The best artificial Christmas tree is one that looks like the real deal but...isn’t. And while today’s faux Christmas trees are a far cry from the obviously fake ones of the past, you need to find a tree that fits your taste, room size and—of course—budget. There are a lot of options out there, including flocked Christmas trees and pre-lit Christmas trees. That’s right: You could actually toss your tangled mess of string lights for good.
No matter your price point, an artificial Christmas tree is still an investment and one that you’re probably going to be looking at for years to come. So, no pressure or anything, but you want to make sure you choose a good one.
Got some kind of idea of the type of tree that’ll make your holidays complete? Here’s a breakdown of the best of the best, so you can focus on other pressing matters, like what you’ll load up on for Black Friday and what you’ll need for your ski vacation this year.
- Most Realistic Artificial Christmas Tree: National Tree Company 'Feel Real' Pre-lit Artificial Christmas Tree
- Best Statement Artificial Christmas Tree: Terrain Faux Noble Fir
- Best Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Tree: National Tree Carolina Pine Tree with Clear Lights , 7.5 Feet
- Best Classic Artificial Christmas Tree: National Tree Company Downswept Green Fir Christmas Tree
- Best Budget Artificial Christmas Tree: Wondershop 6-Foot Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Tree
- Best Pre-Decorated Artificial Christmas Tree: The Holiday Aisle Frosted Green Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree
- Best Charlie Brown Artificial Christmas Tree: Product Works 24-Inch Charlie Brown Christmas Tree
- Best Pencil Artificial Christmas Tree: Puleo International Foot Pre-Lit Fraser Fir Pencil Artificial Christmas Tree
- Best Warsaw Twig Artificial Christmas Tree: Northlight Slim Warsaw Twig Artificial Christmas Tree
- Best Artificial Christmas Tree for Easy Assembly: Wondershop Unlit Artificial Christmas Tree Green Indexed Balsam Fir
- Best Upside-Down Artificial Christmas Tree: The Holiday Aisle Green Artificial Christmas Tree
- Best Full-Bodied Artificial Christmas Tree: Dunhill Green Fir Artificial Christmas Tree
- Best Flocked Artificial Christmas Tree: Best Choice Products Premium Snow Flocked Christmas Tree
- Best White Artificial Christmas Tree: Sunnyglade Premium White Artificial Christmas Tree
- Best Tall Artificial Christmas Tree: Steelside Green Artificial Christmas Tree
- Best Outdoor Artificial Christmas Tree: The Holiday Aisle Green Pine Artificial Christmas Tree
Most Realistic Artificial Christmas Tree
A Realistic Option That Can Fool Anyone
- Materials: PVC
- Dimensions: 65x65x90 inches
- Weight: 59.5 pounds
Real Christmas trees are great and all, but you can get that exact same look without the shedding, allergens or chilly trip to your local tree farm with this attention-grabbing artificial version. This Christmas tree features hundreds of branch tips that are designed to look and feel like the real thing, while 900 white lights and pre-attached, hinged branches make for easy setup and breakdown.
Best Statement Artificial Christmas Tree
An Eye-Catching Tree That’ll Look Great In Any Decor Scheme
- Materials: PE, PVC, metal, plastic, thread
- Dimensions: 58x58x84 inches
- Weight: Unknown
Not everyone loves the look of a full-bodied tree. This faux noble fir has plenty of air space between branches to show off your ornaments. It’s also made with a mix of needle and branch shapes for a more realistic look. A sturdy metal stand helps keep the whole thing upright.
Best Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Tree
An Attractive Option For A Glow Up
- Materials: PVC
- Dimensions: 61x61x90 inches
- Weight: 60.2 pounds
A major gripe with Christmas tree owners is untangling the lights after a year of storage and having to artfully arrange them just so on the tree. This pre-lit tree takes that out of the equation entirely. It features pretty white lights spaced perfectly around hinged branches and 1,399 branch tips for easy setup and takedown. The overall look and feel is very natural, too.
Best Classic Artificial Christmas Tree
A Tree That Looks Like The Real Deal
- Materials: Polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- Dimensions: 59x90 inches
- Weight: 40 pounds
Some artificial trees are made to look a little kitschy—not this one. It features 1,867 branch tips for a full-bodied, realistic, classic look. Hinged branches with three sections allow for easy setup and take down. And it comes with a sturdy metal base and stand, so you can be sure your tree will stay firmly in place.
Best Budget Artificial Christmas Tree
An Option That Won’t Break The Bank
- Materials: Plastic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), iron
- Dimensions: 40x40x72 inches
- Weight: 10 pounds
A good Christmas tree doesn’t have to cost a ton. This faux spruce is just $60—a total bargain compared to many of its counterparts—but it features 558 lush branches that look realistic. The tree comes pre-lit with clear lights for a very simple setup. Just put it together, add your ornaments and get on with your holidays.
Best Pre-Decorated Artificial Christmas Tree
An Option That’s Ready To Party
- Materials: PVC
- Dimensions: 55x55x90 inches
- Weight: 35.7 pounds
Love the look of a finished Christmas tree but hate everything leading up to that point? This tree is for you. It features pretty pine cones and berries for pops of color, visual depth and an overall look of doneness. The tree is pre-lit, so all you have to do it set it up. While you can add your decorations, you really don’t have to: This Christmas tree looks great as-is.
