The 12 Best Places to Buy Artificial Christmas Trees of 2023

Artificial trees have come a long way from plastic-looking branches of holidays past. Today, faux Christmas trees look like the real deal, with thousands of options from online retailers that can be on your doorstep in no time.

“Artificial trees are great because they cut down on mess, and they can be used year after year if you invest in a high-quality one,” says Kathy Kuo, the founder and CEO of Kathy Kuo Home. “Ask yourself if you want a hyper-realistic look, a tree with a fun, not-found-in-nature color or with flocking on it, or a tree with lights already adorning it,” she says. As for size, she says to measure both height and circumference to ensure your space is large enough for the tree. 

To find the best places to buy Christmas trees, we surveyed our staff on trees they ordered from various retailers, using their insights to vet six popular brands for variety, quality, price range, shipping, and return policy. To round out this list, we used the same methodology and researched other great places to buy Christmas trees that were not featured in our survey. For insight on what to look for when shopping for Christmas trees, we also consulted Kuo and Delia Dahm, the president of Cadeaux Christmas Interior Decorating.

Balsam Hill

Our staff resoundingly agreed that the Christmas trees from Balsam Hill are top-notch quality. Everything from the initial order to the delivery went smoothly—the trees arrived in sturdy boxes, and some customers mentioned that their trees came with a storage bag for the off-season. 

The trees are more expensive than average, ranging from a few hundred dollars to thousands for one of the largest and most realistic trees. Some customers noted that the branch tips were easy to break off on some models, which is disappointing considering the price point. Still, customers were pleased with the overall look and quality of Balsam Hill's Christmas trees and expect their investment to last for many seasons to come.

Shipping: Free standard shipping | Return Policy: 30 days

Target

It doesn’t get easier than shopping at Target, and that is especially true for holiday decor. As for its Christmas trees, our respondents were pleased with their quality, though they noted that some were more expensive than they would have expected considering the construction and materials.

They particularly enjoyed shopping from Target’s in-house Wondershop brand, which offers ornaments, tree toppers, garlands, tree skirts, and other accessories to round out your winter wonderland. Perhaps the best part about being a Target customer is that you can order online and make returns at the store, which is super convenient if you are unhappy with your Christmas tree.

Shipping: Free on orders over $35 | Return Policy: 90 days

Amazon

If you’re undecided on holiday decor, Amazon is one of the best places to buy Christmas trees because of the sheer size of its selection. That said, this can lead to decision fatigue, so it pays to shop with a size and style in mind.

Customers who decided from the thousands of options were happy with the quality of the trees that arrived on their doorstep. If you’re a frequent Amazon customer, it’s a no-brainer to look at some trees on the site, plus your Prime membership will facilitate easy shipping and returns.

Shipping: Varies by seller | Return Policy: Varies by seller

Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby might be your go-to retailer for crafting materials, but it’s also one of the best places to buy Christmas trees. The retailer offers a wide range of artificial Christmas trees for every style and budget. Our survey respondents were pleased to report that the trees they purchased looked just like the images they browsed online, so you can confidently shop for pines and firs—including even pre-lit ones for those who want to skip the hassle of tangled string lights. 

Shipping: Varies based on total cost; starts at $10.95 | Return Policy: 90 days

Michaels 

Whether you’re looking for a traditional Christmas tree or something that’s a little edgy, you can find it at Michaels. One of our survey respondents was pleased with the pink pre-lit tree they ordered, though they did note that others should manage their expectations regarding the images online versus the tree delivered to their door. Still, prices are lower compared to other places, and there are a variety of styles, sizes, and features to choose from, including tons of mini trees. Plus, you can easily shop for all your other Christmas decorations at the same time.

Shipping: Free standard shipping on orders over $50 | Return Policy: 60 days

Wayfair

Wayfair has long been a great online retailer for all sorts of home decor, so it’s no surprise that we consider this one of the best places to shop for Christmas trees. Our survey respondents agreed that one of the best parts about shopping at Wayfair is the reasonable price points. One respondent noted that one tree they purchased from Wayfair lasted for years, which should reassure you that Wayfair's trees are made to last. Plus, none of the respondents had to return or exchange the trees they purchased.

Shipping: Free on orders over $35 | Return Policy: 30 days

Pottery Barn

There is an impressive selection of faux trees at Pottery Barn, from Vermont Spruce to Frasier Fir and Ozark Pine. Traditionalists will love the fullness of these realistic-looking trees, though those who want more glammed-out styles will also be happy. Whatever your decorating style, you can find dozens of trees at various prices. Also, if you’re looking for smaller trees for tabletops, there’s a nice selection here, including unique varieties that we haven’t seen elsewhere. 

Shipping: Varies based on total cost; starts at $12.95 | Return Policy: 30 days