If you’re tired of pine needles all over your living room floor, constant watering, and struggling to fit a huge tree through your front door year after year, it’s time to consider an artificial Christmas tree. Luckily, we’ve spent the past three years researching and testing the best options on the market that look and feel like the real thing, minus all the hassle.
Through the years, we’ve assembled, decorated, and disassembled 44 artificial trees, learning that the appearance and setup process are the most important factors in finding the perfect one. Some trees have features to make assembly quick, like string light connections right in the trunk, so you don’t have to struggle with pesky wires.
In terms of appearance, some come fully decorated or covered with string lights, while others are blank slates for ornaments and tinsel. We found that almost every tree requires fluffing to look its best, so grab a pair of gardening gloves before you get started.
Artificial trees have come a long way from the plasticky and unrealistic trees of the past. With options in different heights, colors, and lighting settings available with a remote control or foot pedal, we can guarantee a convenient and attractive option for every budget, space, and decorating style.
Editor’s Note: This roundup was updated after testing six additional artificial trees in our Lab.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
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Puleo International 7.5 Pre-Lit Teton Pine Artificial Christmas Tree at AmazonBest Realistic:
Easiest Assembly:
What We Like
Varied needles give a full look
Easy to assemble and take down
Don't need gloves to assemble
Can assemble with one person
What We Don't Like
Lights don't extend to the end of the branches
No variations of lights
After three years of Christmas tree testing, the Puleo International Teton Pine Artificial Christmas Tree is a clear winner. With its classic appeal, this 7.5-foot pre-lit tree received high scores across all categories—including the incredibly important appearance category.
The branches on this option vary in size and shape, giving it a full appearance that rivals a natural tree. And unlike other artificial trees, the "needles" also felt soft while assembling, eliminating the need for gloves. We found that you only need one person, and assembly took about 17 minutes, which we love. In comparison, when it came to the trees we tested, the fastest assembly time was around seven minutes (our best budget pick). Others took over 45 minutes with multiple people.
The base and tree stand were simple to assemble and felt sturdy enough to handle heavier ornaments and lush garlands. Disassembling and storing the tree was even easier—it only took us about five minutes and it fit in the box easily.
One downside of this tree is that the lighting does not reach the bottom branches in the area closest to the trunk. In addition, we wish we could change the color or appearance of the white lights. That said, it's easy to wrap around another string of your favorite colored lights for a different look each holiday season. Plus, it should be easy to locate and fix specific broken bulbs. Only a small section is impacted when one light is out, so it would be easy to troubleshoot the missing bulb.
Height: 7.5 feet | Base Diameter: 52 inches | Lights: Yes
Tip from The Lab
We noted during testing that it is easier to fluff the tree gradually as each piece is assembled rather than waiting until the end of the process. This approach not only saves time but also enhances the tree's overall appearance, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing final product.
What We Like
Offered in six sizes
Needles look and feel real
Five light options
Extremely realistic and beautiful
What We Don't Like
Very heavy and bulky
Need three or more people to assemble and disassemble
One of the best parts about artificial Christmas trees is that you can find options that look and feel just like the real thing. Take Balsam Hill's Vermont White Spruce, which we loved for its realistic appearance. Balsam Hill models its artificial trees after nature with True Needle technology for optimal realism and fullness.
Exclusive to Balsam Hill, True Needle technology uses injection-molded PE plastic, mimicking the structure, texture, and color of real needles on an evergreen tree. These needles also feature color variations to make them look more realistic, rather than the entire tree appearing one color.
Regarding both assembly and disassembly, we found it helpful to have another person on hand as the pieces are somewhat heavy. We found that one person should align the sections (there are helpful arrows on the sections), and the other should insert the pieces. Still, we thought the instructions were thorough and helpful, but the heaviness of the tree made it difficult to assemble and disassemble without help.
While size and weight of this pick make it more difficult to assemble, it does help give it a lush, realistic appearance. We tested the 7.5-foot option, but it comes in five other sizes to fit any room or space. Plus, for an additional price, you can upgrade to Twinkly smart lights, so you can create beautiful light shows in your living room with just your smartphone.
