The Very Best Deals Under $100 from Amazon's July Prime Day

New York Times

4 days ago

Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
Offline By Aerie The Hugger High Waisted Legging — Best For...
American Eagle deal price: $41 (with store pickup); street price: $55
What we like: The best reasonably priced leggings for low-impact workouts and lounging. Lightweight, super soft, and stretchy. Well-priced and ultra-comfy for all-day wear. Gently compressive and feel nice to the touch. Good for lighter-impact activities or lounging. Three small waistband pockets.
Other things to know: Don't look or feel quite as sophisticated as our other picks. Fabric is a touch warm, and certain colors (particularly light colors) shows moisture readily. Available in most sizes, ranging from sizes XXS (000) to XXL (20) and three lengths (24¾ inches, 26¾ inches, or 28¾ inches). Nowhere near as good as the deals we saw during October Prime Day and Black Friday, but a decent sale if you want these leggings now. Select store pickup to avoid shipping fees.
Read more: The Best Leggings for Workouts and Everyday Wear
Teva Women's Original Universal Slim Sandal — Top Pick
REI deal price: $42 (with store pickup or REI membership); street price: $60
What we like: Our top pick for casual sandals with slim straps. Everything we love about the classic Tevas in a slightly more streamlined, stylish package. Still comes with EVA cushioning, arch support, Velcro straps, and treaded soles.
Other things to know: Not as rugged as originals. Only available in orange straps, neon yellow straps, and blue straps with blue soles. Select store pickup, or get free shipping with REI membership (or by adding it to a larger order).
Read more: The Best Sandals
New Balance 471 (unisex) — Top Pick
New Balance deal price: $64 (free New Balance membership required, price reflects in cart); street price: $100
What we like: Our top pick off-white sneakers with a breezy, vintage vibe. Made with mesh and suede. Have a slim, tapered shape. Ultra-light, but still springy and supportive.
Other things to know: Runs narrow. Materials may be tricky to clean. Deal available on select colors and sizes. Select sale colors may have nylon uppers, rather than mesh. Free New Balance membership required, price reflects in cart.
Read more: The Best White Sneakers
Everlane The Dream '90s Shift Dress — Top Pick
Everlane deal price: $67 (price includes shipping); street price: $95
What we like: Our top pick for the best versatile, well-priced black minidress. Simple, fitted A-line cut looks great on lots of bodies. Soft, stretchy double-knit material is especially comfortable. A blank slate that you can layer and accessorize to suit many settings and climates.
Other things to know: May be too simple for some tastes — though if you ask us, that's part of what makes it so versatile. Armholes are cut a bit deep, so a bra with higher sides may show. Might be too 'mini' if you're tall. Sizes XXS to XL, though limited sizes remain. Deal price includes $8 shipping.
Read more: The Best Little Black Dresses
Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter
Kiehl's Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash (16.9 Ounces) — Upgrade Pick
Amazon deal price: $47 ; street price: $67
What we like: Our upgrade gel facial cleanser pick for oily or acne-prone skin. Cleanses efficiently, rinses easily, and makes skin feel soft, refreshed, and squeaky-clean. Won points among testers for its luxe plastic bottle and 'lovely, clean, and natural' fragrance.
Other things to know: Pretty expensive, even on sale. Pump requires effort, but a single push was enough for a thorough wash. Doesn't match the over-50% drop we saw last month, but still a good deal, especially if you need face wash now.
Read more: The 8 Best Facial Cleansers
EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser (5 Ounces) — Upgrade Pick
Amazon deal price: $28 ; street price: $35
What we like: Our upgrade foaming facial cleanser pick for sensitive skin. Cloud-like formula feels light, luxurious, and mild on your hands and face. Sulfate-free soft foam fully removes dirt and grime and leaves your face feeling deeply clean — but not at all stripped. Just one pump emits a dollop that's just the right amount for face-washing.
Other things to know: Pretty pricey. Five-ounce bottle. Contains 28 ingredients, making it harder to determine if one of them triggers a sensitivity or irritation. Mostly fragrance-free (with slight hints of coconut and medicine).
Read more: The 8 Best Facial Cleansers
La Roche-Posay 12% Pure Vitamin C Serum — Best For...
