Sunday, December 22, 2024

Amazon Prime Day 2024: All Your FAQs Answered, Plus Top Early Deals

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In just a few short days, Amazon Prime Day 2024 officially kicks off. The retail giant’s massive summer sale will take place on July 16 and 17 this year. Once the sale opens at 3:01 a.m. EDT, you’ll have 48 hours to shop thousands of discounts across all categories on Amazon’s site, like over 60% off Amazon devices or up to 40% off Sony headphones. Just keep in mind that you have to be a Prime member in order to take advantage of the deals. Ahead, we’ve rounded up the top early Prime Day deals so far, and also answer your frequently asked questions about the sale.

The Best Early Prime Day Deals At A Glance

The Best Early Prime Day Deals To Shop Right Now

Here’s your chance to get this cordless Shark vacuum at just $1 away from its lowest price ever. Our home editors named this model the best cordless Shark vacuum for pet hair, and it has over 7,800 five-star reviews on Amazon.


Prime Day typically brings around the lowest prices of the year on Amazon devices. It’s possible the Echo Dot could go on sale for a couple dollars less once the actual sale starts (it sold for $23 during October Prime Day last year), but at 50% off this is already a great markdown.


Apple products rarely go on sale, but these AirPods are discounted ahead of Prime Day. The previous version of this pair just sold out (it was on sale for its lowest price yet), so pick these up before it’s too late.


This smart toothbrush learns your brushing patterns and gives you tips for how to improve via an app. It offers five different cleaning modes and comes with a replacement brush head. Right now, you can get it for $9 away from its lowest price of 2024 by applying the coupon on the product page.


In addition to 10 packs of Crest Whitestrips, this kit comes with a blue light designed to combat stains on the surface of your teeth. At $40, this is a match for the set’s lowest price ever.


Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker

We’ve seen this compact Keurig machine sell for as low as $49 in the past, but this is a match for its lowest price of 2024 so far. The single-serve design can brew 6 to 12 ounces of your favorite coffee in just a few minutes.


Our travel editors named the Samsung Freeform Carry-On included in this bundle the best affordable hardside carry-on, and I fully agree. I’ve been traveling with both it and the 28-inch suitcase (also included in the bundle) for years, and they never let me down. Both suitcases are durable, wheel like a dream and fit a ton of clothing thanks to the expandable sides. Right now, you can get this duo for its lowest price of 2024.


Get Forbes Vetted Text Alerts: We’re sending special sale updates throughout Amazon Prime Day so you can be the first to know about the best editor-approved deals. Text “Vetted” to (646) 362-5046 or sign up here.


Hydro Flask All Around Travel Tumbler (40-Ounce)

We named this Hydro Flask tumbler our favorite tumbler with a straw. The stainless steel design is durable and it prevents unwanted flavor transfer and keeps your beverage cool all day. This discount for the Lupine colorway is the lowest price we’ve ever seen for the 40-ounce tumbler.


Nexxus Therappe Shampoo And Humectress Conditioner Set

If you’re on the hunt for a new haircare routine that’ll make your strands silky, but won’t put a major dent in your wallet, look no further. This jumbo-size shampoo and conditioner duo has earned 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 17,000 shoppers. The hydrating formulas will smooth and repair your hair, and right now the set is 25% off.


Add a little smart functionality to your home with these Kasa Smart Plugs. Compatible with Siri, Alexa and Google Home, you can use the plugs to turn items on and off, as well as monitor their energy usage. This deal is a couple of dollars shy of the lowest price we’ve seen for this set since January.


This innovative Dyson tool can dry and straighten your hair at the same time, allowing your morning routine to go a lot faster. This is a match for the second lowest price we’ve seen it sell for (it sold for $325 briefly in May).


Right now, you can get the deluxe version of the Bissell Little Green Cleaner for less than the price of the original. This version comes with extra tools designed to combat stains and a pet odor-fighting soap formula.


If you prefer physical books because you can mark them up, consider switching to the Kindle Scribe. it comes with a stylus that allows you to make notes over what you’re reading (or doodle and make lists on a separate sheet of virtual paper). The device is on sale for its lowest price ever ahead of Prime Day.


iPad sketchers and note takers won’t get the most out of their tablet without an Apple Pencil. The second generation pen offers tilt and pressure sensitivity, wireless charging and single tap controls. This discount has been fairly common in 2024, but we have yet to see this Apple Pencil drop any further.


Cuisinart Cordless Electric Kettle

Accurate and fast, this electric kettle is a kitchen essential. It includes six preset temperatures, an easy-to-use interface and helpful features like a Keep Warm mode and automatic shutoff. This popular kettle has gone on sale for less in the past, but this deal matches the best price we’ve seen in 2024.