Height: 7.5 feet | Base Diameter: 63 inches | Lights: Yes
What We Like
Different light colors and effects
Quickest assembly time
Varied needles for a realistic look
What We Don’t Like
Too fragile for heavy tree toppers
Wondershop’s Pre-Lit Slim Virginia Pine Artificial Tree is perfect for decorating a smaller space on a budget. But, the slim tree doesn’t sacrifice convenience or style. In fact, this tree has the quickest assembly time out of all the trees we tested at just over seven minutes. It stands 6.5 feet tall, so it doesn’t require a step stool to build and can be fully put together with one person (it only weighs 9 pounds).
The small tree packs a punch with pre-strung lights you can customize by switching between white and multicolor lights using the tree’s foot pedal. There are also 10 lighting cycles available with flash and fade effect options. It was easy to find the light’s wire connections when assembling the tree, but other options, like our best realistic tree, include the light connections in the trunk for even quicker assembly.
Still, for a much more affordable price, we loved this tree's quick assembly and look. While all artificial trees require fluffing, the slim design of this option sped up the process. The needles are varied for a realistic look. Some are long and soft with a feathered appearance, while others are shorter and more paper-like.
Despite the various textures, we never felt pricked or poked when decorating the tree. Because of the longer needles, we found that ornaments on hooks rather than a string loop work best on this tree. It felt stable even when weighed down with ornaments, but because of the slim design, we recommend only using lightweighttree topperswith this tree.
While this tree doesn’t come with a storage bag, it fits perfectly back into its box and only takes a few minutes to take apart and store. Overall, it’s a fantastic pick for short ceilings or tight apartment corners while still shining bright.
Height: 6.5 feet | Base Diameter: 25 inches | Lights: Yes
What We Like
Doesn’t make a mess
Soft, realistic needles and branches
Multiple light settings and intensities
Quick assembly without instructions
What We Don’t Like
Can’t support a tree topper
With King of Christmas’ Queen Flock Tree, you get a realistic snow-covered look that’ll make your home a winter wonderland. During testing, we loved that little fake snow fell off the branches while assembling and fluffing the tree. This would defeat the purpose of using an artificial tree that prevents the cleanup of loose needles on the floor day after day.
Designed to mimic the look of the alpine fir native to Washington state, this tree impressed us with its appearance. 650 pre-strung lights illuminate the branches underneath the snowy look. The lights automatically connect when you piece together the three sections of the tree, which we love. You can change the lighting settings with a foot pedal or remote control. We were able to assemble this tree in under 10 minutes even without looking at the instructions.
While gloves are included for fluffing, we found that we didn’t need them to maneuver the soft needles, which never felt prickly. It looks extremely realistic both from a distance and close-up. The only thing that takes away from the realistic quality of the tree is the perfect symmetry and green color. It almost looks too perfect to be real, but that’s fine with us.
Our one gripe with this stunning tree is the sturdiness of the top branches. They tend to sag when we tried multiple tree toppers, even the most lightweight ones. If you really want to use a tree topper, consider tying a ribbon into a bow around the top branch instead of a traditional option.
Height: 7.5 feet | Base Diameter: 47 inches | Lights: Yes
What is flocking?
Flocking refers to artificial snow, which is a popular decorative element sometimes added to trees to create the look of a winter scene in your home. While some trees are pre-flocked for your convenience, you can purchase faux snow separately to create a custom look on your tree.
Dean Darin, a lifelike trees buyer at English Gardens, shares that flocking can lead to yellowing when placed in direct sunlight, so be sure to pick a shady spot for your flocked tree.
What We Like
Tree screws into the base for stability
Beautiful full appearance
Blank slate for decorations
What We Don’t Like
Left waxy residue on hands
If you’re looking for a more minimal tree that you can make your own, the Puleo International Unlit Fraser Fir Tree is a great option. This simple tree is free of any lighting or decor, so you can decorate it with your own style—and even change it up year after year.
