How to buy the best artificial Christmas tree

Although there's nothing quite like the scent of a real pine tree to evoke the festive season, artificial alternatives are longer-lasting, don't drop needles everywhere and come in different styles, sizes and even colours. 

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.

Types of artificial Christmas tree and where to buy them

You can buy all sorts of artificial Christmas trees, from traditional green trees to space-saving half trees, from as little as 2ft tall up to over 7ft.

According to online search data, Amazon, The Range and Homebase are among the most popular UK retailers to shop for artificial Christmas trees. You may also want to browse George at Asda, John Lewis and Argos. 

Below, you'll find a selection of bestselling trees for each style.

* Bestsellers or highest rated according to retailer websites in September 2025. 

Traditional tree

These mimic the appearance of real pine trees. Some even have details like a mixture of dark and light needles or faux pine cones for added authenticity.

They come in a range of tastes, budgets and even shades, including deep greens, bluey-greens and grinch-greens. 

Pre-lit tree

If you dread the thought of untangling the fairy lights each Christmas, or are never satisfied with how you've positioned them on the tree, a pre-lit Christmas tree could be the answer. 

Pre-lit artificial trees are available with clear, coloured or multicoloured lights, with LED (or, in some cases, incandescent) bulbs that allow different light settings and glows.

Slim (pencil) tree

These festive space-savers have a narrower profile than a traditional tree, so you can tuck yours into the corner of the room while giving the illusion of a full-sized tree and leaving space for presents below.

There are even storage-saving pop-up tinsel varieties if you don't have the time, or tolerance, for festive branch-fluffing.

Small (tabletop) tree

Ranging in height from 18 inches to around 2ft tall, a tabletop artificial tree could be the perfect choice if you're after a traditional style without sacrificing space.

These 'mini-me' trees will inject Christmas spirit into your home relatively cheaply and quickly, compared to full-sized varieties; they are even available in pre-lit and snowy or flocked versions, requiring minimal effort.

Pink or coloured trees

Dare to be different with a coloured tree – we found all kinds of colours for sale from mainstream retailers, from black, blue and white to orange, yellow and multicoloured.

Snowy (frosted) tree

These have a dusting of artificial snow on their branches to bring a bit of holiday cheer into your home without cold toes and sub-zero temperatures (for even thicker 'snow', choose a 'flocked' tree).

'Snow' may fall from the branches from time to time, so be prepared to run a vacuum round the base.

Parasol (half-design) tree

These have branches that start higher up than usual – in some cases, around a metre off the ground. 

With a design not dissimilar to a potted topiary tree, you'll have plenty of space underneath for bulky gifts and enough clearance for keeping decorations away from children and curious cats.

Half tree

Not to be confused with half-design trees, these are quite literally a vertical half tree that lies flat against a wall – for example, the Woodland Pine half tree with hinged branches (£44.99, Christmas Tree World).

The upside is that it can save you space (and in some cases without even compromising on the number of fronds for your favourite decorations); the downside is, you might want to secure it to a wall to avoid a 'Timber!' scenario on Christmas Day.

How much does an artificial Christmas tree cost?

If you're looking to keep costs down, you'll find plenty of artificial trees in the £20-50 bracket (we found several 6ft green ones for around the £20 mark; read on for more information).

However, depending on your budget, you can spend hundreds (or even thousands) of pounds on an artificial tree, or go to the other end of the scale and buy one for under a tenner.

As you might expect, the cheaper offerings tend to be smaller and might not look as realistic as pricier ones, although once loaded with decorations and festooned with lights, you may not care what it looks like underneath.

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

Where to buy the cheapest 6ft traditional artificial tree

If you're not fussed about fancy features and are looking for a traditional-style green artificial tree without lights, there are some bargains out there. Here's what we found:

• Habitat Imperial 6ft Christmas tree, £22
• Dunelm 6ft Essentials Christmas tree, £20
• Homebase Norway Fir Tree, £19.99

You can find artificial trees for as little as £8, although these tend to be smaller and less realistic-looking close up but once you've dressed it up with decorations and lights, you may find this isn't a problem for you.

What size artificial tree should I get?

Ideally, your tree should have impact without it overwhelming the room, which is why measuring matters rather than guesswork – here's what to consider before buying:

• How wide is it at the bottom? Note down the base circumference from the manufacturer and draw a to-scale template on some paper if you find the figures hard to visualise.
• Will the tree be too tall for the room? When it comes to height, the tip of your artificial Christmas tree should be around 20-30cm below the ceiling. The average ceiling height in a UK house is around 2.4 metres, or 8ft.
• Does total tree height include the stand? Tree height is usually measured from the floor (bottom of the stand) to the highest branch tip, but this may be different if you end up using a different stand so factor this in.
• Is there space for a topper? Whether it's a star, an angel or something else, the last thing you need is to be paying for a tall tree, only to find you're having to bend or even cut the top off it to accommodate the topper.

How to store an artificial Christmas tree

When it's time to take down the tree, remove all ornaments, lights and decorations.

If you have a pre-lit tree, untangle the wires and use cable ties or string to prevent them bunching – it may be a laborious job but your future self will thank you for it.

Artificial trees generally come in sections, so disconnect each piece starting from the top, folding the branches where necessary.

Some artificial trees have colour-coded sections so you can tell them apart, but you may want to label them if yours doesn't have this feature for ease of assembly next year.

Put the disassembled tree in a storage bag (some artificial trees come with their own) or back in its box, though this may require you to bend some of the branches. 

Store in a cool spot away from direct sunlight so the branches don't become discoloured.

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

The Carbon Trust says there is 'No one right answer' to this question and that the answer depends on the tree, your plans for reusing it and the options for disposing of it. Here are some suggestions:

• Get as much life out of your fake tree as possible. A fake tree used over 7-20 years (depending on weight and materials) is better for reducing emissions than buying a new, commercially grown tree each year.
• Choose a slow-grown real tree. Those grown slowly and without the use of fertiliser are better than those grown intensively.
• Source your tree locally. This is better than those with higher transport emissions, so check to see if a tree is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
• Buy a potted tree to use next year. Those with roots can be reused, thereby spreading the carbon footprint over multiple years by potentially avoiding transport emissions. If you're using a tree rental service, choose one that's as close to you as possible.
• Think about how you dispose of your real tree. The way you dispose of your Christmas tree can also have a big impact on its carbon footprint - the Carbon Trust has suggestions to help you do this responsibly. 

Can you recycle an artificial Christmas tree?

Because of the combination of materials used (eg plastic and metal), you can't recycle an artificial Christmas tree so if there's still life in it, donate it for resale.

Some manufacturers offer artificial trees that are made from recycled materials. For example, Balsam Hill's reNEW collection is made from 30% recycled or plant-based plastic.

• Want to know more? Read our guide on What's better: a fake or real Christmas tree? From renting a Christmas tree to growing your own, find out the various eco-friendly Christmas tree options available to you.