The best Amazon Prime Day deals for gamers live: early discounts are landing now

Deal!

This is a deal I’ve been waiting to write up, and it’s only started appearing in the last couple of weeks. The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is the best gaming phone we’ve tested so far here at GamesRadar+, but it carries a price tag to match. The slick design, excellent performance, and still-solid camera (trust me, that’s rare on devices like this) make for a premium experience overall. If you use a mobile controller, though, it’s worth noting that there’s an offset USB-C port here, which can make plug-in models a bit tricky. 

Editor’s Pick!

The Endgame Gear KB65HE quick climbed the ranks to become my favorite 65% gaming keyboard on the market after I reviewed it back in February. It’s got everything you could ask for from an ultra-customizable deck (aside from a wireless connection that is). Hot-swappable switches mean you can easily plug and play with whatever clackers you want, though I’d really keep those stock Gaterons inside. These are magnetic hall effect switches, which means their actual actuation point can be personalized. Not only that, but you’ve got a much wider range of sensitivity options compared to the far more expensive SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL. 

This was already a well-priced deck considering its feature list, so I’m pretty excited it’s taken an extra discount ahead of Prime Day. 

Deal!

The Alienware AW3423DWF is a fantastic piece of kit with some truly next-gen features. It’s also packed into a particularly impressive price tag right now – I haven’t seen any other $699.99 gaming monitors rivalling the kind of value Dell is. This offer has just appeared direct at Dell’s site, but if my experience with discounts like this is anything to go by it’s not going to last long. 

Everything you need to know about buying a gaming headset on Prime Day

If I know Prime Day like I think I do, I can pretty confidently say we’re going to be seeing a lot of discounts on gaming headsets tomorrow. But it’s important to know exactly what you want from a headset before diving into the offers – that way you know you’re getting the best value for your cash and your setup. Here’s a quickfire guide to everything you want to be thinking about when those offers roll in at midnight. 

Connection: If you’re on PC, a wireless connection isn’t going to be as big a factor as it would on PS5, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch. Adding a cord into the mix can save you a considerable amount of cash and means you don’t have to worry about charging. However, if you do want to go without the tether, it’s important to consider not just your 2.4GHz options but also Bluetooth. A lot of headsets are shipping with both connection features these days – and the latter makes for a particularly versatile device. 

Mic: Flip to mute or detachable? Always there or never even taken out of the box? If you play online regularly you’ll want to invest a little more in the quality of your microphone, but also make sure its form factor suits your Steam library. If you never play with chat, for example, it’s going to get pretty annoying having a constant non-detachable arm in front of your face. 

Style: I know, it doesn’t really matter what a headset looks like when you’re using it – but if you plan on doubling up your gaming device as an everyday set of headphones it’s worth making sure they look the part. Commuting with something like the Cyberman-styled Astro A50 X is going to look a little odd. 

Size: It’s incredibly important to ensure your gaming headset fits right – otherwise you’re going to have some uncomfortable late-night sessions. If you know you have a particularly large or particularly small noggin, make sure you double-check the adjustment options around the headband and ensure the earcups have a good 180-degree swivel.  

Does Prime Day apply to everything?

Amazon makes a big deal about Prime Day, but not everything is included in its annual sale. I often see more specialist devices like gaming PCs, components, and gaming phones left out of the equation – but there’s no guarantee that a Prime deal will land on anything across Amazon’s site. Well, apart from an Echo Dot maybe. 

How often is Prime Day?

Traditionally, Amazon Prime Day only rolls up once a year – around the middle of July. However, the last two years have given us something extra – another Prime event taking place in October. I’ve grown used to this double dip now, as have many other shoppers itching for more deals come the fall. That means I would expect to see another event later on this year as well. The short answer? Amazon Prime Day used to only take place once a year, but it’s more likely twice annually now. 

Can you see Prime Day deals in advance?

