While I love the authentic look, feel and smell of a real traditional Christmas tree, as most do, I cannot reconcile with the many downsides that come with it. From the repeated (and quite high) cost of purchasing a new tree year after year, the mess of fallen needles they create and the difficulty with which it is to dispose of them if you live in a city like I do. Not to mention that the sparse yet real Christmas trees of my childhood have nothing on the full and bushy best artificial Christmas trees on the market.
Faux Christmas tree design has really come a long way in the last few years – so much so that the Ideal Home team and I often forget we’re dealing with a fake tree. That’s how realistic some of these Christmas tree ideas really are.
When the wide Ideal Home team and I tested the Christmas trees, my main criteria were how real the trees looked, even upon closer inspection and how good quality they both looked and felt. Ease and speed of putting them up also played a role, as did value for money. To establish this, we’ve tried some of the most sought-after designs at home and on photo shoots and we’ve visited countless press shows, showrooms and Christmas shops.
Whatever tree style you’re looking for and no matter what budget you’re working with, I’m sure you’ll be able to find the best faux Christmas tree for you in this round-up – or at least, the best place to buy your dream tree, managing to avoid any artificial Christmas tree buying mistakes.
I rate good quality and design – so I won’t let a cheap-looking (and feeling) artificial Christmas tree slide. That’s why I've put in the hours to see, feel, test and try as many fake Christmas trees as possible to keep this guide up to date on the best trees out there.
Early Black Friday Christmas tree deals
Even though the Black Friday sale weekend, along with the biggest Black Friday deals don't kick in until the 29th November, many brands and retailers are jumping on the bandwagon ahead of time with their early Black Friday deals – some of which even include artificial Christmas trees. And these are the best I found.
The quick list
Short on time? This quick list is an overview of the very best artificial Christmas trees. You'll find more information on each tree and why I'd recommend it if you keep on scrolling.
Best overall
This is one of the most realistic artificial Christmas trees I've ever come across. It has a super-generous 4725 bushy branch tips, is pre-lit for hassle-free decoration, and comes with stylish display pot included. Just what I'd ask Santa for.
Best unlit artificial tree
If you have the cash to splash on a luxury tree, then this is one of The White Company's bestselling artificial trees, and at 7.5ft tall it's designed to make a statement. It's unlit, but that could make for more versatility, allowing you to decorate with the Christmas lights of your choice.
Best pre-lit artificial tree
It's a close call for best pre-lit tree between this and John Lewis' Cotswold at #1 in my round-up. The White Company's Pre-Lit option is always a bestseller, and, with 6ft, 7.5ft and 9ft tree heights to choose from, there's a size option for any room.
Best value artificial tree
Whilst it may not be quite as realistic as the top three trees, this John Lewis option still looks great, has a high number of branch tips, and comes in three heights. It's also very good value, coming in at just a third of the price of the most expensive trees in this round-up.
Budget buy
Whilst this budget artificial Christmas tree can't rival the more expensive options on my list in terms of realism, if you're looking for a large artificial Christmas tree that won't break the bank then this affordable option is very hard to beat on price. It's just £35 for a 7ft centerpiece.
Best snow-covered
Looking to create a winter snow scene worthy of the North Pole? This frosted Christmas tree will help you to achieve those Lapland goals, with bushy branches coated in an ethereal powder white coating delivering a frosted look straight from a crisp winter's morning.
Best artificial Christmas trees 2024
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Best overall
I think this could well be one of the most realistic artificial Christmas trees I've come across and touched. It's an investment, but it does a brilliant job of mimicking the real thing, with 4725 moulded PVC branch tips (nearly double that of most other faux trees we've come across), and a bushy conical shape that delivers that archetypal Christmas tree look.
When it comes time to decorate, this tree is also an easy winner. It comes pre-lit with 900 white micro LEDs, and its natural-looking irregular outline offers a good mix of longer branches for hanging dangling baubles, and fuller branches towards the centre for nestling shorter decorations.
What's more this faux tree comes with a stylish black pot included – something of a rarity in the world of artificial Christmas trees – so there's no need to look for a tree skirt or conjure a way to disguise its base. Perfect for hassle-free set-up.
In fact, the only downside to choosing this tree – other than the fact it only comes in a 6ft or a 7ft design and I'd love a few more size options – is that you might struggle to find it in stock. So if you're looking to invest in a realistic faux Christmas tree and you spot it online or in store, it's well worth snapping up quickly.
