Prime Big Deal Days is here, and after weeks of combing through thousands of deals and preparing our wishlists, our editors are finally pressing purchase. With thousands of products discounted across some of our favorite brands, including Medicube, Mrs. Meyer’s and Anker, there’s no shortage of things that could end up in our carts.
So what actually made the cut? I asked NBC Selected editors what they bought, and what convinced them to hit “add to cart.” I’ll be updating this list frequently during the two-day sale as we continue shopping.
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What our editors bought during October Prime Day
My cat is definitely in his Greenies era — it’s the only thing he will eat these days, so I have to keep them in stock. Thankfully, they’re dental treats, so his teeth are getting some TLC, too.
Litter Genies have an impressive lifespan. Before a little piece broke off the mechanism that keeps the top shut, mine was in nearly perfect shape for almost a decade. I have no hesitations about getting a replacement because it’s one of the true workhorses of my apartment that makes cleaning the litter box easier.
I always stock up on my favorite serum and moisturizer combo when it’s on sale during Prime Day because it’s one of those things that will continue to need replenishing. I love that I can use more serum and less moisturizer on days when I want more of that lightweight gel texture, or vice versa when my face is dry and the cream feels soothing. Now that winter is coming, I’ll be going through this jar slightly faster, so saving $13 per jar is a big deal, especially since I tend to get multiples. But it’s worth it to keep my face feeling soft and glowing but oil-free.
It’s official: My AirPods Pro from seven years ago have finally reached the end of their life. So, I purchased these as a replacement. I love the active noise cancellation, which I use whenever I’m at the gym or locked in at work. I also listen to music and podcasts to not go crazy during my commute, so a new pair is absolutely necessary.
Cocofloss is my absolute favorite to use everyday, so I always stock up during a sale (especially since it’s on the pricier side compared to other flosses). The dentist-approved floss glides easily between my teeth without tearing or fraying, and the minty flavor is nice and subtle.
Since my mom’s birthday is around the holidays, I’m planning on buying this as both a birthday and Christmas gift. We’ve tested and reviewed so many smartwatches and fitness trackers, including the Apple Watch, and it always scores high when it comes to all of the major areas. It has fall detection, which is great for older parents, heart monitoring, sleep scoring and apnea monitoring, and blood oxygen tracking.
I recently threw out my old air fryer because it was too small for me, so I’ve been eyeing this popular and highly reviewed air fryer from Instant Pot, which, as a home and kitchen editor, is one of my favorite brands. I love the stainless steel exterior and that you can adjust the time and temperature with the dial on the front, rather than repeatedly pressing a button. Plus, it can reheat and broil, which is great for reheating leftovers or crisping up vegetables or fries.
I add this to my cart almost every Prime Day, and for some reason, I never end up buying it. But this time, I finally got it. I steal my dad’s Anker portable charger all the time when we’re on family trips, so it’s about time I get my own. I love that it’s small enough to fit in my everyday crossbody bag, and the built-in folding connector is so convenient when I don’t want to bring around a charging cable. In my experience, it quickly charges my phone and AirPods — I’ve never been disappointed by it.
When trying products for our Medicube brand guide, I fell in love with how well this moisturizer worked for me as a night cream. My skin can get really dry overnight and I sometimes wake up with visible dry patches, all of which ceased to be an issue once I started using this. Although it has a jelly texture at first, it still feels lightweight when I apply it, and my skin feels soft and looks dewy hours after using it.
Jem Alabi, editorial operations associate
There are crevices in my kitchen that no cleaning product, mop or machine have been able to overcome. My professional organizer friend, Jasmine, said that steam cleaners can cut through grime (even if it’s been there for decades). So after some research, I have decided this is the one that I want based on thousands of reviews on Amazon.
Joshua Rios, social video producer
I live alone and it’s been a blessing to not have to worry about who is going to restock the paper towels. I specifically plan my Prime Day purchases around buying household essentials, so I typically try to hold on to this till Prime Day the following year.
Caitlin Cusack, associate social media editor
These are my absolute favorite eye masks, and even though my apartment is already stocked up, the deal on this pack of 72 pairs was too good to pass up. I love that it comes with three different types; I love using the gold ones in the morning when I want to look more awake, the pink ones at night to moisturize when I go to bed and the blue ones sporadically whenever I’m noticing my under-eyes are looking extra dark. I especially love traveling with these — I’ve worn them on planes, trains, on car rides and probably everywhere in between.
I’m a ride-or-die fan of my noise cancelling AirPods, and recently suffered the worst possible scenario … I left them at home on my way to the office. My day of silence made me realize how often I actually use my AirPods, so I decided to grab a pair of these Earpods to keep at the office for emergency situations (like forgetting my tried-and-true at home).
Because I’m doing Invisalign, I’m flossing multiple times a day, which makes using my favorite floss (Cocofloss) an extremely expensive habit. I was excited to see the brand give a small discount during Prime Day and took advantage, purchasing this and a few refills for less than market price. Six rolls should last me at least three months.
This three-pack of dish soap is one of my non-negotiables. It goes on sale almost every Prime Day and I always add a pack to my cart. I genuinely love every scent the brand makes, and three bottles for the price is a great deal. As a mom of two, I go through dish soap fast, so stocking up just makes sense.
Between two little kids and a dog, I spend a good amount of time vacuuming puffs, pet hair, glitter and more. I’m excited for this Shark WandVac because it’ll make post-dinner crumb cleanup so much easier. It’s lightweight, has a pet hair tool for the couch, empties with one touch and lives on its charging dock, always ready to go.
After getting a sample of this hyaluronic acid serum a few years ago, it quickly became my most repurchased skin care product. For someone with dry skin, this serum keeps my face moisturized and smooth without feeling too heavy. I layer it with a toner and my favorite Vanicream moisturizing lotion to make a good base for my everyday makeup. I’m nearing the end of my current bottle, so I made sure to order a couple while it’s on sale.
I finally entered the Kindle game this summer with a Kindle Paperwhite, and all I can say is: best decision ever (and that’s coming from a hardcore paperback lover). One of the first books I read on my Kindle was Eli Rallo’s second book, “Does Anyone Else Feel This Way?,” and I gave it a five star review on Goodreads. Now, I want to read her first book, so this purchase was a long time coming for me. As a senior in college with the looming post-grad scaries, Rallo’s books are a comforting and relatable read, and I just finished my most recent book, so it’s the perfect timing to start this one.
Why trust NBC Selected?
I’m an editorial and production intern for NBC Selected. This Prime Day, I asked our editors which items they brought to checkout, and why they made the final cut.
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