So long, whiskey stones — here are 47 unique Father's Day gifts Dad actually wants

CNN

23-05-2025

Unique Father's Day gifts quick picks
For the history buff: History By Mail 6-Month Subscription
For the MLB fan: Uncommon Goods MLB Sundae Slugger Ceramic Ice Cream Bowl Set
For the dad who needs to relax: Mo Cuishle Shiatsu Back Massager
For the dad who wants to get back in the classroom: MasterClass Subscription Finding a foolproof Father's Day present for your dearest dad can be quite the head scratcher. By now, he's collected just about anything he's ever wanted, and if he spots something new he wants, he'll likely just buy it for himself. To help you out, our team of professional gift givers at CNN Underscored have a few tricks up our sleeve and have compiled a curated list of unique Father's Day gifts. Below, you'll find some unexpected, yet sure-to-please presents you may have never thought of (and most importantly, he likely doesn't own yet).
If you're still stumped on the perfect gift for Dad after looking through this list, we recommend checking out our other gift guides for more inspiration, including personalized Father's Day gifts, Father's Day gifts our editors have gifted and practical Father's Day gifts.
AeroPress Original Coffee Maker
Associate updates writer Maxwell Shukuya named the AeroPress his All Star of the year. He loves that it's portable, indestructible and makes it a cinch to whip up espresso-style coffee in minutes. Bonus: It's wallet-friendly. Read our review
History By Mail 6-Month Subscription
If he's basically a walking Wikipedia of history facts, you'll tug at his heart strings with this subscription gift. Each month, he'll receive a collectible replica of an actual historic document, curated by expert historians. From wars to inventions, he'll be able to learn about a wide range of topics.
Mark & Graham Personalized Golf Ball Gift Set
If Dad's always complaining about getting his golf balls stolen or mixed up, help him out with this set of golf balls that have his name all over them — literally. Worst case scenario: If he does lose some, he can buy a refill pack of 12 balls.
Aura Carver 10-Inch Frame
Streamline his photo collection with this innovative digital frame that's bound to cause a few joyful tears. He can add unlimited photos and videos via the app — we recommend adding in some of your favorite photos before you gift it for an even more wow-worthy experience. It even has built-in speakers for videos.
Uncommon Goods MLB Sundae Slugger Ceramic Ice Cream Bowl Set
Hey, batter, batter, swing! The MLB fan is sure to scream for ice cream with these adorable baseball-hat shaped sundae bowls.
Bespoke Post Bluetooth Cassette Player
A modern upgrade to an old-school cassette player, this fun device boasts a few upgrades including wireless connectivity, a rechargeable battery with 12 hours of playtime and elevated sound the music lover will approve of.
Polar Recovery Tub/Portable Ice Bath
If he's refuses to join a fancy gym with all the amenities, why don't you just get him a cold plunge he can use right at home? We dubbed this one the best for beginners, so if he's still a little wary about diving right into freezing water, this is the perfect entry-level option. Plus, it won't break the bank. Read our review
Gorapture Infrared Sauna Blanket
And to complete his contrast therapy session, he'll need a sauna session to warm up. Since a standalone sauna is likely out of the question for a gift, this sauna blanket is the next best thing. The waterproof design makes it a cinch to wipe down and the sleeves allow you the freedom to read or use your phone while doing a detox.
MasterClass Subscription
If Dad's itching to learn something new in his spare time instead of scrolling on his phone, give him the priceless gift of learning with a MasterClass subscription. He can brush up on a variety of skills from cooking with Gordon Ramsay to more educational seminars about living a healthier lifestyle. Read our review
Nintendo Switch With Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy‑Con
This standard Nintendo Switch gives him the capability to relive his favorite games like Mario Cart on the TV or while on the go. Read our review
Satchel & Page The Counselor
Is Dad still carrying around a ratty backpack with an old employer's logo from a decade ago? It's beyond time for an upgrade, so give his work wardrobe a makeover with this investment-worthy briefcase. Yes, it's a splurgy gift, but it'll last for the rest of his work career (and won't fall apart like other cheap bags might).
Uncommon Goods Coastal Mini Tabletop Cornhole Game Set
Help him get over the mid-day work slump by taking a break (or two) with this mini cornhole set made just for his desk. However, he might want to hide it away when he's done because we have a feeling his coworkers are going to want to try it for themselves.
Tecovas The Dean Boots
If he's got a little Western flair in him, but doesn't want to go full-on country, these Tecovas boots are a perfect in-between option. Multiple CNN Underscored editors swear by Tecovas. In fact, many became cowboy-boots converts because of the brand's comfy, high-quality designs.
Sakuraco Gift Subscription
Whether he just got back from Japan or has it on his bucket list, he'll appreciate this fun subscription, which includes a variety of new Japanese snacks, teas and home goods each month — all shipped directly from Japan. It's the next best thing to buying him a plane ticket abroad.
