This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For an explanation of our Advertising Disclosure, visit this page.
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days are here! The 48-hour sale runs October 6 and 7, 2026, with millions of deals exclusively for Prime members across more than 35 categories, including tech, home, beauty, fashion, toys and everyday essentials.
With so many discounts and limited-time offers, it’s easy to get overwhelmed or buy something just because it looks like a great deal. But just because something is marked down doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the lowest price. A little planning and comparison shopping can go a long way.
Here are 10 tips to help you shop smarter, determine whether you’re really getting a good price and make the most of Amazon Prime Big Deal Days 2026:
1. Fill Your Cart or Wish List
If there are products you’ve been thinking about buying, add them to your Amazon cart or Wish List. This makes it much easier to see when something you actually want drops in price instead of scrolling through thousands of deals and buying things you don’t need. Amazon can also notify you when items on your Lists go on sale, which makes this especially useful during a fast-moving event like Prime Big Deal Days.
2. Check the Price History Before You Buy
This might be my favorite tip this year. Amazon now offers a Price History feature on eligible product pages that can show you up to 365 days of pricing information. Look for the “Price History” link on the product page before buying. It can help you determine whether that impressive-looking discount is really a great deal or whether the product regularly sells for a similar price. You can also ask Alexa for Shopping about a product’s price history.
3. Set Deal and Price Alerts
Instead of constantly refreshing Amazon throughout the day, let Amazon do some of the work for you. Alexa for Shopping can alert you to deals on specific products or categories. If you know exactly what you want, you can also set a target price and receive a notification if the product drops to that price.
Amazon even offers an Auto-Buy option that can automatically purchase an eligible item if it reaches the target price you set. Personally, I’d probably stick with the alert so I can make the final decision myself, but it’s good to know the option exists.
4. Compare Prices With Other Retailers
Don’t assume Amazon has the lowest price just because something has a big Prime Big Deal Days discount attached to it. Before buying an expensive item, take a minute to compare the price with other major retailers. You can also use price-comparison and tracking tools like Google Shopping, Honey or CamelCamelCamel. It only takes a minute or two and could save you from falling for a deal that isn’t really much of a deal.
5. Join Prime (or Start a Free Trial)
Prime Big Deal Days deals are for Amazon Prime members. If you’re not already a member, eligible new members can sign up for a 30-day free trial and get access to the sale. Prime currently costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year and includes benefits like fast, free delivery and Prime Video. If you sign up for the free trial just for the sale and don’t want to continue your membership, remember to cancel before it renews.
6. Check Today’s Big Deals Throughout the Day
Don’t assume that all of the best deals appear at the beginning of the sale. For Prime Big Deal Days 2026, Amazon is rolling out new Today’s Big Deals three times each day: midnight, 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. PDT. That means it can pay to check back throughout October 6 and 7. These offers are available while supplies last, so if you see something you were already planning to buy at a genuinely good price, you may not want to wait too long.
7. Don’t Buy Something Just Because It’s on Sale
This is probably the most important tip on the list. Prime Big Deal Days is designed to get you shopping, and it’s incredibly easy to buy something you didn’t need simply because Amazon says you’re saving 30%, 40% or even 50%. Before clicking “Buy Now,” ask yourself: Was I already planning to buy this? Is this actually a good price? Would I still want it if there weren’t a countdown clock or big discount percentage next to it? Sometimes the best Prime Big Deal Days deal is the one you skip.
8. Look for Extra Coupons, Bundles and Savings
Before checking out, take a close look at the product page for additional savings. Some products may have coupons you can apply, while others are offered as bundles that can be a better value than purchasing everything separately. If you’re comparing two similar products, these additional discounts can sometimes make a big difference. Just make sure you actually need everything included in a bundle before buying it.
9. Use Amazon Credits, Gift Cards and Rewards
Before paying, check whether you have any unused Amazon gift card balances, promotional credits or rewards available. If you’ve accumulated credits from things like No-Rush Shipping, Prime Big Deal Days can be a good time to put them to use. And if you’re trying to stick to a budget, using a predetermined gift card balance can also help keep you from getting carried away.
10. Get a Head Start on Holiday Shopping
Unlike the summer Prime Day event, Prime Big Deal Days arrives at a perfect time to start thinking about holiday shopping. If there are gifts you already know you’ll need to buy, check whether they’re discounted now. Amazon is positioning this sale as the kickoff to its holiday shopping season, so you’ll find deals on toys, electronics, home products, clothing and plenty of other popular gift categories. Buying a few gifts now could save you money and, just as importantly, save you from scrambling at the last minute in December.
Bottom Line
With millions of deals available during Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, it’s tempting to start adding everything that looks discounted to your cart. But the best strategy is to focus on products you actually need, compare prices and take advantage of tools like Amazon’s Price History and deal alerts.
The sale runs through October 7, so you have two days to shop, and Amazon is adding new Today’s Big Deals three times a day. Just remember that prices can change quickly and some deals can sell out, so always double-check the price before purchasing.
Want more travel news, tips and deals? Sign up to Johnny Jet’s free newsletter and check out these popular posts: The Travel Gadget Flight Attendants Never Leave Home Without and 12 Ways to Save Money on Baggage Fees. Follow Johnny Jet on MSN, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube for all of my travel posts.
