The best artificial Christmas trees dazzle your home without the cleanup and maintenance required of a real tree. They also offer features no live tree can offer: the ability to re-use your tree year after year, as well as nice extras like built-in lights that change colors with the push of a remote to unique accents like flocking or hot pink branches.
We've tested dozens of fake trees to find options that are lifelike, durable, and easy to assemble. We think the best artificial Christmas tree for most people is the Balsam Hill Fraser Fir. It's an investment, but it's a lush and vibrant tree that will likely last you for decades. Plus, they also offer an option to add on Twinkly smart lights, which allow you to create a unique light show on your tree. For a fraction of the price, the Home Accents Holiday Pre-Lit LED Jackson Noble Artificial Christmas Tree looks stately and realistic but has fewer sizes and light configurations. The 1,200 color-changing micro fairy lights can cycle through nine settings.
For consistency's sake, most of the trees in this list are the 6.5-foot or 7.5-foot versions, but most are available in several sizes, ranging from 4.5- to 15-feet. Don't forget to deck out your tree with all the trimmings with the best places to buy Christmas decor.
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Our top picks for the best artificial Christmas trees
Best overall: Balsam Hill 6.5-Foot Fraser Fir Artificial Christmas Tree - See at Balsam Hill
Best pre-lit: King of Christmas King Fraser Fir with LED Lights - See at King of Christmas
Best budget: The Puleo International 6.5-Foot Pre-Lit Aspen Fir Artificial Christmas Tree - See at Amazon
Best under $300: Home Accents Holiday 7.5 ft. Pre-Lit LED Jackson Noble Artificial Christmas Tree - See at The Home Depot
Best unlit: King of Christmas 7.5' Yorkshire Fir Artificial Christmas Tree - See at King of Christmas
Best slim: National Tree Company 6.5-Foot Downswept Douglas Slim Fir Artificial Christmas Tree - See at Amazon
Best flocked: Grandin Road 7.5'-Foot Aspen Pine Flocked Tree - See at Grandin Road
Best small: National Tree Company 4-Foot North Valley Spruce Tree - See at Amazon
Best overall
Gorgeously full and lush, the Balsam Hill Fraser Fir Artificial Christmas Tree is one of the most realistic artificial trees you can buy.
What we like
What we don't like
Balsam Hill is nearly synonymous with realistic artificial trees, and for good reason. It makes full trees with thousands of branch tips that make a beautiful home for your Christmas ornaments and lights. For the truly particular, Balsam Hill offers a branch sample kit to preview their offerings before you commit; the purchase price will be applied to your tree. The tree is available in a number of configurations: choose heights from 5.5 to 12-feet; a full, wide, or narrow shape; and six lighting options ranging from unlit to smart lights. The tree is also available with a standard set-up or a unique "flip" mechanism that where the tree is on wheels and essentially flips into place.
The standard 6.5-foot Fraser Fir has three hefty sections chock full of faux needles. While there are some bristly PVC branches near the pole to help fill out the tree, the majority of the tips are more realistic PE. These don't take nearly as much arranging as the PVCs.
Setup took around an hour and a half. I was impressed by how the branches overlapped each other to minimize sparse spots. All those branches make the tree beautiful and full but also heavy. As I dragged it from room to room, I could feel its full 39 pounds. Unlike other trees I tested, I only had to plug this one into the wall instead of attaching different light sections together. This made setup easier and meant I didn't have to hide garish tags.
Balsam Hill includes a sturdy canvas mesh storage bag and a separate bag for the tree stand. You also get two pairs of gloves, which I found helpful because some of the needles were a bit scratchy.
The branches did a great job of supporting lightweight ornaments but depressed a fair amount with a very heavy one. However, the needles held onto string fasteners tightly, making them very secure but difficult to remove during disassembly.
Best pre-lit
With more lights per branch than any of our other picks the King of Christmas King Fraser Fir offers a brilliant light display with nine possible settings.
