Prime Day 2023 is an unofficial holiday for people who love a good deal, with the annual event giving shoppers access to savings that are rarely seen during other parts of the year. While the day is technically an Amazon event, plenty of other retailers have started offering annual mega sales around the same time to try to lure you in. It's a great opportunity to get your holiday shopping done early. You'll find the best bargains outside of Black Friday.

But with all of those potential savings swirling around, it's important to plan things out to ensure you get the best deals possible while stocking up on your favorites. Ready to dive into all that Prime Day season has to offer? Here's what you need to know.

When is Amazon Prime Day 2023?

Amazon Prime Day typically takes place in the summer and, more specifically, July. Prime Day 2022 ran from Tuesday, July 12, through Wednesday, July 13, and it's pretty safe to assume that Prime Day 2023 will occur around the same time. However, Amazon has not yet released official dates for this year's Prime Day.

What is Amazon Prime Day?

Prime Day is a massive sale event that takes place each year and is exclusive to Amazon Prime Members. Prime Day is usually held over two days to give you plenty of time to shop.

If you're not a member, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial now, so you can start savings well in advance of Prime Day. If you want to wait, you can sign up for Amazon Prime anytime, including during the event itself, but it's really best to do it in advance. After all, Prime Members get plenty of perks, including free delivery, access to Prime Video, free Prime Gaming and special sale prices all year.

What type of products will be on sale?

Shopping expert Trae Bodge tells Yahoo Life that there will be a lot of good stuff on serious markdown. "We will see deals on millions of products, but the most exciting deals will be on Amazon’s proprietary brands, like Echo, Fire, Ring and Amazon Essentials," she says.

Michelle Madhok, online shopping expert and founder of deals site SheFinds.com, agrees. "The biggest discounts are always on Amazon products: Amazon devices such as the Kindle, Echo Dot and Fire TV Stick are frequently offered at discounted prices during Prime Day," she tells Yahoo Life.

But there are more than Amazon-brand products on sale. "Other brands that sell their items on Amazon will also be offering deals," Bodge says. "The categories are vast, but as in previous years, many of the deals will be centered around the home category, namely smart-home devices and small home appliances."

What should you stock up on?

There are a lot of great deals to take advantage of, and they're across a wide range of categories. Madhok says electronics are usually winners, specifically smartphones, laptops, tablets, headphones and smart home devices. She also recommends looking at home and kitchen appliances, including refrigerators, washing machines, blenders and air fryers.

"Many clothing brands and beauty companies participate in Prime Day too, offering discounts on their products," Madhok says. "This includes makeup, skincare, clothing and shoes."

Even simple things, such as Amazon Basics toilet paper and Amazon Fresh coffee "usually offer good markdowns," she says.

How to get the best deals on Prime Day

It's easy to go overboard on Prime Day, but Madhok suggests having a plan. "I recommend creating a list of items you need or have been eyeing for a while, setting a budget for yourself and comparing prices across different retailers to ensure that you're getting the best deal," she says.

Some other tips from Bodge:

• Set deal alerts on Slickdeals.net. "Once a deal alert is set, you will receive a heads-up when that item goes on sale," she says. "Because there are typically competitive deal events from other retailers right around Prime Day, this is a good way to learn of sales at any retailer."

• Add your favorite products to your shopping cart and then check in on the cart during Prime Day.

• Add your favorites to a wish list in the Amazon apps and receive notifications if those items go on sale, or subscribe to receive deal notifications for recently viewed items.

• Search for deals of the day in the Amazon App or in the Amazon Assistant browser plug-in.

• Subscribe to receive deal notifications for your recently viewed items by visiting the Prime Early Access Sale page on the Amazon app between now and the event to create deal alerts. "Once the sale begins, you will receive alerts for any deals that are available," Bodge says.

• Click on “Watch the Deal” in "Upcoming Deals” to receive alerts for that item.

Where will the best deals be on Prime Day?

Typically, Amazon has the biggest deals on Prime Day, but, again, plenty of other retailers are trying to offer competitive pricing too. "You should never assume that just because it’s Prime Day you are getting the best deal," Bodge says. I would do a little price sleuthing to see where the item is sold and for how much."

Are there any early Prime Day sales happening now?

Technically, it's too early for Prime Day sales. But Amazon is currently running sales on the following items that also tend to be marked down over Prime Day. If you want to get a head start on savings or just need something ASAP, consider these deals:

Amazon

Adidas Women's Cloudfoam Sneakers

$43$75Save $32

These massively popular sneakers are 45% off right now! They feature Adidas' specialized Cloudfoam cushioning to make it feel like you're walking on air. A stretchy upper with a sock-like style creates a soft feel around your foot. Choose from a huge range of colors.

