Father’s Day is almost here – it falls on Sunday, June 21 this year – so if you’ve got a dad, grandad or father figure who loves their telly, their tunes or a good gadget, you’ve come to the right place (it’s OK if you buy something for yourself – we won’t tell).
As someone who covers streaming, home entertainment and all manner of tech the whole year round, I’ve pulled together this roundup of gift ideas to suit a range of budgets – from streaming sticks and Freely boxes to earphones, a portable speaker, and even a Roku projector.
A quick note on prices: the figures here are the usual asking prices, but it’s always worth a look around for a deal, and I’ve flagged a couple of launch offers worth grabbing while they last.
And as ever, only buy within your means – no gift is worth going into debt over.
Streaming Devices
Plenty of people just rely on the streaming apps built into their Smart TV – but those interfaces are often slow and clunky, and as a set gets older, apps start dropping off (like the ITV Hub exodus from older Samsung TVs).
A standalone streaming stick gets around all of that, with a longer list of supported apps, snappier performance, and a longer useful life. They’re also cheap – which makes them an easy gift to slip in.
Fire TV Stick 4K Max
I’ve been a fan of Amazon’s Fire TV sticks for years, and if you want the best one in the range, it’s the Fire TV Stick 4K Max.
It’s the most powerful Firestick Amazon sells, with a faster 2.0GHz processor, double the storage of the other sticks (16GB, so plenty of room for apps and games), and WiFi 6E. It also comes with the Enhanced Alexa Voice Remote, which adds a couple of handy shortcut buttons the cheaper sticks don’t get.
What matters most for a main streaming device: it still runs Fire OS (Android-based), so you get the full app library of more than 30,000 apps and the ability to sideload – neither of which the newer budget sticks offer (more on that in a moment).
It handles 4K with Dolby Vision and HDR10+, the interface is quick and responsive, and it supports just about every UK streaming service going. For the dad who streams a lot, this is the one I’d hand over without a second thought.
Cheaper Alternative: the Fire TV Stick HD (£39.99). It’s tempting on price, but there’s a catch worth knowing about. Unlike the older HD model, the 2026 version runs Amazon’s new Vega OS instead of Android – which means no sideloading, and a much smaller app catalogue (around 3,000 apps, versus the 30,000+ on the 4K Max).
Most of the big UK broadcasters and streamers are there – BBC iPlayer, ITVX, 5, Netflix, Disney+ and the like – but not everything. As a cheap stick for a spare room or an older non-4K telly, for someone who’ll stick to the mainstream apps, it does the job. Just go in knowing it’s more limited than the HD sticks of old.
Roku Streaming Stick Plus
Over in Roku’s camp, the Streaming Stick Plus is the pick – and the best value 4K stick around. It streams in 4K with HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG (the format BBC iPlayer uses for its 4K content), and comes with Roku’s Voice Remote, which also controls your TV’s volume.
Roku’s big draw is its operating system – it’s about as simple as streaming gets, just a clean grid of apps and channels, without the clutter you find on the Fire TV sticks. If you’re buying for someone who wants to stream but isn’t especially techy, this is a brilliant starting point.
The one thing it gives up compared to the Fire sticks is Dolby Vision – but unless that specifically matters to the person you’re buying for, it won’t be missed. For the price, it’s hard to beat.
Cheaper Alternative: the Roku Streaming Stick HD (£29.99). HD only, no 4K, but it has the same easy interface and wide app support – a solid choice for a guest room or an older TV.
Aurzen D1R Roku Projector
For something a bit different, Roku has just launched its first UK projector. The Aurzen D1R is a 1080p smart projector with the full Roku experience built in – the same simple interface you get on a Roku stick, thrown onto your wall at up to 150 inches, with all the usual apps (Netflix, Disney+, iPlayer, ITVX and the rest) plus auto focus and auto keystone so the picture sorts itself out.
It’s officially £199.99, but a launch coupon – code AURZENROKU at checkout on Amazon – drops it to £99.99 until June 14.
At that price, an easy-to-use smart projector makes a brilliant gift. Just know it’s an after-dark device: at 280 ANSI lumens it’s on the dim side, so it’s one for a darkened room or film night, not a bright living room.
Freely Boxes
Here’s a question worth asking before you buy anyone a TV box in 2026: why bother with Freeview at all?
Freely is Everyone TV’s streaming platform – from the same people behind Freeview and Freesat – and it’s designed to eventually replace both. Instead of pulling channels in through an aerial, it delivers live TV over your broadband: BBC, ITV, Channel 4, 5 and 60+ other channels in a single programme guide, with seven days of catch-up built straight in. No aerial, no signal hunting, no loft gymnastics.
