Prime Day October live: the best deals on day one of Amazon’s Early Access sale today

Prime Early Access: latest news and deals

Prime Day Early Access sale

Amazon’s new Prime Day-style mega sale has started in the UK, with thousands of deals on everything from TVs to toys, fashion and beauty now live. And if you’re reading this in the US, there isn’t long to go now until the Prime Early Access sale launches in the States – the deals officially start at midnight PT / 3am ET, but there are already plenty you can browse now. 

As with Prime Day proper, this new Amazon sale is a global shopping event running over two days (11-12 October). We’ll be live-blogging all the latest news and deals here, and there are already some huge discounts to browse.

You’ll need to be a Prime member to get your hands on most (but not all) of the best deals. But if you don’t have Prime, you can still take part by signing up for a 30-day free Prime trial – just make sure you cancel it before the trial ends if you don’t want to become a full Prime member.

So what are we expecting to see in the Prime Day 2.0 sale over the next few days? Alongside Amazon staples like its own brand devices, there will be a host of excellent deals on laptops, TVs, headphones, home and kitchen appliances as Amazon looks to kick off Black Friday early… Here’s what we’ve seen so far.

Prime Day in October sale: quick links

US: Prime Early Access sale – the best early deals

UK: Prime Early Access sale – the best early deals

Amazon Prime Day banner image with TechRadar logo super-imposed

(Image credit: Future)

Amazon Prime Early Access sale starts at midnight

Hello avid deals hunters! We’re kicking off our coverage of the Prime Day Early Access sale a little early today. The festivities proper will be landing at midnight tonight, so that’s when you’ll want to tune in if you’re eager to bag a bargain. In the meantime, we’ve rounded up a couple of early deals to check out – all of which we expect won’t be beaten once the sales proper begins tonight.

One early Prime deal to check out…

In the US? here’s a quick listing that we’ve spotted that’s a Prime-member’s only deal. Basically, this is a Prime Day deal in all but name and one we don’t expect to go any lower tomorrow.

Amazon Fire TV Cube: $119.99 $59.99 at Amazon
Save $50 –
Here’s a huge saving (and the lowest price yet) on the excellent Amazon Fire TV Cube. This is the brand’s most premium streaming device and an absolutely great buy if you’re a real home entertainment junkie. While small, this inconspicuous cube supports 4K, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos, as well as all the usual streaming service platforms you’d expect.

So, the award for the first Prime Day deal goes to… the Fire TV Cube. While it’s usually overlooked in favor of the smaller (and cheaper) Fire TV Sticks, we think the Cube is a fantastic choice – especially if you have a higher-end 4K TV. 

TechRadar’s top tips for Prime Day

TechRadar logo superimposed on Amazon Prime Day landing pge

(Image credit: Future)

1. Find an Amazon Prime free trial…
Amazon Prime Day deals are reserved for Prime members only. It goes without saying you’ll want to be signed up by midnight and the Amazon Prime 30-day free trial is a fantastic way to do that. While it’s not open to those who have previously had a trial open on their account before, it’s an extremely low-committal way to get your hands on all the best deals over Prime Day. Note, you will have to cancel your trial before it’s over though if you don’t want to be charged, so bear that in mind.

2. …but don’t rely on it
Counter-intuitively, it’s not just Amazon that’s going to be offering excellent deals over this second October Prime Day event. You can expect stores like Walmart and Best Buy in the US and Currys in the UK to host their own sales. Basically, it’s worth shopping around if you’re interested in a particular product. While these other stores may not have as big of an inventory as Amazon, they do sometimes offer cheaper prices on hot-ticket items. If you can get a certain Amazon deal cheaper somewhere else, we’ll be sure to tell you with our coverage here.

3. Know what you want to buy…
It’s always a good idea to have a shopping list ready before you head into a retail event like Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday. There are always literally thousands of deals on offer so having a clear idea of what you need (and what you don’t) can help you stay on budget and save precious time. If you have a particular product in mind, take the time to check its price history or the other models in the range. 