After assembling the tree sections, the most time-consuming part of this tree was fluffing the branches. It took about 15 minutes to transform the tree from clumped and ugly to full and gorgeous. The branches didn’t necessarily feel realistic, but they looked beautiful from far away.
Similar to our easiest assembly pick, this tree left a slight waxy residue on your hands after fluffing it. However, it washes off easily, and you can avoid it altogether by wearing gloves. Also, similar to the Balsam Hill tree, we found that ornaments with metal hooks were the best option for decorating this tree.
We like that the bottom section of the tree has three bolts that screw into the stand of the tree for ultimate durability. It never tilted, even after packing one side with heavy ornaments. Therefore, it’s great for DIY decorators who like to change their holiday style year after year, but we know they’re not for everyone. For a pre-decorated and pre-lit option, check out our best flocked pick.
Height: 7 feet | Base Diameter: 54 inches | Lights: No
What We Like
Branches fall into place
Lights connect through the trunk
Remote works from far away
Light effects and timer settings
What We Don’t Like
Sparse gaps between tree’s sections
When decorating a big room with high ceilings, you'll need a tree with a tall option like this grand fir option from Home Depot’s Home Decorators Collection, which stands 9 feet tall. Despite the large and heavy size, it took just over 12 minutes to assemble, but you’ll definitely need two people to stabilize the large, unwieldy sections.
While other trees we’ve tested take upwards of an hour to fluff, this one comes with “memory wire," meaning the branches simply fall into place, giving the tree a beautifully full appearance. Our only complaint is the slight gaps between the tree’s sections. Since the branches fall into place, they’re more difficult to maneuver to cover sparse spots, but we think this is a small price to pay for minimal fluffing (the most time-consuming part of setting up an artificial tree).
The 2,500 lights help the tree’s full appearance and snap together through the trunk so there are no pesky wires to locate and connect. It comes with both a foot pedal and a remote to switch between lighting effects (twinkling was our favorite) and set timers. Surprisingly, the remote control works from great distances, so you can turn on the lights on your tree from another room.
Though oversized trees require more time and effort to set up and take down, this one makes it easy to enjoy a large lit Christmas tree that’s sturdy, customizable, and has plenty of room for ornaments.
Height: 9 feet | Base Diameter: 58 inches | Lights: Yes
Tip From The Lab
Think you’ll miss the smell of a real tree when you switch to an artificial one? Try burning a holiday-scented candle (lit far away from the faux tree) for a real-life smell. Two of our favorites are Brooklyn Candle Studio's Montana Forest Minimalist Candle and Thymes' Frasier Fir Pine Needle Candle, which one of our editors re-buys yearly for the holiday season.
What We Like
Flip-up tree base with wheels for easy assembly
Realistic appearance
Comes with two storage bags
Remote with lighting options
What We Don’t Like
Branches leave a waxy residue after fluffing
While the Balsam Hill Flip Up Fir Tree wasn’t the quickest tree to assemble (about four minutes longer than our shortest assembly time), it’s definitely the most innovative tree. To set it up, we rolled out the base, locked the wheels, and pressed down the foot pedal. To our surprise, the tree flipped over, and the branches fell into place. Then, we just attached the second half of the tree (the top half) and started fluffing.
While one person could assemble this tree, we found that it went much faster with two. Once you snap the two halves of the tree together, the lights automatically connect. From there, you can use the remote to change the light color and intensity. We found that it works from far away; we tested it at least 10 feet from the tree without an issue.
With over 1,000 lights, this tree doesn’t lack shine. The lights looked evenly distributed and bright. We also tested the durability of the lights, pulling one off and noticing that the rest of the bulbs on the string stayed lit.
Through our testing, we’ve learned that Balsam Hills trees often look and feel the most realistic compared to other brands. This one is no exception, with zero visible bare spots and a gorgeously realistic appearance both close up and far away. One thing to note is that these branches left a slight waxy residue on our hands after fluffing, so (as always) we recommend wearing gloves during this process (which Balsam Hill includes with tree orders).
