The 7 Best Artificial Christmas Trees of 2023 to Deck the Halls This Season

The best artificial Christmas trees look like their real counterparts but are far easier to maintain. Not only can you be sure they’ll be there through the season, but with proper storage, they’ll be there for many seasons.

Best Overall

Puleo International 7.5 Pre-Lit Teton Pine Artificial Christmas Tree

  • Setup5/5
  • Tree Appearance4/5
  • Stability5/5
  • Ease of Storage5/5
  • Value5/5
  • Varied needles make for a realistic look.

Varied needles make for a realistic look.

  • The lights are not strung all the way to the end of the branches.

The lights are not strung all the way to the end of the branches.

We liked the varied needles, which made the tree look realistic and with no bare spots. The “trunk” was tucked away nicely, too. The branches didn’t cause any irritation to our hands. So you can fluff branches to your heart’s content. The tree seemed sturdy and stood straight, even after decorating and adding the topper—no need to tighten or straighten the tree.

If you’ve never had a pre-lit tree before, here’s something to win you over: It took just 17 minutes to set up this tree from Puleo International. Needless to say, it’s simple to assemble for one person, from putting the stand together to matching up the plugs for the lights.

It took just five minutes for us to take it down, and there was no trouble fitting it nicely into the box. That’s another reason the Puleo tree is our best pick overall—it not only looks beautiful, but the ease of taking it down means that you’ll be able to store it properly for use year after year.

Product Details: Height: 7.5 feet | Tree Type: Teton Pine | Base Diameter: 52 inches | Lighting: 600 clear incandescent lights | Features: Full-shape tree, light-lock bulbs; stand included | Material: PVC

Best Budget

National Tree Company Kingswood Fir Slim Artificial Christmas Tree

  • Setup5/5
  • Tree Appearance3/5
  • Stability5/5
  • Ease of Storage5/5
  • Value5/5
  • Assembly is quick and easy, and the needles look authentic.

Assembly is quick and easy, and the needles look authentic.

  • The branches and needles are sparse, and the lights are not evenly distributed.

The branches and needles are sparse, and the lights are not evenly distributed.

Despite there being no instructions in the box, the setup of this tree from National Tree Company was simple It’s not heavy, so it’s perfect for one person to take on.

While we were impressed with the quality of the needles, you will have to fluff the needles and adjust the branches to make the tree look fuller. Do so gently—we noted that a few needles did fall during setup. You’ll also want to make some adjustments as you decorate the tree, as we noted that there are more lights at the bottom of the tree than there are at the top.

This tree is a bit lightweight, and the stand seems small, but we found that it does hold branches up without dipping, though take care when attaching a tree topper. Disassembly was also swift, and the tree does fit back in the box, it didn’t close fully—perhaps that’s a testament to how fluffy the branches were once it was up.

Product Details: Height: 7.5 feet | Tree Type: Kingswood Fir | Base Diameter: 30 inches | Lighting: None | Features: Stand included | Material: PVC

Best Pre-Lit

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

  • Setup5/5
  • Tree Appearance5/5
  • Stability4.5/5
  • Ease of Storage5/5
  • Value4/5
  • The variety of needles makes it look authentic.

The variety of needles makes it look authentic.

  • The slimmer profile is not for everyone, plus there’s no variety of lighting options.

The slimmer profile is not for everyone, plus there’s no variety of lighting options.

We found this tree easy to assemble (though a partner’s help made it go even faster). We liked the variation in the needles, which added to the authentic look of this Christmas tree, and fluffing the branches made it look even nicer. The tree came down seamlessly and fits well back in the same box (once you de-fluff the branches) for convenient storage. We found the tree felt stable, including the base.

We were impressed with how realistic the tree looked, though we noted again that the tall, slim profile might not be the right look or fit for every space. This tree is pre-lit with 400 clear white lights—the perfect illuminated backdrop for any decorations and ornaments you wish to add. The top section has a plug that’s easy to access for a pre-lit topper, so you’ll be ready to decorate in no time. When lit, the tree looks lovely, though if you want a sparkly or colorful light show, you’ll have to choose a different one on our list. “It is a thinner tree, so it would fit well in a smaller space, but it would make a big impact,” one of us noted during testing.

Product Details: Height: 7.5 feet | Tree Type: Virginia Pine | Base Diameter: 38 inches | Lighting: 400 clear super-bright lights | Features: Hinged branches | Material: PVC and iron; mixed cashmere hard needle tips

  • BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

Best Realistic

Balsam Hill Woodland Spruce

  • The mix of the brand’s signature True Needle and Classic Needle foliage appears incredibly authentic.

The mix of the brand’s signature True Needle and Classic Needle foliage appears incredibly authentic.

  • The 9-foot tree doesn’t have unlit and multi-LED options like the 6.5- and 7.5-foot trees do.

The 9-foot tree doesn’t have unlit and multi-LED options like the 6.5- and 7.5-foot trees do.

Balsam Hill has a reputation for producing the most realistic trees. This one is designed with a mix of what the brand calls True Needle and Classic Needle foliage. The former mimics natural evergreens, while the latter is made with flexible PVC. When we tested a similar Balsam Hills tree in our lab, we were impressed with how lifelike the greenery looked (especially from a distance); we expect these to be similarly realistic.

The Woodland Spruce impressed us with its features, including an on/off pedal, posable branches, extra light bulbs and fuses, a tree stand, protective gloves, and an off-season storage bag. Both the 6.5- and 7.5-foot options offer unlit, clear LED, and multi-LED options, while the 9-foot woodland spruce is only available with clear LED lights. During our initial testing, we found assembly quick and easy, but it was slightly challenging to install the top of the 9-foot tree. This can probably be chalked up to the height rather than the design.

