Real Christmas trees fill the air with fresh pine scents and, depending on where you shop, buying them often supports local tree farms. They shed a lot, though, creating a mess that’s not fun to clean after the holiday season. If you’re looking to avoid the hassle of buying and maintaining a new one every year, an artificial Christmas tree may be the answer. And since buying one is a long-term investment, it’s important to purchase one you love that also works in your space.
For those who don’t want to deal with a real tree, I talked to experts about how to shop for a quality artificial Christmas tree and rounded up some of the best options based on their advice. I also asked experts about the environmental impact of Christmas trees, and what those with allergies and pets specifically should be aware of before buying one.
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The best artificial Christmas trees
Below, I rounded up highly-rated artificial Christmas trees based on expert guidance. I made sure to include options across price points, sizes and styles, and separated unlit and pre-lit options. To help you determine how full each tree is, we note the trees’ tip count (meaning branch tips) if provided by the brand. The higher the tip count, the fuller the tree will look. I also point out if the tree comes in one, display-ready piece (pre-assembled) or not. All of the options below have at least a 4-star average rating from 100 reviews or more on one of the retailer websites.
Best pre-lit artificial Christmas trees
Best pre-lit compact tree
This tree, available in a space-conscious size, and comes recommended by NBC Selected reporter Zoe Malin. “It gives me plenty of room to spread out my ornaments , but isn’t so big that it’s intimidating to put together or take apart,” she says. “It’s quite sturdy, too. I love that it comes pre-lit, which prevents me from having to wrestle with string lights. I can’t wait to set it up again this year.”
Best pre-lit spruce-style tree
The North Valley Spruce tree from National Tree Company stands over 7 feet tall, making it perfect for those who have high ceilings and want to fill out their living room with a festive tree. It has a 52-inch base diameter, so it’s less likely to wobble, even as you decorate it. The branches, which resemble those of traditional spruce trees, are easy to fluff outward for a full look, but they also fold back inward for quick storage.
Best pre-lit alpine-style tree
If you’re looking for a slim option that resembles an alpine fir tree, this pick from Balsam Hill is designed with tight spaces in mind, according to the brand. It’s pre-lit with LED fairy lights and available in six heights. Sparse by design, this balsam-style tree’s faux trunk is visible through the branches and the tree’s foliage is frosted to mimic snow. Plus, it comes with extra bulbs.
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Best pre-lit tabletop tree
This tiny but festive pre-lit tree also comes recommended by Malin, who typically displays it on her dining table or coffee table. “The rainbow lights add color, so I usually don’t decorate this tree other than adding a little topper,” she says. “It doesn’t take up much room in my home and is very easy to store,” she says. It has 71 branch tips and 35 multicolor lights, plus a decorated red and gold stand.
Best tree with multiple lighting effects
This eclectic pre-lit Christmas tree comes studded with mini pine cones on the end of each branch. It’s also pre-flocked, so it looks lightly dusted with snow for a more authentic look. Depending on which size you get, the tree has up to 700 warm white light bulbs to compliment your adornments.
Best unlit artificial Christmas trees
Best overall unlit tree
Available in three models, this spruce-like tree has a built-in foldable base and a full shape. With a 4.6-star average rating from over 15,000 shoppers on Amazon, this tree can handle a range of ornaments and different light styles, such as fairy or vintage.
Best unlit tabletop tree
Available in either 2- or 3-foot options, this mini tree can be a festive centerpiece for dining or coffee tables, or you could simply place it on your dresser or mantle next to stockings. You can also decorate it with mini ornaments or a short string of battery-operated fairy lights. It also has a durable round cement base wrapped in a festive cloth, and 67 branch tips.
Best unlit tree worth the splurge
This eye-catching, realistic-looking tree is available in several sizes and lighting styles, including unlit. Thanks to its full silhouette, it’s an ideal foundation for large ornaments, garland, tinsels, festive steamers and a topper of your choice.
How I picked the best artificial Christmas trees
Here are the expert-recommended factors I kept in mind while making this list:
- Height: Since everyone’s ceilings have different dimensions, I made sure to include artificial Christmas trees with a range of heights, from 4 feet up to 15 feet.
- Pre-lit vs. unlit: Our list includes pre-lit trees and unlit trees. Pre-lit trees are often more expensive than unlit ones.
- Lighting effects: For those who want a pre-lit tree, it’s also important to choose a tree with lighting effects that match the tone of your space. Consider whether that means a tree with either one or multiple colors, or with twinkly options. Some of the pre-lit trees below have twinkling effects as well as multiple color options.
- Storage options: Artificial trees typically come in a box broken down and with branches compressed to help make it easier to store. How you receive the tree is typically how you’ll have to store it when the holidays are over. Be sure to consider whether you have a large enough closet or storage space in your home.
How to shop for an artificial Christmas tree
Since Christmas trees become part of your home decor for weeks (or months, depending on when you put yours up), purchasing one is largely about your personal style preferences. You’ll want to consider the following factors:
- Size: Artificial Christmas trees come in a variety of sizes — some are over 12 feet tall, while others are smaller, allowing you to put them on tabletops. Before you purchase a tree, decide where you want to put it and what size would work best for that area. Plus, if you choose a tree on the taller side, you may need a stepping stool when it comes time to decorate it.
- Color: Some people want to find the most realistic looking artificial tree possible and opt for green varieties. If you want a non-traditional route, you can find trees in neon colors, white, black and other shades. Some trees even come sparkly or patterned.
