- Amazon’s Prime Day has some of the best discounts you’ll find online all year.
- Cult-favorite products like the Instant Pot drop to all-time lows, and Amazon releases new lightning deals every few minutes across its categories – from tech to home goods.
- On Prime Day last year, Business Insider readers took advantage of a lot of deals – but these 30 are the ones they bought the most of.
- If you’re applying a fastidious longterm strategy to Prime Day 2020, this isn’t a bad place to get ideas for your own wish list. We’ve seen discounts on most of these products consistently for the last few years of the event.
Prime Day may be Amazon’s made-up retail holiday, but it also happens to play host to some of the best sales and deals you’ll see on products all year.
Last year’s Prime Day took place on July 15-16. It was live for 48 hours – a departure from the 36 hours of deals we saw in 2018. We expect a similar date and timeframe for Prime Day 2020.
Every year, the Insider Picks team sorts through Amazon’s more than 1 million deals in real-time on Prime Day to share the top 0.1% of discounts.
But once Prime Day is over, we like to go back and see which deals resonated most with Business Insider readers. Firstly, because it helps us get better at finding the sort of deals we should try to highlight for you during future Prime Days; secondly, because it’s fascinating that the LifeStraw keeps making the list year after year.
Take a look at the 30 deals Business Insider readers bought the most during last year's Amazon Prime Day, starting with the most popular.
1. Kindle Unlimited membership
Kindle Unlimited membership, first 3 months $1
Among our own readers, the best seller was a promotional deal Amazon ran on Kindle Unlimited - a departure from past years dominated by tech. With the deal, Prime members who hadn't yet tried the service could sign up for three months of Kindle Unlimited, and get access to over 1 million books, for free. The service usually goes for $30 for the same time frame.
2. Fire TV Stick
Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote, $34.99
With the Amazon Fire TV Stick, you can stream media to any TV with an HDMI input. Popular services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, Showtime, Sling, and NBC are all available in addition to Amazon Prime Video. With Alexa capabilities, you can control the TV with your voice. The Stick is small enough to take with you when you travel, so you can plug it into a hotel TV, too.
3. Fire TV Stick 4K
Fire TV Stick 4K, $34.99
Following close behind was the 4K version of the Fire TV Stick, which includes a WiFi antenna design that's optimized for 4K HD streaming. Shoppers who bought this model will enjoy more crisp picture quality, as well as immersive sound from Dolby Atmos on select Prime Video titles.
4. Amazon Music Unlimited
Amazon Music Unlimited membership, $1 for 4 months
If you're still trying to decide among all the major music streaming platforms, including Spotify, Pandora, and Apple Music, Amazon gave you an incentive to try its own, Amazon Music Unlimited, during Prime Day.
Prime members could try it for four months for just $1. The stakes are low, but the experience will surprise you - in a good way. Compared to Amazon's other music service, Prime Music, Amazon Music Unlimited has a much larger song library - more than 48 million songs, to be precise.
5. LifeStraw personal water filter
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for Hiking, Camping, Travel, and Emergency Preparedness, $17.47
The LifeStraw removes bacteria and parasites from water as well as microplastics, so you can have the peace of mind of a lightweight, mobile water purifier wherever you go. It's a no-brainer for hiking, camping, travel, and being prepared for an emergency.
Amazon sold 150,000 last year and sold even more - 200,000 - this year. This practical and portable accessory jumped more than a dozen spots on our list to wiggle into the top five best-sellers among Business Insider readers.
6. Echo Dot
Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Generation), $44.99
Amazon's most popular smart speaker, the Echo Dot, was at its most affordable yet this Prime Day. Though small, it's an excellent introduction to the world of smart home devices and is just as powerful as the full-sized Echo speaker, with tens of thousands of Alexa skills to help make everyday life easier.
