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“Wirecutter’s best Amazon Prime Day deals: the PM edition” was a July 17, 2018 afternoon deals update—not a current 2026 Prime Day buying guide. Published on Engadget at 4:00 p.m. EST, the Wirecutter roundup listed eight products at historical prices ranging from $26 to $500. Those prices and recommendations should be treated as an archive of that sale, not as offers that remain available today.
The original page warned that deals could change or expire. Anyone considering one of these products now should independently check the retailer listing, seller, condition, warranty, replacement parts, software support and compatibility before spending money.
What “PM edition” meant
“PM edition” referred to an afternoon update during Amazon Prime Day. It was not a separate type of Prime membership, shopping method or product category. The article was published by Wirecutter on Engadget on July 17, 2018, at 4:00 p.m. EST, as a time-sensitive list of discounts on products Wirecutter had selected in its buying guides.
The page described itself as a partnership with Wirecutter and disclosed that Engadget and Wirecutter could earn affiliate commissions from purchases. It also presented the products as Wirecutter’s editorial selections. Those facts should be reported together; the disclosure alone does not establish that the recommendations were paid endorsements.
#1 Best Overall
- Your favorite music and content – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
- Alexa is happy to help – Ask Alexa for weather updates and to set hands-free timers, get answers to your questions and even hear jokes. Need a few extra minutes in the morning? Just tap your Echo Dot to snooze your alarm.
- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart home devices with your voice and routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. Create routines to automatically turn on lights when you walk into a room, or start a fan if the inside temperature goes above your comfort zone.
- Do more with device pairing – Fill your home with music using compatible Echo devices in different rooms, or create a home theatre system with Fire TV.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
Read the original Engadget-hosted roundup.
The eight historical deals at a glance
The prices below are the figures listed in the 2018 article. The percentage savings are arithmetic based on the article’s stated street and deal prices, not independently verified current discounts. “Street price” can be an estimated typical price rather than a manufacturer’s suggested retail price.
| Product | Historical street price | Historical deal price | Approx. savings | Wirecutter status at the time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DJI Spark Fly More Combo | $550 | $500 | $50, about 9.1% | Budget drone pick |
| Dyson V8 Absolute | $450 | $365 | $85, about 18.9% | Upgrade cordless-stick-vacuum pick |
| Bonavita BV382510V 1.0L Gooseneck Kettle | $65 | $45 | $20, about 30.8% | Runner-up electric kettle and pour-over recommendation |
| TP-Link Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch | $35 | $26 | $9, about 25.7% | Budget in-wall wireless-switch/dimmer pick |
| iRobot Roomba 671 | $350 | $230 | $120, about 34.3% | Runner-up status was changing |
| Crucial MX500 250GB | $73 | $55 at checkout | $18, about 24.7% | Top SSD pick |
| Q Acoustics 3020 pair | $270 | $243 for walnut and graphite | $27, 10% | Top bookshelf-speaker pick |
| Anker PowerCore 20100 | $40 | $31 for black | $9, about 22.5% | Higher-capacity power-bank pick |
Which were the strongest historical deals?
- Largest dollar saving: The Roomba 671 was listed at $230 against a stated $350 street price, a $120 difference.
- Largest percentage saving: The Roomba’s approximate 34.3% discount was the highest in the list, followed by the Bonavita kettle at about 30.8%.
- Most notable checkout detail: The Crucial MX500 appeared at $60 in the deal description but reportedly fell to $55 before tax at checkout.
- Most conditional pricing: Q Acoustics pricing depended on finish. Walnut and graphite were listed at $243, while black and white were listed at $289.
- Color restriction: The Anker PowerCore deal applied only to the black version.
- Most qualified recommendation: The Roomba was described as a reasonable deal, particularly for pet hair and Wi-Fi functionality, but Wirecutter said its runner-up choice was changing.
A large markdown is not automatically the best value. These products were included because of their place in Wirecutter’s then-current buying guides, not simply because they had the biggest percentage discount. A smaller discount on a strong category pick can be more meaningful than a larger discount on an aging or changing recommendation.
What the article said about each product
DJI Spark Fly More Combo: $500 historical deal price
Wirecutter identified the DJI Spark Fly More Combo as its budget drone pick. The article highlighted 1080p recording, stabilization, collision avoidance, an included controller, ActiveTrack and gesture controls.
