Last November, the WIRED Reviews team conducted a blind-judged competition for fake Christmas trees. Interior designers picked the best from ten popular brands, and Balsam Hill’s Vermont White Spruce emerged victorious.

As a seasoned artificial tree brand since 2006, Balsam Hill is no stranger to praise. Their trees are renowned for their ability to mimic the look and feel of fresh-cut evergreens, without relying on reputation alone. The company’s products have consistently been atop lists of top artificial Christmas trees.

Now, six months ahead of the festive rush, Balsam Hill is offering a massive Amazon sale with up to 50% off. You can find the prelit version of their entry-level 5.5-foot Classic Blue Spruce for £300 and the unlit 7.5-foot Balsam Fir for £569 (the lit version took fourth place in our tests).

I personally tested a 7.5-foot Balsam Hill tree, and it was easier to assemble than any fake tree I've owned, despite being the largest. It received compliments all season long. The only drawbacks are its weight and size; it's so big that I nearly ran out of ornaments.

For those who don't mind lugging a fresh purchase up to the attic and not thinking about it for six months, now is the time to save money on a high-quality artificial tree.