Editor’s note: Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days (a.k.a October Prime Day) has officially started, so we’re no longer updating this post. For our most up-to-date coverage of the sale, check out our roundup of the best October Prime Day deals and sign up for our email newsletter.)
It feels like déjà vu, but it’s real: Amazon’s October Prime Day starts next Tuesday, October 10, and Wednesday, October 11. Check out my cheat sheet if you want a full refresher, but for those who just want to get into it: Amazon is doing Prime Day all over again, with a bit of a holiday twist. And just like regular old Prime Day, these so-called Big Deal Days are getting a bit of an early start.
We’re several days out, so there isn’t a vast array of worth-it deals — except when it comes to Amazon’s own devices and in-house brands. Those are generally the first items to go on sale during these events, and they usually stay on sale through the end. But if you do some digging, there are some good discounts hidden in the mix, and I’ve sorted them out into eight different categories, below. I tried to keep an eye out for brands I recognize from our site, as well as a few personal favorites — like Weleda’s classic Skin Food moisturizer and Blueair’s nice-looking air purifier (a favorite of both Marie Kondo and me).
You do need to be an Amazon Prime member to get these deals. It costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year — but if you’re new to the program, you can sign up for a weeklong trial for just $1.99 that’ll last through October Prime Day. If you want real-time updates, make sure to sign up for our email newsletter, but until then, here are some of the best early October Prime Day deals.
Women’s Fashion | Beauty | Health & Wellness | Kitchen | Home | Tech | Amazon Devices | Baby & Kids
Best Early Women’s Fashion Deals
Though you can often find brand-name labels on sale for Prime Day (like Levi’s or Calvin Klein, which I often see on sale), the best deals right now are on pieces from Amazon’s in-house fashion brands — in some cases going up to about 60 percent off. That includes the Drop, one of Amazon’s trendier lines. Don’t sleep on the shoe section: I found some nice memory-foam slippers and under-$30 rain boots on sale.
Best Early Beauty and Grooming Deals
There aren’t that many skin-care and makeup deals yet. The best deals I could spot were on devices — think epilators, shavers, and hair clippers — including our pick for the best (less expensive) rotary electric razor, the Philips Norelco. I also found our favorite brush for detangling hair and one of our best moisturizers for dry skin.
Best Early Health & Wellness Deals
You can usually count on finding a bunch of electric toothbrushes on sale for Prime Day, and I’ve already spotted a few from Oral-B, a brand we constantly recommend. If you’re already feeling dry from the turn of the seasons, our top humidifier for small spaces is $33 when you apply the on-site coupon. And since I’m getting geared up for cold and flu season, I pulled a few air purifiers for under $200 (which is usually the minimum of what you’ll need to spend on one that actually works). Levoit’s boxy air purifier is now $110, and Blueair’s (nicer-looking) Marie Kondo–recommended air purifier is 20 percent off.
Best Early Kitchen Deals
Most of the best deals in the kitchen section are on coffee makers, including a slightly larger version of Strategist writer Lauren Ro’s programmable coffee maker. But there are some other large appliances, like a slow juicer and an Instant Pot air fryer. I’m also enamored with the $30 cocotte shaped like a pumpkin from Strategist-favorite cookware brand Staub.
Best Early Home Deals
Most of the actually good home deals are on bedroom things, including Tempur-Pedic’s fits-everyone memory-foam pillow and our best overall laundry hamper from Yamazaki. I also spotted several affordable Shark vacuums in the mix, and a well-reviewed steam mop from Bissell.
Best Early Tech Deals
I was delighted to find AirPods already on sale — and at 20 percent off, that’s about a good a deal as you’re going to get. We’re big fans of Anker — so much so that we dedicated an entire post to shopping the brand — and its products are almost always on sale at Amazon. For October Prime Day, they’re even cheaper, and I spotted a magnetic battery pack for your iPhone for nearly half-off.
Best Early Amazon Device Deals
I threatened to buy a Kindle during July’s Prime Day but totally blanked and have been waiting ever since — most likely the kids’ Paperwhite, which is identical to the regular Paperwhite in every other way except that it comes with a cute cover. I also had to include Amazon’s smart plug, which was the most popular pre–Prime Day product with Strategist readers.
Best Early Baby & Kids Deals
My little brothers have been planning their excursion to see the new Paw Patrol movie, so naturally, I noticed lots of play sets featuring the helpful hounds are on sale. I also spotted the bento-box-inspired lunch box that was a hit with Strategist readers last Prime Day.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
