Here’s What ‘Popular Mechanics’ Editors Snagged During Amazon Prime Big Deals Day

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

With the holidays around the corner, Amazon Big Deals Day has become the first shopping event of the fall to offer major discounts across the board. From October 10 to October 11, the collective online shopping hemisphere stopped and perused through some of the best deals of the season on everything from brand-new mattresses to robot vacuums.

While its impossible to catch every sale during Big Deals Day, our staff here at Popular Mechanics found a few items we liked enough to take home ourselves. With a professional edge at finding the right sales and products as well as rather eclectic personal taste, our team took home some items that improve our homes, support our hobbies, or simply scratch that curious itch we’ve got for new toys and gadgets.

Our shopping carts were filled with everything from smart light bulbs to brand new Lego toy sets, so even if you aren’t quite sure what you’re looking for, there are certainly some items to pique your interest. Whether you’re looking for some gifts as a part of your early holiday shopping or just looking to fill your own empty cart, check out all the items our editors bought during Amazon Big Deals Day.

More from Prime Big Deal Days:

• Prime Big Deal Days Artificial Christmas Tree Sale

• Score Board Games on Sale for Prime Big Deal Days

• Prime Day Crocs Deals 2023

Walking Pad Treadmill with Audio Speakers

Exercise doesn’t always have to be on a track or in the gym. This walking pad treadmill from Citysports fits comfortably under a desk or table, so you can keep your body moving, even during the workday.

The convenience of working out at any time alongside the enticing sale price piqued the interest of Reviews Editor Micki Wagner, who snagged one during Amazon Prime Big Deals Day.

This walking pad comes with a cushioned design to reduce shock and even two different modes so you can both walk and run on it with ease—and it’s still discounted to under $200 right now.

Soy Aromatherapy Candle, Snowdrop

A brand as multi-faceted as it is effective, Mrs. Meyers is a household favorite for its hand soaps, cleaning products, and of course, its candles. These soy aromatherapy candles are a personal favorite of Senior Features Editor Jennifer Leman.

This candle is scented Snowdrop, a special holiday scent that is both floral, yet light and palatable to more sensitive noses.

An outspoken fan of the candles, Leman says, “I worship at the altar of Mrs. Meyers, so you can bet I’ll be purchasing these soy wax aromatherapy candles in Snowdrop, my favorite of their winter holiday scents!”

Roller Pet Hair Remover and Reusable Lint Roller

If you have a pet, consider getting this ChomChom roller. Designed to trap lint and pet hair specifically, it certainly enticed our senior editor, Eunice Lucero-Lee.

Going into the purchase, she said, “I thought the Chom Chom Roller was just another one of those cheap-y home goods gimmicks you see advertised on your Instagram algo—but boy, was I wrong. Not only does it get rid of cat hair on virtually every surface (except hard floors), it’s also 100 percent efficient and zero-waste. I am ashamed it took me years to join its over 150,000 five-star stans on Amazon.”

Time is up for her cat, who’s been known to shed her very long (very luxe) fur all over Lucero-Lee’s apartment.

Engage Earplugs for Conversation

“Movie theaters are too loud. Oppenheimer? Too loud! Fast X? Too loud! I’ve finally come around and decided to protect my hearing,” says Senior Features Editor Jennifer Leman.

Even if our hearts stay young, our ears will keep getting older. Instead of withstanding years of blasting movies, shows, and concerts, consider grabbing a pair of earplugs from Loop.

Unlike many earplugs that muffle out noise, these earplugs are designed specifically to reduce noise levels without losing clarity. In fact, they are made so even if you are having a normal conversation, you can hear clearly, simply at a lower volume.

Men’s Gel-Nimbus 24 Running Shoes

Whether you’re working toward a new PR every week or simply trying to get active before the holiday, these Gel-Nimbus 24 running shoes from Asics come with all the tools you need to thrive. Our senior reviews editor, Cat Bowen, who’s an incredibly active runner herself, bought a pair for her husband.

These running shoes have a heavily cushioned midsole that relies on sections of gel to absorb the initial impact of your foot landing mid-stride and responsive cushioning to bounce you back from the road.

Smart Light Bulbs

Take your home to the next level with a pack of smart light bulbs from Govee. This multipack is a great way to not just create the mood with your one corner lamp, but with your entire home. Our deputy editor of reviews, Zoë Hannah, did exactly this.

She says, “I got a pack of these when I moved into my new apartment because my landlord bought the brightest, most offensive bulbs for the big light.”

During Big Deals Day, she decided “to add to another room—the app works well, they do tons of colors, and they’re really easy to use even if you prefer to use the normal light switch rather than your phone.”

Insider Game

A card game with a bit more to it and meets the “eye,” the Insider Game by Oink Games is a fun take on the party game genre that comes with a health dose of paranoia and suspicion.

A perfect party game, this was an easy pickup for our Senior Features Editor, Jennifer Leman, who was already a big fan of other work from Oink Games.

When explaining why she chose Insider, she says, “I have loved almost everything Oink Games has put out. The games are super compact, so you can easily stow them in your purse or bag. Insider is my favorite of the bunch and one of the easiest to pick up.”

P0 Ultralight Single Serve French Coffee Press

An early commute or camping in the woods shouldn’t keep you from a quality cup of coffee. Both Espro and our senior SEO director, Erica Murphy, agree. This single-serve French press coffee maker is an easy way to have a gourmet cup while on the go.

“Now that we’re back in the office three days a week, I wanted to find a little morning ritual that would get me excited for the work day. I love coffee, and was looking for a way to make my coffee experience in the office as good as my coffee experience when I’m at home,” says Murphy.

Instead of relenting and using our in-office coffee machine (like I do), she “settled on this single-serve french press from our piece on portable coffee makers, and now I’m looking forward to making my own fresh brew at work.”

Star Wars 2023 Advent Calendar

Christmas is around the corner, and what better way to help count down the days than with an advent calendar. If you’re going to get an advent calendar, is there a better one to get than this Lego Star Wars option?

According to our Senior Features Editor, Jennifer Leman, the answer is decisively no.

“I’ll just come out and say it: I am buying this for myself. Winter can be brutal, but I’m certain this Star Wars LEGO advent calendar will brighten my December. I mean, please, they put Palpatine in an ugly Christmas sweater? Put it in your cart. Do it,” says Leman.

Smart RGBIC Outdoor Lights

Don’t let string lights become another hassle of the holidays. These smart outdoor lights from Govee are the easy way to light up your home, whether it’s for the holidays or any day of the year. Our producer, Barry Knoblach, snagged them at a discount during Amazon Big Deals Day.

Because they are smart lights, you can swap the color scheme, create patterns, or even set the lights to music. As a result, they work just as well for Christmas as they do for Halloween, as they do for 4th of July.

Amelia Earheart Tribute Exclusive Building Set

Give the gift of flight this holiday season (or at least the imagination of it) with this Amelia Earhart Lego toy set. Our favorite shopper and Senior Features Editor Jennifer Leman grabbed this toy set as a gift for her nephew.

“My 10-year-old nephew wants to be a pilot, just like his parents, so I’ll be gifting him this Amelia Earhart LEGO set for Christmas. I just hope he develops a better sense of direction,” she says.

This set comes with a display pad for the iconic aircraft as well as an Amelia Earhart figurine.

You Might Also Like

• The Do’s and Don’ts of Using Painter’s Tape

• The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere

• Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?