What we like
What we don't like
What makes the Fraser Fir from King of Christmas unique is the multi-functional lights. Using the foot pedal, you can toggle through nine light settings, including a warm white, multi-color, and a few patterns. Some even blink on and off. It also comes with a remote that you can use in place of a foot pedal to turn the tree on and off.
While it doesn't offer as much variety as something like Twinkly's smart Christmas lights, you don't need an app. The tree uses the company's Power Pole feature, so the lights automatically connect when you add each section to the tree: no fussing with plugs or stringing.
While our top pick from Balsam Hill is also pre-lit, this one from King of Christmas features 150 more lights: 750 to Balsam Hill's 600 for the 6.5 foot tree. Since the King of Christmas tree has slightly fewer branch tips than Balsam Hill, that means there are more lights per branch. The lights also go all the way into the back of the branches, giving the tree the appearance that it's lit from within. Our one complaint is that the colored lights setting features a bit too much blue.
To assemble the tree, you'll need to pull down the hinged branches and separate and fluff them. Once the tree was fluffed and decorated, we didn't spot any gaps at all.
Best budget
The Puleo International 6.5-Foot Pre-Lit Aspen Fir Artificial Christmas Tree has some nice touches, like its multi-colored needles, that make it look more realistic.
What we like
What we don't like
The Aspen Fir from Puleo International is a natural-looking tree that's pre-lit with 500 incandescent lights and costs under $200. Puleo includes instructions for how to fluff the tree and setup took about 45 minutes. There are a good number of branch tips for a tree this size and price. As with many artificial trees, there are gaps where sections meet. The branches are a mix of bristle-like PVC and more realistic PE tips.
These needles are rubbery and a bit waxy feeling, which made arranging the branches without gloves no problem. They're also incredibly sturdy, holding up heavy ornaments with no trouble. One of the most unique features of this tree was the slight variation in the PE needles' color, which adds a bit more realism to the tree. Similarly, the pole is coated with a rough brown substance to mimic bark. This coating shed a bit out of the box and when I grasped the tree by the pole to move it around.
The included lights are pre-strung and wound around branches to hold them securely in place. It could make arranging some of the branches a bit tricky. The cord is also fairly short, so you must place it close to an outlet. I also had to plug in the different light strings.
Puleo has also released an LED version of it's Aspen Fir, which looks pretty new and doesn't have many reviews on it yet. It's about $100 more, but the biggest upgrade is that it has nine different light functions to switch between with foot pedal, including multi-color options
Other budget friendly options we tested
We're getting to the point of the season where availability is fluctuating and delivery times can also vary. If the Puleo Aspen Fir is unavailable, consider these other budget-friendly trees we looked at around the $200 mark or less.
- The Puleo 7.5 Foot Pre-Lit Slim Fraser Fir Artificial Christmas Tree a suitable option for those looking for a slim tree around $150. We tested the 6.5-foot version, which is now on backorder, but our reviewer ended up wishing she chose the 7.5 foot anyway for her 8-foot ceilings. The tree is quite full and dense in appearance, but our reviewer didn't find the PVC needles to look as realistic, and the lights don't feel evenly dispersed. Compared to the Aspen Fir which has 500 incandescent lights, the Fraser Fir only had 350. It also took a long time to fluff.
- National Tree Company has a range of affordable tree options, including the 6.5 ft Pre-Lit Dunhill Fir with 650 lights, which was super full in appearance and easy to put together. It does not have the brand's PowerConnect feature, so some of the wiring appeared when you look at it close up. We initially wanted to review the unlit version to compare as a budget alternative to our top pick from King of Christmas, but we received the pre-lit version. It's essentially the same build with the same number of branch tips — and no clunky connectors to look at.
- Wayfair has it's own faux tree collection with The Holiday Aisle and this lush Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Tree with Warm White Lights is available in sizes ranging from four to nine feet tall. The 6-foot version clocks in well under $200. In addition to it's realistic appearance, we particularly liked how the plugs are sleek and well hidden, setup was seamless, and that it came comes with gloves to save your fingertips during fluffing. The tree is lush and full, but was overshadowed in fullness when our tester compared it to a tree from National Tree Company. It's more manicured appearance makes it look more luxurious than the Aspen Fir from Puleo, too.
