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Amazon Prime Day 2020: Best sales and deals to shop now

Prime Day is live and so are tens of thousands of deals at Amazon, as as well as at many other retailers. Here’s what to know and where to save.
Learn the history of Amazon Prime Day, how Prime Day became Amazon's most successful shopping event and the impact it's had on the retail industry.
Prime Day sales can save you on both small and large purchases at Amazon as well as at other retailers like Walmart, Wayfair, Target, REI and more. Amazon; Getty Images
By Gideon Grudo

Prime Day was created by Amazon, which has an affiliate relationship with Shop TODAY. Whenever you buy an Amazon product through our site, Amazon pays Shop TODAY a small commission on that sale.

Amazon Prime Day is live right now and we're in the second day (nearly halfway through it): It ends tonight (as far as we know right now). In the sale's remaining hours, you’ll come across massive sales on significant items like TVs and mattresses, as well as noteworthy savings on distinct and lower-priced items like gifts, apparel, simple home electronics and even groceries both on Amazon and at other retailers like Walmart, Target and Wayfair.

SKIP AHEAD Top Prime Day deals right now

Prime Day sales at other retailers

In our in-depth look at the history and impact of Prime Day, several experts told us that, as a result of the exponential growth of Prime Day (which started in 2015), other major retailers have begun running their own sales during the sales event. “Quite frankly, it has completely altered the retail calendar,” explained CNBC’s Annie Palmer. Some of those sales are running at Shopping reader favorite retailers like the aforementioned Wayfair, Walmart and Target. Outside of those, retailers large and small are running likewise substantial sales right now to match up against Amazon’s Prime Day sale. Here are some of the most relevant ones to Shopping readers:

  1. Aerosoles: Up to 30 percent off sitewide
  2. Best Buy: Up to $500 off select TVs and $15 off various video games for the Nintendo Switch
  3. Blue by ADT: $40 off select home security devices
  4. Dyson: Up to $150 off select devices
  5. Macy’s: 50 percent off women's coats
  6. Nordstrom: An additional 40 percent off select shoes and clearance items
  7. Old Navy: Up to 50 percent off sitewide (excluding masks, today only deals and gift cards)
  8. The Home Depot: Up to 50 percent off select interior furniture, decor and kitchenware
  9. TOMS: Up to 30 percent off sitewide
  10. REI: Up to 70 percent off clearance clothing (on Oct. 12, get an additional 25 percent off those deals)

In our other coverage of Prime Day sales at Amazon — which includes the best tech deals, best home and kitchen deals, best wellness deals and best style deals — we'll be noting top deals and highlighting comparable savings at other retailers to give you an idea of how each sale holds up against the competition.

Amazon Prime Day 2020: Best sales

Here are the best deals during Prime Day that are live right now. We’ve compiled some of the more general category and brand sales to give you a more coherent sense of what’s on sale. And we'll be posting new articles throughout the day on major categories for which Shopping readers have shown interesting over the last year, starting with a dive into the best deals on tech during Prime Day. If you want to keep things simple, shop the Prime Day sale by category:

Best sales to shop right now

Best sales on reusable face masks

These face masks' listed features meet CDC guidelines and expert guidance on face masks.

Our favorite deals to shop right now

1. Apple AirPods Pro

  • Rating: 4.6-star average rating, nearly 61,000 reviewers
  • Highlights: Tech expert Whitson Gordon notes these earbuds are the best wireless earbuds for Apple users able to invest some more into their headphones. Fitness expert Stephanie Mansour considers the non-Pro edition, the Apple AirPods, the best wireless earbuds for her routine. The Pro version of the earbuds were discounted to this price in mid September for several days, after which they jumped up closer to their $235 average price over the last year, according to price comparison site CamelCamelCamel.

2. Safe+Mate x Case-Mate - Cloth Face Mask

3. Arlo Pro 3 Spotlight Camera

  • Rating: 4.4-star average rating, more than 18,000 reviewers
  • Highlights: Not only is this three-camera security system wire-free but also it has 2K and HDR video. From the color night vision to the two-way audio and 6-month battery life, this weather-resistant system can withstand all types of climates. It also offers 160-degree views, the ability to zoom and works with Alexa. This is the lowest price it’s been listed on Amazon.

4. iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer

  • Rating: 4.4-star average rating, more than 51,600 reviewers
  • Highlights: Amazon’s No. 1 bestselling health care thermometer uses infrared technology to read one’s temperature from about 3 centimeters (or about 1.2 inches) away. Aim the probe at the center of your forehead, press the measurement button to start the test and the thermometer will vibrate once the reading is complete. In addition to a temperature sensor, the thermometer features distance and environmental sensors that adjust the readings for accuracy. It’s designed to deliver a reading in about one second, showing readings in large, white LED lights that can be seen in dark environments. The only time the price for this thermometer has ever dropped even lower on Amazon was back in April 2019.

5. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Canceling Overhead Headphones

  • Rating: 4.5-star average rating, nearly 1,300 reviewers
  • Highlights: This new set of headphones from Sony is an upgrade to its beloved pair of ANC headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM3, which is also on sale right now. You can get it in Silver or in Black and Amazon is giving you a $25 gift card with your purchase. With up to 30 hours of battery per charge and 10 minutes of quick charging giving you up to five hours of playback time, as well as noise sensing tech that quiets your sound once you talk and otherwise able to create a real-world immersive listening experience (the headphones can react to your surroundings both with their ANC capabilities and in how they serve your music), this is a deal worth considering and the lowest price this months-old pair of headphones has ever been.

6. AmazonBasics Soft-Sided Mesh Pet Travel Carrier

  • Rating: 4.5-star average rating, more than 11,000 reviewers
  • Highlights: Pet parents can enjoy up to 40 percent off animal goods on Amazon right now. This spacious, soft-sided carrier measures approximately 19.7 inches long and 11.2 inches tall with adjustable straps. Despite its large size, this bag can fit under most airline seats and comes with a removable fleece pad that’s machine washable. This is the lowest price it’s ever been listed on Amazon.

7. JBL TUNE 120TWS Wireless Headphones

  • Rating: 4.1-star average rating, more than 5,200 reviewers
  • Highlights: JBL’s wireless in-ear headphones offer pure bass sound and a convenient charging case. With hands-free calling and a range of 20 hertz, these sleek headphones are both convenient and budget-friendly. They also last up to four hours and can fully recharge in under two. This is the lowest price it’s ever been listed on Amazon.

8. Asus ZenBook Pro Duo UX581

  • Rating: 4.2-star average rating, more than 300 reviewers
  • Highlights: This highly-rated and top-performing laptop sports a lot of top notch features, from its 4K touchscreen to its Intel Core i7 processor and 16GM of RAM and a terabyte-large solid state drive. With specs like these, it's not only a workhorse but one that sticks by your side for some time. And right now, it's the lowest price it's ever been.

9. Garmin Instinct, Rugged Outdoor Watch

  • Rating: 4.7-star average rating, more than 7,700 ratings reviewers
  • Highlights: With GPS, heart rate monitoring and 3-axis compass, this durable watch is ready for adventures. Stay connected with smart notifications while training with preloaded activity profiles and access to an online fitness community. The battery lasts up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and it was constructed to U.S. Military standard 810G for thermal, shock and water resistance up to 100 meters. This is the lowest price it’s ever been listed on Amazon.

10. Yale Assure Smart Lock

  • Rating: 4.4-star average rating, nearly 1,700 reviewers
  • Highlights: the best keyless smart lock in our guide to the best smart locks on the market, Yale's version allows you to "get rid of your keys altogether," writes tech expert Whitson Gordon, noting the smart lock "sticks a touch screen keypad on your door. You can enter a code, set it to automatically unlock as you arrive home or use your voice assistant of choice." This is the lowest price this smart lock has been since December 2019, when it was running at $151, or two dollars less than it is now.

11. TP-Link AC1750 Smart Wi-Fi Router

  • Rating: 4.3-star average rating, more than 23,000 reviewers
  • Highlights: A mainstay option in both our guide to buying the best router for you and our list of the best routers in 2020, this option from TP-Link should check off lots of boxes for anyone looking to elevate their at-home signal. " TP-Link offers some of the best bang for your buck with their Archer A7 router, a budget-focused router with remarkably fast Wireless AC performance, offering theoretical top speeds of 1300Mbps for an individual device or 1750Mbps combined speed across multiple devices," writes tech expert Whitson Gordon. This is the lowest price the router has been since January 2019.

12. Kindle Paperwhite

  • Rating: 4.5-star average rating, nearly 65,000 reviewers
  • Highlights: Since its original launch in 2007, Amazon has released over 15 different versions of its Kindle e-readers. One Shopping contributor noted that with the highly-rated Paperwhite version, "I can read whatever I want, wherever and whenever I please." This is the lowest price the Paperwhite has ever been on.

13. Amazon eero mesh Wi-Fi system

  • Rating: 4.5-star average rating, nearly 6,900 reviewers
  • Highlights: His top option in our guide to the best mesh Wi-Fi systems, tech expert Whitson Gordon notes: Eero was one of the pioneers in the consumer mesh Wi-Fi space, and since Amazon acquired it, they’ve released a new base-level system. It’s not the fastest mesh system around, but it comes at a great price compared to the competition, and it’s extremely easy to set up. This is the lowest price this Wi-Fi system has been since December 2019.

