Since 2015, Prime Day has always occurred in June or July, except for 2020, when the event was delayed until October due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  (BestReviews)

Bargain hunters know what a big deal Prime Day is. As a shopping event, it rivals both Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the number and value of its deals. So it's no wonder many shoppers wait until Prime Day to stock up on favorites and splurge on big-ticket items they've had their eye on.

It's been suspected for a while that Prime Day would take place in July, but Amazon recently announced that it will happen on July 12 and 13 — which is why it's time to start preparing for the big day.

Started in 2015, Prime Day is Amazon's annual sales event with deals on everything from Fire tablets to pajamas. It began as a single day of sales to celebrate the company's 20th anniversary but evolved into a two-day event in 2019.

While some products are on sale for the duration of the event, many sales are only available for a limited time. These lightning deals are often Prime Day's best values, so jump quickly on sales when you see an item that interests you.

Prime Day's deals are exclusive to Prime members. For most members, Prime membership costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year, though students can join Prime for just $7.49 a month or $69 a year. Some EBT, Medicaid and other government assistance recipients may also qualify for a discount, paying just $6.99 a month.

If you haven't been a Prime member in the past 12 months, you can sign up for a free trial membership. The trial lasts 30 days, so you can join just before Prime Day and take advantage of the deep discounts and sale prices.

From tech products to fashion must-haves, Prime Day offers deals on a wide range of products. In years past, Apple devices, such as iPads and Apple watches, have seen significant discounts, but you can also score can't-miss deals on kitchen appliances like espresso machines and Instant Pots, smart TVs, gaming consoles, laptops, vacuums, running shoes and more.

However, Prime Day's most impressive deals typically involve Amazon's own devices. So during this sales event, you'll often find the lowest prices on Echo devices, Fire TV devices, Fire tablets, Kindles and other Alexa-enabled devices.

If you don't already have a Prime account, you'll want to open one before July 12. You can begin a Prime membership through an existing Amazon account. Just click the Prime Membership link in your account menu, and start a free trial by providing your credit card information.

Remember that you'll be automatically upgraded to a paid membership at the end of your trial period. So to avoid a charge if you don't want to continue, you must remember to turn off the membership renewal in your account before the trial expires.

Amazon offers a free app for mobile devices, which can be a very handy tool for Prime Day. Use the app's "Watch This Deal" feature to keep track of items you're interested in. If you turn on the notifications, you'll be sent an alert when there's a deal on those products.

If you have an Alexa-enabled device, you can also ask Alexa to notify you of deals on items you have in your Amazon cart, wish lists or saved-for-later list. In many cases, Alexa can give you access to early deals, too.

In addition to Prime Day's popular deals, you may be eligible for additional discounts during the event. For example, folks with an Amazon Prime credit card can receive an extra 1% reward back on their purchases.

Amazon is also offering a Prime Stampcard this year. When you complete certain activities, you earn a stamp. When you collect all four stamps, you receive a $10 credit for use on Prime Day. To get a stamp, you can complete the following activities:

Creating a shopping list before Prime Day arrives is a good idea. That allows you to focus on products you're interested in, so you don't miss out on any deals. It can also keep you from picking up too many impulse buys you don't need.

While Prime Day is Amazon's big day, other retailers have gotten in on the act, offering competing sales. In years past, retailers like Kohl's, Home Depot, Chewy, Backcountry and Macy's have offered impressive deals during Prime Day — and likely will again. So if you see an item on Amazon you're interested in at a discount, price check it on other websites to ensure you're getting the best deal.

Eco 4th Generation: available at Amazon

This premium Alexa-enabled smart speaker works as a smart home hub, so you can control compatible lights, locks and sensors with just your voice. It also provides rich, detailed sound when streaming your favorite songs, podcasts and more.

Fire HD 10 Tablet: available at Amazon

With this fast, responsive tablet, you get a brighter, more vivid display and more RAM than previous generations. It's ideal for streaming movies on apps like Netflix and Hulu and keeping up with friends on Instagram. The battery can go for 12 hours between charges, too.

Ring Alarm Five-Piece Home Security System: available at Amazon

Get everything you need to keep your condo or apartment secure with this easy-to-set-up home security system. It includes a base station, keypad, contact sensor, motion detector and range extender and sends alerts to your mobile device when the system is triggered.

Apple Watch Series 7: available at Amazon

One of the most popular smartwatches on the market, this handy device offers plenty of health-focused features, including blood oxygen and ECG data. It also lets you send texts, make calls, listen to music and use Siri right from your wrist.

Theragun Mini 4th Generation: available at Amazon

This compact massage gun is perfect for travel.  It doesn't make much noise when turned on but still operates at speeds of 2,400 percussions per minute. You can also choose from three speed settings, depending on your needs.

23 and Me Health + Ancestry Kit: available at Amazon

Learn more about yourself and where you came from with this genetic testing kit. It provides information on your likelihood of developing certain health conditions, as well as where your ancestry can be traced. It's easy to do, too, since all it requires is some saliva.

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Jennifer Blair is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

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