Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?
For those who celebrate, it’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas. This year, rather than spend hundreds on real tree that’ll dry out within a week, you may want to opt for an artificial Christmas tree to last for years to come. Will it smell like an evergreen? No. But it can look just as beautiful and as festive, plus it saves you from the hassle of constantly vacuuming up needles.
Artificial Christmas trees are easy to store off-season when packed away inside a Christmas tree storage bag, plus they can be assembled in minutes on a weekend afternoon along with the rest of your holiday decor—lights included.
There’s a wide range of artificial Christmas tree types on the market, including everything from traditional choices like Douglas and Fraser firs to trees designed to look like they’re in a snowy park. You can also buy a pre-lit artificial Christmas tree and even pop-up trees that come fully trimmed.
Read on for our top recommendations, plus everything you need to know before you’re ready to shop.
For more ways to make your home festive this year, check out our picks for the best outdoor Christmas decorations, the best Christmas lights and the best Christmas net lights.
The Best Artificial Christmas Trees
- Best Overall: Puleo International Fraser Fir 7-Foot Artificial Christmas Tree
- Best Budget: Best Choice Products Artificial Spruce Tree
- Best Pre-Lit: National Tree Company Dunhill Fir Artificial Christmas Tree
- Most Realistic: The Holiday Aisle Foxtail 7.5-Foot Pine Artificial Christmas Tree
- Best With Snow: Goplus 7.5-ft Artificial Snow Flocked Christmas Tree
What to Consider
Height
The first thing to decide before starting your tree search is your tree’s ideal height and width. Most ceilings are 8 feet high, so 7- and 7.5-foot trees are the most popular (make sure to factor in the stand’s height plus that of the tree topper, if you have one). There are plenty of 9-foot options if you’re blessed with 12-foot ceilings, and there are also trees that stand 6 feet or under, ideal for apartments and smaller spaces.
Once you know where the tree will live, use a tape measure to ensure the tree’s outer branches won’t rub against furniture or walls.
Pre-Lit
Many artificial Christmas trees come pre-lit, which is a nice feature if you want to skip the tiresome task of stringing lights, though keep in mind that the lights may dim or go out over time. An artificial tree without lights (that’s high-quality and won’t lose its needles) can last for years if it’s properly stored.
Tip Count
You’ll usually see the number of branch tips in artificial tree product listings—this gives you an idea of the tree’s fullness. This approximation is relative to the tree’s height, so look to the type of tree, the length of its needles, and how wide it is at the base to determine how full it’ll look.
In general, a 7-foot tree should have around 2,000 branch tips, and add or subtract 1,000 for every foot of height. Some designs—like snow-flocked trees or bushier varieties—can get away with less tips per foot of height.
How We Selected
All of the artificial trees we recommend below come highly recommended by real customers, and we’ve tried out some of them in our own homes, too. We looked for high-quality trees with easy assembly and storage, attractive designs, and durable materials, including several pre-lit options and several without lights. We made sure to find the best Christmas trees in a variety of heights and tree types to fit a variety of home sizes and budgets.
1
Best Overall
Puleo International Fraser Fir 7-Foot Artificial Christmas Tree
Now 38% Off
Pros
Simple setup- Stand comes included
Cons
- Metal stand isn’t very attractive
For those who’ve perfected the art of stringing Christmas tree lights and prefer a DIY tree, this Fraser fir is an excellent choice—with a reasonable price point, too.
The 7-foot tree features more than 2,000 branch tips and includes a metal stand. The branches come attached to the center pole and drop into place, so all you have to do is fluff and decorate.
Key Specs
| Height | 7 ft. |
|---|---|
| Pre-Lit | No |
| Branch Tips | 2,135 |
| Other Sizes | No |
2
Best Budget
Best Choice Products 6-Foot Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree
Now 13% Off
Pros
- Divided into sections for easy setup
- Sturdy base included
Cons
- Not as natural-looking
This realistic traditional spruce is a fantastic value, priced at about $80 at the time of writing. The 6-foot artificial Christmas tree has a nice shape and features a solid 798 branch tips, plus it comes with a stand. For a bit more, it’s available at 7.5 feet, and the 9-foot model is about $170, which is reasonable for the price.
It comes in three separate sections and has hinged branches, so setup is swift and simple. It’s recommended to fluff for around 35 minutes for the tree to reach its full effect.
Key Specs
| Height | 6 ft. |
|---|---|
| Pre-Lit | No |
| Branch Tips | 798 |
| Other Sizes | 7.5, 9 ft. |
3
Best Pre-Lit
National Tree Company Dunhill Fir Artificial Christmas Tree
Pros
- Pre-lit
- Full branches
- Looks great from all angles
Cons
- Base not be as sturdy once fully decorated
Though this model may look like your average artificial Christmas tree, it earns extra points from Service and News Editor Jessica Coulon because of its balance between quality and price point.
“It looks more natural and fuller than most artificial trees, and it looks great both up close and at a distance,” she says. “It’s easy to set up and break down (though it does take some time to spread out every branch).”
