I’ve tried and tested the best of the best artificial Christmas trees out there – these are my top-rated picks from budget to luxury

Christmas starts and ends with the Christmas tree. It’s arguably the most important part of the festive decor, the real symbol of the holiday. And even though I am a big fan of real Christmas trees, complete with their authentic smell and feel, there are many advantages to investing in a faux tree instead – especially if you go for one of the best artificial Christmas trees out there, because, let’s be honest, not all fake trees are created equal.

The benefit of opting for an artificial tree is that it’s an investment piece that will last for years to come. A faux tree also requires less maintenance than a real one as you don’t have to worry about constantly cleaning up fallen needles. But with so many different styles and designs available, it can be difficult to figure out which are the best. That’s why I’ve tried and tested some of the top brands’ and retailers’ best, as well as new artificial Christmas trees to figure out which ones are worth the investment and which are better for what – and I’ve narrowed it down to this list of 12 of my top-rated Christmas tree ideas.

Both last year and this year leading up to the festive season, I got together as many artificial Christmas trees as possible from the likes of John Lewis, The White Company, Habitat and more and I put them to the test. My main criteria for judging each tree was how realistic they looked, what was the quality like both in terms of look and feel, how easy or difficult they were to set up, what the experience of decorating them was like and how good the value for money was.

This list has something for everybody – every style, size requirement and budget, from the most affordable pick for under £30 to the most luxurious tree you’ll ever come across, along with some top buying tips to avoid making any artificial Christmas tree buying mistakes. Merry Christmas!

Sara Hesikova

I rate good quality and design – so I won’t let a cheap-looking (and feeling) artificial Christmas tree slide. That’s why I've put in the hours to see, feel, test and try as many fake Christmas trees as possible to keep this guide up to date on the best trees out there.

How I test

As well as utilising the Ideal Home team’s experience of putting up their fair share of artificial trees (hello Ideal Home Christmas photoshoots in July...) in order to compile this edit of the best artificial Christmas trees, I grilled the experts on what to look out for when you shop, decoded branch tip numbers, investigated the ideal height to ceiling ratios, and checked out the chosen trees for ease of assembly and aesthetics. I also took into account the wider views of those who own each product via online reviews.

But perhaps most crucially, I looked at every tree in person, tested and put up a large portion myself and had a feel for each one which is what’s most important. That’s because after you put up your tree, all interaction you and your guests will have with it is just that – looking at it and perhaps touching some branch tips here and there. So how realistic the tree looks to the naked eye and how good it feels when touching it is what ultimately swayed a lot of my decisions. Click here to find out more about how we test and review at Ideal Home.

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The quick list

Short on time? This quick list is an overview of the very best artificial Christmas trees. You'll find more information on each tree and why I'd recommend it if you keep on scrolling.

Best artificial Christmas trees

Best overall

I think this could well be one of the most realistic artificial Christmas trees I've come across and touched. It's an investment, but it does a brilliant job of mimicking the real thing, with 4725 moulded PVC branch tips (nearly double that of most other faux trees we've come across), and a bushy conical shape that delivers that archetypal Christmas tree look.

When it comes time to decorate, this tree is also an easy winner. It comes pre-lit with 900 white micro LEDs, and its natural-looking irregular outline offers a good mix of longer branches for hanging dangling baubles, and fuller branches towards the centre for nestling shorter decorations.

What's more this faux tree comes with a stylish black pot included – something of a rarity in the world of artificial Christmas trees – so there's no need to look for a tree skirt or conjure a way to disguise its base. Perfect for hassle-free set-up.

In fact, the only downside to choosing this tree – other than the fact it only comes in a 7ft design and I'd love a few more size options – is that you might struggle to find it in stock. So if you're looking to invest in a realistic faux Christmas tree and you spot it online or in store, it's well worth snapping up quickly.

Best unlit artificial Christmas tree

If you have the cash to splash on a luxury tree, then this is one of The White Company's bestselling artificial trees that sells out early every year. And at 7.5ft tall it's designed to make a statement.

It can't quite compete with John Lewis & Partner's Cotswold Potted Pre-lit Christmas Tree in terms of branch tips, offering 1754 to the Cotswold tree's 4725, but it does look very realistic, and I loved the fuller, thicker branches that echo the appeal of a real Nordmann fir when I tested this tree last year. And it hasn't changed one bit since then.

