Amazon's October Prime Day: What to Buy and What to Skip

Amazon’s October Prime Day, officially called Prime Big Deal Days, will be held from Tuesday, Oct. 6 through Wednesday, Oct. 7, offering a pre-holiday shopping window between the summer Prime Day and Black Friday. Carmen Nestares, Amazon’s vice president for North America Prime and marketing tech, advises shoppers to target items they have been waiting for, such as Korean beauty products, popular toys for children, and upgrades to wearable tech, rather than restocking everyday essentials already bought in June.

One outlet’s shopping team validates deals using tools like CamelCamelCamel and Keepa, and cross-checks prices against rivals such as Walmart and Target to ensure true savings on big-ticket items like air purifiers, tablets and TVs. They also highlight kitchen upgrades and grocery delivery as worthwhile purchases, while cautioning against impulse buys, early seasonal décor and modest makeup discounts. Ally Anderson notes that fashion, baby gear and other practical items dominate click-throughs during the event. Overall, the guide aims to help consumers navigate the flood of offers and focus on genuine value.