The 25 Best Apple TV+ Original Movies Everyone Should Watch

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Though relatively new on the Hollywood scene (its first movie was released in 2019), Apple TV+'s slate of original films already includes everything from charming indies, to blockbuster fare, to award-winning prestige pictures. It was even the first streamer to win the Best Picture Oscar, for 2021's CODA.

Below, you'll find a sampling of the studio's best offerings so far, with something for every viewer. You might be excused for thinking many of them were typical theatrical releases—and some did hit theaters first—but strictly speaking, they are all Apple TV+ originals.

All of You (2025)

In the not-too-distant future, Soul Connex claims that it can match you with your one true love. This Black Mirror-esque premise finds Laura (Imogen Poots) signing up and taking the test with the reluctant encouragement of her college bestie, Simon (Ted Lasso's Brett Goldstein, also the co-writer). Matched with a guy named Lukas, she eventually marries and starts a family with her soulmate, but Simon never quite gets over his feelings for Laura. And, as years go by, Laura begins to wonder about the road not taken. It's not required homework, but the movie is something of a spin-off of the short-lived 2020 series Soulmates, an anthology of stories set in the same fictional world; All of You takes the same core premise in a new direction. Stream All of You.

All of You (2025)

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Highest 2 Lowest (2025)

Spike Lee is a certified cinematic genius, but it seems he makes the kinds of movies that don't play in theaters anymore. His previous release, the war epic Da 5 Bloods, went straight to Netflix five years ago, and this new one, a remake of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa's noir-influenced High and Low, dropped on Apple TV+ after a cursory theatrical run. I'm not sure what it says about the state of the film industry that one of our best directors, paired with one of our most bankable stars in Denzel Washington, can't command a wide release, but here we are. Wherever you watch it, the film is a corker. Washington plays David King, a music mogul who receives a call from kidnappers who claim to have his son. King moves heaven and Earth to collect the millions he'll ned to pay the ransom—only to discover that there's been a mix-up, and the kidnappers actually have taken the son of his driver (Jeffrey Wright). King has to decide: Is saving the chauffeur's kid worth it? It's based on a 1959 Ed McBain novel, and after two adaptations, it's still a compelling premise. Stream Highest 2 Lowest.

Highest 2 Lowest (2025)

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Fancy Dance (2023)

Lily Gladstone follows up her Oscar-nominated performance in Killers of the Flower Moon with an equally impressive turn from Seneca-Cayuga filmmaker Erica Tremblay, making her feature directorial debut. Gladstone plays Jax, a queer Cayuga woman living on an Oklahoma reservation with her niece Roki (Isabel Deroy-Olson). Jax's sister (and Roki's mother) disappeared weeks ago, but neither tribal police nor the FBI are willing to take it seriously, given the family's troubled history. Child protective services tries to place Roki into the custody of her estranged white grandfather and his second wife, an arrangement that neither of the young women is comfortable with. The two set out on a dangerous journey to the tribal powwow in Oklahoma City—the FBI that wouldn't take their concerns seriously before are suddenly very interested in finding the two, who are also forced to evade local law enforcement and even ICE. It's not an entirely joyful narrative, but there is a powerful message about the power of community and family in the face of even the most oppressive external forces. Stream Fancy Dance.

Fancy Dance (2023)

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The Lost Bus (2025)

The title might not suggest high-tension survival drama, but this film from director Paul Greengrass (United 93, Captain Phillips) is full of harrowing moments. The 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California's Butte County was, and remains, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history, and here we revisit the true story of Kevin McKay (Matthew McConaughey), a down-on-his luck bus driver who reroutes his bus to pick up a bunch of school kids and their teacher (America Ferrera) trapped behind the fire line. McConaughey and Ferrera are great, but the movie excels in its sense of a roadtrip through an initially familiar environment that increasingly comes to feel like a descent into hell. Stream The Lost Bus.