14. FOREO LUNA 2 Facial Cleansing Brush

  • Rating: 4.5-star average rating, more than 2,-000 reviewers
  • Highlights: In our guide to shopping for a facial cleanser brush, Ava Shamban, a board-certified dermatologist recommended the Foreo Luna 2 because it is antimicrobial, antibacterial and a non-abrasive way to remove dirt and oil when cleansing your face. If you’re crunched for time you’re in luck — the Luna 2 only requires two minutes of use, and employs T-Sonic technology, which pulsates 8,000 times per minute, to help you get a deeper cleanse and face massage. This is the lowest price the Foreo Luna 2 has hit since November 2019.

15. Samsung 85-Inch Class QLED Q90T Series Smart TV (less than 10 remaining)

  • Rating: 4.4-star average rating, nearly 200 reviewers
  • Highlights: With an ultra-wide viewing angle, this highly-rated smart TV from Samsung equips built-in Alexa, 4K resolution and its four speakers are designed to track sound around the room to resonate realistically with the picture. Given the investment needed for this deal, consider that tech expert Whitson Gordon has this to say about Samsung TVs: "Samsung's TVs are all well-made ... their top-of-the-line models are where the good stuff is."

16. iRobot Roomba 981

  • Rating: 4.2-star average rating, more than 20 ratings reviewers
  • Highlights: Up your cleaning game with this Wi-Fi-connected, smart robot vacuum. Not only does this model work with Alexa for hands-free cleaning but it also uses mapping technology for the most efficient clean across both carpets and hard floors. This is the lowest price it’s ever been listed on Amazon.

17. Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer Sunglasses

  • Rating: 4.5-star average rating, more than 2,300 reviewers
  • Highlights: Protect your eyes while looking timeless-yet-modern in a pair of Ray-Ban's Classic Wayfarer sunglasses. Black resin frames and green 50-millimeter lenses work with any outfit — from running, beaching and brunching. These shades aren't just stylish; they also offer 100-percent UV protection and are currently on Amazon for the lowest price since Thanksgiving 2019.

18. Stasher 100-Percent Silicone Food Grade Reusable Storage Bag

  • Rating: 4.6-star average rating, more than 10,600 ratings reviewers
  • Highlights: Save up to 40 percent on kitchen essentials to upgrade your cooking and organization game. This leakproof, dishwasher-safe stand-up storage bag is both eco-friendly and nontoxic. Ideal for a range of food storage from lunch boxes to freezers, this self-sealing, non-plastic silicon bag comes in a range of colors and sizes. This is the lowest price it’s ever been listed on Amazon.

19. Segway Ninebot S Smart Self-Balancing Electric Transporter

  • Rating: 4.5-star average rating, more than 970 ratings reviewers
  • Highlights: Now’s the time to shop for electric and kids scooters, bikes and more at up to 30 percent off on Amazon right now. Segway’s Ninebot S is compact at 28 pounds and can accommodate a max load of up to max load of 220 pounds. With dual 400W motors, it can reach a max speed of 10 mph and hit 13.7 miles on a single charged battery. This is the lowest price it’s ever been listed on Amazon.

20. COSORI Smart Wi-Fi Air Fryer

  • Rating: 4.6-star average rating, more than 6,800 reviewers
  • Highlights: For the ultimate in meal-prep convenience, control and monitor your air fryer while on the go from your smart devices with this WiFi-enabled model. With over 100 recipes and 11 one-touch presets, enjoy meals cooked faster than a conventional oven. This is the lowest price it’s been listed on Amazon.

Amazon devices on sale: Best deals

Save up to 60 percent on Amazon devices, from TVs to Echo smart assistants and more.

Best smart home products on sale right now

Save up to 30 percent on smart home products, like the Ecovacs N795 robot vacuum and Kasa’s indoor security camera.

Best vacuums on sale right now

Amazon has a plethora of vacuums on sale right now, including upright models, robot vacuums and more.

Amazon Prime membership 101

To get the most out of Amazon Prime Day savings, you’ll want to be an Amazon Prime member, which means shelling out $120 annually for the perks of membership (after a 30-day free trial), which include:

Given options like Walmart’s Prime-like subscription Walmart Plus and online shopping at similar major retailers like Target, Macy’s, Best Buy and Bloomingdale’s, consider where, how and what you shop for to determine if a Prime membership is right for you.

More shopping guides and recommendations

Catch up on the latest from NBC News Shopping guides and recommendations and download the NBC News app for full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak.

Gideon Grudo

Gideon Grudo is the former editorial director of Select on NBC News

Lauren Levy contributed.