Best Artificial Christmas Trees in 2021

Features to Look for in Artificial Christmas Trees

Quality – If you are environmentally conscious, you should know that you will have to own and maintain an artificial Christmas tree for 5 years on average to outpace a live tree's carbon footprint. So, picking one that will last long beyond that will truly help you reduce your carbon footprint and likely save you some money in the process!

According to Balsam Hill, the manufacturer of the Cadillac of all artificial trees, every faux fir you find on the market comes from China. That said, there's a wide variety when it comes to quality.

Nearly all artificial trees are a mix of metals and plastics. PVC in the molded form typically takes on a lot of the shrubbery and center stock, where metal plays a support role running through each piece's center. Some lower-end artificial trees can contain lead, so if you want to avoid the hazard of lead exposure, you're going to have to spend a bit more money.

High-end artificial trees utilize molded polyethylene (PE) to replicate the tree's needles' look and feel. Needles are also made out of PVC but do not look realistic. The higher the PE count on the tree, the bigger the price tag.

Size – The largest recorded artificial Christmas tree measured over 236-feet in height and belonged to Arjuna Ranatunga of Sri Lanka. That probably won't fit in your living room, so we won't bother you with the pricing details on something like that. However, artificial trees range widely in size. If you want to go small, there are trees measuring just inches in height, perfect for a mantle or countertop in a small apartment.

The typical, full-sized range of artificial trees range from 5 to 12-feet in height. Depending on your home's size and the amount of storage space you have for the off-season, it's best to pick a tree that fits comfortably wherever you park it. Don't crowd the room—that's what presents are for!

Color – One of the real benefits of an artificial tree is the wide variety of color options you can find straight from the factory. Your typical pine green is the industry standard for most trees, but many companies sell them in full powder white to replicate snow. There are red and blue trees as well. Some companies manufacture their needles out of fine fiber optic wire, so at the end of the wire, the tree reveals a series of colors, sometimes changeable with a remote control.

Whatever color you settle on this year, make sure it's something that you think is timeless and will be in fashion the next season. You'd hate to buy that florescent pink tree this year as a gag and then have to find a new one next year when your tastes, ahem, evolve.

Hinged vs. Hooked Branches – Storage and price are two determining factors when buying an artificial Christmas tree. The type of branches your tree comes with will really play into the pricing and storage. Hooked branches are great because they disconnect from the tree entirely when put in storage. These limbs can be stored in a separate box and also, in some cases, arranged on the tree in a manner you see fit. Hinged branches stay attached to the tree, and when it's time to close up shop on Christmas for the year, they swing upward, creating a more streamlined tree for storage.

Trees with hooked branches typically cost less than their hinged counterparts. This cost disparity is partial because the hinge units themselves cost a bit more to manufacture. You're also paying for convenience when buying a hinged tree.

Stand – Depending on the manufacturer, some trees are sold with their own stands, while others do not. A standard artificial Christmas tree stand looks like the bottom of the stool in that it has 3-to-4 legs and a center post where the tree inserts. Because they do not require any water, an artificial Christmas tree stand can be fairly minimal, which is great for storage.

Once the tree is in the stand, a small thumbscrew tightens into the base of the tree. This allows the tree to stand on its own without tipping. Some artificial trees include a receiver for the thumbscrew, so if that is the case with your tree, line up the hole and hand tighten until the tree feels secure.

Prelit vs. Unlit – For those who want to take the fast route to get the house up and ready for the holiday, some artificial Christmas trees come pre-installed with lights. These trees tend to cost a bit more, but you won't have to hassle with ensuring that your light placement is perfectly equidistant. You'll also be able to reserve your existing Christmas lights for your mantle, banister, or the outside of your house – bonus!

Fully Decorated – If you want to take the quick route to Christmas town, skip the prelit tree and buy yourself a fully-decorated one instead! Sometimes all of that tinsel and ball-hanging is a hassle, anyway. Beyond that, the pros know best when it comes to ornament placement, so consider a fully-decorated tree if you want to look like a professional and save some time as well!

Covered in Snow – If you want your living room to look like a blizzard just passed through, but you cleaned up in time for guests, a "covered in snow" style tree is a great option. These trees are a standard artificial tree that has been heavily dusted by white paint resembling a light snowfall.

