Best Abandoned Cart Email Subject Lines: What Actually Works?

You’re probably reading this because your cart abandonment emails are getting ghosted. The truth is, people don’t open emails unless the subject line earns it. There’s no magic trick. It’s about saying the right thing at the right moment. That’s it.

So let’s break down what makes abandoned cart email subject lines worth opening — and how you can stop your emails from ending up in the trash.

Why Good Abandoned Cart Email Subject Lines Matter So Much

Picture someone on your site. They click around, add stuff to their cart, get distracted, and leave. Maybe they really wanted that thing. Maybe they just forgot. Now your abandoned cart email is your one shot to remind them you exist.

You could have the best deal inside that email. Doesn’t matter if they don’t open it. That’s why your abandoned cart email subject lines are your first hurdle.

A bad subject line feels like spam. A good one feels like a nudge from a friend. The gap between those two? That’s your recovery rate.

5 Things Good Abandoned Cart Email Subject Lines Do

You don’t need to overcomplicate this. The best abandoned cart email subject lines do these things:

They sound human. Nobody wants to open an email that screams “marketing.”
They remind the shopper about what they left behind.
They hint at something worth clicking for — like a deal or free shipping.
They create a tiny bit of urgency — not fake urgency, real urgency.
They don’t overpromise.

If your abandoned cart email subject lines can check off those five, you’re ahead of most businesses.

Let’s Talk Numbers: How Many Words Work Best?

Short works better. Nobody reads a 20-word subject line. Aim for 5 to 7 words if you can. 50 characters is a good ceiling.

It’s not a hard rule, but shorter abandoned cart email subject lines get more opens. Think about how you check your own email. Do you read every word? Probably not.

Words to Actually Use in Abandoned Cart Email Subject Lines

Here are a few that work well when you’re stuck:

“Left” (like “You left something behind”)
“Still” (like “Still want this?”)
“Oops” (casual, human)
“Your” (makes it personal: “Your cart misses you”)
“Back” (like “Come back for your [item]”)

Keep it simple. “Exclusive,” “special,” and “limited” can work too, but don’t force them in.

15 Real Examples of Abandoned Cart Email Subject Lines That Don’t Suck

You can swipe these if you want. Or just use them to get your brain moving.

“Oops, you forgot something”
“Still thinking it over?”
“Your cart misses you”
“Is your cart waiting for you?”
“It’s not too late to check out”
“Come back and get your [product]”
“Still want this?”
“Your items are almost gone”
“Complete your order today”
“A little something to finish your order”
“Don’t let your [product] get away”
“Hey, you left this behind”
“Last chance to grab your stuff”
“Your cart is about to expire”
“A deal to get you back”

Notice how none of these abandoned cart email subject lines sound like a pushy ad. They’re simple reminders. That’s what works.

Should You Use Emojis in Abandoned Cart Email Subject Lines?

If you ask 10 marketers, 5 will say yes, 5 will say no. Here’s my take: if it fits your brand, fine. But don’t slap a random shopping cart emoji on there just because you think it’ll get attention.

Most people care more about the words than the emoji. Plus, emojis can look weird on different devices. If you want to test it, do an A/B split test. But don’t expect emojis to fix a bad line.

Is “Discount” the Only Way?

You see a lot of abandoned cart email subject lines throwing discounts around. “Get 10% off!” “Here’s 15% just for you!” That can work, but be careful. If you always give discounts in your abandoned cart email subject lines, you’re training people to abandon carts on purpose.

Use a discount as a last push, not your first. Try sending one or two reminders without it. If they still don’t bite, then you can send the discount.

Also read our guide on Successful Email Marketing for Ecommerce: It Starts With Knowing What An Email Subscriber Is Worth

Timing: When to Send Abandoned Cart Emails (So Your Subject Line Matters)

This piece is underrated. You can write the best abandoned cart email subject lines in the world, but if you send them too late, they won’t do squat.

Here’s a basic timing plan:

First email: 1–3 hours after abandonment.
Second email: 12–24 hours later.
Third email: 48–72 hours later.

The first abandoned cart email subject line should just be a friendly nudge. The second can add urgency. The third is where you bring out the deal if you’re offering one.

Test Your Abandoned Cart Email Subject Lines Like It’s Your Job

Too many folks write one line, send it to everyone, and pray. Bad idea. Test two or three abandoned cart email subject lines at once. Split your audience.

Look at open rates. Click-through rates too. Over time, you’ll see which words, lengths, and styles get people to care.

No test is too small. Even changing “Oops” to “Hey” can shift results.

Personalization: Does Using Their Name Help?

It can. “Hey Sarah, your cart misses you” feels more real than “Your cart misses you.” But don’t overdo it. If your name merge field glitches, you get “Hey FirstName” in their inbox. That’s worse than no personalization.

If your system is solid, go for it. Just keep the rest of the abandoned cart email subject line tight.

Should You Mention the Product?

Sometimes. If you sell stuff people really want — like shoes, furniture, or electronics — mentioning the actual product in your abandoned cart email subject line can work. Like: “Your Sony headphones are still waiting.”

Just make sure it’s clear and not too long.

Don’t Try to Be Clever If You’re Not

Some brands think clever abandoned cart email subject lines will save them. A pun or joke can work — if it fits your brand and you’re good at writing them.

But most people mess it up. They come off cringey or confusing. If you have to explain the joke, you’ve lost the open.

What About FOMO?

FOMO works when it’s true. If you have low stock, use that in your abandoned cart email subject lines. “Only 2 left in your size.” That’s real urgency.

Just don’t fake it. People can smell fake urgency. You’ll lose trust.

Three Abandoned Cart Email Subject Lines You Should Never Use

Here are three types of abandoned cart email subject lines you should avoid:

“Final Notice!!!” — Screams spam.
“Open this now or else…” — Weird threat vibe. Don’t do that.
“You won’t believe what’s inside!” — This isn’t clickbait. People want relevance, not mystery.

Real Stories: What Brands Do Right (and Wrong)

I once saw a small candle shop use “Your cart is lonely…” as their abandoned cart email subject line. It was so simple, but it worked. Why? It matched their warm, personal vibe.

On the flip side, a big electronics retailer sent me “Exclusive VIP Offer for You!!!” It felt fake. I didn’t even remember adding something to my cart. Straight to spam.

Moral: Know your vibe. Write abandoned cart email subject lines that fit. Don’t try to sound like someone you’re not.

When in Doubt, Be Direct

Some businesses get stuck because they want their abandoned cart email subject lines to be perfect. But “perfect” doesn’t exist.

When you don’t know what to write, just be direct. “Still want your items?” “Come back for your cart.” “You left this behind.” It’s basic, but it works.

Keep a Swipe File

Whenever you see abandoned cart email subject lines in your own inbox that make you open, save them. Start a doc. Over time you’ll have a stash you can pull from. It saves time and gives you ideas that already have some proof behind them.