13 Best Artificial Christmas Trees of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Even though you (probably) only bring out your holiday tree once a year, choosing one of the best artificial Christmas trees for your home will feel good all year round. If you’re already committed to the faux lifestyle or are just dipping your toes in, the perfect tree is out there for you and your priorities. Maybe you want something bold and full of personality (we’ve got a pink option below just for that crew!). Perhaps you’re looking to go classic, with a full lighting system included. Whatever you choose, there’s a good chance that once you go faux, you’re never going back to the real deal. There’s no watering involved, clean-up is a breeze, and they’re usually pretty easy to store in the off-season.

Whether you deck yours out like the iconic Rockefeller tree in New York or you’re looking for something simple to match your favorite wreaths, upgrade last year’s look and invest in some new Christmas decor that’ll last a lifetime.

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall Tree: Balsam Hill Fraser Fir Tree, $1,099 from Balsam Hill
• Best Budget Tree: National Tree Co. Downswept Douglas Fir Tree, $293 from Amazon
• Best Smart Tree: Twinkly App-Controlled Christmas Tree, $510 from Amazon
• Best Dunhill Fir: The Holiday Aisle Pre-Lit Dunhill Fir, $808 from AllModern
• Best Budget Pencil Tree: Best Choice Products Pencil Tree, $120 from Amazon
• Fullest Tree: Grandin Road Woodside Christmas Tree, $719 from Grandin Road
• Best Blue Spruce Tree: Balsam Hill Classic Blue Spruce, $949 from Balsam Hill

Editor’s Note: If you’d like to read more about how we selected and tested the trees, you can jump straight to testing notes at the bottom of this page.

This big, beautiful tree is inspired by the Fraser Fir. Known for its rich, dark green coloring and full silhouette, this tree is native to the Appalachian Mountains and has the distinction of being the type of tree most often used as the official White House Christmas tree.

To be honest, we can't tell the difference between Balsam Hill's faux version and the real thing. BH's impressive “true needle” foliage features 40 variations of branch types throughout and the effect is incredibly realistic.

The tree is available just about any height and light variation you could want, all of which feature an easy plug system. Easy plug trees have all the light strands plugged into the center pole, so all you have to do is place the three sections together and plug the tree into an outlet. There's no need to ever unplug or take off any light strands.

The style pictured above is “color + clear,” which allows you to switch between multicolored lights and white lights via remote. For pre-lit trees with a single lighting style, there is an attached foot pedal to turn the lights on and off. The Twinkly light style features built-in app-controlled smart lights from Twinkly.

Reviewer: Divya Viswanathan, VP, commerce portfolio lead

• How easy was it to assemble your tree (scale of 1-10, 10 being the easiest)? 9
• What was the quality of the tree packaging? Will you be able to store your tree for future years? The tree arrived easily and without issue. I’ve just received it and haven’t needed to dismantle and store it yet, but I’d rate the quality of the packaging as a 7.
• How long did it take to fluff and prepare your tree? Did you see a lot of needle loss in the process? Very easy. It took less than five minutes from start to finish and I didn’t notice any needle loss. As a mom, I appreciate the easy setup – no fuss, no mess.
• Did your tree come with lights or decor? If so, how easy was it to install? (scale of 1-10, 10 being the easiest) Yes, the tree came with pre-installed lights, which were very easy. I'd give it a 9!
• Did your tree live up to your expectations and was the size accurate?
  Yes. I'm totally obsessed with real Fraser Christmas trees, and let me tell you, this one blew me away. And can we talk about how full and perfectly shaped it is? It's like the Christmas tree of my dreams. Plus, no stressing about overwatering or my kids making a mess. It's a game-changer for our holiday setup, especially in our apartment with its unpredictable temperatures. So glad I went for it!
• How full is the tree (scale of 1-10, 10 being the fullest) 8
• How realistic is the tree? (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most realistic)? 9

This beauty looks like it was plucked right off the tree farm, but all you have to do is just pull it out of the box. Speaking of, let your tree breathe for a day or two after you take it out of the box. That way, the branches can fluff up on their own before you decorate the tree. The tree features hinged branches, making setup and teardown straightforward (just push each hinge down and pop into a storage bag). If you’re looking for a large tree, and a full tree but don’t want to spend a fortune, this is a good, solid pick from The National Tree Company. The National Tree Company has been making holiday trees and decorations for more than 60 years, and they have plenty more styles to choose from on Amazon and Wayfair.