For a present-day buyer, the main financial risk is not the old $500 figure but ownership uncertainty. An older drone may have limitations involving flight time, camera performance, obstacle avoidance, app compatibility, firmware and regulatory requirements. Check that any listing is clearly new or refurbished, identify the seller and confirm that required software and batteries are still supported.
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- Your favorite music and content – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
- Alexa is happy to help – Ask Alexa for weather updates and to set hands-free timers, get answers to your questions and even hear jokes. Need a few extra minutes in the morning? Just tap your Echo Dot to snooze your alarm.
- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart home devices with your voice and routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. Create routines to automatically turn on lights when you walk into a room, or start a fan if the inside temperature goes above your comfort zone.
- Do more with device pairing – Fill your home with music using compatible Echo devices in different rooms, or create a home theatre system with Fire TV.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
Dyson V8 Absolute: $365 historical deal price
The Dyson V8 Absolute was listed as Wirecutter’s upgrade pick for cordless stick vacuums. Its advantages over the main pick included more attachments, longer battery life and somewhat stronger suction.
Battery condition is critical when evaluating an older cordless vacuum. A used or refurbished unit can have materially different runtime from a new one, and the cost and availability of a replacement battery can change the economics. The 2018 recommendation and $365 price do not establish that a current listing is a good buy.
Bonavita BV382510V kettle: $45 historical deal price
The Bonavita 1.0-liter gooseneck kettle was listed at $45, down from a stated $65 street price. Wirecutter treated it as a runner-up electric kettle and recommended it for pour-over coffee and tea drinkers who value accurate temperature control and a gooseneck spout.
This is one of the more understandable archived purchases if a current listing is new and the buyer specifically wants those features. The useful question is not whether the old discount still exists, but whether the current price is reasonable for a supported temperature-control kettle with the desired capacity and pouring control.
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- Meet Echo Dot Max: Experience rich room-filling sound that automatically adapts to your space and fine-tunes playback. Features a built-in smart home hub and Omnisense technology for highly personalized experiences.
- Music to your ears: With nearly 3x the bass versus Echo Dot (2022 release), it fits beautifully in any space, delivering your personal sound stage with deep bass and enhanced clarity. Listen to streaming services, such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and SiriusXM. Encore!
- Do more with device pairing: Connect compatible Echo smart speakers and smart displays in different rooms, or pair with a second Echo Dot Max to enjoy even richer sound. Pair your Echo Dot Max with compatible Fire TV devices to create a home theater system that brings scenes to life.
- Simple smart home control: Set routines, pair and control lights, locks, and thousands of smart home devices that work with Alexa without needing a separate smart home hub. With Omnisense technology, you can activate routines via temperature or presence detection.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot Max doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
TP-Link Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch: $26 historical deal price
The TP-Link switch was Wirecutter’s budget pick and the least expensive standalone model it had tested in that category. It was listed at $26, compared with a $35 street price.
Smart-switch purchases have installation and ecosystem costs that a headline price can hide. Before buying, verify the current app, Wi-Fi requirements, voice-assistant compatibility, electrical-box fit and whether the installation requires a neutral wire. Do not assume that a switch recommended in 2018 will work with today’s hardware or software.
iRobot Roomba 671: $230 historical deal price
The Roomba 671 had the largest stated dollar discount: $120 off the article’s $350 street price. The article described it as a reasonable deal for features including pet-hair cleaning and Wi-Fi functionality.
However, this was not an unqualified recommendation. Wirecutter said it was changing its runner-up robot-vacuum pick. That matters because a discount does not compensate for a product being displaced editorially. A current buyer should also check navigation performance, app support, replacement parts, battery condition and privacy practices.
Rank #4
- Your favorite music and content – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
- Alexa is happy to help – Ask Alexa for weather updates and to set hands-free timers, get answers to your questions and even hear jokes. Need a few extra minutes in the morning? Just tap your Echo Dot to snooze your alarm.
- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart home devices with your voice and routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. Create routines to automatically turn on lights when you walk into a room, or start a fan if the inside temperature goes above your comfort zone.
- Do more with device pairing – Fill your home with music using compatible Echo devices in different rooms, or create a home theatre system with Fire TV.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
Crucial MX500 250GB: $55 at checkout
The Crucial MX500 was described as Wirecutter’s top SSD pick. Its cited strengths were affordability, performance, a five-year warranty and an established manufacturer. The deal was listed at $60, with the article reporting a final price of $55 before tax at checkout.
