Favourite Most Realistic Artificial Christmas Trees

It’s almost that time of the year when we’re all looking to bring some Holiday cheer into our homes! One of the key elements of festive decor is the Christmas tree. If you prefer the ease and longevity of an artificial tree like I do, you’re in the right place! Today I’m sharing the art of choosing the most realistic artificial Christmas tree for your home. Plus, I’m sharing my favourite artificial trees that look absolutely beautiful!

I’ve been using this faux Christmas tree from Michaels in my living room for the past few years, but last year it finally bit the dust. As much as I loved the shape of it, I did not like how it’s worn over the last few years, and all the lights have burnt out. As much as I love the look and smell of real Christmas trees, I love mess-free faux trees even more. I can keep them up for longer, and use them year after year.

My favourite place to buy artificial Christmas trees? Costco Canada! From my experience (and I’ve decorated a LOT of Christmas trees for pleasure and for work), they’re the best bang for your buck. They look the most realistic for the most affordable price, and they also last the longest. Here’s the Christmas tree I purchased this year, and I can’t wait to put it up! It’s very similar to the tree pictured above that I sold in 2018 to a Christmas decor client!

Want to choose the best faux Christmas tree? Here are my steps!

Assess Your Space

First, consider your available space. Measure the height and width of the area where you plan to place your Christmas tree. It’s crucial to select a tree that fits comfortably without overwhelming the space. Make sure to leave some room for your tree topper too! 7 1/2 foot tall trees are usually perfect for a standard 8 foot ceiling height. Don’t forget the width! You can find beautiful narrower diameter trees for apartments or small spaces.

Decide on Tree Type

Artificial Christmas trees come in various styles, including pine, fir, spruce, and more. Each type mimics the characteristics of different real tree species. Consider what style matches your overall decor and personal preference. I’m a huge fan of Fir or Spruce trees for a Scandinavian look, though Pine trees can look a lot fuller. Look for trees with subtle color variation for a more realistic look.

Material Matters

The material of your tree’s needles is a big factor in achieving a realistic look. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and PE (polyethylene) are common materials. PE needles tend to look more like real evergreen branches, while PVC needles are budget-friendly. Some trees combine both for a natural appearance which is my preference.

Trees with more PE needles are usually easier to set up. They require minimal fluffing to make the branches look more realistic and hide the plastic “trunk”.

Branch Density

A realistic artificial tree should have plenty of branches to mimic the lushness of a real tree. Check the tip count before you buy your tree – more tips generally mean a fuller look. For a 7 1/2 foot tall tree, I wouldn’t recommend anything less than 2500 branch tips!

Consider Pre-lit Trees with Micro LED Lights

Pre-lit trees are a fantastic option for saving time during setup. Opt for one with warm LED lights to create a cozy atmosphere. Make sure the lights are evenly distributed for a balanced glow. My current favourite look are the micro clear LEDs that resemble twinkling fairy lights. They’re so beautiful! I also love a tree that can change between white and multi-coloured Christmas lights. My kids love the colorful ones!

I recommend purchasing a 7 1/2 foot tree with no less than 800 bulbs for maximum sparkle. Look for a tree that has a light system where if one light burns out, the rest stay lit. Don’t forget to save any extra bulbs and fuses that come with your tree. I recommend saving them in a small box in your tree storage bag.

Ease of Assembly

There’s nothing more frustrating than wrestling with your tree for hours to get it assembled. Most faux Christmas trees today have only 3 parts and are pre-wired so that when connected the lights are ready to go. Also, make sure your tree comes with a nice study base for ultimate stability.

Reviews and Recommendations

Don’t forget to read reviews from other buyers and ask friends and family for recommendations. Real-world experiences can provide valuable insights into the quality and realism of a tree. As mentioned, I’ll always recommend Costco as my go-to place for a fake tree. I don’t believe you’ll find a better tree for the price where I live!

My Favourite Most Realistic Artificial Christmas Trees This Year

Here are my favourite realistic-looking faux Christmas trees of the season. The one I’ve purchased this year is the Costco tree with the 1850 lights and 4795 branch tips. I think it’s such a fabulous price for the amount of lights and tips it has!

All of the trees below are 7 1/2 feet tall, pre-lit, and under $1000 CDN.

1. Costco Canada 7.5 ft Pre-Lit Aspen EZ Connect Artificial Christmas Tree, 1,850 Color-Changing Radiant Micro LED Lights (the best artificial Christmas tree for the price in my opinion)
2. Canadian Tire CANVAS Pre-Lit Piedmont Fir Christmas Tree, 1000 Micro-Brite LED Lights
3. Amazon National Tree Company 7 1/2-Feet Feel-Real Northern Frasier Hinged Tree with 800 Clear Lights
4. Home Depot Home Accents Holiday 7.5 ft. Jackson Noble Fir LED Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Tree with 1200 Colour Changing Micro Dot Lights
5. Wayfair Princeton Fir Lighted Artificial Fir Christmas Tree

Bonus: here’s my favourite tree storage bag! It’s a lot easier than a large box for storing my trees.

I hope you found this guide helpful as you look for the most realistic artificial Christmas tree for your home. I’m so excited to set my own tree up and begin working on my Holiday decor. Happy decorating!