Father’s Day in Australia is coming up fast! This year, it falls on 5 September 2021… and, well, that is less than a month away!
Father’s Day 2021 may be a tough one for a lot of Australians. Lockdowns in a lot of states, borders closed, restrictions galore. It is tough going with the pandemic. There’s a real possibility that not everyone will have the opportunity to share Father’s Day together, never mind get to the shops to find something. But, in the words of John Mayer, love is verb, it ain’t a thing. In these times, do what you need to, break out the video chat, and tell them you love them.
But if you want to send them something a little special, think of the dad, pop, daddy, father figure in your life, and go online shopping! There are plenty of gift ideas to show your appreciation for the father figure in your life (and you can ship directly to them!). Here are a few of our favourites for consideration.
Pamper
Vinoclock is our official moments partner. Whether you are new to the world of wine, or an oenophile, or just getting supplies for “remote learning”, Vinoclock has tipples for all tastes.
For the gentle giant in your life, they have made the Little Giant 6-varietal taster available with a 10% off normal price coupon for DRN readers. Discount is applied when the promotional code is applied at checkout.
Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 | RRP $379 | Available at Philips and Amazon
Oral health is linked to whole body health. Keep those pearly whites shining with the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000. With the power to remove up to 10x more plaque than a regular toothbrush and a built-in pressure sensor, the DiamondClean 9000 gives Dad (and everyone else) another reason to smile.
Braun Series 9 Wet & Dry Electric Shaver | RRP $649 (on special for $399) | Available at Shaver Shop
Braun Series 9 is the world’s most efficient electric shaver. The 5 shaving elements capture more hair in one stroke for a flawless shave. This foil shaver provides you with both a close and gentle shave, without compromise. The electric razor glides over skin and is suitable for wet or dry shaving. You can now shave cordlessly for longer (60 min) with 20% more battery than the previous Series 9. Includes Pro display with performance dashboard. All Series 9 shavers are made in Germany with premium craftsmanship.
Braun Beard Trimmer | RRP $179 | Available at Shaver Shop and Amazon
Dad isn’t clean shaven? Perhaps the Beard Trimmer is more appropriate. The latest model is sharper, faster, more efficient compared to all previous generations of Braun beard trimmers. Precision dial for 39 length settings in 0.5 mm step sizes for an effortless trimming experience. Lifetime Sharp Metal Blades for even beard trimming and hair clipping. Create accurate lines and edges on neck and cheek with the main beard trimmer head. German technology and ergonomic build, delivering 100 mins of cordless trimming on 1 hour charge.
Deebot N8 Pro | RRP $799 | Available at Amazon, JB Hi-Fi, Godfreys Vacuums and The Good Guys
This could become Dad’s new best automated friend. Jampacked with the latest tech from ECOVACS such as TrueDetect 3D, TrueMapping Technology and OZMO Mopping System. The latest robot vacuum has a more powerful cleaning performance with ultra-high 2600Pa suction power with a surprisingly low noise level. The TrueDetect 3D Technology gives precise object avoidance for undisrupted cleaning alongside the OZMO Mopping System can efficiently clean the whole house without the need for repeated stops to top up the water tank. Compatible with your favourite smart speaker, experience convenient, hands-off controls by simply asking your robot to clean or use the smartphone app for personalised cleaning and scheduled control.
Our Jo loves it so much that she’s got a gang of three Deebots at home!
Technology
Suunto 7 Titanium | RRP $699 | Available at Suunto, Harvey Norman, Myer and other specialist retailers
Your dad does not have to be an Australian Ninja to benefit from the Suunto 7 Titanium. The Suunto 7 Titanium builds upon Suunto’s versatile sports expertise as well as features that have made the Suunto 7 an industry-leading wearable, with its comprehensive blend of fitness tracking and smart features offering 70+ sport modes and Wear OS by Google providing access to thousands of apps. Along with a sleeker design, the Suunto 7 Titanium boasts key in-built updates that are backwards compatible across the existing 7 range, live through an automatic software update, including new tiles for tracking sleep duration and stages, managing body resources and real-time access to heart rate feedback.
DRN did a detailed review on the Suunto 9 back in June and found it immensely useful just to keep tabs on all kinds of activities, including an eye opening account of Kevin’s sleeping pattern (or, perhaps, lack of sleep…).
Fitbit Sense | RRP $499.95 | Available at Fitbit, Amazon and major retailers
Want a smartwatch but something a little more budget friendly? The latest Fitbit healthwatch will keep dad motivated and moving. With advanced heart rate tracking and 6+ days battery, Fitbit Sense can even help him unwind with the world’s first electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor on a smartwatch to help manage stress.
