International- Pre-lit artificial Christmas trees come in an array of sizes, colors, themes, and levels of quality.
- When choosing which tree is best for your home, it's important to consider your budget, space, and other holiday decor.
- The best overall pre-lit artificial tree we've found is the Balsam Hill Classic Blue Spruce Pre-Lit LED Artificial Tree, which is full and lush, easy to assemble, and made to last for more than one season.
- For more Christmas decorations, check out our guides for the best ornaments for your tree and the best tree skirts you can buy.
Growing up on a farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains, our Christmas tree came straight from our woods, or if there wasn't a good candidate that year, we bought from a Christmas tree farm.
That magical experience waned when I moved farther south where the weather could be 80 degrees as I picked out a semi-live tree from a lot and tried to secure it to the top of a compact car. The final death knell rang the year I could not get the tree into the stand and ended up trying to whittle the trunk with a screwdriver and a hammer. It was time to move to an artificial tree I could manage.
My first artificial tree rang true to its name. It looked fake from even 3 miles away. Fortunately, tree designers and manufacturers have gotten better at producing more realistic branches and needles. I've gotten savvier at selecting trees and have settled on the proper height and circumference for my living space.
After a few years of attempting to wrangle lights onto my artificial tree, I opted for a pre-lit tree. With the selections offered today, you can have lights of any color, special effects ranging from flashing to dimming to changing colors. It is important to look for a pre-lit tree that is labeled "with burn-out protection" or "continuous on." This means that if one bulb goes out, the rest of the strand will stay lit.
After going through a series of trees, I've gained a bit of knowledge that allows me to help others make a good decision when buying a pre-lit artificial tree:
- Measure the space where you plan to put the tree so you can purchase the height and diameter that works for you. Since artificial trees are so lightweight, you may be able to lift a shorter tree by placing it on a sturdy base (more room for gifts under the tree!).
- Look for trees with branches and needles that are molded as one, not attached by wires, to more closely resemble a real tree.
- Choose a tree with the highest tip count you can afford. More tips make an artificial tree look fuller and provide more spots to place ornaments.
- A higher light count means a brighter tree. A good rule is 100 light bulbs per every 1.5 feet of the tree.
- Most artificial trees have a life expectancy of around 10 years. Invest in a tree bag to help protect the tree from dust and insects while it's in storage.
- If you crave the scent of a real tree, skip the artificial sprays and buy a fresh pine wreath or garland to bring the outdoors into your home.
I have seen and researched many pre-lit artificial trees over the years. I'm always looking for the most beautiful, easiest to assemble, and the best value in products for myself and others.
Here are the best pre-lit artificial trees you can buy:
- Best pre-lit Christmas tree overall: Balsam Hill Classic Blue Spruce Pre-Lit LED Artificial Tree (7 Feet)
- Best narrow silhouette pre-lit Christmas tree: Puleo International Slim Fraser Fir Pre-Lit Artificial Tree (7.5 Feet)
- Best snow-covered pre-lit Christmas tree: Home Accents Holiday Flocked Pine Pre-Lit LED Artificial Tree (7.5 Feet)
- Best silver pre-lit Christmas tree: The Wondershop Silver Tinsel Alberta Spruce Tree (6 Feet)
- Best budget-friendly pre-lit Christmas tree: Gymax Pre-Lit LED Artificial Tree (7 Feet)
Updated on 12/09/2019 by Lisa Sabatini: Updated prices and links. Replaced out-of-stock products.
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