31 Father’s Day Gifts That Only Look Expensive

"Никогда не позволяйте морали удерживать вас от правильных поступков." Айзек Азимов

Because you shouldn’t have to pay the ~price~ to be the favorite child.

We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.

1.

A stainless steel insulated growler so he can keep his new favorite beer extra cold after a day at the brewery. He won’t even realize how craftily you saved money by not getting a more expensive version.


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Reviewers also use it to keep coffee hot and water cold allll darn day.

Promising review: “Okay, I normally don’t give five stars for many things, but this growler is AWESOME. I work for a construction materials firm, and it is HOT, every single minute of my day. I got this growler on a Monday and that night I filled it up with ice and water. I took it to work with me all week. I used it as a water jug mainly, pouring the VERY cold water into a cup to drink. I added more water every day, but I added NO ICE the whole week and I still had ice in my growler Friday afternoon when I got off work. This is hands-down, by far, the best insulated beverage container I’ve ever had.” —Ryan M.

Get it from Amazon for $26.45+ (available in five colors).

2.

A pair of fashionable lightweight sneakers that’ll ~outpace~ designer alternatives when you can upgrade his style AND have money left over to take him to dinner. Win win.


Amazon

Reviewers say they’re SUPER comfortable thanks to their cushioned soles.

Promising review: “I bought these for my boyfriend and he loves them. They’re very comfortable — he wears them more than any shoes he has, and he has a lot. They’re definitely a good purchase; I recommend them to anyone.” —Angel Goodman

Get them from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in sizes 4–13 and six colors).

See what won best casual everyday sneakers on BuzzFeed Reviews.

3.

A cell phone camera lens kit for improving his Insta game (hello, pro-like pics) without splurging on a fancy digital camera. This’ll create sharp, stunning images that he’ll immediately want to show off — probably with a dad joke in the caption.


amazon.com, amazon.com

He’ll get a wide angle lens, macro lens, telephoto zoom lens, fisheye lens, CPL filter lens, starburst lens, and a kaleidoscope lens. All have an easy clip-on design!

Promising review: “These are absolutely wonderful! They are fun to carry about (very lightweight) and I always have them, just in case a photography opportunity arrives. This is really nice when I really don’t want to lug about my professional camera equipment and all of the gear. And don’t be fooled by size or price! With a little practice and some talent, you can easily begin to capture very professional-looking photos with this gem.” —David

Get it from Amazon for $21.99.

4.

A gourmet spice and seasoning gift box, because he already thinks his grilling is Michelin-star worthy. But now his steak will taste even BETTER. You’re absolutely allowed to *rub* the success of this gift in all your siblings’ faces.


Amazon

He’ll get five spices: Grill Master, Island Spice, Citrus Pepper, and Bold Bayou. The fifth spice in the set will be a surprise — either Sriracha Hot Sea Salt or Rosy Cheeks Maple Bourbon BBQ Spice.

Promising review: “The packaging was awesome! When you look at the little glass jars, you expect there to be really great product on the inside and not some cheap spices you could buy at any store — and that’s exactly what we got! I bought these as a Father’s Day gift for my dad who is an avid griller. All of the spices have a unique flavor that are very robust and distinct. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves working with herbs and spices that have a unique flavor.” —Stephanie Brosch

Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in six flavor combinations).

5.

A pair of lightweight, waterproof Birkenstocks made of flexible foam so he can feel happiness in his sole every darn day this summer — all at a fraction of the original Birks price 🙌.


instagram.com, Nordstrom

Promising review: “I have had original Birkenstocks for 20 years. These outdo them all as far as comfort. I absolutely love them for everyday use around the house and around town.” —Skirobg

Get them from Nordstrom for $39.95 (available in sizes 8/8.5–13/13.5 and five colors).

6.

A mini waffle maker that’ll truly make any father the Rufus of your family so fast, you won’t even need to take him out to brunch. Get ready for a lifetime of mini waffles, my friend. He just found his new favorite toy.


Amazon

Promising review: “YES! Tiny waffles! Put anything into it — hash browns, tater tots, waffle mix, or canned biscuits! It even comes with a little recipe booklet! It fits in the palm of your hand, you could literally stuff it in the back of a drawer, but you won’t because as soon as you get it everyone wants mini waffles for every meal. It heats up super fast and is a breeze to clean. This has excellent value.” —Bryce Pierce

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in ten colors).

