Bring Your Christmas Tree to New Peaks with These Editor-Tested Tree Stands
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Whether you’re a blue spruce devotee or a Douglas fir fanatic, your perfect holiday tree can only truly shine with a sturdy Christmas tree stand under it to keep it supported. While it’s obvious that ornaments and other decorations can really dress up a Christmas tree, a good stand can literally make or break your holiday décor.
A good tree stand serves as a base that not only secures the trunk of the tree upright, but gives space to add water and be a stabilizing base. There are plenty of good stands out there that make setting up your tree a fast and easy process, and you don’t have to pay a pretty penny for a top-notch option.
That being said, actually wading through the many options when you need to be holiday shopping, is a drag. We’ve tested and tried out tons of tree stands ourselves, so check out our list of the best ones to nab this season.
For more holiday essentials to stock up on now, check out our picks for the best artificial Christmas trees, Christmas tree collars, and matching family pajamas.
The Best Christmas Tree Stands
Best Overall: Krinner Tree Genie
Best Value: Cinco Express Tree Stand
Best Cast Iron: John Wright Heirloom Cast Iron Tree Stand
Best for Small Trees: Tree Nest Raised Christmas Tree Stand
Best Tree Security: Jack-Post Tree Stand
What to Consider
Size Capacity
Consider the height of the tree you typically get and make sure you choose a tree stand with the width to stabilize one of that size, as well as the depth to hold its trunk steadily. All of our picks come with outlined max heights on them with the majority landing between 8 and 12 feet.
Gripping Mechanism
Most tree stands grip on to the trunks with screw-in bolts on the sides. This style of grip provides a great stable base that isn’t hindered by an uneven trunk. Pay attention to the number of bolts that are in the basin and the length of each bolt. The number of bolts gives greater customizability based on trunk shape, and the length gives more variability on trunk thickness.
Some tree stands have central spikes that attach directly to the center of the tree trunk. These offer more direct stability to the tree, though they may be more susceptible to being slightly angled when stood up.
Water Basin
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, your stand should hold one quart of water per inch of the trunk’s diameter. So, the key factor is to ensure your stand has enough space to hold that much water. Most tree stand water basins hold between one and two gallons of water at a time.
How We Selected
After researching the available options, we collected and tested a range of Christmas tree stands, from simple plastic basins to fairly complex models with gripping and swiveling mechanisms. We considered each stand’s value based on how it secures the tree, the ease of setup, how much water it holds, and the range of tree sizes it can accommodate.
Tree Genie XXL Deluxe Christmas Tree Stand
amazon.com
$134.60
The hands-down winner in our testing was Krinner’s well-engineered Tree Genie XXL Deluxe tree stand. To use it, set the tree in the base until it bottoms out on a small cone, then pump the foot pedal to activate the ratchet mechanism that moves five cable-operated jaws into position to firmly grip the tree stem. (Each pump of the pedal moves the jaws about half an inch.)
Instead of individual bolts, this pumping mechanism tightens a cable which evenly distributes the pressure between five different jaws. These jaws tighten directly onto the trunk together, so each part of the trunk is secure even if it is crooked or misshapen.
You do have to lift the tree above the jaws, so it helps to have a second person to help set it up. Tightening the jaws around the trunk is fast and provides secure results, and we were amazed to see our tree firmly and quickly fastened and plumb (straight up and down), even though we realized after the fact that we didn’t have the tree properly centered.
8-Foot Christmas Tree Stand
amazon.com
$31.87
If you’re in a hurry to get the tree up, this is a good choice. The aptly named Express is a sturdy plastic basin, molded from one piece of thick polypropylene with lots of ribbing on its back to increase its rigidity.
It’s the only stand in our test with quick-release bolts. Pull back on the latch above each and then press the bolt forward or pull it back. Make sure the tree is properly centered and as close to plumb as possible, then slide the bolts against the trunk and tighten. To loosen the bolts or remove the tree, make a couple of quick reverse turns with the bolt and then engage the mechanism and slide the bolts all the way back.
While this tree stand lacks any frills, expect it to comfortably hold your tree up, and, if lined up right, hold it up evenly.
Heirloom Christmas Tree Stand
amazon.com
$119.99
Another well-named product, this Heirloom tree stand from John Wright looks every bit the part of a Victorian Christmas tree stand—but it’s no refurbished antique. It’s made from cast iron with a smooth, rust-resistant urethane finish and certainly durable enough to provide a lifetime of use–and then some. Drop the tree into the cylinder (which is an integrated part of the base, not something that’s welded on), then tighten the three massive brass-plated eye screws.
