Updated on November 27, 2024
Now that the turkey has started to digest and you’re recovering from all the Thanksgiving festivities, it’s time to get ready once again, because the holiday season is here! You’ll want to start thinking about the perfect gifts for your loved ones because believe it or not, there are only a few months left until Christmas. The first gift you can get out of the way is one for dad. Why? Dads love gadgets, gizmos, and tech, so it will be simple to find something he’ll love. And we have some great gift ideas to consider.
Arcam A5 Bluetooth Integrated Amplifier
Help dad with his “man cave” by grabbing the Arcam A5 integrated amp, which is available through Erikson Consumer for $1,100. It comes with Bluetooth and aptX adaptive technology to play tunes right out of the box at up to 24-bit HD audio from whatever source you’re playing. Connect it to Bluetooth headphones as well for private listening. Providing 75-watt per channel, class AB amplification, and hi-res audio digital inputs, dad will have fun tinkering around with it. Finished with an aluminum front, top, sides, and rear panels, it has solid aluminum dials along with a compact remote.
Meze Audio 105 AER Over-Ear Open-Back Headphones
The Meze Audio 105 AER over-ear and open-back headphones are crafted using premium materials including cast zinc alloy, stamped manganese spring steel, and PU leather in the headband design, with velour ear coverings. The self-adjusting headband spreads the headband’s weight to deliver an even pressure while the soft velour cushions surrounding the ears create a favourable seal. As the lightest open-back model to date from Meze Audio at just 336 grams, they are also comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. Also featuring a newly refined voicing within the headset’s 50mm dynamic driver membranes, 105 AER is responsive and well-suited to all music types, says Meze. With a slight emphasis on bass and sub-bass capabilities, they “enhance the overall sense of immersion,” adding depth to your music. Meze Audio has adopted a modular design philosophy to the range, meaning the 105 AER can be taken apart and serviced endlessly, while individual parts and components can be replaced and repaired. They’re available for purchase for US$399.
Manmade Briefs
You have probably been inundated with ads for the Manmade briefs, including ones featuring Canadian actor and comedian Howie Mandel as their spokesperson. You’re probably wondering if they’re worth the hype. They are. Dad might initially force a smile at getting underwear yet again for Christmas. (Hey, at least it isn’t socks or a tie!) But once he puts a pair of these on, one legt after the other, and rises them up over his glutes, he’ll be in comfort heaven. First seen on the venture capital show Dragon’s Den, the Canadian company has been taking the male undergarment world by storm. Start dad off with a couple pairs of the best-selling Boxer Brief. It might seem like a lot at $24 a pair, but they’ll be the last boxers he ever wants to buy, and he’ll be flocking to the site to buy himself a few extras to make it through the week before laundry day. (You can also buy a seven-pack and save $2 per pair). They’re designed to be breathable, wick moisture, be comfortable thanks to the stretchy fabric and soft elastic waistband, and feature the “mansack,” which is designed to “separate your goolies from your legs,” reducing friction, increasing ventilation, and providing contoured support. Think of it as a bra for, well, his man parts.
4 Nations NHL Face-Off Tickets
If you’re looking for an experience gift for dad, consider tickets to 4 Nations Face-off from NHL.com. Taking place at the Bell Centre in Montreal on February 12, 13, and 15, the event includes three games among the best international hockey teams. Top NHL players represent team Canada, USA, Finland, and Sweden as the teams compete for the gold. Of course, you’ll need to book a flight, train, or plan a road trip to Quebec if you aren’t located there already. But it will be well worth the outing. Get him two to go with a best bud or get one for yourself to go with him, too.
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 True Wireless Earbuds
The Bowers & Wilkin Pi8 true wireless earbuds boast Bluetooth 5.4, aptX Adaptive wireless transmission at 24-bit/96kHz, and IP54-rated protection. With Multipoint connection, Made for iPhone (MFi) and Google Fast Pair (GFP) support, and a five-band Advanced EQ for fine tuning the sound, these will be dad’s new favourite buds. There’s an upgraded DSP/DAC and they offer 6.5 hours battery life for the earbuds with 13.5 hours more from the Smartcase for a total of 20 hours. Speaking of the Smartcase, dad will love that he can use it to retransmit audio to the earbuds wireless from sources like in-flight entertainment systems, home computers, or even the latest USB-C-enabled iPhones. They come in Anthracite Black, Dove White, Jade Green, and Midnight Blue for $499.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold Smartphone
Does dad need a new phone? Get him the top-line Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold so he can be the coolest guy in the office with a foldable phone. Running on the Google Tensor G4 chip with all the cool AI goodies, he’ll enjoy the advanced cameras, fluid friction hinge for easy folding and unfolding,and the bright Super Actua flex displays. It’s IPX8 rated for water-resistance and offers unique features like split screen, dual screen, rear camera selfie, and more, along with advanced video viewing and gaming experiences. Available in Porcelain or Obsidian, it starts at $2,399, so it isn’t cheap. But go ahead and treat dad.