- Fullness: The fullness of artificial Christmas trees are determined by the amount of branches and branch tips it’s built with, experts told us. While shopping online, look on product pages for the tip count of each tree, which can help you determine how full it is. A higher tip count typically makes for a fuller tree, though fluffing the tree also plays a role in its fullness.
- Non-lit versus pre-lit: Many artificial Christmas trees come pre-lit — they’re either battery operated or have a plug-in attachment. They typically come in a traditional warm white light, while others have more shades. Plus, some have multiple twinkle functions.
- Storage and set-up: Artificial Christmas trees need to be assembled and disassembled each year, so you’ll want an option that makes both processes as easy as possible. Plus, you’ll want to make sure you have an appropriate place for storage before you buy one: While you may be able to display a 12-foot tree in your living room during the holidays, your closet may not be able to accommodate that same size, even once it’s disassembled.
Frequently asked questions
You can use an artificial tree for an average of ten years, but most can last up to twenty years if cared for properly, says Jami Warner, executive director of the American Christmas Tree Association.
To store your tree, Warner recommends keeping it in a box or bag to prevent dust and dirt from accumulating, and to protect the branches and foliage. It’s also important to store your tree in a cool, dry place and away from direct sunlight — strong sunlight could lead to discoloration over time. Additionally, Warner says storing your tree with a container of baking soda or unused coffee grounds, which can absorb odors, may keep it smelling fresh.
Any way you look at it, “the impact of a real or artificial tree on the environment is negligible,” says Bert Cregg, a professor at Michigan State University’s Department of Horticulture and a researcher of Christmas tree production, culture and genetics. “Both of these have next to no impact when you look at it compared to what most people do in the rest of their lives.”
But because you can reuse artificial Christmas trees for years, you might think they’re more eco-friendly than live trees that you have to dispose of after the holiday season. Alternatively, since artificial Christmas trees are largely made from plastic, they can end up in landfills when they’re trashed.Many studies have been conducted around the topic, including some commissioned by the American Christmas Tree Association.
If you’re concerned about sustainability in regards to your Christmas tree selection, Cregg recommends buying a live tree from a locally owned family farm or reusing an artificial tree as many times as you can before purchasing a new one. You can also often buy artificial trees secondhand. If you plan to replace your artificial tree while it’s still in good condition, you should try to donate it rather than throw it away, says Warner.
For those who suffer from certain allergies, bringing a live Christmas tree into the home during the holiday season can cause irritation, says Dr. Nina Shapiro, a pediatric ear, nose and throat specialist at Westside Head and Neck in California. Does this mean that artificial trees are better for those with allergies? Not necessarily: You can have the same reaction to an artificial tree, according to Shapiro.
“Real or artificial, the allergic reaction may be due to contaminants such as mold, ragweed pollen and dust rather than the tree itself,” says Shapiro. And for artificial trees: “the longer the tree stays in the home, the more likely dust and mold develops, making people more susceptible to allergies,” she says.
To help reduce allergic reactions, Shapiro recommends wiping down your tree — real or artificial — with a wet cloth or using a towel and a spray bottle filled with water before setting it up. The same goes for ornaments and lights, as well as other decorations you place around your home.
If you can, clean your tree and other decorations outside your home, which helps prevent dust and other allergens from releasing inside. And when it’s time to store your artificial tree, consider investing in a storage bag with a tightly zipped seal to prevent moisture and dust from getting in.
Branches and needles of a live Christmas tree aren’t great for pets. If they eat either of those or drink the water a real tree sits in, pets might experience anything from a mild upset stomach to more severe symptoms like organ failure (which is possible for a pet who ingests plant fertilizer), according to Dr. Zay Satchu, chief veterinary officer and co-founder of Bond Vet. This aligns with guidance we found from the FDA, ASPCA and American Veterinary Medical Association.
Pets sometimes see Christmas trees — real or artificial — as toys. They do the same with ornaments, lights, tinsel and other decorations — all of those items can be dangerous if ingested, according to Satchu. He recommends consulting ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control to learn about the potential dangers of seasonal plants and other items before decorating your home, as well as asking your vet for additional guidance before bringing anything new into your home this holiday season.
Aluminum artificial Christmas trees add a retro look to your home, which explains why they’re making a bit of a comeback, according to Warner. That said, it’s important to decorate aluminum Christmas trees carefully since they are flammable. This means you should avoid using traditional lights to embellish it. “Aluminum can conduct electricity really well but can be a bit dangerous, as it can cause voltage spikes or even fire hazards because the metal branches could short circuit the lights,” says Warner. “But don’t despair as there are options such as LED lights or, for a funky, retro vibe, a color wheel that shines colors on the tree without any direct contact. And battery-operated lights are another safe bet.”
Meet our experts
At NBC Selected, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Jami Warner is the executive director of the American Christmas Tree Association,a non-profit organization and industry trade group that represents those involved in the artificial Christmas tree industry.
- Bert Cregg is a professor at Michigan State University’s Department of Horticulture and an expert in Christmas tree production and genetics.
- Dr. Nina Shapiro is a pediatric ear, nose and throat specialist at Westside Head and Neck in California.
- Dr. Zay Satchu is the chief veterinary officer and co-founder of Bond Vet.
Why trust NBC Selected?
Cory Fernandez is a commerce editor at NBC Selected, where he writes about home and kitchen-related topics, including holiday decor. He updated this story with new information regarding artificial Christmas trees and added new editor-recommended products for your consideration.
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