What not to buy this Prime Day—and what you should buy instead
— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.
Do you have a cart full of potential Amazon Prime Day buys but are hesitating to pull the trigger? We're so glad you found us. With as many deals as can be shopped during these waning hours of Prime Day, you want to make sure you're getting all the best deals you can — but not be blinded by price drops or get seduced by an alluring deal into buying the wrong thing.
We've got your back. At Reviewed, we test and evaluate hundreds of products a year to find the very best of the best, and we've got thoughts about what's worth your hard-earned money. Below, check out our recommendations for all the hot deals worth shopping, and all the things you should leave in the cart.
When do Amazon Prime Day deals end?
Very soon. Amazon Prime Day 2024 ends tonight, July 17 at 11:59pm EST. Some discounts will still be live over the next few days but the best deals will disappear in a few hours.
1. Cheap earbuds? Buy AirPod Pros instead
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) with USB-C
Save 32% on the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) with USB-C with this Amazon deal
$168.99 at Amazon (Save $80.01)
Tempted to save a buck by picking up cheapie earbuds like the $34.99 Amazon Echo Buds? Put your money to better use. Even thought they're more expensive, Apple's AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are our favorite earbuds for a reason: they're the lightest and comfiest around, and their top-tier noise cancellation and ease of use make them something you'll reach for for years.
2. Diapers? Check out Target instead
Pampers Swaddlers Active Baby Diapers
Shop Pampers Swaddlers Active Baby Diapers at Target
If you've got a little one at home, you know how often the diaper supply needs to be replenished. (Look right now—you're almost out, aren't you?) You might be looking at Amazon's Subscribe and Save discount on trusted diaper brands like Pampers, but Target can do you one better. Right now, you can get a $15 Target gift card when you buy two select packs, and that's money you can put directly to more diapers.
3. JBL Go? Get the JBL Flip 6 instead
JBL Flip 6 Waterproof Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
Save 19% on the JBL Flip 6 Waterproof Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker with this Amazon deal
$129.95 at Amazon (Save $30.04)
If you’re cruising for deals, you might take a second look at the JBL Go, which you can get right now for under $40. But, like with the Apple AirPods Pro, sometimes the best price isn’t the best value. The JBL Flip 6 is our pick for the best value in portable speakers, with room-filling sound, improved water protection and great durability. It’ll have better bass and battery life than the Go, and you’ll be happier with your buy.
4. Baby clothes? Old Navy has the deals
Short-Sleeve Bodysuit 5-Pack for Baby
Save 50% on the Short-Sleeve Bodysuit 5-Pack for Baby with this Amazon deal.
$24.97 at Old Navy (Save $25.02)
Amazon has a decent selection of baby onesies to be sure, as well as lots of other outfits for babies, toddlers and big kids. What you'll often find, however, studded among the gems, are alluring deals on no-name brands and generic product—and you'll be left wondering about the quality, reliability, and even fit. We love Old Navy kids' clothes for all the opposite reasons: The prices are right (especially on sale) and the fabric quality and fit deliver every time.
5. Sneakers? Nordstrom is the place to shop
Chuck Taylor All Star 70 Metallic High Top Sneaker (Women)
Save 26% on the Chuck Taylor All Star 70 Metallic High Top Sneaker (Women) with this Nordstrom deal
$69.99 at Nordstrom (Save $25.02)
Sneakers are a year-round must, and sure, there are sneaker deals to buy during Prime Day. It's not the best spot to shop, though: When you consider that Nordstrom's iconic Anniversary Sale is currently running, it's no competition: The brands are better, the return policy can't be beat and the prices—even for pre-season styles—are the best around.
6. Keurig in your cart? Gotta go with Nespresso
Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Machine
Save 30% on the Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Machine with this Amazon deal
Don't get us wrong: We're fans of the Keurig K-Elite, one of Amazon's highest-rated pod coffee makers. It has a generous water reserve, a button for iced coffee and customizable options for size and brew strength. For our money, though, the best pod coffee maker you can buy is the Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe Coffee Maker and Espresso machine. For the extra $40, you're getting a lot: Our testers say it makes " dense, rich, and aromatic coffee" and takes espresso pods so it makes espressos, lattes and cappuccinos just as well. It all comes in a compact package that saves you counter space—it's been a staple of the Reviewed kitchen for years and we think it'll be a staple in yours, too.
7. Sony XM5's headphones? They're amazing, but the Bose QuietComfort headphones are $100 less
Bose QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
Save 43% on the Bose QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones with this Amazon deal
We love Sony's XM5 noise-canceling headphones—they're our top pick for the best noise-canceling headphones around. With that said, the Bose QuietComfort 45s are excellent headphones—our tester hailed them as "world-class noise canceling in a simple, stout package." They're also $100 less than the XM5s, just one reason that if it were him buying, our managing editor of tech John Higgins would pick the Bose as his first choice.
8. Roborock robot vacuum? Stick with iRobot
iRobot Roomba j7+
Save 50% on the iRobot Roomba j7+ with this Amazon deal
Deals are deals, and Prime Day has robot vacuum prices that are the lowest we've seen in months. We say skip the Roborock Q5 Max+ Robot Vacuum at $299.99 and go directly to the self-emptying iRobot Roomba j7+ (7550). Yes, at $399.99 it's $100 more (although it's marked down $400 from its MSPR, as opposed to a $300 savings on the Roborock). Your $100 goes a long way, though: Excellent navigation, programmable cycles, excellent dirt pickup, and a pretty aesthetic package as well.
9. 23andMe? We say the AncestryDNA is the best DNA kit you can get
AncestryDNA Genetic Test Kit
Save 61% on the AncestryDNA Genetic Test Kit with this Amazon deal
You have choices when it comes to plumbing the depths of your genetic legacy. We've tested a number of DNA kits, including the popular 23andMe kits. Our editors swear by AncestryDNA's product, naming it the best of the bunch for its comprehensive database and deepest details. For Prime Day, AncestryDNA's kit is also an eye-popping 61% off, meaning you'll save $60 and get the better price, too.
10. Insignia TV? Get the TCL instead
TCL 32-Inch Class 3 Series Class 720P HD LED Roku Smart TV
Save 35% on the TCL 32-Inch Class 3 Series Class 720P HD LED Roku Smart TV with this Amazon deal
$99.99 at Amazon (Save $53.68)
When it comes to TV, brand matters. In our testing, Insignia TVs just can't compare to the quality of TCL's TVs. This 32-inch TV will do the job, and at 35% off, it's under $100—the lowest price we've ever seen.
What are the best Amazon Prime Day deals?
Amazon Prime Day is famous for having some of the deepest discounts of the year—we've rounded up all our favorites in one spot.
When is Amazon Prime Day?
Amazon Prime Day is July 16 and 17. It ends tonight at midnight, so shop these discounts while they’re still available.
Will there be another Amazon Prime Day this year?
Probably. Amazon has started running two Prime Days each year—one in July and one in October. If past years are any indication, we can expect a second Prime Day ahead of Black Friday this year.
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Amazon Prime Day: Here's what to buy—and what not to get
