Amazon Prime Day Deals 2023: 12 Truly Random Things We Bought

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The people who find you deals need deals too, okay?

You might’ve already watched Amazon Prime Day, July 11 and 12 this year, fly past—but for our editors and writers who review products and gear for work, the two-day sales event is one of our busiest times of the year. As such, we spent hours browsing deals between writing stories, not only to recommend the best for you but also to find for goodies for our own backyard hangs, gaming sessions, and post-Prime Day self care.

The plus side? When you look at deals all day long, you only go for the discounts that are actually worth it—think half off gaming headsets, new furniture for less than $100, kids’ Crocs for $20; the list goes on. Here’s what we bought this Prime Day.

Brian Dalek, our director of content, was happy to see his wife, Maura, add these Crocs to the order basket. They’ve had to return half a dozen pairs of toddler shoes in the past few months after they haven’t fit his 2-year-old daughter. While other shoes are too narrow for her, these Crocs are the right size—and waterproof, to boot.

These are specifically designed with kids in mind, with big toe boxes for extra room and secure bands around the back. Plus the soles are closed, unlike traditional Crocs, so they won’t get rocks or wood chips inside. For $22 today, you, too, can outfit your child in the shoes of the summer.

Assistant commerce editor Adam Schram is new to adulting. He moved into his apartment at the beginning of the summer to join the team after graduating college. And, several paychecks in, he’s ready to start outfitting his place with cozy accent furniture.

“I'm not an experienced furniture shopper, especially when it comes to new pieces, so I figured I'd start small as I start to de-college-ify my living space,” Schram says. “I wanted a chair with a pop of color, especially a warm yellow or orange, and I managed to find a sleek and sturdy one that's exactly the size of the spot I'm trying to fill.”

This mustard-yellow chair clocks in under $100 for Prime Day, and while it won’t last forever, it’s an attractive piece that’s made sturdier by the iron frame. Customers say the PU leather is comfortable, too.

Parenting editor Cat Bowen snagged 50 percent off this Logitech G gaming bundle for her gamer 15-year-old, whom she lovingly calls “Thing 1.”

For $65, you get a wireless headset and a wireless mouse, both fit with super long battery life and low lag times for PC gaming. They’re also compatible with Xbox, Nintendo, and Sony consoles, and the light weight and durable construction make them perfect gifts for a teenager who might be liable to throw the nearest item after losing a round of Fortnite.

Senior features editor Jennifer Leman is a tennis girlie. Or, she will be, when these tennis rackets arrive at her house.

“I feel like you have to be incredibly quick and agile to play tennis,” Leman says. “I am neither of those things, but you have to start somewhere, right?”

This set comes with two rackets, three tennis balls, and grip tape so you can customize your handles for a more ergonomic grip. There’s also a bag for bringing the rackets to and from the court. While these aren’t pro-level, they’re ideal for testing out a new hobby.

Newborns have sensitive skin—or at least that’s what deputy editor Joana Mascioli tells me. Mascioli just returned from parental leave after having her second child, so days like Prime Day are simply an opportunity to stock up on kid essentials.

Prime members can save $13 on this three-pack today, which includes two large bottles of baby-safe detergent and a bottle of scent-boosting beads that keep those onesies smelling fresh.

Digital producer Barry Knoblach is eyeing this Nutribullet for Prime Day. The blender comes with a smoothie cup and lids so you can take your creation to work or the gym with you, and the small footprint makes it a great pick for apartment-dwellers with limited counter space.

Tech editor Stefan Vazharov, perhaps the most intense audiophile on the team, has too many headphones—but that didn’t stop him from snagging this sweet Sennheiser in-ear buds deal. (You can catch him in the office next week, blasting Pink Floyd to put them through their paces.)

Vazharov is big on headphones that transmit every bit of sound, from bass to treble, so it’s no surprise that he grabbed a pair of wired earbuds—which also stay in your ears thanks to the comfy, ergonomic ear hooks—this Prime Day. They’re discounted to $95 for Prime members through July 12.

Mrs. Meyer’s hand soap is one of my favorite things to keep in stock at home, both because it smells good and because it keeps my hands soft even when I wash them frequently. The same goes for senior features editor Jennifer Leman, who’s stocking up on these for $4 less than usual this Prime Day.

The three-pack comes with bottles and pumps for several bathrooms in your home, and you can buy a refill bottle—also on sale today—to get the most out of that plastic when they’re empty.

It’s tough to pass up a 50-percent-off deal, especially when you find a device that can keep you connected to your home, even when you’re away. Associate health and fitness editor Monique LeBrun snagged this Blink video doorbell for just $30 this Prime Day—a drop in the bucket compared to the peace of mind it brings.

You can see visitors and chat with delivery drivers using this Amazon-brand security system. And it works with Alexa, so you can control it from your Echo.

Senior editor Mike Epstein is a deals hound first and a gamer second, which is why he waited to grab Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope until this Prime Day.

“I reviewed the Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle back when it came out in 2017 and fell in love with its lighthearted, but perplexing and puzzle-like tactical battles,” Epstein says. “I’ve been waiting for the chance to pick up the sequel since it came out, so I couldn’t say no when I saw it was on sale.”

The turn-based strategy game, filled with adorable Rabbids and familiar Mario world faces (and bona fide challenges for kids and adults alike), is discounted to $40 right now if you buy the physical version. And personally, we think the nostalgia of buying the game cartridge is underrated.

Senior electronics editor Brandon Carte is a highly analytical person. He noticed that Amazon usually sells 80 Tide Pods for $21, which means this deal of 70 pods—plus a bottle of scent beads and two packs of dryer sheets—for $23 is a bargain.

Senior director of SEO Erica Murphy has never been late to work. But her fiancé, Eric, struggles to get out of bed on early mornings, which is why he’s getting this $30 deal on an Echo Dot with a clock and a smart light bulb included. The bulb syncs with the Echo Dot to wake him up with gradually brighter light as the sun rises, while the sound of Erica leaving for her running commute into the office can act as his final alarm.

This Alexa-capable speaker plays music and answers questions, but most importantly, it gets you up in the morning with a pleasing alarm and soft LEDs. It hooks up with the rest of your Amazon-connected smart home, and you can add a Grogu stand for $20 more.

What if you could charge your phone, power up your laptop, transfer data from your computer, and stream 8K footage to a display, all from one device? With this Anker PowerExpand you—and senior video producer Pat Heine, who bought this for $120 this Prime Day—can do exactly that.

This mini dock works as a display connector for streaming to finicky TVs or projectors, as well as a normal power bank for charging up your devices. If it’s in a video producer’s kit, you can rest assured it’s powerful, reliable, and durable.

Zoë Hannah is the Deputy Editor of Commerce at Popular Mechanics, Runner's World, and Bicycling. She has ten years of experience as a journalist covering travel, video games, mental health, and product reviews. When she isn't editing or writing, you can find her hiking wooded trails, reading a fantasy book, or stretching out on her yoga mat. You can find her work right here, on her website, and on outlets like WIRED, Tom's Guide, Insider, Entrepreneur, and more.

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