Plus, if you prefer the versatility of an unlit artificial Christmas tree then the Symons Nordmann Fir delivers, allowing you to decorate with whatever colour of Christmas tree lights you prefer.

Best pre-lit artificial Christmas tree

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The Christmas tree is decorated with Habitat's Pack of 49 Luxe Christmas Baubles and glass baubles from The White Company, similar available here.

In all honesty, there are several excellent pre-lit artificial Christmas trees that I’d recommend, many of which are on this list, just under different categories which includes the John Lewis Cotswold tree and The White Company Pre Lit Grand Spruce tree. But it’s this brand new Habitat design that’s caught my eye this year – so, of course, I had to give it a try!

One of the features that stood out the most is the sheer amount of lights this tree is covered with – if you want to make a statement with your Christmas lights, this is the tree for you. It boasts 2000 bulbs, compared to John Lewis’ 900 and The White Company’s 650 for the same sized or slightly bigger trees. And yet, it’s cheaper than both, retailing for £220.

Secondly, the tree comes with 8 different light settings to create a proper light show right in your living room.

On the flip side, while the tree definitely has a very realistic look and feels high quality, when compared to my top picks from The White Company and John Lewis, the Habitat design looks a little less real than the other two.

One hiccup that I’ve also encountered when putting the tree together and taking it apart is that first connecting the middle and top parts was a struggle and so was then separating the two – it took two of us. And the key is to twist, not just pull.

Best realistic

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The White Company's Pre-Lit Grand Spruce is always a bestseller, with this conical-shaped Christmas tree available in three size options; a versatile 6ft tree, a popular 7.5ft option, or a make-a-statement 9ft showstopper.

I tested the unlit version of this tree (as pictured) this year - yes, there is an unlit version available, too - and we all marveled at the super realistic look of this beautiful and high-quality tree.

I love the shape and those slightly sparser branches that allow more space for dangling baubles to take centre stage.

Budget buy

Whilst this budget artificial Christmas tree can't rival the more expensive options on this list in terms of realism, if you're looking for a large artificial Christmas tree that won't break the bank, then this affordable option is very hard to beat on price at just £25 for the 6ft tree and £35 for a 7ft centrepiece.

The affordable price tag does naturally mean a lot less tree, with branches understandably a lot sparser compared to those twice or three times its price. For comparison, this budget option offers 565 branch tips on the 6ft version and 703 branch tips on the 7ft model.

That means there are a lot less branches to decorate compared to the 2000+ tips most 7 footers in my round-up deliver, and does make the central pole a lot more visible, although adding some bushy tinsel is a quick and easy way to hide any gaps.

Best snow-covered

Looking to create a winter snow scene worthy of the North Pole? This frosted Christmas tree will help you achieve those Lapland goals, with bushy branches coated in an ethereal powder white coating, delivering a frosted look straight from a crisp winter's morning.

While everyone always talks about the mess needles of real Christmas trees make, rarely anyone ever mentions the mess that comes with snow-covered faux Christmas trees. Which is only one of the reasons why I love this snowy design from M&S – it doesn't make half as much mess as the other styles I've tried.

Opt for the 6ft tree with its 200 warm white LED lights and 891 branch tips, or the 7ft tree with its 300 warm white lights and 1259 branch tips if you want a twinkling showstopper.

The tree comes only in two parts with a metal stand which means it's much quicker to put up compared to other trees – it took me all of 3 minutes to do. And for the relatively mid-range price point, the design looks impressively realistic!

Best value artificial tree

Although some people love the ease of a pre-lit tree, an unlit option is usually cheaper than a comparable pre-lit option and it gives you the versatility to use any colour Christmas tree lights you choose.

A good range of sizes, including 5ft, 6ft, 7ft, 8ft and even grand 10ft (a newcomer this year) options, a relatively reasonable price point, and a high number of branch tips that result in a dense and highly realistic looking fir tree make this option one of my top picks.

Whilst those full branches do make for a bit more tweaking to get each layer looking its best, the results are worth it, with no detail spared in this tree's efforts to mimic the real deal, including outermost tips that are a lighter green to resemble new tree growth. Plus, unlike sparser branched trees, there's no danger of seeing the central pole through this full foliage, and if you like to go OTT on decorations, you won't run out of branches to adorn any time soon.

