What Not to Buy During Amazon Prime Big Deal Days 2025

Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sale event officially starts tomorrow, but the site has already dropped thousands of impressive deals. Whenever there’s a massive sale underway, it can be tempting to fill your cart with the most exciting Prime Day deals, but before you get carried away, we’re sharing the 15 products you shouldn’t buy during the sale.

As professional shoppers, we’re well-versed in which Amazon products are actually worth your money. Keep reading to discover what you should—and shouldn’t—buy this October Prime Day, including Apple AirTags, a Samsonite luggage set, and more.

Best Amazon Prime Day Deals

Don’t Buy: a Commuter Backpack

Do Buy: a Carry-on Backpack

Travel backpacks are a popular personal item option, and for good reason: They’re comfortable to carry, spacious, and often have plenty of organizational pockets. If you’re planning on using your bag exclusively for travel, we recommend opting for a carry-on backpack rather than a standard commuter style. This Matein Carry-on Backpack is designed to hold up to five days’ worth of clothes, and it opens like a clamshell for easy packing. Plus, despite its large capacity, multiple reviewers report that it fits underneath most airplane seats. 

Don’t Buy: a Single-port Power Bank

Do Buy: a Multi-cord Portable Charger

We always recommend you keep a power bank or portable charger on hand. If you’re torn between the various discounted options, we recommend the Charmast Portable Charger, which can charge up to six devices at a time. Unlike standard power banks, this charger comes with four built-in cables—so you never have to worry about bringing an extra cord with you.

Don’t Buy: a Single Piece of Luggage

Do Buy: a Luggage Set

Prime Big Deal Days is one of the best times of year to buy new luggage. Take advantage of the deals by scoring a luggage set from one of our favorite luggage brands, Samsonite. Thanks to the impressive discount, it’s basically a two-for-one deal. The set comes with a carry-on and checked bag, both hardside pieces that reviewers call durable and lightweight.

Don’t Buy: Travel-size Toiletry Products

Do Buy: Reusable Toiletry Bottles

If you’re still traveling with travel-size toiletries, take this as a sign: It’s time to upgrade. These reusable toiletry bottles are easier on the environment—and your wallet. With this 18-piece set, you’ll get a toiletry bag, four silicone bottles, two spray bottles, four cream jars, and more. One reviewer used this set on a 13-day trip to Europe and didn’t experience a single leak, noting they “went through customs and TSA without any issues.”

Don’t Buy: Trending Single-season Shoes

Do Buy: Versatile Walking Shoes

While it can be tempting to use October Prime Day to fill your wardrobe with the latest trends, we recommend buying tried-and-true styles instead. New Balance is a podiatrist-recommended brand, and these New Balance 515s have over 6,500 perfect ratings. They’re an ideal balance of style and function, with an easy-to-style design and comfortable fit. Throw them in your suitcase to guarantee pain-free walking tours, all vacation long.

Don’t Buy: a Traditional Luggage Tag

Do Buy: Apple AirTags

While a traditional luggage tag makes it easier to identify your luggage at baggage claim, an Apple AirTag is better for locating your checked bag if it happens to get lost. (Pair it with a distinctive AirTag holder for the best of both worlds.) If you snag this four-pack, you can even track your wallet or purse if your items get stolen during travel. There are near-endless uses for these devices—some shoppers even attach them to their dogs’ collars. 

Don’t Buy: Luggage Organizer Bags

Do Buy: Compression Packing Cubes

There are plenty run-of-the-mill luggage organizers and packing cubes available at Amazon, but they pale in comparison to compression packing cubes. These Bagail Compression Packing Cubes won’t just keep your items organized; they also allow you to pack more. That means you can avoid unnecessary checked baggage fees while simultaneously packing an extra outfit or two. One shopper even packed for a 10-day trip with just a carry-on, thanks to this innovative set. 

Don’t Buy: a Bulky Coat

Do Buy: a Packable Puffer

With cold weather creeping in, it’s a smart idea to use October Prime Day to invest in a cold-weather coat. Instead of opting for a bulky option, travelers should opt for a packable puffer instead. This best-selling Amazon Essentials coat is perfect for cold (but not freezing) temperatures, and it folds down small to fit into the included pouch. That means you can throw it in your carry-on or everyday bag and still have plenty of room for other essentials. It’s available in sizes XS–6X and 17 colors. 

Don’t Buy: Matching Sweatshirt and Sweatpants

Do Buy: a Knit Matching Set

Sweatsuits are a foolproof way to look cute and feel cozy on long travel days, but knit matching sets are much more versatile. The Anrabess Knit Set features a trendy polo sweater and wide-leg knit pants, and we love that both pieces can be styled with other options in your travel wardrobe. Pair the sweater with your favorite jeans for a stylish and comfy ensemble, or style the knit pants with an oversized button-down for a more elevated look. One traveler wore this set on an overseas flight and called it “so comfortable,” adding that they looked polished rather than “sloppy.” 

Don’t Buy: Over-ear Headphones

Do Buy: Noise-canceling Earbuds

Over-ear headphones have seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, but we still think noise-canceling earbuds are the best bet for travelers. The Apple AirPods Pro 2 will drown out noisy airline cabins, allowing you to sleep peacefully despite engine noise and the occasional crying baby. Thanks to their comfortable and sleek design, you won’t have to worry about them falling out or feeling heavy, which is why we prefer them to over-ear options. Best of all, they can last up to 30 hours thanks to the charging case. 

Don’t Buy: a Shoulder Bag

Do Buy: a Belt Bag

If you’re shopping for an upcoming trip, we recommend you remove any shoulder bags from your wishlist. Instead, opt for a belt bag that will keep your items much more secure. This Bagsmart Belt Bag fits the bill: It has just enough room for your essentials, comfortably fitting your phone, wallet, passport, and lip balm. 

Don’t Buy: an iPad

Do Buy: an Amazon Kindle

You can usually snag great Apple deals during Amazon Prime Big Deal Days. However, no matter how tempting it may be, you shouldn’t snag a new device just because it’s on sale. If you’re looking for a new form of in-flight entertainment, consider an Amazon Kindle instead of a new iPad. It’s significantly less expensive, gives you access to over 15 million books, and has thousands of rave reviews. Plus, who couldn’t use a little less screentime?

Don’t Buy: Pepper Spray

Do Buy: Portable Safety Alarm

If you’re the type to carry pepper spray or a self-defense device, you may want to consider purchasing a less risky form of protection. The She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm allows you to easily alert others when you’re in danger, and unlike other devices, you can bring it with you on planes and into concert venues. Plus, there’s no risk of you accidentally injuring yourself with this alarm. It rarely goes on sale, so be sure to snag it while the deal lasts. 

Don’t Buy: an Impractical Straw Tumbler

Do Buy: a Leak-proof Water Bottle

Tumblers like the Stanley Quencher are great for hydration at home, but they’re not practical for travel since you can’t throw them in your personal item without worrying about leaks. An Owala FreeSip is ideal for travelers. It has a secure, leak-proof lid, and you can drink from the built-in straw—and, it’s on sale today.

Don’t Buy: Restrictive Leggings

Do Buy: Comfy, Wide-leg Yoga Pants

If you’ve been to an airport in the past 15 years, you know that many travelers opt to wear leggings when they fly. While they may be comfortable, we recommend you wear wide-leg yoga pants instead. These Promover pants feature a similar spandex material that’s comfortable enough for long-haul flights, but they look more sophisticated than leggings. Plus, thanks to the wide-leg silhouette, they’re more breathable, too. 

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