One thing you may love about an all-white tree is the contrast between the colors of your ornaments, lights, and tinsel against the stark white backdrop. The color combinations can be quite striking, but, again, ensure that this is something you feel like you'll want for the long term; otherwise, you'll be shopping again this time next year for something new!

"Feel Real" – Some trees feel more real than others. Typically the more you spend, the more likely it is to have a tree that not only resembles the real deal but feels like it, as well. As most limbs and needles are made from PVC or PE, some companies make theirs out of a combination of fabric and artificial material closely resembling true needles. The only downside to this is that this can sometimes affect its long-term durability, so make sure you pack your real-feeling tree up carefully.

Artificial Christmas Tree FAQ

Q: What do Christmas trees symbolize?

A: Evergreen firs have been utilized for thousands of years to symbolize the season. Pagans once used the branches of firs to decorate their home in celebration of the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. This day represents the turn of the seasons towards spring and a return to a fertile future. In the Christian tradition, the tree itself represents the trinity, given its triangle-like shape. Others believe that the tree is a symbol for the Garden of Eden or the Paradise Tree.

To many in the modern age, the Christmas tree represents the closing of another year and the coming together of family. The tree itself has lost some of its connection to its early, historical timeline. Still, it represents something important, none-the-less, to those who convene around it each year in celebration.

Q: Which is the most realistic artificial Christmas tree?

A: If you've spent much time out in what Twain calls "the territory," you'll know that trees are not symmetrical, their colors can be all over the place, and they definitely have a particular smell! So, whatever you do, if you're looking for a lifelike Christmas tree, avoid the overly symmetrical design. Instead, find a tree design that gives you that in-the-wild feeling.

Q: Are artificial Christmas trees safer than real ones?

A: There's an element of safety and risk with both an artificial and real Christmas tree. On the one hand, a real tree will drop needles in the house, which can be hazardous to children and animals. However, real trees do not contain any dangerous chemicals like lead. Artificial trees are typically a bit more lightweight than their natural counterpart, which means if they tip over, there's less potential damage. Whatever tree you choose to be very careful with the electrical outlet and prelit artificial Christmas trees. If you've ever seen National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, you know a curious cat can end your tree in a hurry.

Q: Is it better to get an artificial Christmas tree?

A: If you buy an artificial tree that you will love and keep for many seasons, this can be a better way to go. It will save you money in the long run and be better for the environment. The only real downside to an artificial tree is that you'll need to store it for the rest of the year, and it doesn't have that true tree look and smell — a small price to pay for convenience, however.

Q: How do you make an artificial Christmas tree look cooler?

A: If you want the best of both worlds, buying a nice artificial tree and classing it up with some killer ornaments and additions can really give you everything you want. To start, make sure all the branches on your artificial tree are fully fluffed. Once that is done, you can begin to add real elements.

If you're able to procure some real branches and pine cones, these go a long way to adding a true tree look and feel to your artificial tree. Begin filling out the empty spaces between the branches with these elements and then fill in the small gaps with garland and ornaments. The added real branches will give you a nice tree smell for at least a week.

Finally, take a can of flat white primer or finishing paint in a spray can and tip the ends of your tree with a little white that will give them the look of a fresh dusting of snow.

Q: What size Christmas tree should I buy?

A: First, take a measuring tape and figure out how high the ceiling is in the room intended for the tree. The pros recommend you give your tree at least a foot of breathing room from the topper to the ceiling. Next, consider the diameter of the tree. Throwing a tape measure across the ground will help you identify the maximum width you can potentially. Just remember to give the tree edges a little space from the walls to ensure that your tree has plenty of room to sparkle.

Q: How much do artificial Christmas trees cost?

A: Like any consumer product, the sky is the limit! It's possible to spend the price of a compact car on a tree if you want. However, most moderately priced Christmas trees run in the low $100s to $2000, depending on size and how lifelike they feel. There's an artificial Christmas tree for every budget.

Sources:

1. The History and Evolution of Artificial Trees - Dambly's Garden Center
2. Christmas Tree Facts - University Of Illinois
3. The History of Christmas Trees - WhyChristmas?
4. Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees: Which is the Greener Choice? - The New York Times
5. Real vs. Fake—Which Christmas Tree is Better for the Environment? - The Nature Conservancy