The Lost Bus (2025)

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15 Movies and Shows Like 'Pluribus' You Should Watch Next

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Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan's new series Pluribus has earned a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. It's just an excellent show, featuring an end-of-the-world science fiction story with a wildly inventive apocalypse: instead of zombies or nuclear bombs, Pluribus' world ends with humanity literally coming together. Through a transmission from space, everyone on Earth is melded into a single consciousness, so there's no more conflict or hunger, but there's no more individuality, either. Mysteriously, a handful of people were left out of the great melting, including Carol (Rhea Seehorn) a cynical, hard-drinking writer who refuses to give in to the collective.

The only thing I don't like about Pluribus is that I can't watch all the episodes right now. If you're in the same place, below are 15 movies and TV shows you can watch while you wait for the new episode of Pluribus to drop on Friday.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

If you like fiction where everyone has been taken over by a collective, you have to start with Invasion of the Body Snatchers. The 1950s red scare paranoia-fest created the blueprint that's been followed since. Snatchers is rebooted every few decades, with the pod people representing a different cultural fear—they were communists in the original, "Me Generation" therapy addicts in the 1978 version, and suburban normies and military types in 1993's Body Snatchers—but the core "I'm the only individual left and everyone is out to get me" undercurrent is consistent and fits in perfectly with Pluribus.

Where to stream: Prime, MGM+

Breaking Bad

Vince Gilligan created Pluribus and Breaking Bad, and while the two series are very different on the surface, they share a surprising amount of DNA. Gilligan's gritty "science teacher makes meth" series and his sci-fi "author is the last human on Earth" series both are meticulously plotted but unpredictable stories set in sun-blasted middle-of-nowhere locations where morality is a complicated gray area.

Where to stream: Netflix

Mrs. Davis

We might all be linked together as a hive mind like Pluribus, but Mrs. Davis is evidence that there's something to the idea of a collective consciousness. It was developed at the same time as Pluribus by another famous show creator (Damon Lindelof, father of Lost) and features a similar central plot device: an AI has taken over and everyone on Earth does its bidding in exchange for peace and prosperity. Mrs. Davis feels like a first draft of Pluribus, before the creator decided to make the tone more serious and take out all the goofy claptrap about The Holy Grail.

Where to stream: Peacock

The Leftovers

Like Pluribus, The Leftovers features ordinary people navigating a world-altering catastrophe. The catastrophe in The Leftover is the sudden, inexplicable disappearance of 2% of the world's population. Like Pluribus, the human drama is as important and weighty as the sci-fi premise, and both series are driven by "what does this all mean?" energy.

Where to stream: HBO Max

Children of Men

The gigantic, mysterious event at the center of Pluribus makes the world a better place in a lot of ways, but when women inexplicably become infertile in Children of Men, the result is bleakness and chaos. If you like a combination of action and philosophical questions, watch (or re-watch) Children of Men.

Where to stream: Rent or buy on Prime or YouTube

Black Mirror

Pluribus could be an extended episode of Black Mirror. The British anthology series came out of nowhere in 2011 and captured the world's imagination with its speculative, near-future (usually) sci-fi stories that explore the point where technology meets humanity. Standout episodes for Pluribus fans include S3, E6 "Hated in the Nation," in which Autonomous Drone Insects start murdering people based on a hashtag; S6,E1, "Joan is Awful" with its black comedy vibe and maximum paranoia premise; and S7, E4's "Plaything," in which a nerdy writer's obsession with a 1990s video game sets off a world-altering technological revolution.

Where to stream: Netflix

The Twilight Zone

Pluribus could be also be an extended episode of the original Twilight Zone, a series that used science fiction and fantasy to explore human ethics and morality before most Pluribus fans were born. If you can put up with the stage-like vibe of the show, there are a lot of great episodes that cover the same ground as Pluribus, like S1, E22, "The Monster Are Due on Maple Street," in which a nice suburban community unravels over fear of a alien invasion; and S5, E20, "Stopover in a Quiet Town" a darkly funny episode in which an ordinary couple confronts an all-encompassing mystery. Also, don't miss S1, E21, "Mirror Image." It doesn't have a lot to do with Pluribus, but it's the creepiest, most suspenseful television episode ever made and I think you should watch it.