The two parts each come with a storage bag. The wheeled base has an upright storage bag to zip up after flipping the tree back upside down. The top half fits into a zippered duffel with a strap for easy carrying, so you can wheel the base and carry the duffel at once to a garage or storage closet. Each part will be well-protected and safe for use year after year.
Height: 7.5 feet | Base Diameter: 46 inches | Lights: Yes
Final Verdict
Out of all of the trees we tested, our pick for the best artificial Christmas tree was the Puleo International 7.5 Pre-Lit Teton Pine Artificial Christmas Tree, which impressed us with its realistic needles and quick assembly time. If you’re looking for something more affordable, we also love our best budget pick, the Wondershop Pre-Lit Slim Virginia Pine Artificial Tree. Its slim design makes it the best choice for smaller spaces, and it comes without built-in lights to keep the price lower.
How We Tested the Artificial Christmas Trees
To make this list, members of The Spruce’s editorial team tested 44 artificial Christmas trees at The Lab and in our own homes across the country over the past three years and evaluated them on a variety of factors. We’re continuously searching for new innovations in the artificial tree market to continually test and try.
- Ease of Assembly and Disassembly: To test the ease of assembly and disassembly, we timed how long it took to set up and store each tree and noted everything from the quality of the instructions to how heavy the pieces felt.
- Appearance: When considering appearance, we judged the quality of the needles, lights, branches, and trunk to determine if the tree had a lifelike quality and feel. We noted how much fluffing each one took to look full and beautiful.
- Sturdiness: Finally, we used weighted ornaments to determine how strong the branches felt and whether the tree felt stable enough to hold the ornaments. We noted any shakiness in the trunk or if the tree was leaning to one side.
- Long-Term Testing:We tested a few of our favorites at home, performing the same tests over the course of three months and three years and evaluating the same attributes.
- Overall Value: After testing each tree, we compared it to some of our favorite trees we've tested, determining if the price is justified. We believe every tree included here is worth the buy.
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Watch Behind-the-Scenes Action From Our Artificial Christmas Trees Testing
What to Look for in an Artificial Christmas Tree
What Size Tree Is Right for Your Home?
On average, Christmas trees are about 7.5 feet tall. Though many will have a traditional, full look, there are also slim options out there if you’re working with limited floor space. "The standard width is about 48 to 54 inches,” says Darin.
No matter how much space you have in your home, there's guaranteed to be a tree that's the right size for you. For taller ceilings and larger rooms, our best tall tree, the Home Depot Pre-Lit LED Elegant Grand Fir Artificial Christmas Tree is 9 feet tall, while our best budget option, the Wondershop Pre-Lit Slim Virginia Pine Artificial Tree stands at just 6.5 feet tall and has a slim appearance to fit in tight space and corners.
Ease of Assembly and Disassembly
Christmas trees typically come in three sections that lock into each other, making them easy to assemble. When choosing a tree, however, check its weight—if it’s on the heavier side, it may require at least two people and more time to put it together.
The average setup time for the nine trees we tested was about 16 minutes, with none taking more than 21 minutes. The outlier is the Wondershop Pre-Lit Slim Virginia Pine Artificial Tree, our best unlit pick, which took less than eight minutes to assemble, so it's a great option for busy families without ample time to decorate.
Lighting can also be a tricky part of the assembly. While some options have to be plugged into an outlet, many require you to connect multiple plugs throughout the tree, a process that may lengthen assembly time. Instead, look for a tree that has lights connected through the trunk, like our best flocked pick, the King of Christmas Queen Flock Slim Artificial Christmas Tree. This means the lights automatically turn on when you connect the tree’s pieces.
You also need to factor in the time you’ll spend making the branches look full and minimizing gaps. In our testing, we found this to be time-consuming. However, some trees, like our best overall, the Puleo International 7.5 Pre-Lit Teton Pine Artificial Christmas Tree, made the process easier and more comfortable than others.
The branches were soft and easy to maneuver, eliminating the need for gloves. However, the same can't be said for other trees we tested, so when in doubt, keep a long-sleeved shirt and a pair of gardening gloves nearby.
