Why You Can Trust CNET Best Father's Day gifts under $50 in 2021
Have some gift ideas for Dad, all them priced to fit nearly any budget.
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Father's Day 2021 (which arrives Sunday, June 20) will be nothing like Father's Day 2020. That's because many coronavirus-related restrictions have been lifted, meaning dads can get the hugs and in-person celebrations they missed last year. This dad right here just wants to spend a pleasant day with family.
Well, OK, maybe one little gift. But don't go crazy! In fact, if my beloved wife and children are reading, use this guide. It's filled with cool items that would make any dad happy, all priced $50 or less.
Read more: Save 15% on the coolest Father's Day gift I've seen this year: Framed, disassembled iPhones
When the power tools come out, the ear protection should go on. 3M's WorkTunes help to muffle all that noise, while at the same time connecting via Bluetooth to Dad's phone so he can enjoy music and podcasts while working.
The price on these does tend to fluctuate a bit, but they've been pretty steadily below $50 for a while now. Great gift for the handyman dad.
It's time to stop fooling around, waffle-wise. Toss that little rinky-dink iron to the curb and upgrade Dad to this commercial-grade machine, which can make two fluffy Belgian breakfast circles at the same time. The Pro Series scored an impressive 4.6-star average rating from over 450 Best Buy buyers.
How about giving Dad some much-needed peace and quiet? Anker's over-the-ear headphones delivery surprisingly decent active noise canceling for the price, along with 40 hours of playtime and a carrying case for good measure.
CNET's resident headphone expert, David Carnoy, had this to say: "Anker's SoundCore Life Q20 headphones are arguably the best value in the category of noise-canceling headphones."
Want to make Dad's life a little easier? Give him this two-pack of Tile trackers -- a Pro for his keychain, a Slim for his wallet. Both gizmos pair with his phone; the Tile app helps locate them, while the Tile community helps when they're out of Bluetooth range.
Many of these limited-edition designs are decidedly dad-friendly, everything from space to sailing to jungle paradise.
I'm a huge, huge fan of Tile's trackers, which is why they show up in every gift guide I've ever written. The Performance Packs are currently on sale for $43, a $19 savings.
I switched to one of these about a year ago and haven't looked back. (Buh-bye, Keurig!) Done properly, pour-over coffee is a revelation -- which helps explain the 4.8-star average rating from over 1,800 buyers. If your gift budget allows, consider one of these stainless-steel filters as well.
A Cheapskate Hall-of-Famer, the Fire 7 is great for dads who want to leave the phone on the charger ("See you on Monday, work stress!") but still enjoy books, movies, music, TikTok videos and the like. It's available in four colors and comes with expandable storage -- something no iPad to date can claim.
The $50 price tag is practically just a suggestion, too: The Fire 7 goes on sale once a month, usually for $40 but sometimes less. (Remember: Prime Day is imminent.)
The fully waterproof JBL Clip 3 is one of top micro Bluetooth speakers you can buy. The integrated carabiner framing the entire perimeter of the speaker acts as a bumper, which provides some fall protection. This unique Father's Day gift is available in multiple color choices for $50. Use it on a camping trip or a bike ride.
For under $50, this plug-in streamer will deliver nearly every online video service you can think of -- Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, Apple TV Plus and hundreds more -- at resolutions up to 4K. The remote will control your TV's power and volume, too. If you're looking to give Dad's old TV a new lease on life, this gadget is the perfect Father's Day gift.
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