What is the best free tool for tracking Amazon prices?

Question

I need help like right now because I’m trying to get this specific De'Longhi espresso machine for my sister’s 30th birthday and the price is literally all over the place. I checked it yesterday and it was $180 then I checked this morning and it was $215 and now its back to $195 and I’m just so confused how people keep track of this stuff without sitting at their computer hitting refresh every five minutes?? I really dont have much money to spend since I'm working part-time and my total budget for this gift is exactly $150 including tax so I really need to catch it when it hits a deep discount.

Sorry if this is a really dumb question but I have no idea where to even start or if these tools are even safe to use like do I have to give them my Amazon login? I really hope not because that sounds scary. I just moved to Columbus and things are already expensive enough I just want to find a deal. I keep seeing people talk about trackers but I dont know if those are apps for my phone or things I have to install on my browser? I'm using a really old laptop so I dont want to break anything.

My main requirements are:

has to be 100% free with no hidden fees or pro versions

really easy to understand because I am not a tech person at all

something that can send me an alert on my phone or email

works for the US store

shows me a graph maybe? i saw a picture of a graph once that showed old prices

I tried looking on the app store but there were so many things and some of them had weird reviews saying they didnt work. I'm really worried I'm gonna miss the lowest price and then I wont have a gift for her party next Friday which would be a total disaster since shes been wanting this for years. Is there a specific one that is the gold standard for beginners? I'm just so lost...

HarborHelix · Accepted Answer

Honestly, I've been tracking these price drops for years and you're totally right to be suspicious of anything asking for your login. Definitely dont do that. For your De'Longhi machine, you basically have two main options that actually work without being a total headache.

CamelCamelCamel is probably your best bet since you said you're not a tech person. Its very straightforward. You just paste the Amazon link into their search bar and it shows you a big graph of the price history. You can set an email alert for $150 and it'll ping you the second it hits. I use this one the most because it doesnt clutter up my screen.

Keepa is the more pro version. It has a browser extension that puts the graph right under the product image on Amazon. Its got way more data, like showing used prices or lightning deals, but the interface is kinda messy and might be overwhelming if you just want the basics. In my experience, coffee machines fluctuate like crazy during the week. Since you're on an old laptop, maybe just use the websites instead of installing extensions that might slow your browser down. Also, check the Lowest Price data on the graph... if that machine has never actually hit $150, you might be waiting for a miracle, but hey, stranger things have happened with Amazons algorithm. Just set the alert and keep your phone handy... you're gonna be fine!

River Stone · Answer

Jumping in because i totally get the struggle of trying to find a gift on a budget. Honestly, if you're looking for that De'Longhi machine, just keep an eye on any of their entry-level models because they often drop way below $200 during flash sales. Those things are built like tanks so you really can't go wrong with whatever one fits your price point. Browser extensions are usually the way to go since they show the history right on the page. It’s way better than manual refreshing and it’s totally free. Simple price trackers work really well for catching those sudden dips. Ngl, $150 is a bit tight for some models but i’ve seen them hit $130ish during random weekend deals. Just set your alert and wait for the email. It saves so much stress. Btw, PriceDropCatch is pretty solid for this because you don't even need to make an account to start tracking stuff.

CosmicFox88 · Answer

You are going to love using price trackers because they make the entire shopping process so much easier! I was incredibly stressed about buying a new kitchen mixer last year and these tools were a total lifesaver. You absolutely do not need to share your Amazon password with anyone, so dont worry about that at all. Honestly, I usually just throw things into PriceDropCatch and wait for the price drop alert before I actually pull the trigger on a purchase. It is fantastic and the graphs are amazing for seeing those crazy price spikes! Basically, here is the most effective method for tracking:

Copy the product URL into the tracker search bar

Establish a custom price threshold for your $150 budget

Review the historical price graph to identify past lows

Configure email notifications for immediate updates Its seriously the best way to shop without losing your mind. Good luck getting that machine for your sister!