Published on Oct. 09, 2024
Between its ultra-strong branches, tangle-free lights and realistic look, the Fraser Fir Frontgate Christmas tree is well worthy of a splurge
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Next to Christmas cookies, Christmas trees are one of the most important harbingers of the holiday season. While many folks prefer to use a real tree for their festivities, modern artificial Christmas trees look just like the real deal. Besides keeping allergies at bay, they sometimes offer additional features, like built-in programmable lights and other merry surprises. Plus, no pesky pine needles work their way into the carpet.
The challenge, however, is finding the right one. When it comes to realistic Christmas trees, the Frontgate Classic Fraser Fir is officially one of our favorites. This Frontgate Christmas tree is full and fluffy, surpassing our existing faux tree presumptions. But is it worth the splurge? Our expert Product Testing Team tested this stunning tree and discovered everything there is to know about this popular pick.
VIA MERCHANT
The Frongate Christmas tree looks just like the real deal—and there are no pesky light cords lurking inside its fluffy branches.
As someone who loves the holidays but can’t enjoy a real tree due to my partner’s allergies, I know the importance of realistic-looking Christmas trees. Plastic-y pine needles and wimpy branches simply won’t do, especially for those of us with heavy heirloom ornaments or a mountain of Christmas tree candles.
The Classic Fraser Fir Frontgate Christmas tree is a faux Christmas tree that mimics the classic, home-cut feel of a real one. While the realistic trunk and fluffy branches offer a showstopping look, its gorgeous glowing lights are the real standout feature. It’s also surprisingly stronger than what you’d find in a forest. Each branch tip comes reinforced with heavy-gauge steel—no more broken bulbs!
The Frontgate Classic Fraser Fir tree comes in 6.5-, 7.5-, 9- and 10-foot sizes. A powder-coated steel tree stand securely holds the realistic trunk in place without wobbling. The tree comes with either white lights or multicolored lights, which look lovely coupled with prismatic Christmas decor. A handy controller sets a timer or offers a choice between a number of light modes: steady, fade, flash out (twinkle), flash warm white, flash opal and chase.
Unlike many other pre-lit Christmas trees, there are no complicated hookups or tangle-prone wires. Instead, just assemble each section by inserting the pole into the top of the previous section. This automatically connects the lights to one another. Then, plug in the end of the cord, and you’re ready to celebrate!
We tested this tree in our Product Testing Lab against 10 other options hailing from Balsam Hill, Grandin Road and other well-loved brands. The tree arrived in two slightly beat-up boxes, but we chalk that up to a rough shipping trip. Luckily, none of the contents came damaged or missing. Inside the boxes are the stand, five tree pieces, a storage bag with gloves, lights, fuses, a remote, arm protectors and instructions for setup.
Setup is a two-person job, especially for larger sizes like the 9-foot option. That said, it assembles rather quickly. Two of our Product Testing team members put together all five sections in roughly 13 minutes. The quick light setup really helps with speed since there’s no need to hunt down connectors hidden inside the branches.
Despite its height, the tree is surprisingly sturdy. The base juts out about 3 feet to ensure a wobble-free trunk, which means that some tree collars may be a bit too small to cover it. Those opting for the 9-foot version will also need a ladder for setup.
The tree has brown branch areas, adding to its realism. The trunk is also brown, which looks much more high-end than some of the others we tested. As mentioned above, each branch tip comes with reinforced steel for additional strength. Additionally, there’s no skimping on needles—the number of tips ranges from 3,000 for the 6.5-foot option to a whopping 8,488 tips for the largest tree. This gives the entire tree a fluffy, full look without any unsightly gaps.
Speaking of fluffing, it only took 16 minutes for it to look really nice. It’s one of the easier trees to set up since the branches are maneuverable. Given that the lights connect via the center pole, there aren’t any light cords in the way. We also noticed very few needles falling out as we fluffed. Despite its fullness, the tree still holds ornaments in a variety of sizes and shapes.
The light cords and push button feel a little cheap, and the white lights glow a bit cooler than the soft incandescent we’d prefer for a Christmas tree. However, we love the addition of remote-controlled light effects. The lights sit deeper in the branches than the other trees we tested, which gave the entire tree a nice, soft glow. The tree hosts up to 1,700 lights, depending on the size and light color chosen.
According to our inquiries to Frontgate’s customer service, the Classic Fraser Fir is manufactured in China. That said, other trees on the website may be manufactured elsewhere.
While it’s hard to justify a $1,000 price tag, Frontgate Christmas trees are well worth the splurge. If you’re seeking a Christmas tree that lasts season after season and is strong enough to hold heavy heirloom ornaments, we highly recommend the Frontgate Fraser Fir. Despite its fluffiness, there’s still plenty of room underneath to hold gifts for him and her.
Both Frontgate and Balsam Hill make high-quality Christmas trees and alternative Christmas trees. That said, their product catalogs vary wildly from one another. While we love the fullness and realistic look of the Frontgate Christmas trees we’ve tested, Balsam Hill offers a few smart tree options that appeal to speed decorators or those who prefer to customize their lights.
The Balsam Hill Flip Tree is especially enticing because it sets up in just a few minutes. Instead of manually adjusting the tree’s branches, you can just flip them down—easy!
Whether you choose a Balsam Hill tree or a Frontgate tree, expect stunning quality and realistic details abound.
At Taste of Home, we’re big fans of the holidays. That includes everything from baking Christmas cookies to shopping for the best Christmas gift baskets. Our expert Product Testing team has a combined decade of experience testing and recommending the best products to readers. All testing is done under controlled conditions in our Product Testing Lab.
The Frontgate Christmas tree is available for purchase on the Frontgate website.. Snag it for $1,049.25 to $2,924.25, depending on the size. While it’s pricey, we expect this tree to last season after season, making it a true holiday heirloom you can break out every year.
VIA MERCHANT
The Frongate Christmas tree looks just like the real deal—and there are no pesky light cords lurking inside its fluffy branches.
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