Amazon usually keeps its Prime Day deals close to its chest until the big day, but I have seen the retailer offering sneak peaks in the past. Invite-only deals seem to be the ticket here – you can view the exact items Amazon reckons will be of interest to you before they go on sale but this is hit and miss. 

I have, however, seen lightning deals teasing themselves before going live on the day. If you want a heads up for new deals, that’s where I’d camp. 

Remember that Razer Blade 16 deal I just found – I’ve got a better one… and it’ll save you a grand

I was looking for more RTX 4070 gaming laptop deals when I came across this $400 discount on the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16. It’s a machine I tested fairly recently, and while it doesn’t quite outperform the Blade below I’d argue it’s the better pick for most players right now. You’re still getting a similar configuration with an OLED (albeit a weaker OLED) panel, but you’re only spending $1,599. That’s a cool K less than Razer’s current sale price. 

Best Buy is winning for PS5 game deals right now

I’ve crawled through Best Buy’s entire anti-Prime Day sale and found that the yellow label is actually beating Amazon for PS5 game deals right now. There’s a bunch of (admittedly older) titles going for $19.99 that Bezos can’t seem to match today. That will likely change tomorrow, but I still don’t see those numbers dropping any further in the near-future. 

Dead Island 2 | $29.99 $19.99 at Best Buy

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 | $39.99 $19.99 at Best Buy

Sackboy: A Big Adventure | $59.99 $19.99 at Best Buy

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection | $49.99 $19.99 at Best Buy

Should you buy the Asus ROG Ally on Prime Day?

Ah the Asus ROG Ally, the little handheld that could. Of course, this is an extremely powerful device, but when I received one for testing ahead of its launch it felt like pretty much everything was borked. Fast forward to today, and it’s my daily driver – my poor PS5 barely gets a look in and if you think I’m busting out a whole gaming laptop just to tap around in Octopath you’re overestimating my energy levels. 

It’s one of the best gaming handhelds on the market, and there are plenty of Prime Day Asus ROG Ally deals to take advantage of. But should you take this opportunity to give the portable PC a shot? I’ve been playing since day one, here are my recommendations. 

Buy it if: 

✅ You want more than Steam 

The Steam Deck has an inherent problem; Valve’s only going to make it easy for you to play games purchased via Steam. While you can get Xbox Game Pass and Epic working on the classic model, there’s a bit of janky effort to put in. I’ve barely touched my Steam library on Ally, moving between Xbox Game Pass and Epic on the regular. It’s fluid, streamlined, and the Armoury Crate launcher keeps everything in one place anyway. 

✅ You’re happy to plug in 

The Ally’s battery life isn’t perfect. It’s not as strong as the MSI Claw, and it only just beats the Lenovo Legion Go because of a reduced system load. If you’re happy to keep a power outlet nearby and drop your settings every now and then for lighter games on-the-go it’s fantastic, though. I’ve made it through three-hour plane journeys without even having to reach for a portable charger with my launch model (running Moonlighter and Arcade Paradise), and even managed to get some good off-charge time in with Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey. That also means this is the go-to model for docking your handheld. 

Don’t buy it if: 

❌ You prioritize portable performance 

Nobody’s going to blame you for wanting to be able to take your portable PC out and about. If you’re going to need a bigger battery for longer trips or you simply don’t want to rely on a cable, I’d recommend holding off on Prime Day. Asus ROG Ally X pre-orders are live, with the new release hitting the shelves on July 22. It’s a premium option (starting at $799.99) but it’s got a beefier battery and extra RAM and storage to boot. 

Editor’s Pick!

You don’t have to be left-handed to enjoy the Corsair M75 Wireless. I’m not, and it’s been a constant in my roster since I reviewed it back in March. Ambidextrous mice are rarely this comfortable – prioritizing a neutral ergonomic design over the curves and slopes you might need for pure right-handed use. I prefer the chunkier body for more relaxed play, even if proves a little too big for me personally during more competitive endeavours. The fact remains, though, you’re unlikely to find a wireless gaming mouse with this high-quality sensor and extra features for this price anywhere else. 

