Tech Dad can wear

The best smartwatch is still the Pebble Steel: it's waterproof, works with iPhones and Android, runs lots of apps, and has a brand new stainless steel design that's very sharp and a little retro. It's a perfect Dad geek-watch that'll look great at work, too.

For a hundred dollars less, the original Pebble Watch is $150 and has the same features as the more expensive Steel, and runs the same software. It's just made of plastic. You can change the watchband, though. How high does your budget go?

Affordable and cool-looking, the Martian Notifier ($129) gets notifications from iOS or Android phones and shows them on a small LED display: it also vibrates in patterns you can customize. It's stealthy tech in a classic shell.

Jawbone Up24 is perfect if Dad already wears a watch, or is looking for a casual band that'll work great for sleep or health tracking. Smart software and silent alarms round out an excellent band.

One of the few fitness trackers that’s fully waterproof, the Misfit Shine can also be popped into a wristband or clipped on jogging shorts. Dad might go for that flexibility.

Built by the originator of the fitness tracker product category, the Fitbit Flex is our top pedometer pick now that the Fitbit Force is recalled. The Flex records daily steps, sleep, and is water resistant. It syncs easily with iOS or Android, too. Functional and affordable.

A bleeding-edge fitness band with a dash of smartwatch, Gear Fit is one of the newest gadgets out there. It's a work in progress, but if your Dad already has a recent Samsung smartphone, this is a really cool toy for his wrist.

If Dad is already pretty active and owns an iPhone, consider the Fuelband SE. It calculates Nike Fuel points based on your activity, and works well as a stand-alone travel band or even as a watch. No extra chargers, either: its band is a USB cable.

Motorola hasn’t actually started selling the Moto 360 just yet, but it will be here this summer. If Dad really wants the latest tech, maybe consider giving him a raincheck slip to cash in for the Moto 360 (above) when it arrives.