Want to shop Prime Day like a pro? Here’s what to buy —and what to avoid

Amazon Prime Day has evolved into one of the biggest shopping periods of the year.

Each summer, shoppers are met with thousands of discounts, lightning deals, limited-time offers and product pages plastered with giant percentage-off badges.

The problem is that not every deal is worth your attention.

Prime Day runs from June 23 to 26 this year, and after covering Amazon’s shopping event for half a decade, I’ve learned there are certain categories, such as electronics, home essentials and tech, that always see the deepest discounts.

This isn’t to say that other departments don’t have sales. In fact, if you’re a Prime member, you’re sure to find savings no matter the section you shop (if you’re not a member, sign up for a 30-day free trial). But if you’re solely interested in competitive pricing, certain items significantly drop in price for the event, while others, even with the sale badge, are just marketing markdowns better left ignored.

Here are the categories and products worth prioritizing during Amazon Prime Day 2026 — and the ones I’d approach with caution.

What to Buy During Amazon Prime Day 2026

Amazon Devices

This is the easiest recommendation every year.

Amazon routinely offers some of the steepest discounts of the event on its own hardware. Smart speakers, streaming devices, tablets and e-readers often hit their lowest prices of the year during Prime Day.

Robot Vacuums

Robot vacuum makers treat Prime Day like a major product launch window. Competition among brands drives substantial discounts, especially on midrange and premium models.

Watch for major savings on self-emptying robot vacuums, hybrid vacuum-and-mop systems and premium navigation models.

TVs

Prime Day has become one of the best TV-buying periods outside of Black Friday.

Manufacturers often use summer promotions to clear inventory ahead of fall releases, creating opportunities on OLED, Mini-LED and large-screen models.

Your best bets include 55-inch and 65-inch TVs (the best value, from experience!), OLED TVs and streaming-focused smart TVs.

Wireless Earbuds

Premium earbuds have become one of Prime Day’s strongest categories.

Whether you’re shopping for workout headphones, noise-canceling models or everyday listening, major brands frequently offer some of their lowest prices of the year.

Shopping hack: Pay particular attention to flagship models that are one generation old. Those often deliver the best value.

Laptops

Laptop deals can be outstanding if you know what specifications to target.

Rather than chasing the highest discount percentage, focus on machines with at least 16GB of RAM, modern processors and a strong battery life. Remember, you don’t just want a cheap laptop but a good one. Regardless, if you’re a Prime member, you’ll likely find a high-quality one for less if you buy during the event.

Smart Home Devices

Beyond Amazon’s own hardware, the broader smart home category tends to perform well.

My advice? Look for discounts on smart plugs, smart lighting and video doorbells or cameras. Those areas typically see a big price slash.

Kitchen Appliances

Air fryers may no longer be the headline-grabbing stars they once were, but kitchen appliances remain a dependable Prime Day category.

Korean Skincare

As someone who lives and breathes beauty products, I can attest that Korean skincare products are frequently featured in Prime Day beauty deals and can offer strong value compared with regular retail pricing.

Good options include hydrating essences and toners, vitamin C serums and treatment ampoules and sheet mask bundles and overnight sleeping masks.

Everyday Household Essentials

This category isn’t exciting, but it can deliver meaningful savings over time.

Prime Day is a good opportunity to stock up on paper products, cleaning supplies and laundry essentials.

What to Avoid During Amazon Prime Day 2026

Newly Released Smartphones

Brand-new flagship phones rarely receive substantial discounts.

You may see gift cards, trade-in promotions or small markdowns, but major savings typically arrive months later.

Unless you need a phone immediately, waiting often pays off.

High-End Luxury Watches

Luxury watch discounts are usually limited and often less compelling than deals available through authorized retailers at other times of the year.

Prime Day is rarely the best place to make a major watch purchase.

Brand-New Gaming Consoles

Console makers generally protect pricing on current-generation hardware.

You might find bundle offers, but dramatic discounts are uncommon.

