In the era of global e-commerce, AliExpress has become a phenomenon, revolutionizing how millions of people shop online. Founded in 2010, this Chinese marketplace quickly gained popularity worldwide, including in Russia, where it has become one of the most visited shopping platforms.

The secret to AliExpress’s success lies in a unique combination of factors: a vast range of products, from electronics to clothing and home goods; attractive prices, often significantly lower than in local stores; and the convenience of ordering from home with delivery to your door. According to analytical agencies, more than 200 million active users visit the site every month, highlighting its global impact on the online retail market.

However, despite the allure of low prices, it’s important to approach shopping on AliExpress wisely. Smart savings in online shopping aren’t just about finding the lowest price, but also about balancing cost, quality, and the actual necessity of a purchase. In a world where consumer temptations are everywhere, the ability to manage your budget effectively becomes a key skill.

Savings when shopping on AliExpress can be significant, but they require certain knowledge and strategies. Skillful use of coupons, participation in sales, understanding the discount and cashback systems—all of these can help significantly reduce expenses. At the same time, it’s important to be aware of the risks: overly attractive prices can hide pitfalls such as low product quality or delivery issues.

In this article, we’ll explore effective ways to save money on AliExpress, helping you become a true “discount hunter” without sacrificing the quality and safety of your purchases. Our tips will help you enjoy beneficial shopping, avoid common mistakes, and maximize the value of every transaction.

 

Key Principles of Saving on AliExpress

Effective savings on AliExpress are based on three key principles that will help you significantly reduce your expenses when shopping online.


Comparing Prices and Finding the Best Deals. AliExpress is a vast marketplace with numerous sellers offering similar products at different prices. The key to saving here is thorough comparison:

  • Use AliExpress's search function to find the desired product and compare prices from different sellers.
  • Pay attention to the seller’s rating and customer reviews—sometimes it’s worth paying a little more for guaranteed quality and reliability.
  • Don’t forget to factor in shipping costs when comparing prices, as they can vary significantly.
  • Use third-party services to track price trends for items you’re interested in—this will help you identify the best time to buy.


Using Coupons and Promo Codes. AliExpress offers a diverse system of coupons and promo codes that can significantly reduce the cost of your purchase:

  • Check for store coupons on the product page or in the “Seller Coupons” section.
  • Keep an eye out for AliExpress promo codes, which are often distributed through the platform’s official social media channels or via email.
  • Use coupons selectively, applying them to your most expensive purchases for maximum savings.
  • Take advantage of new user coupons if you’re just starting to use the platform.

Can you combine coupons on AliExpress? This is a common question among shoppers, and it’s important to understand the platform’s official policy. According to AliExpress rules, most types of coupons and promo codes cannot be combined. You can read more about the rules for can you stack Aliexpress coupons in our article here.


Participating in Sales and Promotions. AliExpress is known for its large-scale sales, which can bring substantial savings:

  • Plan major purchases around the AliExpress sales calendar. The biggest discounts usually occur during global events like “Singles’ Day” (11.11) and “World Shopping Day” (28.03).
  • Participate in pre-sale events, where you can get additional coupons or reserve items at reduced prices.
  • Don’t overlook themed sales (such as seasonal or holiday-related ones), which can offer good discounts on specific product categories.
  • Use the reminder feature in the AliExpress app to make sure you don’t miss the start of promotions that interest you.

Remember, the key to successful saving on AliExpress is combining all three principles. By comparing prices, applying coupons, and participating in sales, you can maximize your benefits and make shopping on the platform even more enjoyable and cost-effective.

 

Discount Hunting Tools

For effective discount hunting on AliExpress, there are several useful tools that can save you time and money. Let's explore the most effective ones.


AliExpress App: Benefits of Use

The official AliExpress mobile app is a powerful tool for saving money:

  • Exclusive Discounts: Many promotions and coupons are available only to mobile app users.
  • Price Drop Alerts: The app can send push notifications about price drops on items in your wishlist.
  • Games and Bonuses: The app often features games and contests where you can win additional coupons or AliExpress coins.
  • Ease of Use: Quick access to your orders, chats with sellers, and personalized recommendations.


Browser Extensions to Find Great Deals

Browser extensions can significantly simplify the process of finding discounts. For example, the AliHelper extension is a multifunctional online service that provides several useful tools for shopping on AliExpress:

  • Price History: Shows the price trend of a product over the last 60 days, helping you determine if the current price is truly advantageous.
  • Similar Products Search: Helps you find similar products from other sellers, often at lower prices.
  • Seller Verification: Provides additional information about the seller, including their rating and sales history.

