These trees look so realistic, you can't even tell they're fake.
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process. Christmas Tree
We've been testing artificial Christmas trees in the Good Housekeeping Institute for more than 15 years, so we know that many of them not only look like the real deal, investing in a high-quality fake tree can save you time and money down the line.
But, just like there are so many different types of real Christmas trees, fake trees come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and styles. So if you're on the hunt for the best artificial Christmas tree, it can really come down to a matter of personal preference in our experience. Here, we're recommending our top picks from trusted brands based on extensive research and recent evaluations, but if they're not quite your style, poke around the manufacturers' sites and you're bound to find the perfect tree for your needs.
From Christmas light projectors to outdoor twinkle lights to solar Christmas lights, our engineers and product analysts test all types of holiday decorations. When testing artificial trees, we review a variety of criteria, including ease of assembly and disassembly, appearance, safety and durability. We do everything from trying to tip the trees over to test their stability, to seeing if they catch on fire in our Lab's flammability chamber.
Read our reviews below, and find more expert advice on what to look for when shopping for a fake Christmas tree at the bottom of this guide. Once you find the best fake tree for your family, check out our guide to the best tree stands — or reference the best Christmas tree delivery services if you decide to go the real tree route!
The top performer in our tests, the Vermont White Spruce is also Balsam Hill's most popular offering, thanks to its realistic, attractive design and traditional, full silhouette available in a range of heights, from 4.5 feet to 11 feet. You can purchase your tree unlit or choose among a variety of UL-certified lighting options, like twinkling LED lights, which allow you to alternate between festive colors and light shows.
GH Institute Test Engineer Alec Scherma says he found setting up this tree to be super simple: Snap the sections together, plug the tree into an outlet and then use the included foot pedal or remote to turn the lights on. He also notes that this tree appeared much fuller compared to other models in our most recent round of testing. When disassembling, there's no need to remove the lights; simply detach the tree sections and store away until next year.
Another pro of Balsam Hill if you're the type who likes to deck out your home in holiday cheer: The brand also sells a wide variety of high-quality wreaths and garlands that pair nicely with its faux trees.
If you're looking to spend less than $100, this budget buy is a worthy choice. With thousands of five-star reviews, it's one of Amazon's top-selling faux Christmas trees, measuring a solid 6 feet tall with plenty of fluffy, full needles.
Our pros like its timeless Douglas fir-inspired branches, ready to be decorated with your favorite ornaments. "It's full and looks great once you get the branches spread out," one Amazon reviewer noted. “This tree is undeniably one of the best your money can buy! The tree has fullness, it’s pretty and perfectly shaped,” said another.
We also like that it's available in green or white, and for a bit extra, you can opt for the pre-lit version. Just keep in mind that it may not be as sturdy as other premium (read: higher cost) models.
The BH Balsam Fir collection is modeled after balsam firs in Maine so you can count on this realistic artificial Christmas tree to truly impress.
Mimicking both the color and texture of real branches with semi-flat needles, this tree sports a classic full shape that’s popular among consumers. Though it’s pricier than other fake trees, the expense is largely due to the brand's proprietary "True Needle" technology, which uses a PVC and polyethylene (PE) combo to provide hyper-realistic foliage that resembles real evergreen branches.
We were impressed by this model, also a top performer in Lab tests, and found it a breeze to put together and fluff. Light connections are built into the trunk, thanks to an “Easy Plug” system that makes lighting the tree intuitive and speedy — all you have to do is pop one plug into the wall outlet to light up the entire tree.
We also like that most models can be turned on and off with a simple foot pedal or remote control (depending on the lighting type chosen), and that the tree is available in a wide range of heights and varied lighting options on Balsam Hill's website so there is something for everyone in this lineup.
If you’re looking for a Christmas tree that looks like it hails straight from the mountains, consider this pick from National Tree Company. Featuring flocked pinecones and pre-strung clear, white lights, you can leave the tree as is for a simple, rustic vibe or add extra decorations and ornaments to fully fill it out. National Tree Company trees have performed well in our tests, thanks to their quality design and construction. It did take some time to fluff out all the branches during set up — but once the tree was up and ready, it looked like the real deal. Overall, we found assembly straightforward, and that the lights were evenly strung out.