7.

A double-edged safety razor for upgrading his shaving experience right in his own bathroom. It’ll be stylish, give him a refreshingly close shave, and definitely make his countertop look a little ~sharper~.


Amazon

It has an extra long handle for easier use! Plus, it has five stainless steel blades.

Promising review: “I got this as a gift for my dad, and he absolutely loves it.So far, it’s holding up great from what I hear (it’s only been about three months as of posting this, but so far it appears to have been well worth the money). He absolutely loves it and I am happy that he has a razor that requires he handle the blade less with his tendency to fumble around small and lightweight objects.” —Kody

Get it from Amazon for $16.98.

8.

Or a beard grooming kit, because this’ll start each and every one of his mornings with a touch of luxury. Its balm and oil are formulated with jojoba oil (to moisturize), hempseed oil (to prevent splitting), and vitamin E (to protect) — aka the recipe of success to becoming the favorite child.


Amazon

He’ll get beard oil, beard balm, and a comb.

Promising review: “I’m a big fan of this product. I never really cared much about beard health before. I did a bit of research and there are a million different ways you can take care of your beard, and I wasn’t sure where to start. This kit is a great introduction to caring for your beard, and being able to grow it out. Oiling your beard makes a difference. People can tell and it gets this nice shine that screams cleanliness. I’m actually running low on oil and am planning on getting another bottle soon!” —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $8.47+ (available in three styles).

9.

A pair of blue light–blocking glasses so you can both nix his midday headaches and give all his outfits a stylish touch. He’ll be so impressed by his lack of eye strain, he’ll think you either learned witchcraft or splurged quite a bit. Just smile and nod.


Amazon

They minimize ~digital eye strain~ to prevent midday crashes caused by glaring screens, so he actually stay in the zone.

Promising review: “OK, so I never write a review on anything I buy, but for these I will. I have suffered from chronic migraines since I can remember. I was told about ‘blue blocker’ glasses from a friend. I thought why not, best choice I have ever made. Since the day I put them on I have not had a migraine and I work on a computer for eight to nine hours a day. That was two weeks ago — for the last six months I have had at least two migraines a week, but not anymore! I can also tell the difference in my sleep. THESE ARE AMAZING!” —Danielle

Get them from Amazon for $18.98+ (available in nine frame colors and in night vision).

10.

A stainless steel fountain pen that’ll make his desk feel more sophisticated as he figures out your taxes for the tenth year in a row. Will you ever have to learn? Hopefully not.


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Promising review: “This is a very nice fountain pen, especially for the price. This pen writes like a much more expensive fountain pen and can be used with both cartridges and ink, via the enclosed converter. It has good heft to it without being overly heavy. It has a nice feel in the hand and a smooth writing nib (I prefer a fine point). I have purchased several of these over the last couple of years and all of them are holding up perfectly.” —MML

Get it from Amazon for $14.66 (available in six colors).

See what won best writing pens on BuzzFeed Reviews.

11.

A vintage-y canvas backpack with faux leather straps for making him a COOL (and fancy!) dad when he suddenly seems to understand fashion. These + on-trend dad sneaks = his lucky year.


Amazon

Promising review: “This backpack is really fantastic. I had been looking at similar backpacks for a while (most of which had a price range around $40) and when I came across this one for $26, I decided to go ahead and buy it. It’s really, really nice, especially for the price. It’s made of a thick canvas material and the straps on the top are made of good-feeling faux leather. The straps are lightly padded, but I’ve had found that even with a lot of weight in the backpack, it does just fine and doesn’t cause any particular discomfort. It has a lot of roomy pockets on the inside and the outside of the bag. Basically, this bag is very durable and holds a lot of stuff.” —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $27.95+ (available in five colors).

12.

A solar charging external battery, because a) camping as a family is only fun when you have your phones to escape and b) its “advanced tech” design will blow him away for years to come.


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It has a hanger so he can attach it to his backpack! AND it can charge two devices simultaneously in only four to five hours (for a full charge). It comes with three modes available: normal, SOS (for emergencies), and strobe.

