4 Best Artificial Christmas Trees of 2026, Tested and Reviewed
We tested nearly a dozen top-rated artificial Christmas trees to find the best four on the market.
Brigitt Earley
Tested by Brigitt Earley
A fresh-from-the-farm Christmas tree may make your house smell like the season, but they're a definite commitment. First, there's the struggle to get them onto the roof of your car and in the door and onto the stand. Not to mention, they're fickle things, needing constant TLC that includes the acrobatics involved in watering them. And, oh, don't forget those pine needles littering your living room floor.
Luckily, today's artificial trees are so convincing that nobody could ever call you a Scrooge for making the switch. The best options on the market look and feel like the real thing — without all of the hassle. Assembly is quick, there's minimal fluffing required, and pre-strung lights generally require no more effort than hitting an "on" button. The sturdy branches are perfect for your most precious family ornaments, too.
To help you find these convenient and attractive options, we put 10 of the most popular and well-rated artificial Christmas trees on the market to the test in side-by-side comparisons.
Our Top Artificial Christmas Tree Picks
How We Tested
Our editorial team has evaluated Christmas decor of all kinds, from Christmas lights and tree skirts to garland and stockings. During our most recent round of testing, we selected 10 of the top-rated artificial trees, both lit and unlit options, as well as flocked trees.
Brigitt Earley
Brigitt Earley
Brigitt Earley
After recording all data points about height, diameter, branch and stand materials, number of branches, how many lights (if applicable), and any warranty information, we assembled each tree side-by-side for easy visual comparison.
Once fully assembled, we evaluated each tree to determine how much fluffing was needed for the most realistic look, plus how cumbersome the process was. We also assessed the lights (where applicable), noting disbursement, brightness during the day and at night, and any special features like twinkling or color changing.
Finally, we disassembled each tree to determine how easy each one was to pack up and store, making special note of any options that come with a storage bag.
Tips From Our Experts
- Not much fluffing required
- Multiple lighting options
- Comes with storage bag
- Expensive
- Requires a fair amount of pressure to adjust branches
Though Balsam Hill's signature trees are undeniably expensive, we were continually impressed at every stage of testing. For starters, the packaging feels special — the cardboard is thick and the red lettering looks like it may have been hand-delivered from the North Pole. Inside, the tree pieces are expertly packaged and come complete with a storage bag, as well as protective gloves for shaping the tree and extra bulbs.
This one, which weighs a total of 63 pounds, is so substantial that it comes in two separate boxes. The pieces are all on the heavier side, and you have to line everything up just so. I also needed help from another person to get the tree to stay straight and upright in the stand, which made setup slightly more cumbersome than some of the other trees tested.
On the upside, the branches were simple to adjust, and the entire tree looked nice and full without much fluffing. I also appreciated how intuitive the included remote was to operate. Buttons clearly identify options — color, white, or color and white — plus provide the option of changing the brightness on the bulbs.
When it's time to put the tree away, you'll be very glad to have the included storage bags (one comes with each box). They'll help extend the life of your tree and keep your attic neater, but bags are a feature that's noticeably absent from all other trees we evaluated.
- Tree Type Fraser Fir
- Height 7 ft. 5 in.
- Diameter 5 ft.
- Light Options Color, white, color and white
- Number of Branch Tips 1,180
I Swore I’d Never Get an Artificial Tree Until I Tried Balsam Hill
Follow an HGTV editor's detailed review of her first experience with an artificial Christmas tree to see if you should make the switch, too.
- Budget-friendly
- Not much fluffing required
- Unique, rustic look
- Only one light setting
- Not as full as other trees
We found that many artificial trees need a fair amount of fluffing, and this was especially true of the more budget-friendly options. Some were so sparse, it took hours to fluff them out in a way that looked remotely realistic — an endeavor that'll have you feeling the opposite of festive. One of the reasons we like this more affordable tree so much is that it's designed to look taller and skinnier. It even has a cork-like covering on the trunk to make it look more real in bare spots. I was surprised by how chic it looked, especially once I turned the lights on.
At just 32 pounds, the tree itself is substantially less hefty than our top overall pick, which made it easy to assemble without help in just five to 10 minutes. It is, however, worth noting that you have to do a bit of digging between the branches to connect the lights on the three different sections — something that wasn't necessary for the other lit trees we tested.
Once connected, the lights are easy to turn on and off. There's only one lighting option — warm white — so you simply step on the foot pad. The 700 clear lights are evenly dispersed and create a beautiful, soft glow; however, they are more of a warm white than the clear that's advertised.
- Tree Type Aspen Fir
- Height 7 ft. 5 in.
- Diameter 5 ft.
- Light Options Clear
- Number of Branch Tips 1,319
- Budget-friendly
- A lot of branch tips
- Lightweight enough for one person to set up
- Branches are rough and potentially irritating
- Requires a lot of fluffing
Though technically cheaper than our overall value pick, the lack of lights makes this a more suitable pick for someone specifically looking for an unlit option as more of a blank canvas for their own lights, ornaments and other holiday baubles.
Given the price, we were very impressed by the fact that this tree has nearly 2,150 branch tips. They do, however, require a large amount of fluffing. The branches are very tightly packed for shipping, so expect to spend at least an hour on the project. We recommend you wear gloves, too — the needles are rather rough and irritated my skin. Given the time and effort, it is pretty amazing how drastically better the tree looks, though.
