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Quick answer: The best Christmas tree for most families is a 7.5 foot pre-lit artificial tree with a mix of PE and PVC tips, like the National Tree Company Dunhill Fir. If you want a real tree, go with a Fraser fir. It holds its needles the longest and its sturdy branches can handle your heaviest ornaments.
Picking the tree is the moment the whole season starts for me. It sets the tone for every photo, every cozy night on the couch and every gift that ends up underneath it. So I rounded up the best Christmas trees for every budget, space and style, plus exactly what size to buy and how to keep your tree looking full all season.
The Best Christmas Trees at a Glance
Table of Contents
| Tree | Best For | Type |
|---|---|---|
| National Tree Company 7.5 ft Dunhill Fir | Best overall value | Pre-lit artificial |
| Balsam Hill 7.5 ft Classic Blue Spruce | Most realistic splurge | Pre-lit artificial |
| Best Choice Products Premium Spruce | Best budget pick | Unlit artificial |
| Hykolity 7.5 ft Flocked Tree | Best flocked tree | Pre-lit artificial |
| National Tree Company 7.5 ft Kingswood Fir Slim | Best for small spaces | Unlit artificial |
| OasisCraft 3 ft Tabletop Tree | Best tabletop tree | Pre-lit artificial |
| Fraser fir | Best real tree | Real |
Best Artificial Christmas Trees
Artificial trees have come a long way. The most realistic ones mix molded PE (polyethylene) tips with classic PVC for fullness. When I shop, I look for hinged branches, a sturdy metal stand and easy assembly. Pre-lit is a bonus if you want to skip the light untangling.
Best Overall: National Tree Company 7.5 ft Pre-Lit Dunhill Fir
This is the tree I would send most friends to first. It has 2,514 tips, 700 LED lights with 10 light functions and a foot pedal so you can turn it on without crawling behind the branches. It is full, classic and priced well below the luxury brands. Shop the Dunhill Fir on Amazon.
Most Realistic Splurge: Balsam Hill 7.5 ft Pre-Lit Classic Blue Spruce
If you want guests to ask whether your tree is real, Balsam Hill is the name to know. This Classic Blue Spruce comes with 1,000 clear lights and Easy Plug connections so the sections power up as you stack them. Shop the Balsam Hill Blue Spruce on Amazon.
Best Budget Pick: Best Choice Products Premium Unlit Spruce
Thousands of reviewers love this one for its dense branches and simple setup on a metal base. It comes unlit, so you can choose your own lights and keep the cost low. Shop the Best Choice Products Spruce on Amazon.
Best Flocked Tree: Hykolity 7.5 ft Pre-Lit Flocked Tree
A flocked tree gives you that fresh snowfall look without the mess. This Hykolity tree has 1,446 tips, 450 warm white LEDs and hinged branches that fall into place quickly. Shop the Hykolity flocked tree on Amazon.
Best for Small Spaces: Slim and Pencil Trees
Slim trees are my go-to for entryways, corners and apartments. The National Tree Company 7.5 ft Kingswood Fir Slim gives you full height with a narrow footprint. If you want the lights already on, the Puleo International 7.5 ft Pre-Lit Fraser Fir Pencil Tree has 1,188 tips and 350 clear lights.
Best Tabletop Tree: OasisCraft 3 ft Pre-Lit Tree
A tabletop tree is perfect for a kitchen counter, a kids room or a home office. This 3 foot tree comes pre-lit with LED lights and pine cone accents. Shop the OasisCraft tabletop tree on Amazon.
Loving the look of a Noble fir? I put together a full guide to the most realistic Noble fir artificial Christmas trees.
Best Real Christmas Trees by Type
Nothing beats the scent of a real Christmas tree. Here are the most popular varieties and what each one does best.
- Fraser fir: Excellent needle retention and a classic shape. The best real Christmas tree for most homes.
- Noble fir: Strong, evenly spaced branches that hold heavy ornaments.
