Target Circle Week is getting a huge head start on Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days this October

UPDATE: Oct. 7, 2023, 3:00 AM EDT This story has been updated with the latest deals and shopping tips now that Target Circle Week is officially live.

Target couldn't wait more than a day to one-up Amazon's announcement of the official dates for Prime Big Deal Days with its announcement of Target Circle Week. "Oh, Amazon's having a huge sale that runs for 48 hours on Oct. 11 and 12? We're conveniently having a huge holiday kickoff sale that runs for the entire first week of October." Best Buy has similar plans.

How often is Circle Week at Target?

This is Target's second Circle Week of the year, and?yes, of course the first one happened near Prime Day in July. The whole weeklong thing diverts from Target's previous Prime Day opposition: a 72-hour event called Deal Days that was open to everyone, not just Target Circle members. Circle Week has also been timed much more closely to Prime Day, typically getting an edge with a head start.

Needing to be a Target Circle member to access the glory of Circle Week isn't a big deal since joining Target Circle is free, unlike Prime.

What will be on sale for Target Circle Week?

Target Circle members will be treated to up to 40% off on-trend gifts, seasonal items, and everyday essentials. Past Circle Week's official dates (through Dec. 24), members should keep a close eye on the Deal of the Day spotlight — brands like Apple, Nespresso, Dyson, and Nintendo will be making appearances. At any rate, shoppers are guaranteed to save on whatever they buy with Target's offering of 15% off one in-store or online purchase.

Deals officially began dropping on Oct. 1, with new ones being added every day. We're keeping tabs on the best ones:

Apple deals

Why we like it

The 9th generation just plain iPad is already generally cheaper than its successor, the 10th generation —?but to really rub it in, the 9th generation model is also setting a better discount ($60 off versus just $50 off the 10th generation). This isn't the iPad to choose if you plan on using your tablet for feature-intensive work like video editing or gaming, but for way less than $300, you're still getting a solid device for casual every day use. We'd recommend putting your savings toward a first generation Apple Pencil, with which this iPad is compatible.

More Apple deals

• 3rd generation Apple AirPods — $149.99 $169.99 (save $20)
• 2nd generation Apple Watch SE (GPS, 40mm) — $219.99 $249.99 (save $30)
• Apple Watch Series 8 (PRODUCT)RED (GPS, 41mm) — $224.99 $399.99 (save $175)
• 9th generation Apple iPad (WiFi, 64GB) — $269.99 $329.99 (save $200)
• 10th generation Apple iPad (WiFi, 64GB) — $399.99 $449.99 (save $50)

Tech and gaming deals

Why we like it

The newest Madden game just came out in mid-August, and you can already snag it for less than $50. Upgrades from the last Madden game include more variation in athlete physiques for more realistic player movement, smarter AI behavior from your teammates, and enhanced FieldSENSE for a more realistic on-the-field experience.

More tech and gaming deals

• PGA Tour 2K23 — $24.99 $39.99 (save $15)
• Select Nintendo games — $39.99 $59.99 (save $20)
• HP 23.8-inch FHD IPS Computer Monitor —?$119.99 $179.99 (save $60)
• Beats Solo3 wireless on-ear headphones — $129.99 $199.99 (save $70)
• MSI Thin GF63 15.6-inch (RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $999.99 $1,199.99 (save $200)

Vacuum and cleaning deals

Why we like it

Bissell's TikTok famous upholstery and carpet cleaner is a must in homes with pets... or kids... or red wine drinkers. At just over nine pounds, this portable cleaner uses water and included OXY solution to tackle both new and old stains on carpets or rugs, furniture, and even car interiors. Target's deal is on the ProHeat model, which maintains the temperature of water in the tank while cleaning.

More vacuum and cleaning deals

• Bissell Crosswave HF3 cordless wet dry vacuum — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)
• Hoover Smartwash automatic carpet cleaner machine and upright shampooer — $199.99 $279.99 (save $80)
• Shark Matrix robot vacuum — $219.99 $299.99 (save $80)
• Shark Cordless Pet Pro stick vacuum —?$229.99 $329.99 (save $100)

Home and kitchen deals

Why we like it

Nothing says major shopping event quite like a KitchenAid mixer on sale — a device that's almost guaranteed to be on any foodie's bucket list. This Bowl Lift model that's rocking a nearly 40% price slash offers double the mixing power of the cheaper Tilt Head models and can make 11 dozen cookies per batch, knead seven pounds of bread, or mash six pounds of potatoes in one batch with its 5.5-quart bowl.

More home and kitchen deals

• 30% off SodaStream
• 40% off select Crux air fryers, coffee makers, and toasters
• 20% off candles
• Crock-Pot One Touch Cook and Carry slow cooker — $44.99 $69.99 (save $25)
• Keurig K-Mini — $59.99 $89.99 (save $30)

More miscellaneous deals

• Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 bundle —?$66.99 $86.99 (save $20)
• 20% off select books and movies
• 30% off Halloween costumes and accessories

Target also isn't one to shy away from giving away free money to encourage customers to shop more. Similar to Amazon's promotion that trades a sign-up to Amazon Photos for a free $15 Prime Day credit, Target is tacking gift cards onto purchases of a certain amount from a certain category:

• Spend $50 on toys and save $10, or spend $100 on toys and save $25
• Spend $50 on household essentials, get a $15 Target gift card
• Spend $25 on select beauty brands, get a $5 Target gift card

Circle members planning a vacation can also save 20% on Tripadvisor's Things To Do tab, which includes over 300,000 experiences like city tours, day trips, and outdoor excursions from around the world.