4. …but stay flexible
This point follows on from our previous one, namely it’s worth having a few alternative products on your shopping list, just in case the model you’ve been eying up isn’t on sale. This is where research again comes in handy as it’ll immediately help you source alternatives.

For example, you may not be able to find an OLED TV from your favorite brand in a certain size but you may find another from a rival brand that’s just as worth your time. You could also, potentially, find a cheaper model or a more expensive model and one that’s actually better suited to your needs. Again, utilizing resources like TechRadar’s own buyer’s guides and reviews is incredibly handy if you’re looking to clue yourself up on alternative choices.

5. Get in there early…
The vast majority of Prime Day Early Access deals will be going live at midnight tonight, so you can basically be first in the queue by staying up and checking them out tonight. There should be thousands of deals – some of which may sell out, depending on whether it’s a popular model or not. In this case, it’s probably a good idea to order your items sooner rather than later.

6. …but check back throughout the event
That said, Amazon does love a lightning deal. Scattered throughout this year’s second Amazon Prime Day event will be a couple of super-hot listings with record-breaking price cuts. It’s too early to tell what these will be yet (it can be literally anything), but it’s always worth keeping an eye out for these. They’ll be prominently listed on the Amazon deals page – and we’ll be highlighting any particularly good ones right here too.

Amazon Fire TV Stick deals header on green background

(Image credit: Future)

A couple of fantastic pre-Prime Day deals in the UK

Amazon’s own-brand devices are always at the forefront of any Prime Day event and this year’s October Early Access sale is no different. A few of these excellent devices have actually already been on sale for a few days in the UK at extremely competitive prices. We’d potentially opt for a ‘wait and see’ approach in regard to picking these ones up as there could be a few further price cuts at midnight, but these listings are definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Echo Dot (4th Gen): £49.99 £19.99 at Amazon
Save £30
– Amazon’s latest Echo Dot smart speaker is back on sale for a record-low price. In our Echo Dot review, we found it to be reasonably loud and a cheap way to get some smart home tech. You can use it to control your smart home setup, as well as play music, check the weather, set timers, and more, all with simple voice commands.View Deal

Fire TV Stick 4K: £49.99 £29.99 at Amazon
Save £20
– To stream shows and movies in higher-quality 4K resolution you need to upgrade to the fittingly-named Fire TV Stick 4K. Today’s deal is not the lowest price we’ve ever seen – it’s been £7 less in the past – so this is one we’d recommend holding off on buying until Black Friday unless you really want on right now.View Deal

Amazon Fire 7: £59.99 £34.99 at Amazon
Save £25
– This is only the second time we’ve seen the latest version of the Amazon Fire 7 tablet reduced since it launched earlier in the year. And today’s discount brings the budget tablet down to its cheapest price so far. Of course, for £35 you won’t get a powerful device, but it’s more than capable if you need a cheap option to browse the web, stream media, read books and do some light gaming.View Deal

Apple MacBook Air m2 on purple background with TechRadar deals text

(Image credit: Future)

The MacBook Air M2 is going cheap right now at Amazon US

I may have been slightly hyperbolic when I claimed you should forget the MacBook Air M2 in favor of the MacBook Pro last week, but I’ve now abruptly my mind – like any good shameless deals editor should.  

This excellent ultrabook is down to just $1,099 (was $1,199) at Amazon; a price that’s just $50 off the record low. What was a very price proposition in comparison to the 13 Pro model has now become a very tempting one indeed with this discount.

It’s well worth checking out our MacBook Air M2 review if you want to see us gush on this latest model from Apple. We’ve always had a place for the MacBook Air on our best laptops buyer’s guide since the M1 model and this new iteration is a welcome upgrade – in particular the fancy new bezel-less display. This, alongside the speedy M2 chip and fanless design make the latest MacBook Air arguably the best laptop around right now for those who want a nice balance between power, portability, and battery life.

Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022, 256GB): $1,199 $1,099 at Amazon
The stunning Apple MacBook Air M2 is still $100 off at Amazon today with a price that’s just $50 off the record-low. If you’re looking for a premium ultrabook with incredible performance, battery life, and a quality display, there’s not much that can challenge the latest MacBook Air – aside from the Pro models, that is.View Deal

Will this one go any lower tonight? Well, the jury’s out but it’s worth mentioning that most Apple products aren’t included in Amazon’s Prime Day deals proper. They usually have discounts (and good ones, too) but they don’t tend to need Prime membership for access. Overall, we don’t think Amazon or any other retailer will go crazy with the discounts on this model over the next few days.

Amazon Smart Plug on creme background with price cut text

(Image credit: Future)

A super underrated (and cheap) gadget…

Another early deal recommendation from me – check out the Amazon Smart Plug for $12.99 (was $24.99) at Amazon US. I realize this might not be the flashiest deal on our list – especially after having written about the MacBook Air – but hear me out. This is one very handy little gadget that’s great if you’re looking to kickstart your smart home setup on the cheap.

Amazon Smart Plug: $24.99 $12.99 at Amazon
There’s a $12 discount on this handy little gadget from Amazon, which works with Alexa to add voice control to your devices – even if you don’t have a smart home hub. You can schedule lights and appliances to turn on and off automatically or control them remotely when you’re away. At half price, it’s a bargain. (Or get four Treatlife-branded Alexa smart plugs for $34.99, down from  $45.99.) View Deal

The Amazon Smart Plug is essentially all you need to add smart functionality to any socket in your house – be that for lights, appliances, or other gadgets. Simply plug this super cheap device in and voila – you’ll instantly get Alexa voice control over that socket. Like I said, it’s not fancy, but it’s very handy – especially if you’re going to be pairing it up with the myriad of other Amazon devices that will be discounted over the Prime Early Access sale.

How to sign up for a free 30-day Prime trial

Not a Prime member? Fear not, you can still play… If you haven’t been an Amazon Prime member in the last 12 months, you can sign up for a free trial to see the deals in the Prime Early Access sale. Here’s how to do it: 

1. Go to Amazon Prime
2. Select: Start your free trial
3. Follow the on-screen instructions (if prompted)
4. Start browsing deals

You can cancel before the trial’s up, no strings attached. Just don’t forget, otherwise you’ll pay a fee: Prime membership costs $14.99/month and $129/ year in the US, and £8.99/month and £95/year in the UK.  

Flat whites all round

There are already loads of coffee maker deals on Amazon. One of the best-value we’ve seen is the single-serve Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker, which is back to its cheapest price ever. But there are a lot more to look through…

Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker: $99.99 $49.99 at Amazon
There’s a 50% discount on Keurig’s entry-level coffee at Amazon at the moment, taking the price back to $49.99 – which is the lowest we’ve seen it over the last few years (including on Black Friday). This compact single-serve coffee machine uses K-Cup pods, and it’s just 5 inches wide, making it a great fit for space-tight kitchens. It has an average score of 4.6/5 from over 70,000 user reviews on Amazon.View Deal

Kindle Paperwhite 2021 on a cream background

(Image credit: Future)

My personal choice for an ereader today

While it’s not the cheapest Kindle in the range, the mid-range Paperwhite gets my nod of approval if you’re an avid reader looking for a reliable slate. Why? Well, basically it’s all about the adjustable warm light filter.

While the base-line Kindle has a fancy new model with an upgraded screen, it’s the ability to tone down that harsh light in dark environments that’s the deal-breaker in my opinion. If you, like me, are someone who’s always up after their bedtime then it’s definitely worth investigating a slate that’s easier on the eyes.

