Father’s Day Gift Ideas Summary
- Your dad (or husband) is awesome, and ties are predictable!
- This list includes radar detectors, portable pressure washers and vacuums, jump starters, and NASCAR books.
- We include a brief summary of each item, along with some additional resources if you would like to know more.
- In 1972, the Nixon Administration recognized Father’s Day as an official U.S. holiday (Public Law 92-278).
Gifts For Techie Dads (Radar Detectors)
If your dad has a lead foot, a new radar detector is a great Father’s Day gift. If your dad doesn’t have a radar detector or hasn’t had one in a long time, the technology has grown by leaps and bounds.
For example, the false alert filtering capability is a significant improvement, meaning that radar detectors today are less “noisy.” Newer antenna platforms (a key component of modern radar detectors) are optimized for greater detection range, so Dad will have plenty of time to slow down. Some radar detectors even come with a compatible smartphone app.
The Escort MAXcam 360c is our top pick, a two-in-one unit with a radar detector and a high-resolution dash camera. It’s an enhanced version of the MAX 360c radar detector with a Quad HD 1440p dash camera. Digital signal processing technology minimizes false alerts (i.e., the age-old “automatic doors”), while emergency recordings activate during a collision.
Compared to other radar detectors, the Escort MAXcam 360c will cost more because it’s a dual-purpose unit. However, it’s a helpful tool and a fun toy. The dash camera is also handy if your dad is ever the victim of a hit-and-run accident.
Other Radar Detectors For Dad
Other excellent options at a lower price point include the Radenso DS1 and Uniden R4, both of which we affectionately refer to as our “grab and go” radar detectors. In other words, your dad will run through some initial settings after taking the unit out of the box for the first time, tweaking the detector to his liking. After that, he can prop it on the windshield and drive as normal.
Here are some additional resources from our YouTube channel:
- Radenso DS1: We cover the high points and essential features of the DS1 in this video, including how we use the “segmentation modes.”
- Uniden R4: One of the best radar detectors for the money, as seen in this video detailing the different settings and features.
Gifts For NASCAR Dads
NASCAR turned 75 years young in 2023, and NASCAR 75 Years is the perfect gift for dad to commemorate the occasion.
If your dad is an avid Monopoly fan who insists on playing during family get-togethers, take a look at these different car-themed boards, one of which includes a NASCAR edition. Likewise, if your dad enjoys tailgating before a race, a new truck tent can make for a great Father’s Day gift.
Gifts For DIY Dads
For dads who insist on having a clean vehicle, here are four Father’s Day gift ideas that are sure to be winners.
Two of them, the Fanttik V8 Mate and the Chemical Guys ProFlow, he can use regularly in the driveway at home. The third item from Meguiar’s can still be done at home, although its use will be more sparingly to remove headlight oxidation (i.e., yellowing headlights) as it happens over time.
The fourth item, a set of upgraded rubber floor mats, will be nice for Dad during the winter.
Fanttik V8 Mate
Cordless car vacuums, like the Fanttik V8 Mate, offer the convenience of on-demand suction when your dad needs to give the interior a good once-over.
The V8 Mate comes with an extendable and flexible hose, crevice nozzle, 120-milliliter integrated dust cup, built-in stainless steel and HEPA filters, a USB Type-C charging cable, and a storage bag. Three different brush attachments, including a pet hair brush, come with the V8 Mate, giving the battery-powered vacuum more versatility.
During our review of the Fanttik V8 Mate, we found it to be well-suited for mild interior cleaning jobs, like after a trip to the park with your kids. If your dad needs something for heavy vacuuming around the garage, a standard shop vac is still preferred, but the V8 Mate will suffice for quick jobs.
Over the past couple of years of owning our Fanttik V8 Mate, we have found ourselves using it just as much inside the home as we do inside our vehicle. In our utility room, for example, we often use the crevice nozzle to vacuum up lint on the floor around the dryer or kitty litter. Afterward, it’s easy to clean the nozzle off with a sanitary wipe.
Chemical Guys ProFlow PM2000 Pressure Washer
The Chemical Guys ProFlow PM2000 will make short work of nearly any cleaning job, from vehicles to patio furniture.
