A Buyer’s Market: What To Buy (and Skip) on October Prime Day
Set your shopping budget and consult this list of what to buy and skip.
Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
Prime Big Deal Days is Oct. 7-8 this year. It’s like the little brother of Amazon’s actual Prime Day sale (in July), with pages of Prime member-exclusive deals to sift through.
Amazon bills this as a holiday shopping event, but, for deal-conscious consumers, it’s simply a good time to get a price break on popular products.
“I like to say it’s a buyer’s market around this time of year,” says Trae Bodge, the shopping expert at TrueTrae.com.
That’s because it’s not just Amazon rolling out deals. Target’s Circle Week sale is happening now through Oct. 11, and the Walmart Deals event is Oct. 7-12. Best Buy has good deals going on now, too.
As you shop, think about what you need, check prices and set your shopping budget. We’ll help you consider which categories to buy or skip.
Big deals are in effect
Need a smart speaker, tablet, pair of headphones, laptop, television, video game, car seat, cooler, cold cup, purse or just about anything else. Big deals are in effect, up to 50% off.
Three deals I’m considering:
Madden 26 for Xbox Series X — for my kid ($36.54 at the time of writing).
Barbie Dreamhouse with 75+ pieces — for my other kid ($124.99 at the time of writing).
Apple AirPods 4 — for me ($119 at the time of writing).
It’s a great time to be alive and browsing online! Target broad categories for the best deals.
What to buy this Prime Big Deal Days
There are several categories you can count on for deals as you build your shopping list, like toys and electronics. We selected a sample product from each recommended category and tracked the price a week before the sale (on Sept. 30) and when the sale started (Oct. 7) to try and make sense of the madness.
Spoiler alert: The rhyme or reason behind specific product markdowns is difficult to ascertain. Keep a backup product in mind if what you want isn’t on sale.
Toys
Knocking out toy purchases is a logical way to get ahead of the holiday curve, says Bodge. And according to Amazon’s press materials, you can expect deals on the brands kids love, like Lego, Fisher-Price, Magna-Tiles and Tonies. Kids like bikes, scooters and board games, too. With toys, you can buy now and save for Christmas.
Example product: Magna-Tiles classic 100-piece set.
Amazon price on Sept. 30: $119.99.
Amazon price on Oct. 7: $119.99.
Name-brand tech (like Apple)
Prime Day sales are known for good deals on gadgets, and Amazon often sells Apple products cheaper than Apple does. The regular price of the just-released AirPods Pro 3 earbuds is $249, for example, but Amazon may take a few bucks at some point during Big Deal Days.
Check out AirPods Pro 2 (still available on Amazon at the time of writing) or AirPods 4 for the chance to save more. Look for deals from other popular brands, such as Beats, Sony, Samsung, LG and Sonos. Reputable tech brands would be remiss to skip a sale with this much attention.
Example product: Apple iPad 11-inch Wi-Fi model with 128GB.
Amazon price on Sept. 30: $319.
Amazon price on Oct. 7: $279.
Small home and kitchen appliances
Need a new air fryer, stand mixer, coffee maker or vacuum cleaner this season? Prime Big Deal Days is a great time to get gadgets that make life easier.
Example product: Ninja 12-cup programmable coffee brewer in stainless steel.
Amazon price on Sept. 30: $89.99.
Amazon price on Oct. 7: $59.99.
Everyday essentials
Do you need pet food, shampoo, paper towels, socks or granola bars? Use Prime Big Deal Days, Target Circle Week and Walmart’s sale to replenish the stuff that runs out — at a discount. It could be the most guilt-free way to get in on the October sale action. On Amazon, you can navigate to the “buy it again” tab in your cart, then scroll through past purchases.
Example product: Larabar cashew cookie pack of 16 bars.
Amazon price on Sept. 30: $18.56.
Amazon price on Oct. 7: $18.56.
MORE: Big deal seekers may find the Prime Visa — and its instant $150 bonus — useful for fall Prime Day.
What to skip during Prime Day in October
Some product categories may not be worth your time or money during Prime Big Deal Days. Consider skipping:
Large appliances, furniture and mattresses: Steer clear of the big household items — like a new bed or refrigerator — you’d typically buy around Labor Day. “Those were just on sale, so I wouldn’t even look at them right now,” says Bodge.
Off-brand electronics: Gadgets from brands you don’t know well or items without many reviews may lack quality. Plus, a deal on something already priced low may not be as valuable. Take advantage of good discounts from tech brands you trust. Look for items that come with a warranty and good customer service.
Winter apparel: “You’re not going to find clearance level deals on apparel,” predicts Bodge. Instead, try for later in October or wait for Black Friday sales in November, when many more clothing brands roll out deals.
Why big sales matter more this year
“Sale moments like this are more important than ever for consumers on a budget,” says Bodge.
Average consumer prices were up 2.9% year-over-year in August, according to the latest inflation data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but in general, everything feels expensive right now.
In the United States, 43% of consumers reported rising prices as their biggest concern, followed by tariff policies (29%), in the McKinsey ConsumerWise Global Sentiment Survey. The data was collected in April-May 2025 and the list of choices included immigration, political polarization, climate change and other key issues.
While cheaper meat and milk would be great, a good price on a new tablet may have to tide you over.
How to confirm good deals on Big Deal Days
All the sale activity can be “dizzying for consumers,” Bodge says. A little research can level you out.
You can spend a few minutes on a site like Keepa or CamelCamelCamel to check the price of products sold on Amazon over time and confirm the quality of an advertised markdown.
Another price history hack? Ask AI for the ‘going rate’ of a popular product. I tried this on ChatGPT for the 2025 base iPad and got results that say somewhere around $299 is a common price for the 128GB Wi-Fi model among retailers in recent weeks, despite the Apple Store price of $349. The $20 you can save today ($279 at the time of writing) may be worth it to you.
But just because it’s a good time to buy stuff, doesn’t mean a new tech product fits into your budget.
“Slow down, take a breath, and be methodical about what you buy,” advises Bodge.
If you sit this sale period out, we have a hunch Black Friday will bring another dizzying set of deals.
🛒
Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card Instantly
Amazon Prime members who apply and are approved for the Prime Visa will instantly get a $150 Amazon gift card.
Unlike many new credit card incentives, there are no spending requirements to meet. That means you get $150, no strings attached.