The 7 Best Artificial Christmas Trees of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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For holiday cheer that lasts more than one season.
Dera Burreson / Real Simple
The best artificial Christmas trees eliminate all the hassle that comes with live Christmas trees—from sparse, uneven branches to the inevitable shedding needles you need to sweep up to the maintenance required so it will last throughout the season. Rather than hunting down the perfect holiday centerpiece year after year, you can opt for a reliable artificial Christmas tree that will stick with you for many seasons.
We tested 24 popular models in our Lab and evaluated them on factors like setup, lights, appearance, stability, ease of storage, and value. For expert insight on selecting an artificial Christmas tree, we spoke with Jerry Cavallaro, the digital content manager at Rent-A-Christmas, and Brad Schmidt, the owner and creative director of Brad Schmidt Designs.
“When trying to find a realistic Christmas tree, it all comes down to the branches and needles,” says Cavallaro. “From afar, one of the easiest things to spot is the profile of the tree—a conical-shaped tree looks more artificial, while a staggered branch layout creates a far more realistic silhouette. A closer look at the needles will help even more—their color, shape, feel, and the material they are made from all help determine the tree's level of realism. Tree tips that are made from molded polyethylene (PE) are more realistic, and a higher tip count per branch generally makes for a fuller, more realistic tree.”
Keep reading for more of our tested artificial tree selections and guidance on what to look for when finding the right one for your home.
Best Overall Artificial Christmas Tree: Puleo International 7.5 Pre-Lit Teton Pine Artificial Christmas Tree
What Stands Out
This pre-lit tree is super realistic and easy to store in the off season.
What Could Be Improved
The lights don’t have multiple settings.
This traditional, pre-lit pine tree from Puleo International earned its place as our best overall artificial Christmas tree for its robust performance in our Lab tests. With a simple, one-person assembly process, needle variation, sturdy construction, and an impressive takedown time of only five minutes, this classic tree is a streamlined solution to add festivity to your home this holiday season.
We were impressed by the varied needle sizes, which lends this tree a realistic look, along with a lush construction of 1,347 tips and a nicely hidden trunk. For those who want an efficient setup and takedown process, we found that this tree was very easy to assemble and disassemble. When it was time to take the tree down, it fit nicely into its original box, making storage for the off-season supremely convenient.
While the pre-installed white lights simplify setup, they don’t offer multiple modes or settings, so you’re stuck with the classic, colorless lights. When we unscrewed one bulb, we found that only a small section was impacted, making it easy to troubleshoot the missing bulb.
Price at time of publish: $419
Height: 7.5 feet | Base Diameter: 52 inches | Lights: Yes, clear | Tip Count: 1,347
Real Simple/dera burreson
Most Realistic Artificial Christmas Tree: Balsam Hill BH Fraser Fir Artificial Christmas Trees
What Stands Out
This lush artificial tree has no gaps or spaces, and is easy to fluff.
What Could Be Improved
It's not as easy to store.
In our testing, the Balsam Hill Fraser Fir Artificial Christmas Tree ranked highest for its realism—we could barely distinguish it from a freshly chopped tree. The quality of this pick is undeniable, as it boasts almost three times the tip count of most other trees at this height, creating a lush shape with no gaps or spaces.
We were also impressed with the branches, which are easy to fluff and make the tree look full. While this tree has the most impressive appearance on our list, that quality also coincides with the price, which is higher than most other options. That said, it can last for years and is a high-quality option if you are able to splurge.
One downside to this artificial tree is its weight, as we found it somewhat challenging to disassemble without assistance. It takes up a considerable amount of space and is pretty difficult to get into its storage bag, which might not be ideal for those who have limited storage space or need to disassemble their tree alone.
Price at time of publish: From $599
Height: 7 heights ranging from 5.5 feet to 12 feet | Base Diameter: 44-69 inches | Lights: Yes (clear, LED, multi, and color and clear options); un-lit also available | Tip Count: 1,478-6,839
Best Budget Artificial Christmas Tree: Best Choice Products 7.5-ft Premium Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree
What Stands Out
This traditional artificial tree boasts impressive stability considering its affordable price.
