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Add The New York Post on Google While trekking to a tree farm in your favorite snow boots and a cozy sherpa is a part of so many families’ holiday traditions, there are a lot of benefits to keeping it simple and buying the best artificial Christmas tree.
For one, you don’t have to worry about removing all the fallen needles that will inevitably adorn your tree skirt before you know it (though one of the Dyson vacuums we reviewed can help with that).
Secondly, you don’t have to go through the hassle of chopping the tree down, propping it on your truck’s roof rack and crossing your fingers, hoping that the tree will (1) fit in your space and (2) stand upright. With the proper faux Christmas tree storage bag, you can skip all of that stress and simply assemble, add ornaments, and enjoy the twinkly Christmas lights in a fraction of the time.
“There are multiple benefits of choosing artificial over real Christmas trees, ranging from ease of assembly to lifespan and can be used each year after year while still keeping their shape,” acclaimed brand Balsam Hill exclusively shared with the New York Post.
“Artificial Christmas trees are also a great option for those with allergies. And, for those who like to put up their tree early, you don’t have to worry about the tree drying out before Christmas Day. Artificial Christmas trees are also low or no maintenance.”
The golden question: what size tree should I purchase? Luckily, Balsam Hill shared its ideal cheat sheet with us.
“A good rule of thumb is to have at least 6 inches between the top of your tree and the ceiling, the brand told us. “This also accounts for a [tree] topper or any decorative tree stand that adds height to the tree. So, if you have the standard 9-foot ceiling and a 12-inch angel topper, you’d want a 7.5-foot Christmas tree. We measure our trees from the stand to the topmost tip.”
Below, find the best artificial Christmas trees that will, quite literally, *spruce* up your home. From 9-ft. pines from Balsam Hill and apartment-friendly flocks to colorful options and miniature branches for your nightstand — rest assured one of these options will have you dreaming of a white Christmas during your countdown to the 25th.
Oh, and don’t forget to check out our in-depth FAQ section for artificial Christmas tree shopping tips.
Balsam Hill is widely known for its field of quality faux trees, with its Balsam Fir Flip Tree being the very best we reviewed. It’s a Post Wanted team favorite brand as well and worth the slight investment if you’re searching for a new tree that’ll last for years.
“If you are in the market for an artificial Christmas tree, I highly recommend you start with the best there is — Balsam Hill trees,” New York Post Senior Commerce Editorial Director Barret Wertz shared. “Decorating this lifelike tree makes me feel like I have been accepted to a Christmas club I didn’t know I needed. I’m looking forward to plugging in my favorite Bath & Body Works Fresh Balsam Wallflower (you heard me – they’re the best), lighting a fire, and cuddling up on the couch for a long winter’s night.”
Balsam Hill also has plenty of height, shape and lighting options to choose from before ordering. This makes it wonderful to match your tree to your desired space and vision. Each tree also comes with a premium tree stand with scratch-proof rubber feet, an off-season storage bag, soft cotton gloves to shape your tree in style, extra bulbs and fuses and an on/off foot pedal (except trees with Color+Clear Lights).
Meaghan Seward, commerce senior strategist of audience optimization & discovery, also loves the brand.
“Growing up, every Black Friday my family trekked to a Christmas tree farm upstate to traverse the hills to find the perfect balsam fir to cut down for our living room,” she said. While this memory paints a Hallmark-esque nostalgic picture, it doesn’t show you the trees that simply wouldn’t stand up straight, trees that harbored hidden pinecones, the allergic reaction my brother would get to the needles while putting the tree up, or any number of the other things that could — and probably did — go wrong.”
Fast forward to now. As a new homeowner of her own right, Seward is perfectly happy to put up an artificial tree in her living room, but still wants it to look (and maybe even smell) real. Balsam Hill is the obvious choice to check those boxes. Not only does the name invoke that same type of evergreen she has put my gifts around since her childhood, but the brand simply makes the best faux trees.
“I once heard Balsam Hill described as ‘the Cadillac of Christmas trees,’ and this moniker couldn’t have been more spot-on,” Seward added. The buying process is seamless, with lots of information to make sure you get the right height, width and style tree for your space and taste, and upon unboxing, the materials looks and feel unbelievably authentic.
“What seriously impressed me was the care Balsam Hill puts into its products: each tree comes with a sturdy storage bag, two pairs of gloves for pruning and sprucing, a smaller bag for your manual and accessories and nearly unlimited resources for how to best setup and decorate your tree in the form of YouTube videos,” she added. “I can’t wait for the holidays when I can make new memories around my tree at the first Christmas in my new home.”
Size: 5.5′ to 18′ | Lights: Unlit, Clear Lights, LED Clear Lights, LED Color + Clear Lights, LED Clear Fairy Lights, Twinkly Light Show
For less than $200, you can’t go wrong with the YITAHOME Prelit Artificial Christmas Tree. This beaut is clad with 1838 tree tips that look so real, you’ll want to skip the tree farm.