We also appreciate that even if one bulb burns out, the remaining lights will stay lit. Just note that this tree only comes in a 7.5 foot height, so you’ll want to make sure you have the ceiling height to accommodate it before purchasing.
If you're looking for a more affordable tree from Balsam Hill, we recommend this classic blue spruce. Featuring soft yet sturdy needles and a beautiful blue-green hue, it’s no surprise that this fake tree was a top performer in our Lab evaluations.
Not only did it score well for ease of use, but it comes with some nice extras, like gloves for scratch-free fluffing, a storage bag and replacement bulbs (if purchasing the prelit version). Like other Balsam Hill artificial Christmas trees, you’re free to choose from a variety of lighting options that enable you to turn the tree on and off with a quick tap of a handy foot pedal. "The lights are amazing and automatically connect," Scherma notes, thanks to the light connector built into the trunk of the tree.
Reviewers say that this is one of the prettiest fake trees they've seen due to its realistic look and fullness. While several noted that it took a while to fully fluff the branches, the quality of construction was unmistakable and the price hard to top. One summed it up very nicely, saying, "This tree is so beautiful! Takes a little while to fluff but it is so worth it in the end.”
The manufacturer also points out that the tree can be used indoors or outdoors under a covered area like a porch. You can leave it unlit as is, or if you want to add decorations, just gather up family and friends to hang Christmas lights and ornaments together for a fun holiday activity.
Decorating the Christmas tree is a tradition for many, and with this unlit spruce tree, you can hang up the garland and fun lights or bulbs yourself like you would with an authentic tree.
Online reviewers say they love how beautiful and natural this classic-looking faux tree looks once set up, likely thanks to the fact that each branch has copious tips for a realistic appearance. Not only is it a great value, but its solid construction should last several holiday seasons. This tree was relatively easy to assemble in our evaluations, earning high scores for ease of use. You just attach the base to the largest tree section and then stack the remaining sections before fluffing. Scherma notes that you do have to fluff it to make it look good, but it’s easy to build.
Amazon reviews similarly described the look and setup, with one noting, "This tree is easy to take down and store away. It’s just as easy to put up and fluff. Still looks just as full as the first day I put it up.”
This artificial fir tree is both slim and sleek, making it suitable for tighter spaces. Although narrow, the tree's branches are still lush, so you won't be missing that wow factor. At just 30 inches in diameter for the base of the 7.5-foot tree, it's a great footprint for an apartment or small space.
"Spent three years looking for the perfect artificial tree for our apartment. It fits our space perfectly and we are very pleased with the fullness of the branches," one Amazon reviewer said. It’s also available as a white Christmas tree for those who prefer. According to Scherma, this tree performed well in Lab tests, though does arrive extremely compressed so you’ll have to spend a good chunk of time fluffing it up to look just right.
If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, then this fake flocked Christmas tree is for you. Available in a variety of sizes, from 4.5 to 9 feet, you can opt for the height that’s best for your space. A high tip count and plenty of branches contribute to its lush, full shape. We also appreciate that warm white lights are pre-strung so this tree looks festive and elegant as soon as it’s set up. The downside: The flocking got everywhere when we assembled this white Christmas tree in our Lab. That said, our testers found it very easy to put together.
Maybe you want to set up a small fake Christmas tree in your dining room, porch or office. We recommend this baby fir tree, which is flocked to create a true winter wonderland vibe.
It sits on a rustic potted base that's 24" in width and is available in either 4.5 or 6 feet heights. In our Lab evaluations, we found it very easy to assemble and appreciated its unique, petite design that set it apart from other artificial Christmas trees.
The tree is pre-lit and casts a pretty warm glow, thanks to clear lights. “The flocking goes over the lights, which is unique and blends in well,” Scherma says. It’s the perfect size for those that don’t have large spaces but want something that stands out.