What Could Be Improved
We noticed some gaps in the branches.
For those decorating on a budget, turn to this Best Choice Product Premium Spruce Tree, which we commend for its quick setup and disassembly time. It took under 13 minutes to build the tree and only four minutes to take it down.
Despite this brief assembly time, we noted that one of this tree’s downfalls is that each branch needs to be fluffed individually for a semi-realistic appearance, which takes a considerable amount of time and drastically delays the overall setup process. Because this tree comes at a lower price, it sacrifices a bit of quality in terms of materials and appearance. The branches don’t look or feel very realistic, and we noticed some gaps that allowed the trunk to peek through.
Still, for such an affordable price, this tree boasts impressive stability. The base was reliably stable and supported the tree, and the star went on easily. While this tree might not be for those who want a hyper-realistic option, considering the low price, it’s a quality pick.
Price at time of publish: From $80
Height: 6, 7.5, or 9 feet | Base Diameter: 52-59 inches | Lights: No | Tip Count: 798-2,028
Best Decorative Artificial Christmas Tree: Grandin Road Long Needle Tinsel Tree
What Stands Out
This unconventional Christmas tree has fluffy needles and plenty of lights.
What Could Be Improved
There could be more size and height variations.
Grandin Road’s Long Needle Tinsel Tree has the appearance of a snow-dusted and sparkly Christmas tree, ideal for those who want to decorate their home a bit outside the traditional holiday box. With champagne-colored tinsel needles and a smattering of 550 included lights, this tree is sure to be a unique centerpiece in your space.
We were impressed with the stability of this tree, and noted that it was secure even when we tried to push it. Ornaments went on easily, and it could probably hold a decent amount of decorations for those who like a lot of holiday fanfare. It was also fairly straightforward to set up and take down, though we found that the included lights were a bit complicated and that the needles fell off of the tree easily.
Also, note that this artificial tree only comes in one height and diameter, so if your space won’t accommodate these dimensions, you will need to opt for another tree.
Price at time of publish: $799
Height: 7.5 feet | Base Diameter: 51 inches | Lights: Yes, clear | Tip Count: Not listed
Best Flocked Artificial Christmas Tree: Vickerman 7.5-ft. Flocked Alaskan Pine Artificial Christmas Tree
What Stands Out
This traditional artificial tree only took 15 minutes to assemble, and had impressive stability.
What Could Be Improved
It's challenging to add decorations to.
For those new to the realm of artificial Christmas trees, flocking is a coat of faux snow that rests on your tree, lending it that freshly-dusted look. This Vickerman flocked tree also includes 800 warm white bulbs in various sizes, which adds even more beauty to this already stunning tree.
This tree was easy to set up and take down, with a timed assembly and storage of 15 minutes and five minutes, respectively. While we were able to set up the tree by ourselves, you should note that this tree weighs 65 pounds, which may be too heavy to manage for some people. The Vickerman tree also stood out for its stability, and could support heavy ornaments with ease.
While many flocked trees are a vast improvement on their messy predecessors, faux snow can still create more hassle than an unflocked tree. If you’re willing to do sporadic sweeping and want a tree with that just-chopped appearance, then this Vickerman pick is absolutely worth considering.
Price at time of publish: From $710
Height: 7.5 or 12 feet | Base Diameter: 68 inches | Lights: Yes, clear and multi | Tip Count: 1,495
Best Slim Artificial Christmas Tree: National Tree Company Kingswood Fir Slim Artificial Christmas Tree
What Stands Out
This simple tree is easy to set up and decorate.
What Could Be Improved
It doesn't come pre-lit, and could be more realistic.
The slim National Tree Company Artificial Kingswood Fir has a no-frills design that makes assembly easy and intuitive, with a setup time of under seven minutes and a takedown time of under three. At just under 15 pounds, this lightweight tree is easy to handle without sacrificing stability for its maneuverability. And despite its lean profile, the tree is very stable, holds ornaments well, and stays straight and secure.
