Pre-lit Artificial Christmas Trees vs Unlit Artificial Christmas Trees (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to get prelit or unlit Christmas tree? ›

Pre-lit trees are convenient, but unlit trees give you more control over the type and placement of lights. On the other hand, realistic Christmas trees are perfect for those who want the look of a fresh-cut tree without maintenance.

Artificial trees are designed to last for many years, however, on a pre-lit tree the lights may not last as long, in which case you could be left with a perfectly good tree that has dud lights which are often irreplaceable bulbs, meaning you would have to dress with separate lights anyway.

Pre-lit trees can be a good option for those who want a hassle-free Christmas decoration. They eliminate the need for untangling and attaching strings of lights, and can be set up quickly and easily.

Best Realistic

Take Balsam Hill's Vermont White Spruce, which earned a perfect score for its realistic appearance. Balsam Hill models its artificial trees after nature with True Needle technology for optimal realism and fullness.

The lifespan of pre-lit Christmas tree lights varies depending on the type and usage, but they can generally last 3 to 5 years with proper care and storage.

Firstly, leaving your prelit Christmas tree on all night can increase the risk of fire. If the lights are left on for too long, they can overheat and ignite the tree, leading to a potentially dangerous situation.

If one of the wires is misaligned, or if a bulb is pulled out from its socket, the current is broken and the light strand will go out. To verify the wires are in place, remove the socket and make sure a wire is folded up to the left and right of the socket base.

A tree that is too tall may overpower the room, while a small tree may get lost in space. Another important factor to consider when choosing the size of an artificial tree is the floor space available in the room. A tree that takes up too much floor space may make the room look cluttered and uncomfortable.

Pre-lit tree

A 7.5 foot tall tree comes equipped with 650 incandescent mini-bulbs. At an average of 0.45 watts per bulb, that's a total of 292.5 watts — or roughly 0.29 kilowatts — that the pre-lit tree uses at any time.

What are the cons of having an artificial Christmas tree? ›

In the U.S., around 10 million artificial trees are purchased each season. Nearly 90% of them are shipped across the world from China, resulting in an increase of carbon emissions and resources. And because of the material they are made of, most artificial trees are not recyclable and end up in local landfills.

Balsam Hill makes very expensive artificial trees. But they last for years, and they look incredible. They're heavy and have prickly branches, but the company includes thoughtful touches, like pairs of gloves and a stand bag that add to the value.

So, something to consider for yourself- having an unlit artificial tree lasts much longer than a pre-lit tree and it also means a reduction of these trees that go into landfill.

According to the Department of Energy, LED lights consume 75% less energy and last 25 times longer compared to traditional incandescent lights. Like with any décor, there are no hard and fast rules to buying pre-lit trees.

Pre-lit artificial trees can pose electrical shock hazards and fire risks from exposed wiring, wiring that is too short, or cords that aren't completely plugged in.

Of course, artificial Christmas trees aren't cheap either. The ACTA says that 52% of consumers who buy fake trees pay $200 or less, and 27% pay between $200 to $400. But despite their potentially higher cost, artificial trees also last a very long time. Faux trees can be used from 10 to 20 years.

When is the best time to buy an artificial christmas tree? The best times to buy an artificial christmas tree are Black Friday, Black Friday Weekend, Cyber Monday, last two weeks before Christmas, post holiday season, right after Christmas, right before Christmas, and start of year.

In the early 1990s the world's largest artificial Christmas tree maker, Boto Company (bankrupted in January 2008) started the first production of pre-lit trees supplied to Target stores.

Cool lights tend to have more of a blue shade, in other words, a cooler tinge. These are great for snowy scenes and complement silvery Christmas decorations. Warm lights are more of a yellowy colour with a golden tinge and are great for golden or red Christmas decorations and scenes.

Pre-lit tree

Just plug it in and let the holiday cheer begin. A 7.5 foot tall tree comes equipped with 650 incandescent mini-bulbs. At an average of 0.45 watts per bulb, that's a total of 292.5 watts — or roughly 0.29 kilowatts — that the pre-lit tree uses at any time.

Are artificial Christmas trees better? ›

Real trees require many resources, such as water, pesticides, and fertilizers. Many are shipped long distances, adding to their carbon footprint. Artificial trees can be reused for many years, reducing landfill waste. As Christmas approaches, it's time to start thinking about the perfect tree to brighten your home.

But if you want to go classic, start with mini LED lights. “These help your tree look bright,” Tur says. “You can add [larger lights like] C9 bulbs, G50s, G40s, if you want it to look different. But to make it bright, I would recommend the mini lights first.”