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25 Best Artificial Christmas Trees of 2023 | Architectural Digest

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25 Best Artificial Christmas Trees of 2023 | Architectural Digest

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories

To revisit this article, select My Account, then View saved stories

If you’re used to the tradition of a live tree, embracing an artificial one can be a big step, but we think you’ll be impressed with best artificial Christmas trees on the market…and once you go faux, you may never go back. Think about: no pine needles littering the ground, no sap clinging to your hands, no battle to get the tree into the stand, and no water sloshing about once you finally get the whole thing set up (that is, if you even remember to water it).

Ahead, discover full, lush Christmas trees that will trick even the most discerning eye, as well as fun, festive updates with pops of color and other surprises. We’re here for all of it!

If you're of the go-big-or-go-home mindset, this is the tree for you. Hundreds of down-swept, abundant branches create a beautiful, broad profile and a realistic look. The tree is one of Grandin Road's best sellers, and is available in both 7.5' and 9' varieties.

Woodside Christmas Tree: Starting at $899, sold by Grandin Road

Transform your home into a winter wonderland with the help of this full, flocked beauty. The charming spruce stands 7.5' tall, features more than 1,800 branch tips, and has 900 clear incandescent bulbs throughout.

Sterling Inc. Artificial Spruce Christmas Tree: On sale starting at $603, sold by Perigold

Fun fact about Fraser Firs: they have the distinction of being the type of tree most often used as the official White House Christmas tree. You can order this high-quality tree, lit or unlit, in sizes ranging from 5.5' to 9'. The Balsam Hill tree is also available with frosted tips, if you prefer a snowy-looking flocked tree.

Balsam Hill Fraser Fir Tree: On sale starting at $699, sold by Balsam Hill

If you want hassle-free, easy assembly, you can't go wrong with this Dunhill Fir from Joss & Main. It's fluffy and full, and it has a traditional look. The artificial Christmas tree is available in heights ranging from 6.5- to 12-feet.

Jack Artificial Christmas Tree: On sale starting at $328, sold by Joss & Main

Here's another flocked find that made us do a double take. This incredibly realistic evergreen looks like it was chopped right off a mountainside. The tree is available in 7.5' and 9' options.

Aspen Pine Flocked Tree: Starting at $659, sold by Grandin Road

This slim artificial Christmas tree makes a statement without taking up a lot of room. It’s available in 7'5 X 32" and 9' X 38" varieties.

Cathedral Fir Tree: On sale starting at $499, sold by Balsam Hill

Another one of the prettiest pre-lit Christmas trees is this Blue Spruce. The full foliage on this fake tree includes realistic needles in blue-green and silvery hues, just like an authentic Blue Spruce. Choose from 4'5 to 9' heights, in lit and unlit versions.

Classic Blue Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree: On sale starting at $499, sold by Balsam Hill

We absolutely love the globe lights on this flocked tree. They cast a large, lovely glow that will shine through your windows. And, as with all pre-lit trees, you’re in for an easy setup and disassembly.

Park City Tree: Starting at $599, sold by Balsam Hill

This tree has it all: flocking, lights, and towering height. The tree is available in heights ranging from 6' to a massive 15'.

Frosted Yukon Spruce: On sale starting at $599, sold by Balsam Hill

This beauty stands 7.5' tall and looks like it was plucked right off the tree farm…but you can actually just pull it out of the box. Speaking of, let your tree breathe for a day or two after you take it out of the box. That way, the branches can fluff out on their own before you decorate the tree.

National Tree Company “Feel Real” Christmas Tree in Downswept Douglas Fir: On sale for $305, sold by Amazon

This 7.5-foot tree comes with built-in twinkly lights that can be programmed in any color combo or pattern (like the cool rainbow hues seen below). Once you download the Twinkly app to your phone, you can use it like a remote control to change up the vibe whenever you like.

Twinkly 7.5-Foot Pre-lit Artificial Christmas Tree: $416, sold by Amazon

A visible trunk and lean profile make this tree a minimalist’s dream. The tree comes in heights ranging from 4.5' to 12' and features clear LED fairy lights.

Alpine Balsam Fir: On sale starting at $279, sold by Balsam Hill

This stately tree looks just like the real thing. It comes with 750 pre-strung lights and hinged branches, making setup and teardown straightforward (just push each hinge down and pop into a storage bag). The tree is available in four sizes, ranging from 4.5' to 7.5'.

National Tree Carolina Pine Tree with Clear Lights: On sale starting at $365, sold by Amazon

More than 500 lights set off the champagne coloring on this elegantly festive tree.

Long Needle Tinsel Tree: Starting at $799, sold by Grandin Road

There are lifelike, realistic artificial Christmas trees—and then there are fiberoptic beauties meant to dazzle the eye with 87 color LED lights and 1,000+ fiberoptic tips. You can control the lighting color and patterns, and there are 23 pre-programmed dancing patterns to choose from. This rainbow hued tree is available in two sizes (4.5', 7.5' and 9').

The Northern Lights Christmas Tree: Starting at $350, sold by Hammacher Schlemmer

Another one of our top picks is this slim tree that's designed for outdoor use. No detail was left out: even the base looks like real, sturdy wood.

