Key takeaways
- The appeal of an artificial Christmas tree with lights already on it is simple: you unbox it, fold out the branches, plug it in, and the hard part is over.
The appeal of an artificial Christmas tree with lights already on it is simple: you unbox it, fold out the branches, plug it in, and the hard part is over. The trade-off is that you are now choosing the lighting at the same moment you choose the tree. Warm white or multicolor, twinkle effects or steady glow, a handful of lights on a slim tree or hundreds on a tall one, a foot pedal or a phone app to control it. Those details matter more than usual because the lights are built in, and you cannot swap them easily if you dislike the result.
This guide is for shoppers who want the lights included and are deciding on height, light color, and extra features. It covers seven prelit trees across heights from 5 to 7.5 feet, from a potted porch tree to a tall full-body fir. Every comparison uses numbers printed in the product titles, including LED counts, branch tips, lighting modes, and foliage type, so you can verify them before the 2026 season rather than trust a vague description.
Quick Picks
Our top picks
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
| Product | Best for | Key spec from the title |
|---|---|---|
| HOLLO STAR 6ft Prelit Tree | App-controlled color changes | 270 LED lights, RGBW multicolor, 1116 tips |
| National Tree Company 7.5ft Dunhill Fir | Tall rooms and many lighting options | 700 LED lights, 10 light functions, 2,514 tips |
| Hykolity 7.5ft Prelit Tree | A realistic warm white look on a tall tree | 450 warm white LEDs, 3,325 mixed tips |
| SHareconn 6ft Pencil Tree | Slim spaces | 200 warm white lights, 637 tips |
| Hykolity 6ft Prelit Tree | Colorful family displays | 250 multicolor LEDs, 10 display modes |
| Cllayees 5FT Potted Cedar | Porches and small corners | 120 LEDs, timer, indoor or outdoor |
| Best Choice Products 6ft Spruce | Twinkling lights at a mid-range tier | 250 lights, 798 tips, LED twinkling |
How to Choose
Light count and color
Lights per foot of tree is the number to watch. A 6-foot tree with 250 lights, like the Best Choice and Hykolity models, has a light density that suits most living rooms. A 7.5-foot tree with 700 lights, as on the National Tree Company, has a similar density spread over more height. Warm white gives a traditional glow, multicolor brings a festive look, and RGBW options add white to the color mix for greater flexibility. Decide on color first, then check the count.
Foliage type and fullness
Branch tip counts range from 637 on the slim pencil tree up to 3,325 on the tall Hykolity, and foliage type changes how those tips look. Mixed PE and PVC needles, listed on the Hykolity 7.5ft, use molded PE on the outer branches for a more natural appearance, while all-PVC trees are flatter but more affordable. For tall trees, a higher tip count matters because gaps become more obvious. For slim trees, fullness is less about count and more about shape.
Controls and features
Controls are where prelit trees differ most. The National Tree Company lists a foot pedal and 10 light functions, the Hykolity 6ft lists 10 display modes, the HOLLO STAR is app-controlled, and the Cllayees includes a timer. A foot pedal saves bending behind the tree, a timer saves remembering to switch it off, and an app adds convenience at the cost of extra setup. Pick the control style you will actually use rather than the one with the longest feature list.
Safety, setup, and long-term value
Look for flame-retardant wording, which appears on the SHareconn and the Hykolity 6ft listings. Hinged designs fold branches into place and make setup quicker and storage easier. Budget, mid-range, and premium tiers roughly follow height and tip count, so decide the size first. Remember that built-in lights are a double-edged feature: when a section fails, repair is harder than replacing a loose string, so favor models that describe replaceable or sectional lighting if you can find it. It also pays to plug the tree in before you finish assembly, so any dead section shows up while the branches are still easy to reach, and to keep the original box for storage, since a tree packed loosely tends to bend its tips.
The 7 Best Options
HOLLO STAR 6ft Prelit Tree
A 6-foot tree with 270 LED lights in a multicolor RGBW configuration and app control, plus 1116 branch tips and a metal base. It stands out as the most tech-forward option in the group and suits households that like changing the look without touching the tree. Because RGBW adds a white channel to the color mix, it can shift from a cozy white scene to a bright party display, which appeals to families who redecorate the same tree for several occasions through the season.
