It’s hard to beat a real Christmas tree with its fresh pine scent and timeless look, but the holiday décor staple does come with a few drawbacks: Real trees only last a season, and when their time is up, disposing of them can be a hassle and a mess. Thankfully, today’s best artificial Christmas trees have realistic appearances that can rival their living counterparts, plus they can be used year after year. For this holiday season, our top pick overall is the National Tree Company “Feel Real” Downswept Douglas Fir, a beautiful pre-lit tree with dual-color LED bulbs that comes in various heights.
The best artificial Christmas trees have a realistic look and feel to spread holiday cheer while ... More saving you the hassle of trekking to a local tree farm or parking lot.
Illustration: Forbes / Image: Retailers
Aren’t sure if you’re ready to make the switch from a real tree to a fake one?“Artificial trees are more sustainable and can be used for many years,” says Olivia Riordan,the senior account manager for retail sales and design at decorating company American Christmas. “They require less maintenance, like watering and cleanup from dried foliage and natural debris.” To ensure you pick out the right tree for your space, you need to keep a few things in mind: whether you want a pre-lit option, how tall you want your tree to be (most people are happy with those in the 7- to 7.5-foot range) and, of course, how much you’re willing to spend. Once you’ve got your priorities in order, take a look at our curated list of the best fake Christmas trees, ahead—they’re so lifelike, they’ll even win over the skeptical, “real-tree-only” crowd.
National Tree Company "Feel Real" Downswept Douglas Fir
Materials: PVC | Height: 7.5 feet, plus four other sizes | Lights: Dual-color LED bulbs
Pros:
Realistic appearance
Easy setup
Lights included
Cons:
Might not be able to support heavier tree toppers
For its high-quality construction, classic look and ease of setup and storage, the National Tree Company "Feel Real" Downswept Douglas Fir is our favorite artificial Christmas tree overall. Designed with the brand’s “Feel Real” technology, the tree’s branch tips are individually made, resulting in a full-bodied, realistic-looking tree that can support all your favorite ornaments.
This pick also comes pre-lit with 900 dual-color LED bulbs that you can easily switch between white and multicolor—a favorite feature of deputy editor Rose Sala, who’s been using this tree every holiday season since 2017. “I love that we can switch between white lights or color lights with the tap of a button,” she says. Lastly, this tree is a cinch to set up and break down, as the branches are hinged. (“We stow it in its original box in the off-season,” Sala adds.)
Don’t want to drop hundreds on a fake Christmas tree? No problem. This pre-lit option—which comes from the same brand behind our top pick overall—is quite affordable, costing just around $100. Though it’s only available in one height (6 feet), that size will be plenty large for most people. It also comes pre-lit with 300 clear lights, simplifying setup.
Best Splurge Artificial Christmas Tree
A Beautiful, Customizable Pick That Can Last Decades
Balsam Hill
Balsam Hill Classic Blue Spruce
Materials: PVC, metal | Height: 7.5 feet, plus nine other sizes | Lights: LED lights, including clear, color, “twinkly light” and more
Pros:
Premium construction
Available in 10 heights
Multiple lighting options
Cons:
Branches can take a while to fluff
Balsam Hill is one of the most trusted brands in the artificial Christmas tree space, known for its premium designs that look truly lifelike. If you’re looking to invest in a beautiful, high-quality tree built to last for decades (yes, decades), the Classic Blue Spruce—one of the brand’s bestsellers—won’t disappoint. Available in 10 heights, this tree has a whopping 2,960 branch tips and 1,000 LED bulbs that come in an array of styles: clear, color, clear incandescent and “twinkly light." (You can also get the tree unlit.) What’s more, it comes with protective gloves and extra bulbs, plus a 3-year limited warranty, just in case you run into any issues.
Best Slim Artificial Christmas Tree
A Slender Spruce That Can Fit In Tight Spaces
Editor’s Pick
Amazon
Puleo International Pre-Lit Slim Fraser Fir
Materials: PVC, metal | Height: 7.5 feet, plus three other sizes | Lights: Clear lights
Pros:
Available in multiple sizes
Small footprint
Pre-lit with clear lights
Cons:
Only one option for lights
For those with little floorspace to spare, this pre-lit tree from Puleo International—a fourth-generation family-owned brand that calls itself “the oldest family name for Christmas trees in America”—measures just 3 feet wide, allowing it to fight into tighter spaces. (The Balsam Hill tree above, for comparison, is about 4.5 feet wide.) Made from fire-resistant PVC, the 7.5-foot model of this tree has 350 clear bulbs that adorn the fluffy branches. And more about those branches: They’re hinged, so it doesn’t take long to get this tree ready for the floor. “It’s super easy to set up,” senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman. “The size I ordered is just three pieces plus the base—no tools required)—so I was able to put it together myself pretty quickly.” Just note that, like most artificial trees, the branches require a good amount of fluffing. “As you fluff, it becomes nice and full for its size,” Chapman adds.
