Our guide to the best artificial Christmas trees to buy will guarantee your home has a show-stopping festive display, whether you're after a pre-lit design, a statuesque snowy delight, or a realistic, rustic-looking fir.
Putting up the tree is key to building the anticipation of Christmas, and while real Christmas trees look lovely for a short period of time, artificial Christmas trees are becoming an increasingly popular choice for many homes thanks to their practicality and value. A cost-effective alternative to buying a real tree every year, artificial firs last year after year and some even come with a lifetime guarantee.
Modern materials also mean the latest artificial Christmas trees look just like the real thing, only there are no dropped needles and you don't need to fret about how to keep the Christmas tree alive throughout December.
Best artificial Christmas trees 2025
From classic fluffy green spruces to less traditional Christmas tree alternatives, such as twig trees, there are a whole variety of styles in our list and an option for all budgets. So before you start planning your Christmas tree decorating ideas, take a look at the best artificial Christmas tree options on offer for 2025.
Best traditional artificial Christmas tree
Traditional artificial Christmas trees are designed to mimic the classic look of natural evergreens, often using a combination of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) needles for fullness and PE (polyethylene) moulded tips for a more realistic texture. Available in a range of silhouettes, from full-bodied profiles to more natural, asymmetrical forms, these trees remain the most versatile option.
My top tip is to look for a high tip count (the number of individual branch tips) for a denser, more lifelike appearance, and choose trees with hinged branches rather than hooked branches for easier assembly and longer-lasting durability. You can always keep a Christmas candle in the room to get the authentic Christmas tree smell in your room too.
RRP: £159-222 | Size options: 6-7ft | Set-up: 3 sections | Lights: None | Extras: Tree stand
RRP: £239-1,549 | Size options: 4-12ft | Set-up: Standard or Flip tree | Lights: 550 Clear LEDs | Extras: Tree stand, storage bag, protective gloves
RRP: £199-260 | Size options: 6-7ft | Set-up: Self-assembly | Lights: 200 warm white LEDs | Extras: Metal tree stand, berries and eucalyptus
Best pre-lit artificial Christmas tree
The best pre-lit artificial Christmas trees save you a lot of hassle and deliver a lot of perfection when it comes to your tree. I think of them as the trees that give your room that effortless extra sparkle.
Look for a model with evenly spaced, professionally wired LEDs so the lights sit neatly among the branches rather than hovering on top. Warm white bulbs create that classic glow, while dual-colour or colour-changing settings add flexibility if you like to switch up your scheme.
As with when you're shopping for Christmas tree lights, check whether the tree uses continuous-on light technology, meaning that if one bulb fails, the rest stay illuminated. You'll also want confirm whether the lighting is dual-function (warm and cool tones) and that the wiring is discreetly woven along the central trunk for a cleaner aesthetic. Choose well, and you’ll have a tree that lights up beautifully the moment it’s assembled, year after year.
RRP: £99-999 | Size options: 4-12ft | Set-up: Flip tree | Lights: Lit or unlit options | Extras: Tree stand, storage bag & protective gloves
RRP: £375 | Size options: 6ft | Set-up: Self-assembly | Lights: 390 LED | Extras: Tree stand, storage bag
RRP: £179-239 | Size options: 6-8ft | Set-up: Self-assembly | Lights: 400 LED | Extras: Tree stand, storage bag & protective gloves
Best luxury artificial Christmas tree
You'll have seen the traditional Ralph Lauren Christmas décor trend everywhere this year and lots of the styles centre round a traditional artificial Christmas tree. The best way to achieve this is with luxury faux Christmas trees. These boast premium realism, typically featuring high-grade PE needles, multi-tonal foliage, and hyper-realistic branch tips shaped from moulds of actual evergreens. Many are pre-lit with professional-grade LEDs and offer programmable lighting modes.
Look for trees with a mixed-needle design (PE on the outside for realism, PVC inside for fullness) and a robust central pole that ensures long-term stability. The extra treat with luxury trees is that they often come with long warranties, a sign of exceptional build quality and a good way to ensure you still get value for money.
RRP: £595 | Size options: 8ft | Set-up: Self-assembly | Lights: 5,400 micro LED | Extras: Metal stand
RRP: £339-1,499 | Size options: 4.5-10ft | Set-up: Flip tree | Lights: Unlit, LED or Colour | Extras: Metal stand
RRP: £220 | Size options: 7ft | Set-up: Flip tree | Lights: 2000 LEDs | Extras: Metal stand
Best frosted and snowy artificial Christmas tree
Another perk to investing in an artificial Christmas tree is that you can bring frosted tips and snowy branches indoors. A good snowy artificial Christmas tree will strike the right balance of careful coating. Frosted and snowy artificial trees vary from a subtle light flocking to branches heavily coated in thick, bonded flock that mimics freshly fallen snow.
