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Prime Day is nearly upon us. The massive members-only sale is Amazon's biggest savings event of the season and your best chance for some summer inflation relief.

Prime Day typically triggers some of the best, most add-to-cart-worthy deals on smart home devices, Kindles, Apple gadgets, robot vacuums, headphones, and other popular tech outside of Black Friday. And this year, it's happening a little earlier an usual. (What's the deal with that? Keep reading.)

Mashable's shopping reporters and editors have been covering Prime Day since 2018. Here's what we think you should know about this year's sale ahead of time. Plus, check out our dedicated guide to the top early Prime Day deals you can shop already.

When is Prime Day 2026?

Amazon's twelfth annual Prime Day sale runs from June 23 to 26. For the second year in a row, the flagship summer savings event will last four days, up from its original two.

What's different about Prime Day this year?

As mentioned, Prime Day 2026 is happening early. Historically, the sale has almost always fallen in mid-July, not late June.

Speaking to Reuters this month, Jamil Ghani, worldwide VP of Amazon Prime, said the FIFA World Cup and the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence were factors in the company's decision to move up Prime Day. Both events are also happening in July. (The World Cup runs through July 19, while the U.S. Semiquincentennial is on July 4.)

Amazon hasn't said as much, but its reasoning there seems to be to position Prime Day as a "stock up for the party" opportunity. Among other products, shoppers will be able to save on groceries and other household essentials for celebrations around July's festivities. Amazon has been going especially hard in the grocery space in recent years.

Speaking of: For the first time ever, Amazon is giving away a free year's worth of groceries (via $10,000 in gift cards) ahead of Prime Day this year. You'll be automatically entered to win if you spend at least $15 on groceries, beauty products, personal care items, and/or pet supplies on Amazon now through June 22, the day before Prime Day begins.

What are the best early Prime Day deals?

Amazon is heavily discounting its own devices and services in the lead-up to Prime Day. Early birds can save up to 65% on its Echo smart speakers and displays, Kindle e-readers (plus Kindle bundles), Fire TVs and streaming sticks, Blink home security gadgets, and eero mesh WiFi systems.

If you're trying to get a head start on your summer reading list, Prime members can already snag two free Kindle books via Amazon First Reads, plus three free months of both Kindle Unlimited and Audible (worth $36 and $27, respectively). Kindle Unlimited unlocks a huge library of free e-books and digital magazines, while Audible is Amazon's podcast and audiobook service.

If you prefer to read the old-fashioned way, print books of all genres are up to 65% off before Prime Day (starting at $7).

Prime members who haven't tried Amazon Music Unlimited yet get a free four-month trial worth $48. Non-members get three months free. If you're already a Music Unlimited member on an Individual Plan, you can convert your subscription to a Family Plan for free for two months. You'll be able to stream music on up to six devices at a time instead of just one.

Need something new to watch? Certain movies and TV shows on Prime Video are up to 50% off for Prime members ahead of Prime Day. (That includes both purchases and rentals.) Plus, Prime for Young Adults members (geared toward ages 18 to 24) can score a free ticket to see Spider-Man: Brand New Day while supplies last. An exclusive early screening option is up for grabs.

Finally, Prime members can get large pepperoni or cheese pizzas from Little Caesars for just $5 apiece this month. You can redeem the offer up to five times from now through the end of Prime Day on June 26.

What will be the best deals on Prime Day?

Amazon plans on dropping new Prime Day deals "as often as every five minutes during select periods" during the sale, according to a company blog post. A handful of these offers will get a "Today’s Big Deals" label, which identifies limited-time discounts "featuring exclusive products and trending new releases from brands members love, many at more than 50% off," Amazon said. These deals will go live three times a day throughout Prime Day at 3 a.m. ET, 11 a.m. ET, and 4 p.m. ET — set an alarm.

