You Won't Believe The Realistic Look of These 9 Artificial Christmas Trees (2024)

After a full day of testing, the Puleo International Teton Pine Artificial Christmas Tree was 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. When it came to the trees we tested, the fastest assembly time was around 7 minutes, while others took over 45 minutes with multiple people.

The base and tree stand were both simple to assemble and felt sturdy enough to handle heavier ornaments and lush garlands. Disassembling and storing the tree was even easier, only taking about five minutes with no visible damage or bulging on the included box.

One downside of this tree is that the lighting does not reach the bottom branches in the area closest to the trunk. In addition, all the lights are white without the choice of variation. That being 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. When one light is out, only a small section is impacted so it would be easy to troubleshoot the missing bulb.

_{Height: 7.5 feet | Base Diameter: 52 inches | Lights: Yes}

If you think holiday decor has to be expensive, allow us to introduce you to this slim artificial tree from Treetopia. The budget-friendly design is an easy way to bring holiday cheer into your home without breaking the bank.

One of the most noticeable aspects of the tree is how simple it was to assemble and disassemble—we put it together in under 10 minutes and stored it in its original box in under three minutes. The 250 lights come pre-strung and include a foot pedal to turn them on and off easily. There are eight different light functions to choose from to create different looks with just one tree.

The lightweight tree, which was a foot shorter than most of the trees we tested, would also be great for entryways and smaller rooms. The pencil shape adds a bit more interest than the classic Christmas tree shape, and this pick feels sturdy enough to support intricate decorations.

_{Height: 6 feet | Base Diameter: 28 inches | Lights: No}

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 earned a perfect score 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.

The size and weight of this pick definitely make it more difficult to assemble, but it also contributes to the tree's lush, realistic appearance. We tested the 7.5-foot option, but it comes in five other sizes to fit any room or space. Plus, there's an option to upgrade to Twinkly smart lights for an additional price, 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}

With Vickerman's Flocked Alaskan Pine Artificial Christmas Tree, you get a realistic snow-covered look that’ll make your home a winter wonderland. Assembly and disassembly both received high scores, as we found it easy to lift each piece out of the box and put it back in the box for storage. We love that there are no complicated wires to connect, so it took less than 15 minutes to complete. Just note that disassembling can be a bit difficult, mostly due to the tree's heavy weight.

Once set up, we loved the frosted look that brings a bit of snow into your home, even if you live in a warmer climate. Another plus of this pick is the different light shapes and sizes included. The 800 bright clear lights are broken up by 45 larger bulbs that look make this tree look gorgeous without any ornaments. But, you'll be pleased to know that we found the branches extremely sturdy and able to support heavy ornaments with ease. As we were placing the ornaments, the tree did not sway much or shake.

_{Height: 7.5 feet | Base Diameter: 68 inches | Lights: Yes}

If you’re looking for a more minimal tree that you can make your own, the National Tree Company Artificial Slim Christmas 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.

Assembly for this tree was quick (less than seven minutes) and only required one person. The sections were far lighter in weight than other options, and the branches were easy to pull apart for intuitive and quick fluffing. Disassembly was even easier, with no instructions needed. The tree compresses easily and fits well into its storage box.

This tree's slim appearance is ideal for tight corners and small spaces but lends it a slightly less realistic appearance. The tree still feels sturdy enough to handle ornaments and tree toppers, so it's perfect for those looking to get fancy with decorations.

_{Height: 7.5 feet | Base Diameter: 30 inches | Lights: No}

If you're looking to decorate a big room with high ceilings, consider a tree with a tall option like this spruce option from Best Choice Products. Our lab tested the 7.5-foot version, which is a pretty standard height for artificial trees, but it also comes in a 9-foot option for those looking for something a bit taller.

Set-up took less than 13 minutes, thanks to the helpful instructions. It definitely takes a long time to perfect this tree by pushing down and fluffing all of the branches for a full appearance. If you don't have 45 minutes to spare, which is what the packaging recommends, expect a bit of the trunk to show, but with lights and decor, you won't even notice.

We ended up spending 12 minutes fluffing this tree, which definitely wasn’t enough time to make it look perfect, but an average fluff time during this test. This tree comes unlit, so you have free range to decorate this pick any way you wish. Disassembly took less than five minutes, so storing this tree to prepare for next year is a breeze. While it's not extremely realistic looking, it comes at a budget-friendly price, and the stable tree ensures you can use it again and again.

Price at time of publish: $180 for 7.5 feet

_{Height: 4, 6, 7.5, 9 feet | Base Diameter: 52 inches | Lights: No}

Calling all maximalist holiday decorators! If white lights aren't enough for your Christmas living room setup, you need this Brewer Spruce artificial tree we at-home tested from Balsam Hill. Available in two sizes—7.5 and 9 feet—the tree comes strung with over 1,000 colorful lights guaranteed to make a statement.

With the Color + Clear LED Lights, you can choose between clear, multicolor, or a mix of the two with the included remote control for a custom decorating experience that can change day to day. Designed with thousands of True Needle foliage, this tree resembles a real spruce tree, with the needle tips fanning in different directions for optimal ornament holding.

