New Wireless Earbuds
Bluetooth headphones and earbuds have come a long way in the last year. While there are some expensive options from the usual suspects, the best Bluetooth earbuds are both affordable and feature-packed. Let’s take a look at the features dad will find most helpful.
One key feature of modern wireless earbuds dad will enjoy is waterproofing. Back in the day, if you so much as looked at your headphones wrong they would break. Mowing the lawn on a hot summer day? Broken. Forgetting that you stuffed your headphones in your pocket before throwing them in the laundry? Dead. How about jumping in the pool to cool off while you are still wearing earbuds? Destroyed. No more!
New Bluetooth earbuds come with ingress protection, or IP for short. There are eight ratings, and the higher the rating the better the waterproofing. If you are going to buy dad some new headphones, be sure to get an IPX rating of 7 or 8. IPX7 means that the earbuds can be fully submerged in up to three feet of water without damage. IPX8 means the device can be submerged below three feet of water and still work perfectly. That’s impressive considering the technology is included in most newer products!
Many new wireless earbuds also come with portable charging stations. It’s a relatively new product design that saves you the hassle of buying a portable lithium-ion battery, and doubles as a charger for smartphones or other USB-compatible devices. Most of these battery products also double as carrying cases for the Bluetooth earbuds themselves. Dad is going to be super thankful when he can call you from the road thanks to a quick power up from his headphones charging station!
If your dad is an active runner he will also appreciate newer Bluetooth earbuds that are made for movers and shakers. New sports earbuds come with more durable construction as well as head gripping extensions that keep earbuds from falling out. In many cases, products offer customizable ear tips and fins, so even the shape of the device can change to accommodate dad’s ears. Having comfortable earbuds makes a huge difference in day to day enjoyment, and will help dad focus on his run.
Bluetooth Earbuds Pros
Affordable
Bluetooth earbuds come in a wide range of prices, from Bluetooth earbuds under 100 dollars to over 300 dollars. You’ll want to pick based on how careful your dad is with his stuff, and how much he really cares about sound quality and battery life.
Stylish
Your dad may not always be in style, but the right wireless earbuds will add something positive to his look. It’s not always easy to convince dad to add something new to his fashion repertoire, so we advise picking your battles and winning where you can.
Useful
Bluetooth earbuds are something your dad will use every day and serve as a fond reminder of your gift. The right product will also be easy to set up and use, so even the most tech-averse fathers will be able to plug and play.
Bluetooth Earbuds Cons
Battery life
Dad will need to charge his new earbuds at least once per day. Depending on the length of use and volume, he may need to charge them even more. That’s because the tiny batteries inside these devices just can’t hold enough juice to keep the party going. Be sure to read the product ratings and reviews to watch for bad battery life, especially on the bargain end.
Pairing can be a challenge
If you aren’t around to help dad with setting up his new earbuds, you may want to think twice about this gift. Bluetooth pairing can be complicated for novice tech users, and he may not be able to get them to work with his smartphone or media player otherwise.
Lithium-Ion Outdoor Power Tools
There’s nothing like going wireless, and in the world of power tools, portable is king. Cordless tools have been around a long time, but they’ve never been this powerful. That means dad can spend less time on yard work, and more time relaxing at home.
If you’re willing to buy into a system, you can now get batteries in the 4.0 ampere-hour (Ah) range. That’s a ton of power and about double what was available on the consumer market last year. While the terminology can be confusing, it essentially means dad can get all his yard work done on a single, swappable battery that travels between leaf blower, lawn mower, and string trimmer without the hassle and smell of gasoline.
Did we mention that battery powered tools never need winterization? That means at the end of the season dad won’t have to deal with cleaning, adding fuel protectant, and storing away those tools. He can just set them in the garage or shed and wait until next year.
Electric Outdoor Power Tools Pros
No gas
Leave the mess, and fumes of gas-powered equipment behind. The battery revolution is changing the way we drive cars and the way we cut grass. Dad will feel cool to be on the cutting edge of technology and relieved he doesn’t have to deal with annoying gas engines.
Whisper quiet
Don’t worry, dad will still hear the satisfying hum of the grass being chopped or the swiping sound of the string trimmer eradicating weeds. He’ll be missing out on the loud gas engine and the ear-shattering sounds that come with it. If you’re feeling particularly generous this season, throw in a pair of Bluetooth headphones for a combo gift. He’ll actually be able to hear his favorite music or podcasts!
No cord pulling. Save dad’s shoulder by killing the cord. Electric outdoor power tools start with the push of a button. That means dad won’t have to yank a string repeatedly to get the tool started. It may seem like a small annoyance, but in the world of power tools, it’s one of dad’s least favorite activities.
Electric Outdoor Power Tools Cons
Expensive
Cost is a big factor in choosing electric power tools. Like most things, they come in a wide range but generally have a more expensive entry point. Shipping can be a challenge too as boxes tend to be larger and heavier than smaller gifts. Even though dad may really appreciate an electric power tool for Father’s Day, your wallet may not.
System-specific
Once you choose a brand, you’re locked in for life. That’s because batteries aren’t interchangeable between systems. So choose wisely, as you will be sending dad down a specific path for future tools or upgrades.
When you want the best gifts for Father’s Day, you have to think outside the box. Making dad’s life better by simplifying and bringing in new technology is a great way to make him feel loved. It’s also a nice regular reminder that you care about him. Happy Father’s Day
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