Best artificial Christmas tree: Enjoy hassle-free festivities with these fake trees

If you’re fed up of picking out pine needles from your carpet or rug months after the festive season has finished, finding the best artificial Christmas trees is a smart choice. Fake Christmas trees don’t need watering, and they’re suitable for those who have allergies to evergreens. What’s more, they’re usually much quicker to put up and take down, generally requiring minimal assembly time and storing away easily after use.

Most importantly, though, the best artificial Christmas trees last for years, meaning it’s one less cost to worry about over the festive period.

You’re probably thinking, “Won’t my tree look fake?” You might be surprised to hear that the short answer is no. Some artificial trees can look remarkably authentic, and even if you opt for a less realistic option, you’ll find plenty of stylish alternatives.

Regardless of your preferred style, read on for our buying guide, followed by our roundup of the best fake trees for the festive season ahead. Alternatively, for a quick list of our top recommendations, see our at-a-glance list below.

READ NEXT: The best advent calendars to buy

Best artificial Christmas trees: At a glance

How to choose the best artificial Christmas tree for you

Which artificial trees look the most real?

Needles made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) look more realistic than those made from plastic, while needles made from PE (polyethylene) are even more lifelike. Examine the really authentic-looking trees and you’ll see that the branch tips are also sculpted.

As you might expect, it’s generally the case that the more authentic a tree looks, the more expensive it is, although some cheaper options still look convincing. Look for branches with dense needles that surround the branch right up to the end rather than give-away exposed tips.

Of course, you can also add your own authentic touches, including tree scent fresheners. However, not all artificial Christmas trees try to look like real trees, with other options including tinsel, feathers, wood and metal.

What size should I go for?

Artificial trees come in all shapes and sizes. Measure your ceiling height, leaving at least two feet of space between the top of the tree and the ceiling, particularly if you want to put a star or angel on top. Also bear in mind that the taller the tree, the wider it is likely to be (with some exceptions), so you should also assess the floor space, making sure your tree won’t be squashed up against a sofa or the branches don’t take over your TV screen. A tree crowded by furniture is not a good look.

Should I buy a pre-lit tree?

Pre-lit trees are quicker and easier to set up and put away than their non-lit counterparts, and while usually more expensive, they will avoid the cost of strings of lights that you’d otherwise need to buy separately. Pre-lit trees tend to have more equally distributed lights, too, whereas this look can take time to achieve if you put your own on.

If you opt for a pre-lit tree, ensure you buy one where the lights are wired in parallel – unlike cheap lights wired in series – so that one burnt-out bulb won’t cause the whole string to go out.

Anything else to consider?

Before clicking that buy now button, make sure to think about the following questions:

• How sturdy is the stand and tree?
• Does it come with a storage bag or box to keep it in when it’s not in use, and do you have room to store it?
• Does it have a manufacturer warranty, which helps guarantee the tree is durable?

READ NEXT: The best Christmas tree decorations to buy

The best artificial Christmas trees to buy in 2023

1. M&S 6ft Spruce Christmas Tree: Best budget Christmas tree

Price when reviewed: £22 | Check price at Marks & Spencer

M&S’s handmade 6ft Spruce is a wonderfully understated (and affordable) Christmas tree. It’s not the widest tree on our list, but the fine branch tips mean it’s still very bushy for the price, making it a top choice for adding class without too much bulk.

The branches fall into place easily, and you can adjust them to suit your style. What’s more, the tree uses “memory branch technology”, meaning that when you take it out of the box next year, it will fall into your chosen arrangement on its own, saving you time and effort.

It includes an easy-to-fit plastic stand but no extras, such as lights. There’s also a five-year guarantee, so you can be sure you’ll use it for many years.

Key details – Sizes available: 6ft (60.9cm wide), Pre-lit: No

2. M&S 6ft Pre-lit Noble Christmas Tree: Best pre-lit tree

Price: £139 | Buy now from Marks and Spencer

If you’re after a beautiful yet fuss-free option for the festive season, this 6ft pre-lit faux fir tree is one to consider. With Marks and Spencer’s memory branches, you can adjust the tree time after time, and the following year it will fall into place automatically, with only a few minor tweaks to get it looking its best.

