The 12 best artificial Christmas trees to pine after this year, tried, tested and decorated
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Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a glorious, joyful tree. After all, isn't one of the core moments of the festive season lugging an enormous Scott's Pine or Norway Spruce through the snowy doorway only to find out it's several inches too tall for your living room? Or getting yourself frustrated because you can't find the one broken bulb that's stopping your LED lights from working? The thing is, it doesn't have to be quite like that. Whilst the smell of a real Christmas tree simply cannot be replicated, (though The White Company are giving it their best shot with their scented candles) there is something to be said for the no mess, no fuss option that an artificial tree brings.
Many of us may find the idea of a pine artificial Christmas tree, adorned with PVC needles and pretend pine cones akin to decorating with tinsel. However, these days the reality is that the faux offering is much more stylish and aligned with the real thing than ever before. Yes, the idea of a realistic artificial Christmas tree may seem a little oxymoronic but they really do exist. Plus, with a faux tree you are guaranteed a symmetrical, satisfyingly neat look, no smashed Christmas decorations as a result of droopy branches and no need to hoover up hundreds of pine needles every morning.
Last year, we tested, reviewed (and decorated) the five best artificial Christmas trees on the market. Our findings are below. To shop some beautiful baubles to pair with your brand new tree, have a peruse of our round-up of the loveliest ones to be found in 2025.
Best artificial Christmas trees at a glance:
- Best artificial Christmas tree overall: The White Company 6ft Pre-Lit Symons Christmas Tree and Tree Skirt
- Best unlit artificial Christmas tree: John Lewis Brunswick Spruce Unlit Christmas Tree
- Best artificial Christmas tree for decorating: Marks and Spencer Pre-Lit Grand Fir Christmas Tree
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How we tested the best artificial Christmas trees
Over the course of three days in October last year, the commerce team, together with decoration editor Rémy Mishon, tested, reviewed and decorated artificial Christmas trees across a variety of price points. We considered size, cost, colour, lighting, fullness, fluffing (artificial Christmas trees are delivered flat), tree stands, skirts and storage. Each of these five trees has been chosen because they excel in one or all of these categories.
As with all things, the more you spend the better the quality will be. You can spend £25 on a cheap tree but it will reflect that in its quality. We recommend thinking of this as an investment as you will be wheeling out year after year. For a fabulous looking tree, check whether it has PVC or polyethylene (PE) needle tips. PE branch tips are a little more expensive but look much more realistic as they are 3D moulded rather than cut from sheets. Aside from that, opt for one with a high 'tip count'. This is in reference to the number of branch tips; the higher the count, the bushier the tree.
The best artificial Christmas trees
Best artificial Christmas tree overall: The White Company 6ft Pre-Lit Symons Christmas Tree and Tree Skirt
Commerce editor's notes:
Please note, we tested out the 7.5ft version of this tree, which is now sold out. Luckily, The White Company still have the 6ft pre-lit version in stock, and happily, it's 50% off! Move quickly to score this discounted tree in time for Christmas 2025.
My first impression of The White Company Symons Nordmann Fir were strong. This is an incredibly malleable tree, where every single branch can be tweaked, turned and fluffed for a hyper-realistic finish. However, it's worth noting that this does mean it comes out of the box needing a bit of work, as the branches get quite flattened under its own heft whilst in transit. The colour is great, with some tips hand painted in a slightly grey hue to balance out the greener ones. This prevents the tree from looking too artificial, and keeps it from looking too ‘plastic’.
When I looked closely, I noted that the tips are made of two different materials, with the end of the branches covered in hard plastic tips, which gradually turn into more paper-y ones as you get closer to the trunk. This works really well as you get the full, bushy look closer into the trunk and a more realistic finish on the more visible parts of the tree.
Assembly-wise, The White Company recommend that two people put the tree together as it is incredibly heavy. I managed to put it together alone, but it was unwieldy and quite cumbersome, so I think their suggestion is the sensible choice. It comes in three sections which slot together neatly. The tree stand is easy to screw into place, and the basket is a nice touch. One thing to note is that it is a little harder to get the tree into the base with the basket around it as you have to lean over the top of it. We'd also recommend investing in TWC's smart Christmas tree storage bag, to avoid having to squash the tree back into the cardboard box.
