The Best Artificial Christmas Trees of 2025 [Tested and Reviewed]

Searching for the best artificial Christmas trees to put up in your home? We researched and tested the top picks for flocked, slim and full options.

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‘Tis the season to deck the halls—and if you’re as fanatical as us, the bedrooms, front yard, living room and kitchen, too! Our favorite way to pack a Christmas punch is with an over-the-top, festive, tastefully imposing tree.

"For 2025, artificial trees are evolving with enhanced realism and new stylish designs. Beyond the classic green options, modern trees offer smart features, unique colors, and more sustainable materials to suit every home and holiday style. Every year, we see advancements in construction and new technology features. Many trees have integrated smart lighting systems using a smartphone app. My favorite lighting system is pre-lit trees featuring the quick-set, micro-LED lights or a mini dot system that offer bright, energy-efficient and long-lasting illumination."
Heather Lundervold
owner and founder of Christmas Design Institute

We researched and tested the best artificial Christmas trees out there, then sorted them by category so you can choose which one works best for your space and your squad. Based on our thorough and honest assessments, you can be certain that when the Christmas centerpiece arrives at your doorstep, it’ll be just as stunning as you’d hoped.

Bh Fraser Fir Tree With Twinkly Light Show
Best Pre-Lit
Balsam Hill Fraser Fir with Twinkly Light Show
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Toha24 King Of Christmas King Noble Fir Katie Bandurski 01 Ssedit
Best Alpine
King of Christmas King Noble Fir
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Fraser Hill Farm Foxtail Pine Tree
Best on Amazon
Fraser Hill Farm Foxtail Pine Tree
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Balsam Hill Classic Blue Spruce Tree
Most Realistic
Balsam Hill Classic Blue Spruce Tree
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Toha24 King Of Christmas Tribeca Spruce Emily Way 04 Ssedit
Easiest to Fluff
King of Christmas Tribeca Spruce
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Toha25 Balsam Hill Flip Tree Katie Bandurski 01 Ssedit
Easiest Setup
Balsam Hill Balsam Fir Flip Tree
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6 Of The Best Artificial Christmas Trees Tohaxfhma23 Artificialxmastrees Ks 10 11 043
Best Budget
Holiday Living Snowy Berkshire Flocked Tree
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Toha24 King Of Christmas Queen Flock
Best Flocked
King of Christmas Queen Flock
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Frontgate Christmas Tree Review Tohaxfhma23 Artificialxmastrees Ks 10 11 018 A
Best Splurge
Frontgate Classic Fraser Fir
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King Of Christmas Alpine Fir
Best Balanced
King of Christmas Alpine Fir
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Toha25 Silverado Slim Tree  Mary Henn 01 Ssedit
Best Slim
Balsam Hill Silverado Slim Tree
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Toha25 King Of Christmas King Flock Slim Mary Henn 01 Ssedit
Best Flocked Slim
King of Christmas King Flock Slim
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Toha25 King Of Christmas Yorkshire Fir Mary Henn 01 Ssedit
Best Classic
King of Christmas Yorkshire Fir
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Toha25 Frontgate Scotch Christmas Tree Marisa Hillman 01 Ssedit
Best Year-Round
Frontgate Scotch Pine
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Bh Fraser Fir Tree With Twinkly Light Show
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Best Pre-Lit

Balsam Hill Fraser Fir with Twinkly Light Show

Pros:

  • Fun and flashy customizable LED lights
  • Quick to fluff
  • No shedding
  • Highly realistic; it looks like a real tree!

Cons:

  • Fairly wobbly
  • Drooped significantly with heaviest ornaments

If you’re Team Lights more so than Team Ornaments, this showy Balsam Hill Fraser Fir with Twinkly Light Show is the tree for you. When it comes to Christmas trees, Balsam Hill has been the brand to beat for more than a decade, and this customizable tree that comes in six sizes makes it clear why.

Fitted out with more than 500 twinkly lights, it works in conjunction with a phone app to display dozens (yes, dozens) of light effects that pan, flash, shift and all-around dazzle. Our testers had tons of fun toying around with the handful of presets and could’ve kept exploring this smart tree’s capabilities for hours if time allowed. I ended up taking this tree home to continue evaluating it for my smart Christmas tree review.

Balsam Hill Fraser Fir with Twinkly Light Show Closeup
Taste of Home

Although these bulbs can’t be replaced, they’re LED lights, so they should last a long time, and if they don’t, they’re backed by a best-in-class, three-year warranty that covers the tree as well as the lights. You shouldn’t need to employ the warranty for either, though. This tree doesn’t shed, boasts one of the highest-quality bases we’ve seen and stores inside a conveniently included bag. While easy to assemble, it was a little tricky to fluff—the hyper-realistic branches aren’t very bendy—but the tree looked great after about 10 minutes of finessing.

Our main drawback is that the Balsam Hill Christmas tree didn’t hold our heavy 5-ounce ornament very well. That being said, if you put heavy decor toward the trunk and/or toward the bottom of the tree, you should be okay. But who’s looking at the ornaments amid those mesmerizing lights, anyway?

