Every holiday season, I find myself knee-deep in festive Tupperware containers and tangled twinkling lights, pondering the same existential question: Is this the year I finally invest in an artificial Christmas tree that’s actually worth displaying prominently in my living room window?
After decades of being a staunch real-tree devotee — sweeping up shedding needles and the inevitable sap-sticky fingers — I decided to take a deeper dive into the world of faux forestry. But with so many options out there, where do you even begin?
Enter two titans of the artificial tree world: King of Christmas and Balsam Hill.
RELATED: I took the Balsam Hill flip tree to task — Was it worth that much cash?
Both brands promise the most realistic, hassle-free holiday centerpiece you’ve ever laid eyes on. But is that true? And if so, which one truly reigns supreme?
I took it upon myself to put both to the test — because if there’s one thing I take seriously, it’s my holiday décor.
What’s the Difference Between King of Christmas and Balsam Hill?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s lay out the basics.
King of Christmas
- Price Range: $$ Luxury looks without the luxury price tag.
- Product Offerings: A solid selection of realistic trees, ornaments, and tree storage solutions
King of Christmas offers a Tesla Model 3 experience — sleek, efficient, and budget-friendly. With prices ranging from $199 to $799, its trees deliver impressive realism, straightforward setup, and pre-lit options with dual-color LEDs. The assembly is more like traditional artificial trees, but once up, the realistic offerings rival those of the more expensive brand.
King of Christmas’s Royal Offerings
- Simpler product line with fewer but well-executed options
- Mix of PE and polyvinyl (PVC) needles for realistic appearance at lower cost
- Pre-lit options with dual-color LEDs
- Straightforward delivery and setup
- Budget-friendly pricing without looking cheap
- More money left over for actual presents
Pros:
- Price is accessible to more consumers
- Impressive realism for the price
- Pre-lit options with customizable lighting settings
Cons:
- Fewer tree styles to choose from
- Fewer realism options
Balsam Hill
- Price Range: $$$ – Expect to invest more in these luxury trees
- Product Offerings: A vast array of ultra-realistic trees, wreaths, garlands, and even outdoor decorations
Balsam Hill is often thought of as the Rolls-Royce of artificial trees. Its collection ranges from $349 to a staggering $11,000, with most popular sizes landing between $799 and $1,499. The premium price includes luxury features like ultra-realistic polyethylene (PE) needles, Flip Tree technology for easy setup, and designer-coordinated decorating collections.
Balsam Hill’s Claim to Fame
- Three levels of realism (Traditional, Realistic, and Most Realistic)
- Premium construction with up to 65% PE needles in realistic trees
- Innovative features like the “flip” design for easier storage
- White-glove delivery service available
- Designer-coordinated decorating collections
- Big-budget bragging rights
Pros:
- Unparalleled realism with its True Needle technology
- Widest variety of tree shapes, sizes, and lighting options
- Flip Tree technology for easier setup
Cons:
- Highest price point
- Some models can be quite heavy and require extra storage space
Our Review
Delivery Delight
Balsam Hill
The Balsam Hill tree arrived in a sturdy, well-organized box designed to keep everything neat and orderly. It was packaged in its very high-quality zipper-and-velcro two-part storage bag.
King of Christmas
King of Christmas keeps it straightforward. The tree arrived in the same size box, but the tree inside was packaged with a little less precision. Everything was still neatly packed, but I could tell the delivery process did a little bit more of a number on it.
Winner: Balsam Hill. The attention to detail in the packaging adds to the overall premium feel, however, this had zero impact on the tree, which is what is really important.
Realism Showdown
Balsam Hill
When I first unboxed the Balsam Hill BH Balsam Fir Flip Tree, I was struck by how incredibly lifelike it appeared.
The needles are crafted using the brand’s exclusive True Needle technology, and honestly, if it weren’t for the lack of that fresh pine scent, at first glance, you could have told me there was a real tree in my living room and I would have believed you.
King of Christmas
Not to be outdone, the King of Christmas Cypress Spruce also brings its A-game in the realism department. The combination of PE and PVC needles creates a full, lush appearance that had my holiday guests fooled.
