The 7 Best Artificial Christmas Trees

Best artificial Christmas trees displayed in a living room next to a fireplace — BHG / Dera Burreson

Old traditions can be hard to break, especially if you’re used to putting up a real Christmas tree during the holidays. While artificial Christmas trees of decades past might indeed have looked fake and kitschy, they have evolved into modern versions that look and even feel like the real thing. If you’ve been dreaming for months about how to decorate your Christmas tree—perhaps even hanging it upside down for a change this season—a no-maintenance artificial tree can save you time, especially if it comes pre-lit. Plus, there’s an excellent chance it will stick around not only for Christmas morning but for many Christmas mornings to come.

“There are downsides to having a real tree,” says Mary Patton, owner and designer at Mary Patton Design in Houston, Texas. “You could be extremely allergic, like I am, to a real live forest in your house.” That is enough for some to look for the best artificial Christmas tree they can find. But there are other considerations if you can handle decorating a Christmas tree that’s been freshly cut. “Real trees require you to change the water, mist the greenery, and you can expect your pets to eat the pine needles,” says Patton.

We tested two dozen artificial Christmas trees, scoring our best artificial Christmas trees list based on ease of setup, disassembly, and storage. Plus, we judged them on appearance, stability, and overall value.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Puleo International 7.5 Pre-Lit Teton Pine Artificial Christmas Tree at Amazon ($152)

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Best Budget:

National Tree Company Kingswood Fir Slim Artificial Christmas Tree at Amazon ($68)

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Best Pre-Lit:

Wondershop 7.5-ft. Pre-Lit Slim Virginia Pine Artificial Christmas Tree at Target ($136)

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Best Realistic:

Balsam Hill Woodland Spruce at Balsamhill.com (See Price)

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Best Fraser Fir:

Balsam Hill BH Fraser Fir Artificial Christmas Tree at Amazon ($549)

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Best Unlit:

Best Choice Products 7.5-ft Premium Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree at Amazon ($90)

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Best Tall:

Balsam Hill Vermont White Spruce at Amazon (See Price)

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Best Overall

Puleo International 7.5 Pre-Lit Teton Pine Artificial Christmas Tree

Walmart

View On Amazon $152 View On Walmart $287 View On Home Depot $249

Our Ratings

Setup

5/5
Tree Appearance

4/5
Stability

5/5
Ease of Storage

5/5
Value

5/5

Why You Should Get It

Varied needles make for a realistic look.

Keep in Mind

The lights are not strung all the way to the end of the branches.

We liked the varied needles, which made the tree look realistic and with no bare spots. The “trunk” was tucked away nicely, too. The branches didn’t cause any irritation to our hands. So you can fluff branches to your heart’s content. The tree seemed sturdy and stood straight, even after decorating and adding the topper—no need to tighten or straighten the tree.

If you’ve never had a pre-lit tree before, here’s something to win you over: It took just 17 minutes to set up this tree from Puleo International. Needless to say, it’s simple to assemble for one person, from putting the stand together to matching up the plugs for the lights.

It took just five minutes for us to take it down, and there was no trouble fitting it nicely into the box. That’s another reason this Puleo tree made our best pick overall on our best artificial Christmas trees list—it not only looks beautiful, but the ease of taking it down means that you’ll be able to store it properly for use year after year.

Best Budget

National Tree Company Kingswood Fir Slim Artificial Christmas Tree

Amazon

View On Amazon $68 View On Target $85 View On Walmart $141

Our Ratings

Setup

5/5
Tree Appearance

3/5
Stability

5/5
Ease of Storage

5/5
Value

5/5

Why You Should Get It

Assembly is quick and easy, and the needles look authentic.

Keep in Mind

The branches and needles are sparse, and the lights are not evenly distributed.

Despite there being no instructions in the box, the setup of this tree from National Tree Company was simple It’s not heavy, so it’s perfect for one person to take on.

