Try an Artificial Christmas Tree This Year — Because Nobody Likes Cleaning Up Pine Needles

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Compared to an artificial Christmas tree, a real Christmas tree can be a lot of work. For starters, you have to pick one out, tie it to your car and drive it home, all the while crossing your fingers that the twine holds up and it doesn’t fly off on the freeway. Then it’s time to get it inside the house and battle with the Christmas tree stand and Christmas tree skirt to ensure everything is perfectly upright and centered. What’s more, over the weeks leading up to Christmas, real trees shrivel up and drop pine needles everywhere. If this sounds like a list of issues you don’t want to deal with this year, try investing in one of the best artificial Christmas trees instead.

Admittedly, there was a time when choosing an artificial Christmas tree felt tacky rather than something you buy to make your home sparkle with Christmas cheer. However, modern artificial trees come in a range of different shapes and styles, including options which are hard to differentiate from their genuine counterparts, as well as LED Christmas trees which are ready-to-go right out of the box. With their numerous benefits, it’s easy to see why these kinds of trees are becoming an increasingly popular option with many households.

The Benefits of Artificial Christmas Trees

There are multiple reasons you may want to consider switching to one of the best artificial Christmas trees. Here are some of the benefits that come with choosing these tree types:

• Longer Lasting – Perhaps the biggest advantage of an artificial Christmas tree is that it is reusable, compared to real trees which are one and done (unless you dig it up and replant it every year).
• Easy to Store – The majority of artificial trees, including LED Christmas trees, are easily stored in a box in the attic or garage. Simply fold them down, pack them up and let them sit until next year. Plus, there’s a whole range of tabletop Christmas trees which are much better suited for smaller rooms and spaces.
• Less Mess – Artificial Christmas trees do not produce the foot-pricking, annoying-to-clean-up pine needle mess associated with real Christmas trees.
• Environmentally Friendly – While non-recyclable, plastic-based options definitely have their drawbacks, a lot of people believe the practice of cutting down trees every year isn’t environmentally friendly.
• Individual Interpretation – While the visual of a traditional Christmas tree remains, artificial Christmas trees allow for a greater scope for individual interpretation which cannot be found in their real-life counterparts. Examples include all-black, all-white, colorful and remote-controlled options.
• Pre-Decorated – A lot of the best artificial Christmas trees arrive with lights or decorations already attached. If you don’t have the time or don’t find decorating the tree with the best Christmas decorations an appealing activity, this can be a handy and time-saving option.

If you think it’s time to switch from real to artificial, check out our selection of the best artificial Christmas tree options available online. Each one offers something different and unique. Whether you’re looking for the tallest option, one which can fit in a small space or one which grabs your attention as soon as you walk through the door, we’ve got an option for every household.

1. Best Choice Products Spruce Christmas Tree

BEST OVERALL

At 7.5 feet tall, the Best Choice Products Spruce Hinged Artificial Christmas Tree is ideal as the focal point of your living room this Christmas. The traditional design ticks all the right boxes and will serve as your tree of choice for years to come.

The easy-to-fluff branches sport more than 1,300 tips to ensure that the tree looks natural and full-bodied, and that also means there’s plenty of space for hanging every decoration. You’ll find the tree’s sturdy steel base is balanced enough to prevent any unwanted topples or unnatural wonkiness as it stands. The tree breaks down into three hinged sections for easy portability and storage throughout the year.

2. Dunhill Fir Green Artificial Christmas Tree

BEST SMALL TREE

The trouble with many artificial Christmas trees is that they can be hard to store once the winter season wraps up, which is why it can be worth opting for a small Christmas tree, such as this stout two-footer. The tree also has built-in lights, which you can control with a timer to ensure you don’t leave them on too long. It also has some decorations, so it’s ready to go immediately.

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4. National Tree Company Pre-Lit Dunhill Fir Christmas Tree

BEST ECO-FRIENDLY

At 9 feet tall, the Oncor Eco-Friendly Aspen Fir Christmas Tree is ideal for creating a Christmas focal point to be proud of. It’s got a 66-inch diameter, and over 900 dual-color LED bulbs that can easily alternate between white and multicolor lights, as well as alternate between 10 different lighting modes like a twinkle, flash or fade. The pre-attached, hinged branches drop down for a simple set-up, and it’s made with hypo-allergenic, fire-resistant needles that are durable enough to bring holiday cheer for years. It saves a tree from being cut down and is made using sustainable and renewable materials, making this large artificial Christmas tree an excellent, eco-friendly choice. 

