What is Amazon Prime Day?

Learn all the ins and outs of getting the best deals on Amazon Prime Day.  (Amazon)

Amazon just ended its annual Prime Day sale, but some are still questioning: What is Amazon Prime Day? For those of you who were not already up, late into the night watching the last flash deals and placing your orders before midnight of the Prime Day sale, here is what you need to know about Amazon's biggest sale of the year. 

This year, Amazon Prime Day ran from July 16 to 17. For two days, Prime members saw incredible deals on everything from electronics to home essentials at some of the lowest prices so far this year. If you missed Prime Day deals, don't worry; check back next year – Amazon's annual two-day sale event typically happens in the summer, usually in July.  

What is Amazon Prime Day?

This is one of Amazon's biggest sales, offering deals across every category, from electronics and kitchen appliances to back-to-school gear, outdoor items, sleep products and more. During the two-day event, new deals can drop as often as every five minutes during certain times.

You must be an Amazon Prime member to access the deals, and you can find all the deals by visiting Amazon's homepage or downloading the app. You can also visit Amazon's Deal page to see its latest deals. If you're not a Prime member, sign up or start a free trial to access Amazon's Prime Day savings. Prime membership costs $139 annually or $14.99 per month — and if you're a student, don't forget to take advantage of special pricing discounts on a Prime membership.

Missed Amazon Prime Day? Check out these popular items

This list includes some of the most popular items on sale during Amazon's Prime Day event. And you may still be able to score big savings on some of these picks.

Mini Chainsaw Cordless Battery Powered: on sale for $39.96

Original price:$59.99

This small chain saw was a popular seller and you can still grab it on sale. (Amazon)

This small chain saw was a popular seller. It is the only four-inch compact chainsaw with an auto oiling system. It is equipped with a brushless motor and a high-hardness chain for efficient and powerful cutting.

Craftsman Mechanics Tool Set: on sale for $19.98

Original price: $34.98

Craftsman tool set is still on sale. (Amazon)

You can still get a big discount on this Craftsman tool set. Perfect for automotive and DIY repairs, the 20-piece tool set is a flexible platform that allows for many different combinations of storage solutions based on user needs.  

Apple Watch Series 9: on sale for $279.99

Original price: $399

Grab an Apple watch at a great price. (Amazon)

The Apple Watch Series 9 watch has a super bright display, and you can quickly and easily interact without touching the screen. Advanced health, safety, and activity features provide powerful insights and help when needed. 

DEWALT Drill Bit Set: on sale for $9.98

Original price: $16.99

These drill bits have a coating to prevent rust.  (Amazon)

The Dewalt Black and Gold Metal Drill Bits feature a black and gold coating to prevent rust. They also have a 3-flat shank to reduce spin-out in the chuck.  

iRobot Roomba j7: on sale for $399.99

Original price: $799.99

This robot vacuum empties itself. (Amazon)

The Roomba j7 robot vacuum empties on its own and comes with unique intelligence to avoid cords and pet waste. It even understands when you’re home and when more cleaning may be needed.

Cervical pillow: on sale for $49.99

Originally $69.99

Get a better night's sleep with the right pillow.  (Amazon)

The Osteo Cervical Pillow for Neck Pain Relief is made to help with spinal alignment, and relieves neck and back pain, helping you get a better night’s sleep.

Countertop Ice Maker: on sale for $169.99

Original price: 214.99

Make all the ice you need quickly.  (Amazon )

This Silonn Nugget Countertop Ice Maker is portable, making it easy to use anywhere in your home or office. It makes up to 33 pounds of ice daily and can make ice in as little as six minutes.

Portable monitor for laptop: on sale for $77.68

Original price: $149.99

Bring a larger screen that easily connects to your devices.  (Amazon )

If you need more viewing capacity for your laptop, a portable monitor gives you just that. Go mobile when you get a portable monitor for your laptop. It lets you connect your laptop, PC, MAC, tablet, phone, XBOX or PlayStation.

Cordless leaf blower: on sale for $99.99

Original price: 139.99

Clean up your yard easily with a cordless leaf blower.  (Amazon )

The 21V Electric Cordless Leaf Blower comes with two batteries and a charger. Use it continuously for 20 minutes to get some small projects done and then charge the batteries fast for continued use.

K-Cup pod coffee maker: on sale for $73

Original price: $99.99

Make the perfect cup of coffee with a Keurig.  (Amazon)

For single-serve coffee fast, get a Keurig K-Mini Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker. It’s the perfect addition to a small kitchen or dorm room, and it comes in multiple colors. 

Other Amazon sale events

Don't fret if you missed the Prime Day sale, Amazon typically has other sales it runs during the year. For example, last year, in early October, Amazon kicked off its Prime Big Deal Days. The retailer has also run its annual Holiday Beauty Haul toward the end of October.

In November last year, Amazon held it's Black Friday sale, which ran a few days before Thanksgiving. Amazon's Cyber Week ran around the same time, offering great deals on everything from home essentials to top-rated tech. 

And Amazon's Baby Sale event, which ran in February this year, offered a once-a-year opportunity to save and stock up on all things baby from top brands like Graco, Owlet, Evenflo and more. Shoppers found more Spring savings during Amazon's Big Spring Sale, which ran in March this year.