Amazon deal price: $34 (updated 12% formula); street price: $45
What we like: The best rich, skin-smoothing vitamin C serum drops, in an updated formula with 2% more vitamin C. Pretty impressive for a drugstore brand. A hearty 12% ascorbic acid gel that seemingly melts into skin to leave a sheer, touchable finish. Ingredients include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and salicylic acid.
Other things to know: Testers didn't love the baby powder–meets–medicinal scent. White dropper can get gummy, discolored, and dingy over time, and it doesn't always deliver a precise portion. At 1.01-ounces, it's pricey for a drugstore brand. We tested this at a 10% concentration, but the updated 12% formula otherwise remains largely the same.
Read more: The Best Vitamin C Serums
Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Treatment Lip Balm (Tint Your Hydration Bundle) — Best For...
Ulta deal price: $25 (with store pickup); street price: $35
What we like: A bundle including the best splurgy, luxe lip balm that offers lasting hydration and two travel-size tinted balms we like. Luscious blend of seed oils in a beeswax base. Sturdy twist-up metal tube. Ultrasmooth glide. Citrus-forward scent. Leaves dry or irritated lips not just temporarily quenched, but also plump and conditioned for days.
Other things to know: Looks and feels more luxurious and expensive than our other picks, because it is. Melty. The abundance of botanical ingredients could further irritate severely damaged lips. Comes with a full-size Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Treatment and two travel-size Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments in rosé and bloom shades. Choose store pickup to avoid shipping fees.
Read more: The Best Lip Balms
Photo: Michael Hession
KitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Pot Holder Set — Also Great
Amazon deal price: $9 (deal on beige); street price: $13
What we like: Our pick for a bigger pot holder that comes in a wide range of colors. Larger and more rectangular than our top pick. The divided hand pocket gives you more control. Comes in a variety of muted, trendy colors as well as brighter options.
Other things to know: Its thicker material and large, square corners make it a little more clunky than our top-pick pot holder. However, the corners do add more surface area that can be helpful when you use the pot holder as a trivet. Lowest price is for the milkshake beige color, but the beet red and ink blue colors are also on sale for a dollar more.
Read more: The Best Oven Mitts and Pot Holders
YouCopia StoraLid Container Lid Organizer (Large) — Staff Pick
Amazon deal price: $14 (deal on large size); street price: $18
What we like: A lid organizer loved we love for keeping cabinets tidy. Keeps food storage container lids organized and easily accessible with minimum human effort. Adjustable tabbed dividers for separating lid sizes.
Other things to know: Only as useful as your willingness to use it and organize. Needs large empty space to fit in cabinet. Deal for the large size, better than typical sales we see.
Read more: This $20 Lid Organizer Has Tamed the Chaos Inside My Kitchen Cabinets
Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Containers (10-Piece Set) — Top Pick
Amazon deal price: $48 (10-piece); street price: $60
Target deal price: $48 (free Circle membership required, 10-piece); street price: $60
What we like: Our top dry food storage container pick. Durable Tritan plastic containers with a tight seal. Held up through multiple drop tests and trips through the dishwasher. Stack neatly and efficiently into cabinets.
Other things to know: Only recommended for storing dry ingredients. Includes two half-cup, two 1.3-cup, two 3.2-cup, one 6.6-cup, one 7.8-cup, one 12-cup, and one 16-cup container with corresponding lids. At Target, free Circle membership is required. Target Circle cardholders get an additional 5% off.
Read more: The Best Dry Food Storage Containers
Starbucks Blonde Espresso Roast Nespresso Pods (Pack of 50) — Top Pick
Amazon deal price: $23 (pack of 50); street price: $33
What we like: Our light roast Nespresso pods top pick. A mild, rich espresso. The only unanimous favorite in our tests. Notes of brown sugar, citrus, and chocolate. Toasty yet bright. Makes a well-balanced shot. Good for light and dark roast lovers (especially if you're working late cause you're a singer).
Other things to know: Starbucks pods are the only third-party pods we tested that are actually manufactured by Nespresso, which might have some advantages. Not the same light roast you'd expect from a third-wave roaster. Deal is for a 50-pack.
Read more: The Best Nespresso Pods You Can Buy at the Grocery Store
Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter
Amazon Kindle (2024) — Top Pick
Amazon deal price: $85 ; street price: $110
What we like: Our new top pick for the best e-reader for most people. Affordable price, portability, bright display, 16 GB of base storage, and USB-C charging compatibility check the most important boxes. Pocketable 6-inch display. Excellent battery life. USB-C support.