The tree comes with 200 warm white lights, which cast a subtle, ambient glow. It also has an easy-to-fit stand and a power pole that connects to your mains through its trunk, meaning you can enjoy a beautifully lit tree with minimal effort. We think it looks stunning styled with clear glass baubles and gold stars, but you can also leave it natural for a more minimalist look.

Key details – Sizes available: 6ft (139.7cm wide), 7ft (149.9cm wide), Pre-lit: Yes

3. DWA artificial trees: Best Christmas tree range

Price when reviewed: From £65 | Check price at Amazon

If you want an imposing tree modelled after one of several real-life pine or spruce varieties, DWA’s luxurious artificial Christmas tree range is well worth a look. Featuring ten different types of coniferous tree, from the Canadian Fir pictured above to the bright Virginia Pine or blue-ish Alpine Spruce, the range is unfalteringly pleasing on the eye – and the wallet.

Trees range in size from five to eight feet (150-250 cm) and come with or without frosted tips, depending on which one you choose. The cherry on top is an elongated topmost branch, perfect for wobbly tree toppers.

Key details – Sizes available: 5ft, 6ft, 7ft, 8ft; Pre-lit: No

4. Snowtime Green Pine Pencil Tree: Best budget compact tree

Price when reviewed: £16 | Check price at AmazonStrapped for space? This extra-slim Pine Pencil from Snowtime will fit into the most snug corners. It isn’t the most authentic artificial tree we’ve ever come across, but with folding branches and a metal stand it should at least last for a fair few Christmases. It’s made of PVC and collapses neatly into sections, with a sturdy reusable box to pack it all away in the loft once the festive season is over. This is a practical tree with plenty of glowing Amazon reviews, a small footprint and – most crucially – a low price.

Key details – Sizes available: 4ft; Pre-lit: No

5. Christmas Concepts 60cm Decorated Frosted Tree: Best mini Christmas tree

Price when reviewed: £25 | Check price at Amazon

Having one big tree is a must at Christmas, but sometimes having one or two mini trees is a great way to add festive spirit to your home. Whether for your desk, mantlepiece or the kitchen table, this dinky 60cm Christmas tree is a real gem.

It comes ready assembled with frosted tips, decorations and a stylish metal pot. Better still, it’s super affordable, meaning you can decorate the entire house with little Christmas trees if you want.

Key details – Sizes available: 60cm; Pre-lit: No

6. Balsam Hill Fraser Fir: An authentic-looking tree with really dense branches

Price when reviewed: From £369 | Check price at Balsam Hill

The Fraser fir is an American favourite and the one you’re most likely to see carried into the White House at Christmas. In many ways, it’s similar to the Norway spruce, but the narrower shape makes it a suitable tree type for tighter spaces and the needles are soft and dense. You won’t get the wonderful citrus aroma with this fake version, but it’s close to the real deal in many other aspects.

The manufacturer puts this down to the fact that it moulds the foliage from actual clippings of natural firs, and they certainly haven’t scrimped when it comes to the fullness and two-tone colouring. The tree comes with or without lights. The lights are available in either a warm glow or a multicoloured option.

Key details – Sizes available: 5.5ft to 9ft; Pre-lit: Both available

7. 6ft Balmoral Spruce Snowy Flocked Life Like Artificial Christmas Tree: Best artificial snowy tree

Price when reviewed: £200 | Check price at Hayes Garden World

This luxurious tree is a beautiful, traditional style faux fir in the style of a spruce without the fuss. It boasts lifelike branches flocked with white snow and an impressive 1,698 tips, creating realistic foliage that rivals that of a real tree.

The Balmoral Spruce six-footer has a diameter of 134cm, making it the perfect festive addition for larger living spaces. It’s easy to assemble and doesn’t drop glittery, snowy dust everywhere, as many faux trees do. We like that it comes complete with realistic snowy pinecones, so it can be displayed as is for pared-back festive cheer or decorated to your heart’s content.

Key details – Sizes available: 6ft; Pre-lit: No