"The app is definitely the big game-changer for this tree. Being able to change the colors to whatever you want is so huge—because of this, it could definitely be used as a ‘year-round’ holiday tree with different ornaments."
Dylan Fischer
Product tester

Size options: 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 9, 10 and 12 foot | Warranty: 3 years | Light options: Twinkly Light Show, Unlit, Clear, LED color and clear, LED clear, LED multi | Inclusions: Stand, storage bag, fluffing gloves, extra hardware

Toha24 King Of Christmas King Noble Fir Katie Bandurski 01 Ssedit
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Best Alpine

King of Christmas King Noble Fir

Pros:

  • Cute Alpine-style that's perfect for showing off ornaments
  • Lightweight and easy to set up
  • Quick to fluff
  • Easy-connect lights
  • Eight light features, plus three dimmer setting

Cons:

  • Slight lean
  • Not the most realistic tree

Show off your cherished ornament collection with the King of Christmas King Noble Fir. Deputy Shopping Editor and holiday expert Katie Bandurski has been home-testing this option since September 2024.

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It arrives in a sturdy box. And, like many high-end trees, this pick comes with a bevy of goodies like a remote to control the lights, a storage bag and arm protectors. We found setup to be a cinch, thanks to this tree’s light, 22-pound weight. It’s one of the most manageable trees we’ve come across in our testing, which makes it a good option for older adults or those who struggle to assemble fuller trees.

The lights connect via a power pole, so there’s no need to fumble through the branches for plugs. The white LED lights are advertised as warm, but Katie felt they skewed a bit cool. That’s quickly forgotten, though, when you use the remote to flip through the tree’s multitude of light features—including a dimmer setting. If you’ve ever wished you could turn your tree lights down during a holiday movie night, this feature is for you!

The sparseness of the branches makes this tree easy to fluff, and they can accommodate ornaments of all shapes, sizes and weights. The only downside is that we felt it wasn’t as realistic as other trees on our list. It also has a slight lean that, without a multitude of branches, is hard to disguise.

"I have several ornament collections that I love to show off, and this King of Christmas tree is the perfect vessel. I love the sparse look that allows your baubles to shine!"
Katie Bandurski
Deputy Shopping Editor

Size options: 6, 7, 8 and 9 foot | Warranty: 2 years | Light options: LED white, Unlit | Inclusions: Stand, storage bag, fluffing gloves, remote

Fraser Hill Farm Foxtail Pine Tree
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Best on Amazon

Fraser Hill Farm Foxtail Pine Tree

Pros:

  • Easy-connect lights—and lots of ’em!
  • Very realistic needles
  • Maneuverable branches
  • Quick assembly
  • No shedding
  • Suitable for ornaments of all weights

Cons:

  • Lights are wrapped around branches and trunk somewhat poorly
  • Unrealistic trunk with somewhat visible hardware
  • Took nearly 20 minutes to fluff due to gaps between branches and tree sections

During our multi-day testing, this Fraser Hill Farm Foxtail Pine was the first tree we unboxed and built—and we unknowingly picked a good one to start us off. The needles are incredibly natural-looking, and though this took us nearly 20 minutes to fluff, this can look like a truly real tree with a bit of TLC.

During our first pass, we felt there were still some gaps between the three separate tree segments that left the hardware around the trunk visible, but with some more aggressive bending of the branches, we were able to get it looking beautiful. And in the midst of all this futzing and adjusting, barely any needles fell off.

Fraser Hill Farm Foxtail Pine Tree Closeup
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The easy-connect lights only add to this tree’s beauty. There are 900 warm lightbulbs to accentuate your ornaments, tinsel and, eventually, prettily wrapped Christmas presents. This tree passed our ornament test with flying colors, holding the various weights without issue. If you run into an issue with the tree, Fraser Hill Farm offers a limited one-year warranty.

Oh, and that’s not to mention the speedy (and potentially free!) shipping with Amazon. Christmas-loving procrastinators, rejoice!

Size options: 6.5, 7.5, 9 and 12 foot | Warranty: 1 year | Light options: White LED, White incandescent, Unlit, Multi-color | Inclusions: Stand, extra lights

Balsam Hill Classic Blue Spruce Tree
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Most Realistic

Balsam Hill Classic Blue Spruce Tree

Pros:

  • Dense, natural-looking branches
  • Plentiful warm white lightbulbs with easy-connect feature
  • Easily maneuverable
  • Long-lasting, durable materials and parts

Cons:

  • Fairly wobbly, likely due to the small base
  • Took the longest to fluff of all the trees
  • Doesn’t support heavy ornaments very well

If you looked up “Christmas tree” in the dictionary, there’s a chance you’d find an image of the Balsam Hill Classic Blue Spruce. Available in sizes from 4.5 to 12 feet, it’s the quintessential tree, with its full shape, real-looking needles and candlelight-inspired, easy-connect lights. Because of how lush the branches are, each tree section is fairly heavy, so setup works best as a two-person endeavor. With a little help, this tree should only take about four minutes to assemble.