Best Charlie Brown Artificial Christmas Tree
A Tiny But Mighty Tree
- Materials: Plastic
- Dimensions: 9x9x24 inches
- Weight: 14.4 ounces
This replicate of the lovable little tree from the classic A Charlie Brown Christmas is simply adorable. While it’s not large enough to mimic a “real” Christmas tree, it makes for great tabletop decor. This heartwarming tree also plays the famous Peanuts tune.
Best Pencil Artificial Christmas Tree
A Tree That’s Perfect For Small Spaces
- Materials: PVC, metal
- Dimensions: 30x30x90 inches
- Weight: 16 pounds
This handcrafted tree is just right when you have limited space. Tall and regal, you can easily set it up in a corner without completely taking over your living room. Don’t let the lack of diameter fool you—there’s more than enough space for your ornaments on this full tree. The whole thing is pre-lit for easy setup.
Best Warsaw Twig Artificial Christmas Tree
An Option That’s Photo Op-Ready
- Materials: PVC, wire, metal, plastic
- Dimensions: 26x26x48 inches
- Weight: 5.75 pounds
Warsaw twig trees have a distinct look and a cult following among some holiday fans. This artificial tree has a primitive look with 231 two-tone brown and green tips that are bendable, so you can get that just-right shape. The whole thing comes in three pieces for beyond-easy assembly.
Best Artificial Christmas Tree For Easy Assembly
Ready In Minutes
- Materials: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, iron
- Dimensions: 36x36x65 inches
- Weight: 9.5 pounds
Hinged branches make this tree a cinch to set up. Just snap ‘em in, flip up the tree tips and you’re ready for decorating. At 5.5 feet, this tree is perfect for shorter ceilings and smaller spaces. A four-legged metal stand keeps your masterpiece upright, where it belongs.
Best Upside-Down Artificial Christmas Tree
An Option That’s Peak Quirkiness
- Materials: PVC
- Dimensions: 70 x 70 x 90 inches
- Weight: 41.8 pounds
Upside-down trees aren’t for everyone, but they definitely have a certain following. This quirky tree looks like the real deal—flipped on its head. Enjoy plenty of lush branches that are just waiting for ornaments. Just a heads up, though: This requires a little fluffing to bring it to all its glory.
Best Full-Bodied Artificial Christmas Tree
A Nice And Fluffy Option
- Materials: PVC
- Dimensions: 59x59x90 inches
- Weight: 37 pounds
Talk about lush; this tree has some serious fullness all around. Get that perfectly fluffed look you’ve always wanted in a real tree in the faux version. Fire-resistant PVC needles lend a thick, realistic look, while you can easily adjust the flexible branches as you see fit.
Best Flocked Artificial Christmas Tree
Let It Snow
- Materials: PVC, metal
- Dimensions: 42x42x72 inches
- Weight: 17.4 pounds
There’s nothing cozier around the holidays that gazing at snow-covered trees—and this artificial version lets you recreate that vibe indoors. The branches have a realistic flocking pattern, with more “snow” on top than the bottom, like you would see in real life. The whole thing contains 928 tips that can be easily rearranged to suit your decorating needs.
Best White Artificial Christmas Tree
Oh-So-Cool
- Materials: PVC, metal
- Dimensions: 52x52x89 inches
- Weight: 15 pounds
This tree is the perfect way to fulfill your white Christmas dreams. While it’s not designed to look like the kind of tree you’d spot out in nature, it features 1,400 branch tips for a full-bodied vibe that mimics the real deal. The whole thing is broken into four sections, so you can quickly assemble it in minutes.
Best Tall Artificial Christmas Tree
A Stunning Option That Needs A Ladder To Decorate
- Materials: PVC
- Dimensions: 56x56x108 inches
- Weight: 33.5 pounds
This tree is a real statement piece. At 9 feet tall, it definitely commands the attention of whatever room you put it in. It features three different types of finishes on the limbs to give a look and feel of a real tree, and there are distressed pine cones in the mix for a realistic look.
Best Outdoor Artificial Christmas Tree
No Planting Required
- Materials: PVC, plastic, iron, metal
- Dimensions: 45x45x72 inches
- Weight: 12 pounds
This tree can be set up indoors or out, making it incredibly versatile. It’s also sturdy, so you don’t have to stress about trying to move it upright again after a windy day. Enjoy 1,346 branch tips and overall fullness for a look that can easily be mistaken for the real deal.
Artificial Christmas Tree FAQs
There’s a lot to keep in mind when buying an artificial Christmas tree. Here are answers to some of the most pressing questions around shopping for one.
What Should You Consider When Buying An Artificial Christmas Tree?
There’s a lot you want to weigh before making your decision. The size of your room is important to consider, meaning, you probably don’t want a tree that hogs all the free space in the area. Trees come in unlit and pre-lit versions. You’ll want to figure out in advance if you’re okay messing with string lights. The style of tree you’re interested in matters, along with what it’s actually made of.
What Are The Most Realistic Artificial Christmas Trees Made Of?
There’s a range of materials that are used for artificial Christmas trees, but some of the more lifelike options are made with polyethylene and PVC.
Why Are Artificial Trees Better Than Real Trees?
They’re not necessarily better, and a lot depends on what you’re going for. But artificial trees have some definite perks over the real deal. A big factor is cleanliness. Real Christmas trees have pine needles that repeatedly shed, while the needles on artificial ones largely stay put. Fake trees are also a good option for people with allergies to evergreens. And, if you get a good tree that lasts, it may end up being more economical after a few years of use than buying a real one (and tossing it) year after year.
