The Best Artificial Christmas Tree

There’s no single best artificial Christmas tree as they vary in species, size, price, and style. Some are joyfully artificial, like pink tinsel trees, while others aim for realism. Among over 20 trees tested since 2016, we recommend the National Tree Company’s 7.5-foot Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir for its realistic look, versatility, and competitive price.

Everything we recommend

The National Tree Company’s 7.5-foot Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir offers a perfect mix of cost, realism, and convenience. Its 2,000 lifelike branch tips and 750 pre-strung LED lights, which switch between white, multicolor, and mixed modes, create a stunning display. The PowerConnect system simplifies setup by automatically linking the lights when stacking its three sections. At 7.5 feet tall and 5 feet wide, it fits most living rooms, with a 6.5-foot option for smaller spaces. Easy to set up, widely available, and competitively priced, it’s a top choice despite requiring storage space.

Puleo’s 7.5-foot Royal Majestic Douglas Fir impresses with lifelike polyethylene tips and subtle color variations, resembling real new growth. Its warm, clear incandescent lights connect automatically during setup and remain lit even if a bulb burns out, making it both realistic and easy to assemble.

The Balsam Hill 7.5-foot Classic Blue Spruce offers impressive realism and quality at an accessible price. Though unlit, it allows for customization and avoids long-term lighting issues, making it a durable, flexible choice.

The Grandin Road 7.5-foot Classic Slim Christmas Tree offers a well-proportioned conic shape with a space-saving 43-inch footprint. While its realism and hardware are average and lighting limited to soft white, it’s competitively priced for slim trees.

The King of Christmas 7-foot King Noble Flock Fir is a Euro-style tree with naturalistic branches and realistic flocking. Its 1,163 branch tips offer a rich look with plenty of space for ornaments, while 500 white micro LED lights highlight the snow effect. The lights connect automatically, and you can control them with a foot pedal or remote. Setup and storage are made easier with included gloves and a tree bag.

For a retro look, Puleo’s 6.5-foot Royal Majestic Spruce Rose Gold tinsel tree offers a unique, shiny design with 500 clear incandescent bulbs that add warmth. Its slightly warm silver hue and vintage engineering, requiring manual light connections and unplugging to turn them on/off, make it a charming, old-school choice.

Puleo’s 7.5-foot Pre-Lit Aspen Fir is a Euro-style tree with fewer branches, making it easier to decorate and faster to set up. Its 700 white incandescent bulbs provide a warm glow, and its 1,319 realistic branch tips fade from light green to dark green. However, you need to manually connect the light strings, unlike trees with in-pole connections.

Who this is for

The best way to decide on an artificial Christmas tree is to weigh the pros and cons of fake versus live trees.

On the plus side, artificial trees are:

Durability: A high-quality artificial Christmas tree can last for over a decade, while live trees only last for one season.

Long-term cost savings: Although artificial trees are more expensive initially, they become cost-effective over time. For example, a live tree in 2022 averaged $80, but an artificial tree’s upfront cost is spread out over many years, making it a better investment in the long run.

Low maintenance: Artificial trees require no watering, and there’s no need to secure them in a stand. Unlike live trees, you don’t have to worry about finding a good one each year or hauling it home from a farm, saving you time and effort.

Clean and convenient: Artificial trees don’t cause messes like sap, scratches on your car, or needle shedding. They’re easy to set up and clean, with no mess to deal with after the holidays.

Safer: Live trees are more prone to fires, especially when dry. According to the National Fire Protection Association, Christmas tree fires are more common with natural trees. Artificial trees eliminate this risk and are a safer option, especially when properly maintained.

On the downside, fake trees are:

Storage challenges: One of the main drawbacks of artificial trees is storage. If you don’t have a large closet, basement, or garage, storing a tree the size of a water heater can be difficult. Extreme heat or dampness in uninsulated spaces can also damage the tree, shortening its lifespan. We recommend investing in a dedicated storage bag, like the Elf Stor Christmas Tree Bag, which is easier to handle than the original box.

Setup time: Setting up a fake tree isn’t as easy as it seems. “Fluffing” the branches to shape them can take an hour or more, especially if you’re doing it alone. In contrast, with a live tree, once it’s secured in a stand, you simply adjust its position and start decorating.

Lack of realism: Even high-quality artificial trees aren’t truly lifelike up close. While they can look very realistic from a distance, their plastic branches often appear uniform and have a waxy shine that betrays their artificial nature.

No scent: Fake trees lack the fresh pine smell that many associate with Christmas, which can be a downside for those who enjoy the seasonal fragrance.

Environmental impact: Live trees are generally more environmentally friendly, but the environmental cost of buying a new artificial tree every decade is minimal compared to other daily consumption habits like energy use and travel.

