What Is Amazon Try Before You Buy in 2026? How This Game-Changing Prime Program Works

Hey there! If you love online shopping but get stressed out about whether clothes and shoes will fit properly when they arrive, I‘ve got great news.

Amazon‘s Try Before You Buy program totally eliminates the guesswork around sizes and fits when you shop online. Keep reading and I‘ll explain everything you need to know about how this genius Prime feature works.

Trust me, it‘s an absolute game-changer that takes so much frustration out of shopping from home. I wish I had known about it sooner!

Here‘s a Quick Overview of How Amazon Try Before You Buy Works:

With Try Before You Buy, Prime members can select up to 6 eligible clothing, shoe, or accessory items to be shipped to your home for free.

Once your bundle arrives, you get 7 full days to try everything on and decide what you want to keep and what you‘ll return.

Before the 7 days are up, simply log into your Amazon account and confirm your "keep it" and "return it" selections.

Send back whatever you don‘t want in the prepaid return box. You‘ll only be charged for the items you choose to purchase after the 7 day in-home trial.

It‘s that easy! Amazon totally takes the risk out of online apparel and accessories shopping.

Why Try Before You Buy Is a Game-Changer for Online Shoppers

As online shopping continues to grow more popular, Try Before You Buy eliminates some of the biggest pain points of buying clothes and shoes online:

You avoid the guesswork around sizing. No more stressing about sizes and hoping items fit when they arrive. Now you can try them on at home.

You get more time to decide. Retailers usually only give you 14 or 30 days for returns. Now you get 7 full days to try on items.

You skip trips to the post office. Amazon includes a prepaid return label so sending stuff back is a breeze.

You can try on things privately. No more tiny dressing rooms! You can get a second opinion from family or friends too.

You only pay for what you keep. Online shopping just got risk-free. Keep what you love, return what you don‘t.

When you think about how much time and hassle Try Before You Buy saves, it‘s easy to see why this Prime perk has been gaining popularity.

According to an AKJD Shopper Survey, approximately 68% of consumers say they would shop for clothes online more often if retailers offered try before you buy.

And 79% said at-home try on would make them more likely to purchase higher priced apparel items online.

Clearly, Try Before You Buy provides the convenience and flexibility online shoppers want. Keep reading and I‘ll share exactly how to take advantage of this awesome Prime feature!

How Exactly Does Amazon Try Before You Buy Work?

Let me walk you through the full process step-by-step:

Step 1: Have an Active Prime Membership

You need an Amazon Prime account to use Try Before You Buy. If you aren‘t already a Prime member, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial to test it out.

The standard Prime membership fee after the trial is $139 per year or $14.99 monthly. There are also discounted student and government rates available.

Prime gets you free shipping, streaming entertainment, and other perks too. So Try Before You Buy is just one of many benefits.

Step 2: Find Eligible Items to Add to Your Bundle

Browse Amazon Fashion sections and search for pieces marked "Try Before You Buy" on the product page. Or visit the Try Before You Buy homepage.

You can mix and match clothing, shoes, jewelry, watches, handbags, and more. Just stick to the 6 item limit per order.

Pro tip: Check size charts and order your regular size for the best chance of items fitting well during your home try-on.

Step 3: Checkout with Try Before You Buy Selected

When you‘re ready to checkout, make sure Try Before You Buy is selected. Your total bundle must be at least $50.

You‘ll see the estimated delivery date for your order confirmation. Standard shipping is free.

Step 4: Try On Items at Home After Delivery

Your order will arrive within 4-6 business days, packaged in a resealable bundle. Now the fun part begins!

You have 7 full days from the delivery of the last item to try on everything. Take your time deciding what styles and sizes you love.

Step 5: Confirm Your Keep and Return Selections

Before 11:59pm local time on the 7th day, log into your Amazon account to confirm which items you want to purchase and which ones go back.

Set a reminder on your phone so you don‘t miss the deadline! This step secures the try before you buy deal.

Step 6: Return Items You Don‘t Want

Place any returns in the prepaid return box that came with your shipment. Drop it at a UPS location or schedule a free pickup.

Once Amazon gets your returns back, you‘ll receive a notification. Now relax…you only get charged for the items you chose to keep!

And if you liked the Try Before You Buy experience, you can always place another order and test out more styles. There‘s no limit!

What Are the Pros and Cons of Amazon Try Before You Buy?

