Happy Father’s Day! Credit: Shutterstock.com
We’re less than a week away from Father’s Day, and if you are looking at this roundup, you’ve left things to the last minute yet again. The good news is that last minute doesn’t need to mean making a choice between the usual neck ties, cuff links, bottles of wine, or the still sweet “World’s greatest Dad” mug. If your father loves tech as much as you do, we’ve here to help make the choice easier for you, with this roundup of last minute tech gifts for Father’s Day. Let’s take a look!
Smartphones
Moto X Pure Edition (aka Moto X Style)
Motorola got a lot right with the Moto X Pure Edition, also known as the Moto X Style in global markets, with its flagship featuring a beautiful 5.7-inch Quad HD display, a premium build quality, a great 21 MP primary camera, and a software experience that included some very useful additions to an otherwise mostly stock Android experience.
The Moto X Pure Edition does fall behind, even if not by much, when compared to the latest and greatest that are currently available from the likes of Samsung, HTC, and LG, but one of the reasons this device remains a great gift choice because of the high degree of customization Motorola allows via Moto Maker. Not only do you get to pick and choose between various material choices and color options for the back cover and metal accents, but you can also have a message engraved on the device, to really give this gift a personal touch. Of course, the fact that the Moto X Pure Edition is also quite affordable at the moment is a positive.
Specs
5.7-inch IPS LCD display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 520 ppi
1.8 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor
3 GB of RAM
16/32/64 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 128 GB
21 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera
Non-removable 3000 mAh battery
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
153.9 x 76.2 x 11.06 mm, 179 g
Read more
Motorola Moto X Style (aka Pure Edition) Review
Best cases for the Moto X Style/Pure Edition
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Buy now from Motorola
See also: Best Android phones 2016306
honor 5X
No longer does affordability have the implication of low quality and compromise when it comes to Android smartphones. This is a trend that we’ve seen grow in leaps and bounds over the last couple of years, and the honor 5X is a great example of that. Marking Huawei’s official foray into the US market, the honor 5X features an all-metal unibody construction, a beautiful display, solid specifications, and a good camera.
What is particularly impressive however is the fact that this device is priced at less than $200, but can put far more expensive mid-range smartphones to shame with all that it has to offer. If budget is a concern, one of the best smartphones you can get your hands on right now is the honor 5X, making it a great gift for Father’s Day this year.
Specs
5.5-inch IPS LCD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 401 ppi
1.5 GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 processor
2 GB of RAM
16 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 128 GB
13 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera
Non-removable 3000 mAh battery
Android 5.1 Lollipop
151.3 x 76.3 x 8.2 mm, 158 g
Read more
honor 5X review
honor 5X vs OnePlus X vs Nexus 5X
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Smartwatches
Motorola Moto 360 (2nd Generation)
The Motorola Moto 360 (2nd Gen.) brought with a lot of key improvements when compared to its predecessor, including an arguably better processing package, a larger battery, a design that has been further refined, and finally, the inclusion of lugs that make swapping watch straps far easier.
Motorola also offers some customization with their smartwatch as well, and users are allowed to choose between watch strap widths, the color and design of the watch face, and material of the strap, that allows for that personal touch to make this a unique gift. The software experience is standard across the board when it comes to Android Wear smartwatches, but the great news is that the upcoming update to Android Wear 2.0 introduces a lot of new features, and will make the smartwatch experience even better.
Specs
42mm variant:
1.37-inch IPS LCD display with 360 x 325 resolution, 233ppi
1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor
512MB of RAM
4GB of on-board storage
300mAh battery
42.0 x 42.0 x 11.4mm
IP67 dust and water resistance
46mm variant:
1.56-inch IPS LCD display with 360 x 330 resolution, 263ppi
1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor
512MB of RAM
4GB of on-board storage
400mAh battery
46.0 x 46.0 x 11.4mm
IP67 dust and water resistance
Read more
Motorola Moto 360 (2nd Gen.) review
Buy now from Amazon
Buy now from Motorola
See also: Best Android Wear smartwatches66
Pebble Time Round
The Pebble Time Round is the first smartwatch with a round face from Pebble, but apart from the significant design change, that gives this device a simple, elegant look, the main functionality of the device remains the same. The Pebble Time Round, like the other watches from Pebble, doesn’t pack in a lot of extras, so if you are looking for a watch with a heart rate monitor, or a way to make calls from your wrist, the Time Round will not be the device for you.
More often than not however, most of us who wear smartwatches appreciate the quick and easy way with which you can now deal with notifications, messages, emails, and more, without having to pull out your phone from the pocket each and every time. If that is what you need, that’s something that the Time Round does extremely well. Simplistic elegance is the order of the day with the Time Round, and the lack of add-ons allows for Pebble to keep the device in an affordable price range as well.
Read more
Pebble Time Round review
Buy now from Amazon
Tablets
NVIDIA Shield Tablet K1
The NVIDIA Shield Tablet was one of the best Android tablets around, and its successor continues to offer everything that made the original so great. In fact, there isn’t a whole lot different between the Shield Tablet K1 and the previous iteration, with the specifications and design language being the same, save for a few aesthetic changes.
