Well alright, it is a little early. But make no mistake, people are already shopping for Christmas and it won’t be long before stocks start to run low. The best artificial Christmas trees often sell out well before December. Little wonder, now that they look almost identical to the real thing.
This is thanks to a more extensive design process, enabling makers to craft more realistic branches and tips: “I can’t tell you how much goes into designing our faux collection to make every branch look as close to the real thing as possible,” says Chrissie Rucker, founder of White Company. America’s Balsam Hill, who make some of the best fake Christmas trees, base the branches for their faux Nordmann firs on clippings from real trees.
I spent some time trying out all this year’s best artificial trees and you can read my reviews further down, followed by some advice on how to tell a good fake Christmas tree from a bad one, as well as a guide to size, weight, materials and tip count. But if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at my top five:
Which are the best artificial Christmas trees in 2023? At a glance
- Best overall: White Company Symons Nordmann Fir
- Best value Christmas tree - Habitat Mixed Tip Natural Look Christmas Tree
- Most realistic fake Christmas tree: Balsam Hill Nordmann Fir
- Best unlit Christmas tree: John Lewis Brunswick Spruce
- Best mini Christmas tree: White Company Pre-Lit Mini
What is the best type of artificial Christmas tree?
I have chosen to review the 7ft models where available, which tend to be the most popular. But all are available in a range of sizes. Remember that you don’t have to plump for the most realistic fake Christmas tree; twig trees, which were hugely popular last year, look set to be again this Christmas.
“Twig trees offer a contemporary and minimalist take on Christmas,” says Jason Billings-Cray, Christmas buyer at John Lewis. “They are also a great space saver for those with smaller homes, or those opting for more than one tree.”
How I tested the best artificial Christmas trees
I spent a week putting up a selection of artificial trees in my living room, at a range of price points. I wanted to see how closely they resembled real Christmas trees, judging them on the amount of branches, number of tips and detailing, as well as overall wow factor.
Regarding price, I found that any fake tree over 6ft high that costs less than £100 is not worth the money: I failed to find one that looked realistic enough. The winning tree for me was at the top end of the budget (although not the very top), but I reasoned that the cost could be divided over a potential 20-year lifespan.
Best artificial Christmas trees
1. The White Company Symons Nordmann Fir Christmas Tree, 7.5ft
Best overall, 10/10
We like: it’s a luxurious tree that looks incredibly realistic
We don’t like: it sells out early every year (we’re hoping stocks are higher in 2023)
- Free standard UK delivery in 3-5 days
- 7.5ft high x 5.3ft wide, weighs 18.6kg
- 1,754 tips
- Unlit
Pre-lit Christmas trees may be fun, but there’s nothing more joyful than decorating your own tree, top to bottom with your own lights and Christmas tree decorations. The White Company’s bestselling tree has hyper-realistic branches in a very natural shade of green to resemble a real Nordmann Fir. There are a remarkable 1,754 tips to give a full, bushy effect.
The tree was very quick to put up as it only comes in three parts, but it took a bit of time to position the branches and fluff them out. The Christmas tree skirt comes included, unlike some of the other White Company trees, or you can dress the base yourself with fabric and presents.
There’s no doubt £595 is a lot of money, but you can mentally divide it over several Christmas seasons: ideally, you want a fake tree to last 20 years. I felt this was good value for a 7.5ft luxury tree that looks so realistic. But it’s worth noting that The White Company sells a range of fake Christmas trees, most of which are cheaper.
2. Habitat 8ft Mixed Tip Natural Look Christmas Tree
Best value artificial Christmas tree, 9/10
We like: the price is good
We don’t like: it’s not as full and realistic as the more luxe options
- Free click & collect at Argos stores
- 8ft tall x 1ft 2in wide, weighs 10kg
- 2,466 PVC tips, 3D and flat needles mix
- Self assembly, hinged branches
- One year manufacturer’s guarantee
It is hard to find a tree that looks attractive enough for under £200, and even the £100-£150 offerings are slim pickings. But Habitat’s 6ft natural look tree does a good job for the price. There are not as many branches as the more deluxe offerings (it weighs 10kg, compared to the 45kg of the Balsam Hill Nordmann Fir below which gives you an marker to compare it by), meaning that the undecorated trunk is on show, and overall the effect is not as realistic.
The branches are made from PVC rather than moulded PE tips, but the colour is a nice, natural-looking green (albeit a flat colour compared with the more nuanced tones of the premium options). It is easy to assemble but be warned: the branches take quite a while to unfurl and twist into shape. You will need to decorate this quite heavily to disguise the trunk and branches, but at £150, it is a good budget option.
