8 Best Christmas Tree Stands for Every Type of Tree
Updated: Dec. 05, 2022On the hunt for a Christmas tree stand? These top-rated options will keep your holiday greenery safe and secure all season long.
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The debate happens every year: Should you choose a real or artificial Christmas tree? There are lots of real tree types to consider—or you can go nontraditional with a Christmas cactus. And once you’ve decided that, there’s figuring out how to care for your tree, choosing that iconic Christmas tree topper and determining where in the house to display your tree (which might be hanging from the ceiling!).
There’s only one thing that’s certain: Whether you plan to display a real or artificial Christmas tree this holiday season, you’re going to need a stand to hold it in place. Here are our top picks for Christmas tree stands this season. (Haven’t bought your tree yet? Here are some artificial Christmas tree sales to save some money this year.)
Best Stand Overall
Krinner Tree Genie Christmas Tree Stand
Made in Germany, where the Christmas tree tradition started, the Krinner Tree Genie Christmas Tree Stand is durable, sturdy, spacious and easy to set up. This stand can hold trees up to 12 feet tall with trunks as large as seven inches in diameter.
And it can hold up to 2-1/2 gallons of water in its base, which features an automatic water level indicator. The easy-to-use foot pedal allows you to quickly secure your tree upright without tightening any screws.
Pros
- Highly rated
- No assembly required
- Built-in foot pedal
- Suitable for tall trees
Cons
- Expensive
Best Budget Christmas Tree Stand
Jack Post Plastic Christmas Tree Stand
For an inexpensive tree stand that still does the job, consider the Jack Post Plastic Christmas Tree Stand, which costs just $15. The plastic stand can hold trees up to six feet tall and has five eye bolts with metal end caps that hold the tree steady. The base holds a half gallon of water to keep your tree fresh.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Eye bolts with end caps included
Cons
- Plastic body may be less durable than other materials
Best Stand for Artificial Trees
National Tree Company Store Christmas Tree Stand
Most artificial Christmas trees come with stands, but if yours is lost or broken, the National Tree Company Store Tree Stand is a good replacement option. It ranges from 16 to 36 inches to support artificial trees up to 12 feet tall. The stand is made from heavy-duty steel for durability, and folds flat for storing alongside your Christmas ornament bins.
Pros
- Affordable
- Great for artificial trees
- Comes in two size options
- Simple design
Cons
- Lightweight body may not be suitable for heavier trees
Best Stand for Small Trees
Cinco Classic Christmas Tree Stand
If you typically choose small Christmas trees, the Cinco Classic Christmas Tree Stand is perfect for your needs. This stand can accommodate trees up to four feet tall with a three-inch trunk diameter, and its reservoir holds up to 3/4 gallons of water. Three bolts with metal end caps hold the tree in place, and the stand’s low and wide design minimizes the number of low branches you’ll need to trim.
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- Made with durable plastic
- Works for real and artificial trees
Cons
- Not suitable for trees taller than 4 feet
Best Stand for Tall Trees
Home Accents Holiday Steel Christmas Tree Stand
For those who prefer a larger-than-life Christmas tree, a sturdy model like the Home Accents Holiday Steel Tree Stand is a must-have. Crafted from powder-coated steel for durability, this stand can accommodate trees up to 12 feet tall. It holds trees steady with five eye bolts, and the unit’s two gallon reservoir provides plenty of water.
Pros
- Made with tough, powder-coated steel
- 2 gallon water reservoir
- Supports trees up to 12 feet tall
Cons
- Narrow bolts might not secure the largest trees
Best Traditional Cast Iron Stand
Heirloom Christmas Tree Stand
The Heirloom Christmas Tree Stand is an old-fashioned design made from long-lasting, powder-coated cast iron. The stand weighs a substantial 20 lbs. and can hold trees up to eight feet tall with a five-inch trunk. The festive green finish resists chipping and rusting.
Pros
- Stylish
- Made of heavy, sturdy cast iron
- Holds large trees
Cons
- Expensive
Best Tabletop Christmas Tree Stand
Good Tidings Tabletop Christmas Tree Stand
Tabletop Christmas trees are a popular choice for small homes, holiday decorating minimalists and households with young children crawling or toddling around.
The Good Tidings Cinco Christmas Tree Stand is designed to hold undersized trees up to five feet tall and three inches in diameter. The stand is made from plastic with rust-proof steel spikes in the bottom to hold your tree in place.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
- Made for live trees
Cons
- Plastic body may be more prone to damage
Best Modern Christmas Tree Stand
TreeNest Rustic Live Christmas Tree Stand
For a tree stand that can hold its own without a skirt or collar, consider the TreeNest Rustic Tree Stand, which has a minimalist, Scandinavian vibe. Made from a natural wood base that supports a white or silver metallic bucket, this stand can hold trees between six and eight inches in diameter and up to 11.9 feet tall.
Pros
- Stylish
- Suitable for tall trees
- Highly rated
Cons
- Very expensive
How We Chose the Best Christmas Tree Stands
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
What to Consider When Buying a Christmas Tree Stand
Size
When shopping for a Christmas tree stand, look for one that’s the appropriate size for the height and trunk diameter of your tree. Putting an oversized tree in a too-small stand is a recipe for a holiday disaster!
Live or artificial
For live trees, it’s also important to select a stand with an adequate water reservoir. This will help keep your tree fresh and minimize needle loss. The National Christmas Tree Association says stands should provide one quart of water per inch of stem diameter.
Note that some artificial trees come with a stand and others don’t. Be sure to check this when buying an artificial tree (like one of these colored Christmas trees), and purchase a tree stand if one is not included.
Safety
As you shop, you may notice that most Christmas tree stands appear utilitarian; that’s because it’s more important for them to be sturdy and safe than attractive. After all, you can always cover them with a tree skirt or collar.
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