They say that shopping for dads is difficult. We ask, how so? We are a demographic that is easy to flatter and easy to please. If you think of us enough to buy us something, you’re 90% of the way there. And that last 10%? Ok, that’s the tough part. How do you get us a gift that is unique and useful, something we’ll not just like but actually love? You’ve come to the right place.

For our 2023 list of the best gifts for dads, we’ve curated products that we know and love, ones we can say with confidence stand out from the rest of the pack. We guarantee you’ll find something here to make him smile, smell good, look good, or feel cool.

Every product you see here is independently selected by our editors, writers, and experts. If you click a link on our site and buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Flint And Tinder Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker Jacket

Recess Classic Pickleball Set

Sonos Roam

KOW Wagyu Steaks

Finisterre Men’s Bowers Jumper

The Ice Pod

Loop Switch

Ooni Volt

MLB Stadium Blueprints

Kane Revive

Topo Designs Fleece Cap

Air-Carrier Cargo Box

Theracane

Joule Turbo Sous Vide

Filson Watch Cap Beanie

Optimus Prime

This 13.5 inch, 1508-piece Optimus Prime is everything an Autobot lover would desire. He comes with a blaster and energon axe and, yes, transforms into the iconic Freightliner FL86 cab without any reassembly.

Replica By The Fireplace

NERF N-Strike Mega Mastodon Blaster

ADIDAS Stan Smith Shoes

Flexipan Dominique Ansel Cookie Shot Mold

Reebok Deck

L.L. Bean Men’s Windproof Wool Gloves

No Reception Club Getaway Bag

Corridor’s K-Swiss Classic ‘66

Todd Snyder Linen Jersey T-Shirt

Patagonia Storm Racer Jacket

Vinyl Me Please Subscription

The Heavyweight Overshirt

Brumate Toddy XL

At Ease Hoodie

A perfectly fine hoodie fits nicely and looks decent. A great hoodie seamlessly transitions from a workout to a dinner out. This one is the latter, and is breathable and double-knit, with secure zippered pockets.

Crossfade 3 Wireless

Halden Boot

Marcato Atlas Pasta Machine

A-Game Hydro Hat

Le Marke Organic Olive Oil

Mercado Famous Whole Jamon Serrano

Men’s Hacienda LX Slipper

It makes sense that a company that makes award-winning sandals would make a fantastic pair of slippers. Hari-Mari’s Hacienda LX slippers’ full-grain leather upper is lined with genuine Texas shearling. Add memory foam-lined footbeds and rubber outsoles for outdoor use, and you’ve got the perfect dad slipper.

Challenger Bread Pan

Seawool Fisherman Sweater by Wellen

Momofuku Chili Crisp Hot Honey

Reencle Composter

The Our Place Cast Iron Perfect Pot

Ultimate Man Body Scrub Soap by Kiehl’s

Kindle Oasis

Fellow Stagg FG Pour Over Coffee Set

No Reception Club Getaway Bag

Reversible Maple Edge Grain Cutting Board by John Boos

John Boos cutting boards are choice of so many popular chefs and food personalities — and for good reason. Like all Boos boards, this one is hand-made in Illinois and made of sustainably sourced wood. This mape board features integrated chrome handles for easy lifting. One side is flat and the second side has an integrated juice groove to keep things clean.

The Daily Wear Detrola 43mm Watch

The Elevated Cocktail Shaker

Fulton & Roark Total Package

Pepper Cannon by Mannkitchen

Ground pepper creeps its way into a lot of dishes — and wearing your wrist out to grind 1/4 teaspoon of the stuff is never fun. This exceptionally well designed, heavier than it looks mill grinds more pepper per twist than anything on the market.

Voited Cloudtouch Indoor/Outdoor Blanket

Spirited: Cocktails From Around the World by Adrienne Stillman

Adrienne Stillman is the co-founder, editor-in-chief, and event director of Dipsology, a guide and community for cocktail enthusiasts. And this meticulously researched book showcases 610 cocktail recipes from the past 500 years, hailing from 60 countries. If he enjoys a libation, and is curious about the history of the Sidecar, this book is for him.

The Mehlville Carabiner

James makes some of the finest everyday carry essentials you can buy. And just behold this thing of beauty. The carabiner is carved from a solid block of aluminum, has two sections for his EDC, and even has a bottle opener notch. No more missing keys, ever. The more he uses it, the more weathered it looks, which is the goal. One of those gifts that just makes every day a little better.

Wooden Slingshot

We’re all about the latest tech, but sometimes, it’s great to go old-school. And nothing is more old-school than this slingshot, handmade in San Francisco from forked tree branches and kitted out with a leather projectile pouch. Each is one of a kind. And each is gonna get dad outdoors and off his laptop.

M16 Folding Knife

Sturdy yet compact, the M16 Folding Knife from CRKT is perfect for both camp use and everyday carry. The aluminum handle is lightweight but strong, and the D2 blade steel keeps its edge. The flipper-assisted opening is responsive and easy to use, while the button-style lock is solid and simple to deploy.

PEN E-PL9 Camera

Don’t let the vintage look fool you, this is a modern camera filled with useful tech to help greenhorns take better shots, like autofocus and settings for closeups, sports, and portraits. Compatible with a suite of lenses that keep things interesting and also make this camera perfect to take on adventures or the kid’s birthday party where you can shoot in 4K video. Don’t worry, there’s a tilt-down screen so you can still take selfies, which you can then beam to a phone with wi-fi.