Best under $300
The Home Accents Holiday 7.5 ft. Pre-Lit LED Jackson Noble Artificial Christmas Tree looks incredibly realistic, with full, lush fir branches and 1,200 micro LED lights with nine light settings.
What we like
What we don't like
If you can stretch your budget to $300, Home Depot's high-quality Home Accent Holiday trees look realistic and offer great value. We looked at the Pre-Lit LED Jackson Noble Artificial Christmas Tree, which boasts a beautiful lighting scheme.
The setup instructions were easy to follow, but assembly is definitely a two-person job as some sections of the tree can be rather heavy —and to cut down on the time to arrange and fluff the tree. Once assembled, the tree is very sturdy and won't be easily toppled by a rambunctious child or pet.
It looks pretty realistic. It has a more manicured tree look, but the needles have a natural appearance. There are some gaps between the branches, and those gaps are a bit uneven, which lends to their realistic nature. I also like that I can't see the center pole.
The branches support nearly all ornaments, even heavier blown-glass bulbs. However, the top of the tree is weak, and placing a heavy tree topper requires some rigging. I ultimately lay my topper against the top branches.
The Jackson Noble is pre-lit with 1,200 color-changing micro dot LEDs that are controlled with a foot pedal or a remote so you can toggle through any of the 9 light settings, including a flashing and a fade setting. The white lights have a medium-warm glow, and the colored lights are nice and bright. I loved that I could switch between the two and my tree took on a totally new vibe. The white is very classy. The colors are bold and festive. I also love how seamlessly the lights blend into the tree, and they're evenly dispersed. If one goes out, it will not affect the rest of the tree, either. Plus, I didn't have any issues with the wires catching on anything during assembly or while I decorated the tree.
Best unlit
The King of Christmas 7.5' Yorkshire Fir Artificial Christmas Tree Unlit is an attractive option for those who don’t want a lit tree or you already have lights they love. Enter code CYBER15 at checkout to get the deal price.
What we like
What we don't like
The King of Christmas 7.5' Yorkshire Fir Artificial Christmas Tree Unlit is the best unlit tree for those who want a big, classic-looking tree that's a blank canvas. It let's you customize your lighting, or forgo it completely. This tree comes in various heights but won't be much wider than 45 inches in diameter, making it an excellent option for small apartments.
The absence of lights removes the hassle of unwinding stray cords, and it was easy to customize this tree to fit our own decorating style. We wrapped snowflake lights around it, which were easy to arrange and visible on the branches.
With over 2,000 branch tips, the tree has a dense, full look that can sometimes be lacking in fake trees. Once unfurled, the branches held their shape even when we placed our heaviest, half-pound ornaments on them. Decorations looked attractive on the dark green needles of this tree, although in bright, direct light, the needles appeared very artificial.
We also liked the density of needles concealing the tree's pole. While there are small gaps in the foliage, waxy green needles a shade darker than the exterior needles covered the tree rod. These needles camouflaged the pole well, making it less noticeable than a standard black one.
Assembling this tree was quick, but at 32 pounds, it's on the heavier side. The limbs are attached individually to the tree, and they need to be pulled down for assembly. A few of the limbs fell and hit our tester when they arranged the branches for decoration. Some branches did fall off during assembly, but it was simple to reattach them to the pole. This product also includes a storage bag, and the tree packed away with no trouble. Overall, this tree is a good value for the price and would be a nice addition to any home during the holiday season. — Sophia Carlisle
Best slim
The National Tree Company Downswept Douglas Slim Fir Artificial Christmas Tree will look stunning in narrow spaces.
What we like
What we don't like
For tight spaces, the National Tree Company Downswept Douglas Slim Fir is perfect for corners. The 6.5-foot tree is 30 inches in diameter, which is an inch narrower than the 4-foot tree we tested.
Like the full-size Douglas, this slim model has dual-color LEDs you can change with a foot pedal. It offers some nice variety instead of all-white or steady multi-color displays, and a convenient PowerConnect feature that more seamlessly integrates lights.
