30 Best Father’s Day Tech Gifts: 2024 Gift Guide

This iPad, with its 10.2-inch screen, is an ideal entry point into the Apple ecosystem. It's equipped with a long-lasting battery, a responsive touch-screen interface, and a camera that's perfect for video calls thanks to the "Center Stage" feature. The iPad is also compatible with an Apple Pencil and has a headphone jack, which is a rare find in more recent models. As a student, I appreciate its portability and performance, especially when paired with a Bluetooth keyboard. Its 64GB storage capacity is sufficient for my needs, but for those who require more, a 256GB version is also available.

When I first installed these thermostats in my large home, I was thrilled with how easy they were to control compared to the old system. The remote sensors are a lifesaver, allowing me to adjust the temperature depending on where I am in the house — no more sweltering kitchens! Plus, they've saved me a significant amount on gas over the years, more than paying for themselves. Installation requires a little bit of setup and calibration, but it's worth the effort, especially with the power savings I've seen. The thermostats are also smart enough to learn from my habits and adjust themselves accordingly, saving energy when I'm not home or when certain rooms aren't in use. Unfortunately, sharing control of the thermostat requires a workaround through the Google Home app, but it's a minor inconvenience for a product that offers so much. In my vacation home, these thermostats have been a game-changer. They only need two wires to operate, unlike other smart thermostats that require a C (Blue Common) wire. They even have a safety function that turns on the heat automatically if the temperature dips too low, reducing the risk of frozen pipes in the winter. Check with your utility company — you may be eligible for a rebate to offset the cost of these thermostats.

These LED lights are a hit with the younger crowd, especially as a birthday or Christmas present. I've personally noticed from my niece that the sound quality is appreciated, and the changing lights add a cool factor that's hard to beat. However, the device has a few drawbacks, such as the clock running fast and the light settings changing on their own when music is playing, which may be a bit frustrating if you're looking for more than just a speaker.

I have been using this 6 pod Aerogarden for a few years and it has mostly been a joy to use. This Aerogarden is great for growing herbs right in my kitchen, including basil and cilantro, which have done exceptionally well providing abundant quantities for months. However, not all pods have been successful, as I've had issues with the growth of mint and thyme. Also, after about a year, I started to notice some algae, but a treatment involving 3% hydrogen peroxide every time you add liquid fertilizer seems to keep it in check.

My experience with this lens kit was generally positive; the image quality they provide is impressive. The wide aperture and minimal edge distortion of the lenses were standout features, enhancing depth of field and retaining subject color and clarity. The accompanying accessories were a welcome addition, particularly the useful light, however, I found the lens caps to be lacking, which could expose the glass when travelling. Despite this, I found the lenses an excellent upgrade from cheaper kits, although their bulkiness and the clip's size made handling a bit unwieldy.

When I first operated this Roomba, I was impressed by its ability to navigate around furniture and under low spaces, a task that is often challenging for me. Although it sometimes struggles to find its way out from under chairs or tables, and is not the quietest machine, it effectively picks up hair, dust, and dirt from my hardwood floors. As a bonus, it's equipped with a battery that lasts for over 90 minutes, allowing for ample cleaning time before returning to its charging station. However, it does require frequent emptying of its dirt bin, and a regular cleaning of its brushes, but these minor inconveniences are overshadowed by the convenience and efficiency it offers.

I've been using this mouse quite extensively and it has proven to be incredibly comfortable to use, even for long periods of time. It's got an excellent performance range with customizable DPI settings up to 25,600, numerous programmable buttons, and a user-friendly software interface, when you opt for the Onboard Memory Manager instead of the more convoluted G HUB or Logitech Gaming Software.

These Amazon Smart Plugs have greatly simplified my home automation, acting as an intuitive and reliable extension of my existing Echo device. Setup was straightforward, but it did require scanning a code and quickly plugging it back in, contrary to the expectation that Alexa would automatically recognize it. Despite the higher price point compared to other brands, the ease of use, compatibility with Alexa, and the ability to control devices like my baby monitor or Christmas lights with voice commands, made these smart plugs a valuable addition to my home.

As a 73-year-old full-time writer and board game enthusiast, I was introduced to MetaQuest 2 at a recent board gaming championship. This headset instantly transported me into an alternate reality, with games like Beat Saber that encouraged me to rhythmically swat at blocks and dodge obstacles, all to the beat of the music. I found this system to be a great exercise tool, even though my upper thighs complained the next day. I also explored other free apps like Epic Roller Coaster, which surprisingly made both me and my wife a bit queasy. While I wasn't thrilled by the first-person shooter apps, I was intrigued by the sport activities and board games offered. Despite the steep price increase, I bought this system and have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.