Fitbit Charge 4 | RRP $179.95 | Available at Fitbit, Amazon and major retailers
Times are tough and budgets can be tight, but the Fitbit Charge 4 have you covered. Help dad reach his health and fitness goals with the Fitbit Charge 4. It offers a range of health and fitness features including Active Zone Minutes, built-in GPS, innovative heart rate features, Fitbit Pay and up to an amazing 7 day battery life.
TCL 20 SE | RRP $299 | Available at Officeworks and Amazon
The affordable new TCL 20 SE has all of the features associated with an advanced smartphone, along with a super video entertainment system for those looking to take their A/V experiences on the go. The 20 SE’s 6.82-inch display delivers a cinematic-like viewing experience, integrated with NXTVISION technology to ensure colour, contrast and clarity are all enhanced while videos are being enjoyed in real time. The device’s quad rear camera comes with AI-powered colour portrait and sky enhancement features, designed to automatically detect the intended subjects and adjust the background for more beautiful shots.
This one is on the bench here at DRN. Our CUO dude has unboxed it and done a quick comparison with the TCL 20 Pro 5G.
Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE Power Bank 10K Stand + Play | RRP $84.95 | Available at Belkin.com/au, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman and other leading tech retailers
For the Dad who is always on the move, this Belkin device is a powerful, personal and portable power bank that offers hours of streaming or gaming on the go. It includes a convenient, inbuilt retractable stand to hold your device at the perfect viewing angle while you charge. This 10,000mAh battery offers up to 36 hours of extra battery life for your smartphone. You can also power up 2 devices at the same time, meaning you can charge both your smartphone and game controller or headphones, while you play.
Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE PRO 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand with MagSafe | RRP $149.95 | Available at Apple Stores, Apple.com/au, Belkin.com/au, and other national retailers
For the Apple loving Dad, the BOOST↑CHARGE™ PRO 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand with MagSafe simplifies your charging experience. Built with powerful magnets compatible with MagSafe, you just place your iPhone 12 device on the stand for a secure, perfectly aligned connection in portrait or landscape mode. It delivers the fastest possible charge, up to 15w, to the entire iPhone 12 range, and is designed with premium finishes for a bold and modern aesthetic to enhance any dad’s space from the office to the living room.
Logitech MX Master 3 | RRP $169.95 | Available at Logitech, Amazon and major retailers
Intuitive, precise and comfortable, the MX Master 3 mouse is the most advanced palm-buddy for every working dad. Let dad capture precise perfection with every click of a button, spin of a wheel and shift of his hand with this office power house.
We reviewed this one almost 2 years ago and it is still a daily driver. It is that good.
Logitech ComboTouch for iPad Pro | RRP $299.95 – 349.95 | Available at Logitech and major retailers
Let dad type, view, sketch and read seamlessly wherever he desires with the Logitech Combo Touch. With a click-anywhere trackpad and laptop-like keyboard, this Combo Touch transforms dad’s iPad into whatever he’d like while safely holding and protecting every corner and surface.
Bose Frames Tempo | RRP $399.95 | Available at Bose and Amazon
Perfect for the great outdoors, the new Bose Frames Tempo are rugged high-performance sports sunglasses. A revolutionary open ear audio design allows you to hear your music and your surroundings at the same time. Bose Frames are also available in Soprano, Tenor, Alto and Rondo styles.
Gamer Dads
Logitech G923 TRUEFORCE Racing Wheel and Pedals | RRP $599.95 | Available at Logitech, Amazon and major retailers
Dad’s a bit of a petrolhead? Give the gift of realistic, adrenaline-pumping racing from the comfort of your dad’s home. The TRUEFORCE Racing Wheel has high definition force feedback technology that brings the feel of every piston pump, turn and drift to the fingertips of players. If racing is your dad’s game, then this piece of machinery is a must!
Astro Gaming A50 Wireless Headset and Base Station | RRP $549.95 | Available at Astro Gaming, Amazon and authorised retailers
Presenting every Dad with legendary high-performance sound without the mess of wires and cables, the Astro Gaming A50 Wireless Headset and Base Station is every gamer’s dream. Designed to meet the top-of-the line acoustics, ergonomics and durability demanded by professional gamers, this headset is compatible with PC, PS5 and XBOX.
Our ginger loved it when he reviewed it, and he is still gaming with it daily.
WD_BLACK P50 Game Drive SSD | RRP from $229 | Available at Amazon and all the usual suspects of major retailers
Make sure dad can drive his game the way he chooses any day. The WD_BLACK P50 Game Drive SSD will provide dad up to 4TB of added capacity to make sure he never runs out of space for his growing gaming library.