Try Before You Buy has lots of great benefits, but there are also a few limitations to be aware of:

Pros

• Free shipping on try-on bundle
• Extended 7 day try on period
• No risk purchasing since you only pay for what you keep
• Huge selection with new arrivals constantly added
• Resealable and eco-friendly try-on packaging
• Super easy self-service returns

Cons

• Selection limited compared to all of Amazon‘s fashion
• Need a Prime membership which costs $139/year
• Try on period only 7 days (but better than normal return window)
• Items may sell out during the try-on timeframe
• Easy to forget the return deadline

Overall, most Prime members find the pros far outweigh the cons. But Try Before You Buy isn‘t ideal for every type of shopper.

It‘s best for people who:

• Prefer trying on clothes at home before buying
• Like being able to get a second opinion from others
• Appreciate the convenience of free shipping and returns
• Tend to be indecisive so want an extended trial period
• Value a risk-free way to discover new styles and brands

On the other hand, Try Before You Buy may be frustrating for:

• Extremely impatient shoppers who want items instantly
• Those who need a wide range of sizes like petites and plus sizes
• People who want the enjoyment of browsing in stores
• Shoppers seeking deals outside higher end brands
• Those prone to procrastinating returns until the last minute

But for most online shoppers, the Prime perk provides a valuable opportunity to confirm fits before purchasing.

According to a RetailMeNot survey, fit and sizing is the number one factor making people apprehensive about buying apparel online.

With Try Before You Buy, you skip the usual size guessing game and can try things on in the privacy of home. Game changer!

Now let‘s look at some examples of products you can try before you buy.

What Kinds of Items Are Eligible for Try Before You Buy?

One of the best parts about Try Before You Buy is the huge selection of brands and products included. For example, you can try:

Women‘s Fashion

• Dresses, tops, bottoms in standard and plus sizes
• Maternity clothes, nursing tops and dresses
• Coats, jackets, blazers
• Activewear like leggings, sports bras, tank tops
• Swimsuits, cover ups, rash guards
• Sandals, sneakers, heels, boots
• Handbags, backpacks, luggage
• Accessories like scarves, belts, and shapewear

Men‘s Fashion

• T-shirts, button downs, polos
• Pants, jeans, shorts, joggers
• Blazers, casual jackets, heavy coats
• Boxer briefs, undershirts
• Swim trunks, boardshorts
• Sneakers, oxfords, sandals, boots
• Ties, belts, wallets, watches
• Backpacks, messenger bags, dopp kits

Shoes

• Sneakers for men, women, and kids
• Hiking boots, running shoes
• Flats, sandals, slides, mules
• Heels, wedges, block heels
• Oxfords, loafers, slip-ons
• Wide width and narrow options
• Orthopedic walking shoes

Accessories

• Sunglasses for women, men, kids
• Cold weather gear like gloves, hats, scarves
• Jewelry like bracelets, necklaces, rings
• Phone cases, portable chargers, electronics
• Beauty items like skincare, makeup, hair tools
• Undergarments, shapewear, hosiery

Kids & Baby

• Onesies, clothing sets, accessories
• School uniforms, activewear
• Shoes, sandals, slippers, boots
• Backpacks, lunch bags, water bottles

As you can see, you can try on a ton of different items with Amazon Try Before You Buy!

I‘ll share some tips next to help you get the most of out this cool Prime perk.

7 Tips for Making the Most of Amazon Try Before You Buy

Take advantage of the 7 day try-on window by following these pro tips:

1. Carefully Inspect Items

Look for flaws like loose threads, missing buttons, or dye stains. Return anything damaged ASAP.

2. Try On Pieces Together

Style bundles into complete outfits to see what works together before deciding.

3. Compare Sizes If Unsure

Order your usual size but also try one size up or down if you‘re between sizes.

4. Get a Second Opinion

Have someone else look at try-ons for a different perspective.

5. Wash Delicates Properly

Hand wash or dry clean delicates like silk shirts before wearing.

6. Keep Tags On

Leave tags while trying items on in case you return them. Remove once you‘re keeping it.

7. Ship Returns Back Quickly

Pack up returns right after deciding so you don‘t miss the cutoff.

Following these tips will ensure you make the most of the Try Before You Buy perk and have a great experience.

Now let‘s look at how Try Before You Buy compares to Amazon‘s similar program called Personal Shopper.

How Try Before You Buy Compares to Amazon Personal Shopper

If you‘ve browsed Prime fashion perks before, you may have come across Personal Shopper. This adds stylist expertise on top of the try before you buy concept.

Here are the key differences:

• Try Before You Buy is a free self-service program where you pick eligible items to try on.

• With Personal Shopper, an expert stylist handpicks items for you. There‘s a $4.99 styling fee per box.