Lightweight and maneuverable, the ProFlow comes with a 20-foot water hose, 35-foot power cable, self-locking polyurethane casters, and different nozzle attachments that taper water flow, depending on what needs cleaning. In addition to the family vehicle, your dad can use the ProFlow to clean siding or brick, walkways or patios, and lawn equipment.
The ProFlow is easy to put together out of the box, although have your dad watch this short video beforehand. It includes some quick but essential tips when using the unit for the first time.
Husky Liners X-act Contour
If your dad still has the original cloth mats or a set of all-weather mats that have seen better days, the X-act Contour Floor Liners from Husky Liners will make for a nice Father’s Day upgrade. Before the American-made liners are shipped to your dad, they are custom-molded to his vehicle year, make, and model.
The ProCore and DuraGrip material combination makes the X-act Contour Floor Liners soft and pliable with a no-slip, sturdy surface. Unlike cloth mats, they do not absorb liquid, which is better for melting snow or accidental spills. These Husky Liners have channels that “corral” liquids, allowing your dad to quickly dump them on the ground later while spraying the liners off.
If you think your dad would enjoy a set of Husky Liners, browse through our full review of the X-act Contour Floor Liners. We summarize data from a study conducted by Husky Liners on the X-act Contour Floor Liners and provide some additional photos and installation tips.
Meguiar’s Ultimate Headlight Restoration Kit
If your dad’s vehicle has yellow, foggy, or cloudy-looking headlights, it’s due to a process called oxidation.
Headlight oxidation happens over time as your vehicle is exposed to the elements. If this is the case with your dad’s car, he has likely seen diminished headlight performance at night, which ultimately limits his visibility.
There are home cleaning kits that are inexpensive, easy to use, and provide a noticeable “before and after” effect. Our go-to kit is the Ultimate Headlight Restoration Kit from Meguiar’s. The video below from our YouTube channel provides an overview of the kit and instructions on how your dad can use it.
Convenient Gifts For Gearhead Dads
A new portable tire inflator or jump starter can be a convenient gift for Dad when he encounters an unexpected low tire or dead battery.
Portable Tire Inflators
When it comes to portable tire inflators, the best units have a robust material construction, come with various attachments and hoses, and offer good battery life. In our comprehensive guide to the best portable tire inflators, we feature offerings from Slime, Avid Power, DeWalt, and Milwaukee.
The Slime inflator is small and straightforward, while the Avid Power unit has a drill-like design that adds to its uniqueness and versatility. Meanwhile, the battery-powered DeWalt and Milwaukee tire inflators are designed for long-term use and ownership.
Generally speaking, the Slime and Avid Power units are good everyday tire inflators for personal use. The offerings from DeWalt and Milwaukee might be more suitable if your dad works in a profession where tools are a necessity, like a service shop, construction, or farming.
NOCO GB70 Portable Jump Starter
If your dad has an unexpected dead battery away from home, the NOCO GB70 will get him back on the road in no time without the need for jumper cables. The GB70 is an excellent addition to any winter emergency kit, as it offers features beyond the ability to jump a battery, such as a 400-lumen emergency strobe light.
As a more powerful unit in NOCO’s product line, the GB70 will handle gas engines with displacements up to eight liters and diesel powertrains with displacements up to six liters. The GB70 will also jump garden tractors, snowmobiles, four-wheelers, and other marine and RV batteries.
During our review of the GB70, our only critique was that NOCO should flip the location of the charging bank and the flashlight to make it easier to see the battery at night. However, it’s not a dealbreaker, and if your dad needs a better portable jump starter, the GB70 will be a great Father’s Day gift.
Best Father’s Day Gifts For The Money
If your dad loves working on cars or playing with the latest automotive gadgets, consider one of the items above for a Father’s Day gift. We own and use everything on this list, and are confident your dad will enjoy them, too. From all of us at Automoblog in Detroit, we wish your dad a happy Father’s Day.
Carl Anthony is the Managing Editor of Automoblog and the host of AutoVision News Radio and AutoSens Insights. As a respected automotive industry thought leader, Carl has appeared on numerous podcasts and radio shows, including Wrench Nation, Cars Yeah, The Car Doctor, and Digital PR Explained, in addition to appearing as a regular contributor on MotorMouth Radio on WHPC 90.3 FM. His work can also be seen and heard 24/7 on the Automoblog YouTube channel.