I'm absolutely thrilled with this basic Kindle. It feels comfortable and familiar, like reuniting with an old friend. I especially appreciate the pinch to zoom feature and the satisfactory LED lighting. Although it lacks the ability to display the time at the top of the screen, which I found useful in the Paperwhite, this minor inconvenience is easily overlooked. All in all, this lightweight, responsive device provides a smooth reading experience, and I'm enjoying my transition from traditional books to this convenient e-reader.

For those of us often misplacing keys, wallets, or phones, these Tiles are a godsend. Each Tile in the pack has a unique function to help keep track of your belongings, and it's a cinch to use the app to ring your misplaced item or find it on a map. The button on the Tile can also ring your phone, even when it's on silent - a feature I've found particularly handy. While these Tiles are not designed to track down far-flung items or thieves, they're great for locating things within your home or office. The compatibility with Alexa, Google, and Siri is a nice touch, making it even more convenient to locate your lost items. Just be aware that to unlock some features, like getting alerted when you leave something behind, you'll need to opt for a premium subscription.

My experience with this Fitbit Charge 5 has been a mixed bag. The sleek design, long battery life, and accurate step tracking are definite wins, but the unreliable ECG feature and finicky touchscreen, especially during exercise, are letdowns. The band isn't the best fit for larger wrists and the charger doesn't always hold the watch securely, but the sleep tracking, while not as precise as the previous model, still does a decent job.

After using this wireless charger for some time, I've found it to be a practical solution for charging various devices. It offers a reasonable charging speed and is optimally sized for at-home use, though the need to precisely position the device for charging can be mildly frustrating. I've also found that distinguishing between the top and bottom could be clearer, and the charging light could be brighter, but for the price, it's a decent product.

Excellent device for those with hearing challenges, this phone amplifier significantly improves the quality of phone conversations. The speaker is loud, though I did find the sound to be a bit mellow, losing some higher frequencies which I would have preferred to be crisper. The device also doubles as an adjustable phone stand, accommodating almost any size and shape, and it even amplifies music to fill the entire room when the phone is placed on the tray. However, the short cord and hidden LED when the unit is stored are minor design flaws that could be improved.

This travel adapter, despite being slightly bulky, provided a reliable solution for my constant traveling, offering numerous plug-in options for different countries. The color stood out in my carry-on bag, a relief after losing numerous black ones, although the country names on the sliding buttons could be clearer.

After using this smart meat thermometer, my cooking experience has been transformed. The user interface was straightforward, making setup a breeze, and it was impressively accurate, taking the guesswork out of cooking my prime rib roast. The app's persistent alerts ensured I never missed when my food was ready, even during long overnight smoking sessions. One small drawback was the uncertainty about the receiver case's water resistance; I ended up covering it with a cereal bowl during a rainstorm. Despite this, the MEATER plus is a reliable tool that adds great value to any grilling or smoking setup, just remember to keep the probe away from extremely high temperatures to prevent damage.

In my experience, these bulbs have demonstrated strong performance comparable to pricier alternatives like Phillips Hue. The setup process was slightly complicated initially, requiring a bit of research to pair them with my Alexa devices, but once connected, the controls for color and brightness were user-friendly. I appreciate how these bulbs have integrated well into my overall lighting system and have proven to be a viable replacement for a failed Hue bulb. There have been minor glitches, such as disconnections when using a light switch, and some issues with maintaining a constant power source. However, the crisp, vibrant colors and the ease of voice control for color changes and dimming outweigh these minor drawbacks. While I have yet to determine the longevity of these bulbs, they have held up well over the past year, providing a cost-effective smart lighting solution.

Best described as a modern twist on a classic, this turntable truly impressed me with its unique Bluetooth OUT capability, allowing me to effortlessly connect it to my external speakers for a richer sound experience. Despite its lack of a battery option, its lightweight and portable design made it easy to carry around, adding a touch of nostalgia to my high school reunion. The sound quality was quite good for a record player in this price range, though it could be enhanced with additional speakers. My only real qualm was that it only came with one extra playing needle - having a few more on hand would have been convenient.

Love the unique versatility of this console; it flawlessly transitions from a home gaming system to a portable device. However, the quality of the main display panel and the durability of the Joy-Con controllers, which are prone to "drifting," make it feel less robust than one might expect for such a cutting-edge device.

