Someone added stuff to their cart. Then they bounced. Happens all the time.
Here's the thing though: that's not lost money. That's an opportunity sitting in your email list. A solid recovery email can bring them back. But it all starts with one thing, the subject line.
If your subject line sucks, nothing else matters. Nobody's reading your carefully crafted email body if they never open it in the first place.
So let's fix that. Here are 8 types of abandoned cart email subject lines that actually work, with examples you can steal today.
1. Urgency-Based Subject Lines
Fear of missing out is real. Use it.
These subject lines create a deadline. Your cart expires. The discount ends. Stock is running low. Whatever the reason, you're telling the customer: decide now or lose out.
Why this works: Vague urgency ("Act now!") is weak. Specific deadlines ("Your 20% off expires in 3 hours") force a decision.
The trick is making it real. If you say something expires, it better actually expire. Nothing kills trust faster than fake scarcity.
Examples
Last chance: Your cart expires in 24 hoursEnds tonight: Complete your order for 15% offYour items are selling fast, don't miss outClock's ticking! Secure your order before it's gone
How to use this
Start gentle with your first email, just a reminder. Save the urgency for email two or three. That way you're not being aggressive right out the gate.
Test different time windows too. Some audiences respond to 48 hours. Others need a 12-hour "this is it" push.
Pair urgency with a real benefit, like a discount or free shipping. That combo is powerful.
2. Personalization Subject Lines
"You left items in your cart" is boring. "Sarah, your limited-edition sneakers are waiting" hits different.
Using someone's name or the actual product they were looking at makes your email feel like a personal note, not marketing spam. It's the cocktail party effect. People always hear their own name.
Why this works: Personalized subject lines can boost open rates by 26% or more. The customer feels seen, not sold to.
But check your data. Nothing's worse than an email that says "Hey FNAME" because someone messed up the merge tags.
Examples
Sarah, your limited-edition sneakers are waitingDon't forget your items, [Name]!Still thinking about the Classic Leather Tote, Sarah?Hey [Name], complete your order and save 15%
How to use this
Put the product name right in the subject line. It reminds them exactly what caught their eye. That brings back the original desire.
Personalization works great for your first abandoned cart email. It's gentle, helpful, and feels human.
Mix it with other tactics too. "Sarah, your 15% discount on the Classic Tote expires tonight" combines personalization, incentive, and urgency all at once.
3. Discount Subject Lines
Sometimes people leave because of price. Simple as that.
A discount removes the friction. It says "here's a reason to come back and finish what you started."
Why this works: You're lowering the barrier. The customer was already interested enough to add to cart. A discount tips them over the edge.
Just be smart about it. Don't train customers to always wait for a coupon.
Examples
We saved your order, here's 20% offFinish checkout: claim your $10 discountComplete your purchase with free shippingA special offer for the items in your cart
How to use this
Start small. Try 10-15% or free shipping in your first couple emails. If they still haven't bought, you can bump it up later.
Use promo codes. Makes checkout easy and lets you track what's working.
Protect your margins. Exclude high-profit products or set minimum purchase amounts if you need to. The goal is profitable recovery, not just recovery.
Add a deadline to your discount. "Your 15% off expires at midnight" is way more compelling than an open-ended offer.
4. Social Proof and Scarcity Subject Lines
People look at what others do before making decisions. We're social creatures.
These subject lines tap into that. They show the product is popular, selling fast, or running low. The message: other people want this, and it might not be around much longer.
Why this works: Social proof reduces buying anxiety. If 1,000 people bought something, it's probably good. Scarcity creates urgency without feeling pushy.
Be honest though. Fake scarcity will backfire hard. If you say only 2 left, there better be only 2 left.
Examples
Don't miss out: Your items are selling fastYour cart has our #1 bestseller in itAlmost gone... only 2 of your items left in stock!1,000+ customers bought this, grab yours now
How to use this
Connect your email platform to your inventory. Real-time stock counts hit way harder than generic "selling fast" claims.
Call out bestseller status or review counts if you have them. "Over 500 five-star reviews" tells the customer this product delivers.
In your email body, add visual badges like "Bestseller" or "Limited Stock" on product images. Reinforces the message.
5. Curiosity Subject Lines
Sometimes the best approach is to make them wonder.
These subject lines tease something without giving it all away. They create a knowledge gap that can only be filled by opening the email.
Why this works: Our brains hate incomplete information. An unanswered question creates tension. Opening the email releases it.
The key is delivering on the promise inside. If your subject line hints at something special, your email better have something special.
Examples
A special something we set aside for you...Are you forgetting something important?P.S. We saved your cart for youYour next favorite [Product Type] is waiting
How to use this
Don't be clickbaity. "Your order has shipped!" when it hasn't is a lie that destroys trust. Keep it relevant to the abandoned cart.