Kindle Paperwhite (8GB): $139.99 $99.99 at Amazon
The Kindle Paperwhite is a great choice for the discerning reader who wants a quality device for all their favorite titles. Its 6.8-inch display is sharp, bright, and now comes with an adjustable warm light filter that’s particularly handy for those late-night sessions in the dark. This particular listing is for the slightly cheaper 8GB version, although you can also find the expanded 16GB model also on sale for $104.99 (was $149)

One cheap TV to keep an eye on…

We’re sure to be getting a ton more TV deals as midnight rolls around, but this 50-inch Amazon Fire Omni Series 4K TV for $399.99 (was $509) has caught my eye. It’s not the cheapest deal available right now (listings start at $199) but it’s got a decent mix of features, size, and value – enough to keep an eye on it, in my opinion. 

What I’m really hoping for with this model is a return to its record-low price of $288; a deal that cropped up on one rare occasion back in August. Put simply, that’s a great price to pay for a TV that features Fire TV built-in and support for HDR 10. 

Amazon Fire Omni UHD Smart 4K TV: $509.99 $399.99 at Amazon

Sony A7 III

(Image credit: Future)

It’s an older model, but it checks out

Just a few years ago, it would have been unimaginable to score a premium full-frame mirrorless camera for under $1,000 with a kit lens, but we’re now at the point where decent options are starting to crop up. One example is this Sony Alpha a7 IIK with a 20-70mm lens for just $998 (was $1,672).

This model is a little older now and doesn’t feature the latest sensor or snappiest autofocus – but it’s an absolute bargain entry point into enthusiast photography. It’s a reasonably priced way to significantly upgrade your Instagram game with some full-frame goodness and get great low-light performance. 

This particular listing is with a versatile zoom lens (great for traveling), but there are a number of really cheap prime lenses for this system that are great for portraits and achieving those super pro-looking blurry backgrounds with your shots.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Live on green background with TechRadar deals text

(Image credit: Future)

These Galaxy Buds could be getting even cheaper tonight…

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live are the odd one out in the Samsung Galaxy Buds range. It’s not that nobody loves them, it’s just that they struggle to fit the niche of either a super-cheap pair of buds or a super-premium pair of buds. Basically, they straddle that middle ground.

That said, right now they’re heavily discounted at $99 and balancing perilously close to their lowest-ever price of $79.99. This would make them cheaper than the 2nd generation Apple AirPods (on sale for $89.99) and make them a real bargain buy, especially if you’re on an Android device and don’t care about fancy iOS pairing. 

In comparison, you get a nice charging case, fairly primitive but useful noise cancellation, and arguably a more comfortable fit (more customizable, anyway). The $79.99 deal was one that cropped up over the last Prime Day event, so it’s worth keeping an eye on these ones.

Amazon Echo Show 5 plus Ring Video Doorbell

(Image credit: Amazon)

Smart home, even smarter purchase

Fancy a beginner smart home setup on the cheap? Look no further than this Amazon UK deal on the Echo Show 5 and Ring Video Doorbell. This killer combo gives you a smart display, complete with Alexa voice assistant, plus the second-gen version of the Ring Doorbell, for just £66.99 – a massive £98 off the usual price. Simply pair them via Wi-Fi and you’ll be able to see who’s at the door on the Echo Show’s 5-inch screen.

Ring Video Doorbell + Echo Show 5: £164.98 £66.99 at Amazon
Save £98
– Get a huge saving on a beginner-friendly smart home package that includes the Ring Video Doorbell and Echo Show 5. Considering that the doorbell costs £60 by itself, that’s a fantastic price.View Deal

LG C2 TV on orange background with sign saying Don't Miss

(Image credit: LG)

TR editor-in-chief Marc McLaren on the deal he’s looking for tomorrow

What am I hoping for in this Prime Day in October sale? Easy: an OLED TV on the cheap. I’ve been looking to upgrade my Samsung QLED set ahead of the Qatar World Cup in November, and the object of my desire is the LG C2 OLED – a set that sits at the top of our best TVs buying guide and which is now available for less than £1,000.

