Illustration: María Jesús Contreras
Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale is entering its final day, and there are still plenty of deals to be snapped up across every department. Until midnight tonight PT (3 a.m. ET), the site will feature tons of discounted items as a sort of bonus to the retailer’s regular Prime Day in July. As exciting as that is, we know that not every markdown available during the megaevent will be worthwhile — that’s why we’ve taken the time to sort through Amazon’s (seemingly endless) inventory to help you find the real gems.
Here, you can find the best sales on home goods, furniture, and kitchenware, including reader favorites like durable, reusable Stasher Bags you can use for storing produce and taking snacks on the go. You’ll also see appliances like expert-recommended blenders and air fryers. And if you’re looking to give your space a refresh, we’ve got deals on some of our tried-and-true vacuums, storage organizers, décor, and more. One note: Sales end tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT (or 2:59 a.m. ET on Thursday), so if you see something you like, we recommend acting quickly.
Speaking of mattresses, Casper’s Sleep Element, which we dubbed the best kid’s mattress in our roundup, is also on sale. As the brand’s most basic and affordable option, the Element (which is on the softer side) is ideal for smaller folks and children.
This one from Zinus, with more than 138,000 positive reviews, also made our list of the best mattresses to buy online, and is slightly cheaper than the Casper. It’s made from green-tea-infused memory foam (that helps block moisture absorption, according to the brand) and comes with a ten-year warranty.
Here’s a highly rated, simple metal bed frame to go with it.
Cuddle under this heated throw blanket that comes with six heat settings, four timer settings, and a three-hour auto-off timer.
Those looking for a little more heft might consider this 15-pound weighted blanket from Luna that we dubbed one of our favorites for not only its comforting qualities but also its cooling abilities, thanks to its breathable, silky lyocell bamboo fabric.
And here’s a cute dinosaur-print one for kids that weighs five pounds.
With the holidays fast approaching, start setting the mood with this large cinnamon-scented candle that has a burn time of over 110 hours.
To create a different kind of ambience, this gradient LED light strip is a TikTok favorite of gamers and tech people that can turn your desk into “Daft Punk–style, Tron-like mash-ups of alternating colors,” as our former tech writer explains. You can place it just about anywhere — including walls, kitchen cabinets, or even on the stairs — and control it via Bluetooth to toggle between tons of different colors.
Or try these smart bulbs that you can turn on, turn off, dim, and change colors from the convenience of your phone.
A jute rug like this highly rated one can work in virtually any space.
This laptop desk functions just as well as a breakfast-in-bed tray. Or place it on your kitchen counter to create a makeshift standing desk thanks to its adjustable-height legs.
Here’s a mid-century-modern-inspired chair that could be used in a living room. Or get a few and put them around a dining table.
A perfect gift for a teenage girl — or just about anyone interested in learning to sew — this top-rated machine is great for beginners and includes 37 built-in stitches.
This stick vacuum cleaner from Samsung has a thin profile for easy maneuvering and storage, and a 40-minute run time on one charge of the (removable) battery.
Or if a robot vacuum is more your speed, here’s one that’ll do the work for you.
And if you really want to get your place sparkling clean, consider this steam cleaner that we found to be the best multipurpose option for carpets and floors — and just about any surface in your home, including the shower, oven, and windows.
This highly rated one from expert-favorite brand Bissell combines a steam mop and vacuum, and its slimmer profile makes it a little easier to handle than the heavier-duty steam cleaner above.
Stash your clutter in these collapsible fabric cube organizers that fold flat when you’re done with them. Like some of the expert-recommended ones we’ve written about before, these come with handles for easy portability, and the fabric means the contents can breathe a little.
For those who prefer a clear storage option, this six-pack of totes comes with latching lids.
And if you need to get your kiddo’s stuff in order, here’s a toy organizer that a professional organizer recommends for its color-coded, open bins that teach kids how to sort and categorize.
If your shoe collection is getting out of hand, consider putting them on display with this 50-pair organizer on wheels.
Once you get your tush on a bidet, you’ll never want to make another visit to the bathroom without one. Ro owns this one and swears by it for its functions such as a feminine wash, dryer fan, odor eliminator, and heated seat.
In anticipation of spring, get a head start on your vegetable-gardening endeavors with this raised-bed planter that comes with a water gauge, water reservoir, and drainage system for foolproof herb-growing. You could even use it inside.
Bring a little greenery into your home with a bird of paradise. The two-to three-foot tall houseplant can add some drama to a dreary corner.
Here’s a good-looking ten-inch planter with a wooden stand to display — and elevate — your bird of paradise.
And for the DIYer, here’s a cordless drill that Strategist contributor and self-professed “non-professional handyperson” Lesley Arfin swears by. “I’m a DeWalt girl, mainly because I think it sounds and looks the toughest,” she says.
This oscillating space heater can distribute a little more warmth throughout the room than a stationary one, making it ideal for a shared work-from-home office or larger living space. It comes with two heat settings, a remote control, and a built-in timer.
With a smart plug, you can turn a lamp or AC unit on even before you walk in the door. This pack of four makes it that much easier to convert your space into a connected home.
And here’s a power-strip version.
Instead of lugging around a bulky tape measure, consider this laser that instantly reads distances up to 65 feet.
This LED star projector is one of our favorite gifts for 3-year-olds, and it would work just as well for bringing in a bit of otherworldly ambience to any setting.