Other things to know: Not waterproof. More expensive than previous entry-level Kindles. Lockscreen has ads. Recycled plastic body scratches easily—protecting your Kindle with a case is a good idea. Downloading EPUB files requires some extra steps. One-year warranty. First worthwhile deal we've seen this year.
Read more: The Best E-Reader
TP-Link Tapo Wire-Free Magnetic Security Camera — Top Pick
Amazon deal price: $55 ; street price: $70
What we like: Our top outdoor security camera pick. Offers the best array of customizations and top-shelf features for the money. Cheaper to own and use compared to our other picks. Flexible and simple installation. Excellent 300-day battery life. Recordings can be stored locally or in the cloud.
Other things to know: Amazon Alexa and Google Home compatible. Recordings are less sharp than those from Arlo and Eufy models. We strongly recommend paying for the Tapo Care cloud subscription (starts at $3.50 per month or $35 annually for one camera). Not as good as previous deals we've seen, but a decent discount if you need a camera now.
Read more: The Best Outdoor Security Camera
Amazon Fire HD 8 Android Tablet (12th Generation, 32 GB) — Budget Pick
Amazon deal price: $55 ; street price: $100
What we like: Our budget Android tablet pick. Same 8-inch display, MediaTek processor, and 13-hour battery life as its predecessor, with more RAM for slightly faster performance and a mildly higher-megapixel rear camera. Ideal for streaming video or using as a family tablet.
Other things to know: Ad-supported lockscreen. 1280×800 screen resolution is much lower than our other picks, so text and images are visibly less sharp. Running content-heavy websites or multiple apps can cause lagging and freezing. On sale in the 32 GB size.
Read more: The Best Android Tablets
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet (32 GB) — Budget Pick
Amazon deal price: $65 (deal on blue or purple); street price: $120
What we like: Our budget pick for the best tablets for kids. Solid option for watching videos. Durable and more drop-resistant than our top pick. Good parental controls. Two-year warranty.
Other things to know: Worse screen and a much more limited app selection compared to our top pick but a fraction of the price. Deal is for the 32 GB in blue or purple.
Read more: The Best Tablet for Kids
Sarah Kobos/NYT Wirecutter
Apple AirTag Bluetooth Tracker (4-Pack) — Top Pick
Best Buy deal price: $68 ; street price: $80
Walmart deal price: $68 ; street price: $80
Amazon deal price: $68 ; street price: $80
What we like: Our top Bluetooth tracker pick for iPhone users. Also recommended in multiple Wirecutter gift guides. Leverages Apple's extensive Find My network and is impressively accurate in pinpointing an item's precise location. Replaceable battery. Water-resistant.
Other things to know: Doesn't have any way to ring your phone. Cannot attach to your stuff directly. Sales on four-packs typically offer the best price per tracker but we've seen four trackers sell for as low as $65.
Read more: The Best Bluetooth Tracker
Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
Soundcore Space One Noise-Cancelling Headphones — Budget Pick
Amazon deal price: $66 ; street price: $100
What we like: Our budget over-ear noise-cancelling headphones pick. Impressive noise cancellation and good sound for under $100. Comfortable and lightweight. 40-hour battery life with ANC on. Offers dual-device connectivity, hear-through mode, and quick-charge feature.
Other things to know: The three noise-reducing microphones can make voices sound compressed and somewhat distant to callers. Layout of physical control buttons makes sense, but they're small and take some practice to master. Customizable sound via Soundcore app.
Read more: The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones
EarFun Air Pro 4 Earbuds — Budget Pick
Amazon deal price: $54 (use promo code EAIRPRO4, deal on black); street price: $80
What we like: Our budget noise-cancelling earbuds pick. Good sound quality. Active noise cancellation is on a par with pricier sets. 11-hour battery life. Customizable touch-based controls. Three sets of microphones deliver clear phone calls, even when it's windy or noisy.
Other things to know: May take time to memorize the series of taps and holds necessary to access the full suite of controls. Lacks the clarity and sense of space of our top pick. May not stay in place if you have very small or deep-set ears. On sale in black. Use code EAIRPRO4. Within $5 of the lowest price we've seen.