Our tree with the easiest assembly, the Balsam Hill Balsam Flip Up Fir Tree, was the most innovative tree we tested. It comes in just two parts. The bottom part flips up with the step of a foot pedal, causing all the branches to fall into place. Then, you just connect the top section and you’re ready to decorate.
Make Your Holidays Shine
Some trees will offer a simple warm white light with one setting, while others include white and multicolor lighting with various settings. Michelle Essix, owner and executive designer at home decor company SwayM.E. Vegas, is of the philosophy is the more lights, the better: "Buying a pre-lit tree that has both colored lights and white lights allows for more versatility in design.”
Many of the trees on list our come with remote controls that let you change the color, brightness, and effects of the lighting. We love the twinkling effect available on our best tall tree, the Home Depot Pre-Lit LED Elegant Grand Fir Artificial Christmas Tree and the ability to switch between white and multicolor lights on our best budget option, the Wondershop Pre-Lit Slim Virginia Pine Artificial Tree.
If lighting is a must-have on your wish list, it may be helpful to pay attention to the light counts of each tree. The more lights, the more bright your tree will be. More lights often make your tree look fuller, which can be helpful for sparse or hard-to-fluff options.
Taking the average of each 7.5-foot lit option on this list, we found 850 lights to be standard. Balsam Hill trees were the outlier, with over 1,000 trees on the Balsam Hill Vermont White Spruce(the most realistic). Just note that you can always add an extra string of lights to your trees to fit your taste.
Only one tree on our list—our best unlit option, the Puleo International 7 Foot Un-Lit 7 ft Fraser Fir Artificial Christmas Tree—doesn’t come pre-strung with lights. This gives you the freedom to switch up your light and ornament preferences year after year. To level up an unlit tree, we recommend Twinkly lights, one of the indoor Christmas lights we tested. We loved the lighting effects available on the compatible smartphone app.
What Type of Tree Are You Mimicking?
Most artificial Christmas trees are designed to resemble a certain style of a real tree to look as realistic as possible. Odds are, the style of the real tree you like the best will be the artificial tree style you gravitate towards.
Some popular styles include Balsam fir, Douglas fir, and Spruce. Regarding real trees, Douglas firs are often very dense, making decorating difficult, so most people prefer Balsam firs. Spruce trees, like the Balsam Hill Vermont White Spruce, our best realistic tree, have sharp, thin needles that may break off easily on a traditional tree, but you won't have this problem with an artificial one.
Our best flocked tree, the King of Christmas Queen Flock Slim Artificial Christmas Tree, is meant to resemble alpine fir trees native to Washington state. We found this tree gorgeous and full, similar to other artificial trees made to look like firs. Plus, the flocking adds a nice touch.
While these styles may vary slightly, they all provide the traditional Christmas tree shape most people associate with the holiday. However, we love the idea of adding some whimsy to your holiday decorating with nontraditional shapes and styles.
Extras and Add-Ons
Some trees may have additional features that suit your style. For example, if a tree has lighting, it may also include an on/off foot pedal or a remote control that makes it easy to control. Our best tall tree, the Home Depot Pre-Lit LED Elegant Grand Fir Artificial Christmas Tree, comes with both.
Other trees may be pre-decorated with ornaments or faux snow for a winter look, like our favorite flocked tree, the King of Christmas Queen Flock Slim Artificial Christmas Tree. But keep in mind that all of these upgrades can add to the cost of the tree.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Julia Fields, an associate editor for The Spruce covering all things holiday decor for the past three years. Before testing, we looked at hundreds of artificial Christmas tree options, evaluating customer satisfaction, price, and features to determine which trees we would choose to test.We then used testing insights and market research to pick our seven favorites.
While Fields always grew up with a real tree, she admires the realistic look and feel of the artificial trees on this list and may become a convert when she purchases her first Christmas tree for her own apartment.
Our Experts:
- Michelle Essix, owner and executive designer at home decor company SwayM.E.Vegas
- Dean Darin, lifelike trees buyer at English Gardens