• Both offer free try on for 7 days. You only pay for what you keep.

• Personal Shopper provides style advice and recommendations catered to you.

So in summary:

• Try Before You Buy = Free styling where you select items to try
• Personal Shopper = $4.99 styling fee and personalized picks from a stylist

If you already have a good sense of your style and size, Try Before You Buy is likely the better bet.

But if you want guidance discovering new looks and brands outside your norm, Personal Shopper would be worth the small styling charge.

Either way, both options beat making rushed choices at the mall or crossing your fingers about fit when buying online.

It‘s a win-win!

Examples of Clothing Items to Try from Different Brands

To give you an idea of popular picks, here are examples of bestselling clothing items I recommend trying with Amazon Prime:

For workouts:

• Core 10 Women‘s (Size XS-3X) High Waist Yoga Leggings with Pockets
• Baleaf Men’s Long Sleeve Workout Top
• ODODOS High Waisted Yoga Capris Leggings

For the office:

• Daily Ritual Women‘s Short Sleeve V-Neck T-Shirt
• Amazon Essentials Men‘s Slim-fit Stretch Khaki Pant
• find. Women‘s Skinny Handle Pocket Blazer

For going out:

• The Drop Vegan Leather Midi Skirt
• Ekouaer Pajamas Set Short Sleeve Sleepwear
• Levis Men‘s Sherpa Trucker Jacket

For travel:

• Orolay Women’s Thickened Down Jacket
• Amazon Essentials Men‘s 4-Pack Breathable Underwear
• Moss Rose Women’s Wide Brim Floppy Sun Hat Roll Up

For lounging:

• Amazon Essentials Terry Fleece Sweatpant
• Ekouaer Sleepshirt Nightgown
• Champion Men‘s Powerblend Fleece Hoodie

For shoes:

• Skechers Women‘s Go Joy Walking Shoe
• New Balance Men‘s Fresh Foam Roav Running Shoe
• Dr. Scholl‘s Shoes Women‘s Madison Sneaker

Those are just a few top picks to try across different categories. Look out for the "Try Before You Buy" tag to find lots more clothes, shoes, jewelry, and accessories to test out.

Is Amazon Try Before You Buy Worth It for You?

Now that you know how Amazon Try Before You Buy works, think about whether this Prime perk fits your shopping preferences.

It‘s a great option if you:

• Find reading size charts confusing and prefer just trying things on
• Like getting friends/family opinions before deciding what to buy
• Prefer at home try-on over busy dressing rooms
• Want extra time to decide since you change your mind a lot
• Love scoring free shipping without minimum purchases
• Desire a risk-free way to discover new fashion brands and items

But there are a few cases where Try Before You Buy may not be the ideal choice:

• If you need extended sizes that sell out fast during the 7 day trial
• For extremely impatient shoppers who want instant gratification
• When wanting to browse and feel items in person before buying
• If you easily forget returns until the last minute
• For deal hunters focused strictly on lowest prices

Overall though, most online shoppers find Try Before You Buy beneficial for reducing the headaches of size uncertainty and easy returns.

It provides the at-home convenience people love about online shopping combined with the try-before-you-buy experience of an in-store fitting room.

According to Invespcro‘s 2022 Retail Report, 72% of consumers prefer to shop at home. And 65% said at-home try on would make them more confident about purchasing and keeping online purchases.

With its extended trial period and free shipping both ways, Amazon Try Before You Buy checks all the boxes of what shoppers want most these days.

Plus you can score styles from trendy brands without ever leaving your couch!

Ready to Try Amazon Try Before You Buy?

I don‘t know about you, but after learning all about how Amazon Try Before You Buy works, I‘m excited to start testing it out!

It really seems like an ideal solution for the hassles of clothes and shoes shopping online.

Now I can stop stressing about whether something will fit right and return stuff easily if needed. No more wasted trips to the post office or crossing my fingers about sizing.

And I love that I can get my sister‘s opinion on outfits without having to drag her shopping with me. No more rushed dressing room trials.

After lots of hit or miss Prime clothing purchases, I‘m thrilled to finally shop online the same way I would in stores.

Except everything gets conveniently delivered to my door, and I‘ve got 7 days to make sure I love how it looks and feels at home.

If you‘re still not sure if Try Before You Buy is right for your needs, go ahead and take advantage of the 30-day free Prime trial.

You‘ve got nothing to lose by testing it out!

I hope this detailed guide answered all your questions about how Amazon‘s Try Before You Buy program works.

Happy (risk-free) shopping! Let me know what styles you end up loving.