Reviewer: Nashia Baker, senior commerce editor
- How easy was it to assemble your tree (scale of 1-10, 10 being the easiest)? 8. The tree only comes with three parts which I loved for a streamlined setup. The only issue I had was with a stopper-like plug that was tough to get off of the lower part of the tree—it was impossible to put the bottom half of the tree into the potted base without removing it. With some force, I was able to get it off, but the instructions didn’t note that this would be included, so I wasn’t sure if the tree was defective at first.
- What was the quality of the tree packaging? Will you be able to store your tree for future years? The tree packaging is good quality. The box matched the tree’s small size, so I won’t have to worry about finding a space to store a bulky package after the holidays. The box itself is durable, so I plan to keep the tree inside of it for the foreseeable future.
- How long did it take to fluff and prepare your tree? Did you see a lot of needle loss in the process? The tree branches are pretty clumped together, versus having lots of individual limbs to bend. The branches aren’t super flexible, but it’s definitely possible to fill up bald areas with the right fluffing technique. I spent about 30 minutes stretching and zhuzhing when it arrived and will continue tweaking it throughout the festive season. There was little to no needle loss throughout the process, a major plus for someone like me who likes to fluff here and there without making a mess on any given day.
- Did your tree come with lights or decor? If so, how easy was it to install? (On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the easiest)? The color-changing micro fairy LEDs were incredibly easy to activate. I attached a plug from the top and bottom parts of the tree to power the lights. I like the steady warm white light setting most, but I honestly plan on using them all depending on the holiday decor I put out throughout the season.
- Did your tree live up to your expectations and was the size accurate? I live in NYC where storage space is usually pretty tight, so I wanted a petite tree that would be easy to tuck away after the holiday season. This one is adorable, lightweight, and pretty easy to assemble overall. I can tell that the branches are sturdy enough to hold heavier ornaments, and the base is level so it won’t tip over. For anyone without space constraints, the tree comes in 7.5-, 9-, and 12-foot options as well so you can go bigger and more dramatic.
- How full is the tree (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the fullest)? I give the tree’s fullness an 8. It has several layers of branches made with durable needles. The fluffing I’ve done has made a big difference right out of the box. There’s plenty of potential for others with this tree to fluff to their desired level.
- How realistic is the tree? (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most realistic)? 8. The branches are a bit stiffer and the branches kind of stick straight out, the tree might not be as natural looking as some others on the market. However, lighting is the main draw of the design and it doesn’t require too much shaping, so it’s more ideal for those who like to fill up empty spaces with ribbon and other decorations.
Best Tinsel Tree
- Diameter: 53”
- Weight: 19 pounds
- Branch tips: 1,350
- Warranty: None
- Additional heights: 4.5’, 6’, 9’
- Light type: None
- Light count: N/A
- Additional lighting options: None
A pink tinsel tree may seem like a bold choice and it is—in fact it is a bold choice we applaud. When it comes to the most realistic artificial Christmas trees, this option may not be the one, but it’ll become an instant conversation starter and set the tone for your specific holiday spirit. The tree comes with a stand and would look incredible covered in monochromatic decorations. Fluffing will take a while (up to 90 minutes, according to the manufacturer) but it’ll all be worth it when you have the coolest tree on the block. It’s the perfect solution for those seeking out a new tree with massive personality.
Best Flocked Tree
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Balsam Hill Frosted Yukon Spruce
- Diameter: 56″
- Weight: 31 pounds
- Branch tips: 4,097
- Warranty: 3 years
- Additional heights: 6′, 9′, 12′, and 15′
- Light type: LED
- Light count: 700
This tree has it all: flocking, lights, and towering height. As the name suggests, this particular tree style is inspired by the evergreens found in the Yukon Territory in Canada. The asymmetry of the soft green branches gives it an organic, natural look. If you’re looking to turn your home into a winter wonderland, look no further than this frosted beauty.
Best Porch Tree
Grandin Road Pre-Lit Porch Pencil Tree
- Diameter: 27″
- Weight: 24 pounds
- Branch tips: 1,025
- Warranty: 1 year
- Light type: Clear incandescent
- Light count: 250
Another one of our top picks is this slim tree with incandescent lights, designed for outdoor use. Not only are the lights outdoor-safe, but the sturdy branches are rust-resistant. They’re also, of course, fluffy and realistic looking, as is the base, which mimics a true tree trunk, complete with notching and grooves. The tree plugs into a standard outlet and features a 60-foot cord. It comes with ten extra bulbs and five fuses, which are always handy to have around when (eventually) a bulb burns out.
