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Artificial Christmas trees are easy-to-assemble, reusable, and life-like alternatives to real trees. To help you select the tree that’s right for you, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best artificial Christmas trees on Amazon. Here are our top five recommendations.
Top 5 Artificial Christmas Trees
- Best Flocked Design: Best Choice Products Pre-Lit Snow-Flocked Christmas Pine Tree
- Most Height Options: National Tree Company Carolina Pine Tree With Clear Lights
- Best Small Tree: National Tree Company Hickory Cedar Tree
- Best Basic Tree: Prextex Artificial Spruce Hinged Christmas Tree
- Best Light Customization: Mr. Christmas Vermont Spruce Christmas Tree
Compare Top Artificial Christmas Trees
Product | Height | Color | Comes Pre-Lit | Weight | Dimensions |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Choice Products Pre-Lit Snow-Flocked Christmas Pine Tree | 7.5 feet | Silver (frosted) | Yes | 42 pounds | 52 x 52 x 90 inches |
National Tree Company Carolina Pine Tree With Clear Lights | 7.5 feet | Green | Yes | 47 pounds | 61 x 61 x 90 inches |
National Tree Company Hickory Cedar Tree | 3 feet | Green | Yes | 4 pounds | 18 x 18 x 36 inches |
Prextex Artificial Spruce Hinged Christmas Tree | 6 feet | Green | No | 9 pounds | 40.8 x 40.8 x 72 inches |
Mr. Christmas Vermont Spruce Christmas Tree | 7 feet | Green | Yes | 31 pounds | 48 x 48 x 84 inches |
Product | Height | Color | Comes Pre-Lit | Weight | Dimensions |
Best Flocked Design: Best Choice Products Pre-Lit Snow-Flocked Christmas Pine Tree
Pros and Cons
✔ Made with durable metal hinges and flame-retardant branches
✔ Can be put together in three steps
✔ Created with strong branches to hold garlands and ornaments
✘ Has arrived with missing bulbs for some customers
✘ Made with flocking material that can fall off and create a mess
What Customers Are Saying
Most reviewers stated that the tree was sturdy and easy to assemble. Some also used “perfect,” “stunning,” and “beautiful” to describe the tree. Those who were unsatisfied with their purchase said that the tree didn’t arrive with as many lights as advertised.
Most Height Options: National Tree Company Carolina Pine Tree With Clear Lights
Pros and Cons
✔ Sold by a family-owned company that’s based in the United States
✔ Has a steel base
✔ Comes with hinged branches for easy assembly
✘ Can take 45-60 minutes to assemble
✘ The light warranty is shorter than the tree warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Reviewers stated that the tree was made of high-quality materials, making it durable. Many also complimented the tree’s value. However, some said that it was difficult to replace the lights, stating that the bulbs couldn’t be found at their local home improvement store.
Best Small Tree: National Tree Company Hickory Cedar Tree
Pros and Cons
✔ Is lightweight and compact
✔ Comes pre-lit
✔ Has a sturdy square-shaped base
✘ The tree doesn’t look as realistic as other artificial Christmas trees
✘ Some customers said that the tree looked sparse
What Customers Are Saying
The majority of customers said that this tree was the perfect size for their home or work area. They added that the tree was easy to unbox, assemble, and re-fluff. Alternatively, some customers said that the tree looked sparse, and others didn’t receive the tree stand.
Best Basic Tree: Prextex Artificial Spruce Hinged Christmas Tree
Pros and Cons
✔ Comes with easy-to-fluff branches
✔ Made with fire-resistant and non-allergenic materials
✔ Packed in a storage carton to prevent damage during shipping
✘ Can only be purchased in a six-foot option
✘ The branches fell off easily for some customers
What Customers Are Saying
Customers said that this artificial Christmas tree was great for small spaces and easy to assemble. However, its affordable price meant that it wasn’t made from the most high-quality materials, as customers said it didn’t last long.
Best Light Customization: Mr. Christmas Vermont Spruce Christmas Tree
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a built-in power pole for easy setup
✔ Designed to look like a spruce tree
✔ Comes with energy-saving LED light bulbs
✘ Has arrived with electrical shorts for some customers
✘ Was difficult for some customers to connect to Amazon Alexa
What Customers Are Saying
Most customers said that the tree was great for small spaces. Others said the tree was worth the expensive price. A common complaint among unsatisfied customers was that their Amazon Alexa had difficulties pairing with the tree.
Buyer’s Guide
Artificial Christmas trees come in a wide variety of heights and designs. Here are four factors to consider when making a selection.
Material
The material a tree is made of can determine how natural it looks and how durable it is. Steel is your sturdiest base option, while PVC is the best branch material because it’s durable and flame-retardant.
Tip Count
Tip count refers to how many individual tips an artificial Christmas tree has. Typically, the greater the number of tips, the fuller and “fluffier” the tree will look. If you want your tree to look as realistic as possible, look for one with a high tip count of 1,200 or greater.
Height
Artificial Christmas trees come in many heights, with the most popular being five, six, seven, and nine. Choose a tree that will fill in your living space best.
Lights
Some artificial trees come with pre-lit branches. This prevents you from having to buy separate string lights and put them on your tree every year. However, once a few bulbs die, the entire section or the entire tree will also die, making the tree unusable.
Assembly and Ease of Storage
Your artificial Christmas tree should be simple to put together and easy to store away in its original box or another container. Most artificial Christmas trees come in three parts that attach together without using tools. Additionally, you’ll likely need to fluff the branches of the tree for a full shape.
Design Features
In addition to lights, artificial Christmas trees sometimes have other design elements that make them look more realistic. Common elements include fake snow and pine cones.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do artificial Christmas trees last?
The average artificial Christmas tree can last between five and 10 years. If the tree is pre-lit, the lights will last longer if they have LED instead of incandescent bulbs.
Do artificial Christmas trees present a fire hazard?
Like real Christmas trees, artificial Christmas trees can catch on fire. To prevent this from happening, keep it away from all heat sources, and adhere to any safety precautions listed in the manufacturer’s instructions. Also, make sure that you choose a tree that’s fire-resistant.
How can I clean an artificial Christmas tree?
If the artificial Christmas tree is pre-lit, you can wipe the branches with a soft, dry cloth, or cleaned with dish soap and water if it isn’t pre-lit. You can put the mixture in a spray bottle or on a cloth. You can also vacuum the branches of artificial Christmas trees that aren’t pre-lit.
Which artificial Christmas tree is the most popular?
The most popular artificial Christmas trees are usually ones that come pre-lit, saving homeowners the hassle of stringing their own lights on the tree. Artificial Christmas trees that are seven feet tall also tend to be the most popular.
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We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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