Did you know that over 70% of online shoppers abandon their carts and never return?

That’s millions of dollars in potential sales lost every day.

Most e-commerce brands already send follow-up emails to bring shoppers back, but the thing is, even the most beautifully designed email won’t work if no one opens it. 

Thus, the real battle is won or lost in the subject line.

In this article, we’ll explore the best subject lines that actually get clicks, break down why they work, and show how automation can make your abandoned cart emails even more effective.

What Makes the Best Abandoned Cart Email Subject Lines?

A powerful subject line does more than grab attention; it speaks to emotion, relevance, and timing.

The best ones share three traits:

• Instant clarity: Shoppers should immediately know what the email is about.
• Emotional pull: Curiosity, urgency, or humor can spark action in readers.
• Personal touch: People respond to messages that feel like they were written just for them.

Fun fact: Personalized subject lines increase open rates by 26%, according to Campaign Monitor.

Your goal is simple: make the customer pause, feel something, and click to see what’s inside.

The Best Examples of High-Converting Abandoned Cart Email Subject Lines

Here are some real-world examples (with their corresponding psychological triggers) that consistently perform well and why they work. 

Urgency & Scarcity

• “Oops…your cart is about to expire.”
• “Last chance to grab your favorites before they’re gone!”

Urgency triggers FOMO (the fear of missing out). When shoppers believe their chosen items might sell out, they act faster.

Curiosity & Emotion

• “Did you forget something awe-mazing?”
• “We saved your cart and a surprise discount.”

Curiosity is one of the most reliable open-rate boosters. When you pair it with emotion, it adds warmth and keeps your brand human.

Personalization & Value

• “John, your cart misses you.”
• “Still thinking about those sneakers? Here’s 10% off.”

Personalization makes the shopper feel seen. Mentioning their name or the product reconnects them to the buying moment.

Humor & Brand Personality

• “Your cart called; it’s feeling lonely.”
• “Don’t let those items get adopted by someone else!”

A bit of humor breaks inbox monotony and shows personality. It can turn a routine reminder into something people actually enjoy reading.

Incentive-Based

• “A little something to sweeten the deal”
• “Your items + free shipping are made for each other.”

Discounts and perks still work, but the secret is to frame them as thoughtful gestures, not desperate attempts to get the sale.

Tips for Writing the Best Subject Lines That Get Clicks

When writing subject lines for conversion, always keep these in mind. 

• Keep it short: Aim for 50 characters or less for mobile users.
• Focus on one emotion: Clear beats clever every time.
• Avoid spam triggers: Words like “FREE!!!” or “BUY NOW” can hurt deliverability in mail services.
• Test everything: A/b testing subject lines improves your open rates drastically. 

The best subject lines may be short, but powerful enough to recover lost sales, rekindle curiosity, and remind shoppers why they wanted your product in the first place.

Great subject lines alone aren’t enough; the timing, targeting, and audience matter just as much. That’s where automation comes in. 

Tools like Revvy analyze visitor behavior in real time, segment audiences automatically, and recommend the subject lines that perform best for each shopper. No more guesswork. With it, every abandoned cart email becomes a second chance for your store at conversion.