The 9 Best Artificial Christmas Trees of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Puleo International 7.5 Pre-Lit Teton Pine Artificial Christmas Tree

5

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Tree Appearance
  4/5
• Stability
  5/5
• Ease of Storage
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

After a full day of testing, the Puleo International Teton Pine Artificial Christmas Tree was a clear winner. With its classic appeal, this 7.5-foot pre-lit tree received high scores from our testers across all categories—including the incredibly important appearance category.

The branches on this option vary in size and shape, giving it a very full appearance that rivals a natural tree. And unlike other artificial trees, the "needles" also felt soft while assembling—no gloves required. Our tester noted that you only need one person and assembly took about 17 minutes, which we love. The base and tree stand were both simple to assemble and felt sturdy enough to handle heavier ornaments and garlands. Disassembling and storing the tree was even easier, only taking about five minutes with no visible damage or bulging on the included box.

One downside of this tree is that the lighting does not reach the very bottom of the branches; in addition, all of the lights are white without the choice of variation. That being said, it's easy to wrap around another string of your favorite colored lights for a different look each holiday season. Plus, it should be easy to locate and fix specific broken bulbs: "When one light is out only a small section is impacted so it would be easy to troubleshoot the missing bulb," said our tester.

Editor's Note: Due to high demand, this tree is currently out of stock. Until then, we recommend checking out the Puleo International 7.5 Foot Pre-Lit Elegant Series Fraser Fir Artificial Christmas Tree. While we didn't test it, it's the same brand we loved in a similar style, size, and price point.

Price at time of publish: $560

_{Height: 7.5 feet | Base Diameter: 52 inches | Lights: Yes | Special Features: PVC tips on branches, lights remain lit if one goes out, Varied branches}

Best Unlit

National Tree Company Kingswood Fir Slim Artificial Christmas Tree

4.7

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Tree Appearance
  3/5
• Stability
  5/5
• Ease of Storage
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

If you’re looking for a more minimal tree that you can make your own, the National Tree Company Artificial Slim Christmas Tree is a great option. This simple tree is free of any lighting or decor, so you can decorate it with your own style—and even change it up year after year.

Assembly for this tree was quick (less than seven minutes) and only required one person. The sections were far lighter in weight than other options, and the branches were easy to pull apart for intuitive and quick fluffing. Disassembly was even easier, with no instructions needed. The tree compresses easily and fits well into its storage box.

This tree's slim appearance is ideal for tight corners and small spaces, but lends it a slightly less realistic appearance. The tree still feels sturdy enough to handle ornaments and tree toppers, so it's perfect for those looking to get fancy with decorations.

Price at time of publish: $76

_{Height: 7.5 feet | Base Diameter: 30 inches | Lights: No | Special Features: N/A}

Best Realistic

Balsam Hill Vermont White Spruce

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  4/5
• Tree Appearance
  5/5
• Stability
  5/5
• Ease of Storage
  4/5
• Value
  5/5

One of the best parts about artificial Christmas trees is that you can find options that look and feel just like the real thing. Take Balsam Hill's Vermont White Spruce, which earned a perfect score for its realistic appearance. 

Regarding both assembly and disassembly, we found it helpful to have another person on hand as the pieces are somewhat heavy. Our testers found that one person should align the sections (there are helpful arrows on the sections) and the other should insert the pieces. Still, we found the instructions to be thorough and helpful, but the heaviness of the tree makes it difficult to assemble and disassemble without help.

The size and weight of this pick definitely make it more difficult to assemble, but it also contributes to the tree's lush, realistic appearance. Balsam Hill models its artificial trees after nature, with True Needle technology for optimal realism and fullness. We tested the 7.5-foot option, but it comes in five other sizes to fit any room or space. Plus, there's an option to add Twinkly smart lights for an added price, so you can create beautiful light shows in your living room with just your smartphone.

Price at time of publish: $2,399

_{Height: 7.5 feet | Base Diameter: 63 inches | Lights: Yes | Special Features: True Needle branch tip technology}

Best Pre-Lit

Tree Classics by Balsam Hill Real-Feel Heritage Balsam Spruce Faux Christmas Tree

4.5

View On Williams-Sonoma

Our Ratings

• Setup
  4.5/5
• Tree Appearance
  4.8/5
• Stability
  5/5
• Ease of Storage
  4/5
• Value
  4/5

If your top priority is bright festive lights, consider the Real-Feel Heritage Balsam Spruce Faux Christmas Tree from Pottery Barn. Choose the lighted option that works for you, from a fully white tree to color-changing lights for a more festive look.

Don’t worry if this is your first time assembling an artificial tree: the instructions in the box were very comprehensive, but our tester didn't even need to reach for them until getting to the top piece. We tested the 9-foot option, which makes the top sections especially difficult to place, but there are also 6- and 7-foot options for smaller spaces, lower ceilings, or tighter budgets.

One of our other favorite features that stood out from the other 12 trees we tested was the sturdiness, with three ways to tighten this tree. The mix of PVC and "feel real" needles add to the realistic appearance of this tree and make the perfect base for a stunning tree topper. Just note that some of the bottom branches can point downwards, so keep heavy ornaments near the top.

