Amazon? It'll be more like Amazin' with all of the savings you'll be scooping up.
Hear ye, hear ye, frugal friends: How happy I am to be in the company of fellow cost-cutting comrades?! As a token of my appreciation, I'll stop speaking like I'm in a low-budget Shakespeare play and share a rather exciting tidbit. Here's the deal — literally: Amazon Prime Day is officially back for another round. No, not just yet, but come next month, it'll be sale central. I'm expecting markdowns on all sorts of sought-after brands, including those that don't really need to go on sale because people will pay top dollar for 'em anyway. (I'll never say no to a good discount, though).
Set to begin on Tuesday, Oct. 7, and wrap up on Wednesday, Oct. 8, this speedy savings event — dubbed "Amazon Prime Big Deal Days" — is sure to be just what the doctor ordered for us bargain-batty folk who don't want to wait until Black Friday for deep discounts. It's a little pre-Halloween treat, if you will — and one your dentist won't scold you for.
Now, if you're a Prime Day newbie, I've answered some common questions about the sale, so be sure to check those out. And if you want to get the price-slash party started early, I've included stellar Amazon deals that are ripe for the picking. Now, get thee to a shopping cart!
This year, the Amazon Prime Big Deals Days event is slated to run for two days (as opposed to the four-day Prime Day event back in July). The sale kicks off on Tuesday, Oct. 7, and runs through Wednesday, Oct. 8. Set a reminder, or you might miss out on this shorter discount window!
While we won't know exact markdowns until the sale begins, previous Prime Day events have been excellent times to score rarely discounted tech for near-record-low or record-low prices. (We're always on the lookout for Apple products in particular.) Seasonal clothing and style finds are another popular category — grab a winter coat and some boots for less before the first frost! — as well as small home appliances like air fryers, air purifiers and vacuums. It's also a smart time to shop for holiday gifts before the Black Friday rush, and you'll feel so accomplished knowing you've checked off some items from your list before you've even doled out Halloween candy.
Having an Amazon Prime membership isn't a prerequisite; there are always deals that everyone can enjoy. That said, many of the best Prime Day deals are reserved for Prime members, so having a subscription will allow you to make the most of the sale. Signing up is a cinch, and new members can opt for a free 30-day trial (after which, you'll be charged $139 each year — and you can cancel anytime).
Don't feel like waiting? I get it. Here are some of the best Amazon deals I'm seeing right now, in the run-up to fall Prime Day.
Never lose your luggage, purse, car, keys — anything, really — again. Just attach one of these smart tags to the item you want to track and you'll be alerted of its whereabouts via your phone. The deal on this four-pack brings each tag down to about $19 (they typically retail for $25 to $30 a pop). Grab a few for your, er, forgetful family members...
Prefer a sleek tablet over a heavy laptop? Look no further. Apple products are so sought after that they don't really need to go on sale, and when they do, it's often because they're older models. That said, this is the most recent version of this iPad, which makes this markdown extra noteworthy.
Senior Deals Writer Chris McGraw, who specializes in all things tech, says, "It's an ultra-light, thin tablet that's powerful enough to replace your laptop for most tasks but slips into your bag without a second thought. With a large 11-inch Liquid Retina display, you're swiping and scrolling in vibrant color and sharpness that makes any screen that came before feel like an old tube TV.
"If you've got a habit of toggling between a dozen apps, streaming videos and replying to messages at once, you're in for a treat. This iPad is ready to keep up with whatever you throw its way. And if you're into gaming, the graphics capabilities mean you can play even demanding games without dropping a frame."
Make fighting with your family members over power outlets a thing of the past, courtesy of this electrifying gadget. It's equipped with five AC outlets and four USB ports, enough for everyone to charge their iPads, iPhones, MacBooks (you get the picture) all at once. Oh, and it's so much sleeker than having a power strip on your floor — and you won't have to worry about tripping over it.
No, it's not a massive discount, but this bestseller is within a dollar of its all-time low (and it's retailed for as much as $20 in the past).
If you sleep hot, these moisture-wicking pillows will help keep you comfortable. They're filled with a plush down alternative (100% polyester) that's encased in a soft, breathable sateen cover. Score the set while they're well over half off.
"My husband and I are very picky about our pillows, and we are pleasantly surprised at how comfortable these are," said one five-star fan. "We are both side sleepers, and these have helped both of us have better nights of sleep. They support our necks without feeling like we are too propped up, and they offer enough give to help feel like our necks are being cradled. I'm glad I found these."
"I've tried a lot of eye creams," says Yahoo Senior Beauty Editor Jennifer Romolini. "And, for my money, CeraVe makes the best drugstore depuffing/under-eye brightening treatment currently on the market. Not only does it feel good on your skin (absorbs quickly, no gross pilling), it's also fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. Olivia Wilde also loves it, along with thousands of reviewers, who say it's like Botox in a cream. I'm not sure about that claim, but I do know this is a quality skin care staple at a price everyone can afford."
Speaking of which, this is close to as low as I've seen it all year (it's 40% off!).
Is it just me, or are plaid throw blankets cozier than others? Whether or not that's true, this one — at more than 50% off — certainly isn't lacking in couch-cuddling appeal: One side is made of soft fleece while the other is faux shearling for extra plushness. Wrap yourself up in it with some popcorn and a movie, and you've got an autumn night I'd describe as "iconic" — almost as iconic as this near-all-time-low price (it's only dropped a dollar lower).
Been eyeing one of these bad boys? You'd be wise to pounce while you can save over $140, and just in time for baking season to boot. At 4.5 quarts, it can hold enough dough to make up to eight dozen cookies at a time (though it won't take up too much room in your kitchen).
This is the brand I, a former professional baker, use at home, and it comes with a beater, dough hook and whisk attachments for making practically any baked good under the sun. Since it does all of the mixing for you, it'll give your arms a break, and you can let it run while you prep other ingredients — a must when making large batches. Snag it for its best price in months.
Yeah, I did a double-take when I saw the price, too — and the fact that these are Amazon's No. 1 bestselling leggings? Sold! Everyone needs a pair of these come boot season, since they can slide right into styles narrow and wide, and is there a more classic (not to mention, comfy) fall uniform than a slouchy sweater worn over these stretchy pants? I think not. Grab a pair (or 10) while they're down to their lowest price yet.
This small yet mighty handvac has been scooped up more than 60,000 times in the past month alone, so it's clearly doing something right. Don't be fooled by the fact that it weighs just 1.4 pounds; shoppers rave about its strong suction and impressive battery life. Plus, it comes with a built-in crevice tool for reaching tight spaces, and according to my price trackers, at nearly 45% off, it's within a dollar of its lowest price on record.
Behold: the coveted Stanley cup. These bestselling beverage bearers rarely go on sale (they're so popular that they don't really need to), but this one happens to be marked down to a new record low in a handful of pretty hues — good time to stock up!
It's got a built-in flip straw and keeps drinks cold for up to nine hours (40 hours if they're iced). Plus, its tapered bottom will fit right in your car's cup holder.
"Shiver me timbers!" — that's what your feet won't be saying, thanks to the toasty air this compact appliance cranks out. Snag one to place under your desk or by your couch to ward off chills on colder fall days and nights; at just over 2 pounds, it's easy to move from room to room as needed. This discount drops the price to within about a dollar of its lowest on record.
Talk about a toothsome two-fer! This combo includes both a water flosser to clean your gums more gently and an electric toothbrush for busting away plaque more efficiently than manual brushing. A Waterpik flosser alone costs more than this duo, which, at over 40% off, is within eight bucks of its record low. Say cheese!
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)