Where to stream: Tubi, Prime

12 Monkeys

12 Monkeys pairs perfectly with Pluribus. In it, a virus wipes out most of humanity, and one man is sent back in time to stop the end of everything. Like Pluribus, it’s a carefully plotted story rife with moral ambiguity, dark humor, and characters struggling against forces far bigger than themselves.

Where to stream: Available to rent or buy on Prime

The Prisoner

The Prisoner was way ahead of its time, and its portrayal of an MI5 secret agent trapped in a mysterious town for reasons unknown is a perfect precursor to the existential paranoia and surveillance-heavy themes in Pluribus. A mash-up of spy thriller, psychological drama, and allegorical science fiction, The Prisoner's exploration of the tension between individuality and conformity still works. Plus, it's occasionally unhinged in that specific 1960s way that Austin Powers parodied.

Where to stream: Prime

Her

It hasn't taken long for real life to catch up with 2013's Her. This strange rom-com details the relationship between nerdy everyman Theodore and the AI he falls in love with. Like Pluribus, Her questions how technology and modernity are changing our idea of what it means to be human, but Her is intensive instead of extensive, deeply exploring one person's (and one bot's) story without as much focus on the larger world.

Where to stream: Available to rent or buy on Prime and Apple TV+

Severance

One of the things I like about Pluribus is that it's clear Vince Gilligan was provided with the resources, freedom, and time to fully realize his vision, a luxury that seems to be becoming increasingly rare in entertainment. Severance is another example of a high concept, intelligent science fiction story that feels creatively free. Its exploration of alienation and identity is a perfect match with Pluribus.

Where to stream: Apple TV+

The Man Who Fell to Earth

Modern science fiction shows like Pluribus and Severance remind me of the heady, pre-Star Wars sci-fi of the 1970s, where science fiction tropes like spaceships and aliens were used to explore philosophical and cultural ideas in ways realism can't reach. The Man Who Fell to Earth takes on big ideas like isolation, the corrupting influence of capitalism, and what it means to be human (or not human) while wrapping them in a surreal, otherworldly story. Plus, it stars David Bowie as an alien, so it's a must-watch.

Where to stream: Tubi, Pluto TV.

Russian Doll

Russian Doll follows Nadia, an average, urban woman stuck in a time loop. She repeatedly dies and wakes up at her birthday party, like an edgier version of Groundhog Day. Like Pluribus, Russian Doll blends high-concept science fiction with dark humor and explorations of identity, choice, and the meaning of life. The show is clever, fast-paced, and smart—perfect for viewers who like their fantastical stories with a side of introspection and absurdity.

Where to stream: Netflix

The Good Place

There haven't been many (or maybe any) straight-up comedies that explore philosophical ideas like The Good Place does, so it's hard to believe that its big ideas and sit-com style jokes could blend together so smoothly. But they do, and the result is a wholly original show. If Pluribus was played strictly for laughs instead of partly for laughs, it might look something like The Good Place.

Where to stream: Apple TV+

Ex Machina

Ex Machina is a cerebral thriller about a young programmer administering the Turing test to an AI-powered robot named Ava. Like Pluribus, it explores big questions about consciousness and free will, while also playing with the blurred lines between creator and creation. This smart, stylish flick is a must-watch for anyone interested in the philosophical side of sci-fi.

Where to stream: Buy or rent on Prime or YouTube

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Seven Basic Home Improvement Tools That Deserve an Upgrade

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When it comes to the common, everyday tools we use to do quick maintenance and repair work around the house, there’s a tendency to just stick with what you have. If you have a measuring tape or clamp in your tool chest, you’re probably not going to think about getting a new one until the old one breaks. Usually, that’s a good practice—if a tool is doing its job, why waste money on a new one? One reason is to upgrade that tool. Just because the standard spirit level you’ve been using for the last decade still does the job doesn’t mean an upgraded version won’t do the job better. These upgraded versions of common, everyday tools make every project just a bit easier—and that makes them worth the investment.

