Choose the BEST Artificial Christmas Tree

It can be difficult to know what you should look for when you want to purchase an artificial Christmas tree or a fake Christmas tree as some people would call it. We always want to find the perfect tree, but there are a few things to consider before choosing which one to buy. For this purpose I made a checklist, so you can choose the Best Artificial Christmas Tree that fulfills the needs of your family.

An artificial Christmas tree is the perfect choice for a busy family, no more bringing out the iron horse to vacuum the floor of needles, that half the time are stuck in the carpet. Christmas is already stressful enough as it is, and extra cleaning is not something I want to spend my time doing.

A real Christmas tree can also trigger allergy, if you have increased hay fever-like symptoms, you might be allergic to certain types of trees. When a Christmas tree is standing in the warmth of the home, it will increase its mold spores, which might make you feel sick. If this is the case, you should consider purchasing an artificial Christmas tree.

Where should the Christmas tree be placed?

Picking the right place for the Christmas tree is an important first step. You don’t want too wide of a Christmas tree if you just have a small apartment. You should also avoid placing it near a heat source, for instance, a radiator, heating vent, or fireplace.

If you want to place the artificial Christmas tree in the middle of the room as we do in Scandinavia (We dance around our tree on Christmas Eve, and yes it is fun!). Then you should try and avoid having light cords lying loose on the carpet, or someone might trip over it and get hurt.

Choose an artificial Christmas tree in the right size

Okay, you have found the spot where you want the tree to stand. Make sure there is enough room for the ceiling. If you want a 7ft tall Christmas tree, there should be at least 7½ ft to the ceiling. One of the perks of an artificial Christmas tree is that you get the tree in exactly the size you want, so it will fit perfectly in your chosen spot.

Pick the right tree stand

A tree stand is always included with most artificial Christmas trees, and it is a step that most people skip when purchasing a tree. The tree stand might not be the first thing on your mind when you want a Christmas tree. However, many of the tree stands that often come with artificial tree are of poor quality and is often made from plastic.

A tree stand made from plastic can result in your tree falling over, and breaking all of your beautiful decorations. Of course, some plastic stands are great, but if you want your tree to stand steadily, you should use a metal stand for your tree. The pole will be sturdier and stronger, and if your cat decides to crawl on the tree, the chances of it tipping over are much lower, than if the stand was made from plastic. I would like to recommend the tree stand below, it is the same one I use.

24-Inch Folding Tree Stand: Fits *6.5ft to 8ft trees*

Artificial Christmas tree shapes

Unlike a real Christmas tree, an artificial tree comes in all shapes and sizes. If your family likes a natural tree and wants it to look as realistic as possible, then you should consider picking an artificial tree that is larger, wider, and have a fuller look.

However, one of the benefits of an artificial Christmas tree is that you can find one that can fit in literally all kinds of corners and spaces in your house. Pencil-thin or razor-edged shaped trees might not look natural, but they do fit into that little space you have in mind.

Hooked or hinged tree branches?

When a tree has hooked tree branches it simply means that each of the individual branches needs to be attached to the tree before it can be used. A tree with hooked branches will be more time-consuming, and you are running the risk of making a mistake or misplacing one of the branches for your tree.

This is why I would recommend getting an artificial Christmas tree with hinged branches. The branches are already attached to the pole on the tree, and you still have the option of moving them around until you get the desired look of the tree. The hinged branches are also easy to fold when you want to take the tree down after Christmas.

A tree that has hinged tree branches is often of greater quality than one with hooked branches, and since the Christmas tree is the centerpiece in most Christmas decorations, buying a lesser quality tree is not an option I would choose. A tree with hooked branches also rarely comes pre-lit if that is something you want for your Christmas tree.

Choose the best material

If you are curious like I am, and have wondered what artificial Christmas trees are made of, then your search is over. Artificial trees are typically made from two kinds of materials, PVC or PE/PVC.

