It’s December, and Christmas is only days away, so you’re probably scrambling to find the best Christmas tree for your home. We’re here to help!
Your first decision is whether you want to go with a real or an artificial Christmas tree — a lot of people go with one or the other. Real Christmas trees are pretty awesome, but they have the downside of giving off a lot of water, giving off a lot of odor, and having to be chopped down and hauled off after Christmas.
On the other hand, artificial Christmas trees do not give off water or woodsmell, they look pretty amazing glowing in the window like a stained glass window, and they don’t have to be chopped down. In the end, there’s one thing to remember: don’t stress too much about what kind of tree you get, just make sure you enjoy your tree!
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| National Tree Company Artificial Christmas Tree | Best Overall |  |
| Prextex 100-Count Clear Green Wire Christmas Light Set Christmas Decorations | Budget Pick |  |
| National Tree Downswept Douglas Fir Tree | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. National Tree Company Artificial Christmas Tree
Pros:
- Includes an extra branch
- Better quality than National Tree Company
- Branches fairly stable, even in higher winds
- Available in multiple heights and widths depending on your needs
- Includes a stand and affordable price
- Available in different designs like different heights, and colors
- Excellent warranty
The needles are made of a plastic fiber and will turn brown over time as they age. This may seem obvious, but it’s still worth noting that artificial Christmas trees require regular maintenance in order to continue looking like new.
The North Valley Spruce (7.5 ft.) is among our favorite artificial Christmas trees for a few reasons. First and foremost, it comes in a different variety of colors compared to other National Tree Company artificial trees. It’s very affordable, and you can choose from among 3 different sizes and multiple colors, depending on your needs. Plus, the manufacturer provides a warranty for 1 year.
2. Prextex 100-Count Clear Green Wire Christmas Light Set Christmas Decorations
Pros:
- Good light quality
- Compatible with almost every type of Christmas tree stand
- Bright and vivid colors
- Easily customizable to different length
- Packages comes with a bag to carry the lights
- Comes with bulbs, sockets, and bulbs screws
Cons:
- Wire is not very resistant
- The lights are a bit difficult to remove from the socket
- The bulbs tend to get easily loose, but it doesn’t really affect the performance of the tree
We LOVE these Christmas lights! They’re cheap, durable, come with pre-cut wires that are weather resistant and are pre-connected to sockets that are easy to plug. As you can see from the main image above, the lights are pretty bright and come in a variety of vibrant colors – red, green, yellow, blue, pink, orange and white. Furthermore, these light strands are compatible with any type of Christmas tree stand.
Even though this isn’t the best artificial Christmas tree, the prextex lights are a very affordable and practical option because you can customize them to different lengths and cut them without worrying about sacrificing their quality.
Balance Board Workouts:
- Wire is not very resistant
- The lights are a bit difficult to remove from the socket
- The bulbs tend to get easily loose, but it doesn’t really affect the performance of the tree
3. KING OF CHRISTMAS 6 Foot Prince Flock Artificial Christmas Tree Unlit
Pros:
- Easy to assemble
- Very realistic tree with waterproof wiring and connectors
- Unlit trees are more natural and calm for pets
Features:
The King of Christmas tree is more for a personal setting as it is not a lit tree. The tree is made of PVC plastic and has a speckled look when seen from a distance. The branches are not very stiff so they can be bent into certain shapes. The tree has a hinged system to fit the trunk in the stand. All you need to do is press the button at the bottom of the tree and then place the trunk correctly into the stand.
The weight is not prohibitive and the tree is light enough to be moved around without a problem. The trunk diameter is about 1.5 inches.
4. Vickerman 36" Carmel Pine Artificial Christmas Tree
Pros:
- Soft needle branches
- Highly durable
- For indoor and outdoor use
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
- Sturdy base
- Realistic tree shape
- Can choose between clear or multi-colored lights
- Meets UL fire safety standards
- Commercial grade lights
- Can choose a set with a stand or without a stand
Cons:
- Heavy, which might be inconvenient for some users
- Susceptible to fire if the lights are not of good quality
- Potentially a fire hazard if used with tungsten-based bulbs
- Needs several hours of assembly time to put together
- Susceptible to damage and fades over time
If you’re in the market for a long-lasting artificial Christmas tree, then the Vickerman Carmel Pine model is worth checking out.
This industrial-grade tree offers a classic tree shape with a dense but soft-needle design. It resembles most types of conifers with needles that are grouped closely together. The branches are supported by a sturdy metal base that makes it possible for you to bring the tree indoors or outdoors.
This tree can safely be used even by those with pets or kids, thanks to UL fire safety standards. It also meets ASTM standards for commercial use.