Balsam Hill Classic Blue Spruce Tree Closeup
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The fluffing, on the other hand, is a bit more of a time commitment. This 7.5-foot tree took the longest to fluff of all the trees (even longer than the 9-footers), but spending 20 minutes perfecting the placement of the branches was well worth it. The end result was a dense, head-turning tree. (S0 dense, in fact, you might not ever recover your pickle ornament!) And we weren’t worried about over-fluffing this tree because we knew that, when the time came to tear it down, we’d be able to stow it easily in the provided storage bag. If anything should go awry during the setup or tear-down process, the tree is backed by a three-year warranty.

When decorating this Christmas majesty, we recommend hanging the heavier ornaments toward the bottom or center of the tree, as the branches best support light to medium ornaments.

Size options: 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 9, 10, 12 and 15 foot | Warranty: 3 years | Light options: Clear, Unlit, LED clear, LED color and clear, Twinkly Light Show | Inclusions: Stand, storage bag, extra fuses

Toha24 King Of Christmas Tribeca Spruce Emily Way 04 Ssedit
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Easiest to Fluff

King of Christmas Tribeca Spruce

Pros:

  • Super sturdy
  • Very lifelike for the price point
  • Minimal needle loss during setup
  • Easy-connect lights
  • Eight light features, plus three dimmer settings

Cons:

  • Slightly taller than advertised
  • Remote is a bit unresponsive

Even the most expensive trees can take forever to fluff. If you want a tree that looks good without too much finagling, give the King of Christmas Tribeca Spruce a try. Editor Emily Way has been home-testing this tree since September 2024.

Toha24 King Of Christmas Tribeca Spruce Emily Way 03 Ssedit A
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Like other King of Christmas trees, this option comes with a remote to control the lights, a storage bag and arm protectors. The three pieces snap together in a cinch. Emily was able to set it up without assistance, but it would be easier with two people. The lights come on right away, too, thanks to the built-in power pole tech. There are multiple light features, including a dimmer setting.

As a pet parent, Emily was impressed with how sturdy this tree feels, especially compared to budget options. She has hope it will stand up to her active cats!

The real wow factor, though, is how easy the Tribeca Spruce is to fluff. Emily admits that shaping the branches is her least favorite aspect of holiday decorating, but this tree takes a lot less time than others she’s tried. The tree is very full and the branches are intuitively shaped for easy bending. After fluffing, only a handful of needles came off. Ornaments of various weights hang securely, too, thanks to the tree’s full shape and hefty branches.

"I've tried my fair share of budget trees that take forever to fluff into something passable. This one looks as full as a real tree with just a little zhuzhing—no emotional support eggnog required."
Emily Way
Editor

Size options: 7, 8 and 9 foot | Warranty: 2 years | Light options: LED white, Unlit | Inclusions: Stand, storage bag, fluffing gloves, remote

Toha25 Balsam Hill Flip Tree Katie Bandurski 01 Ssedit
KATIE BANDURSKI FOR TASTE OF HOME
Easiest Setup

Balsam Hill Balsam Fir Flip Tree

Pros:

  • Incredibly easy to set up and take down
  • Stunning realism and beautiful, bright lights
  • Wheels into place
  • Branches support ornaments of all shapes and sizes
  • Fix-it kit makes troubleshooting a breeze

Cons:

  • Heavy to move, especially up stairs
  • Requires ample storage space

The best artificial Christmas trees allow you to skip tedious, scratchy setup and skip right to the fun part: decorating! To date, we have yet to find a tree that outperforms the BH Balsam Fir Flip Tree in the “easy setup” class.

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Katie has been testing a Balsam Hill flip tree at home since April 2023. It arrives in a massive, refrigerator-style box. But once it’s inside, there’s no lifting required! Simply wheel it out, take off the protective bag, push the foot pedal and pull the tree towards you. In mere seconds, the base flips into place. Attach the top piece, plug it in and voila! A fully assembled Christmas tree in less than two minutes.

While setup is the clincher, the tree doesn’t lack in other areas, either. It brings Balsam Hill’s signature realism to your living room, and while the branches are on the dense side, it’s still compatible with ornaments of various shapes and sizes. Pair with Balsam Hill garland for a true winter wonderland.

"If you’re in the market for a new Christmas tree, I can’t speak more highly of the Balsam Hill flip tree. Yes, it’s an investment. But it’s one that you will enjoy for many holiday seasons. Plus, the setup does not get any easier. This tree simplifies one of the most stressful parts of holiday decorating."
Katie Bandurski
Deputy Shopping Editor

Size options: 6.5, 7.5, 9 and 10 foot | Warranty: 3 years | Light options: Clear, LED clear, LED clear and color, Twinkly Light Show | Inclusions: Two storage bags, fluffing gloves, remote, fuse replacement kit, tree repair kit

6 Of The Best Artificial Christmas Trees Tohaxfhma23 Artificialxmastrees Ks 10 11 043
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Best Budget

Holiday Living Snowy Berkshire Flocked Tree

Pros:

  • Fast, one-person assembly
  • Easy-connect lights
  • Distinct look with subdued flocking, pinecones and long needles
  • Hardly any fluffing required
  • No shedding of flocking or needles
  • Exceptionally realistic for a flocked tree

Cons:

  • Slightly taller than advertised
  • Not the best at holding ornaments

When we rallied the on-site staff to choose their favorite Christmas tree from those we assembled, a whopping nine people voted for this snowy Holiday Living Snowy Berkshire stunner (the second-best tree had five votes). Never would we have guessed a flocked tree would generate so much fanfare. But, golly, isn’t it gorgeous? Although it’s not quite as all-purpose as our overall winner, this tree, with its wispy, natural-looking needles, cute pinecones and tasteful flocking, charmed all of us. And the modest price tag is just the angel on top.