Deliver the goods inside. If you tease "a special something," the email should reveal a discount, free gift, or real benefit.
Use this sparingly. If every email tries to be mysterious, it gets old fast. Mix it with more direct approaches.
For more on writing subject lines that get opened, check out our email subject line best practices guide.
6. Benefit-Focused Subject Lines
Stop talking about what they're buying. Start talking about what they're getting.
These subject lines answer "what's in it for me?" right in the inbox. They connect the product to the outcome the customer actually wants.
Why this works: People don't buy products. They buy better versions of themselves. A mattress isn't just a mattress, it's better sleep. A bag isn't just a bag, it's looking put-together.
Lead with the result, not the item.
Examples
Ready for better sleep? Your new mattress is waitingDon't put off upgrading your wardrobe any longerComplete your order and get 2-day free shippingFinish your purchase: stress-free returns included
How to use this
Dig deeper than features. What does your product actually do for someone's life? Save time? Reduce stress? Build confidence? Start there.
Frame your perks as benefits too. Free shipping isn't just a discount, it's convenience. Easy returns isn't just policy, it's peace of mind.
Keep subject lines under 50 characters when you can. Mobile users need to see the whole thing.
This works especially well for considered purchases where customers need a nudge to commit.
7. Emoji Subject Lines
In a sea of text, a little 🛒 goes a long way.
Emojis catch the eye. They add personality. They make your email feel more human in a crowded inbox.
Why this works: Visual elements stand out. A shopping cart emoji next to "You left something behind" is instantly clear. No reading required.
Studies show emoji subject lines can boost open rates by 56%. But it depends on your audience and brand.
Examples
🛒 Still thinking it over? Your items are waiting👀 Did you forget something?🎉 Good news! Your cart is savedDon't let it get away! 🏃 Complete your order
How to use this
Stay on brand. A playful brand can go emoji-heavy. A premium brand should stick to subtle icons.
Test across devices. Emojis render differently on iPhone vs Android vs Outlook. Make sure yours don't look weird.
Less is more. One or two emojis, max. More than that screams spam.
Put emojis at the start to grab attention or at the end for a little personality flourish.
8. Second Chance Subject Lines
Sometimes people just need more time. And that's okay.
These subject lines take a softer approach. They acknowledge the customer was interested and gently invite them back. No pressure, just a helpful reminder.
Why this works: Not everyone responds to urgency or discounts. Some customers need to feel understood, not sold to. This builds trust.
Save this for later in your email sequence when the harder pushes haven't worked.
Examples
Still thinking it over? We saved your itemsA second look at your cartDon't let these get away...Was it something we said? Your cart is waiting
How to use this
Deploy this as your third or fourth email. The reminders are done, the discounts have been offered. Now it's relationship time.
Inside the email, address common objections. Include reviews, FAQs, or your return policy. Remove the friction.
Offer to help. A subject line like "Questions about your cart?" shows you're there as a resource, not just a salesperson.
Remind them why they wanted it in the first place. Bring back the benefits, the reviews, the reasons this product caught their eye.
For more on automating this whole process, check out our guide on ecommerce email marketing automation.
Quick Comparison: Which Type Should You Use?
| Type | Best For | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Urgency | Flash sales, time-sensitive offers | Email 2-3 |
| Personalization | High-value carts, repeat customers | Email 1 |
| Discounts | Price-sensitive shoppers | Email 2-3 |
| Social Proof | Bestsellers, trending items | Any |
| Curiosity | Standing out in crowded inboxes | Occasionally |
| Benefit-Focused | High-ticket, considered purchases | Email 1-2 |
| Emojis | B2C, mobile-heavy, younger audiences | Any |
| Second Chance | Hesitant buyers, relationship building | Email 3-4 |
Now Go Recover Some Revenue
You've got the playbook. Eight types of subject lines, each designed for different situations and customer mindsets.
Here's what to do next:
Segment your list. Don't send the same email to everyone. High-value carts might need bigger discounts. Returning customers respond to personalization.
Test everything. Run A/B tests. Pit urgency against benefits. See what your specific audience responds to. Let data guide you, not guesses.
Build a sequence. One email isn't enough. Plan out 3-4 emails that escalate, gentle reminder, then incentive, then urgency, then soft close.
Track what matters. Open rates are nice. Conversions are better. Revenue recovered is what actually counts.
Every recovered cart is money back in your pocket. More importantly, it's a customer who almost left but decided to stay.
Tired of figuring this all out yourself? At Inbox Connect, we build abandoned cart sequences that recover revenue while you sleep. We'll set up the workflows, write the emails, and manage the whole thing.
Book a free email audit and we'll show you exactly how much money you're leaving on the table.