Read more: The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Bluetooth Speaker — Top Pick
Amazon deal price: $70 ; street price: $80
What we like: Our longtime top portable Bluetooth speaker pick. Fun and practical, with great sound for its small size. 11-hour battery life. Incredibly tough — it's dustproof, has an IP67 water-resistance rating, and survived a 5-foot drop test onto concrete. Plus, it floats.
Other things to know: This latest version comes with USB-C charging (finally). The design has not changed, so it's still a little chunky and can feel slightly ungainly when packing.
Read more: The Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker
JBL Go 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker — Best For...
Woot deal price: $35 (free shipping for Prime members); street price: $45
What we like: The best tiny, ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker. By far the smallest of our picks; fits in a coat pocket. Produces satisfying, reasonably full sound for music and podcasts. IP67 dust- and water-resistant. One of the first portable speakers with Auracast Bluetooth technology.
Other things to know: Has a strap for hanging. Only 6.85 ounces. Less bass because of size, but still sounds pretty good. About an 85-foot Bluetooth range in our tests, with about five hours of battery life in standard mode but nearly nine with Playtime Boost. Deal available in black, white, or camo. 90-day Woot warranty. Free shipping for Prime members.
Read more: The Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Ultimate Ears Miniroll Bluetooth Speaker — Worth Considering
Best Buy deal price: $50 (deal on beige); street price: $80
What we like: A versatile ultra-portable travel bluetooth speaker worth considering. More expensive and a little larger than our best for pick, the JBL Go 4. Fuller sound. Features a handy integral strap that lets you strap it to a pole or chair or hang it from a hook.
Other things to know: IP67-rated, so it's waterproof and dustproof. Max volume is about the same as the Go 4's. Battery typically ran for about 8.5 hours in our tests. Only available at the deal price in beige.
Read more: The Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter
Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner 1400B — Top Pick
Amazon deal price: $82 ; street price: $120
What we like: Our top portable carpet and upholstery cleaner pick. Light and reliable, with good cleaning power. Useful if you have pets or young kids. Completely removed wine and chocolate stains with handheld suction brush, hot tap water, and cleaning formula.
Other things to know: A bit clunky, and its hose is rigid. Tanks have an awkward design that makes them tough to clean. Designed to tackle small areas only. One-year warranty is shorter than competition.
Read more: The Best Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner
Black+Decker 20V Max Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Cordless Pet Hand Vacuum HHVK515BPF07 — Pick Variant
Kohl's deal price: $70 (deal on vacuum w/ base charger and extra filter); street price: $80
What we like: A variant of our best handheld car vacuum for pet owners. The motorized brush effectively picks up pet fur, especially on upholstery. Built-in extendable crevice tool reaches into nooks and crannies. Filters are washable and replaceable. Large bin volume.
Other things to know: The brand says it charges in four hours and runs up to 24 minutes — a bit slower to charge than our tested pick, but roughly the same runtime. Two-year warranty. Comes with base charger and extra filter.
Read more: The Best Handheld Vacuum
Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
Frontgate Resort Collection Bath Towel — Top Pick
Frontgate deal price: $34 (use promo code WCJULY25); street price: $44
What we like: Our top bath towel pick. The softest, warmest, and most comfortable plush towel we've ever tested. Feels like a luxury hotel towel. Holds up for years and feels fuller and plusher with each wash. Comes in a wider variety of colors than any other we've found.
Other things to know: If you prefer thinner towels, this isn't the pick for you. Bulkier to store and wash. Use code WCJULY25 to get deal price and free shipping (remove any existing discount code to apply this one for a better price). The price of the Frontgate towel has increased recently, and so has the deal price.
Read more: The Best Bath Towel
Onsen Waffle Bath Towel (Set of 2) — Upgrade Pick
Huckberry deal price: $74 (use promo code WCSETJULY, set of two); street price: $100
What we like: Our upgrade pick for a quick-drying lattice-weave bath towel. Lighter, drapes better, and dries faster than any terry towel we tried. Has a minimalist, upscale look. Comes in a wide range of color options. Made of 100% US-grown Supima cotton.
Other things to know: Relatively expensive, but costs a fraction of the price of similar lattice towels imported from Japan. Waffle towels are prone to snags. The texture might not be for everyone. Use code WCSETJULY to get the deal price on a set of two bath towels.