- Strength: App control lets you change colors and effects from a phone.
- Strength: 1116 branch tips gives a solid, full body for 6 feet.
- Trade-off: It relies on an app and electronics, which adds a layer of setup.
Skip it if you want a simple plug-in tree with a traditional glow.
National Tree Company 7.5ft Dunhill Fir
A tall, well-specified tree with 700 LED lights, 10 light functions, 2,514 tips, a foot pedal, and a stand included. It is the choice for homes with high ceilings and for buyers who like a well-known brand name on the box. With 700 LEDs spread over 7.5 feet and a full set of lighting functions, it is aimed at people who want the tree to be the main event in a large living room or entryway.
- Strength: 10 light functions let you adjust the look without extra hardware.
- Strength: A foot pedal makes switching modes easy.
- Trade-off: A 7.5-foot tree needs real floor and ceiling clearance.
Skip it if your ceilings are low or you prefer a basic steady glow.
Hykolity 7.5ft Prelit Tree
A tall tree with realistic PE foliage, 450 warm white LEDs, and 3,325 mixed PE and PVC tips. Its hinged design and a sturdy metal stand make setup straightforward. The high tip count is the highest on this list, which should give a full, natural body. Taller trees show gaps more easily, so the dense foliage count helps, and the warm white lights keep the finished tree looking conventional alongside whatever ornaments you already own.
- Strength: 3,325 tips provide the densest silhouette of the group.
- Strength: Warm white lights suit a classic look.
- Trade-off: Large size means more storage space between seasons.
Skip it if you want multicolor lights or a compact tree.
SHareconn 6ft Pencil Tree
A 6-foot pencil tree with warm white lights, 200 lights, 637 tips, and flame-retardant wording. Its slim build suits narrow hallways, apartments, and corners where width is limited, while still giving you full height. A pencil tree also leaves room for furniture, which matters in rental apartments, and its lighter branch count can make ornament placement simpler, since there are fewer layers to hide decorations behind.
- Strength: Slim profile saves floor space without sacrificing height.
- Strength: Warm white lighting and flame-retardant labeling.
- Trade-off: Fewer tips means a lighter look than the fuller trees.
Skip it if you want a wide, lush tree with many ornaments.
Hykolity 6ft Prelit Tree
This one packs 250 multicolor LEDs, flame-retardant PVC branches, 1,032 tips, 10 display modes, and a hinged setup. It targets families who want a bright, colorful display without paying for the tallest size. Ten display modes mean the same tree can shift between a calm steady glow and busier patterns, so different family members can each find a setting they like, and the hinged setup keeps assembly from becoming a chore.
- Strength: 10 display modes cover steady, twinkling, and other patterns.
- Strength: Multicolor lights suit a playful, traditional look.
- Trade-off: PVC foliage looks flatter than the mixed PE and PVC trees.
Skip it if you want warm white lights or the most realistic needles.
Cllayees 5FT Potted Cedar
A compact, potted cedar with 120 LEDs and a timer, described as usable indoors or on a front porch. It is the odd one out, and a useful one for entryways and small spaces. A potted tree with a timer is easy to leave running on a porch schedule, and at five feet it can sit beside a door or by a window without needing the floor space or ceiling height that a full tree demands.
- Strength: A built-in timer means no daily switching.
- Strength: Potted design suits porches and entry spaces.
- Trade-off: Only 120 lights and 5 feet of height limit its impact.
Skip it if you want a full-size living room tree.
Best Choice Products 6ft Spruce
A 6-foot prelit spruce with LED twinkling lights, 250 lights, and 798 tips. It is a straightforward, mid-range pick for buyers who want a standard-sized tree with some visual motion from the twinkle effect. Twinkling lights draw the eye and tend to look lively in a darkened room, which suits households that mostly enjoy the tree at night, and the 250-light count keeps the coverage even across the height of the tree.
- Strength: Twinkling LEDs add movement without extra controls.
- Strength: 250 lights on a 6-foot tree is a comfortable density.
- Trade-off: 798 tips is lighter than some competitors in the same height range.