Opt for trees with non-shedding flocking, where the snow layer is heat-bonded or treated with an adhesive seal. Cheaper models can shed heavily, leaving residue on floors and decorations. Check that the branch strength can still support ornaments, as heavier flocking can sometimes stiffen or weigh down branches.
RRP: £309-699 | Size options: 5.5-9ft | Set-up: Self-assembly | Lights: Unlit or Clear LED | Extras: Tree stand, storage bag, handling gloves
RRP: £175-260 | Size options: 6-7ft | Set-up: Self-assembly | Lights: 450 LED | Extras: Tree stand, storage bag, handling gloves
RRP: £99 | Size options: 6ft | Set-up: Self-assembly | Lights: N/A | Extras: Metal stand
Best budget artificial Christmas tree
If you’re shopping for a budget artificial Christmas tree without sacrificing quality, there are several smart criteria to keep in mind. First, look for a strong, stable metal stand: cheap plastic bases may crack under pressure. Even on a budget, it’s worth choosing a tree with hinged branches, which make assembly faster and help the tree hold its shape better.
While premium PE needles can be expensive, many affordable trees use PVC needles cleverly cut to mimic fuller foliage, giving a respectable look without breaking the bank. Check the tip count (or branch density): more tips generally mean the tree will look fuller and less “sparse.”
Inspect the branch articulation: budget trees with hinged branches are much easier to fluff than those with individual hook-in pieces. Even without extras like storage bags or gloves, a good budget tree should still have a balanced silhouette and enough branch density to prevent visible gaps once decorated. If you do feel that yours is looking a little sparse, we have an inexpensive hack for a fuller looking tree that involves clever use of green tinsel.
RRP: £74.40 | Size options: 6ft | Set-up: Self-assembly | Lights: 200 LED | Extras: Metal stand
RRP: £22 | Size options: 6ft | Set-up: Self-assembly | Lights: N/A | Extras: Metal stand
RRP: £120 | Size options: 6ft | Set-up: Self-assembly | Lights: N/A | Extras: Metal stand
Best slim artificial Christmas tree
Slim or pencil-shaped artificial Christmas trees are ideal for tighter spaces, hallways, or corners where a full-width tree simply won’t fit. Despite their slender shape, many still offer excellent tip counts and realistic foliage.
Prioritise models with inward-angled branch construction, which helps maintain a natural-looking silhouette despite the narrower diameter. Make sure to confirm the base width and overall height to ensure the proportions suit your room.
RRP: £80 | Size options: 6ft | Set-up: 3 sections | Lights: None | Extras: Tree stand
RRP: £59 | Size options: 6ft | Set-up: 3 sections | Lights: None | Extras: Tree stand
RRP: £25 | Size options: 6ft | Set-up: Minimal assembly | Lights: None | Extras: Tree stand
Best small artificial Christmas tree
Perfect for compact flats, cosy rooms, or tabletop displays, smaller artificial Christmas trees still offer character and charm. In fact, they're one of our favourite Christmas decorating ideas for any home. You’ll find both traditionally styled mini trees and more modern options like fibre-optic models, which glow from within the branches for added visual interest.
My one key piece of advice is to check the base type: a stable pot or weighted stand is essential for mini trees placed on shelves or sideboards. For fibre-optic trees, choose those with colour-fade settings or warm-white modes for a more sophisticated finish.
RRP: £7 | Size options: 50cm | Set-up: 3 sections | Lights: None | Extras: Rustic jute base
RRP: £75 | Size options: 90cm | Set-up: 3 sections | Lights: Fibre optic | Extras: Tree pot
RRP: £35 | Size options: 1.5ft | Set-up: Pre-packaged | Lights: 20 LEDs | Extras: Woven wicker basket
Best alternative artificial Christmas tree
The beauty of Christmas tree alternatives is that you don't have to follow the norm. We have a whole page dedicated to good Christmas tree alternatives, but these are my top three.
Some artificial Christmas trees feature metallic finishes, minimalist silhouettes, sculptural branches, or contemporary materials such as copper wire or acrylic. They’re ideal for design-forward interiors or those looking for a festive focal point that isn’t strictly evergreen.
Just make sure that you choose an alternative tree that still offers weight stability at the base, because modern designs can be top-heavy.
RRP: £27 | Size options: 85 cm | Set-up: Self-assembly | Lights: N/A | Extras: Wall hanging, foliage and berries
RRP: £80 | Size options: 4m | Set-up: Self-assembly | Lights: N/A | Extras: N/A
RRP: £140 | Size options: 6ft | Set-up: Self-assembly | Lights: 180 LED | Extras: Tree stand, storage bag
FAQs
What style of artificial Christmas tree is most popular in 2025?
