There's no doubt that a twinkling Christmas tree on a dimly lit winter morning feels like pure magic. And while many people love the ritual of picking out a fresh-cut pine, there’s something to be said for skipping the sap, the needles and the weekly watering in favor of an artificial tree that looks just as lush—and lasts for years. The key is finding one that doesn’t look shiny, stiff or overly perfect. The trees going viral on TikTok—like Home Decorators Collection’s Grand Duchess Balsam Fir and the CB2 Downswept Flocked Pine—all share the same look: soft, natural needles and branches that drape the way real trees do. And when it comes to trees that pull that off most convincingly, Balsam Hill is widely considered the gold standard.
So, I had editors test two of Balsam Hill’s top-selling models—and sifted through hundreds of customer reviews—to determine which trees truly look fresh-cut IRL. Below, the ten best artificial trees of the year—whether you want a sprawling Douglas fir, something pre-decorated or need a slim silhouette that won’t take over your living room.