Best unlit artificial Christmas tree
If you have the cash to splash on a luxury tree, then this is one of The White Company's bestselling artificial trees. At 7.5ft tall, it's designed to make a statement and requires quite a lot of space to fit comfortably – something my small, narrow living room was not able to provide.
Due to its large size, the tree comes in a rather large box and the two base parts - there are 3 in total - are rather sizeable and heavy. All that to say, it was a workout to put up and it took two people to get it up the stairs to my first-floor flat, barely fitting through the door. But actually, it is quite speedy to put up as it took me only about 3 minutes.
It can't quite compete with John Lewis & Partner's Cotswold Potted Pre-lit Christmas Tree in terms of branch tips, offering 1754 to the Cotswold tree's 4725. But, it does look very realistic, and I love the fuller thicker branches that echo the appeal of a real Nordmann fir. And on top of that, it comes with a chic wicker tree skirt, in place of the Cotswold's pot.
Plus, if you prefer the verstality of an unlit artificial Christmas tree, then the Symons Nordmann Fir delivers, allowing you to decorate with whatever colour Christmas tree lights you prefer.
Best pre-lit artificial Christmas tree
It's a close call for best pre-lit artificial tree between this and the John Lewis Cotswold tree at number one in my round-up.
The White Company's Pre-Lit Grand Spruce is always a bestseller, with this conical-shaped Christmas tree available in three size options; a versatile 6ft tree, a popular 7.5ft option, or a make-a-statement 9ft showstopper.
All size options also come pre-lit with warm white LED bulbs to make for hassle-free and perfectly-spaced decoration – just add your own baubles to complete the look – as well as eight light settings to allow you to toggle between twinkle or steady glow.
I love the shape and those slightly sparser branches that allow more space for dangling baubles to take centre stage. Plus, the three size options make it easy to find a tree to fit most room sizes.
Best value
Although some people love the ease of a pre-lit tree, an unlit option is usually cheaper than a comparable pre-lit option and it gives you the versatility to use any colour Christmas tree lights you choose.
A good range of sizes, including 5ft, 6ft, 7ft and even 8ft (a newcomer this year) options, a relatively reasonable price point, and a high number of branch tips that result in a dense and highly realistic looking fir tree make this option one of my top picks.
Whilst those full branches do make for a bit more tweaking to get each layer looking its best, the results are worth it, with no detail spared in this tree's efforts to mimic the real deal, including outermost tips that are a lighter green to resemble new tree growth. Plus, unlike sparser branched trees, there's no danger of seeing the central pole through this full foliage, and if you like to go OTT on decorations, you won't run out of branches to adorn any time soon.
Budget buy
Whilst this budget artificial Christmas tree can't rival the more expensive options on this list in terms of realism, if you're looking for a large artificial Christmas tree that won't break the bank, then this affordable option is very hard to beat on price at just £25 for the 6ft tree and £35 for a 7ft centrepiece.
The affordable price tag does naturally mean a lot less tree, with branches understandably a lot sparser compared to those twice or three times its price. For comparison, this budget option offers 565 branch tips on the 6ft version and 703 branch tips on the 7ft model.
That means there are a lot less branches to decorate compared to the 2000+ tips most 7 footers in my round-up deliver, and does make the central pole a lot more visible, although adding some bushy tinsel is a quick and easy way to hide any gaps.
Best snow-covered
Looking to create a winter snow scene worthy of the North Pole? This frosted Christmas tree will help you achieve those Lapland goals, with bushy branches coated in an ethereal powder white coating, delivering a frosted look straight from a crisp winter's morning.
While everyone always talks about the mess needles of real Christmas trees make, rarely anyone ever mentions the mess that comes with snow-covered faux Christmas trees. Which is only one of the reasons why I love this snowy design from M&S – it doesn't make half as much mess as the other styles I've tried.
Opt for the 6ft tree with its 200 warm white LED lights and 891 branch tips, or the 7ft tree with its 300 warm white lights and 1259 branch tips if you want a twinkling showstopper.
The tree comes only in two parts with a metal stand which means it's much quicker to put up compared to other trees – it took me all of 3 minutes to do. And for the relatively mid-range price point, the design looks impressively realistic!
Best miniature artificial tree
I personally grew up with smaller trees placed on top of a table. So if you, too, prefer your tree not taking up too much space in your home or simply don’t have the space for a full-sized 7ft tree, this miniature 3ft tree from The White Company is the perfect alternative.
Alternatively, if you like Ideal Home’s Editor-in-Chief, Heather Young prefer having multiple trees dotted around the house in various rooms, then this tree is a great choice for the kitchen or the staircase landing, for example.
