10 best Father’s Day gadget gifts
From phone chargers that can jump-start his car to remote-controlled paper aeroplanes, here is tech that will keep Dad happy come 21 June
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Your support makes all the difference.With Father's Day fast approaching on it's time to think about which gizmo you want to buy your dad. From paper aeroplanes that he can control with his phone to breadmakers that won't break the bank, we've tried the latest gadgets in town so you don't have to. For those who have more than a few pennies to spend we've got the new Kindle Voyage e-reader and the Sony Watch 3; for those on a budget there's the more wallet-friendly devices such as the Father's Day Mystery Box from Firebox and the wine aerator from Vinturi.
1. Cobra JumPack: £79.99, argos.co.uk
Is your Dad a motorhead? This piece of kit is the perfect present as it can not only charge all of his gadgets but even jump-start his car. Oddly, the built-in LED bulb has an SOS mode, flashing out Morse code dots and dashes, for those Dads who always need to be prepared.
2. Kindle Voyage: £169, amazon.co.uk
The new model might be pricier than the last but it’s the thinnest Kindle ever with the highest resolution screen yet. This isn’t a tablet, though, so don’t buy it thinking you’ll be able to get Dad playing Angry Birds. Its primary function is an e-reader, storing thousands of books.
3. PowerUp 3.0 Smartphone Controlled Paper-Aeroplane: £39.99, firebox.com
Dad can reconnect with his youth, attaching the motor to a paper aeroplane and controlling it from his Android or iOS smartphone. From our tests, the battery lasts for around 20 minutes.
4. Mystery Box Father’s Day: £34.99, firebox.com
Don’t know what to get Dad this year? Give him the gift of surprise with this box of Father's Day supplies from Firebox. We can't spoil the surprise of what's inside the box, but the website sells everything from hot sauce, to must-have gadgetry and more. Ideal for the Dad who doesn’t care about specifics, or for the Dad who has everything he could possibly need.
5. Vinturi Wine Aerator: £12.95, amazon.co.uk
A tiny gift of luxury for a fraction of the price. Pour your wine through this device and watch as it aerates your plonk in seconds. It really works, producing a richer and full-bodied taste. Works with both red and white wine.
6. RHA Headphones: £89.95, rha-audio.com/uk
These in-ear headphones are a great all-round pair for the audiophile in the family. Made out of 303F grade stainless steel, they’re durable but with a precise, balanced sound.
7. Sony SmartWatch 3: £127.99, sonymobile.com
It might be pricey but it’s a great alternative to the fitness bands that are popular at the moment because it also supplies him with notifications from his phone such as email messages, texts, maps and more. One must-have app is VimoFit, which teams up with his phone to create a personalised work out to follow.
8. Braun WaterFlex WF2s Wet & Dry: £79, johnlewis.com
Change Dad's life with an electric razor, giving him a close and quick shave every morning. The WaterFlex is great for the busy man as it can be used in the shower, or dry on its own. It has a swivel head to ensure its contoured to his jaw, chin and neck.
9. George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Grill: £79.99, georgeforeman.co.uk
This electric grill is essentially a BBQ, without the hassle. It’s perfect for apartments as well as gardens as there’s no nasty charcoal to burn. The grill channels fat away from the meat and the metal plates are machine-washable.
10. Russell Hobbs Breadmaker: £59.99, russellhobbs.com
Gift Dad the smell of warm bread every morning with this great breadmaker for its price range. This one features an adjustable crust control and even has a ‘jam’ function for anyone who craves homemade condiments. It cooks three different loaf sizes: 450g, 700g and 1kg.
Verdict:
In terms of price and functionality the breadmaker is one of the best things to buy. But in terms of novelty the paper aeroplane is the best piece of kit, keeping him entertained for hours.