NVIDIA did manage to make the Shield Tablet K1 significantly cheaper as well, mostly be removing the stylus, the lack of which you may or may not be disappointed with, along with the device not coming with a charging cable and wall plug, leaving you dependent on using the charging apparatus of your other devices. If these factors aren’t deal breakers, what this allowed for NVIDIA to do is to price the Shield Tablet K1 at just $200, which makes this device not only one of the best tablets around, but also one of the most affordable. Of course, if the gaming aspect is also important, an additional $60 will get you a controller as well.
Specs
8.0-inch LCD display with 1920 x 1200 resolution, 283ppi
2.2GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor
2GB of RAM
16GB of on-board storage, microSD card expansion available
5MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
Non-removable 19.75WHr battery
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
221 x 126 x 9.2mm, 390g
Read more
NVIDIA Shield Tablet K1 hands-on
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See also: Best Android tablets281
ASUS ZenPad S 8.0
ASUS continues to bolster their affordable Android tablet portfolio, with the latest addition in the mix being the ZenPad S 8.0. This tablet offers everything you’d expect from a high-end device, with its solid design and build quality, Quad HD resolution display, up to 4 GB of RAM, and front-facing dual stereo speakers. Additions like the extremely customizable UI make the experience even better, and the device doesn’t need any help from a third-party applications to create a great tablet experience.
This ZenPad S 8.0 manages to exceed all expectations, and what is even more impressive is how aggressively ASUS has priced it. The version which comes with 32 GB of storage and 2 GB of RAM is priced at just $160 right now, while the high-end model, with a faster processor, 64 GB of storage, and 4 GB of RAM will set you back around $300, giving you an almost flagship-level tablet at a very affordable price point.
Specs
8.0-inch IPS LCD display with 2048 x 1536 resolution, 320 ppi
1.8 GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3560 or Z3580 processor
2/4 GB of RAM
16/32/64 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 128 GB
8 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera
Non-removable 15.2 WHr battery
Android 5.0 Lollipop
203.2 x 134.5 x 6.6 mm, 298 g
Read more
ASUS ZenPad S 8.0 Review
Buy now from Amazon
See also: Best cheap Android tablets100
Amazon Fire 7
Amazon has cornered a big part of the affordable Android tablet market with their Fire tablet line, and continues to add to this series, with some solid, and more importantly, incredibly cheap devices on offer. One such device is the Fire 7, which comes with a 7.0-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 600 x 1024, a quad-core processor, expandable storage, and a battery that allows up to 7 hours of use on a single charge.
You may not get the display clarity available with the Fire HD tablets, but none of that matters when you consider the price point of the Fire 7, which can currently be picked up for just $40. This gives you just 8 GB of on-board storage however, but the jump to 16 GB will only set you back an additional $20, which is definitely worth it. If you are in the market for an ultra-affordable Android tablet, it doesn’t get any better than the Amazon Fire 7.
Specs
7.0-inch IPS LCD display with 1024 x 600 resolution, 171 ppi
1.2 GHz quad-core processor
1 GB of RAM
8/16 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion
2 MP rear camera, VGA front camera
Up to 7 hours of battery life
191 x 115 x 10.6 mm, 313 g
Buy now from Amazon
Fitness trackers
Fitbit Alta
Fitbit is a company that is well known for their fitness trackers, and with their latest devices, they have also started focusing on the design language and aesthetics as well. One of these new devices is the Fitbit Alta, which won’t pass for a luxury watch, but does look quite different from previous fitness trackers from the company, with it now featuring a large, touch sensitive OLED display, that gives you call, text, and calendar notifications.
If you’re in the market for an affordable, attractive fitness tracker that can handle the basics with practically no issues, the Fitbit Alta will be a great choice. It may not have the most robust feature set, with there being no heart rate monitor or GPS tracking, but it is comfortable, easy to use, and inexpensive, and also looks great. The Fitbit Alta is currently priced starting at @127.99, with a variety of color options to choose from.
Read more
Fitbit Alta review
Buy now from Amazon
See also: Which Fitbit is right for you?14
Garmin vívosmart HR
When it comes to fitness trackers, Garmin is the other big name that comes to mind right away, and one of the best trackers the company currently has on offer is the vívosmart HR. This device features a relatively large 1-inch touchscreen display, that will allow you to see your daily stats, past workouts, and other information, while also giving you access to the settings and connections, without being entirely dependent on a companion application.
You can also see the weather, control your music, and get call, email, text, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter notifications directly on the device. Of course, this is a fitness tracker first and foremost, so you will be able to track your steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, stairs climbed, active minutes, and even your sleep, and of course, keep a track of your heart rate as well. If you are looking for a really good fitness tracker at an affordable price point, the Garmin vívosmart HR is a great choice.
