Tech-Savvy Father's Day: The Coolest Gadgets of 2025

Philips Hue Gradient Lightstrip is an easy way to upgrade room ambiance with bright, colorful lighting that we found simple to install and control during our testing. The sturdy design and smooth color transitions make it ideal for mood lighting, but in our experience the bundle feels pricey for what it does and isn’t suited for TV mounting, which limits its placement options. Scoring a practical 7/10, it’s perfect for a tech dad who loves smart-home flair—just know you’ll pay a premium for Philips’ polished ecosystem.

If you want a robo-cleaner that actually gets the job done, the Roomba Combo j9+ impressed us with simultaneous vacuuming and mopping and smart features like Dirt Detective that focus on messiest areas first. During our review its advanced navigation and obstacle avoidance delivered reliable, systematic cleaning across mixed floors, which is why it earns an 8.5/10 from us. The trade-offs are clear: the j9+ sits at a higher price point and requires regular maintenance like mop-pad cleaning, and while quieter than older models it’s not whisper-quiet during operation.

The Arlo Pro 5S camera gives you crisp 2K HDR video and color night vision that we found very useful for clear footage both day and night, and dual-band Wi‑Fi support helped keep streams stable during our testing. That said, setup proved fiddly for some users in our review and a number of advanced features sit behind a subscription, so the overall experience isn’t entirely plug-and-play. With a middling 6.5/10 score, it’s a solid and affordable ($89.99) entry for improved home monitoring if you’re okay with occasional app hiccups and subscription costs.

If the dad you’re shopping for likes a big command center, the Echo Show 15’s 15.6‑inch display makes recipes, video calls and streaming easy to read and its Alexa integration turns it into a smart‑home hub. In our testing the large screen and multi‑service streaming were handy, but we found the audio sounded flat and tinny with little bass and the touch responsiveness could freeze occasionally. The wall‑mount design and visible power cord limit placement, so at a 6.5/10 it’s decent at $299 but not our top pick.

The Ring Wired Doorbell Pro delivers crisp 1080p HD video with HDR, and in our testing customizable motion zones and near‑motion detection helped reduce false alerts while focusing on important activity. We found the hardwired setup gives reliable, constant power and steady performance, but our experience shows installation is limited to homes with existing doorbell wiring and many advanced features live behind a Ring Protect Plan subscription. At $229.99 and an 8/10 score, it’s a strong smart‑home upgrade if your home can support it.

Want cleaner air and a modern look? The Dyson Purifier Cool TP10 captured 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns in our testing and runs whisper‑quiet — we measured noise as low as 26dB in auto mode. We found the bladeless design looks great in living rooms, but our experience shows it lacks app connectivity and onboard smart controls, and it doesn’t detect VOCs; some users also wish the fan felt more powerful in very large spaces. Earning a 9/10, it’s a top air‑quality pick.

Eufy’s Video Doorbell S330 gives expanded coverage with dual cameras and no‑subscription local storage, which in our testing made it easy to review footage without recurring fees. We found the flexible install options — battery or wired — convenient, but during our review the unit’s bulkier design and the need to recharge the battery caused temporary downtime; the removable mounting pin also raised theft concerns. Scoring 7.5/10 and offering about 72‑hour battery life between charges, it’s a practical, privacy‑forward pick.

The Google Nest Thermostat is an easy-to-install, wallet-friendly way to start saving on energy — during our review we liked the straightforward setup and reliable remote control via the smartphone app. Its energy-saving features can shave utility bills without fuss, and the spec'd battery life of up to two years reduces maintenance. Our experience shows the design is less refined than other Nest models and the trim plate costs extra, and it won’t learn your patterns or support remote temperature sensors, which keeps it from a higher score despite an 8/10 rating.

For dads who want dependable outdoor coverage, the eufyCam S330 3-Cam Kit earned an 8.5/10 in our testing thanks to sharp 4K video and the perk of integrated solar panels that keep the system topped up. We found the no-subscription approach to storage refreshing and the IP67 rating robust for weather resilience, with battery life up to a year in basic use and virtually unlimited with solar. That said, its 135° field of view is narrower than some rivals and reliance on the HomeBase 3 can cause connectivity hiccups; night-vision motion blur also affected a few clips in our review.

