8 of the Best Artificial Christmas Trees
Updated: Dec. 21, 2022Searching for the best artificial Christmas tree to put up in your home? We've researched and evaluated the top picks, from pre-lit to flocked trees.
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‘Tis the season to deck the halls! And with decorating for the holiday season comes the joy of putting up your Christmas tree. Are you someone who waits until after Thanksgiving or do you get yours up right away? No matter the timing, if you’re in the market for a new artificial Christmas tree, or you’re hoping to make the switch for the first time, there are plenty of things to keep in mind.
Getting a Christmas tree into your home can be one of the trickiest parts of the process, even with the option for real tree delivery. Luckily, many artificial trees are packaged and shipped right to your door, with easy assembly to boot. From full, pre-lit trees to smaller trees that fit in tight spaces, along with flocked trees to make a statement, we found the best artificial Christmas trees to consider.
What to Look for When Buying an Artificial Christmas Tree
It can be tricky to search for an artificial Christmas tree online. If you’re having it shipped to your home, chances are, you won’t see it until it’s unboxed. In choosing the perfect tree for your needs, first consider the size and shape for your space. You may also what to consider the type of tree, and think about how realistic it looks, as well. Ease of set-up and storage are also important, especially if you’re setting up a large tree.
You’ll also want to consider the price point. Now is the best time to buy an artificial Christmas tree because you’ll have your pick of the best selection. Keep an eye on Black Friday deals, too. We know you’re scoping out kitchen sales (hello, Instant Pot and KitchenAid markdowns!), but Black November is a great time to pick up a tree. Many major retailers, including Walmart, Amazon and Balsam Hill are running sales.
Best Overall Artificial Christmas Tree
Balsam Hill Classic Blue Spruce
Balsam Hill has earned a name for itself as one of the most popular options for artificial Christmas trees because of their realistic quality. This stunning blue spruce tree is a classic shape, and it’s one of Balsam Hill’s best-selling options with more than 4,000 reviews. It’s a dense tree for shoppers who love a full, abundant look right out of a Hallmark movie.
Choose from a range of heights, as well as lit and unlit options, to find the perfect fit for your living room. Plus, we love that it comes in a handy storage bag for easy takedown.
Pros
- Full, abundant shape
- Several size options
- Timeless look
- Includes bag for easy storage
- Can be pre-lit or unlit
Cons
- Requires a lot of fluffing and shaping
Best Value Artificial Christmas Tree
Best Choice Products Premium Spruce
Need a great deal? This artificial spruce Christmas tree boasts a classic, full shape. There are three main pieces to put together for easy assembly. Once each section is in place, all that’s left to do is fluff the branches!
It’s a great, sturdy option with more than 12,000 reviews and a 4.7 star rating from happy customers. And it’s a low investment if you’re new to artificial Christmas trees and are hoping to see if it’s a good option for your home. Speaking of value, have you seen these HomeGoods Christmas items?
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Three size options
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- No pre-lit option
Best Splurge Artificial Christmas Tree
Balsam Hill Fraser Fir Flip Tree
Balsam Hill’s flip tree design makes it that much simpler to get your Christmas tree up and ready for decorating. The bottom section of this Fraser fir tree is attached to the base, making it easy to flip for set-up. Then, all that’s left to do is put the tree top in place.
This splurge-worthy option also features a beautiful, full shape, realistic needles, two different light options, along with the choice of four different heights to find the ideal fit for your space. Need ideas for decorating? Learn how to decorate a Christmas tree. Plus, these floating Christmas candles are the latest Christmas tree decor trend.
Pros
- Clever flip design for easy set-up
- Four size options
- Pre-lit with clear or color LED lights
- Comes with bag for easy storage
Cons
- Higher price point than other options
Best Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Tree
National Tree Company Carolina Pine
Hoping to say goodbye to the headache of stringing lights around the tree? This pre-lit Christmas tree takes all the guesswork out of it. It’s available in four different height options with a realistic design, complete with hundreds of classic white lights strung throughout. We love that it comes with a five-year limited warranty and is made by National Tree Company, which has been in the artificial tree company business for more than 60 years, making it a trusted brand.
Looking for something a little smaller? Check out the adorable Charlie Brown Christmas tree.
Pros
- Pre-lit with white lights
- Four size options
Cons
- Requires a lot of shaping time
Best Unlit Artificial Christmas Tree
National Tree Company Dunhill Fir
To fully customize the look and feel of your Christmas tree, you may want an unlit option. This Dunhill fir tree from National Tree Company gives you the opportunity to add your own lights, whether you want white lights, multicolored, pink or teal. It’s all up to you! The tree is available in 10 different height options and is quick and easy to assemble. Plus, it comes with a five-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Full, classic design
- 10 size options
Cons
- Requires a lot of shaping time
Best Flocked Artificial Christmas Tree
Best Choice Products Pre-lit Snow Flocked Pine Tree
Flocked trees are a stunning choice to match a variety of decor styles. This popular flocked tree has over 8,000 reviews with a 4.6 star rating, making it a promising realistic pine option. It’s dressed up with frosted branches for a freshly fallen snow look. The tree is complete with pre-strung white lights and can be purchased in four different height options.
We love the retro vibes of this charming tree. (And these vintage-inspired ceramic tree night lights!)
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Vintage-style flocking
- Four size options
Cons
- Set up can be messy
Best Colorful Artificial Christmas Tree
Balsam Hill Denali White Tree
Hoping to add a splash of color to your living room this season? Choosing a vibrant, colored tree is a great alternative to the traditional look! While this option from Balsam Hill is actually white, it’s the lights that make a colorful statement. The full, classic tree shape is made up of stark white branches. Once the multicolored lights are turned on, it creates a stunning ombre effect. Choose from three different heights and use a convenient app to control the colorful LED lights right from your phone.
Looking for other fun alternative Christmas tree ideas? A succulent Christmas tree might be the perfect fit!
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Multicolored LED lights operated by app
- Endless customization
- Comes with a limited three-year warranty
Cons
- Tree is only colorful when lit
Best Slim Artificial Christmas Tree
Puleo International Pre-Lit Fraser Fir Pencil Tree
If you need to save space, a slim artificial Christmas tree is a helpful option. This pencil-shaped tree can fit into tight spaces, yet has multiple height options to still make a statement. The tree comes pre-lit with clear lights and is quick and easy to assemble for a realistic look.
Pros
- Fits into tight spaces
- Easy to assemble
- Comes pre-lit with white lights
Cons
- No option for multicolored lights
FAQs
What type of artificial Christmas tree is the most realistic?
The type of artificial Christmas tree you choose is entirely up to you. However, if you want something that looks as close to the real thing as possible, consider a noble fir or blue spruce. Those options tend to have a more realistic, full look with a classic Christmas tree shape.
Are expensive artificial Christmas trees worth it?
Generally, when it comes to artificial Christmas trees, a more expensive option will mean it’s more realistic. An artificial Christmas tree is an investment that should last for 5-10 years. Some trees even come with a warranty to cover quality issues with the tree or the lights if it’s a pre-lit option.
Evaluation Criteria
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject-matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
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