A waterproof notebook

If you’re like me, you have to make a lot of notes when you’re working around the house. I learned long ago that I need to be a “measure 15 times, cut once” kind of DIYer, so I tend to jot down measurements and other details in a little notebook—it's much better than writing on the wall, or your hand. That is, unless you’re working in damp conditions that turn your notebook into mush. That’s why buying a few of these weatherproof notebooks is such a powerful upgrade: Water, oil, dirt, sweat—it all just beads and rolls off, but you can write on it with a #2 pencil or a pen designed for all-weather use (you can use any old pen or pencil when its dry). Even when you’re knee-deep in a flooded crawl space, you’ll be able to make notes easily.

Improved markers

Though I like my little notebook, sometimes you’re in a tight space and you just need to mark something or make a notation anywhere. A standard marker is usually fine for this, but if you’re working in damp, dirty spaces, not only will standard markers fail, they’ll also get damaged. Enter these Inkzall markers. They’ll write on anything, even if it’s wet, dirty, or greasy. And if you’ve ever tried to write on a rough surface like concrete, you know that it will chew up a standard marker tip. These markers are made to handle rough surfaces, though, and will write just fine.

Double-sided measuring tapes

It’s such a small innovation, but having a tape measure with markings on both sides removes one minor frustration with standard tape measures: When the tape gets twisted around, or you need to hook it onto something but read from underneath. This tape measure from Lufkin is not only double-sided, it has hooks on both sides as well, so you can just slap it into place and get a measurement. Plus, the matte black finish means zero glare from work lights, and makes it a little easier to read in dim spots.

Crescent Lufkin 1-3/16" x 25' Black Widow Black Dual Sided Tape Measure - L1025B

$26.98 at Amazon

$26.98 at Amazon

An adjustable clamp

Clamps are the DIYer’s best friend—they’re the second set of hands you need to get things done on your own. Standard bar clamps have one limitation: their length. If you need to clamp something larger than the span of the clamp, you’ve got a problem—unless you have this clever clamp. Using 2x4 lumber, you can create a clamp of just about any length on the fly. The heads can be positioned anywhere along the 2x4, secured in place, and moved as needed.

Stable work lights

Working in dark, constricted spaces can be stressful and frustrating. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve set up a work light in my crawl space or in a tight spot under a floor, only to knock it over when I’m awkwardly moving about. That’s why the Wobblelight is a godsend. It’s a powerful work light that you literally can’t knock over. It will just ... wobble, and right itself. This way, even if you do accidentally knock into it, you can just keep working without having to extricate yourself, retrieve your light, and re-insert yourself to get back to work.

A digital level

We all have a spirit level in our tool collection. Whether it’s a small, plastic number or a more robust version, they all work the same way: You place the level on top of something and then squint to see the tiny bubble and judge whether it’s exactly level or maybe just slightly off. And if you’re me, you always realize it’s “slightly off” after you’ve finished the job. That’s where a digital level comes in. With a large display screen (and a second display on top), you’ll get an extremely accurate measurement from various angles or from a distance. And an audible beep will tell you when you’re level, so you don’t even have to look at it while you work.

A universal socket

The standard procedure in my house when working with sockets is a) choose the wrong size; b) become frustrated; c) repeat until you pick the right socket. But with this universal socket, it just fits automatically every time. While you might not want to throw your socket set away in favor of this, you’ll definitely be using it less, especially for those random moments when you need a socket to remove a stuck bolt or have bolts of varying sizes to deal with.

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds — $84.99 (List Price $129.00)

Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00)

Shark AV2501AE AI XL Hepa- Safe Self-Emptying Base Robot Vacuum — $294.99 (List Price $649.99)

Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99)

Sony WH-1000XM5 — $248.00 (List Price $399.99)

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Try 'Pomodoro 2.0' to Focus on Deep Work

When it comes to productivity hacks, there are two things I love: the tried-and-true classics, like the Pomodoro method, and shaking them up with a few customizations. I've written before about other ways to mold Pomodoro to match what you need, but today's idea, Pomodoro 2.0, is one of the easiest and most effective adaptations.