Dual CS 518 Turntable
The Dual CS 518 has a twin gimbal bearing tonearm that comes pre-installed with the popular Ortofon 2M Red cartridge. The tonearm has a detachable head-shell for adding a specialized 78 RPM cartridge on a second head-shell. To reduce the transfer of vibration, it has a decoupled DC motor and built-in phono stage. The belt-drive turntable is built on a vinyl wrapped MDF plinth with decent weight – a build strategy that keeps the price down. The high height and square plinth design are reminiscent of Dual’s golden days of 1970s industrial design. Read more about John Thomson’s experience with this turntable for more insight from a dad himself. The Dual CS 518 can be found for just under $1,000. The turntable is available in Canada from Erikson Consumer.
Casetify Deadpool & Wolverine Accessories
If dad is a fan of Ryan Reynolds, Marvel, and the movie Deadpool & Wolverine, grab him some of Casetify’s new licensed accessories. These includes cases inspired by the comics, including Casetify’s Impact, Ultra Impact, Mirror, Clear, Impact Ring Stand, Bounce, and Ultra Bounce Cases, which are available for iPhone, Samsung, and Google devices. If you’re looking for something instead og a phone case, there are cases for AirPods, AirPods Pro, Apple Watch bands, wireless chargers, grip stands, cardholder stands, leather wallets, power banks, phone straps, MacBook and iPad cases, and more. Pricing varies but you’re sure to find everything from a main gift to stocking stuffers for the superhero dad.
OnePlus Pad 2 Tablet
Dad might appreciate having a tablet for when he wants to enjoy a bigger screen experience on the go, or even while lounging back in his recliner chair. The OnePlus Pad 2 is perfect to use at work, too. It boasts a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 platform, 12.1-inch 3K display, and six stereo speakers, and works with the OnePlus Stylo 2 and OnePlus Smart Keyboard, purchased separately. When paired with the OnePlus Smart Keyboard, the NFC file transfer between the OnePlus Pad 2 and OnePlus phones is ultra-fast, regardless of file size, says the company, even when the tablet is locked. The Open Canvas feature supports up to three split-screen apps simultaneously, with each app shown in its best adaptation. There’s also the ability to extend the flow beyond the OnePlus Pad 2’s own screen. He can enjoy plenty of AI features, too, through AI Toolbox, from getting help creating original content to converting recorded audio to text and generating summaries. Thanks to high-res spatial audio, he can also enjoy everything from movie watching to music and gaming from the tablet. It starts at $750 while the Stylo is $150 and Smart Keyboard $200, so get him the entire package for $1,100, or save the accessories for his birthday and Father’s Day.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 Smartphone
Another foldable smartphone option is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6, a perfect upgrade to his older-model Galaxy phone. As the slimmest and lightest Galaxy Z series phone, it has a dual rail hinge structure with a strengthened folding edge and is made using durable materials. Running on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform for Galaxy, it’s optimized for AI processing and offers enhanced graphics along with improved overall performance. The upgraded cooling system maximizes performance with a larger vapour chamber. Enjoy all the coolest Samsung AI and Google Gemini features, including Note Assist in Samsung Notes for translation, summaries, and transcriptions, Circle to Search, and more. If dad travels a lot for work or converses with colleagues or clients who speak another language, he’ll love Interpreter, which leverages the two screens to help make communication in two different languages seamless. It doesn’t come cheap at a starting price of $2,565, but isn’t dad worth it? Choose from Silver Shadow, Pink, or Navy.
Turo Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing Rental
I tried Turo last year and absolutely loved it. Given the option to book everything from practical family vehicles to luxury cars, did will appreciate the latter. Has he always wanted to check out an electric vehicle? Maybe his dream car is a McLaren GT? Yep, you can find all kinds of vehicles for rent from their owners on the site, whether you want something for a full week, a weekend, or even just 24 hours for dad to drive in style for a day. Turo recently updated the site to allow for limitless searches without dates or locations, so you can search for the car dad wants, find availability that fits with his schedule, and book him the surprise. Or just get him a credit he can use towards his own booking once he can gather the buds for a game of golf, he’ll play Designated Driver. If dad wants to wait, Turo rentals will soon be available through Uber Rent for even easier rental with the credit you’ll gift him.