Promising review: “It feels sturdy and solid, and it charged the phone really fast. It was able to charge two phones before needing a charge itself. I am also glad it has the amazing solar power capability. Now when we are out, we don’t need to worry about charging phones anymore.” —Kleinsmith

Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (available in four colors).

See what won best portable chargers on BuzzFeed Reviews.

13.

A set of checked cotton handkerchiefs so you can create a pattern of compliments for him whenever he suits up. You really have always been the classiest sibling.


J. Crew

Promising review: “These are a great value and even a nice little gift. They are a very nice handkerchief box set.” —Fmaximilian

Get a set of two from J.Crew for $22.99+ (originally $45; available in four colors).

14.

A copy of George R.R. Martin’s The World of Ice & Fire that’ll make any GoT fan feel richer than all the money the Iron Bank could offer. Maybe that’s an exaggeration, but its intricate storytelling and gorgeous imagery are i-m-p-r-e-s-s-i-v-e. Like the North, he’ll remember your generosity.


Amazon

Promising review: “This book provides a fantastic peek into the world of the Game of Thrones universe (I know it’s actually the Song of Ice and Fire universe, but I think more people watch the TV show and know it that way). The art is visually stunning, and it is fascinating to get more insight into the history of the characters, lands, and creatures from Martin’s series. The book itself is also very appealing, with a somewhat soft, padded feeling cover that reminds me of a very old, handcrafted book. I love this book and can’t wait to delve even further with the forthcoming novels and season of the TV show.” —Ted Gleason

Get it from Amazon for $32.49.

Just 👏 look 👏 at 👏 this 👏 illustration 👏:

15.

A faux leather watch for proving your taste is timelessly sophisticated. Will he know its true ~face~ value? Never.


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Promising review: “For a $15 watch, you’d think this would be a piece of junk! But believe me when I tell you, in this case you don’t get what your pay for. This watch is just awesome and very minimalistic. It can go with any outfit and virtually every color. I have given it a lot of use and and it still works and feels like new although I’ve had it for about nine months now. The band is really comfortable.” —Ramses

Get it from Amazon for $14.99.

16.

A Jack Black hand cream, because he’ll suddenly understand the importance of pampering when he uses this formula of vitamins A and E, macadamia nut oil, and glycerin to soothe even the most chapped hands. Life is a lot *smoother* without cracked knuckles.


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Plus, it’s non-greasy!

Promising review: “I got immediate relief from chaffed, flaky, dry hands. There was absolutely no greasiness. This stuff is absolutely worth the extra money you might pay over a different lotion product. The smell is non-intrusive but pleasant. If you ever have dry hands or work a lot with tools or crafts, and you don’t want to leave residue or lose grip, this is absolutely the stuff you need to buy. 10/10 recommended. Please never change your formula. This stuff is basically magic.” —Daniel

Get it from Amazon for $15+ (available in two sizes).

17.

A set of Goodful carbon steel knives so his cooking game reaches new heights on your (cheap) dime. Warning: he WILL now want to audition for Chopped and claim to be the next Bobby Flay.


Macy’s

You get a 3.5″ paring knife, a 5″ utility knife, and an 8″ chef knife (all with blade guards).

Get a set of three from BuzzFeed’s Goodful line, exclusively at Macy’s for $23.93 (originally $57.99).

18.

A Rocketbook reusable notebook with wipeable pages that’ll take his office work straight to the future. The pages are scannable with the Rocketbook app so he can file ’em onto his computer — meaning he has you to thank for never losing important paperwork again. Consider this one of the best inexpensive tech gifts.


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Just be sure to use the included pen, otherwise the pages won’t wipe clean! The notebook comes with *32* reusable pages that can be uploaded to Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, Box, OneNote, Slack, iCloud, and email.

Promising review: “I think these are just the coolest thing to hit the market in office products in many years. This is easy to use, easy to set up, and works just as they claim it will in the product description. The pages are super easy to clean and reuse and it is easy to scan in the things you create with your phone. The notebook itself is nice and the pens that go with it aren’t terribly expensive and come in a nice range of colors. I’m thrilled with it. This would make a great gift for the tech junkie in your life, or the person with way too many notebooks.” —Ionia Froment

Get it from Amazon for $31.97 (available in four colors).

