Prime Big Deal Days is here

It’s been a long wait since July’s big Prime Day sale, but it’s finally time for another round of major discounts in the form of Prime Big Deal Days. There are plenty of big deals for expensive and popular items such as Roombas and security systems, but don’t sleep on the sales of items under $50. You can snag plenty of nice new clothes for example, or new Amazon Echo devices including the Echo Pop. You do need to be an Amazon Prime member to take advantage of these deals, though, but that’s a breeze to sign up for.

How to sign up for Amazon Prime

Signing up for Amazon Prime is a two-step process.

[ Amazon is already rolling out early deals for October Prime Day ]

Creating a free Amazon account

First, you need to create a free Amazon account. You might already have one if you’ve ever ordered anything from Amazon before, as a free account is required to save your shipping address and billing information, plus your order information and history.

You don’t need to go anywhere special on Amazon’s website or app to do this since Amazon will automatically ask you to sign up or sign in when you place an order. You can also click on the sign-in button ahead of an order to create your account. That button is located in the top right of the website page, both on a computer and on a mobile device, and is dead center on the bottom of your screen for the mobile app.

Upgrading to Amazon Prime

Once you have your free Amazon account set up, you can upgrade it to an Amazon Prime account. All you have to do is go to the Amazon Prime sign-up page and follow the instructions. You can do this on any device.

If you’ve never signed up for Amazon Prime before, or you haven’t had an active Amazon Prime membership for at least a year, you can get a 30-day free trial at sign-up. After that trial period is over, Amazon Prime’s base cost is $14.99 a month. You can also pay for a year’s worth of Amazon Prime upfront for $139, which works out to $11.58 a month.

Some members of the population are eligible to get Amazon Prime for even less. Students, for example, can get Amazon Prime for $7.49 a month or $69 a year, which is $5.75 a month. Select governmental assistance recipients, such as those on Medicaid, can get it for $6.99, though there’s no yearly subscription for this discount category.

Amazon Prime benefits

Amazon Prime benefits are broken down into six categories.

AMAZON OCTOBER PRIME DAY CHEAT SHEET:  October Prime Day: Here are the best early deals

Shipping

Shipping benefits are the primary reason for signing up for Amazon Prime. They include free two-day, same-day and release-day shipping on most items sent to most zip codes. You can also select no-rush shipping to earn rewards and pick an “Amazon Day” for your packages to arrive each week when ordered in time.

Streaming

Amazon Prime also gives you access to the Prime Video streaming service, home of shows such as “The Boys” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” You also get access to Amazon Music, a discount on Amazon Music Unlimited and Prime Gaming, which gives you access to free games and in-game rewards.

Shopping

The shopping benefits of Amazon Prime are eclectic, to say the least. Some benefits include access to Amazon credit and reward cards, access and discounts to ordering fresh food that can be delivered in as quick as an hour, discounts and “try before you buy” access to clothing and, of course, access to Amazon’s big sales events.

Reading

Reading benefits are minor, but still a boon to book lovers. You get access to Prime Reading, a free collection of books, magazines and more, plus access to Amazon First Reads, which lets you download a new book for free each month from a select list.

Other

Two final small benefits are Membership Sharing, where adults in the same household can share some Amazon Prime benefits and Amazon Photos, which offers unlimited photo storage.

Supplemental

Lastly, there are bonus paid benefits to Amazon Prime that you can tack on. This includes adding premium cable channels such as HBO and Showtime, plus a free one-year Grubhub+ membership.

Best Prime Big Deal Days deals under $50

[ Amazon Echo Show 5 With Philips Hue Smart Color Bulb ]

Both these smart devices are the perfect way to start or expand your smart home empire. The bundle is 71% off for $41.98.

[ Amazon All-New Echo Buds ]

These wireless earbuds sync with your Alexa-based smart home and offer up to five hours of playback on a full charge. They come in white or black and are 30% off for $34.99.

[ Amazon Official Luna Wireless Controller ]

Video Game streaming is still in its infancy, but it’s a perfect way to game on the go while away from your usual gaming setup. It’s 43% off for $39.99.

[ Amazon Echo Pop With Kasa Smart Plug ]

We’ve tested the Echo Pop and found it to be an excellent budget or auxiliary speaker while the smart plug lets you turn any light into a smart light. The bundle is 69% off for $18.98.

[ Martha Stewart Cliffield 16-Piece Porcelain Dinnerware Set ]

This complete dinnerware set has enough of each piece for four people, those pieces being a small and large plate, a bowl and a cup. It’s 20% off for $39.97.

[ Dash 11-Inch Nonstick Cast Iron Skillet ]

Every home cook worth their salt needs a good cast-iron pan. This one has a non-stick coating that doesn’t require maintenance like standard cast-iron pans do. It’s 20% off for $47.99.

[ Blink Video Doorbell With Mini Camera ]

It’s important to protect your home with security systems, and it’s even better if that system has video recording capability like what this doorbell and camera set includes. The bundle is 47% off for $49.98.

[ Simple Joys By Carter Baby Hat And Mitten Set ]

We’re well into fall now and winter is bearing down hard. If you have a young one, protecting them from the cold is crucial for health and safety. This hat-and-mitten bundle for 0- to 9-month-olds is 20% off for $7.99.

[ Columbia Glennaker Rain Jacket ]

The only thing worse than being cold in the fall and winter months is being cold and wet. This jacket can protect you from both, plus it comes in 38 designs. The discount depends on the size and design.

[ Crockpot Electric Lunch Box ]

This effective device is perfect for packing up leftovers to places that don’t have a microwave for warming your food. All you have to do is plug it in and wait. It’s 13% off for $34.99.

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Prime Big Deal Days deals under $50 worth checking out

Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews. Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals. Jordan C. Woika writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

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