While we were impressed with the quality of the needles, you will have to fluff the needles and adjust the branches to make the tree look fuller. Do so gently—we noted that a few needles did fall during setup. You’ll also want to make some adjustments as you decorate the tree, as we noted that there are more lights at the bottom of the tree than there are at the top.

This tree is a bit lightweight, and the stand seems small, but we found that it does hold branches up without dipping, though take care when attaching a tree topper. Disassembly was also swift, and the tree does fit back in the box, it didn’t close fully—perhaps that’s a testament to how fluffy the branches were once it was up.

Best Pre-Lit

Wondershop 7.5-ft. Pre-Lit Slim Virginia Pine Artificial Christmas Tree

Target

View On Target $136

Our Ratings

Setup

5/5
Tree Appearance

5/5
Stability

4.5/5
Ease of Storage

5/5
Value

4/5

Why You Should Get It

The variety of needles makes it look authentic.

Keep in Mind

The slimmer profile is not for everyone, plus there’s no variety of lighting options.

We found this tree easy to assemble (though a partner’s help made it go even faster). We liked the variation in the needles, which added to the authentic look of this Christmas tree, and fluffing the branches made it look even nicer. The tree came down seamlessly and fits well back in the same box (once you de-fluff the branches) for convenient storage. We found the tree felt stable, including the base.

We were impressed with how realistic the tree looked, though we noted again that the tall, slim profile might not be the right look or fit for every space. This tree is pre-lit with 400 clear white lights—the perfect illuminated backdrop for any decorations and ornaments you wish to add. The top section has a plug that’s easy to access for a pre-lit topper, so you’ll be ready to decorate in no time. When lit, the tree looks lovely, though if you want a sparkly or colorful light show, you’ll have to choose a different one on our list. “It is a thinner tree, so it would fit well in a smaller space, but it would make a big impact,” one of us noted during testing.

Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson

Best Realistic

Balsam Hill

View On Balsamhill.com

Why You Should Get It

The mix of the brand’s signature True Needle and Classic Needle foliage appears incredibly authentic.

Keep in Mind

The 9-foot tree doesn’t have unlit and multi-LED options like the 6.5- and 7.5-foot trees do.

Balsam Hill has a reputation for producing the most realistic trees. This one is designed with a mix of what the brand calls True Needle and Classic Needle foliage. The former mimics natural evergreens, while the latter is made with flexible PVC. When we tested a similar Balsam Hills tree in our lab, we were impressed with how lifelike the greenery looked (especially from a distance); we expect these to be similarly realistic.

The Woodland Spruce is one of the best artificial Christmas trees due to its features, including an on/off pedal, posable branches, extra light bulbs and fuses, a tree stand, protective gloves, and an off-season storage bag. Both the 6.5- and 7.5-foot options offer unlit, clear LED, and multi-LED options, while the 9-foot woodland spruce is only available with clear LED lights. During our initial testing, we found assembly quick and easy, but it was slightly challenging to install the top of the 9-foot tree. This can probably be chalked up to the height rather than the design.

Product Details: Height: 6.5, 7.5, or 9 feet | Tree Type: Woodland Spruce | Base Diameter: 42 inches (6.5 feet), 50 inches (7.5 feet), 56 inches (9 feet) | Lighting: Select heights available unlit or pre-lit; clear or multicolor LED bulbs| Features: On/off pedal, posable branches, extra light bulbs and fuses, tree stand, off-season storage bag, and protective gloves| Material: PE, PVC, and metal

Editor’s Note: The original artificial tree that we tested in our lab, the Tree Classics by Balsam Hill Balsam Spruce Faux Christmas Tree, is currently out of stock at all retailers. However, you can shop the Balsam Hill Woodland Spruce from the same brand, which is a similar size, style, and price. Keep in mind that we have not tested this particular model, but we expect it to be of similar quality to the Best Realistic tree we loved in our lab.

