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The Best Father’s Day Sales on Gear Dads Actually Like and Use

Updated
Clockwise, from left to right: A Troubadour Apex 3.0 Backpack, a Craighill Closed Helix Keyring, and a blue ThermoWorks Dot Simple Alarm Thermometer.
Kaitlin Mahar

By Kaitlin Mahar

Kaitlin Mahar is a writer covering deals and sales. She strives to help readers make savvy purchases and steer them away from buyer’s remorse.

When it comes to gifts, many dads share this go-to response: “I don’t need anything.”

Thankfully, despite any protestations you may encounter, finding an appropriate and affordable Father’s Day present doesn’t have to be similarly challenging.

Many of our expert picks make great gifts for dads—and some are even on sale right now.

Best of all, just because you save money on a gift, that doesn’t make it any less thoughtful—and it just might allow you to splurge on your favorite dad or father figure in other ways.

Impressive accuracy and quick temperature readings are crucial for perfectly cooked meats, and this longtime favorite delivers. Its simple, intuitive design includes a large, easy-to-read backlit screen, a strong magnet for securely attaching to oven doors, and a 48-inch probe cable that’s among the longest we tested.

Buying Options

$45 from ThermoWorks

Other things to know: Lacks a timer and pre-programmed temperature settings. Two-year warranty. Some people reported malfunctions after a few months of use, but we did not encounter this issue. Use code WCDOT2024. Shipping is free, but will no longer arrive by Sunday.

Ditch the briefcase. Made for the modern commuter, this elegant bag boasts refined vegan leather trim and a geometric shape that remains streamlined when full and doesn't collapse when empty. Ergonomic design features like ventilated back panels and memory-foam shoulder straps make it a pleasure to carry.

Other things to know: Body is coated with waterproofing treatment, and zippers are set in waterproof tape. 90% recycled materials. 17-inch laptop compartment. Very rarely discounted. Use promo code WCSUMMER24. Some colors are out of stock. Will no longer arrive by Sunday.

Whether used as a camera bag or a daily-carry backpack, this comfortable, adaptable backpack can protect expensive gear in the toughest environments and weather. It features tons of loading layouts and access options for any kind of scenario.

Other things to know: The heaviest backpack we tested. Lacks easy-to-access organizational space for items like notebooks and pens. Deal price is for the 21-liter backpack in Sonoma orange or Yuma tan. Other colors and sizes are also on sale. Will no longer arrive by Sunday.

Dads who love low-and-slow cooking will appreciate this reliable and fuel-efficient smoker, which features precise temperature controls and Wi-Fi connectivity for remote operation via phone. It excelled at holding low temperatures in our testing, allowing us to make tender, juicy barbecue almost effortlessly.

Other things to know: Produced the mildest smoky flavor of any pellet grill we tested. Price has risen over the past few years (while we’ve seen it drop as low as $500 during Cyber Week, back in 2022). Opt for store pickup to ensure arrival by Father's Day.

Beef up your favorite dad’s grilling game without breaking the bank. This simple, entry-level pellet grill is an older-gen model, but compared with our newer top pick, it’s notably less expensive and comes with two temperature probes.

Other things to know: Only has 10 preset temperature options, with temps up to 450 °F. No Wi-Fi connectivity. Available to ship or with store pickup from Home Depot (depending on local availability). Opt for store pickup to ensure arrival by Father's Day.

For more precision control over cooking temperatures while camping, we recommend this stove. It boils water a bit faster than our top pick and has a handle for easier carrying.

Other things to know: Heavier and more expensive than our top pick. Piezoelectric ignition tends to break over time. Three-year limited warranty. Not the lowest price we’ve seen, but within $15. Will no longer arrive by Sunday.

Imagine a carry-on piece of luggage with the durability and insulation of a rolling hard cooler. Unlike our top rolling cooler pick, the Yeti Tundra, the Roadie has a telescoping handle that changes its center of gravity, which may make it easier to maneuver in some situations.

Buying Options

$300 from Yeti

Other things to know: Discussed in our cooler guide’s Competition section. Typically pricier than the Tundra, and the difference in maneuverability wasn’t immediately clear during tests. Holds 76 cans versus the Tundra’s 82. On sale in camp green. Will no longer arrive by Sunday.

Read more: The Best Coolers

History-buff dads can dive into their own roots with this DNA test, which boasts the largest family-matching database we've seen. The process is easy from start to finish, with a thorough interface, straightforward instructions, and reports and results that are presented clearly and with useful historical context.

Other things to know: AncestryDNA may monetize their DNA data if they opt into its research program. All DNA testing kits have privacy risks that should be taken into account.

Designed for upright riding, this bucket-style helmet outperformed its competition during our tests, with cleverly designed vents to prevent overheating. Urban commuters who don’t want to sacrifice fashion for function may find the half-dome shape appealing for cycling in street clothes, rather than spandex.

Buying Options

$60 from Specialized

Other things to know: Scored exceptionally well on Virginia Tech’s crash tests. Looks more like a skateboarding helmet. Less generous crash-replacement policy than those of our other picks. The heaviest helmet we tried. All sizes on sale, but limited color availability. Price includes shipping. Will no longer arrive by Sunday.

Compared with previous models, the latest-gen Apple Watch has a larger active screen area and more premium features. In our test group, it offered the best combination of style, health and fitness features, app selection, battery life, and price of any smartwatch for any platform.