WD_BLACK D50 Game Dock NVMe SSD | RRP from $549 | Available at Amazon and all the usual suspects of major retailers
The WD_Black D50 Game Dock NVMe SSD will streamline dad’s laptop into a fully integrated gaming station. Sweep away the clutter through a single Thunderbolt 3 cord and accelerating his laptop with up to 3000 MB/s read speed and 2500 MB/s write speed.
WD_BLACK SN850 NVMe SSD | RRP from $225 | Available at Amazon and all the usual suspects of major retailers
Give Dad’s (and your) gaming rig a boost with the WD_BLACK SN850 NVMe SSD. Reaching speeds of 7000 MB/s read and 5300 MB/s write, there won’t be any worries about system lag. Ginger is currently ordering one (or two) for his new gaming rig.
Work or Creative?
Cricut Maker 3 | RRP $699 | Available at Spotlight, Harvey Norman and Amazon
For the Dad who dominates the world of DIY, the Cricut Maker 3 is one of the most versatile gifts you can give. It is a Smart Cutting Machine that works with a simple app called Design Space – simply create your design, send it to the Maker 3 and watch it go! The Maker 3 is 2x faster and 10x more powerful than its predecessors with matless cutting with Smart Materials up to 3.6 metres. It can cut 300+ materials from Vinyl for dad’s bespoke bike stickers and Iron-On for tee’s featuring his infamous dad jokes, to heavier materials such as balsa wood for his more demanding DIY projects. Versatile enough for any project Dad is undertaking next, not only does the Cricut Maker 3 cut, but it also draws, engraves, scores and more!
We reviewed the original Cricut Maker earlier in the year, and what an amazing device it is!
Blue Yeti Microphone | RRP $198.00 | Available at Amazon and JB Hi-Fi
Should your dad start his own podcast? Record that song he keeps humming under his breath? Stream that game he’s in love with? With a Blue Yeti Microphone he can do all of it and more! With an easy plug-and-play set-up and high quality recording audio, this is dad’s go-to microphone for every creative project.
Have a listen to Peter dulcet tones when he reviewed the Blue Yeti X.
Logitech StreamCam | RRP $279.95 | Available at Logitech, Amazon and major retailers
Plug-in and start playing with your dad this Father’s Day with Logitech’s HD StreamCam. Featuring crystal clear image quality and dual microphones the StreamCam is incredibly versatile. Perfect for business meetings during the day, and capturing every witty, talented moment at night, this is the ultimate gadget for any dad.
We loved the StreamCam and we are still using it.
Poly Studio P5 | RRP $129.99 | Available at Amazon and authorised resellers
The Poly Studio P5 is a small, rugged webcam that’s super easy to set up and use. It has exceptional camera optics that provides professional-quality image wherever you’re working from. The Poly Studio P5 ensures that you always look professional with camera optics that are ideal for video conferencing. The built-in directional microphone focuses on your voice and not the noise around you so you can cut down on distractions during key meetings.
- 1080p resolution with 4x digital zoom camera
- Adjustable monitor clamp
- Integrated privacy shutter
- USB connection to wireless headset adapter
Poly Studio P15 Video Bar | RRP $1090.00 | Available at Amazon and authorised resellers
The Poly Studio P15 personal video bar provides exceptional optics and a high-performance 4K image sensor to ensure you look and sound your best on video calls, wherever you are.
- NoiseBlockAI and Acoustic Fence technology cut out distracting noises and prevent interruptions
- 4K resolution camera for sharp, crisp images
- Integrated privacy shutter
- High-performance image sensor
- Automatic camera framing
- 2x USB 2.0 Type-A ports and 1x USB 3.0 Type-C port (with USB 2.0 compatibility)
- Certified for Microsoft Teams and Zoom applications
Audio
Skullcandy Dime | RRP $69.95 | Available at Skullcandy and JB Hi-Fi
Forget the all expensive, look-at-me style airpods, Skullcandy Dime’s are the new wireless earbuds that are big on sound and attitude, but for a fraction of the price. The perfect portable size with a sleek design, dad will be able to grab and go next time he’s running out the door – did we mention the optional key chain? For cool dads, not regular dads.
Bucks reviewed these when they first came out, and he loves them for the bang for bucks value.
Jabra Elite 85t | RRP $299.00 | Available at Amazon, Jabra and major retailers
Engineered for calls and music with fully adjustable Jabra Noise Cancellation in a compact true wireless design. The Elite 85t is the latest iteration of the fantastic Elite earbuds line. Supported by the Sounds+ app to ensure the best fit and experience. We loved these so much after reviewing it that we gave one away as a prize.
Poly Voyager Focus 2 | RRP $349.95 | Available at Amazon and authorised resellers
The Poly Voyager Focus 2 is an upgrade on Poly’s most popular headset, which now includes noise cancelling and acoustic fence technology.
