Balsam Hill
BALSAM HILL
- The quality and ordering process is excellent.
The quality and ordering process is excellent.
- Prices are on the higher end, especially for taller models.
Prices are on the higher end, especially for taller models.
This retailer offers a well-curated selection of artificial Christmas trees, as well as wreaths, greenery, and general Christmas decor.
Though a little pricier than some other options on this list, we appreciate that Balsam Hill’s artificial trees are well-made and incredibly realistic-looking (you can filter trees by how realistic they are, too, if that’s an important feature to you).
Balsam fir, classic blue spruce, Vermont white spruce, and many more varieties are offered, as well as frosted trees, flat-back trees, and slim models that are well-suited for small spaces. And while some trees are sold unlit, there are several lights available, including candlelight clear, color, LED, and twinkling). In other words, the options are significant — but the ordering process doesn’t feel overwhelming.
We found that the delivery process is also super smooth. Orders shipped before noon EST are dispatched the same day, and the site frequently offers free shipping deals. We also noted that Balsam Hill sent their trees in sturdy boxes along with storage bags, making the trees easy to store in the off-season.
Artificial tree prices range from $300 for a smaller, unlit tree to around $10,000 for taller trees that are more realistic-looking and boast LED lights. At the higher end of this spectrum, Balsam Hill trees are certainly an investment, but we were very pleased with their trees overall and found the price to be worth it.
Target
TARGET
- The shopping experience is great and you can make returns in-store.
The shopping experience is great and you can make returns in-store.
- We thought some trees may be a little overpriced given the quality.
We thought some trees may be a little overpriced given the quality.
Douglas firs, evergreens, Alberta spruces, even colorful Barbie pink-hued trees — no matter your style, there’s something for everyone at Target. The retailer has a vast selection of artificial trees, including small porch pot trees and statement-making spruces that top 8 feet.
Although not necessarily the cheapest on the market, we still thought Target’s artificial trees were a good value overall. Prices range from $10 for a small desktop tree to more than $5,000 for one of the larger 8-foot models. Quality is very good and overall, we were happy with our Target trees. However, we did note that they thought certain products were slightly more expensive than they may have expected for the quality.
Target’s Wondershop is also hugely popular, and we love the curated selection of Christmas accessories, wreaths, tree skirts, garlands, ornaments, and toppers in addition to Christmas trees. All Wondershop products have a similar look and feel, which makes it easy to shop for Christmas decor that feels cohesive.
Target is known for its pleasant shopping experience both in stores and online, and that holds true when shopping for a Christmas tree. The easy-to-navigate website and ability to make returns in-store is a huge plus as well. Shipping is generally very fast, and we appreciate the retailer’s Target Circle loyalty program, too.
Amazon
AMAZON
- There are tons of options at different price points.
There are tons of options at different price points.
- The selection process can be overwhelming.
The selection process can be overwhelming.
It’s no secret that you can buy pretty much anything on Amazon these days, and that includes Christmas trees. Whether you prefer bare or pre-lit, North Valley spruce or Douglas fir, with a stand or without, you have an infinite number of choices on Amazon. Popular Christmas tree brands include The National Tree Company, Puleo International, and Best Choice Products, to name just a few.
Prices tend to be a little lower here than other retailers — you can find a small desktop model for as little as $15, and it’s unusual to see artificial trees that top $1,000. Overall, we were very pleased with the quality and value of the Christmas trees we bought on Amazon.
As with pretty much anything you buy on Amazon, the sheer number of options available can make the ordering process a little overwhelming. Utilizing the site’s filtering system can help narrow down things a bit. It’s also helpful to shop through the site’s Best Sellers section, which ensures the trees you’re considering already have a significant amount of positive reviews.
Hobby Lobby
HOBBY LOBBY
- The prices are lower than some other retailers.
The prices are lower than some other retailers.
- The selection is a little more limited.
The selection is a little more limited.
Though you might think of them as a destination for arts and craft supplies, Hobby Lobby has a solid selection of artificial Christmas trees. Trees are available in a range of sizes here — from smaller styles to those that top 10 feet — and prices are lower than some other retailers. Most trees are in the $100-$400 range and even the largest 12-foot tree is only $600, making Hobby Lobby one of the more affordable places to buy artificial Christmas trees.
We found that the trees we’ve ordered from Hobby Lobby are of decent quality and live up to the online images. We also appreciate the easy-to-navigate shopping experience.
In addition to classic-looking evergreens and pines, Hobby Lobby has several pre-lit options, plenty of frosted trees, and some more whimsical-looking options. Just keep in mind that in general, the retailer seems to specialize in more classic styles, so it’s not the best place to buy a Christmas tree if you’re looking for something nontraditional.
Michaels
MICHAELS
- The retailer offers a good selection of nontraditional Christmas trees.
The retailer offers a good selection of nontraditional Christmas trees.
- One tree we got didn’t quite match up to the picture online.
One tree we got didn’t quite match up to the picture online.
As with Hobby Lobby, Michaels is also known for arts and craft supplies, but the retailer also has an enormous Christmas shop complete with decorations, wreaths and garlands, and artificial trees. Though not the largest selection on the market there are plenty of options to choose from, including mini trees and extra-large models over 10 feet.
Michaels makes it easier than many other sites to shop for trees, too: The online Christmas shop is easy to navigate and filter by tree shape and style, light type, and height. Overall, prices are on the more affordable end here, too. The biggest extra-large trees are around $1,000 but most styles are far less expensive. The retailer also offers frequent sales, so it’s likely you’d be able to shop discounted options.
Michaels is a particularly great place to shop for Christmas trees if you’re after something nontraditional. The selection of colorful trees is unmatched by most other retailers on this list as it includes gold, red, and rainbow options, amongst others.
While we were happy with our Michaels trees, there was one tree that didn’t quite live up to the photo. That being said, opting for trees with mostly positive reviews or checking out options in-store may be particularly important.
Wayfair
WAYFAIR
- There are tons of options to choose from, including well-known brands.
There are tons of options to choose from, including well-known brands.
- The shopping experience can be a little overwhelming to navigate.
The shopping experience can be a little overwhelming to navigate.
Though best known for affordable furniture, Wayfair is also an excellent destination for artificial Christmas trees. The retailer’s Christmas shop offers an enormous selection of realistic-looking trees, including colorful trees and others with frosted needles, lit and unlit models, and a variety of species and heights.
Several recognizable brands are sold at Wayfair, including The Holiday Aisle, The Twillery Co., Andover Mills, and even Martha Stewart, whose trees are especially durable and stylish. We purchased a Martha Stewart tree from Wayfair that lasted 10 years before the lights finally stopped working, at which point we immediately replaced it with another from the same brand.
We had an overall positive experience buying Christmas trees at Wayfair, and we particularly liked the prices: Though some of the largest and highest-quality trees are in the $5,000 to $10,000 range, most are far less expensive, and there are plenty of solid options under $300.
As with Amazon, some shoppers might find Wayfair a bit overwhelming to navigate. There are literally hundreds of artificial Christmas trees available here, so sorting through all of the options can take some time. Filtering by tree height, shape, realism level, and any other features you’re looking for (such as light tone or animation) can help make shopping a little easier.