Best Fraser Fir

Balsam Hill

View On Amazon $549 View On Balsamhill.com

Our Ratings

Setup

4/5
Tree Appearance

5/5
Stability

5/5
Ease of Storage

3.5/5
Value

4/5

Why You Should Get It

We liked the various lighting modes on this pre-lit tree.

Keep in Mind

It doesn’t support a tree topper.

If you like the look of a real fir tree but don’t want the hassle of maintaining one, look no further than the Balsam Hill Fraser Fir. “The tree is extremely high quality and looks realistic, even up close,” we noted. “The branches are easy to fluff and make the tree look full." The pair of gloves that come with it help in this aspect.

We found the tree difficult to set up at first, but the instructions were clear and made things easier, plus assembly was finished in just 12 minutes. The tree sections are heavy—a partner can be of help in connecting the top two sections.

The tree is stable, and the branches are sturdy for ornaments unless you put them at the very edge of the branch. Still, the tree didn’t budge even when pushed. Disassembly is not difficult, but made much easier with the help of a partner, as we found the sections quite heavy and hard to put back into the bag on their own. The storage bag is large and able to hold everything, but the fact that the bag is so big might prove to be a problem if you don’t have much storage space for it in the off-season.

If the price tag gives you pause, Patton has some advice: “Balsam Hill makes the most tasteful, realistic artificial trees,” she says. “They're also 1,000 times easier to decorate because you can manipulate the branches how you'd like to best display your ornaments.”

Product Details: Height: 7.5 feet (also comes in 5.5 feet, 6.5 feet, 9 feet, 10 feet, 11 feet, and 12 feet) | Tree Type: Fraser Fir | Base Diameter: 60 inches (7.5 feet) | Lighting: Unlit, clear, candlelight clear LED, multi LED, color and clear LED, twinkly light show | Features: Remote control, foot pedal, stand with scratch-proof rubber feet, protective gloves, extra bulbs, off-season storage bag | Material: Not listed

Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson

Best Unlit

Best Choice Products 7.5-ft Premium Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree

Amazon

View On Amazon $90 View On Walmart $90 View On Home Depot $149

Our Ratings

Setup

5/5
Tree Appearance

3/5
Stability

5/5
Ease of Storage

4/5
Value

5/5

Why You Should Get It

You can add all (or none) of the lights you want, where you want them.

Keep in Mind

The instructions recommend taking 45 minutes to fluff the branches.

If you like your Christmas tree to look just so at the holidays, you might not be very impressed by the pre-lit options on our list that lock you into predetermined illumination. Rest assured: we have an option for you. This unlit artificial tree from Best Choice might be the best choice for you.

Easy-to-follow instructions make this tree simple to assemble, though you’ll want to spend a decent amount of time fluffing and pushing down the branches to get it looking the way it should. The instructions even recommend taking 45 minutes for fluffing alone, and since there are indeed gaps to be filled, this might be time well spent for the results you want. Still, you’re buying this tree with the intention of adding your own lights, so it might be easier to continue fluffing as you add each strand.

We noted that the base was stable and supported the tree well, plus the star topper was easy to attach. Although the tree came down, it was hard to get back into the box, so perhaps make time for some un-fluffing to make this part easier.

Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson

Best Tall

Balsam Hill

View On Amazon View On Balsamhill.com

Our Ratings

Setup

4/5
Tree Appearance

5/5
Stability

5/5
Ease of Storage

4/5
Value

5/5

Why You Should Get It

This impressive tree is as realistic-looking as it is tall.

Keep in Mind

A cathedral ceiling is a better fit for this vertically enhanced tree.

Tall artificial trees require the handiwork of a tall person—or in our case, additional helpers so you can more easily line up the arrows to attach the various sections of this tree. We did find the instructions extensive and also appreciated the additional accessories, which included a zipper bag, gloves for fluffing branches, and replacement bulbs.

