The best artificial Christmas trees for your home and where to buy them

We all need something spectacular to put the presents under...

Artificial Christmas tree

by Lily Anderson |
Updated on

Did you know that artificial Christmas trees date back to 1880? According to Dambly’s Garden Center, “Artificial trees came about during 1880 in Germany. Christmas trees became so popular that Germany’s number of trees noticeably declined. Deforestation became a real problem, so to combat this the goose feather artificial tree was created.”

Related: The best Christmas hampers

However, it wasn’t until a hundred years later in 1980 that the artificial Christmas tree trend caught on. Plastic Christmas trees have only continued to become more popular, and it’s now estimated that around 74% of British households prefer an artificial tree over a real one.

If you fall into that 74%, we’ve pulled together a guide to the best artificial Christmas trees for your home.

The best artificial Christmas trees UK 2021

SHATCHI 6ft/180cm Alaskan Pine Green Artificial Christmas TreeAMAZON
Price: £32.44

The countdown to the 25 December is on. If you're looking for an affordable Christmas tree, then you've found it. All that's left to do is get in the festive spirit with the best Christmas jumpers.

Review: "This tree is beautiful for the price. It is nice and thick. You can manoeuvre the branches in any direction you like. The stand that it comes on is a metal prong, it's very strong and well made. The tree was easy to set up and is very good quality."

Size:180 x 95 x 95cm
Material:Plastic/metal

We're a little obsessed with the pink perfection look this Christmas tree has. While it may not be traditional (even though there is a green option available), it's fun and modern, so if you're looking for something durable and contemporary, this one is for you.

Review: "A really thick, bushy tree for the price paid. Haven't dressed it yet but I'm certain it will look lovely when the time comes. Stand is a wee bit fiddly to put together but absolutely acceptable. A good buy, would recommend."

Size:92.3 x 17 x 14 cm
Material:Plastic, Metal

With a natural, lifelike look, this artificial tree beautifully mimics the appeal of a North Valley Spruce. Setting it up is a doddle, and when you're ready to put it away, it dissembles into a compact size. It also comes on a metal stand, and it's made to last.

Review: "Wow! This tree is a huge upgrade from our last fake tree. As we were assembling it it is evident that this is an incredibly thick tree... I kept finding branches that we hadn't even fluffed yet later after I thought it was assembled and I was doing the lights. It is very well made and sturdy. The branches can be flayed all the way deep and the trunk is also wrapped in the same "conifer needle" fabric so even if you could see through the tree all you would see is the same fabric. It's not like some of the cheaper trees that you see where you can see the black or dark green trunk right away."

Size:137.2 x 137.2 x 229 cm
Material:Polyvinyl Chloride

Made with a full bushy effect, this tree is pre-lit, so you no longer have to struggle to untangle the old Christmas lights. It comes complete with a foldable metal stand, and it has 400 warm white LED lights that create a lovely atmosphere in any room.

Review: "I was a little worried about ordering a tree online without seeing it in real life but it was worth it. It comes in three parts that are easy to clip together. I ordered 6ft (1.8m) Victorian Pine Pre-Lit Christmas Tree with 400 Warm White LED, which was delivered earlier than expected. The tree looks stunning, very realistic once set up. I am really happy with my purchase and I definitely recommend this lovely tree."

Size:107.8 x 38.4 x 31.6 cm
Material:Metal, Polyvinyl Chloride

Made from high-quality eco-friendly PVC material, this artificial tree has a clever slim design, so you pop it in more compact spaces with ease. The metal base is well-made and super stable, plus the whole thing takes minutes to assemble.

Review: "Good quality tree with densely packed branches. We bought this to save on space in our lounge last Christmas given the large number of people visiting. It looked great after decorating - much easier to add Christmas tree lights to it as well. In fact it was such a nice tree that we will probably use it every year rather than reverting to our much wider original one. The tree arrived promptly despite the heavy Christmas parcel post demands and the supplier's communications were excellent throughout. Highly recommended!"

Size:98.4 x 22.4 x 15.6 cm
Material:Iron, Metal, Polyvinyl Chloride

This fantastic hinged Christmas tree has easy-to-fluff branches that create the perfect Canadian Fir illusion. It's the perfect size for making a statement in your space, plus assembling and disassembling it is completely stress-free.

Review: "Great value and quality Christmas tree. I wanted a smaller tree this year to put on top of a table so my puppy couldn't get to it. I was impressed with it and it was very easy to assemble. Excellent price. I'd recommend it."

Size:12.7 x 15.2 x 17.8 cm
Material:Metal

DWA Luxury Artificial Christmas TreeAMAZON
Price: £266.00

If you're looking for something extra, then this tree is a great option, thanks to its crystal-covered branches that make it look like it's been dusted with snow. Gorgeous! It comes with a stand and is fully-boxed, so overall, it's a top-quality pick.

Review: "This is the first time I've actually reviewed anything I've purchased off Amazon. I've got to say, I love this tree, it looks as it does in the picture, I didn't even have to take my time to get the branches all brushed out to get it looking as I'll show you in a picture. Best tree I've ever had and so glad I'll have this for years to come, can't wait until my daughter sees it as well."

Size:130 x 30 x 30 cm

Are you and the kids' dreaming of a White Christmas? If the answer is yes, make everyone's wish come true, thanks to this snow-covered tree.

