6 cheap deals under $25 I’d buy before Prime Day (and why you need them)

October Prime Day starts on Oct. 7, but there’s no need to wait to scoop up some of the cheapest (yet functional) buys. I’m talking no-fuss, under $25 gadgets that make your life easier and won’t leave you with buyer’s remorse. 

Also: The best October Prime Day deals 

I test nifty gear and accessories 24/7/365, and as ZDNET’s deals and shopping editor, I know my way around a sale page. I’m a voracious deal hunter, but some of my best advice for maximizing savings is to shop strategically, purchasing everyday items or essentials that won’t break the bank. It satisfies the shopping itch and is a great way to make the sales work for your cash, not vice versa. So go ahead, make an impulse purchase — you won’t have to return any of these gizmos. 

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 cheap deals I’d buy before Prime Day

You can’t go wrong with a smart plug to upgrade your home. Turn on lights, appliances, decor, and more from your phone. I use several brands of smart plugs, but Amazon’s version is 52% off right now. One smart plug normally sells for $25; right now, you can get two for less than that. Plus, with holidays around the corner, these smart plugs are perfect for controlling seasonal decor and lights. 

Also: These 7 smart plug hacks changed how I run my home – here’s the setup

I’d buy these anytime just to be able to avoid using a light switch, and I’ll be stocking up for my new home. Our smart home expert, Maria Diaz, also loves smart plugs and has fully optimized her home with them. 

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I paid full price for this ($25) and’d do it again. This Anker 8-outlet surge protector perfectly fits my cable management boxes under my desk and nightstand. I love the variety of ports (there are USB-C and USB-A ports built in), and the outlet placements on the top and sides of the unit make it easy to arrange all the cords I need without hassle. You can get a 10-foot cord for a few dollars more, too. 

This is a flawless buy — no notes — and it’s so much better than those clunky, long surge protectors. 

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This isn’t on sale, and it doesn’t need to be, because it’s so cheap. This lens and screen cleaner kit is a deal in itself, and it’s my absolute favorite. Koala cleaner is my go-to for keeping my prescription glasses, laptop, iPhone, tablet, and other items streak, smudge, and dirt-free. The bottle lasts forever, and the special K-Cloth is perfect for cleaning my gross fingerprints off my glasses and tech. 

Also: This $8 cleaning solution is my new favorite tech essential – see the results for yourself

It’s formulated for most speciality glass, too, including coated camera and eyeglass lenses, and I would know. This has not damaged the anti-glare coating on my glasses at all and I’ve been using it for years. Immediate add-to-cart, no regrets. You can’t beat this for $8. 

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The ability to change your lamp light color for under $10? Spectacular. Like smart plugs, smart bulbs are an easy way to elevate and upgrade your home lifestyle and routine, and they are extra fun for holidays, parties, and more. 

Make your house the club — or don’t — the choice is yours, but you can’t go wrong with this deal. 

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Besides being optimistic that it would work better than Q-tips, I’m not sure what possessed me to purchase this little gizmo, but I’m glad I did. And now my knowledge is your knowledge.  This AirPods cleaner tool has a 4.5/5 star rating and over 10,000 reviews, so at least others agree with me. 

It’s dual-ended, with a soft bristle tool on one side and a sharp scraper and a small brush combo on the other. It does its job and is handy. Would buy again. 

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This is also not on sale, but it’s the best $13 I’ve spent in the last 6 months. I hate “shiny keys,” aka fingerprint oil, dirt, and all of the other junk that makes your keyboard look absolutely disgusting, and I learned the hard way that I should have bought a keyboard protector when I got my new work MacBook Pro. Lesson learned — but don’t make my mistake. 

This keyboard cover is clear and barely noticeable, lightweight and thin, and doesn’t hinder my screen when it’s closed. It does keep all the gross crud off of my keys, and it comes off easily, so I can shamelessly shake off crumbs from between keys. Bonus is that it helps keep accidental spills from running into your keys, too (IT if you’re reading this I am not speaking from experience or anything). Invest in your Mac and protect your keys! 

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When is October Prime Day 2025? 

October Prime Day (or Prime Big Deal Days) returns on Tuesday, Oct. 7, and runs through Wednesday, Oct. 8 this year. 

What are the best early Prime Day deals?

ZDNET’s experts have been searching through early Prime Day and other sales to find the best discounts by category. These are the best deals live now:

And the best deals from other retailers:

More questions? Read our Prime Day guide to discover everything you need to know about Amazon’s October sale event.