Overall, this tree is easy to set up, especially considering it's only 32 pounds and can be tackled by a single individual. It does, however, require a fair amount of finessing, which may be a deal-breaker for some, especially people like me who have little kids that might become impatient with the process.
- Tree Type Dunhill Fir
- Height 7 ft.
- Diameter 4.58 ft.
- Light Options N/A
- Number of Branch Tips 2,144
- Doesn't shed
- Realistic looking without much fluffing
- Plugs were a bit hard to find
The main problem we encountered with flocked trees is that some of them shed a lot. This one from Puelo was the only flocked tree we tested that didn't leave the space littered with glitter and white dust resembling little pieces of foam. It's easy to set up — minus a little bit of struggle to find where all of the lights connect — and requires minimal fluffing for a full, realistic look.
The lights are evenly spaced, and each one has flocking, so every single bulb looks snow-covered. Unfortunately, there is only one light setting: a steady warm white. It is, however, very easy to turn on and off, thanks to a convenient food pedal.
Overall, this is a sophisticated option at a fair price point. In fact, we think it offers one of the best overall values of those we tested, especially if you're looking for something a little more unique.
- Tree Type Spruce
- Height 7 ft. 5 in.
- Diameter 4.66 ft.
- Light Options Clear
- Number of Branch Tips 1,790
What to Consider When Buying an Artificial Christmas Tree
Tree Style: Like real trees, their artificial counterparts come in many different sizes, shapes and styles. Most are designed to mimic certain native breeds, the most popular of which are varietals like Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir, Spruce and Balsam Fir. If there's a style of real tree you tend to like, chances are you'll be most drawn to the fake versions of those trees, too. Once you've settled on a style, consider customization options like lighting and flocking.
Height and Diameter: According to the National Christmas Tree Association, the average height of a Christmas tree is approximately six to seven feet tall. However, top brands like Balsam Hill and National Tree Company make trees as short as tabletop versions that are four and a half feet or less, and as tall as 12 to 15 feet for very large rooms. In general, your average six- to seven-foot Christmas tree spans somewhere between four and five feet in diameter.
Budget: Larger, fuller and more realistic trees with a higher branch count and lights tend to be more expensive, but we found these options require much less fluffing — a process that can be very time-consuming and, frankly, frustrating. Considering a high-quality artificial tree could last up to 20 years, we think it's worth splurging on a more realistic and durable tree. To get even more bang for your buck, wait for sales around Black Friday and Cyber Monday — or consider shopping during post-Christmas sales (stock up for the following year!) when retailers are trying to offload excess inventory.
Lights: Some trees come pre-lit for your convenience, while others do not have lights and are better suited for those who want a blank canvas to work with or don't want to spend as much money on an artificial tree. If you're shopping for a pre-lit option, you can find both incandescent and LED lights, the latter of which tends to have a longer lifespan. There are also options available in white or various color combinations — sometimes you can even toggle between multiple choices with a remote. Typically, the more choices and customizations (like the ability to adjust the brightness or set a mode like twinkling), the more costly the tree will be. If you're concerned about brightness, plan for about 100 lights per foot of tree height, says Dara Greaney, founder and CEO of LEDLightExpert.com.
Brigitt Earley
Brigitt Earley
Brigitt Earley
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most realistic artificial Christmas tree?
Most artificial trees have metal trunks and branches topped with PVC to look like needles, but those made with both PVC and polyethylene (PE) tend to look more realistic. The tradeoff is that these types of trees tend to be more expensive.
What's so special about Balsam Hill Christmas trees?
According to the brand, Balsam Hill has the widest selection of luxurious, realistic-looking trees on the market. Each tree is handcrafted in-house with "a multitude of branches, branch tips, and lights that create a rich, full look." The brand also has four signature collections created with "True Needle Technology" foliage that's meant to match the natural color variations in real trees. Lights are also professionally strung on each tree by hand to minimize the appearance of wires.
How much should I spend on an artificial Christmas tree?
Typically, artificial trees run anywhere from $150 to over $1,000. This is a big spread, but we think it's worth spending a bit more to get a tree that looks more realistic and doesn’t require quite so much fluffing. Think of your artificial tree as a long-term investment, since you'll use it year after year. According to the American Christmas Tree Association, a high-quality artificial tree can last 10 to 20 years with proper care.
Brigitt Earley
Brigitt Earley
Why You Should Trust Our Tester
Brigitt is a writer and editor with nearly 15 years of experience at premier lifestyle publications and is one of Muck Rack's most popular freelance journalists. She specializes in creating SEO and e-commerce content in a wide range of coverage areas and regularly evaluates consumer products like artificial trees. Brigitt has long been a fan of real Christmas trees, but after a lot of research, she decided to make the switch to artificial this year in an effort to be more environmentally conscious as well as save money in the long run.
Why You Should Trust HGTV Shopping Experts
HGTV Shopping Experts believe the best method for testing products is based on how our fans are going to use them in the real world. In each of our Tested and Reviewed stories, products are not tested in sterile laboratory settings that don't mimic real life. Instead, we test products in real homes that reflect our readers' real lives, which can also include pets, kids, partners and more. We follow rigorous testing rubrics designed by our expert editors and take copious notes during the testing process. When choosing our top picks, we evaluate all of our testing data and take into consideration many factors, including ease of use, price, product availability and practicality. Our goal is to choose the best products for our readers.