This tree arrives in sections with ribbons keeping the branches together which aids in assembly, with the lights plugging into each other and then into an outlet to turn on. We love that Balsam Hill provides protective gloves to wear when shaping and fluffing your tree, which can take a while (about 20 minutes for us) but is definitely worth the time. The end result was extremely full and realistic.

You also receive extra bulbs and fuses in case they go out and a storage bag for storing during the off-season. We found that you didn't have to de-fluff the branches to fit the tree's sections easily into the bag, which was a relief. If something really goes wrong, Balsam Hill provides a 3-year limited warranty, so you can be sure you'll be using this tree again and again for years, which helps justify the high price tag.

_{Height: 7.5 or 9 feet | Base Diameter: 61 or 68 inches | Lights: Yes}

If you’redecorating a smaller spaceor want a tree with a slimmer profile, consider Joss & Main's Slender Green Realistic Artificial Fir Christmas Tree. It comes in six sizes from 4.5 feet to 12 feet so high ceilings are no issue, truly making this a small-space-friendly tree that's equally beautiful in larger spaces as well. The widest diameter for the popular 7.5-foot option reaches just 44 inches, so it's great to nestle into corners and tight spaces.

The flame-retardant tree features realistic PVC branches, but they definitely need a bit of fluffing when first set up. Be sure to put some time aside to make this tree look beautiful, but luckily assembly is quite quick and easy otherwise. This pick arrives in four sections labeled A-D that fit together easily, while the string lights simply plug into the wall and you're ready to fluff.

What's more, this tree comes with hundreds of lights already strung (500 for the 7.5-foot option), so decorating is a breeze. The lights come in a soft white color that can be jazzed up with other decorations. We also love the comparatively budget-friendly price for those who want the look and feel of a lit, decorated Christmas tree but without the space or budget for something grandiose.

_{Height: 4.5, 6.5, 7.5, 9, 10, or 12 feet | Base Diameter: 30, 40, 44, 49, 53, or 61 inches | Lights: Yes}

Don't settle on the height or light features you want on your perfect artificial tree with this option from Balsam Hill that lets you customize these features to fit your space and your preferences. We tested the 7.5-foot Fraser Fir Tree, but there are six size options available, ranging from 5.5 to 12 feet. We found that the setup took about 20 minutes, but we recommend getting a friend to help you out, especially if you're working with a larger tree because the sections can be quite heavy.

Once assembled, the tree looked extremely realistic, even up close, and was easy to fluff to our liking. The branches felt sturdy for heavy ornaments but thinned out a bit towards the end of the branch tips. We love the multiple light options available. Choose from candlelight clear (a warm white), clear, color and clear, multicolored, unlit, or smart Twinkly-brand lights that let you further customize your lighting colors and effects.

One thing to note is that the tree comes with a storage bag, however, depending on the size you choose, it can take up a lot of space when storing. Therefore, make sure you allocate a corner of your attic or basem*nt for your tree.

We tested this tree for three years in our own home and were impressed by the quality over time. Even with intervention from a 15-pound cat who likes to pounce on the branches, the branches remain sturdy and attractive with a bit of extra shaping and fixing and only one small branch tip has fallen off through the years. Not a single ornament has fallen off, proving the branch's strength and high quality. We also find it consistently easy to set up even after years of assembling and disassembling. The pre-strung lights continue to impress us, automatically turning on after snapping the sections together for an instantly beautiful tree.

_{Height: 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 9, 10, or 12 feet | Base Diameter: 44, 54, or 60, 64, 68, 69 inches | Lights: Yes}

Final Verdict

Watch Behind-the-Scenes Action From Our Artificial Christmas Trees Testing

Tip from The Lab

We tested a set of twinkly lights when testing indoor Christmas lights and loved the lighting effects available on the compatible smartphone app. Add these smart lights to any artificial tree on this list for an upgraded design experience.

FAQ

• How do you store an artificial Christmas tree?

  Darin advises storing the tree in a cool location, like the basem*nt."An attic or garage usually is too hot and the tree needles will start to get deformed in the heat," he says.

  After you disassemble the tree, you’ll want to press the branches together in each section so they become compact enough to fit back into the box it came in. To make it easier, you can purchase ribbons or ropes to hold the branches in place.

  Some trees may come with a storage bag, but we found that the loose structure of a bag can take up a bit more space versus when the tree is stored in a box.
  

• Can you recycle artificial Christmas trees?

  Artificial Christmas trees unfortunately cannot be recycled because they are made of PVC plastics. There are some specialty recycling organizations that will take them and repurpose the materials. Your municipality may also offer curbside services to remove your tree, but it will be destined for the landfill. Another option is to donate your former tree to local charities, hospitals, or thrift stores.

• Can you shorten an artficial Christmas tree?

  It's not advisable to try to shorten your artificial Christmas tree. Unlike real trees, artificial trees are not designed to be resized once brought into the home. Many of the trees on this list offer more than one size. We recommend measuring your ceiling height before you purchase your tree, calculating about twelve inches from the top of the tree to account for a standard Christmas tree topper, and finally, thinking outside the box when it comes to decorating.