13 Best Artificial Christmas Trees, According to Our Testing

The top performer in our tests, the Vermont White Spruce is also Balsam Hill's most popular offering, thanks to its realistic, attractive design and traditional, full silhouette available in a range of heights, from 4.5 feet to 18 feet.

This tree can fit in small rooms and storage spaces, or you can go all out with a larger size and have the tree be the main attraction in your living room. You can purchase your tree unlit or choose among a variety of UL-certified lighting options, like twinkling LED lights, which allow you to alternate between festive colors and light shows.

GH Institute Test Engineer Alec Scherma says he found setting up this tree to be super simple: Snap the sections together, plug the tree into an outlet and then use the included foot pedal or remote to turn the lights on. When disassembling, there's no need to remove the lights; simply detach the tree sections and store until next year. He also notes that this tree appeared much fuller compared to other models in our most recent round of testing.

Another pro of Balsam Hill if you're the type who likes to deck out your home in holiday cheer: The brand also sells a wide variety of high-quality wreaths and garlands that pair nicely with its faux trees.

If you're looking to spend less than $100, this 6-foot tree with plenty of fluffy, full needles is a worthy choice.

We like its timeless Douglas fir-inspired branches, that provide enough spacing so that you can decorate with your favorite ornaments. "It's full and looks great once you get the branches spread out," one Amazon reviewer noted. “This tree is undeniably one of the best your money can buy! The tree has fullness, it’s pretty and perfectly shaped,” said another.

We also like that it's available in green or white, and for a bit extra, you can opt for the pre-lit version. Just keep in mind that it may not be as sturdy as other premium (read: higher cost) models.

If you’re looking for a Christmas tree that looks like it hails straight from the mountains, consider this pick from National Tree Company. Featuring flocked pinecones and pre-strung clear, white lights, you can leave the tree as is for a simple, rustic vibe or add extra decorations and ornaments to fully fill it out.

National Tree Company trees have performed well in our tests, thanks to their quality design and construction. It did take some time to fluff out all the branches during set up — but once the tree was up and ready, it looked like the real deal. Overall, we found assembly straightforward, and that the lights were evenly strung out.

We also appreciate that even if one bulb burns out, the remaining lights will stay lit. Just note that this tree only comes in a 7.5-foot height, so you’ll want to make sure you have the ceiling height to accommodate it before purchasing.

If you're looking for a more affordable tree from Balsam Hill, we recommend this classic blue spruce. Featuring soft-yet-sturdy needles and a beautiful blue-green hue, it’s no surprise that this fake tree was a top performer in our Lab evaluations. The cool hue and varying branch lengths make the spruce look more realistic.

Not only did it score well for ease of use, but it comes with some nice extras, like gloves for scratch-free fluffing, a storage bag and replacement bulbs (if purchasing the pre-lit version). You can choose from eight size options ranging between 4.5 to 15 feet to suit the size of your room and storage space.

Like other Balsam Hill artificial Christmas trees, you’re free to choose from a variety of lighting options that enable you to turn the tree on and off with a quick tap of a handy foot pedal. "The lights are amazing and automatically connect," Scherma notes, thanks to the light connector built into the trunk of the tree.

Reviewers say that this is one of the prettiest fake trees they've seen due to its realistic look and fullness, which is thanks to the whopping 2,514 branches (compared to under 2,000 tip count on trees of similar sizes in this roundup).

While several noted that it took a while to fully fluff the branches, the quality of construction was unmistakable and the price hard to top. One summed it up nicely, saying, "This tree is so beautiful! Takes a little while to fluff but it is so worth it in the end.”

The manufacturer also points out that the tree can be used indoors or outdoors under a covered area like a porch. You can leave it unlit as is, or if you want to add decorations, just gather up family and friends to hang Christmas lights and ornaments together for a fun holiday activity.

These aren't the retro bulbs of yesteryear! Dazzle the kids with eight different light sequences courtesy of a four-color, LED-equipped faux pine. "This is a beautiful tree and is definitely high-tech," one Amazon reviewer said.

We love the ability to set various light sequences to provide the perfect festive backdrop for whatever mood suits the occasion. The setup is easy with just two pieces to snap together, though fluffing the branches can take some time to get right. While the smart lights are a fun and colorful way to light up a room, we noted that the branches all end at the same length for a perfect triangular look, which looks less realistic and gives away that it is an artificial tree quite quickly.

If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, then this fake flocked Christmas tree is for you. Available in a variety of sizes, from 4.5 to 9 feet, you can opt for the height that’s best for your space. A high tip count and plenty of branches at varying lengths contribute to its lush, full shape.