• Reviewer: DaVonne Bacchus, senior manager, content operations
• How easy was it to assemble your tree (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the easiest)? 8
• What was the quality of the tree packaging? Will you be able to store your tree for future years? The tree came in a large rectangular shipping box in three unfluffed sections with a metal base, no bag or cover. The box will be of no use for future storage, luckily I own a tree storage bag I purchased years back which will come in handy when it’s time for it to be taken down post holidays. I must add, once delivered to my doorstep, I had to ask for assistance from a neighbor to help bring the heavy box up a flight of stairs.
• How long did it take to fluff and prepare your tree? Did you see a lot of needle loss in the process? The process of fluffing the tree took roughly an hour with a few breaks in between to rest my arms—a nice arm workout! I started from the bottom, opening up each branch, making my way up the three labeled sections. The top was a bit difficult to reach, as I am 5’ 5” and it’s a 7.5’ tall tree. My handy step ladder came of great use! Overall, the process was a clean one. I saw no needle loss. Next time I’d maybe consider having a few friends over to help fluff and decorate. If you have kids, it might be a fun task though it will be repetitive.
• 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)? 8. The tree came with no lights or decor and was easy to install. The bottom section was a bit on the heavier side, I’d take that into consideration if installing solo.
• Did your tree live up to your expectations and was the size accurate? Yes, it’s fluffed and tall, I love the finished product. I have high ceilings with a spacious living room—making it the perfect addition for my space. If you are in a smaller space, keep in mind, it will take up a lot of room!
• How full is the tree (scale of 1-10, with 10 being the fullest)? On a fluff scale, I'd rate the tree an 8! There are some gaps that I will fill in with ornaments and lights.
• How realistic is the tree? (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most realistic)? I’m going to rate the tree an 8 on a scale of realistic appearance. This is predominantly due to the metal base. I will spruce it up with a round tree skirt and of course many presents!

Like a real-life Douglas Fir, this faux tree is designed to have a darker hue than other evergreens. Its needles are also longer and flatter than other evergreen varieties, growing out on either side of each branch rather than all the way around it.

• Reviewer: Stewart Savin, senior SEO analyst
• How easy was it to assemble your tree (scale of 1-10, 10 being the easiest)? I would give my tree an 8. You just stack the three pieces on top of each other using the center pole, let the branches fall into place (they’re on hinges), and plug the lights into each other. The most difficult part was tracking down the beginning and end of each cord and wrangling the three giant pieces.
• What was the quality of the tree packaging? Will you be able to store your tree for future years? My tree came in a large cardboard box and had no damage upon arrival. That said, there’s no chance I could have compressed the tree back into that box so I purchased a handy tree storage bag on Amazon for under $15.
• How long did it take to fluff and prepare your tree? Did you see a lot of needle loss in the process? Fluffing this tree was a process because of how compressed it was in transit. Each hinged branch has three smaller branches built with wire so you can bend them away from one another. Then each of those has all of the individual pine needle branches that can also be bent in any direction. I started from the bottom and worked up going inside to outside, basically just sticking the pine branches adjacent to the larger wire branch. I did each of these one by one but it wasn’t hard to fill out the tree since there were so many! Throughout the whole process I probably only lost two or three needles which was a pleasant surprise. I’d say it took me five hours over the course of a few days but I’m hopeful next year will be easier since I won’t fully compress the tree when I put it away for the season. A pro tip is to wear long sleeves and gloves while doing this as my skin did become irritated and I had a few scratches by the end!
• 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)? I’m going with a 9. My tree was fully lit, none of the lights were out or broken, and connecting them wasn’t all that difficult.
• Did your tree live up to your expectations and was the size accurate? Yes! It was wider than I expected because I was paying more attention to the height when I purchased it. It looks so grand and thankfully, fits in my space just right.
• How full is the tree (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the fullest)? I’m going with a 7 because I grew up with real trees at my parent’s so I can tell a difference with this one. That said, I just filled in the gaps with plenty of ornaments.
• How realistic is the tree? (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most realistic)? I'd give it a 10, except for the base. The tips of the branches have more realistic needles and they become straighter the closer they are to the center pole. The only thing that makes it look unrealistic is the base, which can be covered with a tree skirt or a base cover that mimics real wood.

Twinkly is a clear leader in smart lighting, so much so that other tree brands (like Balsam Hill, as mentioned above) use Twinkly lights for their own smart trees. Twinkly, of course, has its own bespoke smart trees (not to mention wreaths and a outdoor smart tree made up entirely of string lights).

If you want to get creative with your decor, the lights can be programmed in any color combo or pattern (like the cool rainbow hues seen above). Once you download the Twinkly app to your phone, you can use it like a remote control to change up the lighting whenever you like. Indecisive decorators will love this option.

This tree comes in three pieces that simply stack together. The lights are already built in, so you'll have it up and ready to go in minutes.

