How does the CNN Underscored team decide which Amazon Prime Day deals are worth sharing?
Having covered Amazon Prime Day since 2021, I’ve watched this event evolve from every angle, and I can tell you it takes a lot more than just looking at a red discount tag. It requires a bit of mental math and a lot of rigorous data tracking. We start by asking: "Has it been on sale before?" Historically, what’s the steepest discount it’s ever seen? Deals that bring big-ticket items (think TVs, lawn mowers and more) to new, all-time low prices or mark them down for the first time ever are an immediate yes.
But a steep discount alone isn't enough to earn a spot on our list. It also has to pass our tests — meaning it’s a product we’ve actually put through its paces or comes from a highly trusted brand our readers love. We aren't just looking for cheap things; we're looking for genuine value on items that will actually make our readers' lives better.
What shopping trends this year stand out to you?
The biggest standout this year is Amazon’s timing shift. Moving Prime Day up to late June (June 23-26) completely changes how people are approaching the sale compared to the usual mid-July slot. Since it's happening right at the start of summer, we’re seeing a massive wave of seasonal shopping — people are hunting for cooling products and summer clothing they can use right now.
I'm also noticing that brands like Away and Hydro Flask have launched limited-edition colors and collections exclusively available on Amazon ahead of the event. Plus, there's a major trend toward practical stock-ups — shoppers will likely balance their big tech purchases by using the multi-day event to buy everyday premium beauty (Amazon has a curated section for this!) and household staples in bulk while the prices are low.
What makes CNN Underscored’s deals different from just a list of discounts?
We’re constantly sifting through dozens of deals, and the ones that stand out are picks that our team of professional testers have tried for themselves, so you know it’s a good buy at an even better value. Our dedicated deals team keeps tabs on historical data and can provide more insight on whether or not an item has been artificially marked up and discounted back to its original price. We do the heavy lifting of fact-checking the "sale price" against real history, so our audience doesn't have to guess if they're getting a true bargain.
What would you say is the best deal under $50 and $100?
Under $50: The Anker Nano Power Bank. It is a tiny external battery with a built-in loop USB-C connector. It’s one of those "how did I live without this?" items that completely saves you while traveling or commuting, and it always gets a great discount on Prime Day, alongside other Anker accessories my fellow deals expert Rikka Altland loves.
Under $100: The Apple AirPods (4th Gen). We usually see them dip right below that $100 sweet spot during Prime Day. They have seamless integration for iPhone users and incredible sound quality for casual listening, making them the ultimate sub-$100 tech upgrade.
What’s one item you’d splurge on this year?
A major splurge worth every penny is the Shark TurboBlade Tower Fan. Our testing team spent months evaluating how different models handle airflow, noise levels and room cooling, and this cooling fan won our top spot for the absolute best tower fan. It features unique, multi-directional nozzles that allow you to split the airflow into separate directions at the exact same time. If you run hot but your partner freezes, you can angle the air directly onto your side of the bed while leaving theirs completely undisturbed. It’s already on sale days ahead of the event, and I anticipate it’ll drop even more during Prime Day.
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