Amazon Prime Day is back, and this year’s event is bigger than ever.
The annual sales event officially kicks off on Tuesday and runs for four days, giving shoppers access to more than a million discounted products across dozens of categories.
What started in 2015 as a single annual sales event has expanded significantly over the years.
“Amazon Prime Days has become Amazon’s big vehicle for sales throughout the year,” said consumer reporter Bill Spencer. “It used to be that we had one of these as kind of a counter to Black Friday. Now there are four of these.”
The sale is exclusive to Amazon Prime members, though shoppers can sign up for a free 30-day trial to take advantage of the deals.
Products on sale range from electronics and smart home devices to household essentials, cleaning supplies and groceries.
Before diving into the sale, experts recommend creating a shopping list and sticking to it.
“Make a list of the items you want to buy so you don’t go off track,” Spencer said.
Experts also suggest researching prices before purchasing to ensure a discount is actually a good deal.
KPRC producer and shopping expert Andrea Slaydon recommends using price-tracking websites such as CamelCamelCamel, Keepa and Google Shopping to compare historical prices.
“You’re going to want to make sure you’re getting a good deal,” Slaydon said. “You may see something that’s on sale, but how do you know it’s the best deal? These websites can show you what people have paid for that item over the past year so you can see whether you’re really getting a bargain.”
Even shoppers without an Amazon Prime membership may still find discounts elsewhere.
Major retailers including Walmart, Target, Best Buy and Lowe’s are offering competing sales this week as they try to match or beat Amazon’s prices.
Experts recommend comparing deals across multiple retailers before making a purchase to ensure you’re getting the best value.