Target has decided to fight Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days by holding its own sale on the exact same dates. The retailer’s Target Circle Deal Days runs Oct. 6–7, which means shoppers who want to avoid a crowded checkout can start shopping now. Several deals are already live for Target Circle members, and Mashable has rounded up the best ones.
The Apple Watch Drops
The headline deal is the Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm). It is currently $349.99 at Target, down from $399.99. That is a $50 discount, and Mashable calls it the best deal available on this model right now. For comparison, Best Buy is selling it for $499, and Amazon does not have it in stock at all.
The deal is live now for Target Circle members, and it is the lowest price the paper has tracked for this watch. The previous low was $279 in June, so there is room for it to drop further during Prime Day. But if you do not want to risk waiting, $50 off a 2025 model is a solid grab.
AirPods at a Discount
Target is also cutting the Apple AirPods 4. The version without ANC is $99.99, down from $129.99. The version with ANC is $149.99, down from $179.99. Both save $30 each.
The AirPods 4 is a straightforward pick for anyone who wants a cheaper option than the newer models. The discount is modest, but it is live now, which removes the need to wait for Prime Day.
Sony XM5 Headphones
The Sony XM5 headphones are a bigger draw. Mashable’s Deputy Shopping Editor, Miller Kern, awarded them a Mashable Choice Award in 2022. The paper still talks about them today for their sleek design, noise cancellation, and “unbeatable sound quality.”
Right now, you can get the XM5s for $299.99, down from $399.99. Amazon has them for $298, so you save an extra dollar there. The paper notes that these headphones dropped to $198 during June’s Prime Day event. That means the price could go lower next week, but if you do not want to risk missing out, $100 off at Target today is a safe play.
Laptops Under $300
The standout laptop deal is the 14-inch HP HD Touchscreen Notebook. It has an Intel N150 processor, 4GB RAM, and 128GB SSD. It is currently $299.99 at Target, and that is the lowest price the paper has ever tracked for this model.
The deal includes a wireless mouse and a one-year M365 subscription. The laptop also comes in a Winter Lavender colorway, which usually costs more. So the price and the color are both working in your favor.
Amazon is matching this deal, but you can save even more at Best Buy. The Natural Silver version goes for $219.99 there, minus the extras. If you do not care about the mouse or the subscription, that is the better route.
More Deals to Consider
There are plenty of other options. The 15.6-inch Refurbished Acer 315 Chromebook is $193.76, down from $279.99. The 14-inch HP Essential is $359.99, down from $599.98. The 15.6-inch Lenovo V15 G4 is $789.99, down from $1,316.65.
The Chromebook saves $86.23. The HP Essential saves $239.99. The Lenovo saves $526.66. That is the full spread of what is on offer.
Why Target Is Doing This
Target introduced its Target Circle sale in 2019 to compete with Amazon’s once-a-year summer event. Now Amazon has stretched its sales calendar into the fall, and Target is right there with them. The retailer is dropping early holiday discounts for Circle members well before Black Friday even enters the chat.
Target Circle is free to join. The overlap with Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days is the whole point.
What Shoppers Should Know
The deals are live now for Target Circle members. That means you do not have to wait until Oct. 6 to get something. The Apple Watch, AirPods, and headphones are all available at their discounted prices today.
The laptop deal is the standout laptop offer. It is $300 off the regular price of a touchscreen notebook that comes with a mouse and a subscription. For a 2025 model, that is a strong offer.
The comparison to Amazon is the joke here. Target is running its sale on the same dates as Amazon, and it is pricing its products against both stores. If you want the Sony XM5 at $299.99, you can get it at Target today. If you want to save an extra dollar, you can get it at Amazon. If you want the HP notebook for $219.99, you can get it at Best Buy. Target is doing the math for you.
The Bottom Line
The best early Target Deal Days deals are live now. The Apple Watch is $50 off. The AirPods are $30 off. The Sony XM5 is $100 off. The HP notebook is $300 off.
The overlap with Amazon is not accidental. It is a shared calendar, and Target is offering its own prices on it. The deals are strong enough to stand on their own.
Key Facts Box
– Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm): $349.99 at Target ($50 off)
– Sony XM5 headphones: $299.99 at Target ($100 off)
– HP HD Touchscreen Notebook: $300 off
– Target Circle Deal Days: Oct. 6–7
– Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days: Oct. 6–7
Schedule Table
| Date | Event |
|——|——-|
| Oct. 6–7 | Target Circle Deal Days |
| Oct. 6–7 | Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days |
The deals are live now, and the overlap is the story.
Source material: “The best early Target Deal Days to shop this weekend: We found live deals on laptops, headphones, and more,” Mashable.
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