19.

A gift box of cotton argyle dress socks for helping him put his best foot forward without spending all your money on designer brands. Are you his personal stylist now? I believe so.


Amazon

They come in a gift box!

Promising review: “I was looking for a nice pair of stylish socks in different colors since I like to mix up my outfits and wanted to match. I also dress fairly professionally for work so I wanted something that I can wear with dress shoes as well. Thankfully, these socks fit both needs! They’re super comfortable and the perfect level of thickness where my feet aren’t cold, but they’re not sweating, either. I wear size 10-11 male shoes and these fit me perfectly, however I could really see them fitting most feet as they stretch pretty well.” —Mickle

Get a set of five from Amazon for $16.99 (available in three style combinations).

20.

A mirrored cube puzzle, because this’ll give him a fun mental challenge to work on that he’ll 100% want to show off to anyone who’ll let him.


Amazon

Promising review: “My family thought this might be easier than the colored cubes, because the size of the piece would give away where it should go. It’s been three weeks since we started playing with it and no one has been able to solve it! It’s a great gift idea for the ‘brain’ of your family.” —Victoria

Get it from Amazon for $7.99.

21.

A faux leather passport holder with RFID-blocking technology so he can travel in style, even if his airport outfits could not more loudly scream “dad going on vacation.” Please don’t let him store this in a fanny pack.


Amazon

Promising review: “I purchased this leather passport holder as a gift and it was perfect. I was surprised by how nice it is when I first opened the box. The color and design is pretty much what the photo looks like (the actual product looks even better). It’s made to look like tooled leather.” —JoLM

Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in nine colors).

22.

A pair of waterproof, bluetooth headphones that’ll make sure he doesn’t miss a *beat* to brag about his most generous child. They boast a built-in mic, noise-cancelling tech, and can play music for up to eight hours.


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Plus, they have control buttons so he can pause, adjust the volume, skip tracks, make calls, and activate voice control on your phone.

Promising review: “These headphones are AWESOME! The instructions were easy to follow and pairing was a breeze. The sound is phenomenal with rich tones and velvety bass. I was able to listen to an audiobook while cleaning and they are very comfortable to wear. They stayed in my ears while wearing my glasses. Phone calls were crystal clear and the voice response is a great for hands-free task. I will be purchasing an additional pair as a gift for my dad.” —Courtney

Get them from Amazon for $19.98 (available in seven colors).

See what won best wireless headphones on BuzzFeed Reviews.

23.

A breathable, moisture-wicking polo shirt for keeping him nice and cool while practicing at the golf range. In a way, he has you to thank for his newly improved par — and you spent far less than golf lessons!


Old Navy

Promising review: “Both my husband and my son have these shirts and they are perfect for casual work days, as well as weekend wear. The fabric is breathable, with a small bit of color to dress you up a notch.” —Juli4128

Get it from Old Navy for $15+ (available in sizes XS–XL and seven colors, in regular, big, and tall).

24.

A wine-chilling aerator, because this’ll not only make all his wine taste bolder and more expensive, but will also keep it refreshingly cool even when drunk outside in the heat. Prepare for a lot of toasts in your honor.


Amazon

This also comes with a foil cutter, stopper, storage pouch, and wine tasting ebook!

Promising review: “I’ve always been a casual wine drinker but over the past couple years, I’ve started to learn as much as I can about wine. A friend of mine suggested I look into this wine chiller so I decided to check it out. We immediately had to give it a try at dinner: As promised, double-lipped pourer left no drips on the table and the wine stayed chilled until the bottle was empty. But what surprised me the most is that our favorite wine actually tasted better than normally, due to the aerator. We also took it to an outdoor concert/picnic and it was perfect for enjoying some nice chilled wine in the summer heat, as well.” —Austin

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

25.

A powerful electric toothbrush to not only make his bathroom routine feel more sophisticated, but put his dental hygiene up to ~speed~ with his dentist’s expectations.


Fairywill / Facebook

Why is it so powerful? It cleans with a *40,000* micro-brush per minute speed so plague is as good as GONE. Plus it has five modes: white, clean, sensitive, polish, and massage. Take THAT, picky dentist.