7. Kindle Paperwhite
Kindle Paperwhite E-reader, $129.99
The most popular Kindle was $45 cheaper on last year's Amazon Prime Day. It has a high-resolution display (300 ppi) and an adjustable built-in light. It's lightweight, comfortable to hold, and lets you download millions of books with the click of a button instead of trying to shove a few more onto your bookshelf or in your backpack. Read our review to learn about all of its features.
8. Audible membership
Audible membership, $14.95 per month
On Prime Day last year, you could get three months of Audible for $4.95 a month. Audible gives you access to two Audible Originals and one audiobook per month, which you can listen to anywhere, any time in the Audible app.
9. Crest 3D Whitestrips
Crest 3D Whitestrips Whitening Kit, $61.99
The desire to have whiter teeth is apparently a universal one. Amazon sold more than 150,000 of these whitening strip kits during Prime Day this year, and you can still buy them at a discounted price right now. One hour with the strips will remove teeth stains and reveal a whiter smile, and you'll still be able to talk and drink water while wearing them
10. Amazon Smart Plug
Amazon Smart Plug, $24.99
An easy way to turn any appliance into a smart one is to plug it into this accessory. It adds voice control to any outlet, so you can turn common appliances like coffee makers, lights, and fans on and off without lifting a finger.
11. Echo Show 5
Amazon Echo Show 5, $69.99
The Echo Show 5 is a more compact version of the Echo Show, with a 5.5-inch screen and 960 x 480 resolution (compared to the Echo Show's 10.1-inch screen and 1280 x 800 resolution). It's an affordable alternative that still lets you incorporate a smart assistant into anything you do that requires a screen, from video calling family to watching cooking videos.
12. Instant Pot multi-cooker
Instant Pot DUO60, 6 Quart, $79
Unsurprisingly, the kitchen appliance that sold a whopping 300,000 units last year had another successful Prime Day last year. By combining seven common appliances into one device, it saves space, money, and clean-up time. Even without a sale, it's a small kitchen appliance with big impact. It's also the top of our list for the best instant cookers.
13. 23andMe DNA test
23andMe DNA Test Health + Ancestry, $199
The 23andMe DNA test offers personalized genetic reports to help you learn about your ancestry, traits, and certain aspects of your health. All you do is take a sample of your saliva, send it to the company's lab, and wait for results.
14. Dyson V7 Animal Pro+ vacuum
Dyson V7 Animal Pro+ Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, $219.88
We'd guess few people who invest in a Dyson vacuum ever regret doing so. The powerful suction drives deep into surfaces to remove dirt, dust, and debris, while the cord-free design makes it convenient to move around your space. This bundle also includes extra tools such as a crevice tool for more specialized cleaning tasks.
15. iRobot Roomba 690 vacuum
iRobot Roomba 690, from $137
iRobot may offer more advanced versions of its Roomba robot vacuums, but the best robot vacuum, the Roomba 690, proves you don't have to spend too much on a smart and powerful cleaning solution. You don't have to be home for it to clean (just schedule a cleaning session in the app) and once it's done, it'll automatically return to its docking station to recharge. On Prime Day, shoppers saved $145.
16. Ring Video Doorbell Pro
Ring Video Doorbell Pro, $249
See exactly who's standing at your door and finally catch your neighborhood package thief with this smart video doorbell. It monitors your home in 1080HD video with infrared night vision, then sends alerts to your phone or Echo device when motion is detected.
17. Philips Sonicare HealthyWhite+ electric toothbrush
Philips Sonicare HealthyWhite+ Electric Toothbrush, from $78.64
This toothbrush is more gentle yet more thorough than a manual toothbrush and features six customizable settings and three brushing intensities to get you your best clean. It has a three-week battery life and comes with a travel case so you can continue good oral-care habits while traveling.
18. Ring Video Doorbell 2
Ring Video Doorbell 2, $199
This Ring doorbell model is $50 cheaper than the Pro and has almost all the same features, except for advanced motion detection. You'll be able to switch out the faceplates to change up the look and easily remove the battery to charge the doorbell.