- Douglas fir: Full, soft and fragrant at a friendly price.
- Balsam fir: The traditional Christmas tree scent.
- Blue spruce: Beautiful silvery blue color with stiff needles.
For the freshest tree, buy from a local farm. Here is my guide to making a Christmas tree farm trip a holiday tradition and a roundup of the best Christmas tree farms near you.
What Size Christmas Tree Do I Need?
Measure your ceiling height and subtract at least 12 inches to leave room for your tree topper. Then use this quick guide.
- 8 foot ceiling: 6.5 to 7 foot tree
- 9 foot ceiling: 7.5 foot tree (the most popular size)
- 10 foot ceiling or higher: 9 foot tree
- Small spaces: a slim, pencil or tabletop tree
Working with tall ceilings? Here is how to choose, decorate and display a 9 foot Christmas tree.
Pre-Lit vs Unlit Christmas Trees: Which Is Better?
Pre-lit trees are the most convenient option. They save hours of stringing lights and the lights are perfectly spaced. The downside is that if a section goes out, troubleshooting can be tricky. Unlit trees give you full control over your lighting and usually cost less. Either way, LED lights are the best choice because they last longer and use less energy. If you go unlit, a long strand like these Ollny 400 LED Christmas tree lights with remote makes it easy.
How Do I Keep My Christmas Tree Looking Its Best?
For real trees, make a fresh cut at the base before placing it in the stand and keep the water reservoir full at all times. A sturdy stand like the Krinner Tree Genie XL holds real trees up to 10 feet and makes getting it straight so much easier. Keep your tree away from heat sources.
For artificial trees, fluff each branch thoroughly after assembly for the fullest look. Store it in a padded bag like this BALEINE 7.5 ft Christmas tree storage bag between seasons to keep it in great shape for years.
Shop This Post
- National Tree Company 7.5 ft Pre-Lit Dunhill Fir
- Balsam Hill 7.5 ft Pre-Lit Classic Blue Spruce
- Best Choice Products Premium Unlit Spruce
- Hykolity 7.5 ft Pre-Lit Flocked Christmas Tree
- National Tree Company 7.5 ft Kingswood Fir Slim
- Puleo International 7.5 ft Pre-Lit Fraser Fir Pencil Tree
- OasisCraft 3 ft Pre-Lit Tabletop Tree
- Ollny 400 LED Christmas Tree Lights
- Krinner Tree Genie XL Tree Stand
- BALEINE 7.5 ft Christmas Tree Storage Bag
Shop on Etsy
Christmas Tree FAQs
What is the most realistic artificial Christmas tree?
The most realistic artificial Christmas trees use molded PE (polyethylene) tips that mimic real needles. Balsam Hill is the splurge pick for realism, while the National Tree Company Dunhill Fir gives you a full, natural look for much less.
What size Christmas tree do I need?
Measure your ceiling and subtract at least 12 inches for the topper. An 8 foot ceiling fits a 6.5 to 7 foot tree, a 9 foot ceiling fits a 7.5 foot tree and a 10 foot ceiling or higher fits a 9 foot tree.
Which real Christmas tree lasts the longest?
Fraser fir and Noble fir have the best needle retention of the popular real Christmas trees. With a fresh cut at the base and a full water reservoir, most real trees stay fresh for about four to five weeks.
Are pre-lit Christmas trees worth it?
Pre-lit Christmas trees are worth it if you want a fast, even setup with no tangled light strands. Choose unlit if you love customizing your lights or want to save money up front.
How long does an artificial Christmas tree last?
A good artificial Christmas tree can last 10 years or more when you fluff it carefully each season and store it in a padded tree storage bag.
Want more holiday inspiration? See how I styled our Christmas tree and holiday decor all around the house, give your entry a classic tartan front porch, find the most charming felt Christmas baubles for your tree and keep the whole month organized with my printable Christmas planner.
Pin this for later! Save this guide to your Christmas board and follow along on Pinterest for more Christmas tree picks and holiday inspiration.
