How to Save at AliExpress: A Complete Guide

Shopping on AliExpress can feel like exploring a massive digital treasure chest, with millions of products at incredibly low prices. But for the savviest shoppers, those low prices are just the starting point. By understanding how to use their coupon system and timing your purchases, you can get unbelievable bargains on tech, fashion, home goods, and more. This guide shows you how.

💡 Hack #1: Shop the Mega Sales (11.11, Anniversary, Mid-Year)

AliExpress has promos year-round, but a few events dwarf the rest. The best time to buy is during the 11.11 Global Shopping Festival (Singles' Day) in November, the Anniversary event in March, and the big Mid-Year Sale in early summer. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are also strong moments with wide sitewide codes and deep discounts.

💡 Hack #2: Hunt and Stack Coupons the Right Way

AliExpress is coupon-driven. Your goal is to apply more than one savings lever on the same item:

• Store/Seller Coupons – issued by a specific shop and only for its listings.
• Select Coupons – platform coupons that work on items marked "Select."
• AliExpress Promo Codes – sitewide codes you enter at checkout (often event-only).

Winning play: start with a discounted item, clip any Store coupon on the product page, add a Select coupon if the listing supports it, then apply a sitewide promo code at checkout. During big sales you'll also see cart thresholds like "Spend $30, get $5 off" that stack with the above.

💡 Hack #3: Always Check Seller Ratings and Reviews

Great price, bad seller is still a bad buy. Aim for 95%+ positive feedback and a healthy order count. Read reviews and look for real customer photos to confirm materials, sizing, and color accuracy.

💡 Hack #4: Grab the New-User Bonus First

If you're new, visit the New User Bonus hub before anything else. You can often snag a near-free starter item or unlock an exclusive high-value code that beats standard offers.

💡 Hack #5: Check the Choice Section for Price + Speed

Choice highlights curated best-sellers with bundle pricing (buying 2+ can lower the price further). These listings typically ship faster than standard items and often come with free returns for extra peace of mind.

💡 Bonus Tips: Shipping, Protection, and App-Only Wins

• Ships From: When available, filter to ship from the U.S./EU for quicker delivery and simpler returns.
• Buyer Protection: Always pay through AliExpress and keep all messages inside the order thread. If something goes wrong, open a dispute before the protection window ends.
• Follow & Cart: Following a store and adding items to your cart often triggers extra coupons or price-drop alerts, especially during event warm-ups.
• Use the App: App-only prices, daily coin offers, and check-in bonuses appear frequently. Always compare app vs. desktop before checkout.

🎯 The Takeaway: Your Savings Game Plan

Vet the seller, time purchases around a mega sale like 11.11 when possible, and stack Store + Select + sitewide codes on items already marked down. With a little patience and the right stack, you can score standout prices on just about anything.

P.S. Looking for coupons to save at other stores? For a constantly updated feed of the freshest discounts, make sure to check out our Deals & Coupons section.

And if you love learning how to be a smarter shopper, our Savings Tips and Hacks blog is packed with more guides and insider tricks! You can also find great ways to earn extra cash for your shopping fund.