The sixth annual Amazon Prime Day is almost here, and to say we're getting excited would be a huge understatement. Here's everything you need to know about the sale—and make sure to keep an eye on this page, as we'll continue to update it with the best deals as soon as we learn about them.

What is Amazon Prime Day and when is it?

First launched back in 2015, Prime Day has become one of the biggest sales of the year, with major markdowns on everything from electronics to fitness gear to smart home gadgets to kitchen essentials (last year, the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker was one of Amazon’s best-selling products on Prime Day).

The exact details of Prime Day change from year to year. Traditionally, the sale is held in July, but it was delayed this year due to the pandemic. As a result, Prime Day 2020 will begin at 12 a.m., PT on Tuesday, October 13 and conclude at 11:59 p.m., PT on Wednesday, October 14. But you don't have to wait until then to save: Pre-sales will be announced a few days before the actual event (more on that below).

Plus, this later Prime Day date offers an unofficial upside: It makes the massive sale the perfect time to start buying holiday gifts. Not only do the deals rival Black Friday, but early shoppers can also get their gift shopping lists out of the way sooner and avoid the shipping delays expected closer to the holidays.

What should I know about Amazon Prime Day 2020?

If you spot a great deal, you should definitely click "Add to cart" ASAP. Many Prime Day sales have a short time limit, and others, called "lightning deals," end when the item is out of stock. Some sales are also announced throughout the day, so keep checking back to make sure you don't miss anything.

Last year, we saw some great savings on workout and sporting gear (including must-have brands like Reebok, Adidas, and Fitbit), home and electronics (tons of Amazon devices were marked down including the Ring Doorbell), kitchen essentials from brands like Keurig and Calphalon, and even some rare luxury beauty discounts.

How can I find the best Amazon Prime Day deals?

The first thing you need to do is make sure you're an Amazon Prime member; all Prime Day sales are exclusive to members. You can sign up for a 30-day free trial during your first month of Prime, and it's then $13 a month. If you're not already a member, trust us, it's worth every penny: you get access to tons of freebies (music, videos, e-books, and audio streaming services), as well as free 2-day shipping on qualifying items.

The best early Prime Day 2020 deals you can shop now

Want an insider tip? Have your credit cards ready, because you can actually score some amazing deals before Prime Day goes live on October 13. Amazon has already launched a ton of money-saving sales you can shop right now—but they won’t last long! Here, the best early Prime Day deals we’re adding to our shopping carts ASAP.

• Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker ($79, marked down from $100)

• Apple Watch Series 3 ($169, marked down from $199)

• Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional ($200, marked down from $250)

• Osprey Porter 46 Travel Backpack ($80, marked down from $140)

• K-Slim Coffee Maker ($79, marked down from $110)

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