Skip it if you want app control or a wide choice of display modes.
Which One Fits Your Situation
You have high ceilings and a big room
The National Tree Company 7.5ft or the Hykolity 7.5ft fits. The first adds a foot pedal and 10 light functions, the second offers the highest tip count for fullness.
You want to change the lights from your phone
The HOLLO STAR 6ft is the clear match, thanks to its app control and RGBW multicolor lighting.
Your space is narrow
The SHareconn 6ft Pencil Tree gives you height without width, and its warm white lights keep the look classic.
You need a small tree for a porch or entryway
The Cllayees 5FT Potted Cedar, with its timer and potted base, is the practical option for those smaller spots.
Common Mistakes
- Choosing a tree by height alone and ignoring how many lights it actually includes.
- Assuming all multicolor lights are the same, when some titles list display modes and others do not.
- Skipping a measurement of ceiling height and floor space for a 7.5-foot tree.
- Ignoring flame-retardant wording and foliage type when comparing similar models.
- Forgetting that built-in lights are harder to replace than a separate string.
Specs and Terms Explained
PE versus PVC foliage
PVC branches are flat, film-like strips cut into needles, while PE (molded polyethylene) needles are shaped from casts of real branches and look rounder and more natural. Many trees combine the two, with PE on the visible outer tips and PVC filling the interior. A listing that names the mix is more informative than one that simply says “realistic.”
Tip count
Tip count is the number of branch ends on the tree. More tips usually means a fuller look, but the number only means something when you compare trees of the same height and shape. A slim tree with a modest count can look better than a wide tree stretched thin.
LED versus incandescent bulbs
LED bulbs run cooler and draw less power, and the strands generally last longer between replacements. If the listing does not say LED, assume older bulb technology and look more closely at the safety marking. A recognized certification mark on the cord and plug is a basic thing to look for before you plug in any prelit tree.
Sectional wiring
Most prelit trees are built in two or three stacked sections that connect through plug points at the pole. Some designs keep the rest of the strand glowing if one bulb fails, and that line is worth searching for in the product description.
Sizing and Compatibility Checklist
- Measure the ceiling height, then subtract the stand and the topper. A tree-top ornament can add a surprising amount of height, so a tree labeled for your exact ceiling height often will not fit once it is topped.
- Measure the floor footprint, not just the corner. Branches need room to spread, and a tree pushed against a wall looks flat on that side. A slim shape such as the SHareconn 6ft Pencil Tree is the usual answer when floor space is the limit.
- Locate the nearest outlet. Prelit cords are only so long, and an extension cord running across a walkway is a trip hazard.
- Check the box size and weight, especially for taller trees such as the 7.5ft models, and make sure you can carry it through your doorway and up any stairs.
- If a remote or app control is part of the appeal, confirm that your phone and outlet setup will work with it before you count on it.
Setup and Care Tips
Fluffing makes more difference than most buyers expect. Work from the bottom layer up, and spread each branch tip outward and upward so the tree fills in rather than hangs. Take your time on the inner branches too, since gaps there show through the lights.
At the end of the season, let the lights cool, unplug every section, and fold the branches in the order the instructions describe. Keep the tree in its original box or a sturdy tote, and avoid attics or garages that swing between extreme heat and cold, which can stress wiring and soften foliage over time. Never leave a prelit tree running while nobody is home.
Related guides
- Washable Area Rugs For Kids And Pets
- How To Hang Curtains At The Right Height
- How To Choose Rug Size For Living Room
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lights should a prelit tree have?
Around 250 lights on a 6-foot tree is a common density, and around 450 to 700 suits a 7.5-foot tree. Warm white or multicolor is a matter of preference.
Are prelit trees harder to repair?
Often, yes. When a section of built-in lights fails, replacing it is harder than swapping a loose string, so check whether the listing mentions replaceable lighting.
What is the difference between PE and PVC foliage?
PE is molded for a more natural look, while PVC is flatter and usually less expensive. Some trees, like the Hykolity 7.5ft, mix the two.
Can I use a potted tree outdoors?
The Cllayees lists indoor and front porch use in its title. Confirm the weather rating on the product page before leaving any tree outside.
Write Your Review
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!