The best artificial Christmas trees can now truly give the real deal a run for their money, plus, you get the bonus of convenience and get to opt out of December-long pine needle hoovering. Skip to: How we tested the best artificial Christmas trees | How to choose the best artificial Christmas tree | How to choose the right size Christmas tree for your space | How to choose the best Christmas tree variety | Is an artificial Christmas tree more sustainable than a real one? | What artificial Christmas trees are already available to buy? | When should you put up your Christmas tree?

No, you might not get the thrill of the snowy trip to the Christmas tree farm with an artificial option, but it does mean there are no worries about how early you can decorate (no-one wants drooping branches when the big day arrives), there’s no need to water or worry about pine sap damaging your flooring, you’re not constrained with positioning to keep a real tree away from dehydrating radiators or windows, and you’re excused the hassle of disposing of your tree in the New Year. We've compiled more in depth information below, but if you simply want our take ‘at a glance’, the best artificial Christmas trees to buy are:Mac Harman, founder and CEO of luxury artificial tree and decoration brand, Balsam Hill, offers the following advice for choosing your tree size, 'Before buying a Christmas tree, decide where it will be displayed. Which room will it be displayed in? Will it be a centrepiece? Or will it fit into a corner, along a wall, in front of a window, or next to a doorway? How much space can the tree fill? Look for a tree that is six inches lower than the ceiling height. A 7.5’ tree is best for a standard 8-9' ceiling. This ensures that the tip of the Christmas tree does not hug the ceiling and allows space for a tree topper'. Different tree varieties offer different silhouettes. Some trees will offer denser foliage, or a fuller shape than others. You'll also need to consider the footprint of the tree variety and think about the space you have available. The European Fir, for example, is much wider at the bottom and tapers towards the top of the tree.' We've probably all made the mistake of falling in love with the biggest real Christmas tree in the field, only to then have to saw sections off just to get it through the front door, let alone make it fit into the living room. As well as a choice of sizes from 4ft to a gargantuan 12ft, you get a range of lighting options. The Candlelight Clear, which I tested, has 650 bulbs. The multicoloured Colour + Clear version has 960 bulbs. The Twinkly Light Show option has just 480, but they can be controlled from a smartphone app for a variety of effects. There’s also an unlit version. You've chosen your faux tree, assembled it and fluffed the branches, but what's the best way of disguising the unsightly base?You need a tree skirt! We've rounded up the best places to source one below:

PE allows tree makers to mould the needles for better realism,” Mac Harman says. “PE trees generally have the best quality, colour and shape of any type of artificial tree.” Which are the best artificial Christmas trees? According to Mac Harman, founder and CEO of Balsam Hill the best Christmas tree variety ultimately comes down to preference and taste. It's not an exact science. You expect a good-looking tree from The White Company, where everything is done in a quietly chic way. New for this year, I found their artificial Symons tree was another great option with hyper-realistic branches in a very natural shade of green that really do resemble the real thing. Whether you're looking for the best pre-lit Christmas tree or an unlit option, an 8ft Nordmann Fir for the entranceway or a miniature Norway Spruce for the tabletop, these are our go-to retailers for finding the best artificial Christmas trees.Look at our range of outdoor Christmas decorationsto bring festive spirit to your garden and driveway. We also offer beautiful Christmas wreaths in our range of Christmas decorations. Just what you need when you’re welcoming friends and family this festive season. The bonus with an artificial Christmas tree is you can choose exactly the right size to fit your room – as long as you measure up first – and as most are assembled in situ, there's no need to worry about getting a tree up the garden path or through the hallway. This 4ft high frosted tree makes an excellent secondary addition - either in the garden or in the hall or porch. The frosted tips are probably not going to fool anyone that they’re actually in Narnia - especially if the ground is bare of snow - but they bring a fun and festive element to the tree. Although there are affordable artificial xmas trees to be found, investing in one of the best artificial Christmas trees on the market doesn't usually come cheap. If you prefer to add your own lights then Balsam Hill's Mac has the following top tip for getting the illuminations right, 'Lights bring your Christmas tree to life even without decorations.If you prefer to string your own lights,you needat least 100 lights per foot of the tree.Double or triple the amount if you love the look of brighter, more intense lights on your tree'.

I opted for the pre-lit design because I was fed up with unravelling fairy lights from the box and wrapping them around the tree. It comes with 650 bulbs (I went for ‘Candlelight Clear’ for a more realistic option) and as soon as you plug it all together, it instantly lights up: unbelievably satisfying. I spent a week putting up a selection of artificial trees in my living room, at a range of price points. I wanted to see how closely they resembled real Christmas trees, judging them on the ease of assembly, safety features, durability (keeping an eye on any fake twigs breaking off), amount of branches, number of tips and detailing, as well as overall wow factor. We recommend that your tree should be at least 20cm shorter than the ceiling, to allow for a Christmas tree topper,” says Dani Taylor, product and creative director at Cox & Cox. “A tight squeeze always looks a little ill-thought-out.” Balsam Hill CEO Mac Harman adds that a 7ft 5in tree is best for a standard 8-9ft ceiling. This is the tree that won the coveted spot in my sitting room last Christmas, even convincing my husband - arch sceptic of artificial trees - that it was better than real. In my mind, Balsam Hill do the best luxury artificial trees (the brand was created after the founder had a family member with a tree allergy); the branches are designed based on clippings from real Nordmann Firs, with needles that are a dark waxy green on top, and gently curved to reveal a silvery underside–just like the real thing. The magic is in the PE moulded tips, and on this 7ft model there are 2,026 of them. Between the branches you can glimpse the trunk, which unlike some other models, has been designed to look like a real tree trunk to add to the naturalistic look. The most popular artificial tree sizes tend to be 6ft, 7 or 7.5ft, or 9ft, but you'll also find bigger and smaller options available depending on your needs.I have chosen to review the 7ft models where available, which tend to be the most popular. But all are available in a range of sizes. Remember that you don’t have to plump for the most realistic artificial Christmas tree; twig trees, which were hugely popular last year, look set to be again this Christmas. Full, dense foliage with highly realistic needles ensures there's plenty of visual wow-factor, but it's the hassle-free set-up that will really make your jaw drop –and justify its investment price tag. Now that you’re done decorating your Christmas tree, let’s move to the rest of your home. Add some festive vibes to your rooms and garden with our selection of Christmas decorations. Red and gold Christmas decorations are a great way to give your home a mix of traditional and glam. Look out for Christmas wreaths with golden foliage that you can hang outside the door for a luxe look. And our berries and poinsettias are just the need you need to add a festive touch. Decorate your stairways and mantlepieces with Christmas garlands that come in a variety of styles. Choose from traditional berry and cone options to quirky styles like pom poms and beads. There’s a garland for every Christmas theme.