25 Father's Day Gifts for 2022
An adjustable pillow, a trusty travel backpack, and other helpful presents
By Mary Beth Quirk
If there’s anything dads need, it’s most likely a break. A long-awaited vacation, a fun family movie night, or just some time to themselves.
From an adjustable pillow to a trusty travel backpack, these Father’s Day gift ideas are some of the best products in our ratings—because, of course, dads deserve the best.
For more ideas, check out these Father’s Day gifts under $50.
Dad On the Go
Costanza No More
Ekster Senate Cardholder
Don’t let dad be a George Costanza: The Ekster Senate Cardholder is CR’s Editor’s Choice for slim wallets. Its overall design and exquisite packaging make it a great gift. It includes a very elegant-looking cash strap and single cardholder to hold bills on the outside with the company’s logo emblazoned on the front and a slot on the outside for things like a MetroCard. The company includes an extra strap without the cardholder, to slim things down even further, inside a very beautiful box.
For more options: Best Slim Wallets
Trusty Luggage
Made By Design (Target) Hardside 20" Carry-On Spinner Suitcase
The Made By Design (Target) Hardside 20-Inch Carry-On Spinner Suitcase offers impressive overall performance and basic features at a competitive price, making it a CR Best Buy and the best-value bag in our tests. It sails through our impact tests, including assaults from a heavy, pointed hammer. It earns standout scores in all our other evaluations, though some testers found its top handle too tight to grasp well. This spinner is expandable, and its handle telescopes to three different heights. Beyond that, it’s rather bare-bones: It has just one inside pocket and no lock, compartment divider, or USB port. The warranty is a relatively short 1 year. Its unexpanded dimensions of 21.5x14.6x10.2 inches—including wheels and retracted handle—might not meet the carry-on dimension requirements of some domestic airlines.
For more options: Best Hard-Shell Carry-On Luggage
Travel in Style
Ebags Pro Slim Laptop Backpack
If the dad you know is on the go, a great bag is a must. With excellent organizational guts, the eBags Pro Slim Laptop Backpack is the best comfort/value combo in a CR evaluation. Bonus! It has an external water bottle holder that zips away, which can be helpful when you need to squeeze it into a small space, like under a plane seat. We also found it very comfortable to wear while e-biking and carrying it around on walks.
For more options: Best Travel Backpacks
For the Hiker
Deuter Speed Lite 24L Hydration Backpack
For those who love to hit the trails, consider the CamelBak Rim Runner 22L hydration backpack, our Best Comfort/Value Combo in a recent evaluation. A solid pick for cost-conscious day hikers who value organization, this CamelBak has dual elasticized mesh side pockets and a rear pocket that’s large enough to fit a long sleeve shirt (a bulkier sweater had to go inside the pack). CamelBak, which arguably invented the hydration pack, also thoughtfully designed this model with a large top pocket with a central divider and an interior lined with bright orange fabric, so it’s easier to find what you put where. The top pocket let our evaluator keep his gear organized and handy, and was large enough to accommodate a multitool, lip balm, sunglasses, and a paperback, leaving the main cargo hold free for bulkier clothing layers.
For more options: Best Hydration Backpacks
Fuel for the Day
Rise & Grind
Oxo Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
The Oxo Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is a fantastic grinder and one of the more affordable models that does well in our tests. It receives strong scores in our grind performance tests, making it a good choice for any brew method you want to use. It also scores well in our tests for convenience, thanks to its clearly marked and easy-to-use controls. Our testers found it extremely easy to clean, too, because it has a removable hopper. It features 15 grind settings, a 12-ounce bean hopper (one of the largest in our tests), an auto-stop feature, and a timer.
For more options: Best and Worst Burr Coffee Grinders
Feelin' Frothy
Nespresso Aeroccino4 Milk Frother
Sometimes you do get what you pay for, and when it comes to versatility, this old adage seems to be true for the Nespresso Aeroccino4, our Editor’s Choice. This carafe-style frother is the most expensive of the models we tried, and it’s the only one that handled just about every type (and temperature) of milk well. The Nespresso has four modes: cold macchiato, hot milk, cappuccino mode, and latte macchiato mode. Cold macchiato mode worked well with all four types of milk, yielding plenty of milk foam for an iced latte. Bonus: Nespresso says all the parts except the base are dishwasher-safe. All you have to do is put the carafe, whisk, and lid in the top rack of the dishwasher.
For more options: Best Milk Frothers
Jolt of Java
Ninja Specialty CM401
Let Dad enjoy a coffeehouse creation at home with the Ninja Specialty CM401, a terrific all-in-one machine capable of brewing hot and iced coffee, lattes, macchiatos, and other specialty brews. In our tests it receives an Excellent rating for brew performance, and its glass carafe is easy to handle. This model is also packed with features, including an over-ice brew mode for iced coffee, a built-in milk frother, brew-strength control, and brew-size adjustment for travel mugs to full carafes. It’s one of the most versatile coffee makers we’ve tested.