This pre-lit Christmas tree will illuminate your home with its 450 pre-strung lights, offering 11 festive and enchanting modes. You can also control the change mode by touching the button; it’s that easy!
It also features pre-connected hinged branches that fall into place during assembly. All you have to do is adjust the tips on the branches to fill noticeable gaps for the tree you’ve always dreamed of. Not only is it a top brand on Amazon, but it also includes a sturdy X-shaped iron base for stability, making it an excellent value for the price. For those shopping for the best cheap artificial Christmas trees that won’t compromise quality, this one has the it factor.
Size: 6′ | Lights: 450 Pre-Strung Lights
Balsam Hill Pros: Editor favorite pre lit artificial Christmas tree that’s easy to assemble and take down, especially for its included off-season storage bag Not much “branch fluff-up” to tend to Hails from one of the best brands Cons: Price may be unreachable for some Slightly heavier construction, though not a dealbreaker After setting up the Balsam Hill Prelit Blue Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree for two seasons now, I must say that it’s a family favorite. I almost want to skip the fall season to arrive at November so my living room can be furnished with some festive flair.
As our pick for the most realistic artificial Christmas tree out there, this model doesn’t shed, doesn’t budge, and is ultra-durable. This is made possible by its easy-to-assemble design, sturdy tree base and minimal branch fluff-up.
Though it’s a surefire investment for some, it’ll be the one-and-done tree purchase that should last you for a decade. It’s a bit heavier than some other models I’ve assembled previously, but it’s not an issue at all, especially given its sturdiness and longevity.
Plus, it looks beautiful with some of my favorite ornament sets from the brand, including the Biltmore Legacy Ornament Collection ($319) and the Brilliant Bordeaux Ornament Collection ($219),
Size: 4.5′ to 15′ | Lights: Unlit, LED Color + Clear Lights, Clear Lights, LED Clear Lights
Some people consider the best artificial Christmas trees with lights to be the only option. However, if you want an unlit tree or simply love the traditional string of lights to wrap around yourself, the National Tree Company Duxbury Artificial Green Tree is a great option. Offered at a great price at Wayfair, you’ll find multiple size options that should meet most budgets.
Specifically, its crush-resistant branch tips are molded from real tree branches for an authentic living tree appearance. While some shoppers say it’s not as realistic as pictured, most are pleased with their artificial tree purchase, and if you’ve been searching for an artificial Christmas tree sale, Wayfair is always a safe bet.
Size: 4.5′ to 7.5′ | Lights: Unlit, Prelit
Amazon Pros: Excellent value, as its tallest 9-inch size is $260 at most Includes a 90-day manufacturer’s warranty and a durable tree stand Has a dense, full look Cons: Doesn’t come with an off-season storage bag Only available in warm light options, which may not be preferred by all shoppers Other brands on this list offer trees up to 15 feet tall, but the 9-foot Naomi Home Christmas Tree with Lights is one of the best for your money, especially if you don’t want to spend upwards of $3,000 on an artificial Christmas tree.
Namely, this forest lookalike is fairly priced. Its included metal stand is trusty and offers peace of mind that it isn’t going anywhere during the holiday season, while its 900 warm lights ensure your living room or entryway has a cozy, inviting vibe.
Depending on the size, there are 679 to 2,532 branch tips that are hinged underneath its dazzling lights, evoking a realistic and dense look. For height and price, it’s wholly worth the cost.
Size: 4.5′ to 9′ | Lights: 200 to 900 warm lights, depending on the size
Photogenic and priced fairly, the Best Choice Products Flocked Pencil Christmas Tree is elegant, aesthetically pleasing for the wintertime, and…dare we say “demure?” We don’t prefer to go for an all-white artificial Christmas tree since those look gimmicky, but instead, opt for flocked.
Some shoppers may prefer a slim tree as it’s apt for small spaces, including somewhat narrow entryways, apartment living spaces and bedrooms. It also fares well as an “alternate” tree if you’d like to decorate your home more this year.
Available from 4.5 to 12 inches, you can customize how large you’d like your new artificial Christmas tree to be, despite its already slim design. It’s also known to take the difficulty out of assembly with its three-step process: simply connect the base to the largest section of the tree, attach the remaining sections, and fluff the branches.
Size: 4.5′ to 12′ | Lights: 150 to 950 white lights, depending on the size
The Three Posts Kinsey Flocked Alaskan Artificial Christmas Tree is an elegant tree that almost looks like it belongs on the set of “The Nutcracker.” Polished and photogenic, it’s a full option with well-designed branches that are a blank canvas; simply select your favorite ornaments and enjoy its snow-fallen base.
With a durable tree stand, the white artificial Christmas tree model is built to last. Not to mention, we love how it’s smocked white all over, which may encourage you to keep it as a “winter tree” decoration and not take it down immediately after December 25.
Size: 4.5′ | Lights: None
Amazon Pros: Offered in multiple size options Literally pops up, making it the easiest to install Fully decorated and especially perfect for small spaces and busy people Cons: Some reviewers say the included lights may not last as long as expected With more than 3,000 glowing reviews on Amazon, the BrylaneHome Prelit Pop-Up Christmas Tree is an option to *pop* into your cart. Shoppers love how simple it is to assemble it, and it’ll be fully dressed and ready to dazzle in no time.
