It’s no secret that the Shop TODAY team loves a good bargain; shopping is our job after all. However, when it comes to getting a good markdown, we save our wallets for the biggest sales events of the year. That’s why Amazon’s October Prime Day is like a shopping extravaganza for our team of deal-finding experts who know how to sniff out a real, noteworthy bargain. Thankfully, the two-day shopping event just started, so we are all abuzz with excitement over the great deals.
Now, while we are doing the heavy lifting for you, sorting through beauty, tech and home deals, we can’t help but take a peek at products we need ourselves. That’s why we’re breaking down exactly what the Shop TODAY team is picking up during Prime Big Deal Days and sharing the tried-and-true products we think you should know about.
Shop TODAY editor picks on sale
Senior editor Julie Ricevuto has had her eye on this ‘Spoonula’ — which is a combination of a spoon and spatula — for a while now and plans to finally buy it during Prime Day. “It’s the perfect utensil for scooping food, stirring sauces, scraping pans and more,” she says.
Writer Emma Stessman picked up some smart light bulbs from Govee to get into the spooky season now that fall is officially in the air. “I’m so excited to be able to customize the lighting in my space and make it moody for fall,” says Stessman.
When it comes to shopping for myself, the majority of my purchases are the usual household essentials like soap. It might be considered a “boring” purchase, but when it comes to the great scents of Mrs. Meyer’s soaps, it adds a little something special to the mundane. I’ll be picking up the Basil scent if you’re really curious.
Those who don’t want to wash their hair on the daily know that a sleek bun can solve the problem without looking like you haven’t really washed your hair in days. This styling wand gives you the extra sleek look by taming flyaways and keeping your hair in place all day. It is incredibly easy to use and offers a plethora of benefits such as frizz control, hydration and more.
If you’re like me, the fall and winter months mean dry skin and lots of face masks, which is why I always stock up on these face masks right before the dry air gets me. They’re made to be worn for a few hours to deeply penetrate the skin and deliver moisture, hydration and collagen.
Many Shop TODAY editors are dog moms (myself included), so grabbing a household essential like poop bags is always on the list. These are great for locking in smells, are durable and are easy to open, which is likely the biggest factor in why these are editor-loved.
Editor Kamari Stewart-Jackson is a big fan of these pouches, saying that she has been using them for over a year without issue. “They hold all of the little odds and ends I keep in my bag like lens wipes, cuticle oil, bandages, extra hair ties and even eye patches,” says Stewart-Jackson. And because she loves them so much, she says that she’ll be ordering some to gift her sister to keep in her book bag.
Editor-tested products on sale
At 35% off, this tried-and-true cuticle remover is a steal. It works instantly, eliminating excess cuticles and hydrating nail beds thanks to ingredients like aloe and chamomile.
Stylist and fashion expert Jasmine Snow previously shared her love for oversized cardigans and says that this one is great for everyday. “Throw it over a T-shirt and jeans, a dress or even your workout clothes ... it gives everything that cozy fall feeling before you need a heavy jacket.”
Sometimes, a viral product comes on the scene only to be quickly replaced by the next “it” thing. However, when it comes to this K-beauty serum, I have yet to find something that is as gentle and moisturizing to replace it with. It’s no wonder it’s stood the test of time both on my vanity and for many others (it has over 100,000 ratings on Amazon). I love how well it hydrates my skin and how well it fits into my routine, either in the morning or evening; it’s so versatile!
Social video producer Anita Chomenko is a fan of these under-eye patches, so much so that she wrote up just what she loves about them and how she uses them. “Whether my skin is feeling dry, tired or irritated, the second I put these patches on, it feels like my skin just had the most refreshing drink of water!” Chomenko notes. This set comes with a variety of patches to help address a handful of concerns such as dark circles, dehydration and puffiness.
A personal favorite, this candle is a two-in-one product that has secret benefits. After you light it, let it burn for 30 minutes and then cool down for a little after burning it out; then you can use the warm oil to give yourself a moisturizing massage or use it to relieve a little muscle tension. I use this on my legs and arms in the evening while watching TV.
When it comes to TV and streaming, we love an easy solution that doesn’t require keeping track of countless remotes. That’s especially true for writer Danielle Murphy, who loves this Amazon Fire TV Stick for its ease of use, smart voice control and easy search functions. “Having voice control is a game-changer when it comes to the viewing experience,” notes Murphy.
Ricevuto is a fan of this retinoid — which is a K-beauty favorite — and says it “smooths her skin and helps minimize pores after use.”
After testing the latest Apple AirPods and comparing them to the AirPods Pro 3 she uses regularly, Stessman said that when it comes to the older version, “I find the noise cancellation to be slightly better in that model, due to the seal formed by the ear tips.”
Stessman adds that “the AirPods Pro 3 have a few additional features that I don’t personally use, but that might benefit others, including in-ear heart rate sensing, at-home hearing test capabilities and the ability to be used as a hearing aid.”
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
A favorite of multiple Shop TODAY editors, the Kindle is a space-saving solution for readers. It allows you to take multiple books on the go and can be paired with the Libby app so you can still support your local library.
“As someone who travels often, commutes to work regularly and lives in a small New York City apartment, the fact that it’s easy-to-handle on the go and that it saves me living space (my shelves are already too full!) have totally won me over,” says partnerships associate editor Erica Marrison.
Another favorite of Shop TODAY, the Little Green Machine has been a consistent household essential for tackling stains, messes and more. It’s great for smaller spaces and can even be used on car interiors, pet beds and upholstery, according to the brand.
Stessman previously put two microcurrent devices to the test and loves how, with consistent use, she is able to see a change in her face with the NuFace. The device has multiple frequencies that allow you to customize your experience and is rechargeable so you can take it on the go.
After regular use, Stessman says that “I notice that it looks slightly more defined and generally less puffy, especially under my chin. I also see a bit more definition at the tops of my cheekbones, my dark circles are slightly less pronounced, my eyes look more open and my eyebrows are slightly lifted.”
After testing six different carpet cleaning machines, this portable Shark cleaner came out on top as the best overall option for former NBCU page Sydney Albert. She notes that it is easy to use, is easy to store and worked great on a variety of stains and messes. “After using it once, I felt confident that I’d be able to use it again without any directions. Plus, the handles on the side made it easy to move around for both use and storage,” says Albert.
Frequently asked questions
Amazon typically has two big Prime Day events: One in the summer and one in the fall, so this will likely be the last one for the year. However, the e-retailer often has another big sales event around Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Amazon’s October Prime Day will end Oct. 7 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Yes, to get the best deals and fast-shipping, Amazon Prime Day is best for those with a membership. Right now, a yearly membership is $14.99 per month, or $139 per year and along with expedited shipping, it gives you access to Prime Video, Audible and more.
Many other major retailers are also having sales right now. Some of the biggest ones include Target Circle Deal Days and Walmart's October deal event.
How we chose
For our Prime Day coverage, Shop TODAY editors shared their picks for Amazon Prime Day, and we went through editor-tested and tried-and-true products that have our seal of approval, on sale for Prime Day. We also searched through the current noteworthy deals and other discounts on Amazon to find the best options on reader favorites, editor-tested and loved items and bestsellers.
