensor, can fly for up to 36 minutes per charge, and has upgraded ActiveTrack 360° so dad can keep on top of its location. Fitting in the palm of his hand, it’s great for capturing footage even in low light, including nightscapes. Dad can play around with all types of shooting modes, including slow-motion, timelapse, rotate, rocket, helix, and more. Just be prepared for dad to charge it up Christmas morning and head outside as soon as it’s ready to try it out.
Apple iPhone Air Smartphone
If dad is into sleek and pocketable devices versus big and bulky, it doesn’t get much slimmer than the iPhone Air if he’s an Apple user. This new phone is an impressive 5.6mm thin, something he’ll surely want to show off to all his buddies. It’s still durable with Ceramic Shield and has a nicely sized 6.5-inch screen. With an all-day battery, A19 Pro chip, and fantastic cameras, mom will probably want an upgrade, too, once she sees this. Get it in Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, or Sky Blue in 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB options. It starts at $1,449 and comes with three months of Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple Music, Apple News+, and Apple TV+ with a new subscription. Offer and services availability varies by region. Personally, I’d go with the Apple iPhone 17 Pro, which I believe offers the best value in the line-up. Read my review to find out why. But if dad wants to stand out, maybe already has a primary phone through work and would only need this for evenings, weekends, and personal communications, it might be worth surprising him with the Air.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Smartwatch
If dad already has the Samsung Galaxy phone he wants, consider getting him the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 as a companion for it. Starting at $500, it’s powered by Wear OS 6 and comes with features like a personal AI assistant that helps provide answers, assistance, and keep you on schedule using Galaxy AI and Gemini, right from your wrist. You can do things like say “start a 30-minute run” or “find a nearby café and text Joe to meet me there.” Dads who run will like that it has dual frequency GPS and includes Running Coach, while dads who snore can use Sleep Apnea detection to see if it could be related to that. Available in Graphite or Silver and 44mm or 40mm sizes. Read my review.
Crosley C65 Record Player
For dads who have gotten back into vinyl, or younger dads maybe experiencing it for the first time, the Crosley C65 record player is a good entry option. He can test out the new albums he just bought, swearing they were such a good deal and he’ll get a player soon. The belt‑drive turntable fuses retro design with today’s audio innovations. It delivers powerful 50W stereo sound via its included bookshelf speakers, powered by a pre-mounted moving-magnet Audio‑Technica ATN3600L cartridge. The cartridge can also be upgraded over time. A switchable amp means dad can add the C65 system to a hi-fi system or powered/active speakers. What’s the modern twist? It features seamless Bluetooth 5.1 streaming as well. For playback from records, it has a full-size steel platter, aluminum tonearm with cue lever, adjustable pitch control, belt-drive DC motor, and resonance‑dampening feet. It accommodates both 33RPM and 45RPM records and includes essentials like a 45-adapter, slip-mat, dust cover, cartridge alignment protractor, and spare NP5 stylus. It doesn’t break the bank at just US$299.
Solos AirGo V2 Smart Glasses
I reviewed a pair of prescription Solos glasses a few years back and loved the concept. If dad isn’t into Meta’s options, this alternative is a little different with voice control, video capabilities, and an everyday wear design. The Solos AirGo V2 are slim smart glasses that combine a camera, AI, and real-time connectivity features in a slim, feather-light design made for all-day comfort. Equipped with a 16MP camera featuring advanced Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), dad can capture high-resolution images and Full HD video, even during movement. New to this model is live video streaming powered by ultra-low-power Wi-Fi, enabling real-time sharing without sacrificing battery life. The AirGo V2 also introduces SolosChat 3.0, a multi-modal AI platform that combines image, video, audio, and text for deeper, more dynamic interactions. You can do things like identify objects, translate signs, and get quick answers from multiple AI models, including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and DeepSeek. They start at US$299 and you can get them in his prescription with the added cost.
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 McLaren Edition Wireless Earbuds
For car buff dads, what’s better than a pair of wireless earbuds designed in collaboration with McLaren Automotive and the McLaren Formula 1 Team? The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 McLaren Edition wireless earbuds come in the signature McLaren Papaya orange colour with Galvanic Gray, but they’re not just about looks, they boast premium audio features, too. The $699 buds offer a 24-bit connection so you can listen to tunes in high-res from compatible sources. They include advanced noise cancellation, great for dad’s noisy commutes, with three mics for clear sound when he’s taking calls on the go. The smart charging case, also with a McLaren-inspired design, provides on the go charging so they’re always ready when he is.
Lego The Lord of the Rings: The Shire Set
Lego isn’t just for kids. There are grown men who love it, too, or dads who enjoy building sets with their kids. The Lord of the Rings: The Shire set is a perfect gift for dad to put together with kids who are just coming of age to watch LOTR. If they’re too young or uninterested, he’ll happily put it together on his own to decompress after a long day and display on a shelf in his office. The replica set has 2,017 pieces and is a diorama of Hobbiton that measures 45 x 27 x 20 cm. Created in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, the detailed Shire set recreates the atmosphere of Bilbo Baggins’ eleventy-first birthday celebration. You’ll get Bilbo’s hobbit-hole, iconic round green door, and rich interior. Nine minifigures are included: Bilbo Baggins, Frodo, Mrs. Proudfoot, Farmer Proudfoot, Merry, Pippin, Rosie Cotton, Samwise Gamgee, and Gandalf the Grey. It has interactive elements dad will enjoy exploring and additions like Gandalf’s horse and cart, fireworks, a firework dragon figure, the Party Tree, a party pavilion, and Bilbo’s book, which can be displayed open or closed. This collector’s item set sells for a cool $350.
We Are Rewind x Elvis Presley Limited Edition Box Set
Is he a Hound Dog whose All Shook Up? For Elvis-loving dads, this limited-edition box set from We Are Rewind is the gift to get him. Celebrating the legacy of the iconic musician, it combines legacy media with modern technology as a portable cassette player that has Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity as well. It comes in a collector’s box and with an exclusive re-issue of the iconic singer’s Christmas album. With a matte black finish and gold detailing, there’s even a gold foil stamp of Elvis’ silhouette. It runs on a rechargeable battery that lasts for up to 12 hours per charge. There’s even line-in recording capability for harkening back to the old days and making your own mixtape. There will only be 1,957 units sold worldwide, so jump on this one, stat, before it’s gone. Dad will pop this on to charge and queue up tunes like Elvis’ renditions of “Silent Night,” “Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me),” and “O Little Town of Bethlehem” by the time dinner is served. It’s sold exclusively only for US$199.
Smartish Side Hustle Magnetic Phone Attachment
If dad has an iPhone, a Google Pixel 10 Series phone, or a phone with a thin MagSage case, this wallet accessory will be his new favourite. The Smartish Side Hustle is designed to magnetically attach to the back of a phone like a MagSafe-enabled iPhone (iPhone 12 or later) or other Qi2 compatible device. It can hold up to three cards along with some cash, keeping dad organized and able to leave the bulky wallet at home. The extra-strong magnets ensure a secure grip while the case itself is made from vegan leather. The wallet is a side-loading design, which is appreciated since top-loading ones are sometimes more difficult to pull out cards. It comes in two solid colours (Black Tie Affair and Teddy Bear Brown) along with three cool patterns. It’s just U$50 on sale.