Amazon’s just announced three games that will be completely free tomorrow

As it tends to do every year, Amazon is running a bunch of free games through its Prime Gaming service (open to anyone with a membership). There’s a whole wad of titles ready to claim from the lead up to Prime Day, but tomorrow will see the addition of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Chivalry 2, and Rise of the Tomb Raider to the roster. If you’re collection is lacking, you can claim a whole host of games via the site right now. 

• Starting July 16: Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
• Starting July 16: Chivalry 2
• Starting July 16: Rise of the Tomb Raider
• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2
• Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
• Tearstone: Thieves of the Heart 
• The Invisible Hand
• Deceive Inc. 
• Heaven Dust 2
• Soulstice
• Card Shark
• Call of Juarez
• Forager
• Wall World
• Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
• Samurai Bringer

Editor’s Pick!

The Razer Blade 16 is something of a pipe dream of mine. With a $3,000 MSRP it’s a tough buy, but ever since I had my hands on its premium OLED 240Hz panel (the best I’ve tested yet) it’s been in the back of my mind. This is a luxury device through and through, with that staple Razer minimalism and high-end CNC milled body. While it commands a severe price tag, it’s the best gaming laptop in a 16-inch form factor on paper. Impressive performance for its form factor, a solid battery life, and super slick aesthetic means this is one to take note of. 

Which Switch games should you be watching out for this Prime Day?

I’ve been tracking Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals for some time now, and there are always a few friendly faces that show up year in year out. Sonic Frontiers, Octopath Traveler, and Minecraft are all surefire bets, for example. I’m going to be keeping a close eye on these titles over the next two days – they offer excellent value whenever they drop their price – but there are a few newer titles I reckon are poised to take some even more impressive savings. 

Deal!

This deal has been living rent free in my head all afternoon. If you’re on the hunt for a new console this Prime Day, it might be worth jumping in early here. Best Buy has the Xbox Series X available for just $449.99 – no biggie, I’ve seen that $50 discount come and go a few times this year. But you’re also getting a free $50 gift card included. The extra value there is well worth it, especially with so many other offers on accessories available. 

When does Prime Day start? 

I’m pretty excited by these early offers, but if you’re holding out for the main event you don’t have long to wait. Amazon Prime Day officially starts at midnight tonight, running all the way through to the very end of July 17. You’ll want to get in on day one, though. That’s normally when I see the highest quality discounts on the best tech – stock on the biggest deals can start to run dry by the second day and there aren’t as many new offers hitting the shelves to compensate. 

I’ve just noticed Amazon has put its prices up on loads of games and tech that were much cheaper even last week. That’s a surefire sign that these devices will be discounted for Prime Day. I see it every year, Amazon raises its prices just before its major sale only to ‘drop’ them again for the main event. I’ve scoured my own notes on the last couple of weeks’ worth of deals to find the newly increased prices on the shelves. 

The Asus ROG Azoth was the first one I saw. This has been a $199.99 keyboard for a little while now, but it’s suddenly up to $209.99? Suspicious. 

Assassin’s Creed: Mirage was sitting at a beautiful $24.99 sale price just before the weekend, but in a recent whip round I’ve noticed it’s gone all the way up to $32.35! This has been a $29.99 game for months now.  

The Razer Viper V2 Pro has also caught my attention. This has been rock solid at a $99.99 sale price since March. This morning it nudged back up to $103.49. 

Price hikes like this are the reason it’s so important to price check your deals if you are jumping in early. That Asus keyboard, for example, might look like a solid deal considering its $249.99 MSRP – but it’s poised to drop much lower on the day itself.

Can you get Amazon Prime for free?

Good news everyone! If you don’t have Amazon Prime you won’t be able to take part in most of today’s sales – but Bezos has a trick up his sleeve. You can nab yourself a 30-day Amazon Prime free trial and still take advantage of all this week’s discounts, and the Prime Video, speedy shipping, and other benefits that come with it. 

But wait there’s more! Students can grab a whole six months of Prime for free – you just need to prove that you’re either aged 18-24 or currently enrolled. 