6 Of The Best Artificial Christmas Trees Tohaxfhma23 Artificialxmastrees Ks 10 11 044
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This dazzling underdog took us just over two minutes to build and light, and only five minutes to fluff. The branches are fairly immovable, so it’s an “it is what it is” situation in terms of placement and positioning, but we were so pleased with the appearance of the tree right out of the box that this didn’t matter. The top third of the tree is the only portion that needed any real fluffing. Perhaps the most remarkable feat is that this tree didn’t shed at all—not even the flocking.

This would be the perfect tree for a rustic farmhouse or cozy cabin. And because it’s not the best candidate for ornaments due to its long needles, we even think it could be a worthy year-round addition to a space.

Size options: 4, 7.5 and 9 foot | Warranty: N/A | Light options: White LED | Inclusions: Stand, extra bulbs

Toha24 King Of Christmas Queen Flock
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Best Flocked

King of Christmas Queen Flock

Pros:

  • Incredibly heavy and realistic flocking
  • Very full branches
  • Not as messy as other flocked trees we tried
  • Easy-connect lights
  • Eight light features, plus three dimmer settings

Cons:

  • Heavy
  • Our tree had a dysfunctional stand
  • Slight lean

Flocked trees typically fall into two camps: Snow-kissed or snow-covered. If you like the latter, we found the perfect tree. Emily also home-tested the King of Christmas Queen Flock, and it’s a holiday showstopper.

Toha24 King Of Christmas Queen Flock Emily Way 06 Ssedit A
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Assembly was a bit tedious, mainly due to the flocking. Emily and her floor got coated in flecks of white stuff, but she found it was still less messy than previous flocked trees she’s tried. It was also heavier and more unwieldy than expected. Assembly was possible with just one person, but it would have been easier with two.

Emily also hit a snag with the stand. The bolt popped out and wouldn’t fit back in to tighten the tree fully. We expect this was a manufacturing fluke—especially considering the other King of Christmas trees we tested didn’t have this issue—but it’s still a concern, especially for a tree at this price point.

Thanks to the built-in power pole technology, the lights turn on as soon as they’re plugged in. The Queen Flock comes with multiple light features, including a dimmer setting. And wow, once the lights are on, it’s easy to appreciate this tree’s incredible beauty. The flocking is some of the best we’ve seen; snowy and very lifelike. The thick coating on the branches makes fluffing easy, and ornaments hang securely, too.

Like the Noble Fir we tested, we noticed a slight lean to this tree. But thanks to the fullness, it’s much easier to disguise.

"Granted, with any flocked tree there's some mess. But the Queen Flock tree doesn't make the living room look like a Head and Shoulders commercial every time you brush past it."
Emily Way
Editor

Size options: 6.5, 7.5, 8, 9, 10 and 12 foot | Warranty: 2 years | Light options: LED white, Unlit | Inclusions: Stand, storage bag, fluffing gloves, remote

Frontgate Christmas Tree Review Tohaxfhma23 Artificialxmastrees Ks 10 11 018 A
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Best Splurge

Frontgate Classic Fraser Fir

Pros:

  • Easy-connect, remote-controlled lights
  • Fairly sturdy, thanks to high-quality 3-foot base
  • No shedding
  • Very realistic-looking with a unique bluish hue
  • Suitable for ornaments of all weights

Cons:

  • Very scratchy branches
  • Difficult to fluff

For some, money is no object when it comes to Christmas decorations. And if you’re dedicated to decking your halls to the highest degree, the Frontgate Classic Fraser Fir Tree should be an instant “Add to Cart.” Available in 7.5, 9 and 10 feet, this bluish beauty looks super realistic. We assembled and assessed the 9-foot model, which shipped in two boxes and was split into five pieces, plus the base. Although it’s a bit of a behemoth, the breakdown of the tree into so many parts made it easy to build. The fluffing? Not so easy.

Frontgate Christmas Tree lights
KATIE SYNOLD FOR TASTE OF HOME

The branches are barely maneuverable and quite scratchy. However, these negatives are canceled out by the fact that the tree is full and lush straight from the box, and arm protectors and gloves are included in the event that you want to futz with the tree. The hundreds of beautiful branches hold ornaments of all sizes and weights with ease, and the brown trunk was one of the most realistic of the bunch. Thanks to this tree’s heft and sturdiness, you can load it up to your heart’s content.

The needles and LED lights both have cool undertones, so this is the perfect pick for someone looking to create an icy winter wonderland within their home. Read more in our full Frontgate Christmas tree review.