Fluffing may take additional effort, but the tree is durable and sure to last for seasons to come.
Key Specs
| Height | 6.5 ft. |
|---|---|
| Pre-Lit | Yes |
| Branch Tips | 4,026 |
| Other Sizes | 7 ft., 7.5 ft. |
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
4
Most Realistic
National Tree Company Norwegian Green Spruce Christmas Tree
Pros
- High needle count
- Comes with a stand
Cons
- Only comes in one size
Out of all the artificial trees we considered, this Norwegian green spruce is by far the most natural-looking. With an impressive level of detail given to its lifelike branches, needles, and overall shape, it’s almost as if you went to a tree farm and cut it down yourself.
The 7.5-foot pine features 1325 needles, and it comes with a sturdy metal stand.
Key Specs
| Height | 7.5 ft |
|---|---|
| Pre-Lit | No |
| Branch Tips | 1325 |
| Other Sizes | None |
Pros
- Comes with artificial snow
- Sturdy PVC leaves
- Foldable base
Cons
- Some customers say the snow is messy
You can bring the essence of fresh fallen snow into your home with this artificial Christmas tree from Goplus. It comes with snow-flocked PVC leaves, a hinged design, and 200 warm LED lights for a cozy feel.
Best Products senior editor, Cat Bowen, loves decorating Christmas trees as much as the next person and has found this tree to be a great addition to her home during the holidays.
“Being raised Jewish, marrying a Catholic guy has been a treat for my tree-loving self. The setup is straightforward, if a bit prickly, with three pieces coming together and plugging into one another,” says Bowen. “The needles are densely-packed, the lights are plentiful, and there’s plenty of room for decorations.”
Key Specs
| Height | 6 ft |
|---|---|
| Pre-Lit | Yes |
| Branch Tips | 1346 |
| Other Sizes | 4.5 ft |
6
Best Outdoor Look
National Tree Company 7.5 Foot Carolina Pine Artificial Christmas Tree
Pros
- Pinecone decor included
- Pre-lit
Cons
- Some customers reported issues with burnt bulbs
Want to fuss with less ornaments this year? Luckily, there are dozens of tiny pine cones scattered throughout the branches of this 7.5-foot-tall pine tree, making it look like a real outdoor Christmas tree.
The tree has 750 white lights pre-installed, too. If you’re going for an old-fashioned look, string up a few strands of popped corn or create handmade snowflakes.
Key Specs
| Height | 7.5 ft. |
|---|---|
| Pre-Lit | Yes; 750 lights |
| Branch Tips | 1,399 |
| Other Sizes | 4.5, 6.5, 7 ft. |
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
7
Best Douglas Fir
National Tree Company 7.5-Foot Douglas Fir Artificial Christmas Tree
Now 47% Off
Pros
- Pre-attached, bushy branches
- Very wide base
- Metal base can be hidden easily
Cons
- Doesn't come with lights
While this artificial Christmas tree doesn’t have as many branch tips as comparable 7.5-foot trees, they’re ultra-thick and bushy, similar to that of a real Douglas fir. It also has a base that’s almost 5 feet wide. Plus, the branches are all pre-attached and only require fluffing to get that filled-in appearance.
After it’s fully trimmed with ornaments, it’s sure to make a statement in your living room.
Key Specs
| Height | 7.5 ft. |
|---|---|
| Pre-Lit | No |
| Branch Tips | 1,867 |
| Other Sizes | 4.5 ft. |
8
Best Slim Tree
National Tree Company Slim Artificial Christmas Tree
Now 22% Off
Pros
- Space-saver
- Narrow base
Cons
- Some reviewers don’t like the texture of the needles
A great space saver, this slim Kingwood Fir is ideal for apartments or anyone who prefers subtle touches of holiday decor in their home, without overloading the room.
The 9-foot-tall tree has a narrow 35-inch base, making it easy to tuck in a corner, and it features more than 1,400 branch tips so it won’t look sparse despite its height.
Key Specs
| Height | 9 ft. |
|---|---|
| Pre-Lit | No |
| Branch Tips | 1,443 |
| Other Sizes | No |
Amber Joglar
Digital Content Producer
Amber is the Digital Content Producer for Popular Mechanics, Runner's World and Bicycling, where she covers a range of tasks for the commerce team. She also writes fashion and beauty content for Best Products. Her work has been featured across all of the Enthusiast Group sites. In her free time you can likely find her watching horror movies, reading a good thriller book, or listening to a comedy podcast.
Rachel Klein
Senior Commerce Editor
Rachel Klein is a Senior Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, where she writes about everything from garden hose reels and patio furniture to mesh wifi systems and robot vacuums. She started her career as a daily newspaper reporter and was a travel editor for more than a decade before she started testing and reviewing luggage, noise-cancelling headphones, and other travel-related products. Fast-forward another five years and her area of expertise includes home decor, appliances, tech, and outdoor adventure gear. In her spare time, you'll find her planning her next trip, reading historical fiction, and seeing as much art as she can squeeze into a weekend.