CuboAi Plus Smart Baby Monitor

After extensive testing, we named the CuboAi Plus the best baby monitor with sleep tracking. It’s Wi-Fi enabled and a great option if you want a baby monitor that can travel. Right now, it’s on sale for the lowest price we’ve ever seen, with a discount of 36%. 


Ritual Multivitamin For Women

Right now, Ritual is offering 28% off any of its popular vitamins—or you can bundle or subscribe for an even deeper discount. The price is even lower when you shop directly from the brand’s website. All of Ritual’s product are plant-based, so they’re ideal for vegetarians and people with other kinds of dietary restrictions. 


Amazon Prime Day is a great time to save on big-ticket items. And the cult-favorite Nectar original mattress is on sale for less than $700—over $250 less than its original price. 


Hatch Restore 2 Sunrise Alarm Clock

The Hatch Restore tops our list of the best sunrise alarm clocks, thanks to its many functions and features. Instead of a blaring alarm, this clock gently wakes you with a gradually brightening light and the sound of your choice. Right now, you can save 28% on this innovative alarm clock.


This Burt’s Bees Lip Balm 3-pack is 44% off—need we say more? It has SPF 30 protection thanks to zinc oxide, and comes in beach-y, tropical flavors. 


What Is Amazon Prime Day?

Amazon Prime Day is a summer sale that was first introduced in 2015. At the time, it was a one-day event meant to celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary. Since then, the sale has transformed into a two-day, annual affair in which Amazon offers major discounts on thousands of products. Since 2022, the e-tailer has also hosted an October Prime Day, though it’s typically called something else.

When Is Amazon Prime Day 2024?

Amazon has announced that Prime Day 2024 will run from 3:01 a.m. EDT on July 16 until 3:00 a.m. EDT on July 18. This is a week later than anticipated—the event usually happens during the second week of July, though the retailer has deviated before. Once the sale starts, you’ll have 48 hours to shop the deals before Prime Day 2024 comes to a close.

How Many Times A Year Does Prime Day Take Place?

Technically, there’s only one Prime Day each year. But for the past two years, Amazon has run a similar savings event in October. This year, Amazon also hosted its first-ever Big Spring Sale Event, increasing its annual sale repertoire yet again. Time will tell whether it becomes a tradition as well.

Is Everything Discounted For Prime Day?

No, Amazon Prime Day isn’t a sitewide sale. Still, you can expect hundreds of thousands of discounts across nearly all product categories during the 48-hour event from brands like Sony, Allbirds, Kiehl’s and, of course, Amazon itself. Just keep in mind that you have to be a Prime member to take advantage of the deals.

What Other Retailers Have Prime Day Sales?

Many retailers offer their own Prime Day-adjacent sales. Walmart announced that it will be running a sale July 8 through July 11. Similarly, Target will run its Circle Week promotion July 7 through July 13. Best Buy is expected to run a Prime Day competitor sale as well, but the dates and details aren’t public yet.

In recent years, individual brands and smaller businesses have also started participating in Prime Day. We suggest keeping an eye on your favorite retailers’ sites during the sale to make sure you’re getting the best deals possible.

Is Prime Day Better Than Black Friday?

The answer largely depends on what you’re shopping for. If you’re looking to save on Amazon devices, tech and small appliances, you can typically find some great deals during Prime Day. However, Black Friday offers the opportunity to save at nearly every retailer you can think of. It’s also generally a better time to save on clothing, major appliances and furniture.

How Much Is An Amazon Prime Membership In 2024?

An Amazon Prime membership currently costs $14.99 per month, or a slightly discounted $139 per year if you decide to pay annually. Amazon also offers a couple of discounted membership programs—like Prime Access and Prime Student—for shoppers who meet certain qualifications.


What Prime Day Deals Can I Expect This Year?

Amazon Devices

Prime Day often ushers in some of the lowest prices of the year on Amazon devices like Fire TVs, Ring doorbells and Fire tablets. If you’ve been meaning to upgrade your home with smart devices, Prime Day is a great time to do so for significantly less.

Tech

Alongside Amazon’s proprietary devices, we typically see major drops on electronics from brands like Apple, Beats, Samsung and more. Whether you’ve got your eye on a new TV or a fresh pair of headphones, Amazon Prime Day will almost certainly have something to offer—especially if you don’t want to wait for Black Friday.

Beauty

Amazon has covered a lot of ground in the beauty space over the last couple of years. The category used to be somewhat of a blind spot for the retailer, but we saw a notable increase in beauty offers last year. You can also expect deals on tangential wellness products like water flossers, teeth whitening kits and electric razors.

Small Appliances

Last but certainly not least, Prime Day is also an excellent time to update your home with some small appliances. Items like robot vacuums, air purifiers and kitchen tools will almost certainly be discounted throughout the two-day event.

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