Nothing says, “It’s Christmas!” like a gigantic tree in the middle of your living room. At 12 feet tall, this artificial Christmas tree’s 80-inch base is large enough to fit everyone — and all their presents — around it! While the price is steep, it features more than 7,770 tips that give it a full, realistic appearance.
But regardless of the size you choose (you can go as small as 4.5 feet, too), online reviewers felt that this tree was very full and easy to put together. Granted, you’ll have to spend a fair amount of time fluffing and spreading out all the branches, but once set up, it will look fantastic. One reviewer says, “This photo does not do it justice. It’s just beautiful. I can’t wait to start decorating it."
These aren't the retro bulbs of yesteryear! Dazzle the kids with eight different light sequences courtesy of a four-color, LED-equipped faux pine. "This is a beautiful tree and is definitely high-tech," one Amazon reviewer said.
We love the ability to set various light sequences to provide the perfect festive backdrop for whatever mood suits the occasion, from peaceful to energizing. The setup is easy with just two pieces to snap together, though fluffing the branches can take some time to get right.
Puleo has been around since 1954 and is another well-known brand in the artificial Christmas tree industry. We like the slender yet dense profile of this tree if you’re looking for a small fake Christmas tree. It’s compact enough for tight spaces like an apartment, entryway or a smaller room, and is available in a variety of heights ranging from 4.5 to 9 feet.
In our Lab assessment, we found it very easy to assemble, with one of our engineers putting it together in under five minutes. The stand is already attached (though some online reviewers say it can wobble) and since it is pre-lit, you'll be ready to line the tree with gifts in no time. During safety tests, when held to an open flame, the branches melted but did not ignite.
The engineers at the Good Housekeeping Institute have been testing fake Christmas trees for more than 15 years.
To evaluate which artificial trees deserve a spot in your home, we first set up Christmas trees in our Lab to see how easy they are to assemble and shape. We take note of how long the assembly process takes as well as how easy it is to remove the tree from the box, open it up and fluff the branches. Once set up, artificial Christmas trees are evaluated for their aesthetics, including how realistic the tree looks.
We then verify the tree’s safety and durability, testing for flame retardancy in our flammability chamber and performing in-Lab stability checks, such as tip-over tests in which our pros determine how much force would be required to knock over an artificial tree. We also consider any ASTM International conformance testing for characteristics like corrosion resistance and tension. For pre-lit trees, our experts also verify that the tree is UL-certified for safety.
We then assess how easy it is to light the tree and how evenly distributed the lights are. Once we're done, we score how easy it is to disassemble the tree and put it into storage, taking note of any that are more compact.
Here, our tester is using a force gauge to determine the amount of force it would take to knock over the Christmas tree.
Aside from ensuring the look lives up to your expectations, there are a host of other features to consider when deciding which faux tree best suits you.
✔️ Size: Trees can vary tremendously in size, from a small 4.5-foot tree to one that towers above 15 feet. While you likely want to go big with your tree, you want to make certain you will be able to set it up with enough clearance in your home. Ideally, you should keep at least 6 inches between the top of the tree (including any tree topper) and your ceiling. Also keep in mind that the larger you go, the more space your tree is likely to take up when storing it until the following season (even once disassembled). If you’re opting for a large tree, first check that you have enough storage space. ✔️ Shape: Artificial Christmas trees range from compact (for tight spaces) to full (for a classic tree profile) to wide (for an even fuller profile). While your choice largely comes down to space and preference, definitely check that the widest point of the tree will readily fit in the area you plan to set it up. ✔️ Needle type: Most brands use PVC to simulate needles and metal for the trunk and branches. Some will include both PVC and polyethylene (PE), and in general, those with a higher percentage of PE tend to look more realistic but are more expensive. ✔️ Tree type: As noted, artificial Christmas trees have come a long way in recent years to look more realistic. You can opt for a tree that mimics a fir (dense), spruce (sharp points) or pine (sparser with thin needles).
