Best Artificial Christmas Trees

Who assembled it: Anna

Assembly: This was the first artificial Christmas tree I’d ever assembled, and so I didn’t know what to expect. Right off the bat, I was impressed by how neatly and thoughtfully the box was organized without excessive use of plastic packaging. Each of the tree’s three sections featured hinged branches, which enabled them to easily fall into place once I had secured them in place. 

The bottom layer barely required any fluffing, save for a handful of inner branches that were made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) needles. The outer polyethylene (PE) needles were molded enough that their shape was defined and ready to go. The middle section was a little more pliable, so I was able to fluff both the PVC and PE needles. The top layer required the most fluffing because of the concentration of branch tips. All in all, the process took less than 25 minutes. It’s also worth noting that since the tree was tall (7½ feet), I had to fluff the top layer on the ground before attaching it to the rest of the structure. 

Realism: Close up, there was a discernible difference between the two materials, particularly in color—the PE needles had a lighter sage green tint to them and the PVC needles were a brighter green. That said, it was hardly noticeable from afar, and in fact, it gave the tree a dynamic tonal look. I really appreciated the commitment to realism when it came to the branch tips—there were 4,072 of them, according to Home Depot—and the little brown bits that were meant to mimic the woody details of treelike buds and bark. 

Lights: The microdot LED lights were another reason to love this model. Perfectly spaced throughout the entire tree, the mini lights certainly didn’t hold back on impact. Each of the 1,200 bulbs beautifully illuminated the structure without an overpowering presence of chunky bulbs and thick wires that most other artificial trees tend to have. A foot pedal made it a cinch to turn the lights on and off, while a remote control was handy for toggling among the model’s eight light settings. With it, I could easily go from a color-changing display to a sequential one that faded from multicolor lights to a warm white. 

Takedown: Taking down the tree was essentially as easy as putting it up, and like the start, there was minimal shedding. I was able to easily fit all three pieces back into the box it came in, though if I were to keep it, a storage bag would have sufficed. Out of all the trees I had ordered, this was the only one that came with a handle on the box, which I really appreciated, especially when I had to lug the 46-pound package down to my building’s mailroom. 

The lone qualm I had with this tree was that the “trunk” wasn’t very realistic. It comprised a narrow pole covered in brown and green PVC needles. That said, the bottom section was thick enough that it hid the majority of the “trunk,” and a simple tree skirt could easily conceal the base.

Who assembled it: Anna

Assembly: A 9-foot-tall tree should not be assembled alone. Weighing in at 125 pounds, this one was a struggle to put together for someone lacking sufficient upper body strength, so I roped two of my colleagues into helping me. 

This tree comes in five pieces (plus a base), numbered for ease. The lower sections are understandably heavier because they’re the fullest, which meant I even needed help carrying them. Because the branches were loosely hinged and not bound, I had to gather the entirety of each layer in my arms to be able to properly assemble the sections. On the plus side, because the branches were so full, we didn’t need to individually fluff every layer—rather just make small tweaks here and there to fill in the holes—which significantly cut down on setup time. Only the topmost layer required a light fluffing to evenly distribute the branches. I would recommend doing this before attaching it to the rest of the tree unless you’re tall and using a ladder. 

After I had completed the setup, I realized that each section had to be locked into the previous one—there are arrows to guide you and a click sound to confirm. Without that, the lights won’t work and the tree could knock over. 

Realism: With 7,183 mixed branch tips, this tree looked very realistic, especially from afar. It’s worth noting that the PE needles were significantly lighter in color than the PVC ones. However, this seems to be a common thread among most artificial trees. Since the majority of the PVC needles were in the interior of the tree, it wasn’t overtly obvious. 

Lights: The lighting functionality of this model was by far the most impressive in the group. It features 2,700 color-changing LED lights ​​that have five different temperature effects and 13 brightness levels to choose from. The lights are understated yet powerful and evenly distributed throughout. While the majority of the bulbs are located on the outer layer of the tree (instead of the interior as well), I didn’t find this to be an issue because there was an abundance of them. 

Takedown: Much like the assembly process, takedown was swift. Of course, it did involve plenty of heavy lifting, especially when it came to removing the topmost section. Many of these problems could’ve been avoided if we’d had access to a ladder—the heaviness of the sections notwithstanding.

Unsurprisingly, this tree required a significant amount of elbow grease to arrange back into the packaging it arrived in. A colleague and I had to lie on top of the massive box to be able to tape it back up. Bear in mind that this tree will require a significant amount of space to store.

This tree shed minimally, and it did emit some residue, so gloves are advised for assembly. 

Who assembled it: Angela

Considering we paid $599 for the smallest option, the BH Balsam Fir was not the most budget-friendly. But with its gorgeous polyethylene needles, easy setup, and accompanying bells and whistles, it’s hard to argue against dropping a few hundred if you can on a tree that you’ll use year after year. The BH Balsam Fir is rich and full, and the 5-foot, 5-inch option we evaluated is plenty large for anyone who doesn’t need a towering Christmas tree. It has 3,373 tips—more than any other tree we looked at other than our No. 1, the Jackson Noble—to create an incredibly realistic, healthy look. 

