This Douglas Fir earned our top spot because it’s realistic, easy to install, and affordable for what you get.

There are 650 lights pre-strung; That’s more than most other models we tested, plus there are hundreds of branch tips that extend downward, helping to give the tree a more tapered, natural look.

The tree also has two different ends, so you get versatility similar to what you get with a real tree. It took some time to fluff, but by the end of the installation we had a full-looking Christmas tree that brought us some early holiday cheer.

The only potential drawback (not a hindrance in our opinion) is that the tree is on the bulky side if you have limited storage space.