O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree… how affordable can thy branches be?
Choosing a Christmas tree is a bigger decision than you might think. Do you want pre-lit for ease or bare for your own customization? Is 6.5-feet tall enough, or do you need closer to 10 feet? And how slim do you need it to fit in your space? Even more, you want to invest in the right fake tree that will last for years because if you wanted to replace it each holiday season, you might as well have gotten a real one.
Artificial Christmas trees can cost anywhere from less than $50 to more than $1,000, and finding the right one for your budget can be a challenge. I went ahead and found the best artificial Christmas tree deals available right now so that you can grab the season's
most popular trees before they sell out.
Best artificial Christmas trees of 2026
- Best overall: Walmart Costway 8 FT Unlit Christmas ($54)
- Best cheap unlit: Target Wondershop 6.5' Alberta Spruce ($38.50)
- Best cheap 7.5-footer: Target Wondershop 7.5' Alberta Spruce ($94)
- Best Christmas tree under $50: Amazon 6.5' Premium Artificial Christmas Tree ($49)
- Best pre-lit Christmas tree: Amazon SHareconn 6.5' Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Tree ($94)
- Best slim Christmas tree: Target Wondershop 7.5' pre-lit slim Alberta Spruce ($87.50)
- Most realistic fake Christmas tree: Walmart Holiday Time 6.5' Frisco Pine ($69)
- Best upgrade under $120: Amazon 7.5 unlit premium Christmas tree ($104)
Best overall: Costway 8 FT Unlit Christmas
At eight feet tall and with more than 1,000 pine needles, this affordable show-stopper is the upgrade you need this year for your home. Assembly is easy, and durable PVC makes the tree flame-retardant, non-allergic, anti-fading and free of smells.
Buy this Christmas tree now
Best cheap unlit Christmas tree
6.5' Alberta Spruce Un-Lit Artificial Christmas Tree
Un-lit so that you can customize this tree as you choose, this tree from Target Wondershop features hinged faux Alberta spruce branches in green for a realistic look.
Buy this Christmas tree from Target
Best cheap 7.5-foot Christmas tree
7.5' Alberta Spruce LED Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Tree
Don't want to deal with the hassle that is putting on your own Christmas lights? This 7.5-tree comes pre-lit, so all you have to do is assemble it and plug it in.
Buy this pre-lit Christmas tree
Best Christmas tree under $50
Artificial Christmas Tree, 6ft Premium Unlit
My pick if I had to choose, this tree is less than $50 and is ready for you to customize with your own lights, ornaments and other tree decor.
Buy this affordable tree now
Best artificial Christmas tree with lights
SHareconn 6.5ft Prelit Premium Artificial Classic Spruce
Available in green or white, this 6.5-foot artificial Christmas tree is ready for you to assemble and plug in.
Buy this tree now
Best slim artificial Christmas tree
7.5' Alberta Spruce LED Pre-Lit Slim Artificial Christmas Tree
Slim enough to fit in smaller spaces, this 7.5-foot tree is pre-lit and easy to assemble.
Buy this slim artificial tree now
Most realistic Christmas tree
6.5' Pre-Lit Frisco Pine Snow-Flocked Green Artificial Christmas Tree
Thick, frosted tips make this budget Christmas tree the perfect addition to your living room this holiday season.
Buy this frosted tree now
Best Christmas tree under $120
Artificial Christmas Tree, 7.5ft Premium Unlit Realistic Spruce
This tree is rated by more than 20,000 shoppers as one of the best budget fake trees for its appearance, and it's on sale now.
Buy this tree now
What is the most realistic fake Christmas tree brand?
Shop Balsam Hill Christmas trees
According to Reddit and other online forums, Balsam Hill is generally considered the most realistic fake Christmas tree brand. It's well known for its proprietary True Needle™ technology that molds each tip from real tree branches. While these trees look like you could've chopped them down yourself, the downside is the cost.
Balsam Hill Christmas trees typically range from $500 to $1,000 or more, even though some of the slimer varieties are just $250. If you have the budget to buy a tree from Balsam Hill and prefer a the look of a real tree, they are absolutely worth the cost.
Balsam Hill best sellers include:
- Classic Blue Spruce, 7.5-foot tree, starting at $799
- BH Balsam Fir, 7.5-foot tree, starting at $999
- Silverado Slim, starting at $499
What is the best type of artificial Christmas tree to buy?
It depends. If you're looking for a budget option, the Amazon 6.5' Premium Artificial Christmas Tree is a steal, but if you have a bigger budget and can splurge, go with a tree from Balsam Hill.
How much does an artificial Christmas tree cost?
Artificial Christmas trees cost as little as $49 to more than $2,000, so there's quite a range. Costs typically depend on:
- Tree height, where taller trees are more expensive.
- Tree fullness, with slimmer trees landing on the more affordable side.
- Lit vs. pre-lit, with lit trees costing more.
- Realistic appearance, where the trees that more closely mimic real ones cost much more.
- Needle material, PVC is the most affordable and polyethylene (PE) plastic is typically more expensive.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: You can get a 6.5-foot pre-lit Christmas tree for just $49
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