When it comes to decoration, thanks to its size and bushiness, this tree can handle a lot of decorations. We chose to keep this relatively pared back, as it's already such an impactful tree. However, we think it would look brilliant in full glamour. We have deducted one point as the top spike isn't sturdy enough to hold up a heavy star or angel, so if you want a tree topper, you'll have to attach it to the top in another way, as we did when shooting the tree.
| Information | 6ft Pre-Lit Symons Christmas Tree and Tree Skirt |
|---|---|
| Dimensions: | 6ft |
| Pre-lit: | Yes |
| Material: | Man-made materials |
| Tip count: | 920 |
| Available now? | Yes |
Best unlit artificial Christmas tree: John Lewis Brunswick Spruce Unlit Christmas Tree
House & Garden's verdict:
John Lewis has a huge array of trees to choose from – I tested out its 7ft unlit Brunswick Spruce, which has a pleasing overall conical shape, but with slight variations to the branch lengths, with some slightly overhanging others, giving it a very realistic look.
The fullness of this tree is what really makes it stand out from the others on offer in the store: it has more than 3,500 moulded PVC tips, and the colour of the branches range from a deep emerald green near the trunk to a lighter tone at the tip, which helps add depth.
The tree comes in three easy-to-slot-together sections and the branches are hinged, so you just pull them down into place, before tweaking them into your desired position. It comes with a metal stand and this version is unlit (although you can also get the lit variety). I felt it was really good value for such a big sized tree that competed well on the realism stakes with the more premium trees.
At seven feet tall, John Lewis are offering a lot of tree for a rather affordable price. This one is particularly full and bushy with its hinged branches and great shape, giving it great presence beyond the decorations you're sure to adorn it with. We also like how realistic the foliage looks and replicates a real spruce tree really well.
| Information | Brunswick Spruce Unlit Christmas Tree |
|---|---|
| Dimensions: | 7ft |
| Pre-lit: | No |
| Material: | PE/PVC |
| Tip count: | 3507 tips |
| Available now? | Yes |
Best artificial Christmas tree for decorating: Marks and Spencer Pre-Lit Grand Fir Christmas Tree
Commerce editor's notes:
The most silver-coloured of our top five trees, the Marks and Spencer Pre Lit Grand Fir looks incredibly elegant. Instead of a super saturated, deep green, it has a more muted hue that's perfect for more classic decorations.
It was easy to assemble, with three sections slotting neatly together and a sturdy stand. Once up, I found it appeared a little less structured than the other trees, with branches of varying lengths and thickness. However, this contributed to a more ‘real feel’ as it had a more organic shape. Like The White Company trees, this faux number has a ‘power pole’ which means the lights are connected simply by erecting the tree. Much like The White Company, Marks and Spencer claim their trees have ‘memory flex’ branches, which would mean the branches ‘spring’ back into place, however I didn't see this really happen on any of the trees. They all need manual fluffing.
Our decoration editor, Rémy Mishon, declared this tree her favourite to decorate. As she put it, the Marks and Spencer Pre Lit Grand Spruce was just the right level of “bushy-ness” with good gaps between the branches so that the baubles had room for a proper dangle. With some trees, the baubles don't have enough space to drop down and they end up awkwardly sitting on the branch below with a loop of redundant string above them. Thanks to its shape, this tree ended up being the fastest to decorate of the ones we tested. A final note on decoration, this tree has the sturdiest top spike, which could handle an impressive, heavy tree topper.
As well as the 6ft tree that we tested, this tree also comes in 7ft and 8ft heights, if you're looking for something a little taller. For something a little different, we think that the snowy version of the M&S Grand Fir is very tastefully done.
| Information | 6ft Pre-Lit Grand Fir Rotating Christmas Tree |
|---|---|
| Dimensions: | 6ft |
| Pre-lit: | Yes |
| Material: | Mixed materials |
| Tip count: | not specified |
| Bulb count: | 350 |
| Available now? | Yes |
More of the best artificial Christmas trees to buy
House & Garden's verdict:
If you’re after a real show-stopper, then this tree from Cox & Cox could be the answer: ‘with an impressively realistic spread of needles and tips’ all made from PE/PVC, and an ‘imposing stature’, according to their website. The colour is a very realistic blend of dark and lush fresher greens, and the graduated effect does look like a real tree in a forest.