Buying Options

$360 $330 from Amazon (45 mm)

(limited colors)

$400 from Apple

Other things to know: Battery easily lasts for a day on a charge, but more demanding features like using cellular connectivity or Maps may have this watch in Power Reserve mode by the end of the day. Both the 41 mm and 45 mm body sizes are on sale with aluminum cases in limited colors. Deals from Target will no longer arrive by Sunday.

A neutral, trend-proof design makes these versatile sandals rugged enough for outdoor activities but still appropriate for everyday wear. The lightweight rubber soles offer ample support, while the webbed polyester straps ensure a secure, highly adjustable fit.

Other things to know: Lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects, but not normal wear and tear. Most sizes on sale in black; also on sale for $8-12 more in other colors.

Read more: The Best Sandals

Made from durable, washable cotton, this classic flannel is brushed on both sides for maximum softness. It comes in multiple timeless plaid patterns and will look great for years to come without showing any evidence of wear and tear, shrinking, or fading.

Buying Options

$75 from Amazon

Other things to know: On sale in select colors but has the most size availability in gray/red plaid. Price includes shipping. Will no longer arrive by Sunday.

From music to podcasts, these speakers produce full, well-balanced sound and fit nicely in any room. They’re fully loaded with built-in Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, and Amazon Alexa support, and compatible with more streaming services (about 130) than the competition.

Other things to know: Sonos’s own voice-control compatibility is limited. Difficult to add external, non-AirPlay-enabled audio players to the system. Sonos app can be glitchy—and our experts advise against pushing the latest update due to ongoing issues. Two speakers can be combined into a stereo pair. Costco membership required for two-pack deal. Opt for store pickup at Best Buy and Costco to ensure arrival by Father's Day.

This action camera’s impressive image quality and super-steady stabilization ensure life’s big and small moments are captured beautifully. Other perks include waterproofing to a depth of 10 meters, a 2-mm-thick Gorilla Glass lens cover, and a simple interface that even beginners can easily navigate.

Other things to know: Battery generally lasted about 15% longer than that of predecessor Hero11 Black. Accessory bundle includes Handler (floating hand grip), Head Strap 2.0, two Enduro batteries, and case. Also includes a $50 Best Buy gift card.

A natural source of entertainment with a modern twist, this smart feeder will be a kick for avid birders. It’s easy to fill and maintain, captures stunning 1080p wide-angle video and color night vision, and sends alerts that include the species names of the birds spotted.

Buying Options

$250 $184 from Birdfy

Use promo code MOBILE08

$200 from Amazon
$200 from Walmart

Other things to know: Local and cloud video storage options. Flip-up roof can hold up to 1.5 liters of seed. Use code MOBILE08 to get the deal price. Will no longer arrive by Sunday.

Perfect for tasks that are too tough for scissors and too damaging for nicer pocket knives, our go-to utility knife is safe, slim, and quick to open and close one-handed. Changing blades is a breeze thanks to the uniquely contoured ergonomic handle, which can store five extra blades.

Other things to know: Belt clip is not reversible. Smaller knife lacks blade storage. Opt for store pickup; free shipping may be available, but varies by location. Opt for store pickup to ensure arrival by Father's Day.

Share treasured family memories with our long-loved digital frame pick, which we like for vertical (aka portrait orientation) photos. Even if the recipient isn't the most tech-savvy, its intuitive design makes uploading photos a breeze, and the vivid 9-inch display fits nicely on smaller tables and shelves.

Other things to know: Formerly our longtime top pick and still one of our favorites. Aura offers the best approach to data security of the frames we’ve tested. 4:5 aspect ratio. More cropping issues than our top pick, but fixable in app. Looks great in landscape orientation, but not as great as our top pick. On sale in both colors at Aura and Amazon and one color at Walmart, but deal from Aura will no longer arrive by Sunday.


The frayed edge design of this lightweight all-season scarf elevates nearly any outfit, from a T-shirt to a sport coat. Made in Denmark from cotton and modal, it’s soft as a feather and the perfect length at nearly six feet long.

Buying Options

$65 from Trendhim

Other things to know: On sale in the blue, red, and black plaid style. Price includes $6 shipping. Arrives gift-ready in a handsome kraft-paper envelope.

Your dad may have everything, but sometimes the best Father’s Day gift is giving them exactly what they want, when they want it. Great for funding upcoming projects around the house, this gift card deal is essentially free money for those who shop at Ace Hardware in-store or online.

Buying Options

Buy from Ace Hardware

Other things to know: Buy a $50 Ace Gift Card and receive a $10 Ace eGift Card for free. If you’re looking for inspiration or recommendations, Wirecutter has plenty of home and garden guides. Ace Rewards membership required. Limit two free $10 eGift Cards per customer.

Read more: The Best Toolbox

Editor’s note: The photo at the top of this article may reflect previous deals that are no longer valid and have been removed. Check out our Deals page for more great discounts on Wirecutter's expert-approved picks.

This article was edited by Janie Campbell and Nathan Burrow.

Meet your guide

Kaitlin Mahar

Kaitlin Mahar is a staff writer for Wirecutter’s Deals team. Her byline has appeared in Delish, Esquire, and Town & Country. When she’s not hunting for deals and fiercely defending the Oxford comma, she’s a proud cat parent, an avid yogi, and a co-producer and co-host of the podcast Crime Culture. Please tell your pets and grandparents she says hi.

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