The best Father’s Day gift ideas under $50

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2.4G Controller is a versatile alternative to a traditional Xbox gamepad that works easily across Windows PCs, Macs, Steam Deck and mobile devices. It connects over Bluetooth, wireless dongle or USB cable and notably uses magnetic Hall effect sensors in its joysticks, which means it’s much less susceptible to developing the dreaded “stick drift” than traditional controllers. While it might feel a little cramped for those with particularly large hands, its shape doesn’t have any weird curves or quirks, and all its inputs are appropriately crisp to press. Battery life is decent at 15-ish hours, too, and the whole thing comes with a slick charging dock.

If dad wants to get hardcore, 8BitDo’s companion software offers a wealth of customization options, such as adjusting the sensitivity of the triggers or assigning macros to certain buttons. 8BitDo sells a few different variants of this controller, which can get confusing: This is the best one with an MSRP under $50, but another model works with the Nintendo Switch and uses that console’s button layout, while the newer Ultimate 2 pad adds a few extra buttons and features for $60. — J.D.