Whether you’re a blue spruce devotee or a Douglas fir fanatic, your perfect holiday tree can’t shine without a sturdy Christmas tree stand underneath to keep it supported. Sure, ornaments and colorful lights can really dress up a Christmas tree, but a good stand can literally make or break your holiday decor. They aren’t just a secure base, either—they’re also water reservoirs to prevent your tree from drying out.
Choosing a tree stand is usually an afterthought for most people, and it doesn’t help that it’s tough to distinguish one from the next, aside from metal versus plastic.
That’s why we researched and tested a bunch of Christmas tree stands ourselves, looking for models that range in size and gripping mechanism, and include water basins. Check out our list of the best Christmas tree stands we recommend considering.
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
What to Consider
Size
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 onto the trunk with screw-in bolts on the sides. This style of grip provides a 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 customization 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 Tested
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.
We used this same criteria for models that we haven’t had a chance to test, and included stands from reputable brands that have received consistent positive feedback from users.
The hands-down winner in our testing was Krinner’s well-engineered Tree Genie XXL Deluxe tree stand. To use it, we set the tree in the base until it bottomed out on a small cone, then we pumped 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, the pumping mechanism tightens a cable to evenly distribute pressure between the jaws. The 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 with setup. We were able to tighten the jaws around the trunk quickly to get a secure result, 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.
What better way to spread Christmas cheer than with an extra-large tree? This stand can accommodate trees up to 12 feet tall, which is a good match for a home with tall ceilings. Though the alloy steel stand is relatively heavy (weighing in over 8 pounds), it feels well-built and high quality. The welded bolts are very strong and durable, which is great for misshapen or wide tree trunks, and there are four prongs in the base for extra stability. Thanks to rubber caps on the end of the legs, the stand didn’t budge on slick floors.
The 1.7-gallon water basin is seamless and readily accessible, so you don’t have to awkwardly pour risk splashing or overfilling. The stand overall is a bit clunky, but it’s a good companion for very large trees.
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 four legs add reinforced structure, and small nuts and bolts make for a more ergonomic design. The metal felt very sturdy, and we found the setup to be fairly simple. After placing your tree, all you have to do is tighten the nuts and bolts until it’s standing upright. But be conscious of your tree trunk diameter size, because even though the bucket can hold 1.27 gallons of water, it can be overflowed pretty easily.
Best Value
Cinco Express 8-Foot Christmas Tree Stand
Pros
- Push bolt mechanism
- Easy to use
Cons
- Some reviewers felt it wasn’t sturdy enough
Key Specs
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 16 x 16 x 7 in. |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3.2 lbs |
| Maximum Tree Height | 8 ft |
| Base Diameter | 16 in. |
| Water Capacity | 1.3 gal |
If you’re in a hurry to get the tree up, this design from Cinco is a good choice. The aptly- named Express has 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 round up with quick-release bolts. You pull back on the latch above each bolt and then press it forward or pull it back. Just make sure the tree is properly centered and as vertical 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, will hold it evenly.
Perfectly named, 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. Though this stand lacks some convenient features and water capacity, it’s built to last generations.
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 helps make sure your tree stays lined up straight and doesn’t wobble or wilt over time. We like that the base is deep, because it adds even more stability to your tree. The relatively large basin was also a major bonus, because it meant less frequent refills. The sides of the base splay out too, so you can pour closely without spilling.
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.
Best for Mid-Sized Trees
Krinner Tree Genie Large Christmas Tree Stand
Pros
- Foot pedal secures tree
- Five stabilizing feet to prevents wobbling
Cons
- Costly for its size capacity
Key Specs
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 18 x 18 x 4 in. |
|---|---|
| Weight | 13 lbs. |
| Maximum Tree Height | 8 ft. |
| Base Diameter | 18 in. |
| Water Capacity | 1 gal |
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.
The 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.
Amber is the Digital Content Producer for Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World and Bicycling, where she covers a range of tasks for the commerce team. She also writes fashion and beauty content for Best Products. Her work has been featured across all of the Enthusiast Group sites. In her free time you can likely find her watching horror movies, reading a good thriller book, or listening to a comedy podcast.
Tom Price is an Associate Editor of Reviews for Popular Mechanics, and also contributes to Runner’s World, and Bicycling. He has previously covered product reviews, startup news, and even professional wrestling. In his free time, he enjoys watching pretentious TV, low-brow movies, and exercising for beauty, not health. If you are interested in exploring more of his work, check out his website.
Roy Berendsohn has worked for more than 25 years at Popular Mechanics, where he has written on carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, electrical, woodworking, blacksmithing, welding, lawn care, chainsaw use, and outdoor power equipment. When he’s not working on his own house, he volunteers with Sovereign Grace Church doing home repair for families in rural, suburban and urban locations throughout central and southern New Jersey.
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