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5. West Elm Tiny Tinsel Tree

BEST NOVELTY 

This tree from West Elm is cute, in a kind of Charlie Brown sort of way. Rather than realism, this tree is made with silver tinsel branches and has small colorful ornaments. The tree is only two feet tall and has a small base, making it easier to set down on a table.

6. Puleo International Pre-Lit Slim Fraser Fir

BEST PRE-LIT CHRISTMAS TREE

With 2,093 branch tips, the Puleo International Pre-Lit Slim Fraser Fir Artificial Christmas Tree has plenty of space to display your Christmas decorations. These hand-crafted trees are produced from the highest quality materials to deliver an unmatched realistic appearance. And, at nine feet tall, this tree would be difficult to miss, ensuring you can’t help but feel in a festive mood every time you pass it. As a bonus, the tree also comes with 800 pre-strung, incandescent clear lights and is both flame retardant and non-allergenic.

Read More: Best Christmas Tree Toppers

7. National Tree Company Pre-lit Mini Christmas Tree

BEST PRE-LIT 

If you’re looking for a small Christmas tree for an office, shelf or bedside, this National Tree Company Pre-lit Mini Christmas Tree is definitely worth considering. It sports a traditional green color, has a fuller look with dense bristles. It also comes with 35 low-voltage LED lights which you can control using the integrated six-hour timer. Plus, since the lights are battery-powered, you can set the tree up in a remote, outlet-free place and not have to worry about tripping over cables.

Read More: Best LED Christmas Trees 

8. Maypex Green Lighted Flocked Spruce Christmas Tree

BEST FLOCKED

You may be dreaming of a white Christmas, but if outside temperatures rarely fall below freezing, the chances are that you will be disappointed. Luckily, with this Senjie Artificial Christmas Tree in your home, you won’t have to worry . This realistic tree is covered in a fine layer of faux snow and even has pine cones to complete the realistic outdoor look. In addition, the tree boasts hundreds of branch tips for hanging your favorite decorations and comes in a number of different sizes, allowing you to choose the one best suited to your available space.

9. CC Christmas Decor Pre-Lit Nordic Spruce Christmas Tree

MOST REALISTIC

This CC Christmas Decor Pre-Lit Nordic Spruce Christmas Tree has a realistic look, natural-looking needles and a surprisingly level of detail. The stand is wrapped in a burlap sack, so it’s ready to display and you don’t have to deal with any unsightly plastic stands. The tree comes with no lights or ornaments, meaning it’s a good option if you want to use your own or decorating the tree is a favorite family activity. Additionally, at three feet tall, it’s compact enough for anyone living in a smaller apartment or house.

10. Best Choice Products Artificial Christmas Tree

BEST BLACK TREE

If you didn’t know, black Christmas trees are in this year. With this in mind, the Best Choice Products Artificial Christmas Tree is our top choice for this aesthetically bold and unique style. It comes in a 6-foot or 7.5-foot option, sporting 1,477 and 1,749 tips, respectively. The tree also breaks down into multiple segments for easier storage, while the adjustable, all-metal stand ensures your tree enjoys a stable base. In addition, this all-black style is ideal for creating a Halloween tree in the months preceding Christmas.

Read More: Best Christmas Tree Stands

11. Etta Avenue Sparkle White Spruce Christmas Tree

BEST WHITE TREE

Dreaming of a white Christmas? This artificial tree from Etta Avenue is an eye-catching option which features white branches, needles, a base and 150 UL frosted pure white, wide-angle LED lights. The included tripod stand makes it easy to set up and keeps the tree sturdy throughout the festive season. With options ranging from 3.5 to 7.5 feet tall, there’s a good option for every home, from studio apartments to bigger houses.

12. Goplus Artificial Pencil Christmas Tree

BEST SLIM

Whether you’re short on space or prefer the look of a slimmer Christmas tree, this pencil option from Goplus is an excellent option. It’s made with a sturdy metal stand in the middle for a stable, durable setup. It has four sections that are easy to assemble and disassemble, and the branch tips are flexible, so you can spread them out as much as you want for a real, full look. Since it’s slim, it’ll fit perfectly in a small corner or cutout in the room where a regular tree wouldn’t fit, and the dense, realistic PVC needles give it the appearance of a real tree without all the hassle.