The number of lights they have crammed on this tree is impressive: there are 4,000 bulbs on the 7ft, something the brand say is more than five times the amount on other comparably-sized trees; which makes you more grateful that it is pre-lit (imagine unravelling that amount of wire). You can programme the lights to come on in eight different speeds, but personally I prefer either a steady “on” or a very gentle twinkle.
| Information | Cox & Cox Ultimate Lights Pre Lit Tree |
|---|---|
| Dimensions: | 6ft, 7ft, 8ft |
| Pre-lit: | Yes |
| Material: | PE, PVC plastic and metal stand |
| Tip count: | Not declared |
| Bulb count: | 3,000 (6ft), 4,000 (7ft), 5,400 (8ft) |
| Available now? | Yes |
House & Garden's verdict:
In my mind, Balsam Hill do the best luxury artificial trees (the brand was created after the founder had a family member with a tree allergy); the branches are designed based on clippings from real Nordmann Firs, with needles that are a dark waxy green on top, and gently curved to reveal a silvery underside–just like the real thing. The magic is in the PE moulded tips, on the 7ft model there are 2,026 of them. Between the branches you can glimpse the trunk, which unlike some other models, has been designed to look like a real tree trunk to add to the natural look.
Putting it up is easy; it comes in three sections, which you slot together like a parasol, then into the base. Then you unfurl the branches, taking care to pull them out at realistic angles. It says it needs two people to man-handle it (it is 20kg), but I managed on my own. It comes with a metal stand, so you do need to dress it – I covered mine with hessian fabric and lots of presents.
| Information | Balsam Hill Nordmann Fir Unlit Christmas Tree |
|---|---|
| Dimensions: | 8ft |
| Pre-lit: | No |
| Material: | Plastic |
| Tip count: | Not declared |
| Bulb count: | 700 |
| Available now? | Yes |
House & Garden's verdict:
For a properly bushy look, Very's Sherwood Christmas Tree is the way to go. It's over 180cm tall and has a depth of 127cm, so be sure to measure your designated space in both directions before committing. The last thing you want is a bizarrely conical tree because you can't extend the branches fully. Their Sherwood tree has needles made from a mixture of PE and PVC so create a dynamic and realistic look. It has 1,836 tips to help create a realistic bushy look, while there are hinged branches, making them easier to fluff and it comes with a folding metal stand.
There are lots of positive reviews for this tree. Most customers say it's very full and bushy looking. That said, some customers have reported that the stand isn't strong enough to support the heavy Christmas tree. We think the tree is still worth it overall, and if the stand can't cope, you can always purchase a relatively inexpensive replacement from Amazon.
If you're already dreaming of a white Christmas, then we suggest moving fast and ordering your tree. Whilst Very might not have been particularly high on your list of Christmas tree retailers, we think their selection is actually quite grand.
| Information | Sherwood Real Look Full Christmas Tree |
|---|---|
| Dimensions: | 6ft |
| Pre-lit: | No |
| Material: | PE, PVC plastic and metal stand |
| Tip count: | 1,836 |
| Available now? | Yes |
House & Garden's verdict:
For a truly lavish and ultra-realistic artificial Christmas tree, look no further than Balsam Hill's Noble Fir. Standing tall at seven feet, it sits at the higher end of the price spectrum. But if you are ordinarily a die-hard for real trees, consider the money saved by reusing this excellent quality tree year upon year. It would last well over ten years if cared for and stored properly.
The tips are moulded from fresh clippings of live trees, in order to authentically recreate the Abies Nobilis, a species which is native to the Pacific Northwest. It's attention to detail like this that makes Balsam Hill trees stand apart in terms of realism. The branches are hinged, and the tree comes with a stand, on/off foot pedal for the lights, a storage bag, protective gloves and extra bulbs. The lights are LED, and there are 700 of them ready on the tree to give your living room a warm Christmas glow. Just add your personal touch with a plethora of hanging decorations, and perhaps an angel or a star sitting at the top.
| Information | Balsam Hill Noble Fir Christmas Tree |
|---|---|
| Dimensions: | 7ft |
| Pre-lit: | Yes |
| Material: | Plastic |
| Tip count: | 1,985+ |
| Bulb count: | 700 |
House & Garden's verdict:
This unlit Canadian Blue Green Spruce is a bestseller from Balsam Hill. It differs from the BH Nordmann Fir, in that it has a much fuller, conical shape all the way to the top of the tree, and the colour, as the name suggests, is more blue-ish green with silvery hues. But in all other aspects, it boasts the same high spec with lifelike plastic moulded needles, based on the real tree, full coverage (the 7ft Canadian Blue Green Spruce has over 2,124 branch tips) and an easy assembly, with its three sections slotting together.
To my eyes, the Nordmann Fir is more what I expect from a Christmas tree - the variety is more likely what you’d see as a real tree in a European household at Christmas, but there’s no doubting the Canadian Spruce is a tree of equal beauty. I also, as a lazy and impatient Christmas decorator, personally prefer the pre-lit, but unlit is not only cheaper, it also gives you more control over where to place your lights.
| Information | Canadian Blue Green Spruce |
|---|---|
| Dimensions: | 4ft-12ft |
| Pre-lit: | No |
| Material: | PE, PVC plastic |
| Tip count: | 1,460+ |
| Available now? | Yes |
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House & Garden's verdict:
Year after year, Selfridges come through with a range of exceptionally good artificial Christmas trees. Our pick of the bunch this year is the Rivington pre-lit, a handsome 6.5 foot tree ready to brighten up your Christmas. At £550, it's not the cheapest tree on this list, but it's a high impact, high quality option that will stand the test of time. Pre-lit trees really takes the hassle out of it all, which will be music to any busy host’s ears, but they still look really high quality. This tree comes ready to sparkle and looks very decadent. It's more affordable than some of Selfridges' other trees, but lives up to their luxury name.
| Information | Pre-Lit Rivington Fir Artificial Christmas Tree, 6.5ft |
|---|---|
| Dimensions: | 6.5ft |
| Pre-lit: | Yes |
| Material: | 48% iron, 25% PVC, 14% light, 13% polyester |
| Tip count: | Not declared |
| Bulb count: | 550 |
| Available now? | Yes |
House & Garden's verdict:
Balsam Hill have established themselves as the go-to place for the absolute best Christmas trees, and we’ve never seen more realistic-looking trees. Their website is full of YouTube videos explaining everything, so if you’re ever unsure on something, it will most likely be explained in one of then. All of the trees are categorised by how realistic they look, so you can be assured that you're getting something of quality, even when ordering online. Once you've selected the main aspect of your tree, be it a Noble Fir, European Silver, Alpine or a Royal Blue Spruce, you can then choose from tens of options including height, shape, lights and more. This Fraser Fir is in the top category, ‘most realistic’, and features ‘easy plug’ LED lights, which connect through the trunk and has over 800 lights, is the ‘regular’ shape meaning its full and bushy with over 3,272 tips and has a three year guarantee.
| Information | BH Fraser Fir |
|---|---|
| Dimensions: | Sizes from 5.5ft - 9ft |
| Pre-lit: | Both available |
| Material: | PE, PVC plastic and metal stand |
| Tip count: | 3,272+ (7.5ft) |
| Bulb count: | 1,180 (7.5ft) |
| Available now? | Yes |
House & Garden's verdict:
Blowing the competition out of the water in terms of affordability vs size, Very's Cashmere Tips tree is currently discounted to just £79.99. The tree has a much lower tip count that is in line with the lower price, and while it may not be as luxurious as some of our other choices (Balsam Hill, we're looking at you), we still think that this tree has a pretty natural look that far exceeds its bargain price tag. When loading on the decorations, this will pad out the tree too.