For more options: Best Coffee Makers
Cup of Cold Joe
Cuisinart Automatic Cold Brew Coffeemaker DCB-10
With summer in full swing, your top Pop may want to brew up a cold cup of coffee. The Cuisinart Automatic Cold Brew Coffeemaker DCB-10 performed better than automatic models that cost almost twice as much. It does well across all our tests, and it’s the only model to receive a Very Good rating for ease of cleaning. Most parts are dishwasher-safe, unlike the other models in its class. This Cuisinart comes with a glass carafe (not plastic, like some competing models) and brews in 25 to 45 minutes.
For more options: Best Cold-Brew Coffee Makers
Tea Time
Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Electric Kettle
Perhaps your dad is more of a “tea, Earl Grey, hot” kind of guy. This Amazon Basics kettle is made of stainless steel and is one of the least expensive in our tests. It’s small, though, holding just 4 cups of water—the least of the kettles we’ve tested. It’s among the fastest to bring our testing standard of 4 cups of water to a boil, clocking in at just under 4 minutes and earning a Very Good rating in our time-to-boil tests. The warranty lasts 1 year.
For more options: Best Electric Kettles
Keepin' It Hot (or Cold)
Thermos Stainless King 20 oz
Help Dad stay fueled on the go: This stellar mug from Thermos keeps drinks hot for an impressive 7½ hours. It also has an easy-to-clean lid, which earned a rating of Very Good in our review. One of the three lid gaskets can’t be removed or replaced, so when it goes, so goes your mug. The tapered design means the mug will fit in the cup holder of most cars. Bonus: It has a handy tea hook on the underside of the lid, so you can suspend a tea bag in water without losing it inside.
For more options: Best Insulated Travel Mugs
Essential Tech
Comfort Is Key
Logitech ERGO K860 Keyboard
Give Dad’s hands a break if he’s working from home. The Logitech Ergo K860 is a Bluetooth keyboard featuring a tented, split design, effectively reducing ulnar deviation and wrist pronation. The model has a comfortable palm rest and legs up front to adjust the tilt angle, allowing the wrists to rest in a neutral position while typing. The membrane keys are easy to activate and include a number pad, shortcut/media control options, and programmable functions. It’s compatible with Mac and Windows.
For more options: The Best Ergonomic Keyboard for You
The Gift of Silence
JBL LIVE 650BTNC
Let Dad enjoy his audiobook in peace! The JBL Live 650BTNC headphones deliver outstanding noise cancellation and great audio quality. JBL hasn’t skimped on features, either. The headphones come with a detachable audio cable for use with wired devices, a quick-charge function, the ability to simultaneously pair with multiple devices, and a generous 20-hour battery life, according to JBL. A free app adds functionality.
For more options: Best Noise-Canceling Headphones
Get Groovy
JBL Pulse 3
What looks a little like a lava lamp and plays music really well? Meet the JBL Pulse 3. This Bluetooth speaker channels the aura of those groovy 1960s relics but uses LEDs under a plastic dome—instead of heated waxy blobs—for its visual effects. While a lava lamp is a one-trick pony, your dad can customize the patterns and colors of the Pulse 3’s light show using the compatible JBL app. He can even match the color palette to his favorite polo shirt if he absolutely insists. The Pulse 3 performed admirably in our sound-quality tests, earning a recommendation from our testers for good bass impact and smooth trebles.
For more options: Best Wireless Speakers
Garden & Garage
Grill Guys
Char-Broil Kamander 17302051
The Char-Broil Kamander is one of four nonceramic kamado grills in our ratings, all of which score similarly. The Kamander hits the sweet spot between price and performance. It’s made from double-walled stainless steel and has a powder-coated finish. On high heat, the Kamander can get to 1,000° F, helping it to cook pizza crust perfectly in our tests. Like ceramic models, it has upper and lower dampers for controlling airflow, but because of its metal construction, it’s far lighter—at 115 pounds—than most kamado grills.
For more options: Best Kamado Grills
DIY Time
DeWalt DCD701F2
This 12-volt general-use drill is light enough that Dad won’t tire when swapping out an overhead light fixture but forceful enough to bore holes in hardwood without bogging down. That’s what you get with a brushless motor. The DeWalt DCD701F2 ranks at the top for its power and speed scores, and its price earns it a CR Best Buy badge of honor.
For more options: Best Cordless Drills
Power Tool Time
Worx WG303.1
If your dad is a fan of power tools, this electric chainsaw could do the trick for Father’s Day. The Worx WG303.1 is a corded model that’s well suited for the lighter work you might need to do close to the house, like trimming hedges, cutting a small amount of firewood, or breaking down a fallen limb. It’s easy to control, with a strong score for handling. That’s thanks in large part to how light it is, just 11 pounds.