3. Balsam Hill Nordmann Fir 7ft with candlelight clear LED
Most realistic fake Christmas tree, 9/10
We like: this is a total stunner, with luxurious, full branches, warm lights and easy assembly
We don’t like: it comes at a price
- Free standard UK delivery in 3-5 days
- 7ft tall x 4ft wide, weighs 45kg
- Also available in 4ft, 5ft, 6ft, 8ft, 9ft, 10ft and 12ft sizes
- 2,026 PE tips
- 650 lights, mains operated
- Three-year warranty
This is the gold standard of faux trees: the branches are based on clippings from real Nordmann firs and have needles that are a dark waxy green on top, and gently curved to reveal a silvery underside - just like the real thing. 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 naturalistic look. On this 7ft model there are 2,026 tips.
As well as a choice of sizes from 4ft to a gargantuan 12ft, you get a range of lighting options. The Candlelight Clear, which I tested, has 650 bulbs. The multicoloured Colour + Clear version has 960 bulbs. The Twinkly Light Show option has just 480, but they can be controlled from a smartphone app for a variety of effects. There’s also an unlit version.
Balsam Hill trees are easy to construct, coming in three sections that plug into each other, but they are very heavy (up to 174kg for the 12ft tree). This one is 45kg, so you will probably need two people to put it up.
4. John Lewis Brunswick Spruce Unlit Christmas Tree, 7ft
Best unlit artificial Christmas tree, 9/10
We like: its hyper realistic branches, deep green colour and full design
We don’t like: there are still some gaps between branches after the unfurling
- Free standard UK delivery within five days
- 7ft tall x 4ft 5in wide, weighs 14.4kg
- Also available in 5ft and 6ft sizes
- 3,507 PE and PVC tips
The Brunswick is an incredibly realistic, full tree with a classically conical shape. The branches are uneven in length and texture (as in nature) and range from a deep emerald green which graduate to lighter tone at the tip. The fullness of this tree is what makes it stand out - there are more than 3,500 moulded PVC tips. “The soft, irregular outline permits longer tree trims to hang freely, whilst more compact decorations nestle neatly between the branches,” John Lewis Christmas buyer Jason Billings-Cray says.
The tree is simple to set up - it comes in three sections, which slot together and then into the metal stand provided; the branches are hinged and need to be pulled down into place. Despite the fullness of the design, it is much less heavy than the Balsam Hill, coming in at 14.4kg. It comes unlit, ready for your own lights and Christmas decorations. Billings-Cray recommends “warm colour palettes of copper, orange and traditional red”.
While I felt this was among the best of John Lewis offering, the brand has a huge array of choice, including the cheaper Petersberg and Fireside ranges, which have fewer tips.
5. Marks and Spencer 6ft Warm Pre-lit Slim Pine
Best slim Christmas tree, 8/10
We like: the ‘memory branches’ fall into place for super-quick set-up
We don’t like: the unnatural shape (though it’s perfect for small flats)
- Free standard delivery
- 6ft tall x 2ft wide
- 400 tips PE and PVC tips, 150 LED bulbs, mains powered
- 5 year guarantee
Lots of us don’t have room for big, bushy branches in our homes and what we really need is a tree that will fit the available space, whether it’s a tight corner or the gap beside the telly. You wouldn’t call Marks and Spencer’s two-foot wide tree realistic (nature doesn’t make them in this shape), but up close the branches and needles are as lifelike as almost any other tree we tried and it’s by far the easiest large tree to put up, take down and store. Just make sure you have enough presents, or a skirt, to cover the wiry base.
6. White Company Pre-Lit Mini Christmas Tree
Best mini Christmas tree, 8/10
We like: it’s realistic but pint-sized, meaning you can put it anywhere in the house for extra Christmas cheer
We don’t like: the batteries don’t come included
- Standard UK delivery in 3-5 days for £3.50
- 1ft 5in tall x 7in wide, weighs 520g
- 32 PE tips
- 20 LED lights, AA battery powered
Perfect for a child’s bedroom, a kitchen window sill, coffee table or even a porch, this little pre-lit mini Christmas tree will bring an extra touch of Christmas magic. At 1.5ft tall, it can be positioned nearly anywhere, especially thanks to the lights that are powered by batteries rather than wires, meaning you are not tied to putting it near plug sockets. The faux fir is as realistic as its larger sibling trees (with 32 tips), and has 20 warm LED lights that emit a soft glow. It sits in a sweet seagrass basket and adds an instant pop of Christmas for a room that you wouldn’t normally put a tree in.