19. Dash Rapid Egg Cooker
Dash Rapid Egg Cooker, $19.67
A small appliance that cooks half a dozen eggs at once is seemingly gimmicky. In reality, it's really useful, especially if you live in a small space with limited kitchen access or love making egg dishes such as deviled eggs or eggs Benedict. It's faster than waiting for your pot of water to boil, though the only drawback is the high-pitched wail that alerts you when your eggs are done.
20. MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener
MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener, $38.60
As you're rushing down the road to make your appointment or flight, you're suddenly struck with an important question: "Did I close the garage door?" Luckily, the MyQ Smart Garage Door system lets you open and close your door anywhere from your phone. As long as your garage door opener has a standard safety sensor, it's easy to upgrade your existing opener.
It's also compatible with Amazon Key, a Prime member benefit that securely delivers your Amazon packages right to the inside of your garage.
21. Eufy Robovac 11S vacuum
eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S, $170
The slimmest Eufy vacuum is less than three inches tall, allowing it to sneak under tables and couches to tackle the dirt of the most difficult-to-reach areas. The vacuum can run for up to 100 minutes at a time, then recharges automatically.
22. Waterpik Water Flosser
Waterpik Water Flosser, $69.99
Floss doesn't always cut it for hard-to-reach areas of your mouth and stubborn pieces of food. Waterpik's Water Flosser gets in all the nooks and crannies, with a massage mode to stimulate your gums and adjustable pressure settings to fit your level of comfort. Prime members got it for just $40 this Prime Day.
23. Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones
Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones, $200
You can still take advantage of this deal for Beats headphones, which are normally $300. Boasting award-winning Beats sound that prioritizes clarity and balance, they'll enhance the way you listen to music. They have comfortable, cushioned, and adjustable ear cups and you won't have to charge them for 40 hours.
24. Ring Alarm 5 Piece Kit
Ring Alarm 5 Piece Kit, $199
The five-piece kit includes a base station, contact sensor, motion detector, keypad, and range extender, giving you the peace of mind that your home will be safe and secure whenever you're not in it. It works with Alexa, too, which means you can arm and disarm the system with your voice.
25. Fitbit Alta HR
Fitbit Alta HR, $100
Fitbit's slim but powerful fitness tracker does everything from track your deep and REM sleep to help you find the right workout intensity for your fitness goals.
26. Anova Nano sous vide cooker
Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Nano, from $86.77
Anova's sous vide cooker is one of the two most popular sous vide appliances on Amazon. Attach it to the side of a pot, add water and your food in a sealed bag, and step back to let it cook your meal to perfection. Using the app, you can keep track of the process and get notifications once it's done cooking.
27. Kindle
Kindle, $89.99
The regular Kindle might not be waterproof or have as crisp of a screen resolution, but it's still a great way to make reading more convenient and collect books without amassing the physical weight. The under-$100 ebook reader has an adjustable light to let you read day and night, indoors and outdoors.
28. Apple iPad
Apple iPad (Wi-Fi, 128GB), $349
Many iPad models were on sale during Prime Day. The one Business Insider readers loved the most was this iPad with a 9.7-inch retina display, A10 fusion chip, Touch ID, and two speaker audio. For avid FaceTimers and selfie-takers, it has a 1.2-megapixel HD front camera.
29. ChefSteps Joule sous vide cooker
ChefSteps Joule Sous Vide, $199.95
Sous vide cookers have created a lot of buzz in recent years because even nervous, amateur home cooks can make restaurant-quality food, without paying restaurant-quality checks. This approach of cooking is super precise, yielding tender, flavorful results every single time. The ChefSteps Joule, in particular, is worth the buy because it's also so small and light.
30. Sony WH-CH700N wireless noise-canceling headphones
Sony Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones, $127.98
Another tech brand not known for deep discounts, Sony was a predictable success given its name recognition and how great its products are. This pair's noise cancellation adjusts to your environment with One Push and promises 35 hours of battery, as well as quick charging. There's a built-in microphone for hands-free calls and use with your voice assistant.