Best Upside-Down Tree
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Vickerman Upside-Down Artificial Christmas Tree
- Diameter: 60″
- Weight: 39.6 pounds
- Branch tips: 1,293
- Warranty: None
- Light type: None
- Light count: N/A
- Additional lighting options: None
Shake things up with an upside-down Christmas tree–and yes, this is very much a thing. The tree design is inspired by trend that dates back to the Middle Ages, when households in Central Europe would hang trees from their ceilings. Ariana Grande is also a fan of this quirky trend. While hanging a seven-foot tree upside down in your living room might be a bit of a hassle, you can get the same effect with an upside-down tree like this that rests securely on a on a base. What it lacks in lighting it makes up for in festive novelty.
Comparing Our Top Picks
How We Reviewed the Trees and Why You Should Trust Us
We always research products thoroughly before including them, and test nearly every single one. Our reviews are thorough, in-depth, and honest. We put ourselves in the shoes of the shopper (because most of the time, we are the ones shopping!), and make sure that we’re answering the questions that we would want answered in the buying process.
We favored natural-looking trees that are easy to set up. We also took shipping into account and tested trees that arrive not only in style, but with speed.
All trees that were reviewed were unboxed, set up (and lit up) by our contributors. They lived with trees and experienced all they had to offer firsthand, so that they could share the real deal with our readers.
Got Questions about Christmas Trees? We’ve Got Answers
What size Christmas tree is right for me?
The height of your fake Christmas tree first and foremost depends on the height of your ceiling, of course. A good rule of thumb is to keep your tree at least 1.5 feet lower than your ceiling, otherwise it will look crowded.
Who should buy fake Christmas trees?
Some people want to avoid the hassle (and extra cost) of buying a fresh tree each year, while others are allergic to real trees or are concerned about the fire safety hazard that comes along with real trees (they can become highly flammable as they dry out). Others (including people with pets) know that a real Christmas tree can be bait for disaster. Fresh or faux is really a matter of personal preference, and anyone who wants a fake Christmas tree should go for it.
What’s the best real Christmas tree to buy?
Again, that’s completely a matter of personal preference. Trees come in a variety of hues, some with a dark green, some with a blue tint, and others with a bright shade. Some have spiky needles while others are soft to the touch. Trees vary by geographical region and what’s native to your area, but some of the most popular options used as Christmas trees across the U.S. include the Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir, Douglas Fir, and Blue Spruce (all of which are available in faux varieties, as well!).
Which artificial Christmas trees are the best value for money?
We spent a good deal of time making sure you had lots of price options to choose from on this list. We have options under $75 and options that can tap out over $2,000 with all the bells and whistles. We would also recommend thinking about the cost per use of your fake Christmas tree. If you spend a lot on a high quality tree now, it is much more likely that it will last your family for many, many years. Spending less on a tree of lesser quality might mean purchasing another one a few seasons down the line. All of that to say, it totally depends on your budget and what you’re looking to do with your tree. Also, there are lots of Black Friday Christmas tree deals happening as we speak. Hopefully this will cut some of the costs associated with a purchase as important as your household’s tree.
What is the most realistic brand of artificial Christmas tree?
For this, let‘s check the stats. Based on the trees we’ve tested over the years, these are the most highly rated for realism, according to our team of testers. We would definitely recommend giving these trees a closer look if finding the most true-to-life tree is your goal:
How do you fluff your tree?
Fluffing your artificial Christmas tree is the key to convincingly faking the real thing. Most of the time, your tree will arrive with all the branches up-turned straight out of the box, and you’ll first want to mount the tree in its stand or collar. Next comes the actual fluffing—as reviewer Pujah Shah mentioned, it’s a smart idea to wear some work gloves to avoid any pricking that might occur while you’re working through the branches. Starting at the bottom, you’ll fan the largest branches down, layer by layer, until you reach the very top (where the branches become much shorter). If your branches have smaller tips built in, we like the center-right-left method of starting toward the base of the tree and positioning the smaller tips first center, next towards the right, and lastly towards the left, until you’ve reached the end. After that, you’ll go branch by branch, noticing that your tree looks full and much more lush with each adjustment. Afterwards, all that’s left to do is make any minor fixes to eliminate bald spots and voila!
Is it better to get a pre-lit tree or to do it yourself?
