Prime Big Deal Days kicks off tomorrow, Oct. 6, and it’s a great time to stock up on things you already use every day. Every Prime Day, our editors take advantage of discounts on essentials like batteries, detergent and hand soap. But with thousands of deals happening at once, it can also be overwhelming to figure out what’s actually worth your money.
As shopping editors, we research, test and report on products for a living, so we know exactly what and how to shop during major sales. Below, I gathered some of our favorite items that we usually wait to buy until Prime Day rolls around.
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Everything our editors buy every Prime Day
My cat is nearing his senior years and becoming even more picky about what he eats. For the past year or so, the only snack he will eat consistently are Greenies. Thankfully, they have the dental benefits, so I don’t need to feel bad about giving him a little extra sometimes.
I have chronic shoulder pain in both of my shoulders and when it’s really bad, I wear one of these heat patches through the night (which is when I’m inclined to lean on my shoulders without knowing). They take about 15 minutes or so to heat up but once they do, they provide relief for several hours, sometimes still working when I wake up. The adhesive is stronger than that of any other patch (I’ve tried so many), and even when the heat wears off, the patch still holds my shoulder in place almost like KT tape. I usually buy a few packs during Prime Day sales and they last me a while.
If you ever catch me in a meeting on a work-from-home day, you’ll probably see me in this mask. I like to wear it to keep the skin on my chin taut and to prevent sagging. I have a reusable mask in the same shape, but it turned out to be too restrictive and uncomfortable. I can wear this one for hours before my ears start to get weary, and it feels cool against my skin. The collagen, aloe vera and hyaluronic acid formula has never irritated my skin either.
My fur baby is such a picky eater that I mostly cook her food myself. Still, she will find a reason not to eat her dinner (I put cranberries in it or the carrots weren’t cooked to her liking), so I started adding this bone broth to add some flavor to it. She loves it. She only eats kibble occasionally, but when I do give it to her, I add this broth and she gobbles it up. Everything I know about bone broth is positive — it has protein and minerals — so any health benefits that come along with it are a bonus. I’ll be adding a couple of these to my cart to get us through winter and until the next Prime Day sale.
In case you haven’t figured it out, I’m kind of obsessed with my dog. For that reason, she’s where I make most of my Prime Day purchases because her necessities, like poop bags, puppy treats and dry food, always need to be replenished. I like that these come in lots of different colors (in one box if you want) and how thick each bag is. They don’t break on me and a roll lasts a while. This is the sort of thing I stock up on each Prime Day so that I only need to buy them twice a year, when they’re marked down.
This may be one of the unsexiest things I’m excited to buy and I’m always even more delighted when it’s on sale. Almost everything gives me heartburn these days — spicy food, wine, garlic, too many onions — so I keep antacids on hand at all times. I like these chewy tums because they’re extremely soft (they never feel like they’re going to break my teeth), they don’t taste gross and they work in less than a minute. They don’t mix well with most foods, so I wait at least 10 minutes after chewing one to avoid a gnarly taste in my mouth.
After I take my dog Bella out on her daily walks, I always have to clean the city’s dirt and grime off of her paws. My favorite wipes to use are these from Earth Rated, which are super gentle on her paws and smell great. I always stock up during Prime Day, so I never run out when we come back home.
At first, I thought buying disposable towels was a waste of money, but now I can’t imagine my skin care routine without them. I’m a germaphobe when it comes to whatever touches my face, so I go through regular face towels very quickly. Now, I use a Clean Skin Club towel to dry my face after washing it, and it has been a game changer for my skin since I don’t have to reuse a face towel that collects germs and causes breakouts.
Prime Day is my excuse to stock up on each and every household essential in my house. Dawn’s Powerwash dish spray is always on my kitchen counter because it not only leaves my dishes spotless, but the spray bottle also makes less of a mess than the traditional liquid, in my experience. Plus, the bundle comes with three refills, so one purchase lasts me months.
I love sparkling water and seltzer, and Spindrift Lemon is my absolute favorite brand and flavor, which is why I buy 24-packs of it at time. Buying this many at once is more cost effective than buying packs of eight cans from the grocery store. The flavor is so refreshing and it truly tastes like you just put freshly squeezed lemon juice into plain seltzer water, which I love much more than artificially flavored sodas. That said, the brand has many other flavors to choose from.
I’ve been using the classic version of Head & Shoulders for well over a decade and I’ve had consistent and reliable results. I’ve tried many other brands of dandruff shampoo, including ones with ketoconazole, but Head & Shoulders still works the best for me. Plus, I have seborrheic dermatitis, which affects my face and scalp, and this works the best at preventing my skin from getting too dry. It does have a particular smell, but I don’t mind it since it works so well.
SaltStick’s Electrolyte FastChews are an essential part of my fueling regimen during long runs, and because I go through about a bottle every two months or so, I always buy them on sale. I pop two in my mouth every few miles and they dissolve while I keep my legs moving. I don’t have to mix them into water, so I can take them at any point along my route outside as well as on the treadmill. I used to be loyal to the mixed berry flavor, but lately I’ve been craving sour things during my long runs, so I’m a new fan of the green apple and pink lemonade flavors.
