How we compare artificial Christmas trees
Every comparison on this site follows the same method, written down here so you can judge it. It rests on the numbers each maker publishes for its own tree, turned into figures that compare fairly across heights.
What we read for each tree
We open the maker's product page and, when it exists, its manual or care sheet. We record the height, the base width, the tip count and the tip material (molded PE, PVC or a mix), the branch system (hinged or hook-on), the number and color of the lights, the stand, the weight, the warranty and the storage advice. A number the maker does not publish is shown as "not stated", never guessed.
Our arithmetic
- Tips per foot: the tip count divided by the height, our measure of fullness across sizes.
- LEDs per foot: the bulb count divided by the height, for pre-lit trees.
- Ceiling check: the height plus about 5 in of stand and 9 in of topper, compared with your ceiling.
- Floor check: the base width the maker states, compared with the space you can clear.
Six scores out of 10
Each tree gets six scores out of 10, one per criterion, always from what the maker states. A criterion the maker leaves blank scores low: a buyer cannot rely on a number that is not written.
| Criterion | What it rewards |
|---|---|
| Fullness | More tips per foot, a stated tip count |
| Realistic tips | A stated share of molded PE tips, a named species look |
| Lights | LEDs per foot, light color stated, what happens when a section goes out |
| Room fit | A stated base width and a shape that matches the page's question |
| Setup and storage | Hinged branches, number of sections, a stated weight and storage advice |
| Warranty and paperwork | Length of the tree and lights warranty, a manual or care sheet published |
How a comparison is ranked
A page ranks its trees by the total of the six scores, out of 60. Each page answers one question, such as a 9 ft tree for a tall ceiling or a slim tree for a corner, so a tree that does not fit that question does not appear, whatever its total. The order is never bought, and the affiliate commission plays no part in it.
The limits of this method
We have not set the trees up in person. We cannot tell you how a tree looks once fluffed in your living room, whether its lights hold up after five seasons or how much it sheds. Makers measure some things differently, for example whether the stated height includes the stand; we say so when a page makes it clear. Our sample is the trees we have reviewed, not the whole market.