$43 at Amazon

Amazon

Nutribullet Personal Blender

$50$70Save $20

Blend shakes and smoothies for one with this personal blender. It features a powerful 600 watt base that blends directly into your 24-ounce to-go cup. Once the work is done, simply unscrew and go about your day.

$50 at Amazon

Amazon

Crocs Women's Kadee II Flip Flops

$19$25Save $6

These popular flip flops are water friendly, so you can wear them to the beach and pool with no problem. They have a slight heel, along with a sleek, slim profile. Made from Crocs' special Croslite foam, they feel light on your feet.

$19 at Amazon

Amazon

Apple Watch Series 8

$329$399Save $70

Apple Watches rarely go on sale, but here we are! The Apple Watch 8 features a sport band you can wear anywhere (including in the pool). This smart watch is packed with cool features like blood oxygen tracking, ECG and sleep data. GPS technology helps you to count your daily steps.

$329 at Amazon

Amazon

Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker

$81$100Save $19

Few coffee makers have built up a massive fanbase like the K-Mini. This petite machine (it's just 4.5 inches wide!) won't hog counterspace, but can still churn out delicious K-cup coffee ranging from 6 to 12 ounces in size. There's even a removable drip tray to accommodate travel mugs.

$81 at Amazon

Amazon

Fitbit Charge 5

$123$150Save $27

A sleek fitness tracker that does a little of everything — and it's on sale! The Fitbit Charge 5 offers sleep tracking, a 24/7 heart rate monitor, GPS (so you can track your steps) and more. It comes in three different band colors, allowing you to find the one that's perfect. It's also slim, so it won't hog up all the space on your wrist.

$123 at Amazon

Amazon

Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow

$161$189Save $28

Tempur-Pedic is one of the top sleep brands out there, and it rarely offers sales. Right now, this hugely popular pillow is $40 off! It features the brand's proprietary Tempur fabric for a supportive and comfortable feel. There's also a gel layer on both sides to keep you cool and comfortable while you snooze.

$161 at Amazon

Amazon

The Original Makeup Eraser

$16$20

Save $4 with coupon

Fans completely flip for this reusable makeup eraser. It's simple to use: You just add water to the soft cloth and gently run it over your face. It takes off waterproof mascara, foundation, lipstick...basically everything. Toss it in the wash when you're done.

Save $4 with coupon

$16 at Amazon

Amazon

SoundAsleep Dream Series Queen Air Mattress

$118$210Save $92

The SoundAsleep mattress doesn't have legions of fans for nothing. It features ComfortCoil technology to help you rest easy, along with an internal high capacity pump for easy set-up and take-down.

$118 at Amazon

Amazon

Wetcat Turkish Beach Towel

$24$30Save $6

This oversized towel is made from 100% cotton and dries quickly — a huge plus after you hop out of the pool. It also rolls up small for easy packing. Choose from a range of on-sale colors.

$24 at Amazon

Amazon

Eufy by Anker BoostIQ RoboVac 11S

$140$230Save $90

This slim vacuum easily glides under couches. It features an impressive 1300Pa of suction but manages to be quiet while cleaning. Control all the action from a handy remote.

$140 at Amazon

Amazon

Inspired Ivory Boho Throw Pillow Covers

$38$50Save $12

Upgrade your 18-by-18-inch throw pillows with these boho covers. They feature a slew of designs, including knotted, vegan leather and black striped for a chic look.

$38 at Amazon

Amazon

Amazon Fire TV 55" 4-Series 4K UHD Smart TV

$380$520Save $140

Thanks to 4K Ultra HD, you'll get four times the number of pixels of Full HD screen, so colors absolutely pop. Link the TV to other smart-home devices and enjoy easy access to tons of apps, from Amazon Prime to Netflix.

$380 at Amazon

Amazon

Apple AirPods

$99$159Save $60

Enjoy more than 24 hours of battery life with these classic earbuds. You can also share audio between two sets of AirPods on your iPhone, iPad or Apple TV.

$99 at Amazon

Amazon

Etekcity Smart Scale

$22$30Save $8

Made of tempered glass with four high-precision sensors, this scale will help you keep track of your weight for years to come. It measures in both pounds and kilograms and lets you follow your progress through an app.

$22 at Amazon

Amazon

Philips Premium Airfryer XXL

$178$350Save $172

This air fryer is a beast that can handle up to three pounds (or seven quarts) of food at once — that's a lot of chicken tenders! Enjoy fat removal technology to get a healthier fry.

$178 at Amazon