So, your dad’s not one for hosting the footy, or even the type of bloke who would prefer a wardrobe upgrade. That’s fair. As it’s Father's Day, we’re all for collating the best list of gifts that suit your old man’s hobbies. So this one is for the tech-savvy dad who is more likely to invest in the latest audio equipment for a smooth listening experience, or even the latest fitness wearables like Garmin and WHOOP, so he can track all the important stuff as he reaches more senior milestones.
Whatever camp your dad falls into, Father's Day is the perfect excuse to upgrade the tech he's using every day, from the headphones he wears to the coffee machine he's been eyeing off since Christmas (and a few home upgrades he didn't know he needed). Here's where to start.
Audio all day
First up, an upgrade that he’ll notice straight away: the headphones. If he's still wearing the same pair from three phones ago, the market’s already moved past him. It’s time to bring him firmly up to speed.
The JBL Live 780NC ($299.95) is an absolute powerhouse of audio quality, with True Adaptive Noise Cancelling 2.0, Hi-Res Audio, and JBL's Personi-Fi 3.0. Together, it represents one of the best options on the market today at a price we can all match.
For the dad who's more likely to be found on a trail than the couch, the JBL Endurance Zone ($199.95) earbuds are built to offer a different proposition to the in-ear tech. We tested a pair out earlier this year, so believe me when I say the over-ear revolution is truly taking hold, with an enviable audio quality without the discomfort of wearing your earphones all day long, held in place by convenient wire hooks.
The Amazon Echo Show 8 ($347) – now running Alexa+ in Australia – is the family command centre disguised as a kitchen speaker: video calls, recipes, photo frame duties, and smart home control from a single screen, all handled by an assistant that’s seemingly more attuned to your home life schedule than you are. Admittedly, this could have gone into the Home section, but I’ve found its speaker capabilities make it a genuine daily user.
Fitness & Recovery
For the dad who'd rather clock the kilometres at the weekend, the Giant Contend SL 0 ($2,799) punches well above its price point and offers a genuine entry into the now-viral world of cycling. It’s no carbon, of course. That’s extra. But with its ALUXX SL-grade aluminium frame, full Shimano 105 groupset, and a genuinely aero-focused build, it rides a lot closer than the price tag suggests.
If the home gym is more his scene, the Peloton Cross Training Tread ($4,999) brings the studio experience within the comfort of his own living room. Peloton needs no introduction. Market leaders in the home gym market, the American brand’s treadmill comes with all the bells and whistles like a 21.5-inch screen and more settings than he’d know what to do with.
And once the session's done, there's the Primal Tub With Ice Bath Chiller ($1,855), a 400-litre inflatable tub with a chiller that holds a steady 3°C via app control. He’ll be a new man by Christmas, without having to head into Bondi before the sun’s up with the rest of them.
If recovery is more his focus than the workout itself, WHOOP 5.0 ($599) is my absolute number one pick on this list. It’s the original screenless wearable that's quietly taken over the recovery conversation, tracking sleep, strain, and recovery around the clock without ever coming off the wrist. I’ve been through two models since my first WHOOP in 2023, and I haven’t looked back once.
If you’re after a wearable that’s built to be used, the Garmin Forerunner 970 ($1,399) is Garmin's most capable running watch yet. Top-line features all stem from the model’s bright AMOLED display with a host of programmes suitable for your dad as he looks to hit his goal, whether that's next year’s City2Surf or lining up for his first full marathon.
For something slightly further afield, but one he’d still appreciate in equal measure, the Oakley Meta Vanguard ($789) has taken the conversation firmly into the fitness space, an upgrade on the original Ray-Ban Wayfarers that shocked the market a couple of years ago now.
A centred 12MP camera captures hands-free footage, open-ear speakers pump audio straight into the temples, and Meta AI syncs with Garmin and Strava so he can ask "Hey Meta, what's my pace?" mid-run without breaking stride.
Capture everything
For the dad turning family holidays into memories to enjoy for years to come, the GoPro Mission 1 Compact 8K Cinema Camera ($949.95) is a serious step up from the action-cam category that we’ve come to expect.
A 1-inch sensor shoots 50MP photos and 8K video, and HyperSmooth stabilisation with 360-degree horizon lock keeps footage level no matter what he's doing. It’s also completely waterproof to 20 metres (without a housing) so it’s perfect for any coastal trip planned with the family this summer.
For something more pocketable, the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P ($769) is a content creator’s dream, delivering cinema-smooth footage without having to carry an actual camera bag. It’s encouraged a lot of creators today to move on from their phones for capturing life’s moments, and with a 60mm lens with an f/1.8 aperture, ultra HD slow motion, and 4K footage, it’s easy to see why.
Home & away
If he's the type to disappear down a phone-scrolling rabbit hole the second he sits down (or like my dad, Candy Crush, for some reason…) Brick ($95) is the must-have accessory for taking a bit of screentime back after a long day.
Tap your phone against the small NFC device, and it blocks whichever apps you've chosen. It’s a one-time buy with no subscription or even a battery to charge, just a physical nudge back to being present.
For the dad who takes his coffee more seriously than most of his other hobbies, the Fellow Espresso Series 1 ($2,599), launched this year, is bringing genuinely barista-level coffee to your home. Now, I know you’ve almost certainly heard that before, but beyond its cappuccino capabilities, it’s also one of the more design-led options out there, so it’ll take pride of place on the kitchen counter.
The floors, meanwhile, can look after themselves, with the Dreame X40 Ultra ($2,799), a robot vacuum that shows the robot revolution doesn’t always end up like a James Cameron script.
The X40 Ultra is one of the brand’s flagship products, and cleans and tidies the floor better than you ever could, entirely autonomously. Once it's done, it returns to its base station, washes its own pads in 70°C water, and refills itself, all while 3D structured light helps it dodge more than 120 types of household obstacles.
For the road, the Samsonite Paralux ($659) is a 75cm hard-shell case that’s lightweight and practical enough for that next trip away. The hardest part, as always, is knowing what to pack.
On the wrist, the Seiko 5 Sports x MOTOCOMPO Limited Edition ($575) is a genuinely fun tribute to Honda's cult 1981 folding scooter for the price of a night out in Sydney. Limited to 8,000 pieces worldwide, it's a proper conversation-starter for the dad who already has a watch for every other occasion – and perhaps the one he’ll cherish the most.
And for the flight there, the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft (16GB) ($397) is Amazon's latest addition to its celebrated Kindle line, delivering its first-ever proper colour e-ink display. That means book covers, graphic novels, and highlights actually look the part, adding to the immersive experience of reading like never before.