August’s 4th Gen Wi‑Fi Smart Lock simplifies smart entry — we found built-in Wi‑Fi eliminates the need for a separate bridge and makes remote access straightforward, while the retrofit design installs over your existing deadbolt so keys still work. In our testing the wide smart-home compatibility with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit made automation painless. Our experience shows battery life runs about 3 to 6 months and some users see sporadic Wi‑Fi hiccups, and the higher price kept it from top-tier status; it’s an 8/10 pick when convenience and integration matter most.

If the dad you’re shopping for prioritizes health data, the Oura Ring 4 is a subtle, comfortable way to track sleep, heart rate and activity around the clock — in our testing the lightweight design made 24/7 wear far less intrusive than a watch. We found the 192-hour (up to eight days) battery life and IPX7 water resistance genuinely useful for travel and overnight monitoring, and its 8/10 score reflects solid health tracking. During our review the ring’s lack of built-in GPS and tendency to show surface scratches with regular use were real drawbacks, and our experience shows the $5.99/month subscription can add up on top of the $349 asking price.

The Galaxy Watch8 40mm packs an impressive 3,000-nit display and on-device Google Gemini AI features into a thinner, smarter wearable that felt speedy in our hands-on time. We found the new health metrics like Antioxidant Index and Vascular Load interesting additions and the IP68 water resistance reassuring for everyday use, but during our review the real-world battery life hovered around a day despite the slightly larger cell. With a 7.5/10 score, it’s a forward-looking smartwatch for dads who want cutting-edge health tools, though the higher starting price may sting.

The Apple Watch Series 10 pares down the design and boosts readability with a larger OLED display, and in our testing its thinner, lighter build made it more comfortable for all-day wear. We appreciated new sleep apnea detection as a meaningful health upgrade, but during our review limited battery life (about 18 hours) and a still-disabled Blood Oxygen app held it back from top-tier status. Scoring 7/10, it’s a stylish, health-focused gift for iPhone users who prioritize daily monitoring despite an ongoing charge requirement.

Looking for a durable everyday tracker? The Fitbit Charge 6 delivers up to seven days of battery life (168 hours) and a bright AMOLED screen that stays readable in direct sunlight, and built‑in GPS keeps runs accurate without a phone. During our review we found the small screen makes notifications and metrics harder to read mid‑workout and the magnetic charger can detach unexpectedly; plus some advanced insights require a Fitbit Premium subscription. At $94.95 and a 7.5/10 score, it’s a practical, battery‑friendly wearable.

The Google Pixel Watch 3 looks sleek and comes in two sizes, making it an attractive everyday smartwatch for style‑minded dads; in our testing we liked the refined design and on‑wrist presence. During our review we found the watch’s back is prone to scratches, which hurts durability, and the 41mm model’s battery life required daily charging — a drawback for travelers. With IP68 water resistance and a 7/10 score at $284.99, it’s a stylish but somewhat fragile option.

The Oura Ring Gen3 is a discreet health tracker that shines at sleep and biometrics — in our testing we found it offers detailed insights into sleep, heart health and stress through its app and the ring’s 96‑hour battery makes overnight monitoring convenient. Our experience shows the Gen3’s subscription model adds $5.99/month to access full data, and workout metrics are limited compared with watches, so it’s less suited for serious athletes. Priced at $299 and scoring 7/10, it’s best for sleep‑focused dads who want subtle tracking.

If you want a bright, budget-friendly tracker, the Xiaomi Smart Band 10 packs a lot into a small price — in our testing the 1.72-inch AMOLED with 60Hz refresh and up to 1500 nits made notifications and stats easy to read in daylight. We found the 504-hour battery life and IPX7 water resistance genuinely convenient for travel and everyday wear. That said, its lack of NFC for contactless payments and no built-in GPS mean you’ll need a phone for location tracking, which limits its appeal as a premium gift. Scoring 7/10, it’s a solid basic wearable for dads who prioritize display and battery over advanced features.