Choosing if you want your tree pre-lit is one of the first decisions you’ll make when navigating the vast artificial tree world. Pre-lit options are the preference of holiday decor gurus like Kathy Hilton, who told us “lighting is everything,” when it comes to the tree. A main draw for artificial Christmas trees, shoppers like that pre-lit options are convenient to set up (opposed to blindly garlanding string lights), and they guarantee your lighting scheme will look uniform. That said, drawbacks include potentially difficult repairs—while you can easily unstring removable lights to troubleshoot, built-in LEDs might pose bigger technical issues—and styling options are more limited. On the other hand, stringing your own lights may be a more complex, time-consuming process, but you’ll ultimately have more control over which areas of your tree are spotlighted.
How should you decorate your Christmas tree?
You’ve gotten your tree up, fluffed the branches, and poured yourself a nice cup of hot cocoa or eggnog to celebrate—now comes the fun part: decorating. While there’s no right way to decorate your Christmas tree, we looked through our archives for some tips and tricks to give your setup some extra sparkle.
If your mentality is “more is more,” your holiday hero will be Kathy Hilton, who greeted AD back in 2021 with four artificial Christmas trees decked out with all the bells and whistles (emphasis on the bells). One tip we’d steal from Hilton is the idea that the decorations don’t have to go up all at once. “I normally start decorating in October, then keep adding until December,” says Hilton.
Kendall Jenner, on the other hand, favors a more traditional tree, dipped in nostalgic classics like tinsel, twinkle lights, and vintage Christopher Radko ornaments that were passed down by her mother, Kris. And since we have a feeling you have your own collection of heirloom Christmas decorations that have been collecting dust, we’d look to the supermodel for inspiration.
Color scheming your ornament display is one way to set yourself apart from the pack. “Red and green are traditional Christmas colors, but I love to break away from tradition and use bright jewel tones to create a dramatic and sophisticated look for the holiday season,” says Annie Sloan, color expert and creator of Chalk Paint. Stylist Dorcia Kelley of Kelle Miles Studio also suggests using a planter instead of a traditional tree stand or skirt for a modern look. “When hanging ornaments, you want to make sure you’re hanging it towards the end of the branch instead of right at the tip. This way, they’ll be more stable,” she says.
We also recommend playing with shapes, textures, and finishes, to create as much interest as possible. AD’s perfect Christmas tree (pictured at the top of this article) features lots of vintage-inspired John Derian ornaments that bring on the kitsch, accented with classic ball ornaments in a range of sizes to create depth and dimension. A color palette of muted blue and bold metallic hues complement the deep green branches while slivers of silver tinsel add holiday pizzazz.
Expert Tips to Bring the Best Fake Christmas Trees to Life
The easiest way to make your artificial Christmas tree look like a real tree is to, well, cover it up. Go heavier on the decorations this year: Think garland, Christmas lights, pinecones, ornaments, a tree topper, etc. We’re talking the works. Check out our go-to holiday decor tips that will make the best Christmas trees look even more magical.
Trim your tree with wide, cascading ribbon.
It’s affordable in bulk, doubles as a garland, and covers quite a bit of real estate from low to high.
LaceApplique French Velvet Ribbon
Add on a tree skirt to complete the overall look.
A dead giveaway—no pun intended—that your tree’s a fake is the base: that plastic, mechanical-esque tree stand. Cover that metal stand up with a festive tree skirt (or basket!) as you would with real Christmas trees.
Lulu and Georgia Mauree Velvet Tree Skirt
Wrap the trunk of the tree in lights
If your tree doesn’t have pre-strung lights, head to the holiday aisle for some white or multicolored lights. They’ll draw the eye to the center of the tree and take the attention off of the branches. Besides, you can never have too many lights in your home decor during the holiday season.
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Prextex Christmas 100 Light Set
Add in the live tree cuttings
This tip is genius: Bolster the PVC branches with small sprigs from a real pine tree. Green floral wire is your friend here. Starting closer to the trunk of your artificial tree, adjoin a small, real sprig to a fake branch with a few twists of wire. Repeat as often as you’d like, scattering the pieces consistently around your tree. You’ll get that amazing smell of the season with a fraction of the needles. Visit your local nursery for scrap evergreen or find options on Etsy. You can do this with both bare and flocked artificial Christmas trees and get a stunning result.
Wet n’ Wild Gardens Fresh Evergreen Cuttings
Consider adding in flowers
Choose big, sturdy blooms and tuck them into the gaps in your artificial Christmas tree once it’s fully decorated. You can go faux, or use the real thing (you can keep real flower cuttings fresher longer by housing stems in water tubes, as florists do).
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