While it might not have the exacting detail of the Balsam Hill tree, it comes impressively close — especially considering the friendlier price tag (by almost half).
Winner: Tie. Both trees offer exceptional realism, but Balsam Hill edges out slightly for the perfectionists among us.
Setup Smackdown
Balsam Hill
Setting up the Flip Tree was, dare I say, almost enjoyable. The bottom section flips into place with minimal effort, and the pre-lit branches connect automatically as you stack the top section. Literally, that’s it.
King of Christmas
The Cypress Spruce required a bit more manual labor. While the assembly was straightforward, coming from a background of bodega trees and cutting down our own before that, piecing the parts of this plastic tree together wasn’t hard by any stretch of the imagination. Additionally, now that I have done it once, it will be like riding a bike.
Winner: Balsam Hill. The Flip Tree technology is a game-changer. I’d imagine that without the flip, these two companies would be neck-and-neck when it comes to connecting.
The Fluff Factor
Let’s face it — fluffing branches is the leg day of holiday decorating. Both trees required some degree of fluffing to achieve that full, robust look.
Balsam Hill
With hinged branches and memory wire tips, the Balsam Hill tree branches naturally fall into place but still require quite a bit of individual branch fluffing.
King of Christmas
The Cypress Spruce demanded a similar amount of attention, but given the more vertical approach to setting up, I was about to spread branches apart as I assembled.
Winner: King of Christmas. Being able to fluff three less dense sections versus two much more dense sections made the overall process less daunting.
Takedown Trials
Balsam Hill
Disassembling the Flip Tree was as painless as the setup. After unplugging the lights, I took off the top section carefully and placed it in its storage separate bag. Next, I flipped the bottom section and placed its bag around it. I unlocked the wheels and off it went. The one caveat is that since I keep it in the basement, a different floor than my living room, the weight of the tree means it requires two people to get it up and down my tight basement stairs.
King of Christmas
Breaking down the Cypress Spruce was straightforward. It collapses easily and fits right into the generously sized storage bag with relative ease. Although a bit cumbersome, carrying it up and down stairs by myself is certainly an easier task.
Winner: Tie. The storage solutions provided make all the difference.
The Final Verdict
So, which tree deserves the prime spot in your holiday hearth?
Choose Balsam Hill if:
If you’re willing to splurge for top-tier realism, ease of setup, and premium extras, the Balsam Hill BH Balsam Fir Flip Tree is worth every penny.
- Money is no object and you want the absolute best
- You’re tired of wrestling with tree storage
- You plan to keep this tree for many Christmases to come
- You want the most realistic artificial tree possible
- You enjoy making your neighbors jealous
Choose King of Christmas if:
However, if you’re looking for a realistic tree that won’t break the bank and don’t mind a bit of extra effort during setup and takedown, the King of Christmas Cypress Spruce is an excellent choice.
- You want 90% of Balsam Hill’s quality at 60% of the price
- You’re okay with traditional setup and storage
- You want a beautiful tree without remortgaging your house
- You prefer straightforward assembly
- You want more budget left for presents
Both trees bring the holiday spirit in spades, so you really can’t go wrong. It ultimately boils down to your budget and how much you value convenience over cost.
How We Tested
Testing Christmas trees isn’t all hot cocoa and carols — it’s serious business. Here’s how I put these contenders through their paces:
- Unboxing and Assembly: Timed how long it took from opening the box to fully assembled.
- Realism Assessment: Evaluated the appearance up close and from across the room, including needle texture and branch structure on the outer and inner branches
- Lighting Quality: Checked for even light distribution and tested any customizable settings
- Durability: Gave the branches a gentle tug to assess sturdiness, ensuring they can handle heavier ornaments.
- Takedown Process: Measured the ease of disassembly and the practicality of storage solutions.
In Closing
Choosing between King of Christmas and Balsam Hill is like choosing between gingerbread and sugar cookies — both are delightful in their own right. Whether you opt for the luxury of Balsam Hill or the value of King of Christmas, you’ll be well on your way to creating a festive centerpiece that brings joy all season long.
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