13. Best Choice Products Alpine Pencil Christmas Tree

BEST RAISED

The Best Choice Products Alpine Pencil Christmas Tree is another slimline option that is great for tight spaces. However, unlike the other slim tree option on our list, this tree also features a raised base that provides a handy space for storing large gifts or keeping the lower part out of the reach of pets and young children. It’s an ideal second tree choice and comes pre-lit with either 250 or 350 lights, depending on the tree size you choose. The large metal base also provides plenty of stability, making it a good choice for users worried about toppling trees.

14. Best Choice Products Rainbow Christmas Tree

BEST RAINBOW

This Best Choice Products Rainbow Christmas Tree is relatively self-explanatory. From top to bottom, you’ll enjoy red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet repeating to give you the most visually striking Christmas tree choice on our list. Aside from the eye-catching color, the tree features everything you’d expect from a high-quality tree, including 1,213 branch tips, a tough, metal stand and hinged branches for easier storage.

15. Best Choice Products Premium Holiday Pine Tree

BEST SIX-FOOT OPTION

The Best Choice Products Premium Hinged Holiday Pine Tree is like a blank canvas, all ready for you to paint your own beautiful Christmas picture. The dense PVC needles give you a fire-resistant, non-allergenic and densely packed base to work with. The tree comes free from any decorations or lights, meaning it’s yours to decorate completely as you wish. In addition, it’s formed from three hinged sections that are easily put together or broken down for storage. The tree is also available in a white option for those looking for something a little more eye-catching.

16. Goplus Upside Down Tree Artificial Christmas Tree

MOST UNIQUE

For something that will make the neighbors stare in your windows with wonder, try this upside-down Christmas tree. One of the major benefits of a fake or artificial tree is that you don’t have to go traditional with the size, shape or positioning, and this tree more than proves it. Narrow at the bottom and wide at the top, the Goplus Upside Down Tree Artificial Christmas Tree sits seven feet tall and has 1,000 branch tips for hanging your decorations. Plus, it comes with a metal stand to keep it stable and sturdy over the Christmas period.

17. HOLIDAY PEAK Fully Decorated Christmas Tree

BEST POP-UP

If you’re not particularly great at constructing things or don’t have the time to spare for putting a tree up, this HOLIDAY PEAK Fully Decorated Christmas Tree could be right up your alley. It comes, unsurprisingly, fully decorated and in a pizza-style box and pops up in a matter of minutes. Place the tree over the central stand, pull it up, plug it in and enjoy. Once Christmas is over, reverse the process, and store your tree for next year. The decorations include red and gold ornaments, a big red bow and 350 warm lights.

18. National Tree Company ‘Feel Real’ Christmas Tree

BEST REAL FEEL

If you want an artificial tree but feel like the biggest thing you’re going to miss is the feel of a real tree, it’s worth considering this National Tree Company ‘Feel Real’ Christmas Tree. This advanced tree choice boasts Feel Real Tips, which deliver remarkable realism through their crush-resistant, molded structure. For added ease of putting your tree up and decorating, the tree also comes pre-lit with 800 UL white lights. Plus, you’ll find that the folding base, hinged branches and multi-part body make storing the tree especially easy.

19. National Tree Company lit Artificial Christmas Tree

BEST STANDALONE

The National Tree Company lit Artificial Christmas Tree is a beautiful, pure, simple Christmas tree. It comes in four different sizes and includes cones and realistic pine branches for a truly natural appearance. You’ll also find that the tree comes pre-lit with a generous amount of UL white lights, which combine with the cones to deliver a classy, festive feel that will radiate throughout your home.

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20. GOFLAME Pre-lit Artificial Christmas Tree

BEST REMOTE CONTROLLED

Ever dreamed of having a Christmas tree you could control with your smartphone? Well, dream no longer. This GOFLAME Pre-lit Artificial Christmas Tree features 420 RGB LED lights which can be controlled using the accompanying smartphone app. Choose your favorite colors, pattern and timing for a truly personalized tree this Christmas. In addition to its numerous lights, this LED Christmas tree also boasts 786 PVC branch tips for a realistic appearance and plenty of opportunities to hang your favorite ornaments.

21. Wondershop Unlit Douglas Fir Potted Christmas Tree

BEST UNLIT TABLETOP

At 2.5 feet tall and with no included decorations or lights, this Wondershop Unlit Douglas Fir Potted Christmas Tree is an ideal blank canvas of a tree for shelves, countertops and other small spaces. The tree comes in a round black pot and features pull-down, realistic green branches. The 56 individual branch tips are great for hanging lights, tinsel and other decorations from. Furthermore, the tree’s comparatively compact size makes it especially easy to store when it’s not in use.

