These Thoughtful, Wirecutter-Approved Gifts Are on Sale for Prime Day

New York Times

6 hours ago

$62 $50 from Amazon
What we like: A hair oil we like in our guide to last-minute Mother's Day gifts. Lightweight and hydrating. Formulated with a blend of camellia, marula, and argan oils. Soothes frizz and flyaways. Adds a nice, glossy sheen without weighing hair down or looking greasy.
Other things to know: Add one or two pumps to the lengths (not scalp) of towel- or fully dried hair. Street price has risen substantially in the past year due to a new formula and new (smaller) bottle, but this is a solid deal for the new version. Deal is for the 2.53-ounce size.
Read more: The 34 Best Last-Minute Mother's Day Gifts
What we like: Our upgrade pick for the best lattice-weave bath towel. Lighter, drapes better, and dries faster than any terry towel we tried. Minimalist, upscale look. Comes in a wide range of colors. 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 weaves are prone to snags. Texture may not be for everyone. Six-piece set includes two bath towels, two hand towels, and two face towels. Use code WCBUNDLEJULY to get the deal.
Read more: The Best Bath Towel
What we like: Our top pick for a sleek, contoured fanny pack. This casually cool nylon pack has a flexible crescent shape that nestles snugly against the body. The detachable handbag-style shoulder strap adds versatility. Lack of bulk and silky nylon material make it flexible and light. Interior is spacious and well organized.
Other things to know: Operating the hooked waist clasp can be tricky. Our only fanny-pack pick with no warranty coverage. Deal for the pink color includes the cost of shipping.
Read more: The Best Fanny Packs
What we like: A gift-pick coffee subscription service. Delivers satisfying coffee at a low price. Plenty of customization. Sources beans from countries all over the world, so you'll always have something new to try. Each bag includes a postcard with fun facts about the country's coffee industry.
Other things to know: New subscribers can use code WCSUMMER25 for 60% off their first two-bag subscription. Street price has risen, but the free shipping effectively makes this discount cheaper than most similar promos out there.
Read more: The 36 Best Gifts for Coffee Lovers
$32 $25 from Amazon
What we like: Our softer foam-roller pick. Medium density (similar to foam packing material) is ideal for rolling newbies or those seeking a gentler touch. Polyethylene foam has more give than firmer EPP and still maintains its shape under pressure. More versatile than shorter rollers.
Other things to know: Foam is more likely to compress and warp with long-term use than that of firmer EPP rollers. Deal on 36-inch roller in gray. Street price has risen significantly since we last posted in 2020.
Read more: The Best Foam Rollers
$35 $27 from Amazon
What we like: Our top earplugs pick for concerts. Easy to put in. Comfortable to wear for extended periods. The only universal-fit (aka musician-style) earplugs that all of our testers said they would be happy to use regularly. Comes with four pairs of tips to provide a secure fit for most ear shape.
Other things to know: Noise reduction rating of 12 dB. No universal-fit earplugs will reduce different sounds as evenly as a custom-designed set. Manufacturer suggests replacing ear tips about every three to six months.
Read more: The Best Earplugs for Concerts
$68 $55 from Amazon
What we like: Our top chemical face-sunscreen pick that's nicely scented and available in bulk. Good for face and body. Rubs in easily and is nearly transparent once applied. Light, pleasant scent. User-friendly pump bottle.
Other things to know: Some testers noted that it left them feeling greasy. The 18-ounce jug is the most affordable size on a per-ounce basis. We have seen it slightly cheaper during a recent sale, but drops below this price are pretty uncommon.
Read more: The Best Sunscreens for Your Face
$160 $125 from Amazon
What we like: Our upgrade e-reader pick. Worth upgrading to if you want a bigger screen for reading more text at a time, if you want to adjust the color temperature as well as the lighting, and if you do a lot of reading at the beach or by a pool. Seamless Audible integration for audiobook lovers.
Other things to know: 2024 price hikes are irritating, especially considering Amazon declined to include long-requested features like physical page-turn buttons in this upgrade. Deal for the ad-supported model with 16 GB of storage.
Read more: The Best E-Reader
$43 $37 from Walmart $43 from Amazon
(set of eight)
What we like: A set of bud vases we like in multiple gift guides. Made of clear, durable borosilicate glass. Features fluted, slightly frilly Victorian edges. Appears way more expensive than they are. Look great in a cluster on a shelf or in a row down the center of a table.
Other things to know: Pro tip: For a gift with true flower power, grab a bouquet for the recipient on the way. The tallest vase is 6 inches. Deal price is for a set of eight clear vases.
Read more: The 36 Best Gifts for Your Mother-in-Law
$258 $204 from Cuyana (small size)
What we like: A smaller version of the best luxurious open-top leather tote bag. Elegant and lightweight. Easily transitions from casual outings to formal settings. Two sets of handles in different lengths to carry it multiple ways. Made from supple Italian leather.
Other things to know: Smaller than our pick, but still big enough to fit what you need (including up to a 14-inch laptop). Unstructured, so it won't stand upright. No organization features aside from one internal pocket. Pricey, but we think it's a worthy investment. Two-year warranty. Use code WCSPECIAL.
Read more: The Best Tote Bags
What we like: A gift pick pickleball paddle set we like for players who want to bring flair to the court. The Advanced Midnight edition is a special edition paddle with some key changes for more power, control, and spin. An oiled carbon fiber surface, a heavier honeycomb polypropylene core, and slightly longer shape make for an even better paddle.
Other things to know: Approved by USA pickleball. Carbon fiber surface is a nice upgrade over the regular version's fiberglass-veneer surface, and the heavier polypropylene core adds extra heft and power. Despite the heavier core, it's only 0.1-ounce heavier than the regular version (7.9 ounces vs. 7.8 ounces). Use code WCRECESSMIDNIGHT.
Read more: The 14 Best Gifts for Pickleball Players
What we like: A luxe body wash we like as a gift for moms. A gentle gel cleanser formulated with niacinamide, vitamins C and E, and cacay, marula, and meadowfoam oils. Leaves skin softly cleansed and silky-smooth yet not dry. Comes in an extremely chic bottle or a larger pump style.
Other things to know: Its skin-like pH is gentle on the skin barrier. Comes in unscented and several scents. We expect to see it drop slightly lower here and there, but this is still a decent value.
Read more: The 34 Best Last-Minute Mother's Day Gifts
$180 $135 from Amazon
What we like: A gift pick from our guide to gifts for golfers. This reliable midrange model with 6x magnification and laser-guided pin acquisition helps golfers read the course and improve their strategy. Laser rangefinder measures distance, also calculates the slopes and angles between two points.
Other things to know: Not allowed on the PGA Tour. Range of 5 to 1,000 yards. Waterproof. Deal on red, standard edition. Use code NYTPD10.
Read more: 18 Gifts for Golfers That They'll Actually Like
What we like: The best men's pajama set in playful patterns for gifting or treating yourself. Smartly tailored cotton jammies. Come in a whimsical, wishlist-worthy array of patterns, stripes, and prints. Sharp cut and smooth woven cotton fabric that gets softer with time.
Other things to know: Pricey. Tailored, tapered cut of the pants isn't for everyone. Check the size chart carefully, since one panelist found that his Henry top (size L, Skier Jacquard) ran notably large and wide, while two others (both size M, Red Breton Stripe and Marine Stripe) found that their sets were true to size. Price reflects in cart and includes shipping. Use code HEATWAVE for deal price. FINAL SALE.
Read more: The Best Pajamas
$120 $82 from Amazon
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
Elissa Sanci contributed reporting.
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I cover products, news, and design advice related to furniture, lighting, decor, and interiors.