It’s that time of year again: deal-seeking shoppers are getting ready to open their wallets for Amazon Prime Day 2022. Whether you’ve got a wish list ready or aren’t familiar with the retail giant’s Black Friday-like deals, we’ve put together a quick run-down of everything you need to know to make the most of the big day(s)—and shared a few top-selling items from last year to consider adding to your travel gear haul.
Already in the know? Jump straight to the can’t-miss Prime Day deals you can purchase right now.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
What is Prime Day?
In case you’ve been blissfully unaware of the shopping holiday mayhem that is Amazon Prime Day, let’s get you up to speed: Amazon Prime Day is an annual 48-hour event that typically happens once a year, in which Amazon discounts thousands of products across every single category. Tech and home sales tend to be the most popular—and amount to the biggest savings—but you can also score deals on clothing and shoes, luggage, beauty products, outdoor gear, and family essentials.
When is Amazon Prime Day in 2022?
This year, Amazon Prime Day is on July 12 and 13—a Tuesday and Wednesday.
Do I have to be a member to participate?
Yes, you do have to be an Amazon Prime member to take advantage of these deals. Membership costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year (college students get a discounted rate), but you can sign up for a free 30-day trial here to try it out without committing to a full year. If you do keep your Prime membership account, you’ll have access to same-day, one-day, and two-day shipping on millions of products, two-hour grocery delivery via Whole Foods, Prime’s Try Before You Buy program, and more.
What sales can I expect?
Throughout the 48-hour sale, you’ll find a few types of Amazon Prime Day deals: Lightning Deals, which only runs for a few hours; Deals of the Day, which run for one specific day; and Best Deals, which are likely to extend beyond the two-day sale. There are always deals on Amazon devices, like Amazon Echo and Alexa items, Fire TV sticks, Kindles, and Audible subscriptions. In-demand products from Apple, Sony, iRobot, and more are likely to sell out, so if you see something you really want on sale, don’t hesitate to add it to your cart.
How do I sort through the deals?
Keep checking back here for the best Prime Day sales and lowest prices on travel gear—we have guides to the best luggage sales, outdoor equipment discounts, and even the best competitor deals from retailers like Best Buy and Target to make wading through the pool of discounts less daunting.
Are there any can’t-miss deals?
It depends on what you’re looking for, but here are a few Traveler-recommended items that are on sale, including Kindles and Bluetooth wireless speakers. Fitbits, Apple watches, and other fitness trackers; smart TVs; and wireless earbuds have been hugely popular in previous Prime Day sales, too. On the beauty front, NuFace facial toning devices and Elemis face cream are always big hits.