What do I mean by "Pomodoro 2.0?"

First, a refresher on what the Pomodoro technique even is. When you're using this technique to focus and be productive, you set an alarm for 25 minutes, work for that time, then take a five-minute break. You complete that cycle four times, then give yourself a longer break at the end, up to half an hour, before starting again. That's it. It works because you spend those relatively short bursts concentrating on the task at hand, knowing a reprieve is coming. Since they're not too long, it doesn't feel insurmountable.

It also works because those breaks play an important role. Taking periodic breaks can make you more productive, both because they give your brain a rest and because they stop you from toiling to the point that your output gets shoddy.

I saw the idea of "Pomodoro 2.0" mentioned on a forum a while back and started Googling. What I found impressed me—it addresses one of the main critiques I have of the original, which is that 25 minutes isn't always enough time to get into a state of deep work, or work that is uninterrupted, purely focused, and effortless enough that time seems to be flowing by.

Over at Beyond Productivity, Dr. Christian Poensgen recommends starting the Pomodoro session with a 30-minute work block, then adding more time to it after the break, tacking on between 15 or 60 minutes. I recommend doing this incrementally, adding 15 every time, so you work for 30, then 45, then 60, and finally 75 minutes before your big break. Adding too much too soon—or working in too-large chunks all the way through—defeats one of the main purposes of the technique, which is to not get overwhelmed, so taking it slower and easier while still adding on time is the best bet.

If you're not sure how much time to add on, familiarize yourself with the concept of flowtime. Also known as "flowmodoro," the idea here is that you should track how long you can work on a given task before you feel drained, track how long your breaks need to be to make you feel reenergized, and start creating custom, Pomodoro-esque work and rest blocks for every kind of task you do in a given day. It takes a bit of data collection and planning, but it can help you master the general technique while still prioritizing deep work and breaks.

Why use Pomodoro 2.0?

The Pomodoro technique shines (and has been so popular for so long) because it helps you ease into your work, motivated by the small work sprints and promise of rewards. It's absolutely true that you need to take breaks to keep your productivity up, so that part should never be altered or skipped, but sometimes, 25-minute grind sessions just aren't enough and five minutes to reset isn't, either. Getting into a state of deep work takes time. Repeatedly stopping yourself before you hit that point is counter-productive.

Giving yourself more time to work on harder, more complex tasks is critical in some instances, just like taking breaks. Adding time to the work blocks in increments helps you settle in and get more done without overwhelming yourself. You should consider this alteration if you have a major project that demands a lot of resources or energy, letting yourself build up to the hard parts as you add minutes to your timer.

If you're trying this out and not getting the results you want, you can shake it up another way, too. Remember the idea of "eating the frog," or tackling your biggest to-do list item first thing in the morning? Consider eating the frog in Pomodoro 2.0, starting with your 75-minute block and working backward to 60, 45, and 30. Remember, none of these rules are hard and fast; you can make changes that match your needs and personal preferences. If you're someone who doesn't get overwhelmed and has the ability to jump in on long-term work, this structure could suit you, as the promise of shorter and shorter work sessions can feel like a motivator of its own.

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You Can (and Should) Modify the Pomodoro Technique to Fit Your Work Habits

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The Pomodoro technique—so named for the tomato-shaped timer its originator used to track his own work schedule—is widely considered one of the best productivity techniques out there. That's why I've recommended it a lot in the past and why it regularly appears on best-of lists of productivity methods.

It's simple: Set a timer for 25 minutes (or use a specially designed app) and work on a task for that amount of time, then take a five-minute break before setting the timer and working again. After four 25-minute cycles, you get a longer break. In theory, this keeps you both motivated and clear-headed.

Beloved as it is, it doesn't work for everyone. Nothing does. But don't lose hope. You can—and should!—modify it to fit your needs.