Size options: 6.5, 7.5, 9 and 10 foot | Warranty: 3 years | Light options: Clear, Clear and multi-color | Inclusions: Stand, fluffing gloves and arm protectors, extra lights, extra fuses, remote

King Of Christmas Alpine Fir
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Katie Bandurski FOR TASTE OF HOME
Best Balanced

King of Christmas Alpine Fir

Folks hunting for the “Goldilocks” of trees—not too expensive, not too cheap, not too smart, not too basic—will appreciate this mid-tier pick. The King of Christmas Alpine Fir is a very nice tree that our tester really liked. It comes in at a mid-high price point, but has many smart features, including pole-connect lights, realistic branches and an included storage bag. It arrived all wrapped up in a tarp-like protector, so it was in excellent shape upon arrival.

Upon unveiling the tree, we were excited to see setup is as simple as snapping the parts together—no connecting lights or complex wiring required. The bottom two sections are pretty unwieldy, but that’s to be expected for a 7-foot tree. We give it a pass, especially since the rest of the setup was simple. But the most awe-inducing aspect of this tree is its multitude of eight different light settings, including a dimmer option that’s perfect for holiday movie nights.

King Of Christmas Alpine Fir
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Overall, we like that there’s still space for bigger baubles, but the branches are still packed fairly tight together. You’ll definitely want to fluff a lot to ensure the tree isn’t gappy. Additionally, it does have incredibly scratchy branches (definitely wear the included arm protectors!) and light tones that skew “cool” even though they are advertised as “warm.” Overall, though, this is a high quality pick—especially at a mid-tier price point.

Size options:  7.5, 8 and 9 foot | Warranty:  2 years | Light options: Unlit, Warm White | Inclusions: Stand, storage bag, fluffing gloves, remote

Toha25 Silverado Slim Tree  Mary Henn 01 Ssedit
MARY HENN FOR TASTE OF HOME
Best Slim

Balsam Hill Silverado Slim Tree

Pros:

  • Incredibly easy to set up
  • Slim design is great for small spaces
  • Six height options
  • Lit and unlit options
  • Includes premium storage bag and gloves

Cons:

  • May not be as sturdy as other options
  • Difficulty holding heavy ornaments

The 7-foot Silverado Slim fits into a basement space, bedroom or even a cluttered dining room. It’s cozy, festive and not overwhelming—perfect for small spaces! Plus, it’s so easy to set up. Simply slot the trunk into the metal stand, attach the midsection and top, then fluff and plug in.

“No tangled cords or attaching wires,” says Shopping Editor Mary Henn. “Once the sections are connected, the entire tree lights up. We had it assembled and fluffed in about 45 minutes, and most of that was spent fluffing branches.”

Toha25 Silverado Slim Tree Mary Henn 01 Ssedit
MARY HENN FOR TASTE OF HOME

It arrives in a long, slim box that’s light enough for one or two people to handle. Inside, the tree comes bundled in three pieces. “The wiring of the lights is a little more visible than I’d like, but all the bulbs are spaced evenly throughout the tree,” Mary notes. “I also appreciate the foot pedal. It makes turning the lights on and off so easy. No need to crawl behind the tree.”

While the Silverado Slim shines in small spaces, it’s not made for oversized ornaments. “It’s a good slim option if you want a tree that looks realistic but won’t take over the room,” Mary says. “I’d snag this one when it’s on sale. It’s incredibly easy to manage and looks pretty once fluffed. Not on sale, the price feels a bit steep for what you get.”

Size options: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 foot| Warranty:  3 years | Light options: Unlit, LED clear, LED clear and color, Twinkly Light Show, ultrabright clear LED | Inclusions: Storage bag, fluffing gloves, foot pedal for lights, fuse replacement kit, tree repair kit

Toha25 King Of Christmas King Flock Slim Mary Henn 01 Ssedit
MARY HENN FOR TASTE OF HOME
Best Flocked Slim

King of Christmas King Flock Slim

Pros:

  • Slender enough for small spaces
  • Holds both light and heavy ornaments
  • Blend of realistic and classic needles
  • Wallet-friendly
  • Remote and foot pedal controls

Cons:

  • Heavily flocked branches may be too much for some

If you’re looking for a slender, flocked option at an affordable price, the King Flock Slim is easy to set up and take down, wallet-friendly and has a heavily flocked effect. We appreciate the blend of realistic and classic needle tips, as well as the included remote and foot pedal for controlling the tree’s warm white LED lights.

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The heavily flocked branches were a bit much for our tester’s taste, who preferred the overall look of the Holiday Living Snowy Berkshire Flocked Tree she tested. However, if you’re someone who likes a super-snowy look, then this tree is for you. While there was some moderate shedding when first putting up this tree, it held both heavy and lighter ornaments, which is seriously impressive!