• Reviewer: Katie Leirey, global SEO manager
• How easy was it to assemble your tree (scale of 1-10, 10 being the easiest)? 8. The tree was really easy to assemble in that you don't have to mess around with any light strands, but I gave it an 8 as the bottom sections are quite large and heavy to maneuver for one person
• What was the quality of the tree packaging? Will you be able to store your tree for future years? The tree came in a classic brown packing box and did not include a bag or anything to store it in for the future. The packing box is sturdy enough that I can re-use it as the tree is only four pieces including the base, but it is quite heavy and doesn't come with handles to assist in moving it.
• How long did it take to fluff and prepare your tree? Did you see a lot of needle loss in the process? All in all, it took me about 15 minutes to put together and fluff my tree! It was really straightforward to assemble, and the tree itself has a variety of textures in the branches which helped to minimize fluffing and maximize shape. there were minimal to no needles lost in the process!
• 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)? My tree came with lights and there was no installation required as the tree was pre-lit, so I would score this part a 10, super easy.
• Did your tree live up to your expectations and was the size accurate? The Christmas tree exceeded expectations in how quick it was to physically set it up, but missed expectations when it came to the lights and their functionality. The sizing of the tree is accurate, I'd even say it's a bit fuller than how it appears in the stock photos on Amazon.
• How full is the tree (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the fullest)? 7
• How realistic is the tree? (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most realistic)? 5

This skinny tree is perfect for a small space. It can tuck into a corner without overpowering the room. With flocking, an abundance of branches, and nine light patterns, it's not surprising that realistic tree has earned more than 2,800 5-star reviews on Amazon.

• Reviewer: Kristi Kellogg, contributor
• How easy was it to assemble your tree (scale of 1-10, 10 being the easiest)? 10. It was a straightforward affair that came in four sections that stacked together.
• What was the quality of the tree packaging? Will you be able to store your tree for future years? It came double-boxed. I will keep the interior box for storage. It's just a brown cardboard box (nothing special), but should definitely work to safely stow a tree.
• How long did it take to fluff and prepare your tree? Did you see a lot of needle loss in the process? This took about twenty minutes. The tree came with helpful instructions that guided you to fluff from the interior branches out the outermost branches. That, of course, makes sense, and that's what we did. Almost every branch needed to be fluffed up, which was a lot on the 9' tree (which is what I ordered). There was no needle loss, but there was a lot of flocking that flaked off during the set up—but nothing my robo-vac couldn't handle!
• 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)? Yes! It came with pre-strung lights, but you had to string each of the four sections together. It was not complicated, though, and each connector had a tag attached to it so they were all easy to spot. I'd give it a 10 for ease.
• Did your tree live up to your expectations and was the size accurate? I chose this tree because it was the perfect size to fit in our stairwell, and it lived up to the expectations. The 9' version is a relatively slim 33 inches around, so it's perfect for an area that's small in diameter but has room for something with a lot of height (like an alcove next to a staircase). I'm very pleased with how it looks. The colored lights are cheerful and fun and can also be switched to white if you want to keep it classy.
• How full is the tree (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the fullest)? 9. It's very dense and packed with branches.
• How realistic is the tree? (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most realistic)?
  I wouldn't say the tree is meant to look particularly realistic, but I'm giving it an 8 because it's very pretty and very generously flocked.

If you’re of the go-big-or-go-home mindset, this is the tree for you. Hundreds of down-swept, abundant branches create a beautiful, broad profile and a realistic look. The tree is one of Grandin Road's best sellers. This pick boasts the most branch tips and heftiest diameter of any tree on this list, making it the absolute fullest affair.

• Reviewer: Kristi Kellogg, contributor
• How easy was it to assemble your tree (scale of 1-10, 10 being the easiest)? This was the easiest assembly ever. 10. It has an easy-plug system, so it simply stacks together. There are three portions of the tree, clearly marked as A, B, and C. After placing the base on the floor, you secure it with three bolts that can be screwed in by hand. After screwing in the bolts, the first section slots into the base, and the next two sections slot into each other. The lights are already pre-strung, and you do not have to plug each section’s cords together. Just plug it in once and the whole tree lights up immediately. The most time-consuming part of assembling this tree is the fluffing, but it wasn't a pain at all. The branches were easy to maneuver. You can bend them up and down and side to side to make sure every gap is filled.
• What was the quality of the tree packaging? Will you be able to store your tree for future years? It came in a cardboard box without anything special. If you open the box carefully, you should be able to store it inside, though.
• How long did it take to fluff and prepare your tree? Did you see a lot of needle loss in the process? It took about two minutes to stack the tree together and another ten to fluff it up. There was literally no needle loss during the process!
• Did your tree come with lights or decor? if so, how easy was it to install? (scale of 1-10, 10 being the easiest)? As mentioned above, it comes with lights—but since they’re already attached and there’s no need to plug together strands, there’s nothing to do. So it’s a 10/10 for easy light installation!
• Did your tree live up to your expectations and was the size accurate? The tree exceeded my expectations. It’s huge. It’s the largest tree fake tree I’ve ever seen, outside of the crazy large ones on display at places like Disneyland.
• How full is the tree (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the fullest)? 10
• How realistic is the tree? (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most realistic)? 10