Artificial trees made from PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

PVC is more fire-resistant than a tree made from PE/PVC.
A tree made from PVC will never fade, it will keep its color until the day you throw it out.
The needles on trees made from PVC can look fake.
PVC trees often have a darker color than PE/PVC mix trees. (unless they are white)
PVC trees have pine-like branches with different thicknesses made from wires.

Artificial trees made from PE/PVC Mix (Polyethylene & Polyvinyl Chloride)

Trees made from PE/PVC often look more realistic.
The tree will lose its color over time, depending on the quality the color will on average last 5-15 years.
PE/PVC trees have three-dimensional needles, which makes the tree look more natural, and the needles more soft.
PE/PVC mix trees are less safe, if safety is your thing, you should choose a PVC tree.

Regardless of whether you choose an artificial Christmas tree made from PVC or PE/PVC they will not trigger your allergy, and this could be one of the biggest reasons if you are allergic to certain trees to choose an artificial tree.

The color makes the difference

The green color on a PVC tree is often monotone and looks more fake, than a green color on an artificial tree made from a PE/PVC mix. Artificial Christmas trees in pink or white should not matter too much, these two colors will look almost identical (as in fake), regardless of the material.

How many attached tips should the Christmas tree have?

There is not really a fixed number for how many attached tips a tree should have. Most fake trees that are of a certain quality will have enough branches to hide the pole. The number of attached tips on fake trees, can, for the most part, be found under the information of the product.

Pre-lit artificial Christmas tree or not?

A fake Christmas tree is very convenient, and choosing a tree that already has been wired with Christmas lights will, of course, add to this convenience. However, I would actually avoid choosing a pre-lit artificial Christmas tree.

The lights are often embedded within the artificial branches on the tree, and if you get tired of the color, or if some of the lights stop working, they can not be removed. Having a bunch of spots on the tree, where the lights are not working, is not only annoying it is not pretty to look at.

Technology is also evolving all the time and LED lights that are rated as A+++ today will be less efficient in the near future. Laser lighting technology is already being used in some products, for instance, in Audi A8, and laser lighting might be replacing LED lighting as the next big thing.

The benefit of using a pre-lit Christmas tree, is, of course, that you will be able to set it up without having to spend time putting your own lights on it, which can be difficult for some people.

Pre-decorated artificial Christmas tree or not?

Some fake trees come pre-decorated, this can be a wonderful thing, but it can also be annoying. If the artificial tree is pre-decorated, you will not be able to remove any of the decorations. If you choose a pre-decorated tree, make sure that you love every single ornament on the tree, because it will stay fixed in its prearranged position on the tree.

Some fake trees just have a few pre-decorated objects on them, such as pines to make the trees look more realistic, however, be aware that these ornaments and decorations will lose their color with time if the tree is made from a PE/PVC mix.

How long do artificial Christmas trees last?

An artificial tree has an average lifespan of 10 years. Trees made from PVC will often last much longer than one made from a PE/PVC mix. The materials and the quality of the tree will also affect how long it will last.

A refund policy is important

Most artificial Christmas trees come with a warranty of 5-15 years, choosing the right seller is therefore important. The trees that I recommend further down, are trees from a company that I have bought from before, and a company that I have my trust in. If you choose to buy an artificial Christmas tree from another company, make sure that you study their refund and warranty policy before you make your purchase.

They are reusable

It can be expensive to purchase a real Christmas tree every year. An artificial tree will last for many years, and you will be able to purchase more ornaments or bigger Christmas presents instead.

Transporting your tree home

The boxes with artificial Christmas trees are quite heavy and they take up a lot of space in the car. I would avoid the trouble of transporting it yourself, and order it online. The trees I recommend further down, will all get delivered to your home address in a couple of days.

Which artificial Christmas tree is the best?

The answer to this question really depends on what you are looking for in an artificial Christmas tree. The list with my tips will hopefully give you an idea of what you should look for, so you can choose the right tree for you and your family. The artificial trees that I would recommend are just beneath this paragraph. There are more different kinds of trees to choose from if you follow one of the info links to the company’s sales page. You can also just click on this link, it will take you to their selection of artificial Christmas trees on Amazon.