The checkout price is an important reminder not to treat every displayed deal price as final. More importantly, a 250GB SATA SSD may be poor value for many current systems compared with larger SATA drives or NVMe models. Confirm whether the computer accepts a 2.5-inch SATA drive, an M.2 SATA drive or an NVMe drive, and compare the total usable capacity and warranty of current options.
Q Acoustics 3020 pair: $243 for selected finishes
The Q Acoustics 3020 pair was listed as Wirecutter’s top bookshelf-speaker pick. The article praised its detail, wide soundstage, bass, vocal accuracy and ease of driving. Walnut and graphite finishes were listed at $243, while black and white finishes were listed at $289.
These are passive speakers, so the historical deal was not a complete audio system. A buyer also needs a compatible amplifier or receiver. Confirm the finish-specific price, speaker condition and compatibility with the amplifier before comparing the deal with current powered speakers or other passive pairs.
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Best Value
- MEET ECHO SPOT - A sleek smart alarm clock with Alexa and big vibrant sound. Ready to help you wake up, wind down, and so much more.
- CUSTOMIZABLE SMART CLOCK - See time, weather, and song titles at a glance, control smart home devices, and more. Personalize your display with your favorite clock face and fun colors.
- BIG VIBRANT SOUND - Enjoy rich sound with clear vocals and deep bass. Just ask Alexa to play music, podcasts, and audiobooks. See song titles and touch to control your music.
- EASE INTO THE DAY - Set up an Alexa routine that gently wakes you with music and gradual light. Glance at the time, check reminders, or ask Alexa for weather updates.
- KEEP YOUR HOME COMFORTABLE - Control compatible smart home devices. Just ask Alexa to turn on lights or touch the screen to dim. Create routines that use motion detection to turn down the thermostat as you head out or open the blinds when you walk into a room.
Anker PowerCore 20100: $31 for black
The PowerCore 20100 was presented as Wirecutter’s higher-capacity power-bank pick. The article said it could charge a tablet and two smartphones on a long flight, or a smartphone for nearly a week, and listed the black version at $31 instead of $40.
For a current purchase, nominal capacity is only one factor. Check battery age, charging ports, USB-PD support, actual device compatibility and applicable airline limits. The 2018 color restriction also shows why buyers should read the variant details instead of assuming every color shares the same price.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should not be carried forward from the roundup
Do not carry forward any of these claims without fresh verification:
- That the historical prices are still available.
- That any of the eight products is still in production or sold by the same seller.
- That the products remain Wirecutter’s current best, budget, upgrade or runner-up choices.
- That batteries, replacement parts, apps, firmware or warranties remain supported.
- That an old product is compatible with current computers, smart-home systems, phones or charging standards.
- That an old listing is new rather than used, refurbished or supplied by a third-party seller.
- That a price described as a “street price,” “new low” or similar claim remains a valid benchmark.
Prime Day pricing is inherently time-sensitive, and the original article itself warned that offers could expire. The page also does not establish that every listed deal required Prime membership, so that should not be assumed from this archive alone.
How to use this page responsibly in 2026
- Start with the original date. Treat every amount in the table as a July 17, 2018 historical figure.
- Open the current retailer listing separately. Confirm today’s price, stock, seller, condition, shipping and return terms. The archived Amazon destinations for the first six products are linked above; the original Q Acoustics and Anker destinations were not reliably resolved and should not be guessed.
- Check the manufacturer. Verify current manuals, firmware, batteries, parts, app support and warranty terms.
- Check hidden compatibility costs. Examples include an amplifier for passive speakers, electrical requirements for a smart switch, a supported computer interface for an SSD and current charging standards for a power bank.
- Compare with current products. An older product can be worthwhile only if its present price and support position beat newer alternatives. That comparison cannot be inferred from the 2018 article.
- Record the date you checked. Any current price or stock statement becomes stale quickly, especially during a shopping event.
Why this archive is still useful
The roundup remains useful as a snapshot of how Wirecutter approached Prime Day: it filtered sale listings through existing category recommendations rather than presenting every large markdown as a bargain. It also shows why deal research needs context. The Roomba had the biggest discount but a changing recommendation; the MX500 had a lower checkout price than its displayed deal price; and the speaker and power-bank offers depended on finish or color.
Its usefulness is therefore historical and methodological. It is not evidence of current availability, current value or current product support. A reader using it to spend money today should treat the eight products as comparison references and recheck every practical ownership detail.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