 

How we picked

We focused on 7-foot trees, the most common size for US homes due to typical 8- to 8.5-foot ceilings. With numerous tree species, sizes, and lighting options available, we selected popular species based on sales data and expert insights.

We were surprised by the high cost of quality artificial trees, as realism is directly tied to price. Trees with more polyethylene (PE) tips tend to be pricier, as PE provides a more realistic look compared to cheaper materials.

Most trees use a mix of PE and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC, which is lighter and less expensive than PE, is used for the filler branches near the trunk. Although PVC used to raise health concerns due to lead stabilizers, it is no longer an issue in trees sold in the US.

We preferred pre-lit trees, which make up 90% of artificial tree sales, with most using durable LED bulbs. We looked for trees with at least 100 bulbs per foot to avoid sparse lighting and favored models that offer both all-white and multicolor options.

We also decided against trees priced under $150, as these low-cost options often use flimsy materials that shed needles, break easily, and lose their shape over time.

We considered smart trees but found that using a reliable plug-in smart outlet to control the tree via an app or voice assistant was the best option.

How we tested

Here’s what we found from group testing:

No artificial tree is completely lifelike. Up close (within about 6 feet), the synthetic nature is obvious. Real trees have natural imperfections like scars and asymmetries that make them look authentic.

However, even budget trees can look quite good, especially when decorated and viewed from a distance in low light. Higher-end trees with more realistic branch tips can look surprisingly real.

Artificial trees require fluffing. After being compressed in shipping, they arrive looking squished and flat. Fluffing involves manually separating and arranging the branches for a fuller, more natural look. This can take up to an hour, and gloves are recommended to avoid scratches.

Connecting the lights on pre-lit trees can be a hassle. Many trees require you to search for plugs in each section and either connect them manually or run wires through the tree to a central plug. We much prefer trees with wiring built into the trunk that automatically connects when you stack the sections during setup.

Top pick: National Tree Company 7.5-foot Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir (PEDD1-D12-75)

The National Tree Company’s 7.5-foot Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir (PEDD1-D12-75) is our top choice for artificial Christmas trees. While there are more expensive trees that may look slightly more realistic, and cheaper options that are still decent, the Downswept Douglas Fir strikes a great balance of price, realism, and ease of setup.

Its 59-inch width makes it a perfect fit for most living rooms, offering a fuller appearance than narrower trees, which are better suited for smaller spaces. If you have the space, the wider tree gives your decorations a more abundant feel.

With 1,867 lifelike polyethylene branch tips, this tree is densely foliaged and shows no gaps once fluffed. Its 37% polyethylene content ensures a more realistic look than many trees in this price range, which often feature more PVC.

The dual-color LED lights let you adjust the tree’s look and mood with settings for multicolor, champagne white, or combinations of both. You can also choose flashing or “sparkling” modes for added effect, which impressed us when the lights gently faded and brightened in the sparkling mode.

With 750 bulbs, the Downswept Douglas Fir meets our recommended 100 bulbs per foot of tree height, ensuring a well-lit tree that doesn’t look sparse. The lights automatically connect when you stack the tree’s sections, eliminating the need to manually plug them together—a convenient feature that simplifies setup.

The National Tree Company offers solid warranty coverage. Their realistic pre-lit trees, including the Downswept Douglas Fir, come with a five-year warranty for manufacturer defects and a three-year warranty for the LEDs. To file a claim, you’ll need proof of purchase and must have treated the tree and lights with reasonable care.

Customer service is also responsive. A quick call and a $15 charge had our issue resolved within 48 hours.

This tree is easy to find. You can see the Downswept Douglas Fir in person at stores like Home Depot, Kohl’s, and various holiday retailers.

If you’re looking for something different, National Tree also offers the 7.5-foot Winchester White Pine (WCHW7-300-75), another excellent option. We tested it in our office, and even staff members who prefer real trees were impressed by its beauty. The white branches, trunk, and glittery all-PVC needles create a crystalline appearance when the lights are off. When lit, the tree glows from within, creating a snowy lantern effect that’s especially stunning in darker rooms or corners with little natural light.

Realistic look with traditional lights: Puleo 7.5-foot Royal Majestic Douglas Fir Downswept Tree (RMDD-75QC8)

For a realistic tree at a great price, consider the Puleo 7.5-foot Royal Majestic Douglas Fir Downswept Tree (RMDD-75QC8). Its polyethylene branch tips feature subtle color variations, with lighter green at the ends, mimicking real tree branches.