Last year saw a mix of snowy, soft pink, and realistic-looking alpine trees proving popular but for 2025 Gardening expert at Hayes Garden World Angela Slater shares her predictions, explaining that Scandi-style still reigns supreme:
"When it comes to Christmas tree themes, the recent trend for snowy and frosted trees looks set to continue into 2025 as customers seek something a little different from the ordinary green cone-shaped artificial trees," Angela explains. "Snowy trees are ideally suited for a natural Scandi-style decorative palette. These snowy trees often come decorated with cones and berries which suggests a natural palette of decorations."
She explained, "Pre-lit trees are going to heavily feature this year as more of us are stretched for time and the patience needed to put strings of lights onto a tree and take them off at the end of the festive period is a lot. An artificial tree pre-lit with LEDs is particularly cost-effective and essential if there are small children in the household as they are cold to the touch."
"Artificial trees with a random natural outline are still hugely popular, especially with people who would normally buy a fresh tree. The cost benefits of a good quality artificial Christmas tree are significant over its lifetime compared with the escalating costs of fresh trees. A good quality artificial tree should continue to look great for at least 15 years."
What are the most realistic artificial Christmas trees made of?
Most artificial trees are made from PVC (plastic), though you can also get fake aluminum and fiber-optic illuminated trees. Most of the PVC trees are designed to look like real trees, with many designed in the style of Nordmann Fir and Spruce trees.
If you're after a real-looking artificial tree though, it's best to take it on a case-by-case basis, as no matter what material fake trees are made of, some are undoubtedly more realistic-looking than others. Often, trees that have less of a uniform shape, and have more sporadic branches at different lengths, look more real realistic—so keep your eye out for those whilst shopping.
But if you're wondering how to make your artificial tree more real-looking, interior designer Steph Briggs has a helpful tip. She advised, "If you have a faux tree then it’s all about the fluffing! Make sure that the branches are well-spaced and look as natural as possible. This takes a while if it’s been crammed in a box in the attic all year but time spent here is worth it—it will make a real difference to the end result."
For more expert tips, why not take a look at our guide on how to decorate a Christmas tree according to the professionals.
How much should I pay for an artificial Christmas tree?
The prices for one of the best artificial Christmas trees can vary dramatically, depending on the size and the desired look, as well as the brand. You can pay less for a smaller tree of course, and you can certainly get a slimmer or mini tree or even just a budget tree for under £40. Most basic artificial trees cost in the region of £50 and £100, with pre-lit designs costing more.
But it’s worth bearing in mind you generally get what you pay for when it comes to artificial trees. At the higher end of the price-band are the most realistic-looking trees, these can cost anything from £200 up to £1000. It sounds pricey, but many of the expensive options come with a prolonged guarantee and offer much more in terms of extras, such as being pre-it and being supplied with spare bulbs, etc. The more you pay, generally speaking, the better the quality and the longer the life of the tree. Generally, more expensive trees are also more realistic-looking too, which is an important factor to keep in mind.
What’s the best way to light my artificial Christmas tree?
Most sizable trees (anything over 4ft), will benefit from being dressed with two sets of fairy lights to ensure the whole tree is covered, from top to bottom. Choose lights with a cord that best suits your tree, i.e green for a natural look tree, black for a more modern coloured tree. We’d recommend turning the lights on while you place them, as it helps you to clearly see where they are – remembering to step back often to check them as you go. This also ensures you know they are working before you go to the effort of placing them.
Angela advises the best Christmas tree lights this year will be white LED lights, which she believes will be more in style than coloured lights. "Plain warm or cool white LED lights are still the most popular, with novelty lights still being bought in their numbers for children’s bedrooms. However, they are not likely to feature heavily on Christmas trees," she said.
Also, it's worth remembering that many of the best artificial Christmas trees can also come pre-lit, saving you the bother of decorating yourself. Decide whether this is the right option for you.
See our guide on how to fix Christmas lights if yours look a little worse for wear after getting them out of the box this year.
Are real or fake trees better for the planet?
Due to their synthetic nature, there is an element of concern, as with all plastics, about how good artificial trees are for the environment. It’s estimated that artificial trees need to be reused for at least 10 Christmases to keep its environmental impact lower than that of a real tree.
Darran Messem, Managing Director of Certification at the Carbon Trust, gave the following statement, "A real pine or fir tree naturally absorbs CO2 and releases oxygen. The best thing you can do at Christmas is to keep a tree alive and breathing. Disposing of a tree by composting produces CO2 and methane. An artificial tree has a higher carbon footprint than a natural one because of the energy-intensive production processes involved. By far the best option is a potted tree which, with care, can be replanted after the festive season and re-used year after year."
There's no better time to invest in an artificial Christmas tree than now, because we are in the midst of deal season. You can get a discount on some of the best faux Christmas trees, even at a time when they're in high demand.