Games and accessories are usually better Prime Day targets than the consoles themselves.

Premium Furniture

Furniture is one of the toughest categories to evaluate online, and Prime Day discounts are often smaller than they appear.

Shipping costs, assembly requirements and fluctuating list prices can make deals look better than they actually are.

For large furniture purchases, comparison shopping remains essential.

High-End Cameras

Cameras rarely receive the kinds of discounts shoppers hope for during Prime Day.

Manufacturers tend to hold pricing relatively steady, especially on newer releases.

That said, there is one exception worth considering: older-generation mirrorless cameras. If a model has recently been replaced, Prime Day can create an opportunity to buy a still-excellent camera at a much more attractive price. For many enthusiasts, last year’s model delivers nearly the same real-world performance for significantly less money.

The Prime Day Strategy That Works

From reporting on this event around the clock, the biggest mistake shoppers make during Prime Day is chasing percentages.

A product advertised at 50% off isn’t automatically a better deal than one discounted by 15%. Categories such as TVs, laptops, robot vacuums, storage devices and Amazon hardware consistently generate some of the strongest actual savings because brands aggressively compete for attention during the event.

Meanwhile, categories like luxury goods, flagship smartphones, premium furniture and newly released products often produce discounts that look impressive but don’t meaningfully change the value proposition.

My approach after five years of covering Prime Day is straightforward: prioritize categories that have a long history of genuine discounts, keep an eye out for hidden gems in less-promoted areas, and never let a giant percentage badge convince you to buy something you weren’t planning to purchase in the first place.

The best Prime Day deal isn’t necessarily the biggest discount. In reality, it’s the product you already needed, just at the lowest price you’re likely to see all year.

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Your Amazon Prime Day FAQs, answered

What is Amazon Prime Day and when is it?

Prime Day is Amazon’s biggest sale of the year, offering deep discounts on bestsellers and everyday essentials. This year’s event runs from Tuesday, June 23 at 3 a.m. ET through Saturday, June 27 at 3 a.m. ET.

How long is Prime Day?

This year, shoppers can take advantage of four days of Prime Day deals: Tuesday, June 23 at 3 a.m. ET through Saturday, June 27 at 3 a.m. ET.

What’s new about Prime Day in 2026?

In addition to pushing up the sale to June, Amazon is including several new programs and promotions, including:

• Today’s Big Deals program: New daily discounts up to 50% off or more
• New deals dropping as often as every five minutes during the sale
• Prime members gain access to exclusive travel deals
• Prime members who spend $15 or more on a qualifying online grocery order have a chance to win free groceries for a year
• Prime members who set up a deal alert with Alexa have a chance to win a $1,000 Amazon gift card
• Through June 26, Prime members can get a large pepperoni or cheese pizza from Little Caesars for $5
• Through June 26, Prime members who purchase a new car through Amazon Autos get a $1,500 Amazon gift card

Do you have to be an Amazon Prime member to shop?

Prime Day and all its amazing discounts are exclusively available to Prime members. However interested shoppers can grab a 30-day free trial to try Prime, and its many benefits with no strings attached, and gain access to exclusive deals and the convenience of fast, free shipping.

What are the best deals?

From reporting on Amazon sales for years, we can tell you for certain that Prime Day is the ideal time to stock up on beauty and skincare staples, score big-ticket tech for less, bestselling vacuums, and comb through the massive catalog of Amazon best-sellers. Plus, since this year’s sale runs before the Fourth of July Americana-themed deals and summer hosting essentials.

Is it worth it?

We certainly think so! Prime Day is a great chance to score deals on thousands of best-sellers, top tech and appliances and every day essentials. Our team diligently sorts through all the offers to find you only the very best items to grab on sale.

When is the next Prime Day?

Already wondering when Amazon’s next Prime Day is? We expect Amazon’s October Prime Big Deal Days sale event to return in fall 2026. Follow Post Wanted’s around-the-clock coverage, and you’ll be the first to know about headline-worthy sales. Click here to find all of the best deals.

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For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.

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