Read more
Fitbit Charge HR vs Garmin vívosmart HR
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Bluetooth speakers
Creative Sound Blaster Roar 2
If you are looking for a really good wireless Bluetooth speaker that has some great features, the Creative Sound Blaster Roar 2 is the device for you. This speaker comes with NFC connectivity as well, a USB output to charge your smartphone or tablet, a built-in voice recorder, a microSD card slot to play music from a memory card, and it can even act as an external sound card for your PC. A 6,000 mAh battery allows for up to 8 hours of constant playback, and the on-board controls means that you don’t have to reach for your source device all the time.
Of course, the most important aspect here is sound quality, and this speaker does pack a punch, with a feature that Creative calls “TeraBass.” There is also the ROAR feature, that gives this device its name, that allows for a significant boost in volume without resulting in any distortion. Audio quality is something you won’t be complaining about, and with all its extra features built-in, the Creative Sound Blaster Roar 2 is a great choice.
Read more
Creative Sound Blaster Roar 2 review
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JBL Flip 3
When it comes to audio products and Bluetooth speakers, the name JBL always comes up in one form or another. One of their latest products is the JBL Flip 3, with the latest iteration of the device featuring a fabric covering with two passive bass radiators on either end to pump out the sound, and a fabric covering to protect it from splashes. Battery life has been increased to 10 hours, nearly double of what was available with its predecessor, and the audio quality is great as well.
The Flip 3 has a range of almost 50 feet, and with it now being splash-proof, this is also a perfect companion to take to the beach or keep by the pool. The Flip 3 is also quite affordable, and is another great choice as gift for Father’s Day.
Read more
JBL Flip 3 review
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CB3 Ultra Slim
The CB3 Ultra Slim, as its name suggests, is an incredibly thin Bluetooth speaker, with a thickness of just 1.8 inches, that makes it very portable. It features a unibody metal design that makes it durable as well, and while it may not be rugged, it can definitely survive a random drop or fall fairly easily. Given its size, the audio isn’t the loudest and with a lot a bass, but the overall quality is actually quite good, especially when you consider the price. The CB3 Ultra Slim is currently priced at $50, so if you are in the market for a good Bluetooth speaker on a budget, this is a very good option.
Buy now from Amazon
Don’t miss: Best Bluetooth speakers under $50
Headphones
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
The M-Series ATH-M40x professional monitor headphones are tuned flat for incredibly accurate audio monitoring across an extended frequency range, and is engineered with pro-grade materials and robust construction This is a great choice if your Dad works in a studio, and the M40x excels in professional studio tracking and mixing, with the experience enhanced with superior sound isolation, along with the availability of swiveling ear cups for convenient one-ear monitoring. Be it for professional use or for the casual listener, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is one of the best pairs of headphones you can get your hands on in this price range.
Read more
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x review
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Related: Best headphones under $100
Sony MDR7506
The Sony MDR7506 headphones have a design that lies somewhere in between modern and classic, but they still manage to look pretty cool. They have 40mm drivers with a frequency range of 10Hz – 20kHz allowing listeners to feel some extra low end while simultaneously providing great detail to the mids and the highs. These are really meant for studio monitoring, but they also have easy folding at the hinges that do make them quite portable as well. The audio quality is fantastic as well, and these speakers also do a solid job with noise isolation. The Sony MDR7506 is also priced at less than $100, which is another reason why it’s a great option.
Buy now from Amazon
Jaybird X2
When it comes to wireless Bluetooth earphones, it doesn’t get any better than the Jaybird X2. These earphones have a good sound, are lightweight and durable, easily fit into most ears thanks to the multiple ear and wing tip combinations, and are also sweatproof, so you can use them while exercising. The Jaybird X2 is easily one of the best set of earphones across various categories, and is a great gift option.
Buy now from Amazon
Miscellaneous
Google Chromecast
Last year, Google unveiled an updated Chromecast HDMI dongle, featuring a new look, faster performance, and improved functionality courtesy of a better companion app. The setup process remains as simple and minimal as ever, and the impressive list of services and apps that are compatible with Chromecast continues to grow. Priced at only $35, the latest edition of the Chromecast remains one of the easiest, and cheapest, media streaming solutions around, and is a great way to make any regular TV smart.
Read more
Chromecast 2015 review
Buy now from the Google Play Store
See also: 20 best Chromecast apps for Android57
Weber iGrill 2
Whether you’re an award winning pit-master or a novice backyard griller, the Weber iGrill 2 is a must have. This is a Bluetooth meat thermometer that helps make grilling and smoking easier, more convenient, and a whole lot smarter. With a 150 foot Bluetooth Smart range, you can get back to your guests and keep a close watch on the temperature progression of your meat from your mobile device, using the free app, and you will receive alerts when the meat is ready to be taken off the grates.
With four probe ports, two high temperature proves, an illuminated display, magnetic mounting, and up to 200 hours of battery life, the iGrill 2 is a great gift for any dad who loves to spend time at the grill.
Buy now from Amazon
Anything you’d like to add? Let us know in the comments!