Assembly: Setup was easier than any other tree I tried, taking about an hour to put together from the minute I pulled it from the box until I was satisfied that the branches were fully fluffed. It helped that each section was labeled with brief instructions, so I didn’t have to dig around in the box to figure out which piece was which, nor did I have to constantly refer back to the thorough sheet of instructions when I was initially fitting the pieces together. 

Lights: The LED lights were evenly distributed and easy to deal with as I worked through setup, rarely getting tangled or in the way with the ease with which I was able to separate the individual branches. This tree also irritated my hands less than the Newberry Spruce from Wayfair and the Kurt Adler from Bed Bath & Beyond, both of which I tried. This is even without using the thoughtfully provided protective gloves that came with the tree; I wish I’d used them to set up the other two trees that tore up my hands. 

Takedown: This tree came apart as easily as it was put together. The bag was a major plus.

Extras: I greatly appreciated the two pairs of protective gloves, which came packed in a nylon bag with a clear plastic box of extra lights and fuses and a bulb removal tool. The only downside to this tree, in addition to the price, is that the lights for the Candlelight Clear LED model have only one setting: static.

Who assembled it: Angela

Assembly: This tree, made by National Tree Company, falls solidly in the middle, quality-wise. Though it’s not as full or easy to set up as the Balsam Fir or the Jackson Noble Fir, it’s a beautiful option with some unique features. It took an hour from start to finish to put up and fluff.

However, this tree was pretty painful during setup, and I wish it had come with gloves—or at least an obvious warning that I should find my own—to prevent the irritation my partner and I experienced after putting the tree together. The tree also shed a few needles, and I struggled to properly fluff a top corner, so it appeared a bit uneven in one section. Overall, though, I was pleased with how this tree came together.

Lights: This tree came with delightful color-changing options, which made the tree fun to use. I can imagine a child going hog wild with the light button controller. Both the white and color lights glowed beautifully from between the tree’s dark, glossy, strikingly realistic 2,057 tips.

Takedown: I needed another person’s help to carefully take the pieces apart and put them back into the box, but it compressed up tightly enough so that it was able to fit somewhat neatly.

Price paid: $460
Where to buy: Sam’s Club
Who assembled it: Anna

Assembly: While still tall, this tree was easier to manage than the Costco one above because it had fewer pieces and weighed less. Each of the four sections fit into one another (no click-lock system to wrangle with) but they still required a sufficient amount of elbow grease to prop up due to the weight. The base was comparatively sturdy, which is always a plus, especially for larger trees.

This model required significant effort to even out the branches and fluff out the tips. Even after that, there were a lot of holes, and the center, which entailed a metal pole wrapped in green and brown PVC needles, was unpleasantly visible. That said, those who are heavy-handed with ornaments and decorations, consider this tree the perfect blank canvas. 

Realism: From a cost perspective, it’s hard to justify paying over $450 for a tree that’s made primarily of PVC needles instead of the more desired PE. This prevents the tree from attaining an element of realism one can get from the 3D-molded branches. In total, there are 4,500 branch tips, and this option is wider and a bit fuller than the Costco tree (which is nearly double the price). 

Lights: Similar to the LuxenHome tree below, the lighting was sparse on this one and not overly impressive. This model came with 1,000 color-changing LED lights that could oscillate among eight functions, including warm white and multicolored. On the plus side, they were evenly dispersed, and for those looking for understated lighting, this one fits the bill. 

Takedown: The process was simple enough, and the tree was easy to pack away. It conveniently came with a storage bag, which is especially useful and less obtrusive than a box. And while there was only a minimal amount of residue, I did notice that a few chunks fell from the PVC branches, which doesn’t inspire much confidence in the tree’s longevity.

Price paid: $608
Where to buy: Home Depot, Walmart
Who assembled it: Anna

When this box arrived, it had a sizable hole in the center, and I could hear a rustling that sounded as if little critters were moving throughout the cavity of the package. Erring on the side of caution, I sealed every imaginable crevice on the box and let it sit for 24 hours. When the time came to unpack the tree, I realized the sounds were not caused by bugs but by the rustling of loose needles as they settled into place. Let me tell you, that was a relief. 

Assembly: Setup took roughly 40 minutes because of the large volume of branches. This 6½-foot tree had a sizable 3,319 tip count, the bulk of which were located on the bottom and middle layers. The top layer was a little less full in comparison but not by a lot. The fluffing process was by far the most involved here, especially because I had to maneuver each branch to ensure that the tree filled out nicely. Even after the entire tree was assembled, I still had to go through and zhuzh the branches to avoid pockets of empty space. 