Buying a PC on Prime Day? Here are Duncan’s top tips

Future-Proof with DDR5

The most affordable gaming PC deals (ie, the ones under $700), are tempting if you’re on a really tight budget, but if you want something you’re going to be able to upgrade and play games on well into the future, look for something that’s DDR5 compatible. That means something that has either an Intel 12th, 13th, or 14th generation CPU, or if you’re on the AMD side, a Ryzen 7000 Series processor. Some prebuilds hide the names of their motherboards, so it is worth doing some digging to check that what you’re buying will be compatible. 

Check out pre-builds

For folks whose current systems are locked behind the DDR5 wall, my advice is to check out the prebuilt aisle. It’s not what a lot of PC builders want to hear, but the best value is probably in buying a full machine at the moment. The good news is that DDR5 systems have never been more affordable. Your other option is likely buying a new motherboard, CPU, and RAM – and at that point, you’re going to have a harder job rooting your current ones out of your case and starting from scratch anyway.

You’ll have to work for a good SSD price right now

If you’re buying an SSD, don’t always believe the prices a retailer says one is reduced by. I can guarantee you they’re vastly different than they were last year. As well, look to other retailers, not just Amazon. Newegg, Walmart, and Best Buy always have PC deals worth knowing about, and sometimes they’re better.

Don’t panic

My final tip is for first-time buyers. It’s easy to get intimidated and bogged down by enormous price tags when you first get into PC gaming, but don’t fret. Have fun with it, do your research on what specs you actually need versus the expensive ones your favorite streamer has, and don’t let all the confusing product names and scary redditors intimidate you. If you have any questions, I’m always happy to help where I can on Twitter or in an email.

Happy bargain hunting!

The competition’s on – Walmart and Best Buy have launched their own sales

Walmart and Best Buy have both now launched their own competing sales, muscling in on Amazon’s impending offers. Walmart actually dumped a load of discounts on us last week, with its Prime-coded ‘July deals’ event bringing a whole wad of savings to the forefront. We got our first look at some of the heavier savings coming our way (I expect that $429.99 sale price on the Meta Quest 3 to see some repeats at Amazon tomorrow), as well as some rare savings on seldom discounted tech (though the DualSense Edge has now been run off the shelves). 

Meanwhile, Best Buy has saved its ‘Black Friday in July’ offers for today, running that clock all the way down to the wire before launching its own Prime Day deals into the ether. I’m noticing that Best Buy is winning in the PCs category in particular, with gaming laptops and keyboard / mice deals offering far better value than Amazon. 

I’ve had a quick scrub through the both competing sales – these are the three best deals I’ve found so far: 

Nintendo Switch Lite | Animal Crossing: New Horizons | $159 at Walmart

Meta Quest 3 | $499.99 $429.99 at Walmart

Xbox Series X | $50 gift card | $499.99 $449.99 at Best Buy

Do you need a membership for Prime Day?

Yes, you will need an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of official Prime Day deals. But ‘official’ is the operative word here. There are a massive number of discounts live on Amazon’s shelves right now that don’t require a fully fledged Prime membership, and other retailers have their own discounts to boot. All isn’t lost if you don’t have a subscription, then – but you will have a better time over the next couple of days if you do. 

That’s because a Prime membership opens you up to far more deals on the site – and these are going to be the ones that count. We generally see the real show-stoppers reserved for Amazon’s members, so it’s worth grabbing a free trial if you can. 

Amazon Prime | 30 day free trial available

And we’re off! I’m already seeing plenty of new deals hitting the shelves at Amazon this afternoon, but Best Buy has also launched its own sale. I’m not going to lie, things are looking particularly tasty at the latter retailer, with savings across a whole wad of PC rigs and accessories. With Bezos’s camp actually raising some of its prices ahead of the main event tomorrow, there are a few things to watch out for. 

Stick with me and I’ll see you through it all, though. I’ve got my snacks and I’m ready to shop.