With a diameter of 30 inches, this is one of the slimmest trees on our list, which is further exaggerated by the height. We noted that the PVC needles don’t successfully mimic a real-life fir and that portions of the trunk do show through the branches. That said, the tree overall does not look spindly or patchy.
This pick also comes at an affordable price, making it ideal for those who are decorating on a budget. While it’s not the most realistic or lush artificial tree on our list, it’s ideal for a home with limited space.
Price at time of publish: From $64
Height: 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 9, 10, 12, or 14 feet | Base Diameter: 28-30 inches | Lights: No | Tip Count: Not listed
Best Tall Artificial Christmas Tree: Tree Classics by Balsam Hill Real-Feel Heritage Balsam Spruce Faux Christmas Tree
What Stands Out
This lush tree has a high tip count and full branches that create a realistic appearance.
What Could Be Improved
It is one of the more expensive trees on our list.
If you have dedicated space for an impressive, centerpiece tree, this 9-foot Real Feel Heritage Balsam Spruce will be an elegant addition to your Christmas decor. We found that this tree looks very realistic, with a mix of PVC pine needles and ‘Real Feel’ needles. The high tip count also aids with fullness, lending this tree a lush, well-distributed appearance.
With a tree of this size stability is essential, and thankfully the sturdy base came in handy to ensure it stayed in place. One downside we noticed was that heavier ornaments might not be as secure on this tree, since the branch material isn’t as strong.
While it’s to be expected that such a large tree would be a bit pricier, this pick is well above the median price of $296. People on a budget may need to opt for another tree, but for the quality of the branches, stability, and high-quality aesthetic, we think this tree is worth the higher price tag.
Price at time of publish: From $479
Height: 6 or 7 feet | Base Diameter: 46-61 inches | Lights: Yes (clear or multi) | Tip Count: 2,045-4,653
Final Verdict
Our top pick is the Puleo International 7.5-ft. Pre-Lit Teton Pine Artificial Christmas Tree for its lush, realistic look, convenient lighting, and streamlined assembly and takedown process. In our Lab testing, this artificial Christmas tree received stellar ratings across setup, stability, ease of storage, and value.
Our Testing Process
To select only the best artificial Christmas trees on the market, we acquired 24 models from popular brands and retailers and tested them in our Lab. We first evaluated the setup process by timing and recording how long it took to unbox, assemble, and fluff each tree. We noted whether the tree required multiple people to set up, the clarity of the provided instructions, whether there were any additional features to assist with setup, if there was any discomfort, and if we could arrange the branches to make the tree more realistic.
Dera Burreson
Once the trees were assembled, we examined the branches and needles, evaluating whether they appeared high-quality and realistic. We looked for bare patches, color variance, and compared the inner branches to the outer branches to see if there was any variety in feel or condition.
For trees flocked with snow, we observed how they fared throughout assembly and whether the flocking seemed evenly applied and realistic. We evaluated trees with lights by cycling through the lighting modes, if applicable, and unscrewed a bulb to see if the remaining lights stayed on.
Then we hung a provided set of ornaments on one side of the tree and considered if the tree stood straight or became unstable. As we hung the ornaments we noted whether the branches dipped, swayed, or seemed unable to support the ornaments. We also placed a topper on the tree and scanned for any imbalance. To measure ease of storage, we timed how long it took to remove all the ornaments and disassemble each tree.
After the testing process concluded, we reviewed the retail price of each product and assessed whether the product performed as advertised and if it was worth its price. We then scored each artificial tree on setup, appearance, stability, ease of storage, and value.
Dera Burreson
How to Shop for Artificial Christmas Trees Like a Pro
Size
Shopping online for an artificial Christmas tree eliminates the guesswork around sizing up your ceiling height compared to whatever spruce, pine, or fir you have in mind. “An important thing to remember is that you are not looking for the perfect Christmas tree; you are looking for the perfect Christmas tree for your space,” says Cavallaro. We recommend measuring the width and height of your space to ensure that there are at least a few inches to spare. Thankfully, artificial tree heights and diameters can vary greatly, so you can find one that accommodates your space.