Pre-Lit Porch Pencil Tree: Starting at $429, sold by Grandin Road

Shake things up with a 7' upside-down Christmas tree–and yes, this is very much a thing. The tree design is inspired by trend that dates back to the Middle Ages, according to The Spruce, where households in Central Europe would hang trees from their ceilings. Ariana Grande is also a fan of this quirky trend. It might be impractical for most modern living rooms, but you can get the same effect with an upside-down tree like this, which rests on a base.

Upside-Down Artificial Christmas Tree: On sale for $77, sold by Target

Here’s another quirky pick that we couldn’t resist. Channel warm weather vibes with a cheeky 6' palm—and if you prefer a shorter palm, it’s available in 4' and 5' versions as well.

Puleo International Pre-Lit Artificial Palm Tree: On sale for $82, sold by Amazon

Want to go in a different direction entirely? Channel a whimsical holiday feel with this weeping willow that's just as festive as any blue spruce or pine tree. The pretty tree is just under 6' and will add grandeur to any room.

Etta Avenue Artificial Lighted Tree: On sale for $67, sold by Wayfair

Some of the best artificial Christmas trees are actually more modest specimens that have emerged to suit small spaces and/or folks with contemporary taste. Case in point? This low-profile, Scandinavian-style pick with dowels for tree branches (no fluffing required!). It's available in two different tree heights.

Beaded Heirloom™ Wood Christmas Tree: On sale starting at $306, sold by Welcome To The Woodshop on Etsy

With a birch-like finish for the daytime and tiny LEDs that glow when the lights go down, this one is a trio is a winner—and a great option if you prefer a white Christmas tree.

Lightshare Trio of Warm White Birch Trees: On sale for $149, sold by Amazon

If you’re low on space but big on heart, these sweet little trees make a welcome addition to any tabletop or mantel. The small size is two feet tall and has 30 LED lights, and the large size is two-and-a-half feet tall and has 50 LED lights.

Mini Faux Pre-lit Alpine Tree: Starting at $44, sold by Anthropologie

Prefer a flocked look? Anthropologie has the same exact trees with frosted finish.

Faux Snowy Pre-lit Alpine Tree: Starting at $54, sold by Anthropologie

The branches on this tree stand at attention thanks to wired stems throughout, and fake dirt in the pot adds onto to illusion that this was, in fact, plucked right out of the forest.

36" Real Touch Faux Norfolk Pine Tree: $68, sold by Afloral

This petite pine tree is the stuff Barbiecore dreams are made of. The tree is available in two sizes (2' X 15" and 3' by 18") and two styles (lit and unlit). Either way, all the PVC needles are a brilliant, shining pink.

Vickerman Pink Pine Artificial Christmas Tree: On sale starting at $44, sold by Target

The easiest way to make your artificial Christmas tree look like a real tree is to, well, cover it up. Go heavier on the decorations this year: Think garland, Christmas lights, pine cones, ornaments, a tree topper, etc. We're talking the works. Check out our go-to holiday decor tips that will make the best Christmas trees look even more magical.

It’s affordable in bulk, doubles as a garland, and covers quite a bit of real estate.

2" Wide French Velvet Ribbon: starting at $8, sold by Lace Applique on Etsy

A dead giveaway—no pun intended—that your tree’s a fake is the base: that plastic, mechanical-esque tree stand. Cover that metal stand up with a festive tree skirt (or basket!) as you would with real Christmas trees.

Conell Tree Skirt: $199, sold by Pottery Barn

If your tree doesn't have pre-strung lights, head to the holiday aisle for some white or multicolored lights. They'll draw the eye to the center of the tree and take the attention off of the branches. Besides, you can never have too many lights in your home decor during the holiday season.

PrexTex Clear White Christmas Tree Lights with White Wire: Starting at $12, sold by Amazon

This tip is genius: Bolster the PVC branches with small sprigs of real evergreen before you decorate. Green floral wire is your friend here. Starting closer to the trunk of your artificial tree, adjoin a small, real sprig to a fake branch with a few twists of wire. Repeat as often as you’d like, scattering the pieces consistently around your tree. You’ll get that amazing smell of the season with a fraction of the needles. Visit your local nursery for scrap evergreen or find options on Etsy.

Fresh Evergreen Cuttings: starting at $18, sold by Wet n' Wild Gardens on Etsy

Choose big, sturdy blooms and tuck them into the gaps in your artificial Christmas tree once it’s fully decorated. You can go faux, or use the real thing (you can keep real flower cuttings fresher longer by housing stems in water tubes, as florists do).

Mini Magnolia Picks (Set of 12): Starting at $129, sold by Balsam Hill

The height of your fake Christmas tree first and foremost depends on the height of your ceiling, of course. A good rule of thumb is to keep your tree at least 1.5 feet lower than your ceiling, otherwise it will look crowded.

25 Best Artificial Christmas Trees of 2023 | Architectural Digest

Fiber tree Anywhere! Aand you can find a tree to fit any space: petite, tabletop trees are great additions for studio apartments, kids' rooms, dorms, and other small spaces. Slim, pencil trees are good space-savers, too. No matter what size or where you're planning to put your tree, there's a few things to keep in mind: