Don’t believe dad when he says he doesn’t want anything for Father’s Day. Even the most stoic of parents gets a bright spark when they feel a tinge of appreciation. And that’s any age, whether dad is still sprightly or moving towards retirement.
You don’t need a gift to show you appreciate, of course, but it surely helps. Maybe it’s a thoughtful Father’s Day gift that shows you’ve put some thought into it, or perhaps you’ve just grabbed onto the latest tech trend in the hopes it’ll make a part of his day move much easier.
Our yearly Father’s Day gift guide is here, curated by the team at The AU Review based on things we’ve played with, things we’ve seen, and anything we think will just work for a dad day a gift this Sunday 7th September. And we’ve gone broad this year, cobbling together everything from personalised neon signs (dads deserve a bit of fun and whimsy as well) to some advanced home cleaning gadgets. They say gift-giving is hard for a reason; it’s harder on Father’s Day. Here’s some ease.
A Custom Neon Sign
For the dad who wants to make his mark
Dad’s got enough socks, mugs, and tools to last a lifetime. This Father’s Day, why not give him something he’ll never expect, a Custom Neon sign designed just for him? Whether it’s his favourite song lyric, a cheeky inside joke, an old brand name, or even a tribute to his beloved footy team, you can “neon-ify” it and turn it into a glowing centrepiece. It’s a gift that feels personal, looks incredible, and lights up his space (and his heart) every day. Forget the ordinary, this year, give Dad a gift that’s as one-of-a-kind as he is.
Starting from $119
customneon.com.au
Dell 16 Plus Laptop
For the dad who desperately needs to update his tech
Everyone needs to update their laptop every few years, but some of the more stubborn folk among us like to try and stretch that out as much as possible. You’ve seen Dad almost have a meltdown with his slow, laborious computer, which is starting to clog up. Jump in and help by grabbing him the future-proofed Dell 16 Plus. The new laptop has just launched, and you can get it equipped with a QHD+ mini-LED touchscreen that’s extremely bright and sharp. With AI’s CoPilot+ running the show, this is a highly efficient, seamless engine that can nail those that need both help with organisation, and creatives that need a high-powered machine.
From $1497
dell.com
The Cricut Maker 4
For the dad who needs a hobby
DIY mastermind Cricut has been at this game for a while now, producing these smart cutting machines with the ability to create a seemingly endless amount of… stuff. A wide variety of materials can be used for easy design projects that’ll get more complex the more Dad plays around with them. If you know the old man has been looking to start a hobby, then this may help his creativity. After all, we believe that most people are creative; they just haven’t found their voice yet. With the fourth-generation Cricut Maker able to cut, draw, engrave and deboss over 300 materials this time, there’s no better tool for the job.
$699
harveynorman.com.au
Breville Oracle Dual Boiler
For the dad who craves the perfect cuppa
Look, coffee machines aren’t getting any more affordable. More people are starting to see the incredible value in having a best-in-class coffee machine sitting on their counter. Size matters less; if dad is a coffee drinker, get him something that’ll make whatever coffee he wants so exceptionally well that he doesn’t have to head off to a coffee shop every day. It’ll end up putting money back in his pocket eventually. The one is packed with top-shelf features to ensure dad gets exceptional performance each time. It’s Breville’s most advanced machine yet, with a triple heating system and a quad-core processor that keeps the machine’s smart running. There’s enough scope for 15 preset drinks with detailed brew customisation on its 5.7-inch HD touchscreen.
$4,499
breville.com
iPhone 16 Pro
For the dad who really needs an upgrade
With its sleek titanium design, lightweight yet durable build, and stunning 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, the latest top-tier iPhone model from Apple combines elegance and functionality in one device. The A18 Pro chip powers blazing-fast performance and advanced AI capabilities, ensuring seamless multitasking, gaming, and creative work. Its groundbreaking camera system, featuring a 48MP main sensor, improved low-light performance, and a new 5x telephoto lens, empowers users to capture professional-quality photos and videos effortlessly.
The latest iOS is as efficient and customisable as ever, with Apple making clear attempts to push its iconic smartphone line even further into the future. The Camera Control button and the recent arrival of Apple Intelligence have helped it stand apart from the competition, despite strong entries from other brands this year. We’d say it’s well worth the upgrade if anyone has a 14th-generation or older iPhone.
Plus, with the iPhone 17 lineup about the drop, you can expect to pick up this Pro for much cheaper than its original retail price ($1,799). Get dad an IOU, wait until the 17 drops, and then pounce – the previous generation always sells strongly at this time of the year.
$1,799 (cheaper if you wait a few weeks)
apple.com
Skylight Calendar Max
For the disorganised dad
Let’s be fair here. Not everyone is as immaculately organised as you are; sometimes, entire families need a bit of help keeping track of everything, and this only ends up causing more headaches if dad is constantly coming home highly strung from work. We’ve played with a few of these smart LED calendars before from Skylight and are always mighty impressed. Think of it like a big 27-inch Kindle-like calendar that you can stick up in the family home, and, like magic, it’ll make the entire world run smoother for everyone. This is the kind of dad day gift that he’ll end up getting the most use out of.
$1199
jbhifi.com.au
Tile Mate Essentials Pack
For the travelling dad (who’s always losing things)
Every traveller loses something at some point. You know you can’t always be there to babysit Dad when he’s travelling for work, so you’ll need to send him packing with some technology that’d make the trip run much smoother. There’s nothing more stressful than losing the tiniest of things on a trip. Wallet, passport, shoulder bag – they’ve all gone missing from the best of them. Get him the one-stop shop of tech trackers with the Tile Mate Essentials pack. It’s got great range, nets you a few of these square-shaped trackers, and has advanced range so dad can keep track of it all.