Corkcicle Premium Cigar Glass
Whether has a nightly cigar or dabbles in the activity occasionally, he's sure to be impressed with this ingenious glass. Next time he's sipping on his favorite scotch, he can conveniently rest a cigar right on the dedicated cigar ledge on the glass (no more setting it on a dirty table).
Baseball Stadium Blueprints
This vintage blueprint artwork of iconic stadiums is sure to be a home run for the baseball-obsessed guy in your life. You can choose from a variety of teams from coast-to-coast, from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Boston Red Sox.
Conair Men Ear, Nose and Eyebrow Hair Trimmer Kit
There's a good chance he's still holding onto that rusty trimmer he's had for over a decade. Upgrade his grooming routine with this handy trimmer that outdoors, pets and sustainability editor Kai Burkhardt raves about. He loves its affordable price point that makes tackling those awkward areas a breeze. Read our review
Boarderie Father's Day Cheese and Charcuterie Board
The best way to Dad's heart? Food, of course! You can't go wrong with a snack board, and this Oprah-loved one goes the extra mile with a piece of cheese that spells out "Dad."
Battery Daddy Battery Organizer and Storage Case With Tester
For the guy that knows every associate at the hardware store by name, you can't go wrong with this game-changing gadget. Depending on the model, it stores up to 180 batteries of various sizes. Plus, it comes with a battery tester to take the guesswork out of taking inventory on dead batteries.
Bagsmart Electronics Organizer Travel Case
Make tangled cords a problem of the past with this smart organizer that'll keep him in order while on the go. It has a designated spot for every kind of gadget from a mouse to SD cards.
Cameo Video
For the dad who dreams of meeting his favorite athlete, actor or musician, a Cameo video is sure to make him grin from ear-to-ear. There's even a Cameo page of Dad-approved celebrities to make your selection process a breeze. We're sure this is the gift he'll talk about for years to come.
Personalization Mall Carhartt Foundry Series Embroidered Tool Tote
If Dad has to haul tools around often for his job or hobbies, he needs a reliable tote. We love this Carhartt version with comfy grip handles that you can customize with his name for a personal touch.
L.L. Bean Men's Wicked Good Moccasins
Treat his feet to an upgraded pair of shearling-lined moccasins that'll keep his tootsies nice and toasty. With over 50,000 5-star reviews and plenty of imitations that have followed, there's a reason these slippers are iconic. Plus, they come in two widths for a more custom fit.
Mo Cuishle Shiatsu Back Massager
Give him some relief wherever, whenever with this relaxing back massager that boasts heat for an even more soothing experience. Senior testing editor Rick Stella tried it out and said while it can't replicate a human massage, you can't beat the benefits for the price tag. Read our review
Made In Blue Carbon Steel Wok
Firing up the grill will become even more thrilling thanks to this pro-approved carbon steel nonstick wok (even Tom Colicchio is a fan!). It boasts a stay-cool handle and is designed to work on all stovetops for versatile and even cooking.
Burlap & Barrel Spice Club Gift Subscription
Next time Dad invites you over for Sunday dinner, he (and your taste buds) will thank you for gifting him this gourmet spice subscription. He'll get four seasonal boxes throughout the year with four spices inside, along with recipes and spice stories so he's ready to fire up the stove, oven or grill.
Coowoz Travel Backpack
If he's one of those guys who refuses to check a bag (we don't blame him!), look no further than this immaculately organized backpack. We were impressed with how much stuff this small but mighty bag could hold, including four day's worth of clothes, toiletries, two laptops and much more. Read our review
Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker
If he runs through the Dunkin' drive-through every morning for a breakfast sandwich to-go, this money-saving gift is sure to brighten his day.
The Draft Top Lift
The avid camper, party thrower or guy who's always cracking open a cold one will love this ingenious gadget featured on Shark Tank. With this find, he can make those crafty TikTok-famous canned cocktails complete with an over-the-top garnish.
Leatherman Skeletool CX
At just 5 ounces, he'll barely notice he has this 7-in-1 tool on him. It's the ultimate multipurpose tool for those unexpected emergencies during the day and an essential while camping.
Paint Your Life Custom Painting From a Photo
If Dad counts down the days to the annual family vacation, he'll have a soft spot for this unique gift. You'll send in a photo and you can choose a theme and the painting technique (charcoal, oil, acrylic, etc.). Then, you'll receive a mock-up to approve before the artist starts, so you know exactly what he'll end up with.
Ina Garten's Beatty's Chocolate Cake
When in doubt, chocolate cake never disappoints — especially if it's by the Barefoot Contessa. Bonus: You can add on candles for $2 if you happen to be looking for a birthday gift too.
