Are you ready for the shopping event of the season? No, we're not referring to Black Friday or Cyber Monday—we're talking about Prime Day, Amazon's global annual savings event, which has created a phenomenon that matches (or eclipses) the excitement of holiday mega sales.
Since its inception in 2015, Amazon's two-day bonanza—which features jaw-dropping deals and discounts—has been held in the heat of summer. This shopping event is ideal for bargain hunters eager to outfit dorm rooms, upgrade school supplies and wardrobes, get a head start on holiday shopping or just stock up on essentials (and maybe secure a splurge or two for themselves!).
Here's everything you need to know to take full advantage of Amazon Prime Day 2023.
When Will Prime Day 2023 Happen?
One of the allures of Amazon Prime Day is the element of surprise. Not only does Amazon withhold details on the exact deals it will be offering, but it even waits to announce the dates it will take place.
In 2023, Amazon Prime Day planners can tentatively mark their calendars for July 11 to 12, which seem to be the most popular anticipated dates, according to Google prognosticators.1 For reference, last year's Amazon Prime Day was from July 12 to 13, 2022.
How Big is This Year's Amazon Prime Day?
Enormous—if past events are any indication. While Amazon doesn't release its own statistics, one analysis estimated that consumers worldwide spent more than $12 billion at the 2022 event, breaking records (as has happened every year since Prime Day's inception in 2015).2
According to Influencer Marketing Hub, an astonishing 78% of consumers know about Amazon Prime Day, and 64% of surveyed consumers say they plan to shop on Amazon during Prime Day. And the reach of this annual savings event is global—shoppers from 20 nations purchased products on Prime Day 2021.3
It's such a retail juggernaut that a host of competitors launch sales around the same time, but it's hard to beat the breadth and depth of Amazon's deals.4
5 Deals to Expect for Amazon Prime Day 2023
While products vary from year to year, you can bet that many of the offerings for Amazon Prime Day in 2023 will be similar to those available in the past. Some of the most popular sale items usually include:
1. Smart home gadgets
Modernize your home and enjoy the benefits of connected living with smart home technology.
2. Small home electronics
Upgrade your space with small home electronics that prioritize health and convenience.
3. Personal tech
Rock your world with deals on personal tech.
4. Dental hygiene products
Smile brighter (and whiter) with savings on oral hygiene products.
5. Amazon-branded products
Traditionally, Amazon offers some of its best deals on its own portfolio of products.
Just a reminder: The exact products and discounts will vary, so these links are only an example of what might be available. To find out what's trending during the 2023 sale, follow relevant hashtags to see what your favorite social media sites and influencers are posting.
Here are some hashtags that have been useful in past years:
- • #primeday
- • #amazon
- • #amazonprime
- • #amazonprimeday
- • #amazondeals
- • #amazonfinds
- • #amazonfashion
- • #sale
- • #prime
- • #deals
- • #primedaydeals
- • #onlineshopping
- • #primedeals
- • #amazongiftcard
- • #amazonalexa
How to Get Ready to Shop on Amazon Prime Day
Are you ready to jump on great Prime Day deals? You'll be out of luck if you don't have an active Amazon Prime account, so make sure you're all set up.
Here's what you need to know:
- • A Prime membership costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year. To sign up, you'll need to enter some personal information, along with a valid credit card (Tip: Consider using the Amazon-branded card for even more perks.)
- • Access to Prime Day is just one of the awesome benefits for members. In addition, you'll receive free two-day shipping on eligible items; unlimited photo storage in Amazon Drive; and access to entertainment through channels like Prime Music, Prime Video, Prime Gaming and Prime Reading. There are a host of other Prime perks like “Try Before You Buy," savings at Whole Foods and other deals and discounts throughout the year.
- • Amazon also offers a Subscribe & Save program, which can help you get up to 10% off one to four products or up to 15% off five or more products—your Prime Day products might even qualify. (Fun fact: Amazon recently announced that this program saved global subscribers more than $1 billion over the past 12 months.)5
So while you will most likely get your money's worth from a Prime membership, if you're really watching your pennies (and who isn't?), there's a way you can join just for Prime Day. If you haven't been a member in the past 12 months, you can sign up for a free trial. Just remember you'll need to remember to cancel before the trial period officially ends, or Amazon will automatically charge your credit card as a paid member.
Tips & Tricks to Save Even More This Prime Day
Here are some tricks of the trade for saving more on Prime Day:
1. Set up deal alerts
Being a Prime member allows you to set up notifications for extra savings during times like Prime Day. To get alerts, visit the Prime Day page (the 2023 version isn't yet live, but you can check out the 2022 one) and click “Watch this deal" to get alerts on your most coveted items.
2. Create a wish list
Use the Amazon wish list feature on the web or on Amazon's mobile app to select products you've got your eye on. Click the box that says “Your Watched and Waitlisted Deals" to be notified when those items become “Lightning Deals" during Prime Day.
3. Put Alexa to use
If you already have an Alexa-enabled device, you can program the assistant to proactively notify you about deals on Prime Day—and all year round.6 To ensure you get the alert, add the item to your shopping cart or wish list, or click “Save for Later" once the item is in your cart.
4. Make sure it's really a deal
While Prime Day is famous for rock-bottom prices on many items, it's always wise to price-check across sites to ensure the deal is the best one available. As mentioned, other retailers have jumped on the Prime Day bandwagon with their own enticing offers. One way to ensure you're getting Amazon's absolutely best price is to add the browser extension CamelCamelCamel, which monitors Amazon prices on an ongoing basis and can let you know if an item has been less expensive in the past.
Bottom Line: Get Primed for Prime Day Now!
Part of the fun of Amazon Prime Day is the thrill of the hunt—what will be on sale now? New items and great deals pop up continuously, and savvy shoppers will be ready to jump on them, especially with the tips detailed above.
For more great savings tips—free during Prime Day and all year long—visit the RVC Money Matters blog.
Cathie Ericson is a freelance writer who covers personal finance, education, real estate and other topics of interest to consumers and businesses. Her work appears on websites that include U.S. News & World Report, MSN, Business Insider, Forbes, MarketWatch, Fast Company, Realtor.com and more.
READ MORE: 6 Tips for Shopping Online Safely
Sources/references
1. How to Get the Best Deals on Amazon Prime Day 2023. CBS Essentials. Published May 5, 2023.
2. Young, J. Amazon's Prime Day 2022 sales top $12 billion. Digital Commerce 360. Published July 14, 2022.
3. Mileva, G. Amazon Prime Day Statistics: Revenue, Users, Deals, and More to Help Prepare You for Next Year's Prime Day Event. Influencer Marketing Hub. Updated November 21, 2022.
4. Prime Day 2022 is over, so shop 27 of the best non-Amazon sales right now. CNN Underscored. Updated July 14, 2022.
5. How you can save time and money with Amazon Subscribe & Save. Amazon. Published May 24, 2023.
6. Try these new, convenient ways to shop with Alexa. Amazon. Published March 31, 2022.