Price at time of publish: $1,699 for 9'

_{Height: 9 feet | Base Diameter: 61 inches | Lights: Yes | Special Features: Real-Feel branches}

Best Decorated

Grandin Road Long Needle Tinsel Tree

4.3

View On Grandinroad.com

Our Ratings

• Setup
  3/5
• Tree Appearance
  4.5/5
• Stability
  5/5
• Ease of Storage
  4.5/5
• Value
  4/5

If you don’t have a collection of ornaments—or just don’t have the time to decorate—a tree that doubles as decoration, like the Grandin Road Long Needle Tinsel Tree, is a great option.

The tree includes 550 clear lights that add to the festive vibe, while the metallic finish and frosted look give a beautiful glowing appearance to this tree, so it looks beautiful without a single ornament. Of course, you can add in some extra tinsel or colored lights, but our testers loved this tree's appearance as-is (even though a few needles may fall off when fluffing).

Unfortunately, this wasn't the easiest tree to assemble, especially when it came to connecting the lights. It took almost 20 minutes with two people, so be sure to set some time aside during decorating. Our tester noted that fluffing to perfection may take a while, but luckily, the branches are super easy to move. They also feel extremely sturdy, so don't be afraid to break out the heavy ornaments this year!

Price at time of publish: $799

_{Height: 7.5 feet | Base Diameter: 51 inches | Lights: Yes | Special Features: Shiny metallic finish}

Best Flocked

Vickerman 7.5-ft. Flocked Alaskan Pine Artificial Christmas Tree

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  4/5
• Tree Appearance
  5/5
• Stability
  5/5
• Ease of Storage
  4/5
• Value
  4/5

With Vickerman's Flocked Alaskan Pine Artificial Christmas Tree, you get realistic flocking that’ll make your home a winter wonderland. Assembly and disassembly both received high scores, as we found it easy to lift each piece out of the box and put it back in the box for storage. We love that there are no complicated wires to connect, so it took less than 15 minutes to complete. Just note that disassembling can be a bit difficult, mostly due to the tree's heavy weight.

Once set up, we loved the frosted look that brings a bit of snow into your home, even if you live in a warmer climate. Another plus of this pick is the different light shapes and sizes included. The 800 bright clear lights are broken up by 45 larger bulbs that look make this tree look gorgeous without any ornaments. If you want to add some extra decoration, you'll be pleased to know that our tester found the branches extremely sturdy. "It would support heavy ornaments with ease. As I was placing the ornaments, the tree did not sway much or shake," they shared.

Price at time of publish: $903

_{Height: 7.5 feet | Base Diameter: 68 inches | Lights: Yes | Special Features: Faux snow, Two different light styles}

Best Slim

Wondershop 7.5-ft. Pre-Lit Slim Virginia Pine Artificial Christmas Tree

4.7

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Tree Appearance
  5/5
• Stability
  4.5/5
• Ease of Storage
  5/5
• Value
  4/5

If you’re decorating a smaller space or want a tree with a slimmer profile, consider Wondershop's Pre-Lit Slim Virginia Pine, which earned high scores for its ease of assembly, disassembly, and appearance. 

We thought the assembly was simple, taking just over 12 minutes with two people helping. Our tester did note that the sections are stacked inside each other upon arrival, so be sure to take them apart before stacking. The tree is pre-lit with 400 clear lights and the varied needles, including some made from cashmere, give it a realistic look. The branches fluffed easily to hide any bare spots for a full effect.

The lightweight tree came apart and stored extremely easily, which adds to this pick's value. It comes at a competitive price, to begin with, and the easy storage ensures you can reuse this option year after year.

_{Height: 7.5 feet | Base Diameter: 38 inches | Lights: Yes | Special Features: Cashmere needle tips for a realistic look}

Best Tall

Best Choice Products 7.5-ft Premium Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree

4.2

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Tree Appearance
  3/5
• Stability
  5/5
• Ease of Storage
  4/5
• Value
  5/5

If you're looking to decorate a big room with high ceilings, consider a tree with a tall option like this spruce option from Best Choice Products. Our lab tested the 7.5-foot version, which is a pretty standard height for artificial trees, but it also comes in a 6-foot and 9-foot option for those looking for something a bit taller.

Set-up took less than 13 minutes thanks to the helpful instructions. It definitely takes a long time to perfect this tree by pushing down and fluffing all of the branches for a full appearance. If you don't have a full hour to spare, expect a bit of the trunk to show, but with lights and decor, you won't even notice. This tree comes unlit, so you have free range to decorate this pick any way you wish.

Disassembly took less than five minutes, so storing this tree to prepare for next year is a breeze. While it's not extremely realistic looking, it comes at a budget-friendly price and the stable tree ensures you can use it again and again.

Price at time of publish: $140

_{Height: 6, 7.5, 9 feet | Base Diameter: 52 inches | Lights: No | Special Features: N/A}