All things considered, this one looked the most like a real tree out of the trees I evaluated. I liked how perfectly imperfect the branches were and how realistic it all looked from just 5 feet away. 

Lights: Unfortunately, the lighting wasn’t evenly dispersed. Once turned on, the bottom was the brightest, and it gradually faded in effect toward the top. The disparity was more apparent in the colored light setting vs. when the warm lights were on. Here is an instance where I would have preferred to add my own lighting. 

Takedown: Another downside was the shedding. This tree lost the most needles (albeit it wasn’t a drastic amount), and it was one of the harder ones to clean. Similar to plastic peanuts used for packing, these minuscule needles were genuinely difficult to pick up. Even my vacuum, which can scoop up pet hair and dander like the best of them, was no match for these plastic pieces. I tried to tackle them with my Swiffer and after little luck corralling them to the center of the room, I had to revert to using a wet paper towel to pick up each individual needle. 

This particular tree wasn’t the best, but it had its merits—realism and a multitude of PE branch tips being top of that list. While it’s not the worst investment, there are certainly better options available.

Price paid: $459
Where to buy: Lowe’s
Who assembled it: Anna

Assembly: After putting together two 9-foot-tall trees in rapid succession, this 7-foot-tall version was easy. The initial setup was quick, but the branches required a significant amount of fluffing because there were quite a few empty holes throughout. All in all, it took under 10 minutes. 

Once this tree was assembled, I found it to be unstable because of the flimsy stand and the center pole, which was skinnier than most other versions I’ve encountered. For those with kids or pets roaming around, this tree could pose a risk of toppling over. 

Realism: This model was a clear example of an artificial Christmas tree that reaches for an element of realism but falls short. The green tone of the branches was almost there but not quite believable, and even though there was a good ratio of PE needs to PVC (3,428 branches in total), it still left more to be desired.

Lights: The lights were somewhat evenly distributed, but given the modest number of them—just 350 warm white light bulbs—it felt rather sparse. Unlike other trees, where lighting is interconnected and runs down the center pole, each section of this tree has its own string of lights that need to be plugged into the subsequent one. The lack of frills, like color-changing or bulbs, means you can supplement the tree with lights of your own but that simply takes away from the convenience of having a prelit tree in the first place. 

Takedown: Similar to the setup, the takedown was a breeze, although this tree shed a moderate amount. Repacking this model in its original box was straightforward, but that’s largely because it was 2 feet shorter than the Member’s Mark tree and the Costco version.

Price paid: $376
Where to buy: Target, Wayfair
Who assembled it: Angela

Assembly: It took 2 hours to put this tree together, though the tree appeared spindly and almost sickly even once it was fully fluffed. This unhealthy look was exacerbated by the strings of Christmas lights that came almost hopelessly entangled in the branches and tips, hindering the ease with which I was able to fluff out the tree. The light strings were also difficult to plug into one another, and the connectors were large, heavy, and obvious, making them difficult to hide. Perhaps if I had spent a couple more hours working on the tree, I would have been able to figure out how to redrape the light cables so that they integrated seamlessly among the branches. But even after 2 hours, the cord remained stubbornly snarled, creating the appearance of a Christmas tree that has only recently escaped a massive booby trap.

Takedown: Furthermore, disassembly made even more of a mess. The box in which it came from Bed Bath & Beyond left sticky white skid marks on my laminate floors, and the tree shed tips more than the other trees I tried, a detail that doesn’t bode well for the tree’s longevity.

Price paid: $330 on sale (originally $770)
Who assembled it: Anna

Standing at 6 feet tall, this model, manufactured by the National Tree Company, featured 2,019 branch tips, which were clearly not enough. There were numerous pockets of negative space throughout that I would be hard-pressed to conceal even with ornaments. 

Lights: The lights were chaotically strung about the tree, and unevenly at that. Each of the sections had its own set of plugs (which were relatively large and a bit of an eyesore) that were meant to attach to its neighboring section, although it wasn’t always clear which plug went where. The tree’s top layer barely had any lighting, and overall, it seemed incomplete. The tree came with a total of 800 LED bulbs that feature warm and colorful light settings. Unfortunately, they were relatively more clunky vs. the other trees I evaluated, plus they didn’t appear to be of the highest quality. 

Assembly and takedown: It took me about 30 minutes to assemble this one, despite its smaller size—relative to the Jackson Noble Fir. I spent the majority of the time wrestling around with the lights and attempting to find the correct plugs for each section. The takedown process was easy and quick, thanks to the limited number of branches. 

Realism: From afar, this model had a definite element of realness to it. Once thoroughly fluffed, it could almost pass for a perfectly imperfect Christmas tree with its pointed branches that mimicked a true Fraser fir. While the exact ratio of PE to PVC needles was unspecified in the product listing, it was clear that there was a majority of PE branch tips, which certainly contributed to the tree’s higher level of realism.