Fluance RT82 Reference High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable Record Player
Help him create a music station at home with this turntable we ranked our favorite for beginners. In testing, we loved the S-shaped tonearm that followed the grooves of the record, along with its high-fidelity analog sound. Read our review
Kikkerland Earbud Cleaning Kit
Let's be real: When was last time you cleaned your earbuds (if ever)? Give his beloved AirPods some TLC with this handy kit that'll make them look — and maybe even perform— like new again. Read our review
Solo Stove Yukon 2.0 + Stand
We love Solo Stove's innovative nearly smoke-free design that allows for a more enjoyable campfire experience. With summer around the corner, now's the perfect time to upgrade his camping setup for elevated s'mores sessions in the backyard and beyond. Read our review
Image3D Custom Viewfinder Reel Plus RetroViewer
The retro-loving dad will embrace his inner kid with this custom version of the beloved childhood toy. You'll get one voucher to make your own reel.
Tushy Classic 3.0
Hear us out: a bidet is the gift he never knew he needed. In testing, we loved that this beginner-friendly bidet attachment was easy to set up and offers a range of pressure options and adjustability for the budget-friendly price point.Read our review
Custom M&M's Dad Gift Jar
Show him just how sweet he is with a gift of M&M's customized just for him. He can place the jar at his desk so he has an afternoon pick-me-up.
Cumulus Coffee The Cumulus Machine
Say goodbye to chilling at-home cold brew overnight thanks to The Cumulus Machine: a compact at-home cold brew machine that whips up perfectly chilled espresso, nitro cold brew and cold brew instantly with the touch of a button. While it may be a splurge, it'll pay for itself over time. On-demand espresso martinis, anyone?
Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light
Ensure he wakes up on the right side of the bed with a gentle wakeup from this best-tested sunrise alarm clock. Burkhardt said it was easy to use, liked that it replicated the natural sunrise and was a more calming alternative to a harsh beeping alarm. Read our review
Nalakuvara Golf Pen Desktop Game
Bring tee time to his desk with this cute trio of mini golf clubs that double as pens. And while he's at it, he can hit a few swings with the mini balls included.
FrankiePrintCo Love Letter Blanket
Take the idea of writing a love letter to the next level with this endearing blanket he'll cherish for years to come. You can add in the exact love letter you want to appear and you can even have it designed in your own handwriting.
Suri Sustainable Electric Toothbrush
Travel editor Kyle Olsen tested this travel-friendly toothbrush and loves that it lasts 40 days on a single charge. The innovative design features plant-brushed heads, 33,000 vibrations per minute and the travel case comes with a built-in UV light to kill germs. Brilliant! Read our review
Theragun Elite Ultra-Quiet Handheld Deep Tissue Massage Gun
Relieve Dad's tired muscles with this editor-loved Theragun. Whether he's recovering from a tough workout or just slept wrong and can't move his neck in the morning, he's guaranteed to feel better in minutes. Read our review
Personalization Mall Cutting Board
This designated prep station will make chopping a lot more fun and make him feel like he's got his own mini restaurant. You can choose from bamboo or hardwood and variety of sizes.
Uncommon Goods Pistachio Pedestal
Prevent a mess (and save the couch cushions) by gifting him this smart catchall made just for pistachios. He can cleverly discard the shells on the bottom layer, so throwing them out is seamless.
Away The Bigger Carry-On
If he still has the same luggage from his honeymoon, it's time to treat him to our favorite carry-on. Senior deals editor Rikka Altland loves this roomier version of the Away carry-on that's durable and lightweight, so you can roll it around with ease. Note that because it's a bit bigger, some airlines may require you to check it. Read our review When it comes to picking the best unique Father's Day gift, going the customization route is always a surefire win. First, pick something that he doesn't have or needs upgraded — perhaps a new carry-on suitcase or a watch roll. Then, add his monogram to make it truly a gift made just for him.
There are also certain retailers that offer one-of-a-kind finds you can't find just anywhere, like Uncommon Goods. Senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus swears by Uncommon Goods for all her gift-giving needs and has even gotten her own dad (and mom!) some cool gifts from the online e-tailer. We also love Etsy, where plentiful options from artists around the world await to be added to your cart.
We know you get tired of seeing the same gift ideas year after year, which is why CNN Underscored editors carefully curate each gift guide to include a selection of products tailored to the person, hobby or event you're shopping for (though, if you're seeing some repeat products in our coverage, it probably just means we really love them). To make sure each gift you give is a hit, we include products hand-tested by our team, foolproof presents we've given to someone (or have been given), the newest products from our favorite brands and other trending items taking over our social feeds. For this gift guide, home and gifts editor Amina Lake Patel and senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus curated their favorite one-of-a-kind gifts for Dad.