Promising review: “Wow. This toothbrush is INCREDIBLE! My toothbrush recently broke and I wanted to try something new/different/cheaper, and I am SO unbelievably happy with this product. The toothbrush is super light, which is great for traveling with it and just in general it’s very easy to hold and to use. It has five settings, which is really nice depending on what type of brush I want. I drink a ton of coffee so my go-tos are the clean mode and then I do the polish mode for 30 seconds. My teeth are noticeably whiter.” —Jerri B

Get it from Amazon for $27.95+ (available in three colors).

See what won best electric toothbrushes on BuzzFeed Reviews.

26.

A family tree chart you should fill out yourself before gifting to win even MORE gold stars. There is a 110% chance of this getting framed as the best Father’s Day gift ever — so you just made your own bit of history.


Amazon

It can display up to 511 names.

Promising review: “This chart is very nice quality. I filled it out, put it in a nice frame, and hung it in the hallway. It looks great and is a nice conversation piece. I love seeing my husband’s and my lineage at a glance!” —Shizarla13

Get it from Amazon for $15.95.

27.

A lightweight sleep mask so he can replace counting sheep with something a little more rewarding, not to mention luxurious-feeling (and you won’t have to stay up thinking about the bill).


Amazon

It has breathable mesh for comfort and an elastic strap to fit any sized head.

Promising review: “As an incredibly light sleeper, I have been unable to sleep without a mask for about ten years. In that time, I have tried many different sleep masks and this is by far my favorite. The material looks and feels like a good quality. It fits just as snugly and comfortable as it did when I first bought it.” —Maria Gonzales

Get it from Amazon from $13.99.

28.

A pair of 18K white-gold-plated cufflinks that’ll be even better than an expensive trip to Brooks Brothers thanks to their engraved initials. James Bond would be impressed.


Amazon

Promising review: “If you are looking for an well made, high-quality, engraved cufflink set you’ve found ti. Pictures don’t do this set justice at all. You won’t be disappointed. They’re great for any work day or a special event.” —Nicole

Price: $20.99 (available in letters A–Z)

29.

A ticket stub diary for giving him a way to document all his favorite concerts, sporting events, trips, WHATEVER. It’s *almost* like you paid for all those experiences…feel free to take a little credit.


Uncommon Goods

It comes with clear sleeves to fit a variety of ticket sizes *and* space in the margins to write down memories about the event. Plus, its acid-free pages make sure to preserve your memories.

Get it from Amazon for $13.45 or Uncommon Goods for $14.

30.

A mini bluetooth speaker, because he’ll be sure to *sing praise* about what appears to be a huge tech splurge on your end. Talk about music to your ears.


Amazon

It boasts five-hour playing time, is rechargeable, has a built-in mic, and allows hands-free calls.

Promising review: “Since I’m working outside all day and I like to have music to keep me going, I decided to get this even though I was very skeptical about it. I didn’t know if it would withstand my daily use. This little thing didn’t disappoint, though. It has great sound quality and the battery is pretty long-lasting. Even if it’s dying on me, I can just plug my power bank on it to give it some juice to keep it blasting what my ears love. It’s still good to go after seven months of daily use. I highly recommend.” —PAP1 DAN

Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in eight colors).

See what won best bluetooth portable speakers on BuzzFeed Reviews.

31.

A set of chilling whiskey stones so he won’t notice you’re serving the cheapest alcohol you could find to celebrate his special day. He’ll be too busy wondering how these make his drinks so cold. Tell them it’s sorcery.


Amazon

Promising review: “I was looking around for gifts for a friend of mine that loves drinking whiskey on the rocks. I remember ragging on him for putting ice in his glass, because nobody likes watered down drinks, especially when you drink whiskey that’s as expensive as his. So I found these that are good quality, affordable, and small enough to put at least three stones in a whiskey glass. He used them the next day, and couldn’t stop telling me how much he loved them! He told me that it was one of the best gifts he has been given that he can use constantly!!!” —Katie McGowan

Get a set of nine from Amazon for $9.99.

Your dad’s explanation as to why you “spent so much”:


20th Century Fox Television

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.

Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides!


Allison Krausman / BuzzFeed

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