Best colourful

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Every year as the John Lewis Christmas tree opens, I get excited to see what fun, colourful Christmas tree the retailer is introducing this time. Last year, it was a frosted pink number that stole the show – this year, it’s the gold Pendleton tree instead.

One thing I’d say is that the tree looks much better and more impressive in person than it does on John Lewis’ website. Just based on that image alone, I hadn’t expected to like it very much when ordering it for our Christmas tree shoot. But as soon as I put the tree up on the day, I couldn’t stop smiling and by the end of the day, I was calling it my favourite tree of the day.

The tree is super fluffy, hence the lower branch tip count compared to some of the other tree designs of similar size. The branches feature a tinsel-like fluffy finish, but an expensive one, but they do need to be fluffed out quite a lot to take advantage of their full potential. The colour is gorgeous, of course, the perfect, metallic shade of gold without looking cheap. And even the metal stand included matches the colour of the tree. And it comes pre-lit, too.

Best artificial tree for decorating

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When Cox & Cox first told me about their brand new Bergen Spruce tree coming this year, praising the design’s realistic look, I knew I wanted to get my hands on it and see and try it for myself. And that I did. I can certainly attest to its realistic look, reminiscent of the spruce Christmas trees of my childhood which are characteristic for their slight sparseness on the top, which Cox & Cox perfectly recreated.

But the spruce shape with its upturned branches also make it the perfect tree for decorating as the branches hold the baubles well without them slipping off. And I also found the amount and distribution of branches and branch tips the best for hanging decorations, which were perfectly complemented by the lights. The only thing I’d note is that each of the sections of the tree - there are three in total, plus the metal stand - has to be connected to each other via a power connector, which is the more old-fashioned way of doing it, as many trees these days simply connect and light up the tree via the central pole.

I tested the 6ft size which is perfect for smaller spaces as it doesn’t take up too much space. And according to Cox & Cox, their 6ft trees are always a hit with customers, as they quickly sold out last year. But if you’re after more of a statement and have the space, then I’d recommend the 7ft size instead.

Best miniature artificial tree

I personally grew up with smaller trees placed on top of a table. So if you, too, prefer your tree not taking up too much space in your home or simply don’t have the space for a full-sized 7ft tree, this miniature 3ft tree from The White Company is the perfect alternative.

Alternatively, if you like Ideal Home’s Editor-in-Chief, Heather Young prefer having multiple trees dotted around the house in various rooms, then this tree is a great choice for the kitchen or the staircase landing, for example.

As I’ve already illustrated, The White Company is one of the Ideal Home team’s top-rated brands of artificial Christmas trees with high-end, realistic designs that never disappoint. And neither does this mini version - so much so that our Deputy Digital Editor, Rebecca Knight made the slightly bigger 4.5ft version of this petite tree her main Christmas tree and loves it.

This tree is super easy to assemble with only two parts - the top and bottom - that need to be joined together, after which the branches need to be fluffed up. It also comes with a lovely rattan basket to place it in which further reinforces the ‘real’ and natural look of this prelit tree. And given the fact that the lights work on a battery-operated basis, you don’t even need to have a plug anywhere near it. No unsightly cords either.

Best space-saving artificial tree

An abundance of space is a luxury many are not privileged to – myself included. You may have noticed in the behind-the-scenes testing images that when putting up the Christmas trees in this buying guide, most of them overwhelmed and took over my narrow living room with very little space left to even walk by – even though I must say they looked stunning doing so. But not this pop up tree from Habitat, which looked right at home in my flat.

Whether you too are looking to decorate a small living room for Christmas with a space-saving tree or if you want to put more than one tree in your home and have a petite spot in mind like a hallway or a stair landing, a slim Christmas tree like this Habitat design is the perfect way to go. And the budget-friendly price of £50 makes it all the more worth it.

First launched last year, it's only about 61 centimetres in diameter so takes up very little space. But even when disassembled, the tree fits into a box that’s about a third of the size of most Christmas tree boxes – the box it arrives in measures 46 centimetres in height, 28 centimetres in width and 46 centimetres in depth. So even when you put this tree away at the end of the festive season, it won’t take up too much of your precious storage space.

