Are pricey Balsam Hill wreaths worth the cost? We tested one to find out.
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Balsam Hill Wreath Review: This Natural Beauty Adds Holiday Charm Indoors or Out
Published on Oct. 21, 2024
Wreaths still give me sticker shock. I can never wrap my head around how an assortment of foliage, pinecones and ribbons can cost upwards of $200. And fresh wreaths aren’t all that much better! Still, I love the look of a seasonal ring dressing up a door, space above the mantel or in a window. Especially during the winter holidays, it’s a cheerful beacon of the season.
As an avid holiday decorator and professional product tester, I’ve had the pleasure of trying wreaths that run the gamut, from $15 on clearance at a big-box store to $150+ beauties from a specialty shop. After weeks of testing, I can confirm that you really do get what you pay for—and Balsam Hill wreaths are some of the best in the business.
What are Balsam Hill wreaths?
Balsam Hill wreaths bring the beautiful, lifelike realism of Balsam Hill Christmas trees to your front door. The winter evergreen wreath we tested is just one of many bountiful options the brand offers. It’s available in six sizes—22, 24, 30, 34, 48 and 60 inches. There’s truly a size for every decorating need, indoors and out! The lights are battery-powered, except for on the largest size. The smallest size we tested also comes with a battery-operated candle for more timeless charm. The wreath is outdoor safe and has UV protection. (Note: Balsam Hill recommends displaying it for only three months at a time to ensure the greenery stays beautiful for multiple years.)
For a cohesive look, you can also find the same foliage in an entire collection of garlands, a swag, a hanging basket, potted trees, a window box and a front door kit.
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Balsam Hill Winter Evergreen Wreath
How We Tested It
I’ve been testing the 22-inch Balsam Hill outdoor winter evergreen foliage wreath with battery-powered, clear LED lights since September 2024.
Unboxing and Assembly
The wreath arrived snuggled inside a standard Balsam Hill box. It came with instructions for the lights and candle but not much else. Many of the Balsam Hill products I’ve previously tested include a little box with extra fuses and bulbs. However, this wreath uses LED clear lights that can’t be replaced but burn much longer than traditional bulbs.
Right out of the box, I could tell this wreath was quality. First, there was zero shedding left behind in the box when I lifted it out. The cheaper wreaths I’m accustomed to drop needles, berries and glitter like crazy, so I was excited to see that this wreath left no trace behind. It also looked very realistic. The berries, in particular, blew me away. Many faux wreaths have little styrofoam balls coated in a red seal that, if scratched or bumped, lose their coating (or fall off entirely). The Balsam Hill berries were plump and springy, almost the texture of a stress ball. They were very securely attached, and when I purposely tried to scrape some of the coating off, it didn’t budge.
The foliage was equally impressive. This wreath features a mix of cedar and fir that looks incredibly lifelike. The only thing missing is the fresh pine scent!
Set-Up
To set it up, I grabbed a wreath hanger and some batteries. I added three AA batteries to the wreath’s compartment. The candle came tied to the wreath with metal wire. After a few minutes of finagling, I realized I needed to remove the wire to access the bottom and put two AA batteries in. The instructions didn’t mention this, but it was pretty intuitive. After a few minutes of work, the wreath was lit and ready to go.
The hanger for this wreath is huge. No flimsy little piece of wire here! It’s compatible with any number of wreath-hanging methods, which allows you to place this beauty anywhere inside or outside of your home. One quirk to note—if you are planning to hang it on your front door, don’t expect it to fit between a storm door. The wreath is too full for most standard depths.Â
Lights
The lights have three settings: on, timer and off. The candle uses a different type of tech that is quite touchy. It has a little photo sensor that automatically turns on in darkness and off when it senses light. This is great if you plan to hang your wreath in direct sunlight, but if you’re decorating a dim bedroom, hallway or other low-light space, it will want to stay on all the time. Luckily, you simply twist the base of the candle to turn this feature off.
I love that I’m able to enjoy the glow of lights on my wreath without the need for an outlet or extension cord. However, I feel that the tone of the LEDs and the candle clash slightly. The LEDs are slightly cooler than I expected, and the candle “flame” is yellow-orange.
Value
The wreath I tested costs $149 (although it’s frequently on sale). While pricey, quality shines at every opportunity: The frame! The foliage! The lights! It’s an investment that should last for many holiday seasons. Plus, a comparable fresh wreath in my area would cost between $30 and $50, and that’s without lights and a candle.
Now, I love the natural simplicity of this wreath. But some may find it a bit plain for their tastes. In that case, there’s still plenty of space to add on ribbons, picks and sprays to make this wreath your own. You can also check out Balsam Hills’ other wreaths, like the dazzling Gilded Forest hanger or sweet Sugared Apples ring.
Pros
- Incredibly full and lifelike
- High-quality construction for durability and longevity
- Zero shedding
- Minimal fluffing required
- Built-in timer
- Large variety of coordinating garlands, mini trees, etc. for cohesive decor
Cons
- Lights skew cool, except for the candle, which is very warm
- Photo-sensitive candle feature can be finicky
- Wreath is too thick to hang between most storm doors
- Pricey
Why You Should Trust Us
I’m a holiday gifting and Christmas decorating expert with nearly a decade of editorial experience. My work has been featured in Family Handyman, Reader’s Digest, Better Homes & Gardens and, of course, Taste of Home. To date, I’ve contributed to testing over a dozen artificial Christmas trees—including the Balsam Hill flip tree, the smart Twinkly tree and King of Christmas trees. I also have experience testing Balsam Hill garland, ornaments and ornament storage. An avid holiday enthusiast, my goal is to help our readers find the best products for making merry.Â
Where To Buy Balsam Hill Wreaths
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Balsam Hill Winter Evergreen Wreath
Take holiday decorating to the next level with a Balsam Hill winter evergreen wreath. All sizes and light configurations are available exclusively through Balsam Hill, as is the entire collection of coordinating decor. While pricey, I expect this wreath to last for a very long time.