$94.95
jbhifi.com.au
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
For the dad who keeps losing his earbuds
So, dad has lost his sixth pair of earbuds on his latest work trip, and he swears this is the last time. Test him by buying him the top-of-the-range Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4. As some of the best overall ANC earbuds on the market for years now, Dad will come to notice such a huge difference between these and his old pair that he’ll be forced to take care of them. No one wants to lose something this good, with a richer, more expressive sound signature than previous models, where everything from jazz and dad rock to 90s hip hop is heightened by a wider stage and advanced codecs.
$349
sennheiser.com
Soundcore Space One Pro
For the dad who wants some overheads
We’re usually sceptical of headphones that sit around this price point. The $250 mark is on the lower end of mid-range, the way the market is going right now, and is usually the domain of a bunch of lesser-known audio brands constantly fighting it out in the shadows of Sony, Bose, Sennheiser, and, most recently, Apple. Soundcore is punching well above its weight in this regard, offering a sturdy pair of headphones that strike a nice balance between being comfortable for long-term use and sounding incredible. The bass response is as good as the headphones we’ve seen playing around in a much higher price point, and the overall sound signature is balanced. If Dad needs a pair of headphones and you aren’t keen on reaching up to the $700 mark, these are for you.
$249
soundcore.com
Tineco Floor One S9 Pro
For the dad who wants an easier cleaning solution
Does Dad have to deal with a lot of hard floors? If the man loves modern design in his house, then it’s more than likely he’s got much more exposed floors than he does carpeted ones. There’s been an aggressive push to modernise handheld vacuums now that they’ve been making a comeback over the past couple of years, so it makes perfect sense that floor washers have followed suit.
The Tineco Floor One S9 Pro is a smart floor washer that automatically detects how dirty the floor is and applies the appropriate amount of detergent, water, roller pressure and suction power to ensure flawless cleans every time. What sets this model apart is its ability to compress to just 12.85cm, allowing it to glide effortlessly under beds, sofas, and low-clearance areas where traditional mops can’t reach. The dual-layer scrapers prevent hair tangling and clogging, while the heated fresh water system effectively dissolves stains, followed by 85℃ hot air that thoroughly dries every part of the machine for truly worry-free maintenance.
$1299
tineco.com
Under Armour’s No Weigh Backpack
For the dad who needs some stability (and has massive shoulder pain)
Not all backpacks are made equal, and sometimes even the most high-end packs can end up feeling off-weight and sluggish on the shoulders. Under Armour has always been class-leading in this regard, offering performance-forward gear that uses the latest technology to ensure no discomfort or pain. The No Weigh backpack is an ergonomic solution here, featuring a design that moves with the body based on several features: a system of multi-directional straps that can adjust to the wearer’s stride, breathable material that keeps sweat at bay, and ventilated compartments with several quick-access zippered pockets. If dad wants something a bit more functional to lug to work every day, this one will go far.
$190
underarmour.com.au
iGulu F1
For the dad who might as well start a home brewing business
The past few years have seen a few brands try their hand at home-brewing kits. As with all new categories, it’s best to wait until a few iterative updates have come out for brands can refine the tech. It’s good timing, then, to see the iGulu smart-brewing machine launch in Australia. It just arrived in the market, offering a one-stop shop that, unlike other brewing machines to date, can automate the fermentation process. This means Dad can not just pump out some home brews, but he’ll also be able to make various other types of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. You never know, maybe this will push him to start a seltzer label, and then this machine will more than pay for itself.
$999
jbhifi.com.au
Ultrahuman Ring AIR
For the dad trying to get on top of his vitals
The continual refinement of smart watches and health trackers has helped emphasise the importance of using tech to better monitor one’s health. Rings have been a slower category in terms of evolution, but these things are incredibly advanced nowadays. If dad wants a fashion-forward ring health tracker, get him the Ultrahuman Ring AIR, the latest and best from the company. The ring measures several important physiological metrics to better help give dad an overall picture of his health. There’s heart rate and heart rate variability, but also skin temperature, sleep stages and quality, simple activities like steps and workouts, and blood oxygen saturation. With an intuitive app that keeps track of your cardiovascular age, this could be the kick that dad needs (because you just know he isn’t visiting the doctor as often as he should).
$599
jbhifi.com.au
UA Halo Collection
For the sporty dad who just joined a run club
Under Armour has been constantly putting out some of the most impressive performance sneakers over the past few years. So it pays to get across its new UA Halo Collection. If Dad has been needing a good pair of runners, this fresh-faced entry into Under Armour’s diverse range includes two silhouettes: The Racer and The Runner. The former ($240) will adapt to dad’s stride and help him recapture his energy in a way that works best for him, offering the best in speed and responsiveness. The latter, on the other hand, is designed with an energy-returning cushioning system for stable arch support.
From $200
underarmour.com.au
Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Beacon
Could this be the final release in Wild Turkey’s highly acclaimed Master’s Keep series? It appears so, which makes this exceptional release extra special for the spirits world. And such a legacy deserves to be treated as an occasion, right? The series has been going for 10 editions now, and Australians are the first people in the world to get to try this new boundary-pushing American Whiskey. It’s a limited edition 118-proof release blending two distinct, hand-selected bourbons at 10 and 16 years.
The Master’s Keep series has successfully kept the Wild Turkey label front-of-mind for whisky drinkers around the world. You’ve got an aroma of dark fruit and cherry at the top, followed by honey, vanilla and cola in this series-ending crown. Coupled with sweet notes of caramelised sugar, toffee and teamed with warm baking spice, the palate gently flows into a warm finish of mature oak and leather.
$390
wildturkey.com.au