For more options: Best Chainsaws
Tidy Yard, Happy Dad
Ego ST1502SA
Maybe the best present for Dad is more time outside, tending to the greenery and contemplating the glory of nature. The Ego ST1502SA edges and trims as well as the best gas models in our ratings, and even clears through tall grass and weeds. At 9 pounds, it’s extremely light. And because this Ego is battery-powered, it’s easy to start and operate.
For more options: Best String Trimmers
Rest & Relaxation
Muscle Melt
Therabody Theragun Mini
The ultraportable Theragun Mini was one of the quietest massage devices we tested. It has a wedge-shaped handle and is one of the best devices for reducing problematic wrist postures. “I like the fact that it is small to hold, and I love how easy it is to use and charge. It’s compact and easily transportable,” one user said. For overall portability and quiet, this could be a top choice. Bonus: It’s on sale for a nice discount at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart right now.
For more options: 7 Massage Guns Evaluated
Customized Comfort
Coop Home Goods Premium Adjustable Loft
Give Pop the gift of a great night’s sleep with a pillow he can adjust to his liking. The Coop Home Goods Premium Adjustable Loft pillow is made of shredded memory foam and earns an Excellent rating in our tests for support, no matter your size and whether you sleep on your side or back. “It’s a very versatile pillow,” says Chris Regan, who oversees pillow testing at CR, in part because it comes with a kit with extra foam so that you can adjust the filling. This pillow, which is recommended by CR, also keeps its shape well, showing little or no change in height or fluffiness in our resilience tests.
For more options: Best Pillows
Snooze Happy
Harkla Weighted blanket
If Dad has been thinking of trying out a weighted blanket, this could be just the thing for Father’s Day. The Harkla weighted blanket comes with a fleece duvet cover, and the beads are glass. Harkla says both the cover and the inner blanket can be machine-washed in cold water on the gentle cycle and put in the dryer on low heat. It comes in three colors. Amazon shoppers: Make sure to click the Amazon on-page coupon to save 10 percent.
For more options: We Tested 5 Weighted Blankets. Here’s What We Found.
Sweet Dreams Are Made of Sheets
Brooklinen Luxe Core
When the working day is done, help Dad snooze in comfort. This Brooklinen set (a bit of a splurge) will fit a 14-inch mattress and one that’s not as deep. Our testers note that these sheets don’t shrink as much as some other cotton sheets we’ve tested. They earn a Very Good rating for both fit and shrinkage. Though they do tend to get smaller during washes, they don’t deform all that much over time. Luxe Core sheets are on the softer side based on our sensory test.
For more options: Best and Worst Sheets
Treat for the Tush
Tushy Classic
Upgrade Dad’s alone time with a bidet attachment for the toilet. The Tushy Classic has a dial to adjust the water pressure as well as three settings fore and aft. A few users said it was easier to move themselves rather than adjust the nozzle, so if your dad has limited mobility, this bidet might not be a great option. Most users in a recent CR study found the Classic easy to install and had no trouble with figuring out the water-pressure dial or nozzle adjustment switch.
For more options: Bidet Review: ‘I Have Less Toilet Paper Anxiety’
Pearly Whites
Oral-B iO 7 Series
Upgrade the nightly routine with a new teeth-cleaning machine: The rechargeable Oral-B iO7 Series is our top-rated model. It has five brushing modes and was rated using the Daily Clean mode. It has a timer, pressure sensor, and battery-level indicator, and it can connect to a smartphone app.
For more options: Best Electric Toothbrushes
Follicular Self-Care
Remington Smart Beard Trimmer (MB4700)
Give the dad in your life a boost in the self-care department: The Remington Smart Beard Trimmer ranked the highest among our users in a recent study conducted by CR. Users appreciated the trimmer’s smart features, such as the digital setting to auto-adjust the trimmer length and travel lock. Most users expressed no discomfort with their skin or hair while using this model. One user did note that this model is not user-friendly for left-handed people, given that the travel lock button is on the right side of the trimmer.
For more options: The Best Beard Trimmer for You
Catching Quality ZZZ's
Tuft & Needle T&N Original Mattress
Breakfast in bed is even better when you’re being served on a comfy mattress. This Tuft & Needle mattress-in-a-box foam model comes with a 100-night sleep trial, so if Dad doesn’t like it, he can return the mattress within 100 days for a full refund. And it has a 10-year warranty that covers visible sagging, physical flaws, and manufacturing defects. The T&N scores well in our support tests for petite, average, and large/tall side sleepers, as well as for petite back sleepers.
For more options: Best Mattresses
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