Size options:  6.5, 7.5, 8, 9, 10 and 12 foot | Warranty:  2 years | Light options: Unlit and warm white micro-LEDs | Inclusions: Stand, storage bag, fluffing gloves, remote

Toha25 King Of Christmas Yorkshire Fir Mary Henn 01 Ssedit
MARY HENN FOR TASTE OF HOME
Best Classic

King of Christmas Yorkshire Fir

Pros:

  • Elegant, classic look
  • Full, fluffy tree with classic needle tips
  • Pre-lit with 600 warm white micro-LED lights
  • Hinged sections and quick lighting for easy setup
  • Foot pedal and remote control
  • 8 light settings
  • Dimmable

Cons:

  • Needles do not look realistic close up
  • Sheds a bit during assembly
  • Remote needs to be in close proximity to foot pedal to work

If you’re after a big, fluffy pre-lit Christmas tree that won’t blow your budget, the Yorkshire Fir from King of Christmas is a classic pick. This three-piece tree snaps together in minutes, and setup is as simple as plugging it into the wall. It offers the classic look of an artificial tree you’d see growing up, which makes it an extra fun pick for nostalgic folks.

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MARY HENN FOR TASTE OF HOME

But trust us—this isn’t your grandma’s faux tree. Once lit, you can control the micro-LED lights using the foot pedal or remote, with eight lighting modes—from twinkle to slow glow—and even adjust the brightness for a cozy, dimmed effect. With 600 lights, its truly a sight to behold!

Fluffing takes some patience since each branch (except the ones at the top) splits into three parts that need individual shaping, but the payoff is a lush, full look. The classic needle tips give it that nostalgic, ‘90s-style Christmas charm that feels like grandma’s house in the best way.

Size options: 6.5, 7.5 and 9 foot | Warranty:  2 years | Light options: Unlit and warm white micro-LEDs | Inclusions: Stand, storage bag, fluffing gloves, remote

Toha25 Frontgate Scotch Christmas Tree Marisa Hillman 01 Ssedit
MARISA HILLMAN FOR TASTE OF HOME
Best Year-Round

Frontgate Scotch Pine

Pros:

  • Many different lighting options
  • Easy setup with quick-connect lighting
  • Sturdy branches
  • Mild flocking

Cons:

  • Expensive, but you get what you pay for
  • No storage included

For folks who wish they could display their tree throughout the year, the Frontgate Scotch Pine gives them an occasion to do so. This indoor Christmas tree comes with the option of clear, color-changing lights. Choose from red, blue, green, purple, harvest, berry, aqua, opal, warm white and color-changing LED lights, plus myriad effects such as steady, fade, twinkle, flash warm white, flash, opal and chase.

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MARISA HILLMAN FOR TASTE OF HOME

The settings for the lights stunned our tester with a myriad of fun and festive presets, including one for Halloween and harvest! You truly can leave it up year-round and decorate it to go with the seasons, which makes it an excellent investment—especially at a rather high price point. Our tester’s family was excited to check out all of the different colors and effects. All in all, there are over 40 different combinations to choose from, plus four pre-programmed holiday buttons: candy cane, Christmas, Halloween, and ice/snow.

Additionally, the branches are made from stainless steel, so they’ll hold even the heaviest ornaments with ease. The only quirk seems to be that while you’re playing around with the different effects, you have to set them to “steady” before moving onto the next effect. That said, it’s worth the fuss to enjoy all that this glimmering glory has to offer!

Size options: 7.5 and 9 foot | Warranty:  3 years | Light options: Clear and Clear Color-Changing | Inclusions: Stand, remote, two fabric sleeves and a set of cloth gloves


Other Artificial Trees We Tested

In addition to the picks above, we tested and recommended four other trees. Unfortunately, they are no longer in stock. Keep your eyes peeled, though, as there’s a chance they could come back for the 2025 holiday season.

  • Evergreen Twinkly Christmas Tree: We love that the Twinkly app lets you customize lighting effects, sync your display with music, set timers for automatic lighting and more. With the addition of the Twinkly Music USB dongle, your tree lights can dance to your favorite holiday tunes. With so many lighting options available, you can select a preset pattern and then, beyond that, adjust its speed and brightness, combine patterns and animations. Or, completely start from scratch and layer a bunch of different colors and patterns over each other.
  • Holiday Living Norman Pencil Flocked Tree Review: Our best budget pick, we found this $128 tree to be an amazing value. The flocking fell off pretty easily, but it was easy to vacuum up. Plus, this tree came with nine light settings, both white and colored. The whole process, from unboxing to decorating, could take under 10 minutes if you hustled. And we’d go so far as to say this skinny little thing looks handsome enough without anything hung on it, thanks to the heavy flocking and funky lights.
  • Terrain Snowy Norway Spruce Tree Review: Flocked trees can be polarizing, but there was a lot to love about this snowy pick. We loved this tree’s impeccable, vintage-inspired packaging. The parts of this tree clicked together seamlessly, and the twinkly white lights with eight functions were easy to connect. We needed to primp this snowy tree and its flexible branches for about eight minutes, and during this time, very few needles and very little flocking fell off. This pick is on the slightly sparser side, so it’s a good thing the flocking and tree are so natural-looking. This also makes it one of our favorite vessels for ornaments.
  • Terrain Woodland Fir Tree Review: Lovingly dubbed the “Charlie Brown tree” by those at Taste of Home headquarters throughout testing, this whimsical woodland fir is perfect for the ornament collectors of the world. This tree was very speedy to set up. The lights on this adorable decoration are tiny dewdrops that glow a cozy, yellowish-white color. And with the button on the control box, you can switch the lights between eight modes, like flashing and twinkling. Fluffing was quick and easy, and it was one of the most realistic of the bunch. The only con? Due to the tree’s sparseness, you’re able to see some of the light wiring.
  • Twinkly Smart Tree: With high-quality PVC sections, this tree is outfitted with 540 bright RGB LEDs that offer over 16 million color combinations, including a full range of white lights in warm and cool tones. Thanks to the Twinkly app, it can be integrated into your existing smart home setup with Google or Alexa. Plus, you can sync light displays with music using Twinkly Music (sold separately), a device that interprets ambient sounds and music in your space and applies synchronized colors and effects in real-time.