Better still, it’s available for just £929 (down from £1,399) at Amazon UK – a huge saving of £470 off the launch price. That’s for the 42-inch size, which might sound a little small, but it’s the largest screen I have space for in my annoyingly shaped living room, so it ticks all the boxes.

LG OLED C2 OLED TV (42-inch) | £1,399 £929 at Amazon
Save £400 –
The LG OLED C2 is now £470 cheaper than it was at launch in 42-inch guise. That’s perfect if you’re looking for quality but don’t necessarily need to larger screen sizes these premium panels often come in.View Deal

Instant Pot Duo + Crisp Air Fryer

(Image credit: Amazon)

So, Amazon’s Prime Early Access sale is now live in the UK — and about time! What’s the first deal we have for you? Well, how about an air fryer.

These clever kitchen gadgets have been in the news a lot lately, and this one from Instant Pot is a great option. Not only is the Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer reduced from £160 to £129 right now, but it offers 11 functions in the one model. Yes, not only can it air fry, but it can also slow cook, sous vide and much more. I bought one last Black Friday and absolutely love it.  

Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer 11-in-1 Electric Multi-Cooker, 5.7L: £160 £129 at Amazon
Save £31
– This Instant Pot and air fryer is an all-in-one, and it doesn’t get much better than this. It’s a multi-cooker with 11 programmes including sous vide, reheat, dehydrate, roast, slow cook and, yep, air fry. The Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer has an intuitive interface and we found that it does a great job cooking most foods when we tested it.View Deal

The back of a Google Pixel 6 in green

(Image credit: Google)

We were hoping for some tasty phone deals in this Prime Day in October sale, and Amazon UK has already served one up.

Right now, you can buy the Google Pixel 6 for just £499, down from £578 – and you’ll get a free pair of Google Pixel Buds thrown in too!

This is a great deal on a phone that we rated at 4 stars out of 5 when we reviewed it. And while the new Pixel 7 is coming very soon, the 6 is still a fantastic mobile in its own right, with a superb camera and eye-catching design. The Pixel Buds aren’t bad, either. 

Google Pixel 6, plus free Pixel Buds: from £578 £499 at Amazon
Save £80 –
The Google Pixel 6 is still one of the best flagship devices out there, with a fantastic camera and excellent battery life to easily get through a day of use. This deal pretty much matches the cheapest prices we have seen for this device all year and comes with the Pixel Buds included. It’s a great deal if you want a top-tier device at a reasonable price. View Deal

Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet

(Image credit: Amazon)

Of course it wouldn’t be an Amazon sale without some BIG savings on the retailer’s own devices – and there’s no shortage of them today.

For instance, you can currently buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet for just £39.99 – yes, really. That’s down from £89.99, saving you £50, or a massive 56%! Sure, it’s no iPad, but for less than £40 it’s better than it has any right to be. Will it go lower still on Black Friday? Possibly, but unlikely – this is now the joint lowest it’s ever been.

Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet: £89.99 £39.99 at Amazon
Save £50
– The 2020 tablet from Amazon is a really solid pick if you’re on a budget. It only comes with 32GB of storage and 2GB of RAM (and has ads) but it has a good selection of games and apps that will keep you entertained and a super low price, especially thanks to this deal.View Deal

Welcome back to our Prime Early Access sale live coverage

Good morning to anyone just joining us, and welcome to the first day of Amazon’s Prime Early Access sale. It officially started at midnight, and there are some excellent deals to browse this morning. 