It doesn't have as many branch tips as other slim trees we've seen at this height. But both PE and PVC branches are included. As you assemble the tree, it's helpful to separate branches before adding a new section. National Tree Company has a useful video that shows the whole assembly process. As with the wider version, some reviewers have noticed gaps in some spaces.
Best flocked
What we like
What we don't like
Grandin Road's flocked tree caught my eye because of its gorgeous silhouette and lightly frosted look. Flocked trees feel extra festive, replicating frost you'd naturally find on a tree during the winter.
The tree arrived in a large cardboard box, with each of the individual sections wrapped in butcher paper. I had a bit of trouble putting it together — the instructions could've been clearer — but it only took my partner and me a little over an hour to get it set up and fluffed.
I love the unique shape of this tree. It's quite wide at the bottom — something to keep in mind if you're trying to fit it into a small space — with long branches throughout that remind me of a tree left to grow wild. I can almost imagine a bird's nest nestled between the branches.
This is the most realistic artificial Christmas tree I've ever seen. I'm usually wary of flocked trees, since bad flocking can make a tree look very fake. The flocking does a perfect job of replicating the look of real frost. I noticed only minimal shedding after fluffing out the branches, so I'm not worried about finding reams of fake frost on my floor during the holidays.
Some branches are made of hard plastic, while others are made of paper. They had no trouble holding ornaments, and the top is plenty sturdy for even a hefty tree topper. The 7-foot version is prelit with 550 clear warm incandescent bulbs, and the wires are integrated seamlessly. I wrapped it in a strand of purple lights, too, and it was easy to string the lights through the branches. — Kinsley Searles
Best small
For small spaces, National Tree Company’s 4-foot North Valley Spruce Tree is compact and budget-friendly.
What we like
What we don't like
National Tree Company's North Valley Spruce is a short, narrow tree that's great for bedrooms or smaller apartments. While no one will mistake this tree for something you picked up on the farm, it's durable and looks nice covered in ornaments and lights. It could also fit nicely on a tabletop.
I've had this tree for two years. I like that it's quick to assemble, with just two sections to put together. Fluffing the tree takes a while. You'll want to stand back every now and then to look for gaps, but instructions explain how best to arrange the branches.
The branches are the less realistic PVC and some gaps exist, especially where the sections join. The pole is wrapped in needles, so it blends in with the branches. They're easy to maneuver and hold heavy ornaments well. Because it's fairly small, the lights I added, a 100-count string, fit almost perfectly.
At 31 inches wide, it's a fairly slim tree and light enough to move around even when fully assembled. It compresses fairly well, so I've been able to store it in its original box.
What to look for when shopping for an artificial Christmas tree
Size: You'll want to consider both the height and diameter of your tree and how much space you have to devote. For instance if you have eight foot ceilings, you'll want to leave a little space to accommodate a tree topper and also keep the tree from brushing the ceiling. In that case, 7-foot and 7.5-foot trees will be a good height. Trees are typically sold in slim (more narrow for tight spaces), full, or sparse shapes.
| Tree height | Ceiling height |
| Under 6' | Small spaces, tabletops, |
| 6'-6.5' | Rooms with low to average height ceilings |
| 7'-7.5' | Rooms with 8' to 9' ceilings |
| 8'-9' | Rooms with 10' to 11' ceilings |
| 10-14' | Two story spaces or rooms with very high ceilings |
Polyethylene (PE) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC): PE branches are molded and feel more rubbery. They look more like individual needles attached to a branch. PVC branches are more bristle-like, with individual strips of plastic fastened to the branch. PE is more realistic but also heavier and pricier.
Branch tip number: A higher number of branch tips will mean a fuller-looking tree. If the tree has a mix of PE and PVC branches, more PE needles will look more realistic.