Why the Pomodoro technique works—and why it sometimes doesn't

The idea behind Pomodoro is a good one. Generally, two factors dramatically improve productivity: Taking periodic breaks and diving into focused, deep work on one task without doing a bunch of other stuff at the same time. Since focused work and breaks are built into this technique, it can push you to get a lot done in those 25-minute bursts, whether you're grinding away on a work project, studying for a test, cleaning the house, or answering emails.

Sinking into the zone of "deep work" is easier for some people than others, though, which is why Pomodoro fans sometimes report that the 25-minute allotments just aren't enough. In other cases, 25 minutes may be too long for knocking out simple tasks, leading you to get distracted. Just because something is considered the gold standard doesn't mean it works at the gold-medal level for everybody.

There are times when you can't work, for instance, and you're forced into a period of inactivity (which you should embrace). Other times, it's a lack of motivation, not resources, that stalls you. For me, whether Pomodoro works in its standard format is dependent entirely on what I'm doing and engaged I am. Some people can lock in for 25 minutes on even the most tedious task, but I am not one of them.

In fact, when it comes to productivity, the approach that works best for me is the two-minute rule, or doing something the moment I think of it. Today, I had to do a uniquely unpleasant cleaning task. The urge hit me at 7 a.m., so I got right to it; had I been preoccupied with a set schedule, I would have procrastinated. I couldn't have done that task for a sustained 25 minutes, but I was able to chip away in five- and 10-minute blocks with gratuitous Instagram breaks in between. Instead of getting down on myself for being unable or unwilling to follow the most tried-and-true structure in the productivity world, I was proud of myself for doing the thing, no matter what the process looked like. Give yourself similar grace as you endeavor to modify Pomodoro to suit your needs, even if they differ from task to task.

How to modify the Pomodoro technique

Don't toss out the concept altogether if you're not finding it effective for you. Instead, modify it. I recommend spending a few weeks diligently tracking your time. You can use time-tracking software or a plain old spreadsheet, but as you're working through your to-do list, keep notes on when you feel like you've entered a deep work phase. You'll know it's happening when working is feeling smooth, you're not distracted by anything, and time is flowing by as you're getting results. Also keep track of when you start to feel distracted, as well as how much you actually got done at the end of each 25-minute Pomodoro set. Finally, keep track of how you feel during and after your break times. Doing all this helps you with a concept called "flowtime," also known as "flowmodoro." There's more to it than that, but tracking your work time, and the feelings you experience during it, is the first step.

After a few weeks, go through your data and look for patterns. Did you struggle to get into the zone when cleaning your kitchen every time that task came up? Did you find you only hit a "deep work" phase 15 minutes into your work time, leaving you with only 10 minutes to truly get things done before your timer went off? Did you feel ready for a break when one rolled around, or did you spend your five minutes of off time distracted by everything you still had to do? Did you feel rejuvenated when it was time to get back to work or was the idea unappealing?

Ideally, you should be in a flow state for those 25 minutes, be able to enjoy your break time with little anxiety, and feel eager to get back to being productive when it's time to reset the timer. If those things aren't true, you can modify the technique. If it takes you longer to get into the zone, give yourself more work time. If you can't get comfy during your breaks, make those longer. As you make adjustments, keep tracking your time, feelings, and output until you find a work-break balance that works. For an example of how one person managed this, consider animedoro, a Pomodoro spin-off invented by a college student who sought to work longer so he could take breaks long enough to finish an episode of anime. Using your own personal motivators as a guide can be helpful.

Again, the core tenets of this technique—focused work and consistent breaks—are proven to be effective for productivity. It's the 25-minute blocks that can be a little subjective and arbitrary; that part is just based on what worked for the guy who invented this, so if he could pick time blocks that worked for him, why can't you? As long as you're committed to doing deep work and giving yourself breaks, it doesn't actually matter how long you're allotting for yourself to do either. Just keep in mind that working too long can make you unproductive, so do try not to give yourself too much time there.

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The Garmin Forerunner 265 and 965 Have Never Been Priced This Low

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While I've been thinking about the sale prices we might see on Black Friday, Garmin just went and dropped the prices on several of their watches. The Forerunner 265 and 965 are at their lowest prices ever, both $150 off. Several other watches are on surprisingly good sales as well.