22. Sullivans Artificial Mini Potted Tree Set

BEST MINI TREE SET

With four included mini trees, this Sullivans Artificial Mini Potted Tree Set is ideal for delivering plenty of festive coverage to any room. Each tree in the set is between nine and 10 inches tall and comes in a decorative planter pot, making them ideal for display on mantels, shelves or any kind of tabletop. The set also includes two frosted trees and two classic evergreens for an appealing amount of variety in any display you choose to create.

23. Goplus Pre-Lit Artificial Cactus Christmas Tree

BEST ALTERNATIVE

If you’re looking for an alternative Christmas tree to really stand out from the crowd this festive season, give this Goplus Pre-Lit Artificial Cactus Christmas Tree a try. It’s available in either a six or seven feet tall option and comes with a range of decorations, including a yellow bow, 120 energy-efficient lights and plating balls in two different colors. You’ll also find a reinforced iron stand which keeps the eye-catching tree sturdy and stable, and also folds down for easier storage when it’s not being used.

24. Home Accents Holiday Willow LED Christmas Tree

BEST OUTDOOR

The Home Accents Holiday Willow LED Christmas Tree is a great option if you have an outdoor space which could use a festive makeover. Be it a lawn, garden or walkway, this weather-resistant, seven-feet tall tree delivers an aesthetic worthy of a winter wonderland. It’s also suitable for indoor use and comes with 800 cool-white LEDs which deliver the twinkling display which you and any visitors are sure to enjoy. The tree is also supplied with a ground stake for secure placement in the ground.

25. Fraser Hill Farm Snowy Half Artificial Christmas Tree

BEST HALF

If you’re tight on space but don’t want to sacrifice the height of your Christmas tree, this Fraser Hill Farm Snowy Half Artificial Christmas Tree could be right up your alley. At 6.5 feet tall, the tree is plenty tall enough. However, to facilitate its use in places where space is at a premium, the tree has been halved. This allows you to place it flush against any wall or flat surface. To maximize this tree’s visual appeal, it has 582 lifelike tips which are covered in fake snow and it is also strung with 300 warm-white LEDs and 40 frosty multi-color lights.

Where to Buy Artificial Christmas Trees

When it comes to finding the best place to buy artificial Christmas trees online, you’re spoiled for choice. Everyday staples like Amazon, The Home Depot, Wayfair and other popular internet retailers all have impressively extensive collections to choose from. If you’re more interested in seeing your tree before you buy it, Walmart, The Home Depot and Bed, Bath & Beyond are great for in-person purchasing. However, be aware that in-store shopping may be limited by what’s in stock at the time. If you want to view a specific model, consider ordering it into your local store before you travel.

How to Store Artificial Christmas Trees

While artificial Christmas trees are better than real Christmas trees in terms of re-usability, it does mean you will need to store the tree when it’s not being used. Luckily, most artificial Christmas trees have been designed for easy storage. When you’re ready to store your tree, fold the branches down against the trunk to minimize the amount of space they take up. If you have a taller tree, you may be able to separate into multiple pieces and remove the base. Once in pieces, you can either place the tree back into its original box or cover it using garbage bags and sticky tape. Try to avoid leaving the branches out in the open as it helps to prevent dust from building up. Then, once the festive season comes around again, simply unbox or uncover the tree and reverse the above process.

How to Fluff an Artificial Christmas Tree

One key part of putting up an artificial Christmas tree is ensuring it is fluffed up correctly. Feeble fluffing can lead to a lopsided, flat or just plain odd-looking tree which will get attention for all the wrong reasons. Fluffing an artificial tree isn’t a complicated process, but it’s worth noting that producing a more realistic appearance can take time.

If you’re going to be fluffing a tree taller than six feet, you will likely want a step ladder, a stool or a nearby staircase to help. You may also want to wear gloves to help prevent any accidental pricking. Begin fluffing the tree from the inside of the lowest part, working branch by branch and tip by tip, ensuring each is evenly spaced and fanned out and covering as much area as possible. Work your way up the tree to the top and fluff each and every branch along the way.

Once you think you’re finished, take a step back and inspect the tree for any noticeable gaps and correct them accordingly. If you have an LED Christmas tree, try turning on the lights to help show up any obvious spaces.

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