Unlit or pre-lit: Pre-lit trees are easier to set up, especially if they automatically connect different sections via the trunk so you don't have to hook up various strings. On the other hand, unlit trees give you a bit more flexibility on the type of lights you add. Pre-lit trees either have LEDS (more customizable light settings, energy-efficient, cool to the touch) or incandescent bulbs (more affordable, give a warm glow).
Tree variety: Common artificial Christmas tree types include fir, spruce, and pine. Which you choose mainly depends on your aesthetic preferences. You might like the pyramid shape of a Douglas fir or the hue of a blue spruce, for example.
Safety: Pre-lit artificial trees should be tested by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to ensure safety. You can look for UL symbol on the box and the retailers and manufacturers' product pages.
Warranty: Tree manufacturers often offer warranties on their products for between 2 and 10 years.
How we test Christmas trees
To test artificial trees, we looked at a mix of realism, assembly time and difficulty, ease of connecting lights for pre-lit trees, and how branches held up when decorated with ornaments. For untested trees, we relied on brands that I had tested and viewed in person at retailers in addition to looking at reviews and specs like number of branch tips, size, and assembly style.
Assembly: We timed how long it took me to set up each tree, including attaching sections and fluffing the branches. We also noted how easy it was to do alone, particularly if the sections were heavy.
Realism: We noted the different types of branches and how realistic they looked. Some trees have variations in needle color or faux bark to make them look more life-like.
Fullness: Trees with fewer branches tend to leave gaps. We looked at the trees after we fully fluffed them to look for spaces. They were often where sections fit together because you need a place to grasp the pole.
Lights: We looked at how easy it was to assemble pre-lit trees. Some didn't require anything more than plugging in to an outlet. For others, we needed to connect several strings of lights. We also paid attention to the spacing of the lights and their glow.
Durability: Our tester has a 4-ounce dragon that serves as a tree topper. We used it to see how well branches can hold heavier ornaments. Additionally, we moved each tree from room to room to see how likely they were to topple.
Artificial Christmas tree FAQs
Who makes the best artificial Christmas tree?
Balsam Hill is often regarded as one of the best artificial tree companies. Its trees are lush, with thousands of PE branches and some PVC ones to add to the fullness. We also like many of the options from Puleo International and National Tree Company for budget-friendly offerings.
What is the best type of artificial Christmas tree?
More-realistic trees will have a high number of PE branches for a dense, full look. The type of tree, whether spruce, fir, or pine, is a matter of preference.
What's the most real-looking artificial Christmas tree?
Trees with a lot of PE branches will look more realistic than PVC trees. Needles with subtle color variations also look more life-like, but no tree will completely fool anyone up close.
Are expensive artificial Christmas trees worth it?
The main benefit we've found with top-of-the-line trees is that they're fuller with fewer gaps between branches. They tend to look more realistic and will be sturdier. The trees with lights will also have more streamlined set up (with fewer cords) and typically customizable light settings and timers. You can still make a less-expensive tree look beautiful with lights and decorations though.
How to fluff a fake Christmas tree
Fluffing your tree is the key to getting a realistic look. For a 6- to 7-foot tree, you should expect to spend one to two hours fluffing your tree the first time. Future fluffing should go faster since the branch tips will already be separated. Here is the best way to fluff a fake Christmas tree:
- Fully assemble your tree. Some experts recommend fluffing each section as you assemble, but we think it's better to fluff once the tree is fully assembled, so you can easily spot gaps, especially where the sections meet each other.
- Make sure each branch is pulled as far away from the base as possible. This will help cover gaps between each layer of branches.
- Working branch by branch, pull the tips of each branch in separate directions starting from the back of the branch and moving forward. Fan out the branch tips as much as possible in all directions; for example, if the branch contains four tips, pull one each to the left, right, top and bottom. You may want to wear gloves for this part, as it can be tough on the hands.
- Continue fluffing each branch as you move around the tree. It doesn't matter if you start at the top or the bottom, but you should fluff all the branches in one row before you move on to the next.
- Once all the branches are fluffed, stand back and look for any gaps. You can fill in gaps by adjusting the position of the branch tips. Larger gaps can be filled with ornaments or other decorations.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@jkmperu.com.
