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Artificial trees have come a long way from the plasticky and unrealistic trees of the past.
The Spruce
We found that you only need one person, and assembly took about 17 minutes, which we love.
Others took over 45 minutes with multiple people.
The base andtree standwere simple to assemble and felt sturdy enough to handle heavier ornaments andlush garlands.
We love that the needles vary in size, texture, and color to give the tree a realistic appearance.PHOTO: The Spruce / Dera Burreson
In addition, we wish we could change the color or appearance of the white lights.
Plus, it should be easy to locate and fix specific broken bulbs.
To our surprise, the tree flipped over, and the branches fell into place.
Assembling the Puleo International 7.5 Pre-Lit Teton Tree took about 17 minutes with one person.PHOTO: The Spruce
Then, we just attached the second half of the tree (the top half) and started fluffing.
While one person could assemble this tree, we found that it went much faster with two.
Once you snap the two halves of the tree together, the lights automatically connect.
From there, it’s possible for you to use the remote to change the light color and intensity.
With over 1,000 lights, this tree doesnt lack shine.
The lights looked evenly distributed and bright.
The two parts each come with a storage bag.
The wheeled base has an upright storage bag to zip up after flipping the tree back upside down.
Each part will be well-protected and safe for use year after year.
After assembling the tree sections, the most time-consuming part of this tree was fluffing the branches.
It took about 15 minutes to transform the tree from clumped and ugly to full and gorgeous.
The branches didnt necessarily feel realistic, but they looked beautiful from far away.
It never tilted, even after packing one side with heavy ornaments.
For a pre-decorated and pre-lit option, check out ourbest flocked pick.
Take Balsam Hill’s Vermont White Spruce, which we loved for its realistic appearance.
Balsam Hill models its artificial trees after nature with True Needle technology for optimal realism and fullness.
We tested the 7.5-foot option, but it comes in five other sizes to fit any room or space.
650 pre-strung lights illuminate the branches underneath the snowy look.
PHOTO: The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The lights automatically connect when you piece together the three sections of the tree, which we love.
you’ve got the option to change the lighting options with a foot pedal or remote control.
We were able to assemble this tree in under 10 minutes even without looking at the instructions.
We found that it’s easiest to assemble the Balsam Hill Flip-Up Tree with two people.PHOTO: The Spruce
It looks extremely realistic both from a distance and close-up.
It almost looks too perfect to be real, but thats fine with us.
Our one gripe with this stunning tree is the sturdiness of the top branches.
They tend to sag when we tried multiple tree toppers, even the most lightweight ones.
Height:7.5 feet |Base Diameter:47 inches |Lights:Yes
What is flocking?
We tested the smallest version which stands 6 feet tall (the smallest option on our list).
Even at 5 feet tall, we could assemble it without help from a friend or a step ladder.
Adding to the realistic look, this tree has two varied types of needles.
Despite its small size and thin trunk, this tree felt sturdy and strong, even the branches themselves.
Since there is space between branches, this option provides a beautiful way to showcase your favorite ornaments.
Ornaments can get lost in a tree with hundreds of branches, but not this one.
It’s best for those with a stunning collection they wish to display in its full glory.
Plus, it comes in three sizes to fit perfectly in any room in your home.
We love the idea of using the 6-foot tree for a guest room or bedroom as a second tree.
Or use this as your main tree with the 8-foot version full of lights, tinsel, and ornaments.
Were continuously searching for new innovations in the artificial tree market to continually test and try.
Most homes prefer a Christmas tree that is about 7.5 feet tall which fits well with standard-sized ceilings.
“The standard width is about 48 to 54 inches, says Darin.
Be sure to measure the area the tree will go in noting height and width.
Lighting can also be a tricky part of the assembly.
This means the lights automatically turn on when you connect the trees pieces.
You also need to factor in the time youll spend making the branches look full and minimizing gaps.
In our testing, we found this to be time-consuming.
The branches were soft and easy to maneuver, eliminating the need for gloves.
It comes in just two parts.
Then, you just connect the top section and youre ready to decorate.
If this is important to you be sure to look for this feature.
The more lights, the more bright your tree will be.
More lights often make your tree look fuller, which can be helpful for sparse or hard-to-fluff options.
Taking the average of each 7.5-foot lit option on this list, we found 850 lights to be standard.
This gives you the freedom to switch up your light and ornament preferences year after year.
To level up an unlit tree, we recommendTwinkly lights, one of theindoor Christmas lightswe tested.
We loved the lighting effects available on the compatible smartphone app.
What pop in of Tree Are You Mimicking?
Some popular styles include Balsam fir, Douglas fir, and Spruce.
We found this tree gorgeous and full, similar to other artificial trees made to look like firs.
Plus, the flocking adds a nice touch.
However, we love the idea of adding some whimsy to your holiday decorating with nontraditional shapes and styles.
Extras and Add-Ons
Some trees may have additional features that suit your style.
But keep in mind that all of these upgrades can add to the cost of the tree.
Why Trust The Spruce?
We then used testing insights and market research to pick our six favorites.
PHOTO: The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Putting the sections together of the Puleo International Un-Lit Fraser Fir Tree was very intuitive.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The realistic tree looks even more beautiful when decorated with ornaments, which the strong branches easily supported.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce / Dera Burreson
We found the needles of the King of Christmas Queen Flock Tree soft enough to fluff glove-less.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce / Jenica Currie
The Grandin Road Unlit Noblis Fir Tree is small but mighty, especially when strung with lights.PHOTO: The Spruce
The Puleo International Un-Lit Fraser Fir Christmas Tree only took seven minutes to assemble.The Spruce
Many options on our list come with remote controls to cycle between different colors and settings.The Spruce