Best Flocked Artificial Christmas Tree
A Majestic Option With Flocking That Doesn't Shed
King Of Christmas
King Of Christmas Queen Flock
Materials: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene | Height: 7.5 feet, plus five other sizes | Lights: LED lights (also available without lights)
Pros:
Beautiful, heavily flocked branches
Available unlit and pre-lit
Six different sizes
Cons:
May not support heavier toppers
Flocked Christmas trees are treated to look like they’ve been covered by a dusting of fresh snow, giving them an ultra-realistic appearance. For those drawn to this dreamy look, the King Of Christmas Queen Flock—which is full-bodied, thanks to its 2,817 branch tips—is our favorite of its kind. Like many picks on this list, it’s available in six sizes, ranging from 6.5 feet to 12 feet, and you can either get it with warm white LED lights (800 bulbs total) or unlit. Sweetening the deal, the tree comes with a metal stand, storage bag and protective gloves.
Best Mini Artificial Christmas Tree
A Petite Pick Ideal For Tabletops And Entryways
Balsam Hill Balsam Fir Tabletop
Balsam Hill Balsam Fir Tabletop
Materials: PVC, metal | Height: 2.5 feet, plus three other sizes | Lights: LED clear or LED clear fairy lights
Pros:
Easy to set up (and move around)
Two lighting options
Available in four sizes
Cons:
Relatively expensive for a small tree
If you’re looking for a mini fake Christmas tree to place by your front door or on a console table near your entryway, this petite pick from Balsam Hill fits the bill. Sold in four heights, ranging from 2.5- to 5.5-feet tall, Balsam Hill’s Balsam Fir Tabletop could be described as adorable, plus it features the same lifelike construction the brand is known for. It also comes with two lighting choices, either LED clear or LED clear fairy lights, with the latter being slightly more expensive. (We think they’re worth the extra cost, though.)
The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen editors have extensive experience testing, researching and reviewing the best home products on the market. Over the years, we’ve published expert-backed articles on various décor pieces, including the best reading chairs, the best hanging plants and more.
The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen team includes three expert editors: deputy editor Rebekah Lowin, senior editor Amanda Arnold (who compiled this curated list) and editor Sholeen Damarwala.
To supplement our research, we consulted a veritable Christmas décor experts: Olivia Riordan, the senior account manager for retail sales and design at American Christmas, a professional decorating company located in Mount Vernon, New York.
How We Chose The Best Artificial Christmas Trees
To determine the best artificial Christmas trees, our team looked into the most popular options on the market, compared features and consulted an industry experts—along with our team of experienced staffers—for insights.
Our home and kitchen editorial team identified bestselling, high-quality trees from trusted brands like Balsam Hill, Puleo International, King of Christmas and more.
We took a closer look at each top-rated tree, considering the height and lighting options, materials, ease of setup and value.
We read through customer reviews and checked out average star ratings, ensuring the options on this list have an average rating of 4 stars. And if we came across a negative review, we looked into the claims made by the owner.
If you’re thinking of investing in a fake Christmas tree to use this holiday season (and beyond), here are the factors to keep in mind as you browse:
Material
Generally speaking, artificial Christmas trees are made of plastic, the most common types being PE and PVC—polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride, respectively. (The bases, meanwhile, are typically metal.) Both types of have their benefits: Whereas PVC trees and fire-resistant and less like to fade due to sun exposure, PE trees tend to look a little more realistic. These days, many trees are made using both types of plastic.
Size
Most people are happy with Christmas trees that measure between 7 and 7.5 feet tall, but the right size for you depends on where you plan to situate it. In general, you want to have at least 1 foot of clearance between the top of your tree and your ceiling, leaving you room for a tree topper. And height isn’t the only measurement worth paying attention to. “You should consider not only the height of the tree for your space, but also the width,” says Riordan. “You don’t want to end up like the Griswold Family Christmas tree.” Try to leave about 1 foot of clearance around the widest part of the tree.
Lights
Some artificial Christmas trees are pre-lit, which can be a nice perk if you’re looking for something that’s pretty much ready to go out of the box. And within the pre-lit category, there’s a decent amount of variety: Some trees have lights built into the branches, while others are wrapped around in a more traditional fashion. The lights can also be clear or colored (or offer special effects, like sparkling). And if you’d rather use your own lights, no sweat—there are plenty of options that are unlit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The best artificial Christmas trees are lifelike, customizable and easy to set up and store, so you can use them year after year. For those seeking something that looks especially realistic up close, look for trees made with bendable limbs that are made from PE (or polyethylene plastic)—and just know that you might end up spending a few hundred dollars or more. Based on our research and experience with top models, our favorite fake Christmas tree for most people is the National Tree Company “Real Feel” Downswept Balsam Fir.
While it’s not necessary to shell out hundreds of dollars to get a decent artificial Christmas tree, if you want one that’s especially realistic-looking and will last for years, then you’ll likely have to spend $500 or more. Compared to their budget-friendly counterparts, premium trees tend to be better at resisting fading from sun exposure, plus they typically have a longer lifespan—some higher-end options can last 20 years or more. Also, just remember that artificial trees can help save you money over time, making it worth spending extra on. “The cost over the long run is a better investment than buying a new fresh tree each year,” says Ovalle. “A good artificial tree looks brand new and beautiful for years.”
Balsam Hill is one of the most trusted brands behind artificial Christmas trees, and its models are some of the best you can buy. While the brand’s trees are relatively expensive (some bestsellers cost over $1,000), they’re made from high-quality materials and designed to look like real evergreen species found around the world, lending them a lifelike appearance.