This Balsam Hill tree is heavy and sturdy, and so is the topper, so that’s another reason to have an assistant when putting together this tree. The struggle during the assembly was worth it, as it looked very pretty and realistic. We also noted that it has many well-placed lights (which stay solidly lit without any blinking or twinkling). We do think high ceilings are a prerequisite for this “classy-looking” tree.

Product Details: Height: 7.5 feet (also comes in 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, and 18 feet) | Tree Type: Vermont White Spruce | Base Diameter: 63 inches | Lighting: Unlit, candlelight clear LED, multi LED, color + clear LED, twinkly light show | Features: Remote control, foot pedal, stand with scratch-proof rubber feet, protective gloves, extra bulbs, off-season storage bag | Material: Not listed

Balsam Hill Vermont White Spruce Christmas Tree displayed in a living room — Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson

The Bottom Line

Ease of setup is a bonus when choosing the best artificial Christmas tree, but ideally, you want to be pleased with the results of your quick handiwork. That’s why we crowned the Puleo International 7.5 Pre-Lit Teton Pine Artificial Christmas Tree as the best overall on our best artificial Christmas tree list. Not only is this pre-lit tree—with 600 lights—easy to assemble, but once it’s up, it does seem like the real thing, thanks to varied needles that make it look authentic. The best part? You can enjoy your tree without worrying about the needles falling out. Plus, it’ll be ready for the next season(s).

Our Testing Process

To compile our roundup of the best artificial Christmas trees, we tested two dozen trees in BHG’s Des Moines lab. For each one, we timed ourselves as we assembled the tree, noting which ones were easy to do on their own and which were better as a two-person job. Once assembled, we closely examined the tree branches to see which ones looked the most realistic and whether there were any bare spots. If a particular tree was flocked, we noted whether any of the “snow” fell off. For pre-lit trees, we tried out all the settings and experimented by removing one bulb to see if the whole tree went dark with one “broken” light. Then, we decorated one side of the tree and added a topper, noting whether the branches held up the decorations or if the tree sagged under the weight. Finally, we took down the tree, once again timing the process and noting if it was better as a one- or two-person task. Overall, we chose the best artificial trees based on ease of setup, disassembly, and storage—plus appearance, stability, and overall value.

What to Know About Artificial Trees Before Shopping

Size

Does bigger mean better when it comes to Christmas trees? It’s all up to your own personal preference, but according to Patton, “Go with the biggest size that will fit comfortably in your space.”

Keep in mind that for fuller trees, the higher you go, the wider the diameter will be. However, if you choose a tree with a slimmer profile, you can opt for more height without worrying about the width.

Tree Type

Many of the best artificial Christmas trees on the market are designed to look like the real thing—if that’s the look you’re aiming for.

“I am very pro leaning into the fact it’s a fake tree and getting something kitschy—in a color or a metallic or both!” says Patton. If that sounds like your type of Christmas spirit, go for it. But if you’re wanting something more traditional, know there are more realistic options on the market.

Lighting

Lighting itself isn’t negotiable: Can you even call it a Christmas tree if there aren’t any lights on it? However, you can choose the type of lights you want on your tree.

“For me, white lights are preferable,” says Lance Thomas, principal designer at Thomas Guy Interiors in Lake Charles, Louisiana. “It is also easier to blend the tree decorations against the white lights, and they won’t detract from the overall theme.”

Some trees, including ones on our best artificial Christmas trees list, make the decision easy by including all the lights. From classic white to a rainbow of colors to twinkle shows, many of the pre-lit variations come with a light show. With the flick of a switch or pedal, you can illuminate s space. But if you like having your lights just so, opt for an unlit artificial tree and customize the look, adding Christmas lights strand by strand.

Features

Flocked and pre-lit trees are the highlights among our best artificial Christmas trees list, and they might indeed be the top features you are looking for when shopping for an artificial tree for your home. Color is also an option—and not just for your ornaments—artificial trees come in colors than your typical (and expected) green.