Not only does it pop up, but it also includes lights and decorations. It’s like it was sleigh-driven from Santa’s Workshop, allowing you to take the busy work out of hand-dressing it with ornaments. (Oh, and freeing up a weekend!)
Size: 4.5′ to 7.5′ | Lights: 450 Clear + Twinkling Lights
If you’re eyeing a brand-new artificial Christmas tree, look no further than the King of Christmas Queen Flock Artificial Christmas Tree, which has a wealth of customizations to choose from. It boasts the most generous size range among any retailer on this list, as well as the ability to choose from one-, two- or three-year warranty options should you want to add protection to your purchase.
We’re pretty obsessed with how this tree looks, especially for its heavily flocked branches, the blend of realistic and classic needle tips, and hinged sections for easy setup. With a metal stand, off-season storage bag and shaping gloves, its warm and cozy vibes are immaculate.
Size: 6.5′ to 12′ | Lights: 650 to 1700 Warm White LED Lights, depending on size
Corner artificial trees are all the rage, and we’re loving how affordable this one is. The Costway 7.5 feet Pre-Lit Hinged Pencil Christmas Tree is ideal for those low on space and comes pre-lit, so no worries of detangling lights.
The tree comes in two pieces, plus its metal stand, making the setup an under 30 minute affair. While the PVC branches could be more realistic (in our opinion), many folks who purchased the tree on Walmart are thrilled with the overall look.
Size: 7.5 feet | Lights: 350 white lights
Ahead, the Post Wanted team gives you the 411 on shopping for artificial Christmas trees online, highlighting the key information to keep in your back pocket (or bookmarked on your phone).
Akin to shopping at a suburban tree farm, hand-choosing your artificial Christmas tree requires some thought and attention to preferences. Aesthetics, maintenance and space are additional considerations.
Most common — and most readily available to order online — are classic Christmas trees. Commonly offered in various sizes and styles (pre-lit or unlit), you’ll find mostly PVC or PE that mimic real pine or fir trees.
Artificial trees are constructed from a variety of materials, each offering unique looks and benefits:
The number of branches on an artificial Christmas tree is largely dependent on the size you go for. The same holds true for lights: the taller the tree, the more bulbs you’ll find — if it’s a pre-lit tree, that is.
If a full and realistic-looking tree is what you’re after, choose one with a higher number of branches. Trees with more branches tend to look more lifelike and can better mimic the density of a natural tree. This may come with a high sticker price, but it is commonly worth it as you’ll likely hold onto the tree model for longer.
Additionally, if you plan to decorate the tree heavily, a higher branch count might be beneficial. More branches provide more places to hang ornaments and decorations. However, if space is limited or you prefer a minimalist look, a tree with fewer branches might be more appropriate.
There are many factors that impact an artificial Christmas tree’s price. The Post Wanted team broke down the cost in ranges based on the general going rate for your next ornament-topped purchase:
$300 to $600+: Often prelit and made with high-quality materials, these trees are usually the most realistic and may last for longer. Some options may even exceed $1,000, depending on the make, what’s included (i.e., a tree stand and an off-season ornament bag) and other factors.
$50 to $150: These trees are usually around 4 to 6 feet and made from PVC. While they’re not the most realistic due to their low branch count, they’re a basic option that’ll do the job.
$150 to $300: These trees are often larger — around 6 to 8 feet — and may be a combination of PVC and PE materials. In turn, they’re often fuller and more realistic.
“We see more and more people buying an artificial Christmas tree every year, whether it is their only tree, a complement to a real tree, or they have multiple artificial trees throughout their home,” Balsam Hill exclusively shared with The Post.
Not only do people love the ease and convenience of an artificial tree, but you oftentimes don’t have to sacrifice realism, especially if you opt for a model with a high branch count.
Artificial Christmas trees are also great for those with allergies or who are immunocompromised. “This year, we are hearing from several customers that they want to put up their tree early,” Balsam Hill added. “An artificial tree is perfect for that as it doesn’t require watering, so you don’t have to worry about it drying out.”
Most people start their tree search with height. A good guide is to have at least 6 inches between the top of your tree and the ceiling, per Balsam Hill. This also leaves room for a topper or a stand, which adds height to your tree.
So, if you have the standard 9-foot ceiling and a 12-inch angel topper, you’d want a 7.5-foot Christmas tree. We measure our trees from the stand to the topmost tip.
After height, shape is often the next decision. How full do you want your tree to be? How wide or narrow? The space you are putting your tree in can be a deciding factor for this, or it may be a personal preference.
If you grew up in the Northeast, for example, you might like the fuller look of our Vermont White Spruce. Every year this is one of our best-selling trees.
Shoppers will also want to select what kind of lights they would like, if any. Some retailers offer a mix of colored and white options, while others boast warm or white built-in illuminators.
For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
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