Like all stands of this type, you do need to have the tree properly centered and take care when tightening to get it evenly clamped. This tree stand includes a nickel-plated steel bar to insert through the eye of the screw to help you turn it, and a flange nut on the end of each screw provides firm, well-distributed pressure and prevents the screw from digging into the tree’s bark.
A final thoughtful detail: Peel-and-stick foam pads are included. Apply these to the stand’s feet to prevent them from scratching the floor.
This is a fine stand and one built to last several generations, but it does have relatively modest water capacity and lacks the convenient features of some of the other models here. However, if you’re a traditionalist, and keep an eye on the water level, you’ll do just fine with this simple, well-executed tree stand.
Christmas Tree Stand Base
amazon.com
$35.99
Even if you typically opt for a smaller Christmas tree, you’ll still need a sturdy stand to keep it upright. This stand from Tree Nest is a must-have for 3-, 4-, and 5-foot trees. It’s made of a combination of wood and metal to keep tree poles and stumps secure, and is sleek enough that a collar or skirt isn’t needed.
This tree stand is around nine inches high and just under eight inches in diameter, so it hardly takes up any space—a plus if you’re decorating smaller areas like an office or apartment. Plus, it’s very lightweight so it can be easily moved around your home. It holds about a third of a gallon of water, and the base is leakproof so nothing will drip down.
While you may not want to use this for the biggest trees, the elevated base on the stand lifts up smaller options by close to 10 inches.
Oasis Christmas Tree Stand
amazon.com
$35.89
Another affordable choice, this tree stand from Jack-Post is a cost-effective option that doubles down on tree security. Instead of just one security measure, this tree stand offers both five bolts that screw into the sides of the trunk and a centered tree spike to plant the trunk into.
This double security measure ensure that your tree stays lined up straight and will not wobble or wilt over time. At the same time, the relatively large basin was a major plus. The basin fills easily with the sides splaying out for a closer place to pour.
This tree stand comes in two different sizes: medium and large. The medium holds trees up to eight feet high and the large holds trees up to 10 feet high.
Electric Metal Rotating Christmas Tree Stand
amazon.com
$48.99
Most of us don’t keep our Christmas tree in the center of a room, which means that at least one side doesn’t get appreciated. This rotating stand allows you to see your artificial tree from every angle, giving each ornament a place of prominence.
It can handle trees up to 90 pounds, and the lights can be plugged into the base, eliminating the need for an additional unsightly chord. It comes in four Christmas-y color options and is easy to set up right out of the box.
Each tree stand also comes with multiple tree poles that help secure thinner trunks into the base. The rotation is slow and steady, giving enough time for each part of the tree to shine in the spotlight.
Versatile Electric Rotating Christmas Tree Stand
amazon.com
$164.99
If you don’t mind spending a little extra on a sturdy, long-lasting Christmas tree stand, then this one’s for you. This stand works as a rotating option for your artificial tree, but is designed with a heartier build and a more holiday-themed design than our other rotating tree stand recommendation.
It’s made of a durable metal that can support trees measuring up to nine feet tall and weighing up to 120 pounds. This tree stand runs on electricity and can be plugged into your nearest outlet, while supporting tree poles that are 1, 1.25, or 1.75 inches in diameter.
The 22-inch diameter of this stand can fit in most corners of your home, or you can place your tree in the middle of your space if you so choose. This stand is also available in four colors, so you can choose an option that best fits the theme of your decorations and the color scheme of your home.
Tree Genie Large Christmas Tree Stand
amazon.com
$103.93
The Krinner Genie XXL Deluxe is already our best overall pick, but the large option is just as good as its more sizable counterpart. It has an 18-inch diameter and only weighs 13 pounds, so it’s relatively lightweight and easy to move around if need be.
This stand can support trees up to eight feet tall, and can hold up to a gallon of water to keep your firs fresh and your spruces spritely. Assembling a tree pole in the stand is simple, as evident from customer reviews.
What sets this option apart from many similar tree stands is the extendable stabilizing feet which provide a wider base to ensure your tree doesn’t topple over once it’s installed.
Christmas Tree Stand (Base)
amazon.com
$54.90
Instead of the more familiar green metal tree stand, opt for this modernized design from Tree Nest. It’s made with metal and beechwood for a sleek appearance that will fit in nicely with your home decor, so you won’t have to drop extra cash on a tree skirt.
The small nuts and bolts make for a more ergonomic design, and the setup is simple, and placing your tree in should be a straightforward process. Be conscious of your tree trunk diameter size, because the bucket included is smaller than others, with this option focusing on shorter, thinner trees.
This smaller style means the basin holds less than half a gallon of water. So, expect to refill it a bit more often than you would a larger option.
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