Thursday, November 21, 2024

Updated live: Not all Prime Day deals are good — we found 29+ that actually are

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Prime Big Deal Days is here, offering discounts on tech, beauty products, kitchen gadgets and more during the 48-hour sale, which is exclusive to Prime members. I’ve covered Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday for five years as a reporter for NBC Select, so I know how to find deals that are actually worth buying. I combed through Amazon’s many deal pages — through thousands of discounted products —  to find the best October Prime Day deals. Each one I recommend below is highly rated, at least 20% off and at its lowest price in at least three months. I’ll frequently update this list throughout Prime Big Deal Days.

SKIP AHEAD Best Prime Day deals | More Prime Day sales | Best sales at other retailers | How I picked the best deals | Why trust NBC Select?

Best Prime Day deals

Amazon Smart Plug

4.7-star average rating from 564,467 reviews on Amazon

Once you connect devices like fans, air purifiers and lamps to this smart plug, you can control them from your phone via the companion app, which also lets you set on/off schedules. The plug is compact, so it keeps your second outlet free.

Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects

4.6-star average rating from 89,017 reviews on Amazon

Crest’s at-home teeth whitening kit comes with 44 whitening strips, which is enough for 22 treatments — 20 treatments are 45 minute standard sessions and two treatments are one hour express sessions. The strips are made with hydrogen peroxide to brighten your smile.

Apple AirPods Pro 2

4.6-star average rating from 7,532 reviews on Amazon

These are some of the best wireless earbuds I’ve tested. Their active noise cancellation feature lets me clearly hear audio in noisy environments, and they’re water-resistant, so I never worry about wearing them outdoors or while exercising. The AirPods come with a USB-C charging case and four pairs of silicone tips to customize their fit.

iWalk Portable Charger (USB-C)

4.3-star average rating from 952 reviews on Amazon

Lowest price ever

This pocket-sized portable charger has a built-in USB-C connector that you plug directly into your phone, headphones or tablet. When it runs out of juice, you can repower it with the included cable.

Waterpik Cordless Advanced 2.0 Water Flosser

4.3-star average rating from 62,763 reviews on Amazon

This ADA-accepted water flosser comes with four interchangeable tips, all of which rotate 360 degrees to reach each part of your mouth. You can choose from three pressure settings, and the reservoir holds enough water for 45-second cleanings. A full battery gives you up to four weeks of use.

TubShroom Tub Drain Hair Catcher

4.5-star average rating from 9,081 reviews on Amazon

Rosalie Sparaco, NBC senior social media editor, swears by the TubShroom, which collects hair to prevent clogged pipes. “I used to snake squirrel-sized clumps of hair out of my pipes or use a drain cleaner at least once a month, but now I almost never have to because the TubShroom is so effective,” she says. It fits inside drains that are 1.5 to 1.75 inches wide and doesn’t disrupt water flow.

23andMe Ancestry Service

4.7-star average rating from 35,634 reviews on Amazon

This DNA kit comes with all the materials you need to take a saliva sample and mail it to the brand’s lab for testing. Four to five weeks later, you’ll get your results, including information about where your ancestors are from and traits you may have a propensity for, like cilantro aversion or perfect pitch.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

4.6-star average rating from 45,682 reviews on Amazon

“I never go to bed without applying this overnight lap mask,” says NBC Select commerce editor Lindsay Schneider. “Because it’s thick and genuinely hydrating I wake up in the morning and any irritation or dryness I had on my lips the night before is gone. It’s that good.” The mask is made with moisturizing ingredients like coconut and shea butters, as well as vitamin C and other antioxidants. It comes with a mini spatula to help with application.

Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum

4.4-star average rating from 106,044 reviews on Amazon

This corded vacuum is key to keeping my three-pet household clean. Its HEPA filter traps allergens like dust and pet dander, and it effectively suctions dirt off carpets and bare floors. The vacuum has a detachable pod you can tote around your home to clean above door frames, stairs and furniture. It also comes with multiple attachments including a crevice tool and upholstery tool.

Duracell Optimum AA Batteries

4.8-star average rating from 2,690 reviews on Amazon

It never hurts to have extra batteries at home, so you might as well buy them on sale. This pack comes with 28 AA alkaline batteries.

