Gifting season is almost here, which is why October Prime Day (technically called Prime Big Deal Days) couldn’t have come at a better time — the sale is happening now through October 7. The two-day event includes steep discounts on some of the best early holiday gifts from popular brands like Stanley and Olaplex, exclusive to Prime members. Some of the top newly-added deals include tech, beauty and other crowd-pleasers, making this a good moment to get a jump on your shopping this season.
I frequently cover shopping events like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday as a contributing writer for NBC Selected, so I know how to find deals that are actually worth buying. I spent weeks combing through thousands of discounts to find the best October Prime Day early gift deals — each one I recommend below is highly rated, 20 percent off or more, at its lowest price in at least three months and less than $50.
I’ll frequently update this list throughout Prime Big Deal Days with editor-approved picks, so continue to check back for new additions.
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Best October Prime Day Holiday Gifts Under $50
Upgrade their oral care routine with this ADA-accepted water flosser. It’s cordless and has three pressure settings, four tips and a magnetic charging system that re-powers the device in a few hours, according to the brand. “I love that this flosser helps me keep food from getting trapped under my very expensive dental implants, and my dentist is happy that it helps me stay out of his chair,” says NBC Selected senior editor Shalwah Evans.
This genetic kit is a great gift for family members who want to know more about their background or possible living relatives they don’t know. Using a quick saliva sample that gets mailed in and analyzed, AncestryDNA can trace which areas of the world your giftee’s ancestors came from and reveal genetic traits that run in the family.
Olaplex arguably put bond maintenance on the map, mending the bonds that get broken during hair color treatments — and ultimately leaving hair smoother and shinier. This trio includes the Olaplex No. 4 and No. 5 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and Conditioner, as well as the No. 7 Bonding Oil, making it a great three-step routine for the person who bleaches their hair or regularly colors it.
This blow dryer brush has four heat settings and a 2.4-inch barrel that allows the user to create waves or add volume at the roots. “It leaves my hair feeling silky and soft after just 10 minutes,” says former NBC Selected page Ella Morrissey. “It feels like I’m getting a professional blowout from the comfort of my own home.”
JBL is a favorite among NBC Selected staffers for its portable speakers, and this pint-size pick is no exception. Roughly the size of a wallet, it gets up to seven hours of playtime and is waterproof and dustproof, so your giftee can use it outdoors, according to the brand.
My husband and I relied on this small coffee maker when we had a kitchen with limited space, and we loved that it gave us the flexibility to make a single cup at a time — perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up. It uses a combination of immersion, pressure and aeration to brew a cup of coffee in about three minutes.
This playful ceramic dish isn’t just for show: The 0.75-quart bowl can cook small items on the stove or in the oven up to 570 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the brand. The size makes it ideal for appetizers, soups or desserts. Make it a gift for a host and you’ll be invited back to all their parties.
For your resident chef or budding home cook, this 15-piece knife block includes a chef’s knife, bread knife and paring knife (among others) along with six steak knives. They’re made of stainless steel and coated with a black material that blocks oxidation, which prevents them from rusting and staining over time, according to the brand.
Dr. Althea is a K-beauty skin care brand that many of our editors love, and its 345 line is especially helpful for those with sensitive skin. Great for teens and adults alike, this particular moisturizer is lightweight and contains a blend of ingredients — including niacinamide, ceramides and Centella Asiatica — that helps them control breakouts, moisturize and soothe skin, according to the brand.
You know that person who’s always asking if they can borrow your changer? Get you both the gift of them never asking again with this small but mighty power bank. It’s just 0.3 inches thick — so it won’t add much heft to the phone while it’s charging. It also protects against high temperatures and charges the phone wirelessly with Qi2 technology.
One of our top 20 best moisturizers, this face cream is infused with squalane, glacial glycoproteins and ceramides, which help support the skin barrier. “When I use this, I never have to worry about morning dryness on my face,” says NBC Selected associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris, who uses it as a night cream. “I was also pleasantly surprised at how long the tub lasts; it looks smaller at first, but since a little goes such a long way, I can use one for months.”
Beauty fans know body care brand Sol de Janeiro for its scents as much as its skin care, including its bestselling Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. This sampler has four mini body creams, each with its own fragrance and skin benefits, including elasticity improvement and texture smoothing, according to the brand.
Blissy Silk Pillowcase
A silk pillowcase might sound like a luxury for some, which is exactly what makes it such a great gift. Blissy’s version is made with 100% pure mulberry silk, which has minimal friction than other materials and therefore is thought to help with sensitive skin. “My face was significantly less red, irritated and puffy when I woke up,” says NBC Selected updates editor Mili Godio after she used this pillowcase.
If your giftee plays a handheld gaming console like the Nintendo Switch, a wireless controller can help make long gaming sessions more comfortable for them. The grip has an ergonomic design, customizable buttons and up to 40 hours of playtime per charge, according to the brand. This particular version has a Super Mario design that glows in the dark, and works with both the original and Nintendo Switch 2.
Owala’s reusable water bottle is a go-to among NBC Selected staffers. It comes in a variety of bright and neutral colors and is best for cold drinks, which the double-wall insulation can keep at a cool temperature for up to 24 hours, according to Owala. “I love all of the style and size options, and how easy it is to sip from the water bottle without having to hold it upright,” says commerce editor Cory Fernandez.
These noise-canceling wireless earbuds get up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge (and up to 60 hours with the case), according to the brand, and they’re built to deliver crisp, clear sound whether you’re listening to music or a podcast or talking on the phone.
Legos are a home-run gift for kids and adults alike. Ideal for anyone ages four and up, this 850-piece set has everything they need to build all the towers, towns, and people they can dream up. It contains bricks in a rainbow of colors, as well as pieces specifically designed to create a horse, butterfly, skateboard and other whimsical items.
A fancy ice cream scoop paired with a pint (or five) might just be the ultimate gift for your dessert lover. This Caraway kitchen gadget goes the extra mile with durable stainless steel, a thumb rest and balanced weight for consistent portions, according to the brand. It’s also designed to be more ergonomic, so they can easily scoop out ice cream without straining.
This set makes it easy to make a matcha latte at home. It includes Jade Leaf Matcha’s mix, which “has the perfect amount of sweetness to cancel out any bitterness” says Godio. Your gift recipient will also get everything they need to get a smooth, clump-free drink, including a traditional bowl, tea sifter, bamboo scoop, whisk, whisk holder and how-to guide.
Get the grill master this set that comes with stainless steel tongs and a spatula, as well as a 100% silicone brush for basting. Each tool has soft-touch, non-slip handles, is dishwasher-safe and includes loops at the end for easy hanging.
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Why are these October Prime Day holiday gifts under $50 worth it?
Prime Big Deal Days historically offers Prime members some of the lowest prices of the year on early holiday gifts, and these limited-time deals only last through October 7. All of my recommendations above are based on NBC Selected’s previous reporting. I prioritized including award-winning products and those our team has tested.
I evaluated the quality of these deals by running them through price trackers like CamelCamelCamel, and I only included those that:
- Are at their lowest price in at least three months
- Are 20% off or more
- Are highly rated with at least a 4-star average rating from hundreds of customers on Amazon
Why trust NBC Selected?
I’m a contributing writer for NBC Selected who has covered deals and sales for six years. I also cover topics like skin care, gaming and maternity essentials. Prior to October Prime Day, I previewed a list of deals from Amazon and sorted through it to find worthwhile sales you should know about.
Catch up on NBC Selected’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok to stay up to date.