Product Details: Height: 6.5, 7.5, or 9 feet | Tree Type: Woodland Spruce | Base Diameter: 42 inches (6.5 feet), 50 inches (7.5 feet), 56 inches (9 feet) | Lighting: Select heights available unlit or pre-lit; clear or multicolor LED bulbs| Features: On/off pedal, posable branches, extra light bulbs and fuses, tree stand, off-season storage bag, and protective gloves| Material: PE, PVC, and metal

Editor’s Note: The original artificial tree that we tested in our lab, the Tree Classics by Balsam Hill Balsam Spruce Faux Christmas Tree, is currently out of stock at all retailers. However, you can shop the Balsam Hill Woodland Spruce from the same brand, which is a similar size, style, and price. Keep in mind that we have not tested this particular model, but we expect it to be of similar quality to the Best Realistic tree we loved in our lab.

Best Fraser Fir

Balsam Hill BH Fraser Fir Artificial Christmas Tree

  • Setup4/5
  • Tree Appearance5/5
  • Stability5/5
  • Ease of Storage3.5/5
  • Value4/5
  • We liked the various lighting modes on this pre-lit tree.

We liked the various lighting modes on this pre-lit tree.

  • It doesn’t support a tree topper.

It doesn’t support a tree topper.

If you like the look of a real fir tree but don’t want the hassle of maintaining one, look no further than the Balsam Hill Fraser Fir. “The tree is extremely high quality and looks realistic, even up close,” we noted. “The branches are easy to fluff and make the tree look full." The pair of gloves that come with it help in this aspect.

We found the tree difficult to set up at first, but the instructions were clear and made things easier, plus assembly was finished in just 12 minutes. The tree sections are heavy—a partner can be of help in connecting the top two sections.

The tree is stable, and the branches are sturdy for ornaments unless you put them at the very edge of the branch. Still, the tree didn’t budge even when pushed. Disassembly is not difficult, but made much easier with the help of a partner, as we found the sections quite heavy and hard to put back into the bag on their own. The storage bag is large and able to hold everything, but the fact that the bag is so big might prove to be a problem if you don’t have much storage space for it in the off-season.

If the price tag gives you pause, Patton has some advice: “Balsam Hill makes the most tasteful, realistic artificial trees,” she says. “They're also 1,000 times easier to decorate because you can manipulate the branches how you'd like to best display your ornaments.”

Product Details: Height: 7.5 feet (also comes in 5.5 feet, 6.5 feet, 9 feet, 10 feet, 11 feet, and 12 feet) | Tree Type: Fraser Fir | Base Diameter: 60 inches (7.5 feet) | Lighting: Unlit, clear, candlelight clear LED, multi LED, color and clear LED, twinkly light show | Features: Remote control, foot pedal, stand with scratch-proof rubber feet, protective gloves, extra bulbs, off-season storage bag | Material: Not listed

  • BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

Best Unlit

Best Choice Products 7.5-ft Premium Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree

  • Setup5/5
  • Tree Appearance3/5
  • Stability5/5
  • Ease of Storage4/5
  • Value5/5
  • You can add all (or none) of the lights you want, where you want them.

You can add all (or none) of the lights you want, where you want them.

  • The instructions recommend taking 45 minutes to fluff the branches.

The instructions recommend taking 45 minutes to fluff the branches.

If you like your Christmas tree to look just so at the holidays, you might not be very impressed by the pre-lit options on our list that lock you into predetermined illumination. Rest assured: we have an option for you. This unlit artificial tree from Best Choice might be the best choice for you.

Easy-to-follow instructions make this tree simple to assemble, though you’ll want to spend a decent amount of time fluffing and pushing down the branches to get it looking the way it should. The instructions even recommend taking 45 minutes for fluffing alone, and since there are indeed gaps to be filled, this might be time well spent for the results you want. Still, you’re buying this tree with the intention of adding your own lights, so it might be easier to continue fluffing as you add each strand.

We noted that the base was stable and supported the tree well, plus the star topper was easy to attach. Although the tree came down, it was hard to get back into the box, so perhaps make time for some un-fluffing to make this part easier.

Product Details: Height: 7.5 feet (also comes in 6 feet and 9 feet) | Tree Type: Spruce | Base Diameter: 52 inches | Lighting: None | Features: Includes a star topper and lights | Material: PVC

  • BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

Best Tall

Balsam Hill Vermont White Spruce

  • Setup4/5
  • Tree Appearance5/5
  • Stability5/5
  • Ease of Storage4/5
  • Value5/5
  • This impressive tree is as realistic-looking as it is tall.

This impressive tree is as realistic-looking as it is tall.

  • A cathedral ceiling is a better fit for this vertically enhanced tree.

A cathedral ceiling is a better fit for this vertically enhanced tree.

Tall artificial trees require the handiwork of a tall person—or in our case, additional helpers so you can more easily line up the arrows to attach the various sections of this tree. We did find the instructions extensive and also appreciated the additional accessories, which included a zipper bag, gloves for fluffing branches, and replacement bulbs.

This Balsam Hill tree is heavy and sturdy, and so is the topper, so that’s another reason to have an assistant when putting together this tree. The struggle during the assembly was worth it, as it looked very pretty and realistic. We also noted that it has many well-placed lights (which stay solidly lit without any blinking or twinkling). We do think high ceilings are a prerequisite for this “classy-looking” tree.

Product Details: Height: 7.5 feet (also comes in 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, and 18 feet) | Tree Type: Vermont White Spruce | Base Diameter: 63 inches | Lighting: Unlit, candlelight clear LED, multi LED, color + clear LED, twinkly light show | Features: Remote control, foot pedal, stand with scratch-proof rubber feet, protective gloves, extra bulbs, off-season storage bag | Material: Not listed

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON