9 Best Christmas Tree Stands of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Skip the annual argument about whether the tree is straight and get a Christmas tree stand that works for you.
Kamron Sanders
Picture this: It's the most wonderful time of the year until, out of nowhere, your Christmas tree comes crashing down, carrying your holiday dreams down with it. This could be your reality if you opt for a cheap, run-of-the-mill Christmas tree stand. To help you avoid this fate, we've found the best Christmas tree stands, through thorough testing.
A good Christmas tree stand is sturdy enough to hold even the heaviest tree up and has plenty of space for water to keep the tree looking beautiful — it doesn't hurt if the tree stand itself looks beautiful, too. Most importantly, a tree stand should be easy to use to help you avoid any "bah humbug" moments. Below, we've provided our top Christmas tree stand picks so you can skip the shopping and get straight to decorating.
Our Top Picks for Christmas Tree Stands
How We Tested
To find the best Christmas tree stand, we compared 13 popular Christmas tree stands with positive reviews, consisting of various sizes, materials and designs. Each stand was tested for stability, ease of setup and ease of water filling. We also took into consideration things like special features, maintenance steps, price and warranty.
Assembly Test: To test each Christmas tree stand's ease of use, we unboxed and assembled them, noting how easy the assembly was and how long it took. If a model required no assembly out of the box, we took note.
Setup Test: Once assembled, we installed a tree in each stand. We used an assortment of live trees for live tree stands and artificial trees for artificial tree stands, choosing trees as close to each stand's max height limit as possible. We recorded how long it took to set the tree up as straight as possible and whether or not it took two people or could be done solo.
Kamron Sanders
Water Fill Test: For the live-tree stands, we filled them with water once the Christmas trees were installed to test how easily it could be done and whether it required a specialty watering can or could be done with a regular cup or pitcher. We noted how much water each stand held to estimate how frequently a tree may need to be watered.
Kamron Sanders
Stability Test: Once each Christmas tree was secured in a stand, we tested the stability of each Christmas tree stand. To do this, we used a digital force gauge to measure the amount of force in pounds that it took to tip the tree over.
We tied a 3-foot length of paracord to the tree three feet from the ground and pulled the paracord with the force gauge, then recorded the peak force once the tree tipped. We then repeated the process with a length of paracord tied around the middle of the tree. Some tree stands maxed our gauge, while others fell over with hardly any force.
Kamron Sanders
Cleaning and Storage: We took into account how easy it was to remove the tree and dump the water, then clean each Christmas tree stand, including both the manufacturer's care instructions and the real-world effort it took. We also considered if the tree could fit into a standard kitchen sink for those who don't have access to a garden hose.
Once cleaned, we broke down each stand as much as possible to see how easy they were to store, noting if the stand would fit in a standard storage box or not.
- Very easy to use by yourself
- Slide-out feet for extra stability
- Easy to get tree straight
- Five claws hold tree securely
- Plastic finish looks and feels cheaper than other Krinner models
The Krinner Tree Genie L easily won the ‘Best Overall’ spot with its game-changing design. If you’ve given up on setting up a live Christmas tree because you live by yourself or your hands aren’t strong enough to turn the stubborn bolts, the Krinner Genie is your new best friend.
Instead of bolts, the Krinner Genie utilizes five claws all controlled by a single wire that’s tightened with a ratcheting foot pedal. Rather than holding the tree still while you attempt to tighten several bolts on opposite sides of the tree (all whilst crossing your fingers that the tree will somehow sit perfectly straight), you just hold the tree in place and pump the foot pedal until it’s secure.
Once it's tight, you slide the lock on the foot pedal and the tree doesn't move. We’re not exaggerating when we say it took less than one minute to set up the tree in the stand. Best of all, it was perfectly straight on the first attempt.
Unlike the other Krinner models we tested, this stand featured five slide-out feet to increase the stand's stability. With the feet out, it took over 10 pounds of force to tip the tree.
Plus, the Krinner Genie features a water level indicator, so you never have to guess or try to peek your head beneath the tree with a flashlight just to see if the tree needs water.
While it was very easy to fill the Krinner Genie with water without making a mess, it wasn't so easy to empty the water. Even after we poured out as much as we could, there was a lot of water left over in the nooks and crannies, which wasn't easily wiped out and wasn't ideal for storage.
- Dimensions: 4.8" x 18"
- Weight: 9.5 lbs.
- Material: Plastic and metal
- Water Capacity: 1 Gallon
- Max Tree Height: 8'
- Tipping Force: 10.3 lbs.
- 10-year warranty
- Very easy to use
- Simple design
- Possible for use with one person
- No special features
Like us, the Cinco C-148 is likely what you picture when you think of a Christmas tree stand. It’s got the classic plastic dome look with the four bolts that hold the tree in place. So, what makes this seemingly ordinary Christmas tree stand so special?
The four bolts on the Cinco Christmas tree stand can be pushed tightly against the tree and then screwed tight. This makes it possible to mount a Christmas tree in the stand by yourself, though it isn't nearly as easy as doing so with the Krinner Tree Genie.
While it may seem like an ordinary plastic tree stand, the Cinco C-148 is shockingly stable. To get it to tip, we had to pull with over 15 pounds of force.
When it comes time to clean up, you just take the tree out and dump out the water. Give it a good rinse, then dry it out with a towel. It was one of the easiest stands to clean and dry.
Alongside the simple yet clever functionality, the 10-year warranty and sub-$50 price tag make the Cinco easily the best value of the Christmas tree stands we tested.
- Dimensions: 20 x 8 inches
- Weight: 2.8 lbs.
- Material: Plastic
- Water Capacity: 2 Gallons
- Max Tree Height: 10'
- Tipping Force: 15.5 lbs.
- Lifetime warranty
- Very stable
- Easy to use
- Only accomodates up to 1.25-inch poles
So long cheap, flimsy artificial Christmas tree stands. The Goliath Welded Artificial Christmas Tree Stand is as sturdy as it sounds. We really had nothing bad to say about this artificial tree stand and neither do Amazon reviewers, as it has nearly a perfect five-star rating. If we had to think of one con, it would be the pole-size limitations, as it can only accommodate up to 1.25 inches.
The Goliath stand is great for nearly any artificial Christmas tree, but it's a must-have for large, heavy trees. With a total of eight bolts, it can easily secure multiple sizes of artificial trees with zero tilting or spinning.
It’s supremely sturdy, very stable (nearly 10 pounds of tipping force), folds up easily for storage, can handle trees up to 200 pounds and has a lifetime warranty. All this for around $40? Sign us up.
- Dimensions: 24 x 24 x 6 inches
- Weight: 5 lbs.
- Material: Metal and plastic
- Water Capacity: n/a
- Max Tree Height: 8'
- Tipping Force: 9.4 lbs.
- Rotates
- Integrated rotating plug so lights don't twist during rotation
- Not a great warranty
- Feels cheap for the price
- Not very stable
Unlock all of your Christmas tree’s square footage with a rotating Christmas tree stand. Sure, you won’t be able to hide the sentimental yet unsightly ornaments at the back of the tree anymore but look on the bright side — now you can go ornament shopping because you’ve essentially doubled the amount of space on your tree.
A rotating Christmas tree stand also makes it easier to decorate your tree. Instead of trying to spin the tree around or walk around it while stringing up lights, simply turn on the rotation and string them up as it spins.
If rotation is a top priority on your list of Christmas tree stand demands, this is the stand for you. If stability is a must, you may want to keep shopping.
- Dimensions: 25.98 x 7.52 inches
- Weight: 2.9 lbs.
- Material: Plastic
- Water Capacity: n/a
- Max Tree Height: 7.5'
- Tipping Force: 6.6 lbs.
- Locking casters
- High-quality constructions
- Easily adjustable for several tree sizes
- Not very stable
Yes, we’re fully aware that this Christmas tree stand looks eerily similar to the bottom of an office chair, but that’s what makes it special. The Treekeeper Rolling Artificial Christmas Tree Stand lets you turn any artificial tree into a rolling artificial tree. And, if you’ve ever priced rolling artificial Christmas trees, then you know that they can run in the thousands. Sorry, but who can justify that purchase?
Once your tree is decorated, simply roll it into place, lock the casters and place a tree skirt over the stand. All without scratching your floors. Best of all? You can roll the tree into storage without removing a single decoration, making next year's holiday setup a breeze.
We only had one complaint about this tree stand and that was its stability, or should we say instability, as it tipped over with just 7.2 pounds of force.
- Dimensions: 29 x 9.75 inches
- Weight: 7 lbs.
- Material: Plastic and metal
- Water Capacity: n/a
- Max Tree Height: 9'
- Tipping Force: 7.2 lbs.
- Heavy-duty construction
- Very stable
- Lifetime warranty
- Requires two people for setup
- Looks better with a tree skirt
As soon as we unboxed the JACK-POST steel Christmas tree stand, we knew it meant serious business. Not only was it incredibly stable (it took nearly 20 pounds of force to tip), but you can tell it's built to last. And even if it doesn't, it features a lifetime warranty.
The simplistic, open design makes it easy to see how much water is in the base and even easier to fill it with water. However, you won't have to fill it often, as it holds nearly 2 gallons of water.
The only real downside to the JACK-POST stand is that it requires two people to set up a tree. Plus, though the stand isn't ugly by any means, you'll probably want to finish it off with a tree skirt.
- Dimensions: 22.8 x 6.75 inches
- Weight: 8.8 lbs.
- Material: Steel and plastic
- Water Capacity: 1.7 Gallons
- Max Tree Height: 12'
- Tipping Force: 19.7 lbs.
- Beautiful appearance
- High-quality materials
- No tree skirt necessary
- Very stable
- Very expensive
- Unfinished oak stains easily
- Very hard to get water into once the tree is in
- A small tree trunk barely fit in it
Go ahead and put your tree skirt back in storage, because you're not going to need it. Seriously — we dare you to imagine a more stunning Christmas tree stand than the Fritz Hansen Stella. Constructed with elegant brass-plated steel and unfinished oak, the Stella stand wasn't meant to be covered by a skirt, but rather featured as part of your Christmas decor.
Admittedly, this stand isn't the practical pick, but the luxury pick. And it comes at a luxury price point. However, it's not all looks. This tree stand was surprisingly stable and held up to an impressive 13.4 pounds of tipping force.
While we couldn't find accurate guidance on the max tree height this stand was rated for, it handled our 6-7 foot tree well. That said, the narrow base just barely fit the tree's trunk, which was pretty small relative to the tree's height. This made it difficult to water the tree, which needs to be done frequently, as the stand doesn't hold much water.
- Dimensions: 19.9 x 6.1 inches
- Weight: 9.81 lbs.
- Material: Unfinished oak and brass-plated steel
- Water Capacity: Not specified
- Max Tree Height: Not specified
- Tipping Force: 13.4 lbs.
- Incredibly easy to use
- Easy to get very large trees straight by yourself
- Very stable even with tall trees
- 5-year warranty
- Expensive
- Difficult to get all water out
Just like our "Best Overall" pick, our "Best for Large Trees" pick comes from Krinner. The Krinner Tree Genie XXL can more than handle the largest tree at your corner Christmas tree lot. Oh, and did we mention you can install it with just one person? We placed a 12' tree in this stand in under one minute. Name another Christmas tree stand where that's even remotely possible.
On top of that, the Krinner XXL was the most stable stand we tested, meaning you can bring a large, heavy Christmas tree into your house with confidence that children and pets will be safe.
Like the other Krinner models, the XXL features a water level indicator to aid in tracking how much water the tree has used, but you'll likely not make much use of it, as the stand holds 2.5 gallons of water.
The XXL also has a five-year warranty, better than the other two Krinner models we tested.
- Dimensions: 20 x 4.8 inches
- Weight: 16.5 lbs.
- Material: Metal and plastic
- Water Capacity: 2.5 Gallons
- Max Tree Height: 12'
- Tipping Force: 23 lbs.
- Bell rings when the tree is secure
- Easy setup for one person
- Very stable
- 3-year warranty
- Difficult to get all water out
- Expensive
Yet another option from Krinner, the Tree Genie Medium was by far the easiest Christmas tree stand to use. It holds up to a 7' tree, which most people can pick up and install by themselves.
What set this Tree Genie stand apart from the other Krinner models was the bell, which lets out a loud "ding" when you've successfully secured the tree in the stand. Once the bell dings, the stand self-locks. You don't have to bend over at all.
This is the Krinner tree stand you want if you plan on washing yours in the sink, as it's the only one that can easily fit in just about any kitchen sink. Likewise, it's the one you want if your short on storage space.
The main reason the Krinner Genie M didn't top our list was its size limitations, as it maxes out at 7 feet. Plus, we liked the added stability of the larger Krinner model.
- Dimensions: 4.8 x 15.4 inches
- Weight: 13.8 lbs.
- Material: Plastic and metal
- Water Capacity: 1.2 gallons
- Max Tree Height: 7'
- Tipping Force: 7.4 lbs.
What to Consider When Buying a Christmas Tree Stand
Size: The size of a Christmas tree stand is often directly related to the size of the tree it can hold, so you should prioritize purchasing a Christmas tree stand that will hold the Christmas tree you want. However, you should also consider the size of your stand for things like storage and cleaning the stand, should you plan to clean it in your kitchen sink.