As I’ve already illustrated, The White Company is one of the Ideal Home team’s top-rated brands of artificial Christmas trees with high-end, realistic designs that never disappoint. And neither does this mini version - so much so that our Deputy Digital Editor, Rebecca Knight made the slightly bigger 4.5ft version of this petite tree her main Christmas tree and loves it.
This tree is super easy to assemble with only two parts - the top and bottom - that need to be joined together, after which the branches need to be fluffed up. It also comes with a lovely rattan basket to place it in which further reinforces the ‘real’ and natural look of this prelit tree. And given the fact that the lights work on a battery-operated basis, you don’t even need to have a plug anywhere near it. No unsightly cords either.
Best space-saving
An abundance of space is a luxury many are not privileged to – myself included. You may have noticed in the behind-the-scenes testing images that when putting up the Christmas trees in this buying guide, most of them overwhelmed and took over my narrow living room with very little space left to even walk by – even though I must say they looked stunning doing so. But not this pop up tree from Habitat, which looked right at home in my flat.
Whether you too are looking to decorate a small living room for Christmas with a space-saving tree or if you want to put more than one tree in your home and have a petite spot in mind like a hallway or a stair landing, a slim Christmas tree like this Habitat design is the perfect way to go. And the budget-friendly price of £50 makes it all the more worth it.
Newly launched for Christmas 2024, is only about 61 centimetres in diameter so takes up very little space. But even when disassembled, the tree fits into a box that’s about a third of the size of most Christmas tree boxes – the box it arrives in measures 46 centimetres in height, 28 centimetres in width and 46 centimetres in depth. So even when you put this tree away at the end of the festive season, it won’t take up too much of your precious storage space.
Another great thing about this tree is how it’s structured – which is also the reason why it takes so little space when taken apart and why it’s so quick and easy to put up, mere 4 minutes. Equipped with a metal stand, the box contains two metal poles which are connected and inserted into the stand. Only then the main part of the tree shaped like a collapsible spiral is placed on top of the poles and a small top part finishes off the look.
Considering the low price point, I wasn’t surprised that this Habitat tree is not the most realistic compared to some of the other ones on this list. It’s also not as bushy as some of the others. But considering how little space it takes and how much it costs, I think it does the job.
Best colourful
Every year, I’m impressed by the high quality and beautiful design of John Lewis’ special coloured Christmas tree or trees of the season. Last year, it was the copper John Lewis Christmas tree. But this year, everybody’s talking about the new pink addition which is probably the most aesthetically pleasing tree I’ve ever seen. So why not impress your family and guests with a standout tree like this one?
Perhaps the most surprising thing about this tree is how realistic it feels in real life. Despite being pink. It looks and feels to the touch almost like a real tree, just coated in spray paint. And that lovely pink colour with slightly frosted tips creates something like a sugar-coated effect. In one word, it’s delicious.
The coloured Christmas tree trend has been getting bigger and bigger with each year as more people are embracing the idea of a more fun and statement Christmas tree. If it’s fake anyway, why pretend it’s real? Why not lean into the possibilities the tree’s fakeness offers with something like a bold colour?
The tree comes in three parts with a white metal stand included. The branches with its 1959 tips make this a full-bodied, bushy tree – and given its 7ft size, it really commands attention.
As for its cons, there is quite a lot of the snow dusting fall out you'll need to clean up with your best vacuum cleaner. And for £229, it's not the most affordable of trees. But as far as colourful Christmas trees which can often look quite cheap and unrealistic, this one trumps them all in my mind.
Best luxury
If you're willing to invest in an artificial Christmas tree that pulls out all the stops, then it's well worth considering a luxury option from artificial Christmas tree specialists Balsam Hill, and it doesn't get much more luxe than this innovative Flip Tree® design.
Full, dense foliage with highly realistic needles ensures there's plenty of visual wow-factor, but it's the hassle-free set-up that will really make your jaw drop – and justify its investment price tag.
The tree is delivered in two parts, both protected by perfectly-fitting Christmas tree bags. An easily manoeuvrable wheeled base allows you to get the lower section into position without heavy lifting, whereby you simply apply the locking brakes and flip the lower section over to create the base of your tree. The upper section then slots easily into place so your tree can be up and ready to decorate in under a minute, with no individual branches to slot into place and just a little fluffing to get it looking its best.
For added convenience, this tree is pre-lit with a choice of single-coloured or multicoloured light options, with the multi-light option able to be adjusted by remote control. It's definitely on my wishlist to Santa. If only!