Another great thing about this tree is how it’s structured – which is also the reason why it takes so little space when taken apart and why it’s so quick and easy to put up, mere 4 minutes. Equipped with a metal stand, the box contains two metal poles which are connected and inserted into the stand. Only then the main part of the tree shaped like a collapsible spiral is placed on top of the poles and a small top part finishes off the look.

Considering the low price point, I wasn’t surprised that this Habitat tree is not the most realistic compared to some of the other ones on this list. It’s also not as bushy as some of the others. But considering how little space it takes and how much it costs, I think it does the job.

Best luxury

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If you're willing to invest in an artificial Christmas tree that pulls out all the stops, then it's well worth considering a luxury option from artificial Christmas tree specialists Balsam Hill, and it doesn't get much more luxe than this innovative Flip Tree® design.

Full, dense foliage with highly realistic yet super polished needles ensures there's plenty of visual wow-factor, but it's the hassle-free set-up that will really make your jaw drop – and justify its investment price tag.

The tree is delivered in two parts, both protected by perfectly-fitting Christmas tree bags. An easily manoeuvrable wheeled base allows you to get the lower section into position without heavy lifting, whereby you simply apply the locking brakes and flip the lower section over to create the base of your tree. The upper section then slots easily into place so your tree can be up and ready to decorate in under a minute, with no individual branches to slot into place and just a little fluffing to get it looking its best.

One thing that I’d note is that the box the tree comes in is pretty large and very heavy. Even if you get rid of the box and keep the parts in the storage bags the tree comes with, the bottom part is still large and pretty heavy. I could move it by myself but I don’t think I could take it up stairs or even up a ladder to a loft all by myself. That’s more of a two-person job – or a job for someone stronger than myself.

For added convenience, this tree is pre-lit with a choice of single-coloured or multicoloured light options. And you get a remote control to be able to take charge of your Christmas lights with ease and from a comfortable distance, no crawling on the floor needed.

Where to buy the best artificial Christmas trees

Based on the list of my top-rated artificial Christmas trees we’ve just gone through, it might be clear where I would recommend shopping for the best trees if you’re on the market for one. But to give you a clear and better idea, here’s a quick run-down of the top retailers to go to.

• John Lewis: an extensive range of high-quality trees for all budgets
• The White Company: top-level trees if you’re willing to splash out
• Argos: budget-friendly designs that also look good
• Marks & Spencer: best for classic trees in a mid-range price point
• Cox & Cox: best for realistic trees perfect for decorating
• Dunelm: great value for money trees
• Balsam Hill: world-class trees at high-end price points

Nicky Phillips

Interior designer, stylist, and journalist Nicky Phillips has styled and art directed over 300 shoots for Ideal Home magazine to date, including plenty of Christmas showstoppers, so she knows her way around assembling and decorating an artificial Christmas tree or two!

She raves about the hassle-free convenience of Balsam Hill's tree collection; 'Their trees are so quick and easy to put together with their slot together pre-lit system. They give a truly real looking faux tree with a beautiful warm white glow'.

Amy Lockwood

No stranger to assembling an artificial Christmas tree, Amy was eager to see how the latest and greatest faux trees compared to the 10-year-old tree she's been lugging up and down from the loft for a decade. Speaking to artificial Christmas tree experts from specialists Balsam Hill, The White Company, Cox & Cox, and more, Amy's investigated everything you need to know about getting this purchase right.

How to choose the best artificial Christmas tree

The best artifical Christmas trees don't come cheap, and no one wants to invest in a tree that looks so fake you can't wait to take it down. Here are our top tips for choosing an artificial Christmas tree that you'll be happy to pile up the presents under and bring down from the loft year after year.

Branch tips

If you want an artificial tree that's difficult to distinguish from the real thing then you need to look at the tree's 'tip count'. This is the number of branch tips a faux tree has been constructed with, and although the tip count will increase with the size of the tree, if you're comparing two options of comparable height, then the tip count is a good indication of its quality.

‘Christmas trees with a high tip count will have a denser appearance, mimicking the look of a real tree and hiding the inner frame,’ says David Sumner, sales manager at Christmas Tree World. ‘While trees with fewer tips may come with a lower price tag, they can look sparse and less impressive so ensure that you’re always checking the tip count to avoid sacrificing fullness for affordability.’