Another one of the prettiest pre-lit Christmas trees is this Blue Spruce. The full foliage on this fake tree includes realistic needles in blue-green and silvery hues paired with light brown stems, just like an authentic Blue Spruce. Like all Balsam Hill trees, it comes with an off-season storage bag, protective gloves to use while shaping the tree branches, and extra bulbs.

• Reviewer: Andrea Lewis, Assistant to the Global Editorial Director
• How easy was it to assemble your tree (scale of 1-10, 10 being the easiest)? Our family absolutely loved this tree! It has such a classic, cozy, and grand feel that beautifully brought the Christmas spirit to my brother's home. Assembly was pretty straightforward—I'd rate it a 7 on ease.
• What was the quality of the tree packaging? Will you be able to store your tree for future years? While it did take two of us to manage the height and width, the process was still smooth, and all the parts felt sturdy and well-made. Plus, with the durable storage bag they included, everything fit neatly back inside once the holidays were over—no hassle, just easy cleanup for next year!
• How long did it take to fluff and prepare your tree? Did you see a lot of needle loss in the process? Overall it took about 20 minutes to completely set up. The best part? No mess. This year, I didn’t have to worry about cleaning up pine needles! It was the perfect solution for our busy adult family, who just wanted to enjoy the holiday season without the inconvenience of picking out a live tree or having to dispose of it afterward. The tree really did live up to my expectations and felt like the perfect size.
• 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 tree came with warm lights that generously illuminate and were a breeze to set up. I'd give the light installation a solid 10 for ease.
• Did your tree live up to your expectations and was the size accurate? The tree really did live up to my expectations and felt like the perfect size. Beyond being regal, this tree is also a sustainable choice, which we loved. It felt sturdy and well-made, and I’m confident we’ll be using it for many Christmases to come. Overall, it was a lovely addition to our holiday traditions—elegant, easy to manage, and it captured that cozy, Christmas air perfectly.
• How full is the tree (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the fullest)? The fullness was also impressive—I’d rate it an 8—and the overall look was very realistic, another 8 there.
• How realistic is the tree? (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most realistic)? 9

Best Non-traditional Tree: The Creators Fair Futuristic Wooden Christmas Tree

If you want something a bit more abstract with a touch of DIY intrigue, this spiraling wood tree will tick that box in a big way. You can still decorate it with all of your ornaments, and there are two options for the silhouette itself (splayed out in full spiral or with four walls of “branches”). The wood is unpainted, so you can really customize this one to fit right into your home’s color palette, or keep it plain. A metal base keeps everything sturdy, meaning this is a good option for those with kids or pets.

Best Tinsel Tree: Best Choice Products Pink Christmas Tree

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 Small Space Tree: The Holiday Aisle Alpine Artificial Christmas Tree

Sometimes you only have the tiniest of corners available for some holiday cheer. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a tree, you just have to get creative. The first reaction might be to look for a tabletop option, but we love the slender silhouette of this faux tree. Christmas trees tend to be full-bodied, which only adds to the footprint required to house them—keeping it narrow means you’re saving floor space. It’s so cute, you don’t have to add a single ornament if you don’t want to, but we also think it’d look lovely decked out in warm white dew drop lights.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Anywhere. And you can find a tree to fit any space: petite, tabletop trees are great additions for studio apartments, kids' rooms, dorms, and other small spaces. Slim, pencil trees are good space-savers, too. No matter what size or where you're planning to put your tree, there's a few things to keep in mind:

1. Make it a focal point! You don't have to keep the tree in a corner. Feel free to put it centerstage in whatever room it graces. And don't let furniture stand it your way—move it around to accommodate that beautiful tree! It's only there for a limited season, after all.
2. Find a spot near a power source. If you have a pre-lit tree (or you plan on adding string lights), access to a power source matters.
3. Watch out for nearby heat or fire. It's best to not put a tree (fake or otherwise) too close to a fireplace, radiator, or spot with frequently lit candles. Safety first!

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.

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!).

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.

It’s affordable in bulk, doubles as a garland, and covers quite a bit of real estate from low to high.

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.

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.

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.

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).