Where to buy the best artificial Christmas trees
Based on the list of my top-rated artificial Christmas trees we’ve just gone through, it might be clear where I would recommend shopping for the best trees if you’re on the market for one. But to give you a clear and better idea, here’s a quick run-down of the top retailers to go to.
- John Lewis: an extensive range of high-quality trees for all budgets
- The White Company: top-level quality trees if you’re willing to splash out
- Argos: budget-friendly designs that also look good
- Marks & Spencer: best for traditional, classic trees in a mid-range price point
- Dunelm: great value for money trees
- Balsam Hill: world-class trees at high-end price points
How we test
As well as utilising the Ideal Home team’s experience of putting up their fair share of artificial trees (hello Ideal Home Christmas photoshoots in July...) in order to compile this edit of the best artificial Christmas trees, I grilled the experts on what to look out for when you shop, decoded branch tip numbers, investigated the ideal height to ceiling ratios, and checked out the chosen trees for ease of assembly and aesthetics. I also took into account the wider views of those who own each product via online reviews.
But perhaps most crucially, I looked at every tree in person, tested and put up a large portion myself and had a feel for each one which is what’s most important. That’s because after you put up your tree, all interaction you and your guests will have with it is just that – looking at it and perhaps touching some branch tips here and there. So how realistic the tree looks to the naked eye and how good it feels when touching it is what ultimately swayed a lot of my decisions. Click here to find out more about how we test and review at Ideal Home.
Interior designer, stylist, and journalist Nicky Phillips has styled and art directed over 300 shoots for Ideal Home magazine to date, including plenty of Christmas showstoppers, so she knows her way around assembling and decorating an artificial Christmas tree or two!
She raves about the hassle-free convenience of Balsam Hill's tree collection; 'Their trees are so quick and easy to put together with their slot together pre-lit system. They give a truly real looking faux tree with a beautiful warm white glow'.
No stranger to assembling an artificial Christmas tree, Amy was eager to see how the latest and greatest faux trees compared to the 10-year-old tree she's been lugging up and down from the loft for a decade. Speaking to artificial Christmas tree experts from specialists Balsam Hill, The White Company, Cox & Cox, and more, Amy's investigated everything you need to know about getting this purchase right.
How to choose the best artificial Christmas tree
The best artifical Christmas trees don't come cheap, and no one wants to invest in a tree that looks so fake you can't wait to take it down. Here are our top tips for choosing an artificial Christmas tree that you'll be happy to pile up the presents under and bring down from the loft year after year.
Branch tips
If you want an artificial tree that's difficult to distinguish from the real thing then you need to look at the tree's 'tip count'. This is the number of branch tips a faux tree has been constructed with, and although the tip count will increase with the size of the tree, if you're comparing two options of comparable height, then the tip count is a good indication of its quality.
‘Christmas trees with a high tip count will have a denser appearance, mimicking the look of a real tree and hiding the inner frame,’ says David Sumner, sales manager at Christmas Tree World. ‘While trees with fewer tips may come with a lower price tag, they can look sparse and less impressive so ensure that you’re always checking the tip count to avoid sacrificing fullness for affordability.’
The higher the number of tips, the more bushy and realistic an artificial tree is likely to be. As a rough gauge, the best artificial Christmas trees will generally offer 2000+ branch tips on a 6 foot tree. However, more branch tips does generally also mean more expense.
Budget
When it comes to an artificial Christmas tree, you really do get what you pay for. You can pick up a budget artificial tree for under £100 that will do the job of adding some festive fun to your interior, but if you want a faux tree that can really give the real deal a run for its money then it's likely you're going to need to spend at least two or three hundred pounds.
However, an artificial tree is an investment that you'll be able to use year after year, so calculate the saving you'll make on not buying a real tree each year for the next 5 or 10 years, and you could be making a savvy purchase.
Size
We've probably all made the mistake of falling in love with the biggest real Christmas tree in the field, only to then have to saw sections off just to get it through the front door, let alone make it fit into the living room.
The bonus with an artificial Christmas tree is you can choose exactly the right size to fit your room – as long as you measure up first – and as most are assembled in situ, there's no need to worry about getting a tree up the garden path or through the hallway.
The most popular artificial tree sizes tend to be 6ft, 7 or 7.5ft, or 9ft, but you'll also find bigger and smaller options available depending on your needs.