After testing, there is only one tree we would recommend skipping:

  • Puleo International Flocked Aspen Tree Review: The box for this tree was ripped to pieces, which unfortunately set the tone for the rest of the setup. It was quick to put together and comes with a ton of lights. That said, wiring and flocking for this tree were all over the place, which made it look messy. It’s heavily flocked and requires a fair bit of fluffing, but be warned—we found that it “snows” every time you touch this tree. We felt the need for near-constant cleanup would put a damper on the holidays, especially with little kids or pets around. For the price, we felt that there were many better options.

What To Look for When Buying an Artificial Christmas Tree

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Faux trees make decorating your space especially easy (and mess-free), but selecting which one to buy among the hundreds, if not thousands, online is dizzying. Some are too sparse, others too fake-looking and others too difficult to store. And you might not be able to tell any of this from the online listing. Furthermore, if you’re having it shipped to your home, chances are, you won’t see it until it’s unboxed.

In choosing the perfect tree for your needs, first consider the size and shape of your space. You might also want to consider the type of tree and think about how realistic it looks.

“If budget allows, choose a tree with a higher percentage of PE (polyethylene) tips,” says Christmas expert and founder of The Jolly Festive Hannah Bartlett. “It’s a technical detail, but these molded tips look far more like real evergreen needles than traditional, softer, flatter PVC tips. The difference in realism and structure is noticeable, and worth the splurge if you want that authentic look.”

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We also spoke to the owner and founder of Christmas Design Institute, Heather Lundervold, who suggests considering the following when shopping for a luxury tree in particular:

  • Materials: How realistic the needles look, the construction of the branches, the tree stand and the pole.
  • Fullness, tip count, branch density and strength: Look for a high tip count and sturdy, flexible branches. This ensures a lush, full appearance and prevents the branches from drooping under the weight of heavier ornaments.
  • Convenience features: Easy setup and takedown. Easy plug systems, energy-efficient LED lights with advanced functions like multiple color settings, remote controls, or “constant-on” features that keep a strand lit even if a single bulb goes out.
  • Durability and warranty: The superior construction and durability make for a better long-term investment.  A sturdy metal stand and a strong center pole are crucial for safety and to prevent wobbling, especially for taller trees. The stand should be wide enough to support the tree’s size and weight.
  • Realism: While luxe trees have a higher upfront cost, they look fuller and higher-end, which ultimately gets you a better visual result after decorating your tree. Luxe trees focus on replicating a specific species of tree, like a Fraser Fir or Blue Spruce, with natural color and texture variations. Premium models may also include realistic details such as artificial pinecones or berries.
  • PE (polyethylene) needles: High-end artificial trees use PE needles, which are injection-molded from actual tree branch cuttings. This process gives the needles a realistic, three-dimensional look and feel that far surpasses the flat, plastic-strip look of budget-friendly PVC.
  • Mixed foliage: The most realistic and expensive trees will combine outer PE needles for natural appearances with inner PVC needles for added fullness. This technique ensures the tree looks dense without the prohibitive cost of an all-PE construction.
  • Environmental impact: Some high-end brands focus on sustainability by using recyclable materials, non-toxic components, and flame-retardant coating. Use of lower-quality plastics in budget models can make them less durable.

Ease of setup and storage are also important, especially if you’re after a large tree. You’ll also want to consider the price point. Late fall is the best time to buy an artificial Christmas tree because you’ll have your pick of the best selection. Keep an eye on Black Friday deals, too. Black November is a great time to pick up a tree. Many major retailers are running sales.

"Lightly flocked trees offer a more subtle and sophisticated 'micro-snow' effect that mimics freshly fallen powder. You could opt for a monochromatic look and embrace a minimalist trend. Pair your tree with a single neutral color palette, such as warm whites, soft metallics, or champagne gold. Bold and unique colors are being offered for those seeking a modern, standout centerpiece, trees are available in unconventional colors like black, pink, blue, or glamorous gold and silver."
Heather Lundervold
owner and founder of Christmas Design Institute

How We Selected the Best Artificial Christmas Trees

First, we researched and identified popular Christmas trees in a number of styles and at various price points. The trees in this test ranged from $128 to $2,500 and included sparse, slim, flocked and full selections from various vendors. We gathered the top contenders in our office, where we tested them for three days in October 2023. We set out with a handful of criteria we wanted to assess and tests we wanted to run. The steps for testing a Christmas tree might not be as obvious as, say, those for a kitchen appliance, but we knew we could still put these trees through the paces.

