With all the hubbub around the end of school, graduations, and plans for the summer, Father's Day can sometimes get lost in the shuffle. (Psst. It's June 16.) To ensure that the dads in your life get the recognition they deserve, plan a family celebration and check our gift suggestions here. They're ideal for the dad who:
Wants to go mobile. The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 ($400) outscores the iPad Mini ($330) and every other 7- or 8-inch model in our tablet Ratings, mainly because of its versatility. It comes with a stylus and can recognize handwriting and unlike most other tablets, the Note 8 can multitask. If Dad is into video games, get him a handheld Sony PlayStation Vita. He will not only enjoy the great games available for it now, but later this year he'll also be able to stream content from the PlayStation 4 game console and play it remotely on the Vita.
If your Dad hates asking for driving directions, get him the best GPS navigator.
Catches all those family moments. Full-sized HD camcorders deliver superior optical zoom and better image quality than a smart phone or tablet. The Sony HDR-CX290 ($300) is a smart pick. The high-quality lens on the Nikon Coolpix P330 ($360) delivers blur-free photos thanks to its very good image stabilizer. The digital camera can also shoot video and take 3D pictures.
Is amped up to rock out. A high-quality pair of headphones will let Dad really get into the music (and keep you and other family members from having to listen to "Stairway to Heaven" yet again). Our go-to recommendation, the Grado SR80i on-ear headphones ($100), have a sharp old-school look and are comfortable to wear. Most important, their sound quality is excellent.
Gets into grilling. The Jenn-Air 720-0709 ($950), one of our recommended large gas grills, offers superb grilling on high heat and very good low-heat and indirect grilling. This stainless-steel model provides five main burners for the ample cooking space, infrared searing, a rotisserie, and stainless-steel grates.
Digs DIY. Any handyman would welcome a heavy-duty cordless drill. At 5 pounds, the 18-volt Makita BHP454 ($280) weighs less than most in its class. Perks include 30-minute recharge time, a hammer-drill mode for masonry, two lithium-ion batteries, a smart charger, and an LED work light.
Enjoys fine wine. A wine chiller will neatly keep Mr. Oenophile's bottles at a steady temperature, essential for good wines. The Frigidaire FFWC42F5LS ($380) is also relatively energy efficient and runs quietly.
Bikes for fun or exercise. A high-quality bike helmet will provide protection, important if a daredevil dad decides to do some trail riding. Our top-rated model, the Specialized Echelon, costs just $60.
