The 7 Best Artificial Christmas Trees of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
The best artificial Christmas trees eliminate all the hassle that comes with live Christmas trees—from sparse, uneven branches to the inevitable shedding needles you need to sweep up to the maintenance required so it will last throughout the season. Rather than hunting down the perfect holiday centerpiece year after year, you can opt for a reliable artificial Christmas tree that will stick with you for many seasons.
We tested 24 popular models in our Lab and evaluated them on factors like setup, lights, appearance, stability, ease of storage, and value. For expert insight on selecting an artificial Christmas tree, we spoke with Jerry Cavallaro, the digital content manager at Rent-A-Christmas, and Brad Schmidt, the owner and creative director of Brad Schmidt Designs.
“When trying to find a realistic Christmas tree, it all comes down to the branches and needles,” says Cavallaro. “From afar, one of the easiest things to spot is the profile of the tree—a conical-shaped tree looks more artificial, while a staggered branch layout creates a far more realistic silhouette. A closer look at the needles will help even more—their color, shape, feel, and the material they are made from all help determine the tree’s level of realism. Tree tips that are made from molded polyethylene (PE) are more realistic, and a higher tip count per branch generally makes for a fuller, more realistic tree.”
Keep reading for more of our tested artificial tree selections and guidance on what to look for when finding the right one for your home.
Puleo International 7.5 Pre-Lit Teton Pine Artificial Christmas Tree at Amazon
$419
$249
Balsam Hill BH Fraser Fir Artificial Christmas Tree at Amazon
$849
Best Choice Products 7.5-ft Premium Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree at Amazon
$130
$110
Vickerman 7.5-ft. Flocked Alaskan Pine Artificial Christmas Tree at Amazon
$868
National Tree Company Kingswood Fir Slim Artificial Christmas Tree at Amazon
$150
$99
Tree Classics by Balsam Hill Balsam Spruce Faux Christmas Tree at Pottery Barn
$479
Best Overall Artificial Christmas Tree
Puleo International 7.5 Pre-Lit Teton Pine Artificial Christmas Tree
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This pre-lit tree is super realistic and easy to store in the off season.
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The lights don’t have multiple settings.
This traditional, pre-lit pine tree from Puleo International earned its place as our best overall artificial Christmas tree for its robust performance in our Lab tests. With a simple, one-person assembly process, needle variation, sturdy construction, and an impressive takedown time of only five minutes, this classic tree is a streamlined solution to add festivity to your home this holiday season.
We were impressed by the varied needle sizes, which lends this tree a realistic look, along with a lush construction of 1,347 tips and a nicely hidden trunk. For those who want an efficient setup and takedown process, we found that this tree was very easy to assemble and disassemble. When it was time to take the tree down, it fit nicely into its original box, making storage for the off-season supremely convenient.
While the pre-installed white lights simplify setup, they don’t offer multiple modes or settings, so you’re stuck with the classic, colorless lights. When we unscrewed one bulb, we found that only a small section was impacted, making it easy to troubleshoot the missing bulb.
Height: 7.5 feet | Base Diameter: 52 inches | Lights: Yes, clear | Tip Count: 1,347
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Wade Review/dera burreson
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This lush artificial tree has no gaps or spaces, and is easy to fluff.
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It's not as easy to store.
In our testing, the Balsam Hill Fraser Fir Artificial Christmas Tree ranked highest for its realism—we could barely distinguish it from a freshly chopped tree. The quality of this pick is undeniable, as it boasts almost three times the tip count of most other trees at this height, creating a lush shape with no gaps or spaces.
We were also impressed with the branches, which are easy to fluff and make the tree look full. While this tree has the most impressive appearance on our list, that quality also coincides with the price, which is higher than most other options. That said, it can last for years and is a high-quality option if you are able to splurge.
One downside to this artificial tree is its weight, as we found it somewhat challenging to disassemble without assistance. It takes up a considerable amount of space and is pretty difficult to get into its storage bag, which might not be ideal for those who have limited storage space or need to disassemble their tree alone.
Height: 7 heights ranging from 5.5 feet to 12 feet | Base Diameter: 44-69 inches | Lights: Yes (clear, LED, multi, and color and clear options); un-lit also available | Tip Count: 1,478-6,839