Best Father's Day gift ideas under $30 in 2021

Yes, I'm channeling Dr. Evil in describing this tape measure, because what dad isn't made happier by the presence of lasers?

This two-in-one tape can be used to measure length, area, volume and indirect height -- up to 3,000 times on a single charge, according to Meterk. And it recharges via USB-C.

Even if Dad already has a tape measure, this upgrade is 1 million times better.

If Dad likes coffee, I'm pretty sure he'll love this gift idea. Atlas Coffee is a subscription service that delivers beans from countries all over the world. In the past I've enjoyed brews from the likes of Burundi, Costa Rica and Indonesia.

Get the java party started with code CNETDAD, which gets you the first bag for free -- you pay just the $5 shipping charge. Subsequent months cost $14 per bag, plus shipping. And the gift can run as long as you want it to, meaning you can stay under the $30 total threshold if needed.

I'm a big fan of this service; it's definitely a great gift for coffee fans. (And it'll soon get into tea as well, just FYI.)

Does Dad still reach for his phone every time he needs a light? This headlamp is infinitely more practical, as it allows hands-free illumination wherever he points his face. This Father's Day gift idea is bright, rechargeable, water-resistant and fully adjustable, with a lifetime warranty and -- at the time of this writing -- a $2-off coupon you clip on the product page.

Most gifts you open are just bam, done. Here's something that won't be quickly forgotten: a thing-of-the-month club. Amazing Clubs offers dozens of thoughtful gift options, many starting below $30 a month. Indulge Dad's love of hot sauce, pickles, you name it. Here are a few options from the below-$30, er, club. Every single one is way better than a gift card.

The prices below are for three-month subscriptions. Rates tend to dip if you choose a longer duration.

• BBQ sauce: $23 a month
• Hot sauce: $23 a month
• Salsa: $20 a month
• Popcorn: $27 a month
• Pickle: $27 a month

And if any family members happen to be reading: There's a chocolate club, too, cough-cough.

Daily Steals has an assortment of T-shirts for both dad and grandpa -- some funny, some celebratory. And if shirts aren't his thing, there are similarly amusing coffee mugs as well. You can save $4 on any of them with promo code CNETFTHR.

Why does the author's name ring a bell? Oh, he's just the co-creator of a little TV show called Game of Thrones. This novel came first, and it's got "Dad" written all over it: In war-torn Russia, two young men are sentenced to death. Their only hope is to complete an impossible mission for a lunatic colonel. City of Thieves is riveting from the first page, but it's also funny. Dad will love this unique gift idea.

Does Dad like a cold brewski? The BruMate promises to keep his favorite beverage 20 times colder than a neoprene sleeve. There are different versions for cans and bottles; the Trio is a good choice for can fans because it can also work as a pint glass.

All the BruMates come in a variety of colors. I tried them out last year and can confirm they work really well: My last sip from the can was nearly as cold as the first -- and I nursed that sucker for probably half an hour.

Everyone knows dads love "clickers" (aka TV remotes). But this is a Clckr of a different sort. It attaches to the back of a phone to provide a secure grip and a stand that supports both portrait (read: Zoom) and landscape (read: Netflix) viewing. When snapped closed, it still allows for wireless charging, which I found surprising and impressive. (This may vary depending on your phone model.)

The $11 universal version can work with just about any phone, but Clckr also makes cases that have the grip-stand thing built right in.

A product with a dad joke of a name (Colonel Popper... see what they did there?), this awesome kitchen tool makes a perfect bowl of popcorn every time. It's also healthier and cheaper than microwave popcorn, because all you do is pour in some kernels and add a little oil (optional). One nice added perk: It collapses down to store flat when not in use.

The bowl is currently on sale for $15, though prices do fluctuate, occasionally jumping up to $20.

For the dad who loves solving crimes, puzzles, mysteries or all of the above, there's Hunt A Killer. Each month he'll receive a box containing tools, evidence, clues and more, all with the goal of eliminating suspects and identifying the murderer. Your gift can be just the first box or a "season pass" (basically the entire mystery, start to finish) of six months.

Whatever you choose, use promo code FLASH20 to get 20% off the first box.

I'll unabashedly admit to loving the Life is Good brand. Love the shirts, love the humor, love the message. (Now more than ever, we need reminders that life can be good.) You'll find nearly two dozen dad-friendly shirts to choose from, all priced at $28.

Does your dad like to take notes? Sketch ideas? Draw doodles? Consider giving him the last notebook he'll ever need. The Rocketbook is a smart, reusable spiral-bound pad that can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. It also pairs with the Rocketbook app to preserve all Dad's notes in the cloud.

There are different sizes available; the Executive dot-grid version is currently priced at $24.

Variety is the spice of life, but spices add variety! (I just made that up. Can't decide if it's genius or...) Spiceology is a chef-owned source for hundreds of interesting and unusual blends, herbs, salts, powders and the like -- plenty of stuff to help Dad elevate his cooking game.

You could start him with something like the Chef Chad White Northwest Spice Collection, which includes three rubs. Take note, though, that your cart total needs to hit at least $40 to score free shipping.