✔️ Ease of setup: Artificial Christmas trees are compressed to allow for shipping, so it's important to fluff the branches once assembled. Today, most can be assembled by snapping together a few segments to achieve an upright tree. The fluffing often takes the most time to ensure the tree has a full appearance.
✔️ Pre-lit vs. unlit: Many artificial Christmas trees today come pre-lit, making them easier to decorate. Plus, many newer Christmas trees have the ability to stay lit even when one bulb goes out. It's advantageous to look for this feature if you choose a pre-lit tree. The bulb type varies, and incandescent bulbs still tend to be more affordable than their longer-lasting LED counterparts. But in light of the recent incandescent light bulb ban in the U.S., some manufacturers might begin phasing out the use of these bulbs and replacing them with LED lights only. That being said, LED bulbs have the advantage of lasting longer and specialty LED trees may come with customizable color or lighting effects.
✔️ Safety: Look for pre-lit trees that have undergone third-party testing from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to confirm they have passed safety checks. You can check the UL database or look to see if the packaging has the UL logo.
✔️ Durability: If you’re investing in a fake Christmas tree, you’ll want to opt for one that’s durable and able to last several holiday seasons. There are various industry standards that look at the durability of the tree, including ASTM B117 (corrosion test) and ASTM F963 (child safety testing). To find out whether your tree has met these standards, double-check with the manufacturer. Once set up, you’ll also want to ensure that the tree feels sturdy and isn’t subject to tipping over easily.
✔️ Price: Initially, an artificial Christmas tree is an investment, which is why it’s important to keep an eye out for Christmas tree sales, like in the summer months or during Black Friday. Trees that are larger, fuller, feature lights and have a more realistic needle type and higher tip count will likely be more expensive but are worth the extra price, thanks to their lifelike appearance and durable construction.
Ultimately, a fake tree can save you some money in the long run, especially as the price of real Christmas trees continues to increase. Though some fake Christmas trees may be pricier than real Christmas trees at first, you can reuse them over the years so the purchase becomes cost-effective.
If you're not a fan of hanging lights on your tree each year, fake trees with built-in lights can also make your life a bit easier, so you don’t have to do all the tree decorations yourself. Best of all, you won’t have to worry about keeping your Christmas tree alive by watering it regularly or vacuuming up pesky needles that can be harmful to pets.
But what's best for the environment? Producing an artificial tree takes about eight times the energy of growing a live one, according to the American Christmas Tree Association, and they cannot be recycled. On the other hand, the environmental impact of an artificial tree is small when compared to other daily activities, like driving a car. The important thing to keep in mind is that you want to invest in a quality fake tree so you can hold on to it for as long as possible to lessen the environmental impact — ideally nine years or more, according to one ACTA study.
While she's never had a Christmas tree, real or fake, in her own home, Rachel Rothman originally wrote this guide based on her years of artificial Christmas tree testing for Good Housekeeping. She has assembled dozens of trees, set them on fire, attempted to tip them over and validated claims for them, becoming an expert at assembly and review. The Lab’s latest artificial Christmas tree testing was overseen by Alec Scherma, the GH Institute's test engineer. He helps create and implement new product-testing methodology across home, cooking and cleaning appliances, wellness, tech products and more. He graduated from Drexel University’s College of Engineering with a B.S. in mechanical engineering. This guide was most recently updated by Olivia Lipski, a reviews analyst in the GH Institute. Though she admits nothing compares to the woody aroma of real fir trees, she tested her first artificial Christmas tree last season and was pleasantly surprised by just how great it looked.
Alec Scherma (he/him) is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s test engineer, where he helps to create and implement new product testing methodology across home, cooking and cleaning appliances, wellness, tech products and more. He graduated from Drexel University’s College of Engineering with a B.A. in mechanical engineering.
The Best Personal Blenders for Portable Smoothies
The Best Organic Baby Food Brands
The 9 Best Melatonin Supplements of 2024
The Most Comfortable Dress Shoes for Women
The Best Electric Snow Blowers
A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
Faux Birch Tree ©2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.