Lights
A glimmering Christmas tree is the centerpiece of any home during the holiday season, so considering whether your tree comes pre-lit should be top of mind. While a pre-lit tree will cut out time spent decorating, if you prefer to have more creative control over your lighting or enjoy decking out the tree with family, you may want to opt for an unlit tree. It will give you the freedom to choose from a wider variety of indoor Christmas lights to better suit your style. Pre-lit trees can vary from traditional incandescent bulbs to LED lights that you can customize—the Balsam Hill BH Fraser Fir Artificial Christmas Tree, our Best Realistic pick, comes with six different lighting options.
Materials
“Most artificial Christmas tree needles are made from extruded polyvinyl chloride (PVC), molded polyethylene (PE), or a combination of the two types,” says Cavallaro. “PE offers a more realistic look but is typically much more expensive. Some of the best quality trees will have PVC branches close to the trunk of the tree, with lifelike PE tips on the outside to offer the most realistic look.”
Tree Type
While artificial trees are made of similar materials, they can resemble different Christmas tree varieties, which include fir trees, pine trees, and spruce trees. There are variations within each of these primary categories, though artificial trees are more likely to go for a generic mock-up of the broader category. “Faux trees look so real now, it’s almost impossible to tell the difference,” says Schmidt.
The type of tree you opt for comes down to design preferences—you really can’t go wrong regardless of the style you choose. Fir trees tend to be denser, with flat, soft needles, while pine trees are a bit more sparse, with upward-facing branches. Spruce trees, meanwhile, have sharper needles and are cone-shaped.
Dera Burreson
More Artificial Christmas Trees to Consider
Frontgate Rocky Mountain Full Profile Tree: We commend this artificial tree for its realistic outer layer of needles, lightweight feel, and stability. It also boasts a high tip count and lush profile, lending it a realistic appearance. That said, the tree’s lower and inner layers seem a bit sparse, and for this price tag, we feel that shoppers could probably find a better tree.
Balsam Hill Vermont White Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree: This lush artificial tree from Balsam Hill comes in a wide variety of heights and has an impressive appearance with its brown trunk, full branches, and elegant lights. While we still recommend this tree, we do think that it's more challenging to set up and store than other selections on our list.
Questions You Might Ask
How much does a good artificial tree cost?
Of the 24 artificial trees we tested in our Lab, prices ranged from $30 to $1,800, with a median price of $296. While you can certainly spend more on an artificial tree, there are affordable options that perform similarly, so you don’t need to break the bank to find a realistic, durable, and stable selection.
What is the best material for an artificial Christmas tree?
The most common materials for an artificial Christmas tree are PVC and polyethylene, or PE. For those who want to prioritize finding a realistic artificial tree, PE can better mimic bristles and branches. But if you’re looking for an affordable option, PVC is still a reliable material commonly found in artificial trees.
How many tips should an artificial tree have?
The number of tips your artificial tree has directly correlates to how full it appears—and trees with plentiful tips tend to look more realistic. Tree height determines the tip count, with larger trees requiring more tips to fill out their mass. Trees around 6 feet tall need a tip count of anywhere from 800 to 900, while a 10-foot tree needs a tip count of anywhere from 3,500 to 5,000. Check your manufacturer specs to ensure that the tip count is aligned with its height to avoid purchasing a sparse or unrealistic tree.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Quinn Gawronski, associate commerce editor for Real Simple, who has three years of experience writing and editing product reviews and roundups. To compile this list, we tested 24 artificial Christmas trees and evaluated them on setup, tree appearance, stability, ease of storage, and value. For expert tips, we consulted with Jerry Cavallaro, the digital content manager at Rent-A-Christmas, and Brad Schmidt, the owner and creative director of Brad Schmidt Designs.
What Is Real Simple Selects?
Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.
Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.
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