5. National Tree Company Artificial Christmas Tree
Pros:
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
- Good quality material
- Ultra-realistic needles
- Add-on options available
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Quite expensive
- Background parts lack realism
- Can be flexible, which may lead to it falling
If you want a tree that will last for years, it is wise to consider investing in a quality artificial tree. We find the National Tree Company Artificial Christmas Tree to be one of the best artificial Christmas trees in the market.
This Xmas tree is an ideal choice for people who don't have room for a real tree, or for those who are living alone and don’t want to take the time to put up a tree. It’s also a great choice for anyone who is looking for a cost-effective and reusable Christmas tree.
The National Artificial Tree is available in three sizes: a 7.5 ft. tree, a 9 foot tree and a 6.5 foot tree. What’s great about this product is that it can be easily disassembled. The tree comes with a small tube that fits into a slot on the tree to help you pack it up and store it away. It also comes with a plug-in cord to make setting up the tree easy and fast.
6. Best Choice Products 7.5ft Pre-Lit Spruce Hinged Artificial Christmas Tree
Pros:
- Incredibly realistic
- Nicely colored lights
- Easy to assemble
- Comes with a stand and large carry bag
Cons:
- Some reviewers report poor craftsmanship for the price
- Could use more lights for the size
And Costco Sized Carry Bag.
The Best Choice Products artificial Christmas tree is a great entry-level artificial tree to buy for a new, young family or for your first time. It has a very realistic display of outdoor Christmas trees and is easily the most affordable artificial Christmas tree on the market if you wish to buy a good mid-range product that is ideal for those who have more limited holiday budgets.
It’s a large tree, spanning 7.5 feet and featuring over 500 lights. The branches are also uniquely designed to look like they’re covered with real pine needles. The two piece design also makes it very easy to set up and take down.
7. Best Choice Products 6ft Hinged Artificial Christmas Pine Tree Holiday Decoration w/Metal Stand
Pros:
- Natural-looking foliage and delicate branches
- Can be left out all year
- Extremely easy to assemble, even if you’re not particularly handy
- Strong enough to handle large lights and ornaments
- Plenty of room in the branches for ornaments.
- Includes a metal stand, which is very sturdy and oftentimes better quality than the plastic ones included with some similar decorations
- The price is very affordable, making it much more affordable than many other trees
- The height is sufficient, coming in at 6 feet tall
- Has no trunk, which means you can easily store it away during the off-season if you prefer to use an artificial tree only during the holidays
- The needles do not shed on anything
The Best Choice Products 6ft Hinged Artificial Christmas Pine Tree is a very popular model with over 700 positive reviews. It is fully decorated with 1,000 tips, making it a perfect choice for someone wanting lots of room to place ornaments. The branches are very full, offering a good deal of room on them for hanging lots of your beloved ornaments.
8. National Tree Downswept Douglas Fir Tree
Pros:
- Full artificial tree
- Decent price
- Easy to assemble
- Perfect for tight spaces
- Full metal stand that holds it well
- Straight and uniform branches
- Comes with the option to choose LED lights
(Cutout Version)
For most families, finding the best artificial Christmas tree that is easy on the wallet yet provides that festive, Christmas feel is the most important factor one must consider. Fortunately, the National Tree Downswept Douglas Fir Tree takes care of all the more expensive Christmas tree problems you may have.
The tree comes in an easy-to-open box, and you can easily assemble all of its limbs within about a half hour. The branches look very realistic but are slightly less dense than traditional Christmas trees. Even so, you can still fir as many ornaments as you like without the fear of those ornaments getting in your way.
9. National Tree Company Artificial Christmas Tree
Pros:
- Includes stand for easy storage
- Heavy and sturdy
- Made of high-quality PVC
- Holds up well against weather
Cons:
- Not the best looking tree out there
- Not a great price/performance ratio
When it comes to artificial Christmas trees, you can't go wrong with this classic Dunhill tree from National Tree Company. This tree will withstand numerous holiday seasons to come and won't fade even when exposed to harsh sunlight for months. It's made of PVC material and comes with a fiber-optic pre-lit system that's very easy to use.
The 7.5-foot tree comes with an attached stand and screws that allow you to assemble it quickly and easily. The branches are full, shiny, and very realistic. Thanks to the wide spacing of the branches, the tree looks realistic and lifelike when decorated properly.
The tree is sturdy and holds up well against the weather, but the PVC material doesn't look the most natural. Still, it's easy to tell the difference between this artificial tree and a real tree – it’s a totally different look and feel. That’s why many people use it indoors or in enclosed patios.