“Green or deep green is ideal for a more natural look; however, there are several other colors, such as white or black, which are modern and can look chic when fully decorated,” says Thomas.

Material

All of the artificial trees on our list are designed from some sort of PVC. Don’t let this stop you from arranging the branches for the fullest tree possible. “When you assemble the tree, it’s good to wear gloves and spend time fluffing each branch,” says Patton. “It’s absolutely worth the time and effort, it makes such a difference.”

Other Artificial Christmas Trees We Tested

Frontgate Oxford Color-Changing Full Profile Tree

The Frontgate Oxford Fir Color-Changing Full Profile Tree was easy enough to assemble, but the stiff branches and tangled lights made it challenging to fluff and arrange, resulting in bare patches. Despite our best attempts, the tree would not hold a topper, which was disappointing for such an expensive tree ($1,619 and up at the time of this writing).

Costway Pre-Lit Snowy Christmas Tree

“It definitely looks fake,” one of us observed of the Costway Pre-lit Snowy Christmas Tree. We weren’t impressed with the sparse branches and fake snow, pinecones, and berries. Plus, the tree shed some needles upon bringing them out of the box for the first time.

Grandin Road 7.5' Multi-Colored Light Tree

We found assembling the Grandin Road 7.5’ Multi-Colored Light Tree difficult compared to other selections on our best artificial Christmas tree list. The branches were rather delicate, and some fell off during assembly. Overall, we thought it was pricey for the quality.

Your Questions, Answered

Are expensive artificial Christmas trees worth it?

“Absolutely. An artificial tree will last for several years as long as you put it away correctly,” says Patton. For most trees, Patton believes you should be fine storing the tree in the box it came in, though a number of the selections on our best artificial Christmas tree list do come with their storage bags.

Thomas says proper storage is key to keeping an artificial tree around season after season. “Choose a cool, dry place where the tree can avoid damage throughout the rest of the year,” he says. “Also, remember to unplug the tree when not in use to preserve the longevity of the lights.”

You’re not a Grinch if you’ve decided to go with a more budget-friendly model, though. “Regardless of expense, artificial trees will typically last several years,” says Thomas.

When should I buy an artificial Christmas tree?

For the best selection of artificial Christmas trees, head to the store as soon as they're on display. (This can be as soon as September.) If you want to snag the best deals, you’ll want to wait for the after-Christmas sales—keep in mind that you’ll be stuck with the stragglers.

Are pre-lit Christmas trees worth it?

“Absolutely. A pre-lit tree can save time in the decorating process," says Thomas.

Don’t be concerned that one faulty bulb will turn all the lights dull or dark. Instead, choose a pre-lit tree featuring extra bulbs or fuses. This way, you can swap out the offending bulb.

How much does an artificial Christmas tree cost?

Artificial Christmas trees are available in a range of prices based on material, lighting, technology, and more. Our top pick, the Puelo International 7.5 Pre-Lit Teton Pine Artificial Christmas Tree, is less than $300, with branches made out of standard PVC. On the expensive end, the hyper-realistic Balsam Hill Vermont White Spruce can cost as much as $9,599 for an 18-footer.

Who We Are

Barbara Bellesi Zito is a freelance writer from Staten Island, New York, covering all things home and lifestyle for Better Homes & Gardens. For Barbara, Christmas is indeed the most wonderful time of the year, when she and her husband get to blast holiday tunes and decorate their pre-lit artificial tree stored conveniently in their basement during the off-season. To compile this list of the best artificial Christmas trees, Barbara analyzed lab insights from our testing site in Des Moines, Iowa. She also consulted Mary Patton, owner and designer at Mary Patton Design in Houston, TX; and Lance Thomas, principal designer at Thomas Guy Interiors in Lake Charles, LA. The story was updated by Quincy Bulin, a freelance writer and regular contributor to BHG.com.