How to buy the best artificial Christmas tree

Although there's nothing quite like the scent of a real pine tree, artificial alternatives are longer-lasting and available in a range of different styles. 

We'll help you decide which size and type to buy, as well as exploring typical costs, popular retailers, storage tips and environmental concerns – so read on to choose the best artificial Christmas tree for you.

If you want to treat yourself to a real tree instead of an artificial one, see our guide on how to choose a Christmas tree or where to find the cheapest Christmas tree for 2023.

What types of artificial Christmas trees are there?

Traditional

If you want to keep things simple, we suggest choosing a traditional tree. These are the most common type, and mimic the appearance of real evergreens. They're designed to be full and bushy and often feature branches that extend down to the floor.

Traditional artificial trees are available in different shades of green to suit your space. You can add new splashes of colour to your setup with decorations neatly positioned on the branches.

Pre-lit

If you dread the thought of untangling wires and dancing awkwardly around your tree to position them, consider a pre-lit model.

Pre-lit artificial trees are available with clear, coloured or multi-coloured lights. Many come with a remote that lets you change the colour manually.

Slim (or pencil trees)

These are designed to have a narrower profile than a traditional tree, making them a sensible choice if you're limited on space. You'll find it easier to tuck a slim artificial tree into the corner of a room, while still having room for presents and decorations.

Slim trees are often slightly taller than standard ones, giving the illusion of a full-sized tree but taking up less floor space.

Frosted

A frosted tree (also known as a flocked tree) has a dusting of artificial snow on its branches. These artificial Christmas trees might catch your eye if you fancy bringing a little bit of winter into your home.

If you decide to go with a frosted tree, be prepared to hoover around the base every so often, as 'snow' falls from the branches.

Tabletop

Pick a tabletop Christmas tree if you don't want to sacrifice floor space. These trees are obviously cheaper than full-sized ones, and they don't take as long to decorate.

Tabletop Christmas trees are also available with integrated light and snow flecks.

See also: What's better: a fake or real Christmas tree?

How much do artificial Christmas trees cost?

If you're looking to keep costs down, you can find artificial trees for around £20-50. These will be smaller and might not look as realistic up close, but remember that you can dress up your tree with decorations to give it some flair.

We have spotted some larger trees in this price bracket, though. B&Q stocks 6ft artificial trees for around £50 – it has a mixture of traditional-looking trees and white alternatives. The Habitat range at Argos could also be worth a look, as it includes 6ft trees for as little as £25.

At the more premium end of the scale, £100-200 can get you a realistic-looking 6ft tree that comes with lights already wrapped around it.

Popular artificial Christmas trees

Our research indicates that Argos, B&Q and Homebase are among the most popular retailers that sell artificial Christmas trees. Below, we've picked out a 6ft tree from each.

Argos, Habitat Imperial Christmas Tree (£25)

This 6ft tree from Argos weighs around 3kg and has hinged branches that you can hang your finest decorations from. A plastic stand is included and you can dress that up with a tree base cover if needed.

B&Q, Homcom Artificial Christmas Tree (£45.99)

An artificial Christmas tree covered in snow flecks, with pine cones scattered throughout. Homcom suggests you set aside 30 minutes to shape the tree once you've connected the three parts together. A base is included.

Buy the Homcom 6ft Artificial Christmas Tree.

Homebase, Norway Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree (£130)

Homebase highlights this tree as one of its recommended picks online. It has a 'natural shape' and hinged branches that you can adjust with ease. A metal stand is supplied.

What size tree should I get?

Ultimately, you don't want your tree to overwhelm the room. Before you buy, note down the height and base circumference from the manufacturer.

The tip of your artificial Christmas tree shouldn't be touching the ceiling, plus you might need to make room for a tree topper. The average ceiling height in a UK house is around 2.4 metres, or 8ft.

A 5ft tree could work well for a smaller living area, but a typical living room will fit a 6ft or 7ft artificial tree. If you have a particularly high ceiling and don't mind spending more, you could go even taller – we've spotted 12ft artificial Christmas trees online.

Real vs fake Christmas trees: which is better for the environment?

If you want to lower your environmental impact, buy a real Christmas tree grown sustainably in your local area. These are biodegradable and can be recycled into compost, so you can drop them off at a nearby recycling centre when you've finished removing the decorations.

Can you recycle an artificial Christmas tree?

A solid artificial tree can serve your household for years, but they're usually made from non-biodegradable materials such as PVC plastic.

Because of the combination of materials used, you can't recycle an artificial Christmas tree. If you need to dispose of your fake tree and it's in good condition, donate it for resale.

Some manufacturers offer artificial trees that are made from recycled materials.

Looking for more Christmas content? See our guide to the best advent calendars for 2023.

How do you store a fake Christmas tree?

When it's time to take down the tree, remove all of the ornaments, lights and decorations. If you have a pre-lit tree, we suggest you untangle the wires and use cable tidies or string to stop them from bunching. It's a boring job, but your future self will thank you for it.

Artificial trees come in sections, so disconnect each piece starting from the top, and fold up the branches if needed. If it's tricky to tell each section apart, you might want to label them before you put the tree back in its box.

Many artificial trees come with their own storage bag, or you can just place the tree back in the box it arrived in - this may require some bending of the branches. Make sure it's stored in a cool spot away from direct sunlight so the branches don't become discoloured.

Where to buy an artificial Christmas tree

Whether you're shopping for a tree online or in-store, pay attention to the shop's returns policy in case you're unhappy with the purchase.

Popular online retailers that stock artificial Christmas trees include:

• B&Q – has a varied selection of traditional-looking and white artificial trees. If you're shopping for a pre-lit tree, expect to spend at least £70 on a 6ft option. B&Q also sells an 8ft alternative for £350.
• Homebase – stocks green and white artificial trees up to 10ft. If you need a 6ft tree, expect to spend £30-180.
• Argos – the Habitat range has some options if you're aiming to keep costs low. Argos sells the 6ft Imperial Christmas Tree in green for £25, or a 7ft alternative for £35. Other trees come pre-lit and have frosted branches.
• Christmas Tree World – currently has more than 100 variations of artificial Christmas tree. The brand's selection of 6ft trees starts at around £45.
• John Lewis – artificial Christmas trees in a range of vibrant colours to suit your style. An unlit 6ft tree costs around £50.

Find out which retailers are rated highly by Which? members with our expert guide on the best and worst shops.