The Amazon Echo Dot in black on a bedside table

(Image credit: Amazon)

Amazon devices now the cheapest ever in the UK

It’s a good time to make your home smarter – Amazon’s cut over 50% off a whole load of Alexa-enabled devices in the UK this morning, including its popular Echo Dot smart speaker, which has a massive 60% discount, dropping the price from £49.99 to £19.99. Stay tuned for a recap of our top picks… 

The best Amazon device deals in the UK

Echo Dot (4th Gen): £49.99 £19.99 at Amazon
Save £30
– Amazon’s latest Echo Dot smart speaker is back on sale in the UK for a record-low price. In our Echo Dot review, we found it to be reasonably loud and a cheap way to get some smart home tech. You can use it to control your smart home setup, as well as play music, check the weather, set timers, and more, all with simple voice commands.View Deal

Fire TV Stick 4K: £49.99 £29.99 at Amazon
Save £20
– To stream shows and movies in higher-quality 4K resolution you need to upgrade to the fittingly-named Fire TV Stick 4K. Today’s deal is not the lowest price we’ve ever seen – it’s been £7 less in the past – so this is one we’d recommend holding off on buying until Black Friday unless you really want on right now.View Deal

Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen): £74.99 £34.99 at Amazon
Save £40 –
If you’re on the hunt for an affordable smart display, look no further than the Amazon Echo Show 5. It’s now heavily reduced and back to its cheapest price ever, which we last saw during Prime Day and makes this popular smart display even better value. Use it to stream music, watch TV shows, display your photos, or even make and receive video calls.View Deal

Ring Video Doorbell + Echo Show 5: £164.98 £66.99 at Amazon
Save £98
– Get a huge saving on a beginner-friendly smart home package that includes the Ring Video Doorbell and Echo Show 5. Considering that the doorbell costs £60 by itself, that’s a fantastic price for the smart display along with it. Both of them can be paired up, too, so you can see, hear and speak to anyone at your front door using the smart display. It can also be used to play all sorts of entertainment, display your favourite photos, read the news, ping alerts and even control other smart devices in the home.View Deal

Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen): £119.99 £69.99 at Amazon
Save £50
– If you’d prefer a larger screen on your smart display then the Echo Show 8 is also down to its lowest price yet at Amazon. Aside from the upgrade to an 8-inch HD touchscreen, it offers all the same functions as the smaller option, so that’s the option to stream music, watch videos, make video calls, set timers and badger Alexa with a whole host of silly questions.View Deal

Amazon Fire 7: £59.99 £34.99 at Amazon
Save £25
– This is only the second time we’ve seen the latest version of the Amazon Fire 7 tablet reduced since it launched earlier in the year. And today’s discount brings the budget tablet down to its cheapest price so far. Of course, for £35 you won’t get a powerful device, but it’s more than capable if you need a cheap option to browse the web, stream media, read books and do some light gaming.View Deal

Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet: £89.99 £39.99 at Amazon
Save £50
– The 2020 tablet from Amazon is a really solid pick if you’re on a budget. It only comes with 32GB of storage and 2GB of RAM (and has ads) but it has a good selection of games and apps that will keep you entertained and a super low price, especially thanks to this deal.View Deal

Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet: £149.99 £89.99 at Amazon
Save £60
– If you already have the 2019 version of this tablet this deal might still not offer enough of a reason to upgrade, but if you’re looking for a tablet that’s larger and a little more capable than the Amazon Fire HD 8, this is for you. It’s still not going to be the best for productivity, but for an entertainment-focused device, the larger screen size and 3GB of RAM can make it worth the higher cost.View Deal

Blink Mini Camera: £29.99 £19.99 at Amazon
Save £10 –
Today’s deals on Amazon devices also feature the entry-level Blink Mini smart security camera on sale for £19.99. That’s only £1 more than the record low price, making it a good time to buy the budget indoor camera that works with Amazon Alexa to alert your smartphone whenever motion is detected inside your home.View Deal

Ring Home Security: cameras and alarms from £39.99
Save up to £179 – If you’ve got a more specific home security setup in mind, then check out all the savings currently available across a range of Ring doorbells, cameras and alarms. There are smaller packages with just a couple of indoor or outdoor cameras as well as complete home alarm systems for more robust protection.View Deal