Amazon has confirmed Prime Day 2022 for July 12 and 13, with early deals already running. Air fryers, which have been the breakout small-appliance category of the last few years, are almost certain to get meaningful discounts.
The question is not really whether to wait for one. It is whether you should buy on Prime Day or hold out for Black Friday.
Key facts
- Prime Day 2022 is officially July 12 and 13.
- Early deals have already started on Amazon in the run-up.
- Air fryers are a consistent Prime Day discount category.
- Best Buy and Walmart typically match Amazon's prices.
- Black Friday is the other major air fryer discount window, in late November.
Background: how Prime Day discounts usually work
Prime Day started in 2015 as Amazon's mid-summer sales event, held in July because Amazon itself was founded in July 1994. It moved to October in 2020 due to COVID-related supply chain problems and to June in 2021. The 2022 edition returns to the traditional July window.
Prime Day is technically exclusive to paying Amazon Prime members, but a free trial can unlock it if you have not used one before. Prime Day is also a magnet for rival retailers, who run their own competing sales during the same window to keep shoppers from drifting.
Our analysis
Air fryers are a smart Prime Day buy for two reasons. First, they are durable goods that you will use for years, so the per-use savings add up over time. Second, they are exactly the kind of high-demand small appliance that Amazon loves to discount heavily for the headline event. The reference highlights Ninja, Instant Pot, and similar brands, and notes that there is a separate guide to the best air fryers under $100 for budget buyers.
The case for waiting for Black Friday is real but weaker for this category. Black Friday is dominated by big-ticket electronics, with air fryers fighting for shelf space in retailer circulars. Prime Day tends to deliver the deeper air fryer cuts because air fryers are a centerpiece of the kitchen-appliance coverage, according to digitaltrends.com.
The case for not buying at all matters here too. If you are not cooking at home regularly, an air fryer is an expensive countertop ornament. Don't let a deep discount convert a "no" into a wasted purchase. The savings on a tool you do not use are not savings. The same point applies to over-spec'd models: the source flags that some models add slow cooking or pressure cooking functions, and warns against paying for features you will never touch.
A quick scenario for readers
Say you cook for one or two and want a basic unit with a simple dial. You spot a Ninja on Amazon at a clearly reduced Prime Day price, while Best Buy has the same model at a slightly higher number with same-day in-store pickup. You buy from Best Buy because pickup beats waiting for delivery, and the small premium is worth it for the time saved. If you are shopping on a tighter budget, the same source points to its guide to the best air fryers under $100 as a starting point.
What to watch next
Watch early Prime Day air fryer listings in the run-up to the event. Amazon typically opens its kitchen-appliance deals first, and early-bird pricing can be the deepest of the cycle. Watch also for bundle deals, which often throw in accessories at no extra cost. If you want a multi-function model with pressure cooking or slow cooking, expect to pay a clear premium over a basic unit. Decide whether you need those features before you shop, not during.
Key takeaways
- Prime Day 2022 is July 12 and 13, with early deals already running.
- Air fryers are a reliable Prime Day discount category.
- Best Buy and Walmart usually match Amazon's prices, often with in-store pickup.
- Don't buy an air fryer you won't use, and don't pay for cooking functions you won't touch.
Frequently asked questions
When do Prime Day air fryer deals start?
Amazon has confirmed July 12 and 13 for the main event, with early deals already running in the lead-up.
Do I need Prime membership?
Yes for Amazon's deals. Best Buy and Walmart run their own competing sales that anyone can use.
Are air fryers cheaper on Prime Day or Black Friday?
Prime Day usually wins on air fryer prices because Black Friday focuses on bigger-ticket categories.
Should I get a basic or multi-function air fryer?
Only pay extra for pressure cooking or slow cooking if you will actually use it. Otherwise a basic unit is enough.