Best Artificial Christmas Tree in 2023
We’ve put up enough fake Christmas trees to know that with proper care, decorating, and attention to detail, many of them can be stunning.
Overview
We’ve put up enough fake Christmas trees to know that with proper care, decorating, and attention to detail, many of them can be stunning. Among the dozen-plus trees we’ve tested since 2016, National Tree Company’s 7.5-foot Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir stands out as a realistic, fairly priced, adaptable, and appealing alternative that we suggest first. But, over time, we’ve realized that there isn’t a single “best” fake tree on the market. Our purpose is to connect you to reputable producers, and our recommendations are among their finest.
The Good Housekeeping Institute has thoroughly examined artificial Christmas trees for more than 15 years, and we’ve seen a lot of duds on the market. However, as more individuals make the switch, the aesthetic and durability of synthetic trees improve. Even better, you’ll discover a host of fantastic offers on Black Friday, including trees for half the price. These are the best artificial Christmas trees for 2022, according to our most current research.
Buying Guides
1. National Tree Company 7.5-foot Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir (PEDD1-D12-75)
When compared to both more expensive and less expensive trees, National Tree Company’s 7.5-foot Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir hits a nice mix of price, realism, and simplicity of installation. This tree’s structure is comparable to that of other high-quality artificial trees, with approximately 2,000 lifelike polyethylene branch tips encircling a core wrapped in less-realistic PVC “pine needles.” The Downswept Douglas Fir, on the other hand, has a higher-than-average percentage of those realistic branches, creating a more convincing image of a live fir. The tree’s 750 built-in LED bulbs perfectly fill its limbs, and the lights can switch from pure white to multicolor to a mix of the two, giving it unusual adaptability.
In addition, unlike other trees, which need you to manually connect the light strings’ plugs amid the foliage, this tree includes a trunk-mounted PowerConnect system that performs the work for you when you stack its three pieces together. The tree is amply sized, standing 712 feet tall and almost 5 feet broad, and will occupy the corner of practically any living room. Finally, it is widely accessible, simple to set up, and reasonably priced. (We suggest the 612-foot version for smaller dwellings.) This kind, like other fake trees, takes up a lot of storage space in the off-season, even when dismantled.
2. Puleo 7.5-foot Royal Majestic Douglas Fir Downswept Tree (RMDD-75QC8)
Puleo’s 7.5-foot Royal Majestic Douglas Fir Downswept Tree appeared so convincing right out of the box, without any of the branch fluffing that other artificial trees need, that a staff writer strolling by exclaimed, “It looks like a real tree.” Puleo adds minor color changes to its lifelike polyethylene branch tips, such as lighter-green endings that simulate fresh growth, to create one of the most convincing illusions we’ve seen on any fake tree. The lights on this tree link automatically through wire in the trunk portions, making setup simple.
The lights on this tree, however, are standard incandescents rather than LEDs, and they are only available in clear. However, if you like the warmer light of incandescent bulbs, that is a feature, not a flaw. And even if one bulb goes out, the others continue to function (unlike with some incandescent Christmas lights).
3. Puleo 7.5-foot Pre-Lit Aspen Fir Tree (277-APG-75C7)
Puleo’s 7.5-foot Pre-Lit Aspen Fir Tree, like the King of Christmas King Noble Flock Fir, is a Euro-style tree with fewer branches than American-style trees. (It is not, however, flocked with fake snow.) The greater spaces between branches that arise make it simpler to hang and display decorations. And since it takes less time to fluff the whole tree into shape, the setup procedure is quicker when there are fewer branches.
This tree’s 700 white incandescent bulbs provide a warmth that LED lamps cannot equal, and a single blown-out bulb will not cause the whole string to go black (unlike with older incandescent lights). Its 1,319 branch tips are notably lifelike, transitioning from lighter-green “new growth” at their ends to dark green at their roots (exactly like actual trees), and a brown (rather than green) “trunk” adds to the illusion. One small disadvantage is that you must physically join the light strings, which is more difficult than using the in-pole connections we like.
4. National Tree Company 7.5-foot Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir Pencil Slim (PEDD4-392D-75)
The 7.5-foot Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir Pencil Slim from National Tree Company is ideal for modest settings such as a foyer or a compact apartment, or as an accent tree (in a pair flanking a fireplace or doorway, for example). This tree is just 32 inches wide, which is less than half the width of the Downswept Douglas Fir on which it is based. It features the same lifelike branches as the other (but fewer of them), and its 300 LED lights may glow in white, multicolor, or a combination of the two. Because of its pencil design, this tree resembles no live pine we’ve seen, but when lighted and adorned, it’s rather lovely in its own right.
5. Vickerman 7.5-ft. Flocked Alaskan Pine Artificial Christmas Tree
Vickerman’s Flocked Alaskan Pine Artificial Christmas Tree has realistic flocking that will transform your house into a winter wonderland. Assembly and disassembly scored great marks since we found it simple to remove each item out of the box and replace it in the box for storage. We like that there are no difficult wiring to connect, therefore the installation took less than 15 minutes. Just keep in mind that dismantling the tree might be difficult, owing to its considerable weight.
We enjoyed the frosted effect that brings a piece of snow into your house, even if you live in a warmer region, after it was set up. Another advantage of this selection is the variety of light forms and sizes available. The 800 dazzling clear lights are divided up by 45 bigger bulbs, making this tree seem beautiful even without any decorations. If you wish to add some more décor, our tester found the branches to be incredibly robust. “It could easily sustain heavy embellishments. The tree did not swing or move much when I was adding the decorations “They collaborated.
6. Best Choice Products 7.5-ft Premium Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree
If you want to adorn a large area with high ceilings, try a tall tree like this spruce choice from Best Choice Products. Our lab evaluated the 7.5-foot version, which is a fairly common height for fake trees, but it is also available in 6-foot and 9-foot heights for those seeking for something a little bigger.