This HEPA air-purifier has a modern design and has a coverage range of up to 860 square feet. It can capture common airborne pollutants as small as 0.3 microns, as well as allergens, pet hair, dander, smoke, odor, and more.
Whether you’re camping or simply want a backup light source, this battery-powered lantern can last up to 299 hours on the low setting and 85 hours on high.
Photo: Retailer
If you prefer a live fire, this propane-gas-powered firepit has the added benefit of being portable, which is why it’s a favorite of seasoned RVers. Aaron and Lauren Grijalva of The Wanderpreneurs even call the Firebowl their all-time best purchase because they don’t need to worry about fire bans in campgrounds nor purchasing local wood.
It’s never too early to start getting in the holiday spirit, so you might as well nab this battery-operated, pre-lit wreath adorned with pine cones, berries, and frosted branches.
Vitamix reigns supreme when it comes to blenders — and this one is the favorite model of many experts. It comes with five presets for smoothies, soups, frozen desserts, purées; has a self-cleaning option; and can manually handle tough ingredients like nuts and ice.
If you’re not quite ready to splurge on the 750, even on sale, this no-frills blender is still superhigh-quality and powerful with Vitamix’s signature ultrasharp blades and high speeds. And at 30 percent off, it’s a real steal.
For those who’ve been coveting a KitchenAid stand mixer but don’t have room for a full-size one, this “mini” model works just as hard, according to a Strategist contributor. At 25 percent the size and weight, it’s small-space practical but will still fit the volume of standard recipes.
This electric kettle can hold nearly two liters of water, and it has six preset temperatures for different types of tea and an auto-off mechanism for safety.
If you prefer a gooseneck, which allows a slower and more precise stream of water, this option is a good bet. Because it gives you more control over speed and the surface area you’re covering, it’s especially useful for pour-over coffee and, no matter what, will reduce your chances of splashes and spills.
To take beverages on the go, consider a Hydro Flask, our very favorite water bottle. It’s incredibly well insulated, keeping beverages hot or cold for hours; won’t dent if you drop it; and has a handy loop on the lid for easy carrying.
Keep coffee or tea hot in a mug at home with this smart setup that maintains any temperature you choose using the app. The saucer doubles as a charging dock.
An air fryer works like a small convection oven, blowing air around your food for an evenly cooked and crispy result. This one from the expert-recommended brand Instant comes with trays and a rotisserie basket that you can use for perfect chicken but also vegetables and fries.
For a more compact and lightweight air fryer, several pros also turn to Dash. This model allows you to save custom presets for your most frequently made dishes.
Jade Leaf matcha is a go-to for one pro drink-maker and cookbook author, who says it’s sweet and balanced and has a vegetal quality. Those qualities allow her to use it in traditional tea, but also smoothies, tonics, and even cocktails.
If you’re in the market for an actual lunchbox, this is our top pick for preschool-age kids. One kindergarten teacher told us that it’s super-easy for small hands to open and close without help, and that the cover comes apart and cleans off easily (a plus for parents).
Vacuum-sealing is the best way to make your food last longer by helping you freeze cuts of meat and short-season produce and store dry goods like flour and grains. FoodSaver is an expert-recommended brand when it comes to these machines, and the price of this one hasn’t been this low since last summer.
Take your cooking to the next level with a sous-vide machine that will turn out perfectly done meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, eggs, and more. An adjustable clamp will attach to any pot you own, and you can control all the settings from the Anova app on your phone.
If you live in a small space or an apartment without a dishwasher, this portable one recommended by a Strategist contributor could be a game-changing appliance. It’s relatively small but still holds multiple plates, bowls, and glasses at a time. Plus it works with an attached water tank, meaning you don’t have to rig a bulky and inconvenient hose to your sink.
Another larger appliance that’s smart to snag at a discount is a microwave. This one, which comes with 12 presets, an easy-to-wipe-down exterior, and a mute function (no annoying beeping), is similar to the Toshiba from our roundup of the best models.
A drizzle of Momofuku’s chili crunch will take any dish it touches to the next level. This set comes with its original, extra-spicy, and black-truffle flavors.
There’s little an Instant Pot can’t do: It works as a pressure cooker, steamer, slow cooker, warmer, and rice cooker (the preferred method of one of our senior editors). This one also has the quietest steam-release of any of its models.
For a dedicated rice cooker, try this from Cuckoo, a brand endorsed by multiple experts. While it may seem single-use, it can prepare porridge and oatmeal, all different kinds of grains, baby food, and more.
Your breakfast game just got a lot better with Cuisinart’s two-sided waffle-maker that’s more than 30 percent off. You can fill both sides at once, flip, and serve. (The product is refurbished but was inspected by professionals.)
If you’ve been lamenting the end of grilling season, know that fall is the best time to stand outside and cook food over a live fire. With this set, you can stock up on all the grilling tools and utensils you could possibly need, including long tongs, a hefty spatula, a hard-bristled cleaning brush, a silicone basting brush, a meat thermometer, metal skewers, and corn holders.
Hu Kitchen is known for its chocolate bars made with organic grass-fed milk and coconut sugar and without palm oil or additives. They’re satisfying and a favorite of multiple celebrities (seriously — Brenda Song, Nick Jonas, and Kristin Cavallari have all told us how much they love them).
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
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