By combining these tools, you can create an effective system for finding the best deals on AliExpress. However, remember that the lowest price tag doesn't always mean the best deal—always consider the seller's reputation and product quality.

Smart Shopping Strategies

To maximize your savings on AliExpress, it's important not only to use discount hunting tools but also to apply smart shopping strategies. Let's explore three key strategies that will help you save wisely.

Creating a Wishlist and Tracking Prices

A wishlist is not just a convenient way to organize your purchases, but also a powerful savings tool:

  • Purchase Planning: Add items of interest to your wishlist instead of making impulsive purchases. This helps avoid unnecessary expenses and focus on truly important acquisitions.
  • Price Tracking: AliExpress automatically notifies you of price drops on items in your wishlist. This allows you to wait for the best moment to buy.
  • Preparing for Sales: Fill your wishlist in advance of major sales. This way, you can quickly compare prices and choose the best deals when the sale starts.
  • Long-term Trend Analysis: Keeping an item in your wishlist for a long time allows you to notice seasonal price fluctuations and choose the optimal period for purchase.

Buying Items in Sets or in Bulk

You can often find significant savings on AliExpress when purchasing multiple items together:

  • Discounted Sets: Many sellers offer discounts when you buy multiple items at once. For example, you can save by purchasing a set of several t-shirts instead of just one.
  • Wholesale Prices: Even if you don't plan to resell, it can sometimes be beneficial to buy in bulk. This is especially true for items you use regularly, like office supplies or cosmetics.
  • Group Purchases: Team up with friends or family for a joint purchase. This allows you to take advantage of wholesale prices and save on shipping.
  • Attention to Detail: Always carefully check the contents of the set and compare the price with buying the items separately. Sometimes, the apparent savings might be illusory.

By applying these smart shopping strategies, you can significantly optimize your spending on AliExpress. Remember, the key to success is combining different savings methods and taking a careful approach to each purchase.

Seasonal Sales and Special Events

Seasonal sales on AliExpress are an opportunity to get maximum discounts, but they require careful preparation and an understanding of how they work.

The Biggest Sales of the Year

AliExpress is known for its large-scale sales, which can bring substantial savings:

  • Singles' Day (11.11): The biggest sale of the year, starting on November 11th. Discounts on this day can reach 70-90% on some items.
  • World Shopping Day (28.03): The second-largest sale on AliExpress, held in the spring. Often offers discounts comparable to 11.11.
  • Black Friday: Although this is originally a Western tradition, AliExpress also participates in this event, offering significant discounts at the end of November.
  • Summer Sale: Usually takes place in June-July and can offer good discounts on seasonal items.
  • Cyber Monday: Follows immediately after Black Friday and focuses on electronics and gadgets.


How to Prepare for Big Sales

Proper preparation is the key to successful shopping during major sales:

  • Create a Wishlist in Advance: A few weeks before the sale, add items of interest to your wishlist.
  • Track Prices: Use price tracking tools to understand if the offered discount is truly beneficial.
  • Study the Sale Mechanics: Each major sale has its own peculiarities. For example, on 11.11, gaming mechanics are often used to obtain additional coupons.
  • Top Up Your Balance in Advance: Many banks may block large international transactions. Topping up your AliExpress balance in advance helps avoid payment issues.
  • Install the AliExpress App: Often, exclusive offers are available only through the mobile app.
  • Set Up Notifications: Enable push notifications in the app to avoid missing the start of the sale and special offers.


Pitfalls of Seasonal Discounts

Despite the attractiveness of major sales, it's important to be cautious and avoid common pitfalls:

  • Artificial Price Increases: Some sellers may raise prices before the sale to make the discount seem larger. Always compare with price history.
  • Limited Stock: The most attractive deals are often available in very limited quantities. Be prepared for them to sell out within seconds.
  • Shipping Issues: During major sales, delivery times may increase due to the high volume of orders. Consider this when planning your purchases.
  • Product Quality: Not all discounted items are equally good. Carefully read reviews and check the seller's rating.
  • Impulse Purchases: The hype can lead to unnecessary purchases. Stick to your pre-made wishlist.
  • Complex Promotion Conditions: Some discounts may have complex activation conditions. Carefully read all the rules before making a purchase.

Remember, the main goal of sales is not just to buy something at a discount, but to acquire the items you need at a truly advantageous price. Approach seasonal sales with a clear mind and a well-thought-out plan, and you'll be able to get the most out of these events.