Amazon hasn't revealed the exact deals it's saving for Prime Day proper, Today's Big Deals or otherwise. But it has shared a list of the general discounts shoppers can expect across different categories, including some featured brands and marquee products. In order from most to least savings, the highlights include:

• Up to 50% off select coolers and drinkware from Hydro Flask, Stanley, and Yeti

• Up to 50% off select home gym and workout equipment from NordicTrack and Peloton

• Up to 45% off select headphones and earbuds from Beats, Bose, and JLab

• Up to 40% off select portable speakers from JBL, Marshall, and Sony

• Up to 40% off select big-screen TVs from Hisense, LG, and Samsung

• Up to 40% off select vacuums and carpet cleaners from Bissell, Dyson, and iRobot, including the Bissell Little Green Machine in an exclusive colorway

• Up to 40% off select small kitchen appliances from Cuisinart and Ninja

• Up to 40% off select air purifiers and fans from Dyson, Levoit, and Shark, including the Dyson Cool Air Multiplier Bladeless Tower Fan

• Up to 40% off select coffee and espresso machines from Breville, Keurig, and KitchenAid, including the KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

• Up to 40% off trending "productivity companions" from Skylight, Hatch, and Oura, including the Oura Ring 4

• Up to 35% off select laptops, cellphones, and tablets from HP, Lenovo, and Samsung

• Up to 35% off select college tech and accessories from Acer, Canon, and Octobuddy

• Up to 30% off select games and tech accessories from Logitech, Nintendo, and Xbox

• Up to 30% off select toys and games from Lego and Tamagotchi

Who is competing with Prime Day?

Other major retailers have always run their own competing sales alongside Prime Day. That will still be the case this year despite the timing change.

Best Buy is having a weeklong Tech Fest sale from June 22 to 28. (It's almost twice as long as Prime Day.) It will probably be Amazon's toughest competition when it comes to deals on big-ticket tech: Look for discounts of up to 50% on laptops, TVs, gaming gear, headphones, and small appliances, including fleeting Deals of the Day. The sale isn't locked to paid Plus and Total members of the My Best Buy program, but they'll be eligible for some extra discounts and rewards.

Walmart will host a concurrent Summer Deals event from June 22 to 28, offering "thousands of offers across top brands, popular categories, and early back-to-school essentials," to quote a company press release. Those deals will be available both in stores and online. Members of its Walmart+ program get exclusive early access to a batch of "Hot Deal Drops" on the first day of the sale, which will only be available while supplies last. (Otherwise, the sale is open to everyone.) For a limited time, shoppers who haven't signed up yet can save 50% on an annual Walmart+ membership.

Target is giving Amazon a run for its money with a Target Circle Deal Days sale from June 23 to 26, the exact same days as Prime Day. Members of its free-to-join Target Circle loyalty program will be able to save up to 45% on "thousands of items across apparel, beauty, home, toys, and essentials" in stores and online, according to a press release. It also plans to offer rotating Deals of the Day.

Target might be trying the hardest to lure shoppers away from Amazon. If you show up in person at select Target stores on the first day of Circle Deal Days, you'll get a free hot or iced coffee or a free cookie, so long as you're a Circle member. Those who join the program between now and June 22 will get 15% off their next purchase.

How many times a year is Prime Day?

Amazon's main Prime Day sale only happens once a year, but the company usually hosts two other Prime events a few months before and after it. One is the Big Spring Sale, which runs late March, and the other is Prime Big Deal Days in October, just before Black Friday.

Can anyone shop Prime Day deals?

Prime Day deals are exclusive to Prime members — but that includes paid and trial members, so it's possible to participate for free.

How to sign up for Amazon Prime

Visit Amazon.com/amazonprime to purchase a membership or start your free 30-day trial. If you go the latter route, be sure to cancel your plan before your trial period ends to avoid getting charged. Prime memberships currently cost $14.99 a month or $139 per year.

If you're 18 to 24 years old, you can score a free six-month Prime trial via the Prime for Young Adults program. (Age or student status verification is required.) You'll get 10% cash back on your Prime Day purchases to boot.