Motorola Razr+ 2024 Foldable Phone
Yes, we’re really stressing the foldable phone because dads love them not only for the functionality, but also bragging rights. Motorola’s Razr+ 2024 is a solid option as well. It comes with AI features like the others and has bigger screens than the previous generation model, including a 6.9-inch inner screen when unfolded and a 4-inch outer screen when closed. Dad can even access Google Gemini apps right from the external screen, and comes with a three-month trial to Gemini Advanced. Finished with a soft vegan leather back and contoured edges, the Motorola Razr+ comes in Midnight Blue, Spring Green, Peach Fuzz, the Pantone Color of the Year 2024, and Hot Pink as a throwback to the original Razr. The Motorola Razr, also known as the Motorola Razr 50, comes in Beach Sand, Koala Grey, and Spritz Orange. It’s available for much less than the others as well at just $1,300.
Masterbuilt Gravity XT Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker
Want to really make dad’s Christmas? You might not be able to wrap this charcoal grill and smoker and place it under the tree, but you can have it delivered and pop a massive red bow on it. Dad will be calling his brother or neighbours over right away to help him set it up then toss a few burgers and hot dogs on before he explores even more, from brisket to smoked turkey and reverse seared steaks. I reviewed the Masterbuilt Gravity XT this summer, and this is an outdoor appliance that any dad who barbecues will love. With a massive cooking surface, digital hopper that automatically feeds charcoal, and even app control, it’s worth every penny of the $2,000 price tag. If you want to make the process completely effortless for dad, buy it from a retailer that offers set-up for a fee. It is a two-person job and will take a few hours.
Satechi Qi2 Wireless Car Charger
The Satechi Qi2 wireless car charger is designed to offer faster wireless charging at 15W for compatible devices, so dad can get his phone recharged while he’s on the road. It has a strong magnetic attachment to keep Qi2-enabled devices securely in place. The upgraded design includes a soft silicone charging puck that protects the phone from scratching and prevents the puck from cracking. The charger comes with a one-metre USB-C cable and a 25W CLA (Cigarette Light Adapter) that can also be used directly for wired charging to peripherals. It delivers twice as much power to the iPhone as its previous model, providing 15W as opposed to the 7.5W limitation of standard Qi devices. Per the new Qi2 standard, the integrated magnets ensure proper coil alignment for an optimal charge. It has been optimized to support the complete MagSafe-compatible iPhone lineup (iPhone 12 to iPhone 16 series) and other Qi2-enabled devices. Standard Qi devices are also compatible but may require additional hardware (not included) such as a magnetic sticker or magnetic phone case. Get is for US$60.
Apple Watch Series 10 Smartwatch
Is dad still sporting the Apple Watch Series 6, even 8? If so, it’s time. You can upgrade him to the newer Apple Watch Series 10 and he’ll appreciate the sleeker design and added screen real estate, along with other upgrades. Though it offers the same 18-hour battery life, there’s a more efficient charging coil so it recharges more quickly. There are sleep apnea notifications if dad suspects or already knows that he suffers from the sleep disorder. He can also enjoy new depth and temperature sensing for water activities and Custom Workouts for swimming. There’s also the option to play back audio right from the watch without needing headphones. It starts at just $549.
JBL Live 770NC Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
Is dad constantly traveling for work? If so, he will appreciate a good pair of noise cancelling headphones, and the JBL Live 770NC are one of the best pairs I have reviewed this year. From the sound quality to comfort and battery life, they check all the boxes. But the biggest box they check? They’re only $300, half the price of wireless noise cancelling headphones that aren’t nearly as good. Dad doesn’t have to wait until his next flight to enjoy them, though. From commuting via public transit (train to work, perhaps) to quiet time in his home office or gaming, they’re versatile and affordable. They’re available in Canada from Erikson Consumer.
Kanto Audio ORA Speakers
Perfect for his home office, gaming room, even living room, the Kanto Audio ORA speakers come with USB-C ports for connection to a PC or Mac as well as Bluetooth to wirelessly connect to your phone or other device and RCA for analog gear. Equipped with 3-inch woofers and a ¾-inch silk dome tweeter, it’s the company’s first active speaker and remains a popular option in the line. Read John Thomson’s review of these speakers for more details. They sell for just $349, a bargain for great desktop speakers.
Philips DiamondClean Prestige 9900 Electric Toothbrush
Hear me out: a toothbrush doesn’t exactly sound like a cool gift. But when it comes to such a high-tech electric toothbrush like the Philips DiamondClean Prestige 9900 electric toothbrush, it’s a gift worth giving. At $500, it’s not something dad will likely ever buy for himself. But it makes such a difference in his oral care. The brush uses SenseIQ technology to sense plague and help remove up to 20 times more. It also works with the companion app to help guide you through the brushing process in every quadrant, advising if you’re brushing too hard or moving too vigorously. With a brush head that moves more than 100 times per second, you get a thorough clean that leaves your mouth feeling fresh every time. I have been using this toothbrush for the last few months (review coming soon!) and can feel the difference after every brush, even if I skip using the app when in a rush.