10. CHEERSON 7.5 ft Premium Christmas Tree
Pros:
- Super easy to assemble
- Made of a durable steel frame
- Solid metal multi-leg stand
- Pre-lit with high-quality 55 multi-color lights
- Extremely realistic looking featuring lots of fine details and bright multicolor lights
- Very lightweight for easy storage
- Lifetime warranty
- Easy to store with included travel bag
Cons:
- Some customers report minor discoloration of tips after few uses
- Slight imperfections in assembling
Pre-Lit Multi-Lights, 2nd Version.
Searching for the best artificial Christmas trees can often be a daunting task. So many manufacturers, so many trees, and so many features. It can be difficult to keep track of everything. That’s why we’ve created a list of the best artificial Christmas trees in different categories.
So far, our top pick has to be the Cheerson 7.5 ft Premium Christmas Tree. But first let’s talk a bit about what makes it a great choice. It’s easy to assemble, has a super realistic looking design, and the stand is made of a durable steel frame.
11. Balsam Hill 6ft Premium Unlit Artificial Christmas Tree Classic Blue Spruce
Pros:
- Premium construction – it’s made of fir and PVC
- Quick and easy to assemble
- Plenty of room for large ornaments
- Includes a storage bag
- Lifetime warranty
- Lightweight
- Has an appearance that resembles a natural tree
- Can be used indoors or outdoors
- Full, natural shape
- Measures 6ft in height
Balsam Hill is likely to become your go-to choice for Christmas tree purchases in the years to come. We’re in love with its full natural look and realistic nature that makes it seem as if it was real.
The tree has the perfect full and natural shape, which makes it easy to decorate with large ornaments. The PVC and steel construction means that the tree can hold heavy ornaments without a worry about shedding any needles.
This Balsam Hill product features a full-circle skirt that’ll allow you to place the tree in any corner of your home or office without obstructing any walls. In terms of affordability, this model is pretty much on par with some of the most expensive trees out there.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What brand of artificial Christmas tree is the best?
There is no brand that is head and shoulders above the rest. If you are willing to pay the dollars, you can get a tree from any of the major brands.
All the trees are reasonably well designed with similar features and manufacturing standards. It comes down to whichever tree gels with your tastes and style. á
For example the 5 foot Noble Fir Slim Tree made by National Tree Company is a great, stylish choice and complete with pre-strung lights and a sturdy metal tree stand. However, if you prefer the artificial feel of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), then the 7.5 foot Snow Flake Tree by TipTop is for you.
If neither of these suites your needs then visit your local hardware store and look at the options there. You might find an even better deal with the help of a knowledgeable salesperson.
Where is the best place to buy fake Christmas trees?
Generally speaking, brick-and-mortar stores (i.e., Walmart, Target, Sears, etc.) tend to have better prices than online competitors, such as Amazon.
Also, some respected brands, such as Balsam Hill and Fraser Fir, sell their trees through department stores or online markets.
And, if you decide to go the online route, you'll have to decide between selecting a "real" tree or an artificial one. One more option is to scout out various stores and weigh your options before making a decision.
How do I choose a fake Christmas tree?
This is a question most people ask themselves when looking for an artificial tree. There are very many that are available right now and it is thus important to figure out what makes a good tree before you purchase it. The most common materials used in these type of trees are:
- Plastic
- PVC
- Fiber
- Polyethylene
When purchasing your tree, you should look for a tree that will enable you decorate it in a way that you want to. Look for trees that have lights, last longer, and looks beautiful.
Pay attention to the needles, they should not be too hard or too soft. The tree should also not be too heavy that you cannot carry it yourself.
A good tree should be able to store your decorations during and after the holiday season.
Are Costco Christmas trees good?
We didn't review Costco Christmas trees, although I haven't heard anything bad about them, but there are better deals to be had. (The trees at Costco are grown on contract.)
Conclusion
Before we get into this guide, we want to let you know that this topic is a little controversial. People have very strong opinions about real versus fake Christmas trees. Here’s our take on the subject.
We believe that the decision about whether to have an artificial Christmas tree is only based on one factor — your personal preference. There isn’t anything wrong with either one; it’s just a personal preference. We encourage any and all to keep in mind the environmental impacts of real versus fake trees before making the decision. That said, here are our top picks for the best artificial Christmas trees, based on numerous different tests.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| National Tree Company Artificial Christmas Tree | Best Overall | |
| Prextex 100-Count Clear Green Wire Christmas Light Set Christmas Decorations | Budget Pick | |
| National Tree Downswept Douglas Fir Tree | Upgrade Pick | |