Review: "I forgot we had thrown our old tree away, so I was so pleased that we found one available the next day in my local store. I promised my daughter we would put it up together, so she was so pleased with the new tree that went up easily and looks so realistic. The branches fill the tree well, and the shape looks good, and sits perfect in our bay window."

Size:97.79 x 27.94 x 32.25cm
Material:PVC

Wilko 4ft Pre Lit Cone and Berries Christmas Tree in Square PlanterWILKO

If you've been on the hunt for a slightly smaller tree to complement your space, then this is a great pick. This tree is pre-lit with warm white lights that are sure to make any room super cosy plus, the branches are finished with cones and berries.

Size:122 x 61cm
Material:Plastic, Iron Wire, Pinecones, Berries, Wood

Wilko 6ft Green Pre-Lit Fir Christmas TreeWILKO

A pre-lit tree is always a winner particularly if you want to get straight into dressing your tree with baubles and tinsel. This tree is easy to assemble and sturdy making it perfect for holding all your decorations. Plus, this is great to reuse every year.

Size:183cm x 94cm
Material:PVC, Metal, Copper

Wilko 6ft Black Pre-Lit Christmas TreeWILKO

If you fancy opting for a different design, this pre-lit black tree is a great shout and will have all your decorations standing out.

Size:183 x 94cm
Material:PVC, Iron, PS

The verdict: best artificial Christmas trees

Each and every tree featured within this guide has its own functionalities that make it the best artificial Christmas tree in its own right.

Best value Christmas tree: SHATCHI 6ft/180cm Alaskan Pine Green Artificial Christmas Tree

Where to buy the best artificial Christmas trees?

If you're looking for a specific tree, there are plenty of online retailers that offer an array for artificial Christmas trees. Here are some of the best places to buy a Christmas tree.

Amazon

John Lewis

Marks & Spencer

Argos

Dunelm

Wilko

The Range

Studio

If you're looking for something extra special to gift to a loved one Bloom and Wild is selling Mini Christmas trees, which are a part of their letterbox gift offering. These are real Christmas trees and will take some extra looking after.

Bloom&Wild The Creative Crafts Letterbox TreePhoto: Bloom&Wild

Bloom&Wild The Starry Night Letterbox TreePhoto: Bloom&Wild

Bloom&Wild The Winter Walk Tree Letterbox TreePhoto: Bloom&Wild

Discover more letterbox gifts for all occasions here.

How artificial Christmas trees are made:

Thinking about making a swap from a real Christmas tree to an artificial one? Or just want to know how your Christmas tree has been made? The Science Channel has created an informative video that takes you behind the scenes to see how our favourite festive decoration is made.

The best part is seeing how branches can get a snow tip layering - it's simply magical.

Can artificial Christmas trees be used outdoors?

Yes, artificial Christmas trees can be used outside! If you're thinking about choosing any of our recommendations, go for an option that isn't pre-lit as you don't want the lights getting wet or damp.

To ensure that your tree lasts for years to come, if you're thinking of displaying an artificial tree in your garden, we'd recommend placing it undercover for the best protection. You wouldn't want any water or snow damage to your new tree, right?

If you're thinking of decorating with Christmas lights, retailers should list online whether or not they're suitable for outdoor use. If you can't find this information, we'd recommend checking with the manufacturer.

Discover our guide to the best Christmas lights here.

Are artificial Christmas trees toxic for pets?

According to Blue Cross, "Christmas trees themselves, whether real or artificial, can be a hazard if your cat has a tendency to climb things they shouldn’t." This advice has been given for keeping your cat safe at Christmas, but this applies to all pets.

The Doginton Post's article around how to dog-proof the Christmas tree held the key to whether or not an artificial Christmas tree is toxic for pets. The advice says, "Artificial trees, especially those that are used year after year, can become brittle over time and, some are made using materials that are unsafe if ingested."

This nicely leads us on to our next question...

How long do artificial Christmas trees last?

Providing that you store your artificial Christmas tree right and it isn't pre-lit, your tree should last several years. If you do notice that it begins to shred or becomes brittle, we recommend changing trees immediately, especially if you have pets around.

If you have a pre-lit tree, there are additional issues with electrics to consider - which means there's more chance of things going wrong. When you're researching what Christmas tree to buy, we'd recommend ensuring that your tree has a manufacturer's guarantee, this can range from one to 15 years.

Can artificial Christmas trees catch on fire?

UK Fire Service Resources has put together a guide to ensure your safety around the festive period.

"Christmas is a special time for celebration and should not end in tragedy because of the extra hazards that are present at this time of year.

"The following advice should be used in conjunction with other sections of the site, such as the candle fire safety page, due to the fact that candles are also used more and more at this time of year. "

They then go on to list holiday safety advice you should follow:

Fairy Lights

• Check the fuses are the right type (see the box for the maximum size of fuse you should use)

• If bulbs blow, replace them

• Don’t leave fairy lights on when you go out or when you go to sleep

• Don’t let the bulbs touch anything that can burn easily, like paper

• Don’t overload sockets.

Decorations

• Decorations made of light tissue paper or cardboard burn easily

• Don’t attach them to lights or heaters

• Don’t put them immediately above or around the fireplace

• Keep them away from candles.

Read the full guide to Christmas safety advice at fireservice.co.uk

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Lily Anderson is a Senior Commercial Content Writer at Bauer Media, where she tests products for titles such as Heat, Closer, What’s the Best and Mother&Baby.

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