The 8 Best Artificial Christmas Trees of 2022 to Deck the Halls This Season

Best Overall

Puleo International 7.5 Pre-Lit Teton Pine Artificial Christmas Tree

5

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

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

It took just five minutes for our tester to take it down, and there was no trouble fitting it nicely into the box. That’s another reason this Puleo tree made our best pick overall on our best artificial Christmas trees list—it not only looks beautiful, but the ease of taking it down means that you’ll be able to store it properly for use year after year. “[The] tree looks great for the price, and [the] quality is excellent," said our tester. 

Price at time of publish: $308

Product Details:

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

Editor’s Note: Due to high demand, this artificial tree is currently out of stock at all retailers. However, you can still shop the Puleo International 7.5-Foot Pre-Lit Elegant Series Fraser Fir, which is the same brand at a similar size, style, and price. Keep in mind that we have not tested this particular model, but we expect it to be of similar quality to the Best Overall Puleo tree we loved in our lab.

Best Budget

National Tree Company Kingswood Fir Slim Artificial Christmas Tree

4.7

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Despite there being no instructions in the box, the setup of this tree from National Tree Company “was pretty quick and easy,” according to our tester. It’s not heavy, so it’s perfect for one person to take on. 

While our tester was impressed with the quality of the needles—they “appear realistic from a distance,” they said—but you will have to fluff the needles and adjust the branches to make the tree look fuller. Do so gently. Though, the tester noted that a few needles did fall during setup. You’ll also want to make some adjustments as you decorate the tree, as our tester noted that there are more lights at the bottom of the tree than there are at the top. 

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

Price at time of publish: $72

Product Details:

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

Best Splurge

Vickerman 7.5-ft. Flocked Alaskan Pine Artificial Christmas Tree

4.6

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If the image of snow-covered trees puts you in the Christmas mood, this pre-lit, flocked artificial tree from Vickerman might be a winner. Our tester found it easy to set up thanks to there being no wires to connect—it’s all in the trunk. The flocking made the branches look good on their own, so there wasn’t much fluffing required to get it ready for Christmas, which is reason enough for it to score the Best Splurge spot on our list.

“The addition of large bulbs adds a lot of illumination,” our tester said, and the tree was “gorgeous” even with minimal decor added to the branches. If you like loading up your Christmas tree’s branches with tons of ornaments that have been handmade and collected throughout the years, you might choose another on our list because this one is at its best with minimal decoration. Still, it’s your tree, your rules, and these branches are up to the task. Our tester found this tree to be very stable and sturdy, so you could add heavier ornaments gently.

If you are looking for a tree that takes center stage on its own without accessorizing with so many ornaments, the Vickerman is ideal. The larger bulbs and smaller bulbs combine for beautiful illumination, so this one is truly worth the splurge. It is an investment, so make sure you store it properly after the holidays. Our testers found that once it was taken down, it fit back into the box nicely, though it is heavy.

Price at time of publish: $902

Product Details:

Height: 7.5 feet | Tree Type: Alaskan Pine | Base Diameter: 68 inches | Lighting: 800 clear mini lights and g50 lights | Features: Dura-lit lights with microchips; on/off foot switch; heavy-duty metal stand | Material: PVC

Best Pre-Lit

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

4.7

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

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

Product Details:

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

Best Realistic

Tree Classics by Balsam Hill Real-Feel Heritage Balsam Spruce Faux Christmas Tree

4.5

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Pottery Barn is well known for high-quality home decor. Our testers were pleased to find the brand’s reputation also carries into the holiday decorating space with this artificial tree. True to its name, the “Real Feel” tree wins the spot for the best realistic tree on our list. A combination of PVC and “Real Feel” needles mix for an authentic look, especially from a distance. 

It didn’t take long to assemble this tree, though adding the top section was tricky because it’s so tall (9 feet). Once everything was in place, the fluffing began, and a full, realistic tree was the result. The testers found the tree was stable, thanks to a sturdy “trunk” and a base that can be tightened three different ways. Heavier ornaments might not be as easy to add, though, as our tester found the branches tend to point downward, so some ornaments might slide. 

Given the size of the tree, you’ll need two boxes to store it, so keep that in mind. There were no accessories like a storage bag, though our testers liked that there was a good deal of replacement lights included. 

Product Details:

Height: 6, 7, or 9 feet | Tree Type: Balsam spruce | Base Diameter: 46 inches (6 feet), 54 inches (7 feet), 61 inches (9 feet) | Lighting: Available unlit or pre-lit; clear or multicolor LED bulbs | Features: On/off switch, posable branches, "Real Feel" needles, extra light bulbs, fuses included | Material: PE, PVC, and metal

Best Fraser Fir

Balsam Hill BH Fraser Fir Artificial Christmas Trees

4.3

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

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

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

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

Price at time of publish: $1,299

Product Details:

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

Best Unlit

Best Choice Products 7.5-ft Premium Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree

4.2

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

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

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

Price at time of publish: $140

Product Details:

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