I’ve been taking Vital Proteins’ Collagen Peptides Capsules every day for about six years, and in that time, they’ve completely changed my skin and hair health for the better. My hair and nails are significantly stronger and less prone to breakage, plus they grow faster. I’ve tried the brand’s powder, but I prefer taking the capsules along with the rest of my daily vitamins so I actually remember to do it. The capsules are also the most convenient option to travel with.
One of the products I can’t live without as a dog mom is the Woof Pupsicle. It’s the number one thing that’s guaranteed to occupy my 1-year-old mutt Mabel for at least 30 minutes, which is precious time I spend getting in a quick at-home workout, taking a call while working from home or cleaning. I use the Woof mold to make treats for the enrichment toy out of pumpkin, banana, bone broth and greek yogurt, but Mabel really loves the brand’s premade pops, so I give her them a few times a week. If I run out, I swear she gives me the stink eye, so I always stock up on Prime Day. I add at least three bags to my cart, and when they arrive, I put them in the freezer to make them even more challenging for Mabel to eat in the Woof, extending how long she’s occupied for.
This deodorant has been my tried and true favorite for years now. I’m a heavy sweater and with that usually comes a bit of odor, but this Secret antiperspirant does a great job of reducing both, to the point where sweat and odor aren’t major concerns for me anymore. My favorite formula is the Stress Response solid stick, which is especially helpful for someone like me who gets easily anxious (and sweaty in response).
Jem Alabi, editorial operations associate
This is the best low-calorie soda I’ve tried, hands down. I first discovered these in high school and was disappointed to find out that they aren’t sold in a majority of grocery stores in my neighborhood. On food delivery apps, they’re super expensive, so when I found these on Amazon, I immediately stocked up. I drink these often and offer them to guests (who also end up loving these) and I feel great having a nice sparkling drink that doesn’t taste too sweet or artificial.
I try to replace my underwear every so often, but 100% cotton panties can be pricey, so I typically get this multipack. They aren’t tight, hold up great in the wash and have a tagless design, which means I don’t have to worry about them irritating my skin.
Though these are marketed to those with hemorrhoids, I believe these are the ideal flushable wipes for anybody. Each towel is sizable and they stay perfectly damp in the pack. They really do flush with ease and I use them on other parts of my body when I need a quick refresh. They also have witch hazel, which feels cooling.
Joshua Rios, social video producer
I got out of the loofah game a couple years ago and was recommended this by a friend — they told me I should exfoliate more, and this does wonders. I buy a new one every six months and Prime Day is usually around the time I pick it up.
Caitlin Cusack, associate social media editor
I’ve been using this cleanser for almost five years, and it’s by-far my most repurchased item on Amazon. It does a great job at removing makeup and excess oils on my acne-prone skin. The bottle is pretty big and a little goes a long way, so one purchase of this cleanser will last me a few months.
Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning products are a staple in my household, and I always take Prime Day as an opportunity to stock up on hand and dish soaps. The hand soaps are light and non-drying, so I keep them next to both my kitchen and bathroom sinks. I love that the brand has so many scent options, and I especially love trying out the seasonal ones to give my apartment a little whimsy.
The deals on packs of disinfecting wipes during Prime Day are particularly alluring, especially because one bundle usually lasts me well over a year. I love that these are disposable and an easy way for me to clean without breaking out all the chemicals under my sink.
Scrub Mommy sponges are my absolute favorite to use because they’re dual-sided. Plus, since I’ve been using the brand for several years, I know that each sponge will last about a month and a half before I need to replace it (depending on how much I cook during that time period). I especially love that these sponges are stain- and odor-resistant; I can confirm that they never ever make my hands smell, a small detail that makes a world of difference for me.
While having communal bathrooms in college was not the most enjoyable experience, the weekly bathroom cleanings were quite the perk. Since that is no longer a luxury of mine, the Clorox ToiletWand has become my holy grail. These wand refills fit the original wand despite not being Clorox brand, and come in a larger pack for a lower price. They only need water, so I don’t have to use extra cleaner or bleach. This pack of 50 lasts me nearly a year, and ensures I have a clean bathroom without getting my hands dirty or bleaching any favorite shirts (which I’ve definitely done before).
I take pride in my lashes after spending several years trying to get them longer. But even though they’ve grown in length, they still lay flat, and this is the only mascara that gives me the lift and fullness I’m looking for. I’ve been an avid user of the Telescopic mascara for five years now, and the waterproof version is my favorite because it keeps my lashes curled all day. It’s also easier to remove than other waterproof mascaras, so I’m not scrubbing my eyes or ripping out lashes.
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I’m an editorial and production intern for NBC Selected. For this story, I asked NBC Selected editors which tried and true items they buy every Prime Day, and why they keep coming back to them.
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