Anyone who lives for the thrill of a great markdown, gird your loins. The days of asking, “When is Prime Day?” have officially come to an end, as Amazon announced that its seventh-annual Amazon Prime Day shopping event—its biggest of the year across beauty, fashion, fitness, tech, and home categories—is this month. Each Prime Day, members are eligible to shop hundreds of rare deals from top-rated brands like Olaplex, Dyson, and Vitamix. Amazon Prime Day is also one of the best times of the year to spring for big-ticket tech and home items (in the market for a TV or Instant Pot?), snag an Amazon device for less (like its Fire tablets, Kindle, or Echo), and shop other lightning deals (short-lived offers that last just a few hours) that pop up throughout the two-day event.
While you can sign up to be a Prime member at any point during the sale, we suggest joining or opting for a 30-day trial early to get ahead of the crowds and to avoid missing out on these limited-time deals. According to Amazon, last year Prime customers saved more than $1.4 billion during the two days of Prime Day. Prime membership offers many perks; you’re eligible for free shipping (and faster delivery options yearlong), the “try before you buy” Prime Wardrobe, and access to a bevy of streaming (and rental) shows and movies through Prime Video. Plus, new members who have never tried Amazon Music are eligible for an ad-free, unlimited four-month free subscription in honor of Prime Day.
Navigating all the particulars around Amazon Prime Day can be a headache, with great deals going live and running out within hours, which is why we’re setting you up for success with some need-to-know info on when and how to shop. Below, we’ve pulled together a quick guide on what to expect when sifting through some of the most coveted online deals available during Amazon Prime Day 2021—including some early deals.
When is Prime Day 2021?
Though last year Amazon moved Prime Day to October in response to the pandemic, the event usually falls in midsummer. This time around, the company announced, Prime Day’s exact dates are from Monday, June 21, at 12 a.m. P.T. (or 2:59 a.m. E.T.), through Tuesday, June 22, at 11:59 P.T. (or June 23 at 2:59 a.m. E.T.), with early-access deals for Prime members on select devices and products.
How can I prepare to shop until I drop on Prime Day?
Aside from setting multiple alarms to remind you about Amazon Prime Day 2021 on June 21 and 22, there are a number of ways to flex your fingers for all the discounts the occasion has to offer:
1. Download the Amazon app.
You don’t even need to open your laptop to take advantage of the awesome deals this Prime Day. Shoppers can use the Amazon app on mobile and tap “Watch This Deal” to keep tabs on a few of their favorite items.
2. Ask Alexa about deals.
If you already own one of the retailer’s Echo devices, you can tell Alexa to keep you abreast of the latest Amazon Prime Day news by saying, “Alexa, keep me updated on Prime Day.”
3. Keep your eyes peeled for Amazon deal badges.
Navigating the Amazon homepage on Prime Day can be a nightmare, so to distinguish Prime Day deals separately from any other discount on the site, Amazon will list eligible marked-down items with a special blue Prime Day badge to make it easy for shoppers to spot.
4. Utilize Amazon’s tracker tools.
If you’re going into Prime Day with a very specific list of items in mind, consider using Amazon’s Watch tracker, which notifies you about current and upcoming deals on some of your favorite products. You can also use its Shopping List function to organize your picks ahead of time, and quickly check for price drops.
5. Check back here for updates.
As on every Prime Day, our commerce editors are on the hunt for the best beauty, fashion, fitness, tech, home, kitchen, and wellness deals. Be sure to bookmark this page to keep tabs on all the best ways to shop, plus a few select deals.
How will Amazon Prime Day be different this year?
Continuing from last year, you can support emerging brands and companies with your purchase this Prime Day. Additionally, when members spend $10 on select small business purchases on Amazon, they’ll receive a $10 credit from the retailer to use toward an upcoming Prime Day purchase. Amazon is partnering with SELF cover star, actor, and entrepreneur Kristen Bell, along with Queer Eye‘s Karamo Bell and actor Mindy Kaling to further the initiative. Prime members can find curated lists of more than 300,000 small businesses here.
Editor’s note: As we continue transitioning out of the pandemic, you may experience some delays in shipping.
Keep reading for some of the best early deals to shop now ahead of Amazon Prime Day:
Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Generation)
Prime members can save $40 on Amazon’s second-generation Echo Buds, which features hands-free access to Alexa and up to five hours of battery life on single charge.
Amazon Halo
To keep track of your steps, heart rate, and sleeping patterns, consider the Amazon Halo band that’s Alexa-enabled and totally screen-free. The device includes access to a Halo membership, which contains workout programs from Orangetheory, P.volve, and more, plus advanced measurement tools.
Amazon Echo Show 5
With close to five-stars and over 300,000 customer reviews, this versatile device has a 5.5-inch screen that makes it easy to follow cooking recipes, video-call family members, or watch news highlights all with a single word—”Alexa.”
Toshiba 55-inch Smart 4K TV
If you’re in the market for a new TV, this state-of-the-art model from Toshiba is available to Prime members for $120 off its original price.