Read more: The Best Bath Towel
Amazon Basics Solid Wood Saddle-Seat Stool (Set of Two) — Staff Pick
Amazon deal price: $60 (deal on white); street price: $90
What we like: Saddle-style stools recommended in our barstool and counter stool guide. Inexpensive but have stood solid with daily use for almost four years in one staffer's home. The seats are thoughtfully designed and easy to build. A metal bar protects the front footrest. Especially good if the lip of your kitchen island is narrow.
Other things to know: Requires IKEA-style assembly. The edges can feel a bit sharp, and the depth is narrow. You need to add the floor protectors yourself. Returns accepted within 30 days of delivery, one-year warranty. Deal for a set of two 29-inch tall barstools in white.
Read more: Our Favorite Barstools and Counter Stools
Target Threshold 400 Thread Count Solid Performance Sheet Set (Queen) — Budget Pick
Target deal price: $33 (free Target Circle membership required, with store pickup or Circle Card, queen); street price: $55
What we like: Our budget pick for the best cotton sheets (and outdoor movie screen). High quality at a fantastic price. Warm, thick sateen is softer than many pricier sets we've tried. Great for a kid's or guest room bed. Fits mattresses up to 18 inches thick. Comes in tons of colors.
Other things to know: Less breathable and wrinkles more than other sateen sets we've tested. Street price has just risen again. Listed deal price is for queen, but all sizes are on sale. To avoid shipping fees, choose store pickup, purchase with Circle Card, or add to a larger order.
Read more: The Best Cotton Sheets
Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
Banana Bike GT Balance Bike — Budget Pick
Walmart deal price: $41 (deal on yellow); street price: $73
What we like: Our budget balance bike pick. Low stand-over height enables skittish youngsters to keep balanced. Well-engineered curved frame. Handlebars and seat are easily adjustable. Air-filled rubber tires work fine on paved, dirt, and carpeted surfaces.
Other things to know: Took an hour+ to build, the longest of our picks. Shows wear and tear. Less-treaded tires creates a slightly less smooth ride and can lead to slipping around corners. No handbrake. No warranty. On sale in yellow (a good color for a self-declared banana bike).
Read more: The Best Balance Bikes
Boden Printed Long-Sleeved Nightie — Top Pick
Boden deal price: $42 (use promo code 3V47, price includes shipping); street price: $54
What we like: The best high-quality cotton-blend nightgown for kids. A soft, cotton-blend nightgown. Comfortable and durable. Features fanciful and charming prints that helps make this it fun, not frumpy. Meets the CPSC's children's sleepwear flammability standards.
Other things to know: On the more expensive side but these nightgowns last a long time. Use code 3V47, price includes shipping.
Read more: The Best Kids Pajamas
Bentgo Kids Lunch Box (3-Pack) — Top Pick
Costco deal price: $30 (Costco membership required); street price: $40
What we like: Our top pick for a well-organized bento lunch box for younger kids. Has thoughtful (yet small) compartments, making it easy to pack an appealing lunch for preschool-age kids. Leakproof. Has sturdy clasps. Slightly more durable than the larger Bentgo Fresh lunch box.
Other things to know: Recommended for kids ages 3 to 7 years old. Only fits about 2½ cups of food and the five compartments are fixed. Multiple long-term testers have needed to replace them about once a year. A set of three is on sale for Costco members.
Read more: The Best Kids Lunch Boxes
Educational Insights Kanoodle Gravity — Gift Pick
Amazon deal price: $14 ; street price: $17
What we like: An affordable 3D brain puzzler gift pick for 7-year-olds. Small, lightweight, and compact. Easy to pack for travel. A great stocking stuffer. Part of a series of Kanoodle brain teasers.
Other things to know: Kids can take turns or work their way through a booklet of increasingly difficult puzzles on their own.
Read more: The 34 Best Gifts for 7-Year-Olds
Puro Sound Labs BT2200-Plus Kids Headphones — Top Pick
Puro deal price: $75 (use promo code BTWC25); street price: $100
What we like: Our top kids headphones pick for music and videos. Limits volume to safe range. Fits most preschoolers to tweens. Kid testers preferred the more grown-up style. At least 20-hour battery lift. Daisy-chain capability connects several pairs, so multiple kids can listen to the same device.
Other things to know: No ability to change tracks or call up a digital assistant through the headphones themselves. Auto-shutoff feature will not activate if headphones are still connected to a powered-on device. Use code BTWC25 to get the deal.
Read more: The Best Kids Headphones
The Wirecutter Deals Team