Garmin Forerunner 265 Running Smartwatch

$299.99 at Amazon

$449.99 Save $150.00

$299.99 at Amazon

$449.99 Save $150.00

Garmin Forerunner 265S Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Light Pink and Powder Gray

$299.99 at Amazon

$449.99 Save $150.00

$299.99 at Amazon

$449.99 Save $150.00

Garmin Forerunner® 965 Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Amp Yellow and Black

$449.99 at Amazon

$599.99 Save $150.00

$449.99 at Amazon

$599.99 Save $150.00

The Garmin Forerunner 265 is one of my favorite running watches, and you can read my review of it here. It's got an AMOLED screen, all kinds of advanced training metrics, dual-band GPS, and can connect to a bike power meter, to name a few of the features that set it apart from other watches. I own one myself and highly recommend it. Its original price was $449.99, but it's sometimes been on sale for $50 or $100 off. It was $100 off for last year's Black Friday, and has made occasional dips back down to that price since the Forerunner 570 came out this year. (The 570 is basically a 265 plus voice features, and it's not on sale this year—yet?)

Both sizes are now on sale: the 46-millimeter 265 and the smaller version, the 42-millimeter 265S (S for "smaller"). Both are the same price at $299.99.

The Forerunner 965 has the same features as the 265, plus a few extras—the biggest of which is maps. Normally $599.99, the 965 is on sale for $449.99.

Amazon has these marked as a "limited time deal," but Garmin has them in their "holiday gift guide," suggesting this might be the Black Friday price showing up early.

Also on sale:

• Garmin Forerunner 165: $199.99 ($50 off) and 165 Music: $249.99 ($50 off)

• Garmin Vivoactive 6: $249.99 ($50 off). See my review of the Garmin Vivoactive 6.

Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds — $84.99 (List Price $129.00)

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This Fire TV Stick HD Is Less Than $20 Right Now

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A small upgrade can make an old TV feel new again, and the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD is the kind of plug-and-play streaming device that does exactly that. It’s down to $17.99 right now (from $34.99), which price-tracking sites confirm is its lowest recorded price.

Amazon Fire TV Stick HD (1080p)

$17.99 at Amazon

$34.99 Save $17.00

$17.99 at Amazon

$34.99 Save $17.00

PCMag calls it “the best 1080p media hub” for folks sticking to Full HD, and that lines up with how simple it is to set up. The stick slides straight into an HDMI port, and Amazon also includes a short extender in case your TV’s ports are too tight. It runs in 1080p and supports HDR10, so shows and movies mastered for HDR look a bit richer, even on older screens. I wouldn’t expect a dramatic jump in picture quality, but scenes with a lot of contrast—the kind with bright signage or dark backgrounds—look more defined. It also supports Dolby Atmos, which helps when you pair it with a soundbar that can handle it.

Using it day to day feels familiar if you’ve used any recent Fire TV interface. You get all the usual streaming services—Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, YouTube, Apple TV+, even Crunchyroll and Twitch. The Alexa button on the remote works like it does on other Fire devices: press, talk, let it find what you want. The remote itself feels simple enough to use, and the built-in volume rocker is helpful if your TV remote is long gone. It relies on a quad-core 1.7GHz processor, 1GB RAM, and 8GB of storage. That’s enough for the basics, but you’ll feel its limits from time to time. The interface can get choppy, especially when you jump across tabs quickly or open a large library. Reviews also point out that the stick still uses wifi 5 instead of wifi 6, which matters if your home has a lot of devices fighting for bandwidth.

This is strictly a 1080p device, so if you have a 4K TV (or plan to get one), the Fire TV Stick 4K is just $7 more and offers smoother performance, better wifi, and Dolby Vision. It also doesn’t support AirPlay or Google Cast, so sending videos from an iPhone or Android phone isn’t as seamless. Still, for someone with an older TV who wants the modern streaming apps in one place, the current $18 price makes it feel like a low-risk upgrade.

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