Best Artificial Christmas Trees to Spruce up Your Holidays

You may have grown up cutting down your own live Christmas tree every year or picking one out at a Christmas tree lot, but, now that you’re dealing with the practicalities of the holiday season, you’re considering an artificial tree. Maybe people in your household have allergies, or maybe you want the tree that’ll outlive a single holiday season. Artificial trees can also be helpful if you have a design or stylistic idea in mind.

There are several reasons artificial Christmas trees offer an advantage over real ones, says Lewis Puleo, vice president at Puleo International. “They are more convenient and easy to set up and take down, and do not need watering or have minimal shedding of needles,” he says. As someone who wants to minimize how often I need to vacuum and sweep, especially around the holidays, this is a huge plus. Sustainability and environmental friendliness also comes into play since artificial trees can be reused.

Making holidays easier is another consideration. “Artificial trees come in a wide variety of styles, sizes, and pre-lit options, allowing for more customization and a consistent, hassle-free holiday experience,” Puleo says. Plus, they’re great for those of us who like to start celebrating early. “You can put your tree up as early as you’d like without having to worry if it’ll last until Christmas or still look fresh,” Puleo says.

Our top picks for the best artificial Christmas trees

What to consider when buying artificial Christmas trees

Overall quality

There are a few ways to tell if your tree is high quality and likely to last many years. “The tree should feel sturdy, with the branches holding their shape after bending them in the direction you want. The poles should fit snugly into each other without wobbling, and the tips of the branches should bend easily without breaking,” Puleo says.

Height

Make sure you know how tall your ceilings are and how much clearance you want between your ceiling and your tree topper. You can get a wide range of heights when it comes to artificial trees, which may not be possible when getting a tree from a lot or farm.

Room size

Think about how you want to scale your tree to the room. This task is easier with an artificial tree than with a live one. Some artificial trees are wider and lusher than others while tall, skinny trees might look luxe or stylish. Consider how many people will be in the room with the tree on the big day and how much space you need around the base of the tree for all your gift recipients.

Budget

Artificial trees have a large range of cost depending on the brand and size of the tree. However, the quality is often lacking in extremely low-budget trees. Since you’re making a multi-year investment when you buy an artificial tree, you may be able to budget for a more expensive one, knowing you won’t be getting a new tree next year, or even for years after.

Theme

While many artificial trees aim to mimic the look of real ones, you can also find many thematic variations. Trees with fake snow, aka flocked trees, evoke the whimsy of being in the cold winter woods. Colorful trees, while not realistic, add a fun pop of color and personal style to your holiday.

Ease of assembly

Some artificial trees tout easy assembly, while others are more labor-intensive.

“When planning to put up an artificial Christmas tree, there are a few things to consider ahead of time to ensure an easier and safer setup,” Puleo says. Plan to work in a team, he recommends. “Depending on the size and weight of the tree, you may need more than one person for setup. Larger or heavier trees, especially pre-lit or flocked models, can be cumbersome to handle alone.”

You’ll want to have a sense of where you want the tree, and you’ll also want to confirm there’s enough space around it, Puleo says. “Make sure an outlet is nearby if the tree is pre-lit.”

Plus, you’ll want to protect your floors. “Consider placing a mat, rug, or some other protective covering on the floor during setup to prevent scratches or damage, especially for hardwood or delicate surfaces,” Puleo says. And think about wearing gloves as you get your tree in place. “Wearing gloves can help protect your hands from scratches when shaping branches and adjusting the tree. This is especially useful if your tree has sharp or stiff branches that can poke you or irritate your skin during setup.”

Materials

Artificial trees come in various materials and styles.

• PVC (polyvinyl chloride): PVC is often used in more affordable trees but is not particularly realistic. It’s easy to mold into different shapes.
• PE (polyethylene): PE is often considered the most realistic material and is also durable. However, this increase in quality means it’s often more expensive and heavier.
• PVC/PE blend: A blend of PVC and PE might be the best of both worlds. It’s not as realistic looking as PE alone but offers the affordability of PVC.
• Tinsel or tinsel-look trees: For a big style move, a tinsel tree can hold one’s attention. The material can shed over time, however, and some animals are attracted to it and may ingest the tinsel.
• Flocked: Flocked trees appear to be covered in snow. However, Puleo warns that flocked trees shed during setup and storage. Higher quality flocked trees shed less. “To minimize shedding, handle the tree carefully and as little as possible to avoid moving it. Additionally, flocked trees tend to be heavier due to the added material, so ensure the weight won’t be an issue when setting up or storing it,” Puleo recommends. If using lights, make sure the flocking coating doesn’t affect light brightness. Since flocking is prone to discoloration, Puleo says not to store it in an attic or other hot area.
• Fiber optic trees: Fiber optic color-changing or twinkling lights are low-maintenance and energy efficient. However, they are not as versatile when it comes to decorations.

Density and realism

Stylistically, you may want to choose a denser or sparser tree. “High-quality trees have needles that closely resemble those of a real tree in both color and texture,” Puleo says. If you have a lot of decorations (I do!), you may need a thicker tree with bigger branches and more needles. If you want to showcase fewer or want to reduce visual clutter, a more sparse, thinner branched tree might suit you better. Either way, Puleo says, “A well-made tree should have lush branches, making it hard to tell from a distance that the tree is artificial.”

Pre-lit versus unlit

It’s always really hard to properly distribute strands of lights around a tree, so getting a pre-lit tree might reduce hassle and provide a more equal distribution of lights. Puleo says, “Setting up the tree is quick and straightforward, with the lights already in place. The same convenience applies to taking the tree down.” He also mentions the visual seamlessness of hidden wires with a prelit tree. However, some bulbs on trees that come pre-lit are harder to replace. While Puleo says it’s possible you’ll need to troubleshoot lighting issues, he says, “our customer service team is always just a phone call away to assist you.”

Environmental impact

Whether or not an artificial tree is preferable to a live one from an environmental perspective depends on how long you use it. If you do opt for an artificial tree, you can look for ones made from recycled materials such as PVC or fiberglass.

Best places to buy artificial christmas trees

Many of my top picks are easiest to get via Amazon. Big stores like Target, Michaels, and Joann have lots of artificial tree options for online or in person purchase, should you want to see it in real life before buying. Hardware stores like Lowe’s also carry them. Going directly to the company website is a good option for sales and to make sure your choice is in stock. 

How I chose the best artificial Christmas trees

Expert advice

I spoke to experts in interior design and specifically in the artificial tree business. 

Online research

I made sure all my picks were available at the time of publication and had glowing customer reviews, with a significant majority of five star reviews. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Which type of artificial Christmas tree is best?

Style often dictates what you might determine as the best tree for your house. However, when it comes to material, polyethylene is the highest quality, looks most realistic, and lasts the longest. 

What is the most realistic brand of artificial Christmas tree?

Of my picks, the trees from Puleo, Balsam Hill, and National Tree Company have reviews which praise them for their realism.

How many years does a Balsam Hill tree last? 

According to the website’s FAQ, you can expect a Balsam Hill tree to last about ten years.

How often should you replace an artificial Christmas tree?

Puleo says, “Artificial trees can be reused for many years, with the average being 10 to 15 years depending on how they are cared for and stored.”