Customer reviews say that the tree is bushy and looks great decorated. Others mention the branches not being the strongest, so that may be something to bear in mind, but for this price you can't really go wrong if you need a new artificial tree.
| Information | Very 7ft Cashmere Tips Christmas Tree |
|---|---|
| Dimensions: | 7ft |
| Pre-lit: | No |
| Material: | Not specified |
| Tip count: | 686 |
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| Information | Windsor Pre-lit Christmas Tree |
|---|---|
| Dimensions: | 6ft, 7ft, 8ft, 9ft |
| Pre-lit: | Both available - unlit here |
| Material: | PE, PVC |
| Tip count: | 4,754 (8ft) |
| Bulb count: | 1,200 (8ft) |
| Available now? | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
How to choose the right size Christmas tree for your space?
Before anything else: measure your space. You may want a large tree that makes a big impact, but a squashed tree will look much worse than a well sized one. The average size tree is 7 feet, as this fits into the average living room. However, you can find trees anywhere between 4 and 12 feet tall.
The experts at Balsam Hill trees have been paving the way for excellent, high quality faux trees since 2006 in the US and 2011 in the UK. Their CEO, Mac Harman, has the following advice:
‘It’s important to decide where and how the tree will be displayed. Will it be the centrepiece of your living room, or tucked into the corner of your dining room? Once you've decided this, you can think about how much space you have to play with. You should opt for a tree that's around six inches lower than the ceiling height. A 7'5" tree is best for a standard 8' or 9' ceiling. This ensures the tip of the Christmas tree does not hug the ceiling, whilst also allowing space for a tree topper.'
When it comes to 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. For narrow spaces, opt for slim trees. They will fit better, whilst maintaining a natural shape.'
How to choose the best Christmas tree variety?
According to Mac Harman, founder and CEO of Balsam Hill the best Christmas tree variety ultimately comes down to preference and taste. It's not an exact science.
‘Different tree varieties offer different silhouettes. Some trees will offer denser foliage, or a fuller shape than others. You'll also need to consider the footprint of the tree variety and think about the space you have available. The European Fir, for example, is much wider at the bottom and tapers towards the top of the tree.'
‘The Nordmann Fir is perhaps the tree the UK is most familiar with. It’s the most popular Christmas tree in Western Europe, with what you might think of as the ‘traditional’ shape. The Nordmann Fir is a great option if you're looking for a timeless classic.'
‘However, a trend we are seeing crop up is the move towards sparser trees with less dense foliage, such as the Alpine Balsam Fir. Bare branches with warm lighting can add a festive feel without overwhelming the space and give breathing room for the various decorations you’ve collected over the years.’
Is an artificial Christmas tree more sustainable than a real one?
The short answer is no. There are pros and cons to both options. Artificial trees are mostly made outside of the UK, so the environmental cost of importing them is high. They're made from PVC, metal and other plastics meaning they will not biodegrade and many end up in landfill. However, real Christmas trees are also brought over land and sea to arrive here, having been farmed for years only to be used for a short season. Where a real tree has to be re-grown, re-transported and disposed of every year, the longer you look after and hold onto your artificial tree, the smaller its carbon footprint becomes. Experts suggest that ten years is the golden number here: the age when an artificial tree becomes more sustainable than a real one. This is why we strongly recommend investing in a beautiful, well-crafted tree that you'll love for a full decade.
What artificial Christmas trees are already available to buy?
Many of the staple Christmas tree retailers like John Lewis and Balsam Hill have artificial options available to buy all year round. Our favourites to buy can be found in the gallery below. Other retailers who only sell trees seasonally, like The White Company or Marks and Spencer, normally release their stock in September. There’s a huge range of looks and styles to choose from, from lighting options that include pre-lit, as well as minimalist, tabletop, frosted tips and snowy Christmas trees that will help you create a little wonderland in your living room.
When should you put up your Christmas tree?
Traditionally, Christmas trees should be put up at the beginning of Advent to mark the official countdown to Christmas. This year, Advent started on Monday 1st December. However, you should feel free to put up your tree whenever works best for you and your household. If you love Christmas, you probably already have your tree up by now. If you're a bit of a reluctant grinch, then perhaps the later the better.
What maintenance does an artificial Christmas tree require?
Unlike a real Christmas tree, an artificial tree does not require much assistance to stay looking its best. However, we recommend purchasing a storage bag for the rest of the year, to protect the tree from any damage or breakages.
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