// WIRED US/UK — MOBILE & WEB
The 34 Best Gifts for Dads (2026)
It occurs to me that, as a new(ish) father, and someone who reviews products for a living, I am a nightmare to get gifts for. I’m not alone. Most of my friends have no idea what to get their dad, and end up brainstorming in group chats with anyone they can get their hands on.
Fear not, I’m here to make gifting a little easier this year (or at the very least, contribute to the brainstorm). Below are some of the best WIRED-tested gifts for the dad or father figure in your life, including travel gadgets, dad-approved apparel, and best-in-class earbuds. I’ve personally gifted a few of these to my dad, with great results.
Updated September 2026: I completely overhauled this guide with 27 new picks, including tech accessories, headphones, dad-approved apparel, fitness gear, and more.
This is my favorite power bank, full stop. If I am traveling, going abroad, camping, or just headed to work, I take this power bank. It’s the built-in, retractable USB-C cord that does it for me—it’s there when you need it, and out of the way when you don’t. It’s small enough to pack in any bag and light enough that I barely notice it. Plus, it has an extra USB-A and USB-C port built in, so you can charge multiple devices at once if you want.
I’ve lost count of how many times my Apple AirTag Bluetooth tracker has saved me from the hassle of looking for something. Keys: located. Luggage: tracked. Backpack: safe and sound. Sure, it’s not the most exciting gift in the world, but it’s the epitome of useful and practical. As long as they use an iPhone, that is.
“If you told me I could only have one bag in my life, the 26L version of the GoRuck GR1 would be my pick,” says WIRED operations manager and outdoor expert Scott Gilbertson (he’s also a dad). It’s absolutely in buy-it-for-life territory, built with ultra-durable, water-resistant 1000D Cordura and tested by US Army Special Forces. It’s technically made for rucking, but it can do basically anything you throw at it, travel included. This Huckberry version omits the exterior MOLLE webbing, giving it a sleeker look. You can read more in Gilbertson’s full GoRuck GR1 review.
The best aluminum carry-on suitcase. Aluminum luggage is sleek and durable, with a shell that just looks better with little dents and dings (unlike polycarbonate luggage). Aluminum itself is recyclable and repairable, and the clamps that hold the Rimowa together won’t fail or break as easily as your typical zipper. Rimowa is obviously the “it” brand for this type of luggage, but you can get similar options from Away and Level8 for well under half the price.
A reusable water bottle is something I thought I only needed one of. Turns out, the more the merrier. I now have four and have realized there’s a good place for each one (in my case, one for the house, one for my work bag, and one for the nightstand). The Owala FreeSip has been my favorite for years, usurping my Hydro Flask and S’well for water bottle supremacy. Plus it comes in literally dozens of colors—there’s definitely one he’ll love.
I’ve become a camera person since becoming a dad, with a growing collection that’s frankly getting a little out of hand. Camp Snap is part of that camera pile. It’s one of the simplest ways to take pictures without getting distracted by your phone or overwhelmed by mirrorless camera settings to fiddle with. This latest model adds desperately needed updates like a button to toggle between filters and a faster shutter button. It also comes in a bunch of fun colors, including a few transparent options that remind me of my old Game Boy Color.
Look: The Amazon Kindle Scribe is a perfectly good digital notebook. But the Montblanc Digital Paper has one of the best digital pens money can buy. (It makes sense: The brand is known for its pens, after all.) This luxury E Ink tablet has a slim metal aluminum frame, leather side panel, and superb writing feel. The pen itself comes with three interchangeable tips that change the writing feel and resistanc