The Prime Big Deal Days event is Oct. 7-8 this year. It’s like the little brother of Amazon’s actual Prime Day sale (in July), with pages of Prime member-exclusive deals to sift through.
Amazon bills this as a holiday shopping event, but, for deal-conscious consumers, it’s simply a good time to get a price break on popular products.
“I like to say it’s a buyer’s market around this time of year,” says Trae Bodge, the shopping expert at TrueTrae.com.
That’s because it’s not just Amazon rolling out deals. Target’s Circle Week sale is Oct. 5-11, and the Walmart Deals event is Oct. 7-12. Best Buy’s members-only event runs now through Oct. 5.
As you gear up for deal days, it’s important to think about what you need, check prices and set your shopping budget. We’ll help you consider which categories to buy or skip.
Why big sales matter
“Sale moments like this are more important than ever for consumers on a budget,” says Bodge.
Average consumer prices were up 2.9% year-over-year in August, according to the latest inflation data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but in general, everything feels expensive right now.
In the United States, 43% of consumers reported rising prices as their biggest concern, followed by tariff policies (29%), in the McKinsey ConsumerWise Global Sentiment Survey. The data was collected in April-May 2025 and the list of choices included immigration, political polarization, climate change and other key issues.
While cheaper meat and milk would be great, a good price on a new vacuum may have to tide you over.
Early deals are in effect
On Amazon, we’ve spotted worthy “early deals” on items like the Roku streaming stick, a pack of Crest 3D Whitestrips, a Dyson bladeless fan, a vintage-looking cooler from Coleman and a 75-inch LG QNED TV.
If what you want isn’t on sale yet, save the item in your wish list and note the pre-sale price (take a screenshot, even). Refer to that — or a price tracker — when it’s time to buy.
What to buy on Prime Big Deal Days
There are several categories you can count on for deals as you build your shopping list. Based on our coverage of past Prime Day sales, we have a hunch the ‘product we’re watching’ listed below each category will see a price break. Take note of these current prices now so you’ll be able to spot a good deal when you see one.
Toys
Knocking out toy purchases is a logical way to get ahead of the holiday curve, says Bodge. And according to Amazon’s press materials, you can expect deals on the brands kids love, like Lego, Fisher-Price, Magna-Tiles and Tonies. Kids like bikes, scooters and board games, too. With toys, you can buy now and save for Christmas.
Product we’re watching: Magna-Tiles classic 100-piece set (Amazon price at the time of writing: $119.99).
Name-brand tech (like Apple)
Prime Day sales are known for good deals on gadgets, and Amazon often sells Apple products cheaper than Apple does. The regular price of the just-released AirPods Pro 3 earbuds is $249, for example, but Amazon may take a few bucks off this hot new product for the sale.
Check out AirPods Pro 2 (still available on Amazon at the time of writing) or AirPods 4 for the chance to save more. Look for deals from other popular brands, such as Beats, Sony, Samsung, LG and Sonos. Reputable tech brands would be remiss to skip a sale with this much attention.
Product we’re watching: Apple iPad 11-inch Wi-Fi model with 128GB (price on Amazon at the time of writing: $319).
Small home and kitchen appliances
Need a new air fryer, stand mixer, coffee maker or vacuum cleaner this season? Prime Big Deal Days is a great time to get gadgets that make life easier.
Product we’re watching: Ninja 12-cup programmable coffee brewer in stainless steel (price on Amazon at the time of writing: $89.99).
Everyday essentials
Do you need pet food, shampoo, paper towels, socks or granola bars? Use Prime Big Deal Days, Target Circle Week and Walmart’s sale to replenish the stuff that runs out — at a discount. It could be the most guilt-free way to get in on the October sale action. On Amazon, you can navigate to the “buy it again” tab in your cart, then scroll through past purchases.
Product we’re watching: Larabar cashew cookie pack of 16 bars (price on Amazon at the time of writing: $18.56).
What to skip during Prime Day in October
Some product categories may not be worth your time or money during Prime Big Deal Days. Consider skipping:
- Large appliances, furniture and mattresses: Steer clear of the big household items — like a new bed or refrigerator — you’d typically buy around Labor Day. “Those were just on sale, so I wouldn’t even look at them right now,” says Bodge.
- Off-brand electronics: Gadgets from brands you don’t know well or items without many reviews may lack quality. Plus, a deal on something already priced low may not be as valuable. Take advantage of good discounts from tech brands you trust. Look for items that come with a warranty and good customer service.
- Winter apparel: “You’re not going to find clearance-level deals on apparel,” predicts Bodge. Instead, try for later in October or wait for Black Friday sales in November, when many more clothing brands roll out deals.
How to confirm good deals on Big Deal Days
All the sale activity can be “dizzying for consumers,” Bodge says. A little research can level you out.
You can refer to your screenshot of the product price before the sale. You can also spend a few minutes on a site like Keepa or CamelCamelCamel to check the price of products sold on Amazon over time and confirm the quality of an advertised markdown.
Another price history hack? Ask AI for the ‘going rate’ of a popular product. I tried this on ChatGPT for the 2025 base iPad and got results that say somewhere around $299 is a common price for the 128GB Wi-Fi model among retailers in recent weeks, despite the Apple Store price of $349.
Look for less than that at Amazon and other stores on Prime Big Deal Days, or leave it.
But just because it’s a good time to buy stuff, doesn’t mean a new tech product fits into your budget.
“Slow down, take a breath, and be methodical about what you buy,” advises Bodge.
If you miss the chance to save this time, we have a hunch Black Friday will bring another dizzying set of deals.
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Tommy Tindall writes for NerdWallet. Email: ttindall@nerdwallet.com.
The article A Buyer’s Market: What To Get During Prime Big Deal Days originally appeared on NerdWallet.