Yes, you need to be a Prime member to shop Prime Day - here's how to get it for free

Amazon/ZDNET

ZDNET key takeaways 

• Amazon Prime Day 2026 runs June 23-26.
• The sale is exclusive to Amazon Prime members, with special deals and offers reserved for paying customers.
• If eligible, you can start a free trial of Amazon Prime and shop this week's Prime Day sale.
  

Amazon Prime Day starts today and runs through June 26. It's a members-only shopping event known for flashy deals on Amazon products and services, and dozens of other categories ranging from home to tech and beyond. 

Also: You could qualify for Amazon Prime at 50% off without even knowing - here's the details

If you're not already a Prime member, there's still a way to snag these Prime-only offers without paying a dime. All you need to do is activate a free trial of Amazon Prime with a card on file. Then, before the 30-day trial period ends, make sure to cancel (or keep if you'd like) your Prime membership. 

Here's what you need to know about starting a Prime membership to shop Amazon Prime Day 2026. If you sign up, you gain free delivery, Prime Video, Amazon Music, Prime Gaming, early access to deals, and more.

Also: You can get Amazon Prime totally free for 6 months if you're age 18-24

How do I start a free Amazon Prime trial? 

According to Amazon, new members can try Prime free for 30 days, even during Prime Day sales. Amazon Prime Free Trial members enjoy the same benefits as paid members, just for a limited time. To sign up for a Prime free trial, you'll need an account with a current, valid credit card. Here's what to do: 

1. Go to Amazon Prime.
2. If you are offered a free trial, you will have an option to select 'Start your free 30-day trial.'
3. Follow the on-screen instructions if prompted.

If you aren't offered a free trial, it's possible you may have already taken advantage of this free offer too recently. Eligibility for an Amazon Prime free trial depends on your membership history. All new Prime customers are automatically eligible, and generally any individual who hasn't paid for Prime services in 12 months or more is as well, but Amazon's system automatically prompts you (or doesn't) to sign up for a free trial based on its internal information. 

Amazon/ZDNET

To keep your Prime shopping experience truly free this Prime Day, you need to cancel anytime before the trial ends under "Manage Prime Membership." If you don't cancel before the 30-day window ends, your selected payment method will be charged the regular Prime rate of $15 per month. 

Remember, there are other ways to save on Prime memberships, too. While anyone can join Prime for $15 per month or $139 per year, or start a free 30-day trial (if eligible) at amazon.com/prime, young adults and higher education students of any age can try Prime with a six-month trial at amazon.com/joinstudent, then pay a discounted rate of $7.49 per month or $69 per year. Plus, qualifying government assistance recipients can get Prime Access for $6.99 per month at amazon.com/getprimeaccess.

When is Amazon Prime Day? 

Amazon's Prime Day event runs from June 23-26, 2026. 

How I rated this deal

This free trial earns a 5/5 Editor's deal rating for its ability to allow quick access to Amazon's 2026 Prime Day sale. You can also easily cancel or decide to maintain your membership. 

How do we rate deals at ZDNET?

We aim to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter. ZDNET offers 33 years of experience, 30 hands-on product reviewers, and 10,000 square feet of lab space to ensure we bring you the best of tech. 

In 2025, we refined our approach to deals, developing a measurable system for sharing savings with readers like you. Our editor's deal rating badges are affixed to most of our deal content, making it easy to interpret our expertise to help you make the best purchase decision.

At the core of this approach is a percentage-off-based system to classify savings offered on top-tech products, combined with a sliding-scale system based on our team members' expertise and several factors like frequency, brand or product recognition, and more. The result? Hand-crafted deals chosen specifically for ZDNET readers like you, fully backed by our experts. 

Also: How we rate deals at ZDNET in 2026

Looking for more shopping tips? Check out the 3 money-saving tricks I use every time I shop online, learn how I saved over $700 using Rakuten, and my favorite tip for avoiding marketing emails. Plus, find out all the details on Prime for Young Adults, how you may be able to save 50% on Amazon Prime, and how to get a free 30-day Audible trial.