With one notetaker and two hands-on testers, we evaluated and rated the unboxing experience, setup, lights, fluffing process, realism, ornament-friendliness, takedown and price of each tree. For all of these categories, the trees received a numerical rating from one to five (five being the best), which we added together for a total tree score that helped guide our categorization and ranking of each tree. We sought to answer questions like: Does the tree end up looking like the online picture? Do we anticipate this tree lasting for many seasons? Can one person set it up, or is it a two-person job? Would it fit a standard tree skirt or collar?

Some of the aforementioned categories entailed specific tests. For example, we recorded how long it took to set up each tree, which spanned from the time the box was opened to the time the last section of the tree was secured in place. Similarly, we timed ourselves fluffing each tree—a process that entails adjusting the branches and needles to add to the realism of an artificial tree. We also measured various components of the tree, including the base, as well as the height of the assembled tree, to see whether it matched the online listing.

We continued testing trees throughout the 2024-2025 seasons to ensure the most up-to-date information. New trees tested in 2025 include the King of Christmas Alpine Fir, King of Christmas King Flock Slim, Frontgate Scotch Christmas Tree, Balsam Hill Silverado Slim and King of Christmas Yorkshire Fir.

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Perhaps the most tedious yet important test of all was our ornament test. To gauge the branch strength of each tree, we placed ornaments that weighed 1 ounce, 2.5 ounces and 5 ounces on a branch. On each tree, we chose a branch that was roughly 40 percent from the top and hung the ornaments, one at a time, about 3 inches inward. If the ornaments hung securely and without significant drooping, the tree would pass.

After our in-office test, we sent each of the top trees home with a long-term tester. After all, these holiday beacons are an investment! We wanted to see how the lights, construction and overall appearance held up season after season.

For 2024, we also tested four new trees from the stalwart brand King of Christmas. Taste of Home staffers Katie and Emily evaluated these trees in their homes, following the same testing methodology as our in-office trials.

This series of tests gives a holistic portrait of the performance of each of these trees so that you can purchase your Christmas tree—the focal point of so many special memories and what should be a long-lasting seasonal staple—with confidence.

Artificial Christmas Tree FAQ

Where can you buy artificial Christmas trees?

You can find artificial Christmas trees at many online and in-store retailers, including The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Costco, Amazon, Grandin Road, Balsam Hill, Target, Walmart and Terrain—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Some merchants only carry trees around the holidays (usually October through December), while others, like Balsam Hill, are available for purchase year-round.

What type of artificial Christmas tree is the most realistic?

The type of artificial Christmas tree you choose is entirely up to you. However, if you want something that looks as close to the real thing as possible, consider a noble fir or blue spruce. Those options tend to have a more realistic, full look with a classic Christmas tree shape.

There are other ways to bring a more realistic vibe to your tree, too. Scent sticks or essential oil sprays work brilliantly to add that natural dimension,” says Hannah Bartlett. “You can tuck the scented sticks into the branches or opt for a nearby diffuser or candle if you prefer a more subtle fragrance.”

“Another favorite trick of mine is to add a few sprigs of real fir or eucalyptus into the tree,” she says. “It helps break up the uniformity and adds a more natural, layered feel. Plus, it’s a great way to introduce texture and depth.”

Are expensive artificial Christmas trees worth it?

Generally, when it comes to artificial Christmas trees, a more expensive option will mean it’s more realistic. An artificial Christmas tree is an investment that should last for 5 to 10 years. Some trees even come with a warranty to cover quality issues with the tree or the lights if it’s a pre-lit option.

How do you fluff an artificial Christmas tree?

Luckily, it’s easy! Simply grab a branch of the tree and pull each tip away from the center. Repeat until you’ve fluffed every branch. Some trees require minimal fluffing out of the box, while others need several hours of work to look their best. We recommend grabbing a pair of gloves to protect your hands and turning on a Christmas movie while you work.

How do you store an artificial Christmas tree?

A Christmas tree storage bag made of tarp-like plastic or canvas is your best bet for storing an artificial Christmas tree. Many high-end tree options come with a storage bag. Otherwise, they’re readily available on Amazon.

Why You Should Trust Us

We’re called Taste of Home, and we consider the holidays one of the most cherished things to happen within the home. So, we’ve made it one of our missions to ensure your holidays are special year after year, whether it’s with our Christmas cookie recipes, seasonal gift guides or decoration recommendations. The most iconic decoration of all is the artificial Christmas tree, which is why we sought to find the best one on the market. Our Test Kitchen team has been testing recipes and gadgets for more than two decades, and our shopping team recently joined them in their testing endeavors. Needless to say, we’re experts at evaluating popular products, running tests on them and rating them honestly and fairly, which is exactly what we did with more than 10 of the best artificial Christmas trees.

For this piece, we also spoke to the owner and founder of Christmas Design Institute, Heather Lundervold. For 25 years, Heather has worked in the luxury holiday design industry, dedicated to providing high-quality, white glove service, well-trained design staff and stunning holiday transformations to her clients.