Mac Harman, founder and CEO of luxury artificial tree and decoration brand, Balsam Hill, offers the following advice for choosing your tree size, 'Before buying a Christmas tree, decide where it will be displayed. Which room will it be displayed in? Will it be a centrepiece? Or will it fit into a corner, along a wall, in front of a window, or next to a doorway? How much space can the tree fill? Look for a tree that is six inches lower than the ceiling height. A 7.5’ tree is best for a standard 8-9' ceiling. This ensures that the tip of the Christmas tree does not hug the ceiling and allows space for a tree topper'.
'For the diameter, check the very widest point of the tree. The true space occupied by the tree will be about six inches less than the stated diameter. If you don’t have much space, a slim or narrow tree can still fit and maintain a natural shape. There also are pencil trees that have less of a traditional shape but fit in tight spaces', says Mac.
Cox & Cox's Product & Creative Director, Dani Taylor, agrees, offering the following rule of thumb for getting tree size just right, 'The largest 8-10ft trees are ideal for rooms with high ceilings or to make a big impression outdoors, 7ft trees are the best for standard ceilings with a height of around 240cm, 5-6ft trees are ideal for smaller living areas or homes with low or sloping ceilings, and under 5ft options look perfect on console tables, or in guest bedrooms or children’s rooms. A slim or metal silhouette Christmas tree or Christmas tree wall art can work really well for narrow spaces as an alternative'.
Pre-lit or unlit?
If the idea of detangling fairy lights fills you with existential dread, then a pre-lit Christmas tree could be for you. These ingenious inventions either feature LED lights set into the artificial tree's branch tips or a 'pre-woven' lights that are already securely attached to your tree. Both options allow for hassle-free illumination – just remember to check whether your chosen tree has warm white or cool white LEDs if you're a bit of a stickler for a particular glow.
As the lights are already evenly distributed throughout the whole tree, opting for a pre-lit tree will save you the job of fiddling about and potentially getting in a tangle over the perfect arrangement, plus you don't have to guess just how long a string of fairy lights you need to buy, or have unsightly wires showing through the branches in the daylight.
‘The pros of pre-lit trees are they are convenient and time-saving - with lights already installed and distributed, giving off a professional look! Fibre optic pre-lit trees are popular among those who want a bright and colourful display, with a dazzling array of colours that change and twinkle – they’re also energy-efficient,’ David at Christmas Tree World says.
However, you will generally pay more for a pre-lit artificial tree than an unlit one, and it does limit you a little to your decorating colour scheme each year. And bear in mind that if the lighting system gets damaged then this can be a little trickier to fix than just replacing a set of standalone fairy lights.
If you prefer to add your own lights then Balsam Hill's Mac has the following top tip for getting the illuminations right, 'Lights bring your Christmas tree to life even without decorations. If you prefer to string your own lights, you need at least 100 lights per foot of the tree. Double or triple the amount if you love the look of brighter, more intense lights on your tree'.
Find more decorating inspiration in our guide to this year's most popular Christmas tree trends and recreate your favourite look with the help of our guide to how to decorate a Christmas tree.
FAQs
Are expensive artificial Christmas trees worth it?
As you’ve probably noticed, this artificial Christmas tree buying guide includes trees with price points that range from as little as £25 all the way to £2139. So if there are Christmas trees available at low prices, is it really worth it to be spending hundreds of pounds, even if you have the budget?
The short answer is yes, it is worth it. In a sense that you will see a real difference in the quality and how realistic a tree looks and feels if you compare a £25 Habitat tree to a £500 tree from The White Company.
But whether it’s worth it to you is a whole other question. This all depends on your priorities, needs and your budget. If you don’t really care about having the most realistic looking artificial Christmas tree or it’s not within your means, then it’s not necessarily worth it to be investing in a more pricey tree. There are also alternative ways to make an artificial tree look more expensive.
What makes the most realistic looking tree?
To find the most realistic looking tree, it's all about the branch tips. Although it isn't a guarantee, generally speaking the higher the number of branch tips an artificial tree has, the more realistic it will look. As a gauge, the best artificial Christmas trees will generally offer 2000+ branch tips on a 6 foot tree. However, more branch tips does mean more expense.
The cheapest artificial Christmas trees reduce costs by offering less branches which can make for a far sparser looking tree, and means you're more likely to be able to see the central metal pole – instantly making the tree look more fake.
Reading product specifications to gauge the number of branch tips a tree has is the best way to gauge the realism of an online purchase. However, there's still no substitute for seeing an artificial Christmas tree in the flesh where possible. Also, one person's realistic may not match anothers, with all of us being drawn to different tree shapes and branch styles.
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