7. John Lewis Pre-Lit Birch Twig Tree in Copper, 6ft
Best twig tree, 8/10
We like: the simple but sturdy design is a great alternative to a traditional tree
We don’t like: the LEDs are bright white instead of warm white
- Free standard UK delivery within five days
- 6ft tall x 9in wide, adjustable width, weighs 2.2kg
- 600 LED bulbs, mains operated
Twig trees are growing in popularity as a contemporary alternative to a traditional tree. This 6ft copper-coloured twig tree from John Lewis fills the same space, is pre lit with 600 pure white LEDs (although this is a slight black mark from me as pure white is not as soft as warm white and can be too bright). It is charming enough to be left bare or hung with a few Christmas decorations - but you wouldn’t want to overdo it.
This twig tree, made from metal and covered with PVC, is sturdy enough and at 2.2kg, it’s lightweight - but I could see an errant toddler or dog knocking it over. What is particularly useful about a twig tree is that as they don’t scream Christmas, they can be used at other times of year: Billings-Cray says lots of customers are buying for Autumn and then using as a secondary tree at Christmas. If copper doesn’t match your scheme, this comes in a white option, too.
8. Lights4Fun 3ft Pre-lit Outdoor Potted Christmas Tree
Best outdoor fake Christmas tree, 7/10
We like: with the chic-looking galvanised steel pot, this mini tree looks more expensive than it is
We don’t like: it’s expensive for a small tree
- Free standard UK delivery within five days, 30 day returns
- 3ft tall x 1ft 6in wide, weighs 5.3kg
- 481 PE and PVC tips
- 100 LED bulbs, D battery operated
- Two year warranty
This very sweet 90cm high tree has realistic-looking silvery-green branches, pre lit with warm-LED bulbs on a six-hour timer and can be kept outside. Line up several down the path for a luxurious festive feel, place on your doorstep or even in the porch. It comes in a galvanised steel pot which works with modern or traditional gardens and is surprisingly heavy - meaning it won’t blow away.
9. Cox & Cox Frosted Fir Pre-Lit Potted Tree, 4ft
£175, Cox & Cox (available for pre-order)
Best snowy Christmas tree, 7/10
We like: it can be used inside or outside and the frosting brings an extra festive element
We don’t like: the frost isn’t overly realistic and it comes in a plastic pot
- Standard UK delivery in 3-5 days for £5.95, 28 day returns
- 4ft tall x 2ft 3in wide, weighs 6.5kg
- 487 PE and PVC tips with frosted finish
- 100 LED bulbs, AA battery powered
This 4ft high frosted tree makes an excellent secondary addition - either in the garden or in the hall or porch. The frosted tips are probably not going to fool anyone that they’re actually in Narnia - especially if the ground is bare of snow - but they bring a fun and festive element to the tree.
The branches themselves are realistic looking, made up of PE branches and PVC tips, and it is pre-lit with 100 warm white bulbs with eight different light settings. There’s no need to decorate this, meaning it creates an instant wow factor as soon as you’ve got it up and fluffed out the branches. The plastic pot it comes in is fine, but you might want to display it in something more decorative, or even a spare terracotta from the garden.
The tree is available to pre-order now, with dispatches expected from early November.
Artificial Christmas Tree FAQ
How to choose an artificial Christmas tree
“We recommend that your tree should be at least 20cm shorter than the ceiling, to allow for a Christmas tree topper,” says Dani Taylor, product and creative director at Cox & Cox. “A tight squeeze always looks a little ill-thought-out.” Balsam Hill CEO Mac Harman adds that a 7ft 5in tree is best for a standard 8-9ft ceiling.
A mini tree can be a great option for a secondary room: “I love to place a smaller sized tree on my kitchen windowsill – or they are great for a child’s room, guest bedrooms, bathrooms, or downstairs cloakrooms, as well,” The White Company’s Chrissie Rucker says.
What is the most realistic looking fake Christmas tree?
Look for trees made of PE (polyethylene), whose needles are injection moulded in 3D, sometimes using moulds of branches from real trees to create a more life-like appearance. PVC models are instead cut out of flat material.
“PE allows tree makers to mould the needles for better realism,” Mac Harman says. “PE trees generally have the best quality, colour and shape of any type of artificial tree.”
Which are the best artificial Christmas trees?
More realistic trees (like those from John Lewis, The White Company and Balsam Hill, above) have more branches and, importantly, more branch tips. A good 7ft tree should have over 1,000 tips and some have well over 2,000, the cost of production being reflected in the price. The weight of the overall tree will also give an idea of quality: expect a premium 7ft tree to weigh over 15kg, while a cheaper option could be around 8-10kg.
What is more environmentally friendly, a fake or real Christmas tree?
You would need to use an artificial Christmas tree for 10 years for it to be more environmentally friendly than a real Christmas tree. This is because of metal, plastic, energy and water used in its manufacture and export (usually from China). A real Christmas tree removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while it’s growing and usually has less far to travel. It causes one tenth of the damage to the environment that an artificial Christmas tree does – unless it is being imported from overseas, in which case the transport emissions have to be taken into account.
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