That’s why, if I were buying a TV box as a gift today, I’d skip Freeview and go straight for a Freely device. It’s where things are heading, the reception headaches disappear, and the experience is closer to the streaming apps most people already use.
There are two standalone boxes worth your attention – and they take slightly different approaches.
Netgem Pleio
The Pleio (£99) was the first standalone Freely box to launch, back in November 2025, and it’s the more do-everything of the two.
On top of Freely’s live channels, it runs full Android TV with the Google Play Store, so Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Prime Video and hundreds of other apps sit right alongside your live telly.
It also comes with a wireless gamepad and access to 300+ cloud games through the Pleio Extra subscription – free for the first 12 months, then £9.99/month after that.
The core Freely service, though, stays free forever, so you’re never forced into paying. I gave it 4 out of 5 in my review: a strong first effort with a few rough edges still being smoothed out via monthly updates.
In short, the Pleio is the one to pick for the dad who wants everything – live TV, all the streaming apps, and a bit of gaming – on a single device.
Manhattan Aero
The Aero (£89.99) takes a simpler, cleaner approach. It runs TiVo OS alongside Freely, giving you the live channels and catch-up plus Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, YouTube and a solid core of streaming apps – and there are no ongoing subscription fees of any kind.
It also has an Ethernet port, which the Pleio lacks, handy if WiFi is unreliable where the box is going.
I gave the Aero 4.5 out of 5 and made it an Editor’s Choice – it’s fast, easy to set up, and a lovely thing to use. The trade-offs: a slightly smaller app selection than the Pleio (a few names like NOW and HBO Max aren’t there yet), and no gaming.
So the Aero is the pick for someone who just wants brilliant free live TV and the main streaming apps, with nothing extra to think about – and no monthly fees, ever.
Freeview Alternative: if the person you’re buying for is wedded to a traditional aerial and, above all, wants to record live TV – something neither the Pleio nor the Aero can do – then the Manhattan T4-R (our Editor’s Choice as the best Freeview recorder) is the one to go for. It’s a superb recorder with a slick interface and smart EPG, just don’t expect it to double as a full streaming box.
Earphones & Speakers
Budget and mid-range audio has come on a long way in the last few years – you no longer have to spend a fortune to get earphones or a speaker that actually sound good. Here are a few that make great gifts.
EarFun Air Pro 4+
I’ve recommended EarFun’s true wireless earphones for years, and the Air Pro 4+ are the pair I’d point most people towards at this time, for the ultimate combination of performance and price.
The new dual-driver setup is the headline change, and it pays off – these sound better than plenty of earbuds I’ve tested at two or three times the price, with deep-but-controlled bass, clear mids, and treble that stays detailed without ever turning harsh.
The custom EQ hearing test in the app is more than a gimmick too, building a sound profile that made a real difference for me. Battery life is strong at 12 hours with ANC off (8 with it on), and 54 hours all in with the case.
The ANC itself is only so-so, and the upright charging case takes some getting used to – but at this price, the sound quality alone makes these a superb value.
A great gift for anyone who wants proper audio without spending big.
Noble FoKus Amadeus
If your budget stretches further – and the dad in question really cares about sound – the Noble FoKus Amadeus are a step up in both audio and looks. They’re not cheap, but they sound and feel the part.
The striking red finish (a nod to Mozart’s signature tailcoat) makes them something you’d actually want to be seen wearing, and the 8.3mm custom driver delivers sound that’s rich and detailed – full bass that never turns muddy, with everything sounding open and vivid.
As with the EarFun, there’s clever personalisation on board: Audiodo Personal Sound maps your hearing and stores a tailored profile right on the earbuds.
Battery life is solid at 12 hours with ANC off (8 with it on), and 42 hours total from the case. These are a treat rather than a bargain – but for someone who appreciates quality audio and wants earphones that look as good as they sound, they’re a lovely gift.
EarFun Clip 2
For the dad who runs, cycles or lives at the gym, in-ear buds with noise cancellation are exactly the wrong tool – blocking out the world isn’t ideal when there’s traffic coming up behind you.
The EarFun Clip 2 take the opposite approach: they’re open-ear, clipping onto your ear rather than going in it, so you get your music or podcast while staying aware of what’s around you.
I ran for the best part of an hour in these without a single slip, even while sweating, and at 5.5g each they’re light enough to forget you’re wearing them.
The physical buttons (rather than touch controls) are the right call for sweaty workouts, battery life is strong at up to 11 hours, and they’re IP55 rated against rain and dust. There’s even a surprisingly capable AI translation feature built into the app.