The higher the number of tips, the more bushy and realistic an artificial tree is likely to be. As a rough gauge, the best artificial Christmas trees will generally offer 2000+ branch tips on a 6 foot tree. However, more branch tips does generally also mean more expense.

Budget

When it comes to an artificial Christmas tree, you really do get what you pay for. You can pick up a budget artificial tree for under £100 that will do the job of adding some festive fun to your interior, but if you want a faux tree that can really give the real deal a run for its money then it's likely you're going to need to spend at least two or three hundred pounds.

However, an artificial tree is an investment that you'll be able to use year after year, so calculate the saving you'll make on not buying a real tree each year for the next 5 or 10 years, and you could be making a savvy purchase.

Size

We've probably all made the mistake of falling in love with the biggest real Christmas tree in the field, only to then have to saw sections off just to get it through the front door, let alone make it fit into the living room.

The bonus with an artificial Christmas tree is you can choose exactly the right size to fit your room – as long as you measure up first – and as most are assembled in situ, there's no need to worry about getting a tree up the garden path or through the hallway.

The most popular artificial tree sizes tend to be 6ft, 7 or 7.5ft, or 9ft, but you'll also find bigger and smaller options available depending on your needs.

Mac Harman, founder and CEO of luxury artificial tree and decoration brand, Balsam Hill, offers the following advice for choosing your tree size, 'Before buying a Christmas tree, decide where it will be displayed. Which room will it be displayed in? Will it be a centrepiece? Or will it fit into a corner, along a wall, in front of a window, or next to a doorway? How much space can the tree fill? Look for a tree that is six inches lower than the ceiling height. A 7.5’ tree is best for a standard 8-9' ceiling. This ensures that the tip of the Christmas tree does not hug the ceiling and allows space for a tree topper'.

'For the 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. If you don’t have much space, a slim or narrow tree can still fit and maintain a natural shape. There also are pencil trees that have less of a traditional shape but fit in tight spaces', says Mac.

Cox & Cox's Product & Creative Director, Dani Taylor, agrees, offering the following rule of thumb for getting tree size just right, 'The largest 8-10ft trees are ideal for rooms with high ceilings or to make a big impression outdoors, 7ft trees are the best for standard ceilings with a height of around 240cm, 5-6ft trees are ideal for smaller living areas or homes with low or sloping ceilings, and under 5ft options look perfect on console tables, or in guest bedrooms or children’s rooms. A slim or metal silhouette Christmas tree or Christmas tree wall art can work really well for narrow spaces as an alternative'.

Pre-lit or unlit?

If the idea of detangling fairy lights fills you with existential dread, then a pre-lit Christmas tree could be for you. These ingenious inventions either feature LED lights set into the artificial tree's branch tips or a 'pre-woven' lights that are already securely attached to your tree. Both options allow for hassle-free illumination – just remember to check whether your chosen tree has warm white or cool white LEDs if you're a bit of a stickler for a particular glow.

As the lights are already evenly distributed throughout the whole tree, opting for a pre-lit tree will save you the job of fiddling about and potentially getting in a tangle over the perfect arrangement, plus you don't have to guess just how long a string of fairy lights you need to buy, or have unsightly wires showing through the branches in the daylight.

‘The pros of pre-lit trees are they are convenient and time-saving - with lights already installed and distributed, giving off a professional look! Fibre optic pre-lit trees are popular among those who want a bright and colourful display, with a dazzling array of colours that change and twinkle – they’re also energy-efficient,’ David at Christmas Tree World says.

However, you will generally pay more for a pre-lit artificial tree than an unlit one, and it does limit you a little to your decorating colour scheme each year. And bear in mind that if the lighting system gets damaged then this can be a little trickier to fix than just replacing a set of standalone fairy lights.

If you prefer to add your own lights then Balsam Hill's Mac has the following top tip for getting the illuminations right, 'Lights bring your Christmas tree to life even without decorations. If you prefer to string your own lights, you need at least 100 lights per foot of the tree. Double or triple the amount if you love the look of brighter, more intense lights on your tree'. 

Find more decorating inspiration in our guide to this year's most popular Christmas tree trends and recreate your favourite look with the help of our guide to how to decorate a Christmas tree.

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