Thanks to the clear directions, the setup took less than 13 minutes. It takes a long time to perfect this tree by pressing down and fluffing all of the limbs to make it seem full. If you don’t have an hour to spare, anticipate some of the trunk to show through, but with the lights and décor, you won’t notice. This tree comes unlit, so you are free to decorate it anyway you see fit.
Because disassembly takes less than five minutes, storing this tree for next year is a snap. While it isn’t very realistic in appearance, it is reasonably priced, and the sturdy tree assures that you may use it again and again.
7. Treetopia Artificial Pencil Christmas Tree
If you believe Christmas decorations have to be pricey, let us introduce you to Treetopia’s slender artificial tree. The low-cost design is a simple way to add seasonal happiness to your house without breaking the bank.
One of the most obvious features of the tree is its ease of assembly and disassembly—we were able to put it together in under 10 minutes and store it in its original box in under three minutes, giving it a five out of five on our scale. The 250 lights are pre-strung and incorporate a foot pedal for easy on/off operation. To create varied appearances with only one tree, there are eight different light settings to pick from.
The lightweight tree, which was a foot shorter than the majority of the trees we evaluated, would also work well in entryways and tiny spaces. The pencil design is more interesting than the traditional Christmas tree shape, and this pick feels solid enough to handle detailed ornaments.
Editor’s Note: This tree is presently out of stock due to overwhelming demand. Until then, we propose the National Tree Company Artificial Slender Christmas Tree, another low-cost option that’s slim enough to fit in compact areas.
How We Put the Artificial Christmas Trees to the Test
Members of The Growley editorial staff assessed 24 artificial Christmas trees at The Lab for ease of setup and disassembly, aesthetic, sturdiness, and overall value to create this list. We spent a whole day assembling and disassembling each tree, rearranging the branches, installing lights, and testing the trees’ stability. Then we assigned our own numerical ratings to each factor.
We timed how long it took to put up and store each tree and noted everything from the quality of the instructions to how weighty the components felt to measure the ease of installation and disassembly. When it came to looks, we looked at the needles, lights, branches, and trunk to see whether the tree was realistic. Finally, we utilized weighted ornaments to see how sturdy the branches felt and whether the tree as a whole felt solid enough to support the decorations. Based on our own testing findings and ratings, we then chose our top seven trees.
What to Look for When Buying an Artificial Christmas Tree
Size
Christmas trees are typically 7.5 feet tall. Though many will have a conventional, full appearance, there are some slender versions available if you have limited floor space. “The normal width is roughly 48 inches to 54 inches,” says Dean Darin, buyer for realistic trees at English Gardens.
Assembly simplicity
Christmas trees are often sold in three components that lock into each other, making them simple to put together. When selecting a tree, however, consider its weight—if it’s heavy, it may take at least two people and more time to assemble.
Lighting may also be a challenging aspect of the installation. While some choices must be connected into an outlet, many need you to connect many plugs throughout the tree, which may add time to the installation process.
You should also consider how much time you’ll spend making the branches seem full and reducing gaps. This proved to be time-consuming throughout our testing. Some trees, on the other hand, made the procedure simpler and more pleasant than others. Furthermore, since some trees have stiff branches and needles that might scratch, we suggest wearing long sleeves and gardening gloves during setup.
Lighting
Some trees provide a basic warm white light with a single setting, but others provide both white and multicolor illumination with a variety of settings.
Michelle Essix of SwayM.E. Vegas believes that the more lights, the better. “Purchasing a pre-lit tree with both colored and white lights provides you more creative flexibility. Current trees are so clever that as you add each component, it automatically connects the lights so you don’t have to look for outlets. It certainly makes the tree glisten “she claims
Additional characteristics
Some trees may have extra qualities that fit your own preferences. For example, if a tree has lights, it may also include an on/off foot pedal for convenient operation. Other trees may be pre-decorated with decorations or imitation snow to give them a winter appearance. All of these enhancements might raise the price of the tree, so they may not be worth it to you.
FAQs
How long will you be able to keep your Christmas tree up?
“You can leave your tree up for four to six weeks without worrying about it drying out,” Growley explains. “Many people spend hundreds of dollars on decorations and can only enjoy them for around two weeks on a newly cut tree—then the tree is dried up and should be removed from a house,” he explains.
However, there are no guidelines for artificial trees. They are designed to be used season after season if properly preserved.
How should an artificial Christmas tree be stored?
Growley suggests putting the tree in a cool place, such as the basement. “Attics and garages are frequently excessively hot, and the tree needles begin to distort in the heat,” he explains.
After disassembling the tree, squeeze the branches together in each area until they are compact enough to fit back into the box it came in. You may make it simpler by purchasing ribbons or cords to keep the branches in place.
Some trees may come with a storage bag, however testers discovered that the loose structure of a bag takes up a little more room than storing the tree in a box.
Can fake Christmas trees be recycled?
Unfortunately, since artificial Christmas trees are constructed of PVC plastics, they cannot be recycled. Some specialized recycling groups will accept them and reuse the materials. Your town may also provide curbside removal services for your tree, however it will be disposed of in a landfill.
You might also give your old tree to local charity, hospitals, or thrift shops.
Is it possible to cut down an artificial Christmas tree?
Attempting to shorten your fake Christmas tree is not recommended. Artificial trees, unlike genuine trees, are not meant to be adjusted once brought inside the house. Many of the trees in this list come in many sizes. We suggest measuring your ceiling height before buying a tree, calculating around twelve inches from the tree’s top to accommodate for a traditional Christmas tree topper, and lastly thinking outside the box when it comes to decorating.