We also appreciate that the warm white lights are pre-strung so this tree looks festive and elegant as soon as it’s set up. Of course the tree will not look as realistic as other options, but it's a beautiful choice if you love the snowy appearance and are willing to embrace the artificial look. The downside: The flocking got everywhere when we assembled this white Christmas tree in our Lab. That said, our testers found it very easy to put together.

Decorating the Christmas tree is a cherished tradition for many, and with this unlit spruce tree, you can personalize it by hanging your own garlands and festive lights, just like you would with a real tree.

Online reviewers say they love how beautiful and natural this classic-looking faux tree looks once set up, likely thanks to the fact that each branch has copious tips for a realistic appearance. Not only is it a great value, but its solid construction should last several holiday seasons. This tree was relatively easy to assemble in our evaluations, earning high scores for ease of use. Just attach the base to the largest tree section and then stack the remaining sections before fluffing. Scherma notes that you do have to fluff the tree to make it look good, but it’s easy to build.

Amazon reviews similarly described the look and setup, with one noting, "This tree is easy to take down and store away. It’s just as easy to put up and fluff. Still looks just as full as the first day I put it up.”

The BH Balsam Fir collection is modeled after balsam firs in Maine so you can count on this realistic artificial Christmas tree to truly impress.

Mimicking both the color and texture of real branches with semi-flat needles, this tree sports a classic full shape that’s popular among consumers. Though it’s pricier than other fake trees, the expense is largely due to the brand's proprietary "True Needle" technology, which uses a PVC and polyethylene (PE) combo to provide hyper-realistic foliage that resembles real evergreen branches.

We were impressed by this model, also a top performer in Lab tests, and found it a breeze to put together and fluff. Light connections are built into the trunk, thanks to an “Easy Plug” system that makes lighting the tree intuitive and speedy — all you have to do is pop one plug into the wall outlet to light up the entire tree.

We also like that most models can be turned on and off with a simple foot pedal or remote control (depending on the lighting type chosen), and that the tree is available in a wide range of heights and varied lighting options on Balsam Hill's website so there is something for everyone in this lineup.

This artificial fir tree is both slim and sleek, making it suitable for tighter spaces and small apartments. Although narrow, the tree's branches are still lush, so you won't be missing that wow factor. At just 30 inches in diameter for the base of the 7.5-foot tree, the 1,075 tip count hides the artificial central branch well without taking up tons of floor space.

"Spent three years looking for the perfect artificial tree for our apartment. It fits our space perfectly and we are very pleased with the fullness of the branches," one Amazon reviewer said. It’s also available as a white Christmas tree for those who prefer.

According to Scherma, this tree performed well in Lab tests, though does arrive extremely compressed so you’ll have to spend a good chunk of time fluffing it up to look just right.

Puleo has been around since 1954 and is another well-known brand in the artificial Christmas tree industry. We like the slender yet dense profile of this tree if you’re looking for a small fake Christmas tree. It’s compact and slim enough for tight spaces like an apartment with high ceilings, entryway or a smaller room, and is available in a variety of heights ranging from 4.5 to 9 feet.

In our Lab assessment, we found it very easy to assemble, with one of our engineers putting it together in under five minutes. The stand is already attached (though some online reviewers say it can wobble) and since it is pre-lit, you'll be ready to line the tree with gifts in no time. During safety tests, when held to an open flame, the branches melted but did not ignite.

Nothing says, “It’s Christmas!” like a gigantic tree in the middle of your living room. At 12 feet tall, this artificial Christmas tree’s 80-inch base is large enough to fit everyone — and all their presents — around it! While the price is steep, it features more than 7,770 tips that give it a full, realistic appearance that will require close inspection for anyone to even realize it's a fake tree.

But regardless of the size you choose (you can go as small as 4.5 feet, too), online reviewers felt that this tree was very full and easy to put together. Granted, you’ll have to spend a fair amount of time fluffing and spreading out all the branches, but once set up, it will look fantastic. One reviewer says, “This photo does not do it justice. It’s just beautiful. I can’t wait to start decorating it."

Maybe you want to set up a small fake Christmas tree in your dining room, porch or office. We recommend this baby fir tree, which is flocked to create a true winter wonderland vibe albeit not the most realistic looking.

It sits on a rustic potted base that's 24 inches wide and is available in either 4.5 or 6 feet heights. In our Lab evaluations, we found it very easy to assemble and appreciated its unique, petite design that set it apart from other artificial Christmas trees.

The tree is pre-lit and casts a pretty warm glow, thanks to clear lights. “The flocking goes over the lights, which is unique and blends in well,” Scherma says. It’s the perfect size for those that don’t have large spaces but want something that stands out.