Price: If you haven't shopped for Christmas tree stands, you may be surprised to find that they vary greatly in price. The cheapest stand we tested was $14.99, while the most expensive Christmas tree stand we tested was $519, but most of our top recommendations fall in the $50 - $125 range.
Material: Most Christmas tree stands on the market are made of plastic with some metal components. However, many Christmas tree stands are made completely of metal, while more aesthetically pleasing Christmas tree stands may even feature wood construction.
Design: If you want to forgo the tree skirt, opt for a Christmas tree stand with a design that complements your home and Christmas decor.
Warranty: As with any product, many Christmas tree stands come with a factory warranty. Some stands we tested didn't have warranties, while some had 10-year or even lifetime warranties.
Stability: If you heed just one piece of our advice, it should be to choose a Christmas tree stand with good stability — especially if you have kids or pets in the house (we're looking at you, cats). Our top stability contender took over 20 pounds of force to tip over, while our worst contender took just 3 pounds.
Water Capacity: If you're like us, remembering to water the Christmas tree just isn't your forte. *cue the needle-covered floor* However, watering a Christmas tree is crucial in keeping it as beautiful and safe as possible throughout the Christmas season. Luckily, our largest stand could hold 2-1/2 gallons of water.
Pro Tip: If you have a hard time remembering to water your tree, all three of the Krinner Genie stands we tested featured water level indicators, allowing you to quickly see how much water the tree has from a standing position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kamron Sanders
Is the Krinner tree stand worth it? The Krinner tree stand is worth the higher cost compared to a conventional tree stand, especially if you plan on setting up a live tree by yourself. While this feat would be nearly impossible with a standard Christmas tree stand that uses bolts to hold the tree in place, the Krinner stand makes it an effortless task.
What size tree stand do I need? The size of the Christmas tree stand you need is relative to the size of the Christmas tree you wish for it to hold. Nearly every Christmas tree stand on the market lists the max tree height in its specifications as well as the range of trunk diameter it can support. Some Christmas tree stands even list the maximum weight of the tree they can support.
How much water does a tree stand hold? When it comes to water capacity, every Christmas tree stand is different. Some tree stands only hold around a quart of water, while others can hold over 2-1/2 gallons of water. Naturally, the larger the water capacity, the less frequently you have to water the tree.
Do I need a tree stand? A Christmas tree stand is an absolute must if you plan on displaying a live Christmas tree, as it supports the tree while holding water to keep the tree looking its best. If you plan to use an artificial tree, there's a good chance your tree will come with a stand.
Other Christmas Tree Stands We Tested
The L.L. Bean Heirloom Cast Iron Christmas Tree Stand was undoubtedly beautiful, but it failed to hold the tree during the stability test (see image below). This was mostly because it only features three points of contact to hold the tree, and the tree would slip between the bolts no matter how tight they were. Once we were finally able to successfully perform the stability test, it was surprisingly unstable given its heavy weight. Given its shortcomings and steep price point, it didn’t blow us away.
Kamron Sanders
The Loxan Replacement Artificial Tree Stand is inexpensive and gets the job done, but it seemed overly simplistic and was fairly unstable compared to the other artificial tree stands.
The two Tree Nest Christmas Tree Stands we tested weren’t bad per se, but they also didn’t wow us in any way. In the end, they were excluded from the list because of their lower stability compared to the better options we tested.
Why You Should Trust Our Tester
This article was written by Kamron Sanders, a freelance home improvement writer and professional product tester with over 15 years of experience with DIYs, remodeling, construction and woodworking. For this list of best Christmas tree stands, he tested 13 models from online retailers like Amazon, The Home Depot, 2Modern and Walmart, exploring products ranging in size, price, capability, style and more. He evaluated each Christmas tree stand for ease of use and setup, stability and durability, as well as price point and overall value, noting his likes and dislikes to determine the overall winners we think you’ll love.
Why You Should Trust HGTV Shopping Experts
HGTV Shopping Experts believe the best method for testing products is based on how our fans are going to use them in the real world. In each of our Tested and Reviewed stories, products are not tested in sterile laboratory settings that don't mimic real life. Instead, we test products in real homes that reflect our readers' real lives, which can also include pets, kids, partners and more. We follow rigorous testing rubrics designed by our expert editors and take copious notes during the testing process. When choosing our top picks, we evaluate all of our testing data and take into consideration many factors including ease of use, price, product availability and practicality. Our goal is to choose the best products for our fans.