Cosrx Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence

4.6-star average rating from 71,464 reviews on Amazon

Cosrx’s essence is made with snail mucin and hyaluronic acid, ingredients that hydrate and soothe dry skin. It has a lightweight feel and dries quickly so you can layer other skin care products over it. The essence gives skin a dewy glow post-application.

Chamberlain Smart Garage Control

4.3-star average rating from 101,823 reviews on Amazon

Lowest price ever

This device lets you link your existing garage door opener to a companion app so you can control it from your phone regardless of where you are. You can also give loved ones control access via the app. Chamberlain’s device is compatible with garage door openers made after 1993, according to the brand.

Amazon Fire TV Stick HD

4.7-star average rating from 496,611 reviews on Amazon

Upgrade your TV with Amazon’s Fire Stick, which plugs directly into an HDMI port and lets you watch entertainment in HD from any streaming service. You’re also able to control compatible smart home products. The streaming device comes with an Alexa Voice Remote.

Amazon Echo Pop

4.7-star average rating from 65,151 reviews on Amazon

The Echo Pop is a mini Bluetooth speaker that’s equipped with an Alexa virtual assistant. You can use it to play music, podcasts and audiobooks, as well as ask Alexa to set alarms, tell you the weather or read you the news. Since the speaker is so small, it seamlessly blends in with my home decor.

Magna-Tiles Space 32-Piece Magnetic Construction Set

4.8-star average rating from 30 reviews on Amazon

Lowest price ever

“Back in my teaching days, Magna-Tiles were the most fought over toy in the classroom,” says Rebecca Rodriguez, NBC Select editorial projects manager, who previously taught preschool. “You can easily construct and deconstruct the tiles to make different figures, which entertains kids and adults for a while.” This pack, which is a great gift, comes with 32 multicolored magnetic tiles, as well as a shuttle-shaped box to store them inside.

Bio-Oil Skincare Oil

4.7-star average rating from 50,945 reviews on Amazon

Bio-Oil is one of our favorite non-greasy face oils, but you can also use it on your body. It’s made with vitamin E to moisturize skin, hydrate cuticles and reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars, including acne scars. It’s also noncomedogenic so it won’t clog pores and is safe for all skin types.

Best Prime Day sales

Here are the best Prime Day sales to know about. Keep in mind, not every item from a brand is discounted as described below.

  1. Up to 47% off Apple tech
  2. Up to 32% off Dyson vacuums and hair tools
  3. Up to 25% off Stanley drinkware and more
  4. Up to 43% off Ninja kitchen appliances and cookware
  5. Up to 27% off CeraVe skin care
  6. Up to 20% off Therabody massage guns and recovery tools
  7. Up to 30% off Act+Acre hair care
  8. Up to 20% off Ruggable rugs, doormats and bathmats
  9. Up to 41% off Instant home and kitchen appliances

Best sales at other retailers

  1. Target: Save on products across categories during Target Circle Week through Oct. 12
  2. Walmart: Save on products across categories during Walmart’s Holiday Deals event through Oct. 13
  3. Best Buy: Save on tech, kitchen appliance and more during Best Buy’s 48-Hour Flash Sale through Oct. 9
  4. Wayfair: Save on furniture, appliances, home decor and more during Way Day through Oct. 9
  5. Macy’s: Get an extra 30% off clothing, accessories and more during the VIP Sale

How I found the best Prime Day deals

All of my recommendations above are based on NBC Select’s previous coverage and reporting. I also included products the NBC Select staff tested, including Wellness Award, Travel Award, Pet Award, Bed & Bath Award and Giftable Tech Award winners. I ran each deal through price trackers like CamelCamelCamel to ensure products are at their lowest price in at least three months. All the products I recommend are highly rated with at least a 4.0-star average rating from hundreds of reviews.

Why trust NBC Select?

I’m an associate updates editor for NBC Select who has covered deals and sales for five years. To round up the best Prime Big Deal Days discounts, I found highly rated products at their lowest price in at least three months. After combing through thousands of discounts, I also included products I know and love. 

Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.

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