Definitely, this speaker exceeded my expectations with its impressive sound quality and long-lasting battery life. Being an avid cyclist, its sturdy and waterproof build allows me to enjoy music rain or shine without worrying about damage. The speaker's small size and clip make it extremely portable and perfect for outdoor activities like golfing or river tubing. However, while it's marketed as waterproof, I advise against fully submerging it in water as it might not dry properly and could potentially damage the speaker.

This Apple Watch has been a handy companion for both work and fitness purposes, with its workout tracking feature keeping me motivated. Its robust battery health is impressive, and the sleep tracker, although I question its accuracy, is a nice touch. On the downside, it can feel redundant if you always have your phone nearby. Yet, its ability to handle calls and texts in areas with poor phone service, paired with its durability, make it a useful, versatile accessory.

I found these touchscreen gloves to be a practical solution for using devices in the chilly winter months. Being able to operate my phone while keeping my hands warm was a great convenience. The conductive material on the gloves works effectively on the thumbs, forefingers, and middle fingers, and the grippy material minimizes the risk of my device slipping. The gloves are snug and warm, without being too bulky, making them comfortable to wear for extended periods. In my experience, these gloves are a useful addition to any winter wardrobe.

Got the Skylight Frame for my nearly 90-year-old mother to share family moments effortlessly. This frame displays photos streamed via a dedicated email, with a touch screen interface that's intuitive enough for even the least tech-savvy users. However, while the larger 15" frame suits those with poor eyesight, the picture quality doesn't quite match the sharpness of the smaller 10" version.

These Bose headphones offer exceptional noise cancellation with adjustable levels, allowing me to find the perfect balance between isolating myself in my own audio oasis and maintaining environmental awareness. The sound quality is superb, boasting crisp, rich audio with excellent range; it's like having a live concert in my ears. I appreciate the comfort of the soft, padded band and ear cups which, coupled with their lightweight design, make these headphones perfect for long listening sessions. Additionally, the battery life is impressively long-lasting and quick to recharge. From easy switching between devices to intuitive touch controls, these headphones have definitely elevated my listening experience.

Best way to describe this Logitech K400 Plus keyboard is as a lightweight yet durable addition to my Xbox Series X setup. Its wireless connectivity was quick and lag-free, and the unexpected multimedia functionality turned it into an excellent couch companion for smart TV usage. The left click button's clever placement aids in seamless webpage navigation, while the overall tactile feedback from button presses is commendable. Despite its budget-friendly nature, this keyboard exceeded my expectations in terms of build quality, size, and media-enhancing features.

My experience with these T6 earbuds has been nothing short of impressive. The sound quality is rich and immersive, with a good balance of lows, mids, and highs that doesn't bleed into each other. They provide excellent passive noise cancellation, drowning out background noise effectively once music is playing. The comfort factor is also commendable, with different sized tips allowing for a snug, custom fit that doesn't cause discomfort, even when used for sleeping.

After receiving this gaming chair, it initially had an issue: the base had parts that didn't fit. However, once the company sent a replacement part, assembly went smoothly and the chair has been nothing short of comfortable. Despite the lumbar support pillow not being my cup of tea, and the chair showing signs of wear after extended use, it's been sturdy, the recline feature works perfectly, and it's definitely been a significant upgrade for my home office and gaming sessions.

Excellent! This portable speaker has been my trusty companion for several months, impressing me with its consistent sound quality and waterproof features. From float trips where it got splashed to the lively dance parties at my nursing home job, it's handled it all without a hitch - the sound fills the room, and the battery life is a dream. I love pairing two of these for a more immersive sound experience, and the residents of my nursing home enjoy the music it plays, it truly brightens their day.

Great purchase, this Echo Dot has served me well for almost a year now. The network extender capability has been a game changer in my shop, significantly improving my previously weak wifi connectivity. The sound clarity and volume strength are excellent, though the Alexa app could be a bit more user-friendly.

Best drone I've experienced so far! This quad-copter drone is fantastic for visually inspecting hard-to-reach places, making it perfect for tasks around the house where ladder reach is limited. As a novice, I found this drone is excellent at compensating for inexperience, especially when it locks onto at least 7 GPS satellites, providing impressive stability even in mild winds. The Point-to-Point Tap Fly, Follow-me, and hover & rotate over Point of Interest modes were particularly impressive, and the return to home feature was smartly designed, accounting for remaining battery energy. The battery life is substantial, offering around 30 minutes of flight time, though it does take a lengthy 5-7 hours to recharge, but overall, this drone exceeded expectations in terms of performance and ease of use.