The 5 best tabletop Christmas trees in 2021

Best live tabletop Christmas tree

The 3.5 ft. Freshly Cut Live Tabletop Fraser Fir Christmas Tree with Stand from The Home Depot is the perfect canvas for however you want to decorate this year.

Pros: Nothing beats the fragrance of a real Christmas tree

Cons: Fraser firs are known for great needle retention, but as with any tree, they will ultimately fall

While faux Christmas trees have many benefits, they also have one huge deficit: They lack the potent conifer fragrance that adds so much impact to a real tree. Spraying pine-scented air freshener on an artificial tree just isn't the same. 

With a fresh Fraser fir from North Carolina, that's not a problem. They're cut fresh and start shipping toward the end of November.

Even better, it arrives with a stand, so all you have to do is unpackaged, water, and begin adorning. Averaging about 3.5 feet, you can trim as needed or leave as is. The only other thing you might consider adding is a tree skirt for a more finished look.

This tree is freshly cut and ships free to your door, usually within about three or four days. Be sure to check and see if it will arrive by your desired delivery date before ordering.

Best artificial tabletop Christmas tree

If you're looking for a faux tree that looks like it came from the forest, not a Christmas tree farm, you'll love the Pre-Lit Faux Tree With Gold Berries and Pinecones.

Pros: Rustic, realistic appearance; pre-decorated and ready to display

Cons: If you prefer the traditional Douglas fir Christmas tree, this isn't your style

Most Christmas trees, whether large or small, artificial or real, have a traditional inverted triangle shape, thick needles, and a bushy appearance. World Market's Pre-Lit Faux Tree With Gold Berries and Pinecones, on the other hand, has more of a natural forest-grown shape and appearance that's perfect for those who prefer a more rustic look.

The tree comes pre-strung with 50 white lights that can blink or hold steady, faux gold berries, and real albeit tiny pinecones. A burlap-covered base wrapped with a green velvet ribbon finishes the display. You can gently bend the branches to your desired position, but this is not the extremely full Douglas-fir-style Christmas tree that's most commonly seen this time of year. 

Go ahead and add more ornaments if you'd like, or show off the tree as-is. Either way, it's sure to add lots of festive flair to your buffet, coffee or side table, dresser, or even that hard-to-decorate alcove under the staircase. 

The tree is approximately 36 inches tall with a 7-inch diameter base and runs off AA batteries.

Best potted tabletop Christmas tree

The Costa Farms Norfolk Pine comes potted and will stay alive for several Christmases to come and liven up your home all year long in between holiday seasons.

Pros: You'll have a new houseplant and get at least a few Christmases out of this tree, no tree is harmed

Cons: You have to water and feed it; not as full as traditional Christmas trees; not available in AK, AZ, CA, GU, HI

If you'd prefer to invest in a potted plant with its roots intact, a Norfolk Island pine is a wonderful choice. They may not be as plump as a Douglas or balsam fir, but dress them up with bows, holly, lights, and whatever you so choose, and your guests will be none the wiser.

Between 32 and 36 inches tall and stuck in a 10-inch red pot, it likes medium or bright light, but will still survive in lower light — it just won't grow as quickly. Keep the soil moist, not wet, with enough water. Usually, about half of a cup of water weekly will do the trick. After the holiday season, give it a little extra nourishment during warmer months with house-plant fertilizer and it should fare happily enough for a few Christmases to come.

These trees ship from Florida and will usually arrive within about a week. They're also widely available, so if you're struggling to find a tree this holiday season, a Norfolk Island pine may be your best bet.

Best fiber optic tabletop Christmas tree

If you're looking for a colorful and nontraditional tree, the Holiday Time Fiber Optic Christmas Tree is the perfect addition to your holiday decor.

Pros: Very colorful and fun with ever-changing pre-strung fiber optic lights, comes in five colors

Cons: Not at all realistic, not as full as some faux trees

The Holiday Time Fiber Optic Christmas Tree is definitely not realistic, so if you want something that looks like it came from the tree farm, this isn't for you. But if you prefer an eye-catching tree that is so colorful you won't even need to add ornaments, you'll love it.

If you have children, this is likely going to be their very favorite holiday decoration. Since it's such a compact size, you might even want to set it up in their bedroom.

The 32-inch tree comes in white, black, green, pink, and silver with a corresponding base. The magic starts when the tree is plugged in, either to an electrical outlet or a USB plug. Each of the 83 branches has fiber optic lights that slowly dance through a rainbow of colors. While you can certainly add ornaments, a tree this colorful can easily stand on its own.

It's small enough to fit on a counter, table, or hutch, or even liven up your work cubicle, but it does need to be close to a power source.

Best decorated tabletop Christmas tree

The Green Fir Artificial Christmas Tree might only be 12 inches tall, but it packs in a whole lot of holiday cheer.

Pros: Decorations and lights are included, small size is very versatile

Cons: Doesn't include a tree topper

If you want a tiny tree for your desk, window, or holiday table, the Holiday Aisle Green Fir Artificial Christmas Tree is your answer. It might only be a foot high, but it comes loaded with 20 clear LED lights, ornaments, and bows and sits in a pretty red basket.

The tree arrives with lights and decorations already in place, so setup is as easy as removing the tree from its box and fluffing up the branches. You can even use this mini tree to decorate the bathroom or a guest room dresser. 

The lights require three AA batteries (not included), and there's a small power switch on the base. Once the holidays are over, it's easy to store the tree in its box. At such a great price, you might want to buy a few extras for the office gift exchange or to use as hostess gifts.

Check out our other great Christmas decorating guides

The best artificial Christmas trees

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The best Christmas lights you can buy

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The best Christmas tree decorations you can buy

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The best tree skirts you can buy