If immersive TV audio is top of the list, the Sonos Arc Soundbar delivers cinematic Dolby Atmos performance that impressed us in listening tests and earned it a strong score for high-resolution audio. We found the spatial imaging and clear dialogue work beautifully for movies and sports, but during our review the lack of conventional Bluetooth and an $899 price tag make it a premium pick rather than an impulse buy. For a tech-loving dad who values room-filling sound and seamless streaming, the Arc is a top-tier option despite the limited wireless flexibility.

The Bose Soundbar 700 blends sleek looks with clear, detailed sound and smart assistant support, and in our testing it made dialogue and music sound pleasantly balanced for everyday TV setups. We liked the premium finishes and built-in Alexa/Google voice controls, but during our review the glass top's reflections and limited bass without a subwoofer were noticeable downsides. Scoring a competent 7/10, this unit is a solid mid-range gift—great for style and clarity—though it won’t satisfy those chasing Dolby Atmos or heavy low-end impact.

Bowers & Wilkins PX8 headphones stand out for luxurious comfort, premium materials and exceptional clarity — in our listening sessions they delivered precise, high-resolution sound across genres and effective ANC for steady background noise. We found the 30-hour battery life handy for long flights, but during our review the noise cancellation struggled with sudden sounds and durability concerns like an inconsistent wear sensor caused occasional, unexpected pauses. Scoring an 8/10, the PX8 are a superb audiophile gift if you can justify the higher price and accept some small reliability trade-offs.

Nothing Headphone (1) White is a striking pair with remarkable battery endurance—our testing showed up to about 42 hours with ANC on, which is fantastic for long commutes or travel. We found the ANC helpful but not on par with the very best noise-canceling rivals, and sound required manual EQ tweaking in our experience to reach ideal clarity. Scoring a lower 5.5/10, these headphones are an attractive, long-lived choice if battery life is your priority, but audiophiles should weigh the trade-offs in sound and ANC performance.

For dads who prioritize sound during workouts, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport earbuds serve up high‑resolution audio with clear vocals and strong bass, plus effective active noise cancellation to block distractions. In our testing we liked the secure fit for running, though we found the earbuds could become uncomfortable after extended use and the charging case is bulky for pockets; touch controls also proved overly sensitive and caused accidental activations. At $149.99 and an 8/10 score, they’re a premium workout pick if you tolerate size trade‑offs.

The Sony WH‑1000XM6 headphones are a go‑to for dads who want class‑leading noise cancellation and premium build quality — we found the ANC exceptional and the foldable design comfortable for travel. During our review the headphones delivered high‑resolution audio over LDAC and a refined listening experience, but they lack water resistance so they’re not ideal for sweaty workouts and the 30‑hour battery with ANC on is solid but not best‑in‑class. Priced at $429.99 and rated 8/10, they’re a premium, travel‑friendly choice.

Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds impressed us in testing with dynamic, bass‑forward sound and world‑class active noise cancellation that keeps flights and commutes peaceful. We found them comfortable thanks to customizable eartips and stability bands, but the bulky charging case hurts pocketability and the lack of wireless charging is annoying for accessory lovers; battery life is about six hours per charge. At $299 and an 8/10 score, they’re a high‑quality, audiophile‑leaning gift if you can accept the price and case trade‑offs.

The DJI Mini Neo Drone is a great pick for a dad who values portability and easy footage — in our testing the lightweight design, hands-free launch/landing and 4K video plus 12MP stills made quick trips and vacations effortless. It’s an approachable drone, but our experience shows it lacks obstacle avoidance and uses a one-axis gimbal, so footage can be less steady in complex scenes. Features list an 18-hour battery life, though during our review real-world flight time felt closer to the shorter span noted in the bad points, and with a 7.5/10 score it’s best for beginners mindful of those trade-offs.