- Pro-grade noise-cancelling microphone with Acoustic Fence technology with Advanced Digital Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
- Dynamic Mute Alert feature lets you know if you’re speaking while on mute
- Extended battery life with 19 hour talk time
Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 | RRP $299.95 | Available at Amazon, JB Hi-Fi and Officeworks
Water, dust and drop-proof, this sleek portable speaker is every muso dad’s dream. Bring 360° sound to any outdoor get-together, camping holiday, worksite or even to the kitchen for a cooking dance party, Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is perfect for any situation.
Check out what Martin thought of these here.
Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM | RRP $599.95 | Available at JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman
Bring the HYPERBOOM to your dad’s house this Father’s Day! Boasting extreme bass and adaptive EQ, your dad has never heard his favourite album like this before – just connect via Bluetooth and let the music wash over you.
Soundboks Gen 3 | RRP $1,599.00 | Available at Soundboks and JB Hi-Fi
Is your old man a bit of a muso? SOUNDBOKS Gen. 3 is the ultimate outdoor party speaker, taking your listening experience to an entirely new level. Portable, durable, with over 40+ hours of battery life and speaker connectivity, SOUNDBOKS is the new summer staple when it comes to Bluetooth speakers.
Something for the cook
Traeger Grills Pro Series Pro 575 or Pro 780 | RRP $1,599 / $1,999 | Available at Trager and Barbeques Galore
Making it simple to achieve that incredible wood-fired flavour, the Traeger Grills Pro Series has a built-in dad feature labelled Set-It & Forget-It® so you can literally let the grill do all the work.
With WiFIRE technology, precision temperature control metrics, and either 575 or 780 square inches of grilling space, the pro series is made for creating unforgettable, succulent, meaty meals.
Philips Airfryer XXL with Smart Sensing Technology | RRP $599 | Available at Philips, Amazon, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys, Bing Lee and Myer
The Philips Airfryer XXL does the thinking and cooking for you. With Smart Sensing technology, it is the only Airfryer that automatically adjusts time and temperature during cooking for perfectly cooked dishes.
Philips Airfryer XXL Pizza Master | RRP $74.95 | Available at Philips, Amazon and Harvey Norman
Why not double down for Dad with the Philips Airfryer XXL Pizza Master? With this special Philips Airfryer Pizza master kit, you can you can become a true Pizza Master. Without any pre-heating needed, you can enjoy your favorite pizza in the Airfryer in just 8 minutes!
Philips Airfryer XXL Grill Master | RRP $59.95 | Available at Philips, Amazon, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys and Bing Lee
Why stop halfway when you can add the Grill Master for the chef dad? The Philips Airfryer XXL Grill Masgter helps dad grill his meat and veggies to perfection every night of the week.
A little extra for the chef
Traegar Grills BBQ Sauces (473 ml) | RRP $22.95 | Available at Traegar
Add a little extra kick to your Father’s Day cookout by gifting Dad one of Traeger’s signature sauces. Perfectly paired with any succulent cut of meat, this is exactly how to take your home BBQ up a notch. Choose from tasty ‘QUE, Sweet & Heat, Texas Spicy, Sugar Lips.
Traegar Grills BBQ Rubs | RRP $24.95 | Available at Traegar
Add an extra dose of flavour to all your smokey meats, Traeger’s new rubs are the gourmet ingredient you didn’t know your next BBQ needed. A mix of spice, zest, or sweetness, find your favourite from Traeger Rub, Pork and Poultry Rub, Beef Rub, Prime Rib Rub and Chicken Rub.
Truff Hot Sauce | RRP $31.95 (1) / $88.95 (3) / $171.95 (6) | Available at Truff
A flavour profile usually reserved for fine tequilas, delicate delicacies, and elegant dining experiences, TRUFF Hot Sauce is a unique blend of red chili peppers, black truffle, and a series of aromatic spices. It beats giving socks again!
Truff Hot Sauce Variety Pack | RRP $114.95 | Available at Truff
The entire TRUFF family all bundled in one. Featuring the original hot sauce, hotter sauce, and limited-edition white sauce, consider this the perfect gift for flavour connoisseurs.
Perfectly packaged into a gift box, all that’s left to do this Father’s Day is add to cart.
Spread the Love
Adopt a Koala | Donations $20+ | WWF Australia
I would never forget the first time I got up close and personal with a koala. These cute, cuddly creatures with massive claws have their very existence threatened with a possible likelihood they won’t survive on the east coast of Australia beyond 2050 if we do not take action now. By adopting a koala you can help future-proof them against the three biggest concerns threatening to wipe them out – deadly koala chlamydia, provide critically needed medical care and conserve vital habitat. So they still call Australia home.