The trade-offs come with the open-ear territory: the bass is light, and sound leaks out, so these aren’t for critical listening or a quiet office. But for exercise – which is exactly what they’re built for – they’re a great-value gift.
Majority M2 Bluetooth Speaker
If you want a cheap-and-cheerful gift that’ll get plenty of use, a small portable speaker is hard to beat – and the Majority M2 fits the bill nicely.
It’s lightweight and easy to sling in a bag, so it’s just the thing for a quick BBQ, a trip to the garden, or even keeping in the bathroom for a shower singalong.
It connects via Bluetooth 6.0 (with AUX, USB, and SD playback as backups), has IPX65 protection against splashes and dust, and you can pair two of them for proper stereo if you fancy. Battery life is good for a full day’s listening, and the onboard controls mean you don’t need to keep reaching for your phone.
I’ll be honest about the sound: it gets loud, but the quality is nothing to write home about, and it does muffle a bit as you push the volume up.
That said, sound quality isn’t really the point here – for some fun tunes outside or backing your shower vocals, it’s a bargain bit of kit that does exactly what’s asked of it – with some colourful lights thrown in for fun.
Streaming Subscription Gifts
With so many streaming services around these days (and they keep on coming!), no one has them all – so they can be a great gift option. And since you can either give them via a gift card, or virtually – they’re great as a last-minute Father’s Day gift.
Disney+ Gift Subscription
Disney+ (see our full review) can be streamed on most streaming devices and Smart TVs in the UK, and includes content from the worlds of Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, National Geographic and Hulu (previously Star) – Disney’s general entertainment category for more mature audiences (which includes popular shows like Grey’s Anatomy, The Bear and many others).
When you buy the gift card, you choose the amount you want – and that amount can then be used towards any of the Disney+ tiers (with or without adverts, or Premium, which includes 4K).
Netflix Gift Cards
Who doesn’t know Netflix? The granddaddy of all streaming services, if you’re looking to buy a gift for someone who likes watching TV and somehow DOESN’T have Netflix yet – this is it.
With numerous TV programmes, Netflix Originals, movies and even some reality TV, Netflix has something for everyone.
The standard Netflix subscription currently costs £12.99/month (but there are also Premium 4K and the Basic-with-Adverts plan), and you can choose gift cards that are worth between £15 and £200. You can find official Netflix cards on Startselect (which sends the code instantly via e-mail).
iTunes Gift Cards
If your father is an Apple fan – gift cards for iTunes are the most flexible. They can be used to buy apps, films, TV programmes or even full streaming subscriptions on Apple’s app and media stores.
Audible Gift Membership
It’s not a streaming TV service, but Audible still offers great entertainment, with one of the largest audiobook collections in the world.
For gift memberships, you choose the number of months you want (with one credit given per month) – and it starts from £8.99 for 1 month/1 credit.
In addition to credits, an Audible subscription now also includes Audible+, which lets you stream premium content at no extra cost as long as you remain a subscriber.
More Gift Ideas
Sofa Club Thea Power Recliner
Most tech recliners are either gaming chairs loaded with RGB lights or massage chairs that cost more than a decent sofa. The Sofa Club Thea (see my review) takes a more sensible approach – it’s a genuinely comfortable recliner with a few thoughtful modern touches.
The battery-powered recline runs for weeks between charges, the 360-degree swivel base is buttery smooth and silent, and the flexible phone holder built into the arm is far more useful than I expected. The cream boucle fabric looks good, and the foam strikes that sweet spot between supportive and comfortable.
The headrest is a bit low for upright TV watching (you might want a pillow), but it’s brilliant for lounging – reading, scrolling, or relaxing in front of the telly.
At £799 it’s certainly not cheap, but it’s a proper gift for someone who wants a stylish, comfortable chair with modern conveniences – just make sure you measure your doorways first, as it arrives in an absolutely massive box.
iWALK USB-C Portable Charger
Here’s a practical gift for anyone who’s always running out of phone battery. The iWALK portable charger is impressively tiny – small enough to slip into any pocket – but packs enough juice (4800mAh) to fully charge an iPhone 15 or most Android phones.
What makes this charger particularly neat is its built-in USB-C connector and 20W fast charging capability – something you don’t often see on portable power banks. It can boost an iPhone 15 from empty to 50% in about half an hour.
While it’s not the most powerful portable charger out there, its compact size and convenience make it perfect for those times when you just need a quick top-up while out and about – and you don’t even need to carry cables around, as it has its own USB-C connector.