The Puleo 7.5-foot Royal Majestic Douglas Fir has 1,860 realistic tips and is easier to fluff thanks to its Insta-Shape memory wire, requiring just 10 minutes compared to the longer setup of other trees. Its Sure-Lit pole-connecting lights simplify assembly. However, the tree’s clear incandescent bulbs, while providing a warm glow, have a shorter lifespan than LEDs. With 800 lights, it exceeds the recommended 100 lights per foot, but it lacks color options as Puleo doesn’t offer an unlit version.

An unlit tree that can last: Balsam Hill 7.5-foot Classic Blue Spruce Tree

The Balsam Hill 7.5-foot Classic Blue Spruce Tree is a high-quality, unlit option ideal for long-term use, priced around $500. Its durable hinge hardware and robust steel channels ensure longevity, unlike cheaper trees with basic rivets. Weighing 47 pounds, it’s sturdier than many competitors. The tree’s PVC foliage, with 2,960 branch tips, offers a lush, realistic look, though we usually prefer a mix of PVC and polyethylene. For comparison, Balsam Hill’s Balsam Fir uses polyethylene but starts around $700 for a similar size.

The unlit Balsam Hill 7.5-foot Classic Blue Spruce Tree offers customization for decorating but requires more work. While it saves on cost, lighting components tend to be the first point of failure over time. If preferred, Balsam Hill offers pre-lit options, with basic clear lights adding $100, and combo lights pushing the price above $1,000. The tree includes a storage bag, unlike many competitors, and has a three-year warranty. Its sturdy construction suggests it will last longer than the warranty period, making it a durable choice even without lights.

A standard tree within a smaller footprint: Grandin Road 7.5-foot Classic Slim Christmas Tree

We’ve tested several slim trees over the years, but many felt too narrow, offering little space for decorations. The Grandin Road Classic Slim Christmas Tree provides a good balance with a 7.5-foot height and a base diameter of 43 inches, slimmer than the typical 5-foot girth. Its mix of PVC and polyethylene tips offers decent realism, though not exceptional. A unique but subtle feature is the brown PVC flecks around the trunk, which blend in once the tree is fluffed and decorated. The tree’s hardware is durable but not as high-end as that of Balsam Hill trees.

This tree has a nice, balanced shape, saving space without feeling too vertical. It’s easier to fluff and collapse, making storage simpler. The warm white lights are a plus, though they lack color-change options. We had to compromise on lighting given the tree’s ideal shape. At 28 pounds, it’s relatively light with standard hardware. However, Grandin Road’s one-year warranty is shorter than some competitors’ three-year coverage.

A flocked style: King of Christmas 7-foot King Noble Flock Fir

The King of Christmas 7-foot King Noble Flock Fir offers a European-style design, featuring a sparser, more natural look compared to the fuller American-style trees. This gives it a unique realism and allows ornaments to hang more freely, standing out against the branches. Flocked to resemble snow-dusted foliage, it impressed even our traditionalist testers once set up. Against a dark background, especially at night, the tree took on a glowing, enchanting appearance.

The King Noble Flock Fir features 1,163 branch tips and 500 white micro LED bulbs that connect automatically via Power Pole technology. The lights offer steady, dim-to-bright, or blinking modes, controlled by a remote or foot pedal. Setup was quick, taking around 30 minutes, with minimal flocking shedding that was easily cleaned. The result is a realistic, snow-covered tree that looks great once assembled.

Retro metallic glamour: Puleo 6.5-foot Royal Majestic Spruce Rose Gold Tree (RMSRG-65C5)

If you’re drawn to the mid-century modern style, the Puleo 6.5-foot Royal Majestic Spruce Rose Gold Tree (RMSRG-65C5) is a great choice. Its tinsel-like metallic needles have a warm silver and copper tone that, when lit, take on a peachy rose gold hue. The 500 clear incandescent bulbs add a soft, warm glow, perfect for this style. With 1,228 branch tips, the tree looks full and natural, and the white base and gray wires blend well with the shimmering needles. However, it lacks automatic light connections, so you’ll need to manually plug in the lights, and there’s no foot pedal for easy on/off.

Budget pick: Puleo 7.5-foot Pre-Lit Aspen Fir Tree (277-APG-75C7)

Puleo’s 7.5-foot Pre-Lit Aspen Fir Tree (277-APG-75C7) is a fantastic, affordable choice for those who prefer a naturalistic, Euro-style tree. With 700 warm-white incandescent lights and 1,319 branch tips, it looks stunning after fluffing. The branch tips feature a realistic color gradient, from pale green at the ends to dark at the base, while the brown trunk enhances its lifelike appearance. The modern incandescent lights won’t cause the entire string to go dark if a bulb burns out.

A small drawback: The light strings must be manually connected, as they don’t automatically link through the pole. Finding the plugs among the branches can be tricky, and connecting them in the right order took some trial and error. While this wasn’t a major issue, we hope Puleo offers a pole-connecting version in the future.