Spokane Laptop Sleeve by Herschel

A gift that will never go amiss: A classic laptop sleeve. Just choose the size and color that works. This one has a padded, fleece-lined interior, and a quietly cool exterior.

Atacama Field Watch

Vista 2 True Wireless Sport Bluetooth Earbuds

The Vista 2 has some of the best sound quality we’ve heard in a pair of workout buds and features excellent active noise cancellation. Oh and 24 hours of battery life. You can drop them in water. In mud. In snow. And they’ll be just fine.

Deluxe Skincare Set

When one of our favorite groomers raves about a new skincare line (Amy Komorowski works with Justin Theroux and Adam Driver, for starters), we sit up and listen. And this is one of her go-tos. This particular set has everything he needs for glowing skin: The brand’s signature Bro sheet mask, plus an anti-aging moisturizer, a face wash, and a sunscreen. Founded by a husband and wife team based in San Francisco, the line combines efficacy with accessibility. Plus, we love sheet masks.

Tumbler Diamond Rolling Knife Sharpener Kit

Book Fragrance by Commodity

Fragrance doesn’t need to be fussy — and shouldn’t be. That’s the ethos behind Commodity, which started as a Kickstarter campaign in 2013 and became the first direct-to-consumer fragrance brand. Now in its new iteration, after a relaunch, the brand retains its same commitment to simplicity and clarity. This particular fragrance is a heady, crisp blend of bergamot, cypress, and sandalwood, somehow both playful and intense at the same time. Sort of like him.

RollR 60 Wheeled Cooler

Traveler 35L

PT-R Weight Kit (100lbs)

Chipper Foam Seat

Made from recycled sleeping pad scraps, this barely-there 5½-ounce foam pad expands to a generous 13-x-17-inch egg-crate slab designed to take the sting out sitting. Take it camping to make sitting in a chair more comfortable, to a festival to keep turf stains off your pants, to the kid’s games — or, more pragmatically, use it around the house as a kneepad when you’re under the sink.

Thule Aion Carry-On Spinner Wheeled Luggage Bundle

The Ergatta Rower

Because exercise equipment has a way of proliferating and is generally ugly, at-home workouts tend to require a sacrifice of one kind or another. The possible lone exception is the rowing machine: Rowing works 86 percent of the body’s muscles and can be as cardio-intense (or mellow) as you like, while improving joint flexibility. One of the newest and sleekest rowing machines, the Ergatta uses actual water resistance, which makes it as effective as it is quiet (as well as cool-looking, with its transparent reservoir). It’s got all the fitness potential of a traditional rowing machine, but packaged with cutting-edge, immersive technology (a reasonable $29/month) that keeps monotony at bay. The jewel in the crown, though, is its design: Handmade of cherry wood, it’s the farthest thing from an eyesore, and it can be folded up and stowed away, so it works in even the tiniest of homes.

Air 2S Drone

The one thing you don’t want to do is crash a $1,000 drone, so the Air 2S makes adjustments on the fly using four sensors that detect obstacles, so even amateur pilots can get killer shots or video. A big 1-inch camera sensor up front captures video in 5.4k with 8x zoom that you can power from an intuitive control from nearly 4,000 feet away. The tracking feature locks in on a person’s face, following them as the drone flies on autopilot.

R1 EVO Helmet by Sena

Think of this bike helmet as a multi-tool for your head. Built into a comfortable, plastic-and-foam shell are a taillight, wireless speakers, a mic, and an intercom. Pair it with your phone to crank a playlist, take calls, get turn-by-turn directions, or listen to NPR through the speakers while still being able to hear ambient sounds — like someone passing on your left or a car’s horn. Get two — in group rides, you can use the intercom to chat with someone wearing the R1.

Co-op Outward Low Padded Lawn Chair

Tool Bag by Readywares

Readywares, based in Seattle and run by two brothers, makes heritage-quality items that are durable and practical. So it’s a win-win. And this bag is the ultimate gift for the DIY dad, the one who can never figure out where he left the drill bits or the screwdriver. It’s made of waxed cotton canvas, has a smooth brass zipper, and 11 pockets. So there’s a place for everything, and everything is in its place.

The Freestyle Indoor/Outdoor Projector

Backyard Duracord Hammock

Just looking at this hammock drops your diastolic blood pressure. String this version up between two trees, or on a stand, and the generous 55-x-82-inch hammock will cradle him with an open back that prevents sweating in the summer heat. The cord is as soft as cotton, but the synthetic blend inhibits discoloration in the sun, is anti-microbial, and easy to clean with soap and water when the kids spill watermelon on it.

HW-S60B 5.0ch All-in-One Soundbar w/ Wireless Dolby Atmos

Forge 15 Grill

A propane grill that attaches to a hitch means more storage space in the truck, and after arriving at the campsite or tailgate, you’re cooking at a comfortable height — though it also detaches for tabletop use. The 335-square-inch cooking surface, with two burners, adds enough versatility to grill, use a pan, or boil a pot of water for coffee. And when you’re done, none of that greasy mess is in your car.

Lego UCS Razor Crest

A perfect gift for a fan of The Mandalorian, this 6,187-piece build an enormous and intricately detailed recreation of the iconic ship. Five minifigures (including an excellent metallic Mando) round out the set, while details like Boba Fett’s armor, a carbonite-freezing chamber, and an escape pod make it as fun to play with as it is to display.