Which tree looks more realistic?

The Balsam Hill. More than 65% of its foliage is PE True Needle molded from real branches, while the National Tree Company mixes PE tips with flat PVC. Up close, the Balsam Hill reads as a real fir more convincingly.

Which is easier to set up?

The National Tree Company goes up faster thanks to its hinged, three-section design. The Balsam Hill also assembles in sections, but you spend more time fluffing branches and pairing the smart lights.

Do the lights stay on if a bulb burns out?

On the National Tree Company, yes. Its incandescent strings keep the rest of the tree lit. On the Balsam Hill LED strings, a failed bulb can darken part of a section until you replace it.

Which suits a smaller room?

The National Tree Company. At 6.5 ft tall and 49 in wide it fits apartments and tight corners. The Balsam Hill is a foot taller with a wider, fuller spread.

Is the Balsam Hill worth stepping up to?

If you want the taller tree, realistic PE foliage and app-controlled LED lighting, yes. If you just want a pre-lit tree that goes up fast and stays lit, the National Tree Company covers that.

LEDs on the Balsam Hill have a much longer rated life than incandescent bulbs, and its PE foliage holds shape well. The National Tree Company's crush-resistant tips are durable, but its bulbs will need replacing sooner.

Balsam Hill BH Balsam Fir Tree vs National Tree Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir

Buy the Balsam Hill if you want a taller, fuller tree with warm-white LED lights and app-controlled light shows. Buy the National Tree Company if you want a simpler, lower-effort setup and don't need smart lighting. The Balsam Hill has more realistic PE foliage and a sturdier stand, and its 4.4 rating from 3,700 owners reflects that. The National Tree Company is lighter and easier to store, but its incandescent bulbs run hotter and its foliage looks less natural up close.

Choose the Balsam Hill BH Balsam Fir if you want a 7.5 ft pre-lit tree with LED lights, Twinkly light shows and the most realistic needles.
Choose the National Tree Company Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir if you want a straightforward 6.5 ft tree that sets up fast and needs no app or smart features.

Prices

Balsam Hill BH Balsam Fir Tree: $109.99 at eBay (last seen Nov 8)
National Tree Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir: $95.98 at Amazon (checked today)
Difference: the National Tree Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir is $14.01 cheaper than the Balsam Hill BH Balsam Fir Tree at the latest prices (Nov 8 and Nov 12)

	Balsam Hill BH Balsam Fir Tree	National Tree Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir
Height	7.5 ft	6.5 ft
Light type	LED, 1,200 warm-white lights with Twinkly light shows	Incandescent, 650 clear lights
Foliage realism	More than 65% True Needle PE foliage molded from real branches	Feel Real PE tips mixed with PVC
Setup	Easy Plug: light strings connect through the trunk, one wall plug	Hinged, three-section assembly
Stand	Sturdy metal stand included	Folding metal stand included
Storage	Ripstop nylon bag and fluffing gloves included	No storage bag included
Bulb failure	LED strings; a failed bulb can affect a section	Lights stay on if a bulb burns out
Footprint	Wide, full silhouette	49 in diameter, fits smaller rooms

Spec	Balsam Hill BH Balsam Fir Tree	National Tree Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir
Season	Holiday, Christmas	Christmas
Type	Fir, Christmas Tree	Christmas Tree, Fir
Placement	Living rooms, Entryways	Floor, Apartments, Foyers, Living rooms
Theme	Christmas, Holiday	Christmas
Height	7.5 ft	6.5 ft
Width	Wide, Full, Narrow, No information	49 in
Size	Small sizes, No information	6.5 ft
Light Color	Clear, Warm White	Clear
Light Type	With Lights	Incandescent, UL-listed incandescent lights, Wi…
Number Of Lights	1200	650
Power Type	Easy Plug	Plug-in
Light Effect	Twinkly Light Show	Remain illuminated even if a bulb goes out

Spec	Balsam Hill BH Balsam Fir Tree	National Tree Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir
Color	Green	Green
Style	Classic teardrop silhouette	Traditional
Material	PE	Sturdy metal stand
Shape	Tree	Tree
Suitable For	Holiday decorating	Holiday decorating
Setup	Easy Plug ®	Hinged branch construction
Sustainability	Durable	Hypoallergenic
Durability	—	Fire-resistant
Typical Users	—	Families
Tree Variety

Balsam Hill BH Balsam Fir Tree vs National Tree Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir

Prices

Balsam Hill BH Balsam Fir Tree vs National Tree Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir

Prices

Balsam Hill BH Balsam Fir Tree

National Tree Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir

What separates them

Price history

Prices at every store

Balsam Hill BH Balsam Fir Tree

National Tree Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir

Specs compared

What reviewers say

Balsam Hill BH Balsam Fir Tree

National Tree Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir

Questions and answers

Ask our shopping agent

Buying guides that pick them

Balsam Hill BH Balsam Fir Tree

National Tree Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir

What separates them

Price history

Prices at every store

Balsam Hill BH Balsam Fir Tree

National Tree Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir

Specs compared

What reviewers say

Balsam Hill BH Balsam Fir Tree

National Tree Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir

Questions and answers

Ask our shopping agent

More comparisons

Buying guides that pick them