We’ve put eight popular faux garlands to the test, all claiming to be realistic and life-like.
The holiday season is upon us, and it’s time to deck the halls!
To help you find the perfect faux garland, we’ve purchased eight different options online, all claiming to be incredibly realistic.
Today, we’ll be comparing them side-by-side to determine which ones truly live up to the hype.
We’ll compare their look, feel, and quality.
From lush Norfolk pine to cedar garlands, we’ve got you covered.
Whether you’re a seasoned decorator or this is your first-time decking your halls, our honest review will help you choose the best faux garland for your home.
Find out which affordable options truly deliver that life-like, festive look for your Christmas mantle, staircase, and beyond!
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Choosing the Right Christmas Garland
To select the perfect Christmas garland, start by considering its placement.
Whether you’re draping over a mantel, winding along a banister, placing it along a stairway, or framing a door, the size and desired look of the space will influence your choice.
Do you prefer a full, realistic garland or a simpler, more minimalist style?
Once you’ve determined the ideal length and aesthetic, focus on quality.
Look for garlands with life-like foliage and are made well.
Clearly, when you invest in a piece you’ll want it to last for many years.
To begin, we placed all 8 of our faux garlands side by side.
Immediately you’ll notice the variation in coloring and fullness.
Some of the garlands came with lighting, some in a package of two, while others were embellished with eucalyptus, berries and apples.
It’s interesting that most of them look nothing like the online image.
Most garlands look much fuller online.
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Faux Garland Comparison
As we compare each garland, we’ll compare the way they feel, the movement, the coloring, how well they’re constructed, the price and overall value.
Garland 1
The first garland feels good to the touch, it’s soft and I like the movement and each branch is wired for easy shaping.
I believe the coloring is good and looks like-like.
It’s well constructed and I believe it would last for many years.
The only con for me is this faux garland is not as full as I’d like it to be.
However, if you’re looking for a more minimalistic look, this is a great option.
This garland is 6′ in length and comes 2 to a package.
The price for this garland $42.99 for a set of two.
For more information on this garland, click here.
Garland 2
Garland number 2 comes two to a package and it’s 6′ long.
This garland is much fuller than the first garland and has the same sort of feel and movement of garland number 1.
In fact, this garland is so full that when you turn it to the backside, you don’t really see much of a difference in the overall look.
It feels like the quality is a bit better and it’s a little more expensive at $54.99 for two 6′ garlands.
For more information on this garland, click here.
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Garland 3
Our third garland is nice and full!
In fact, it’s the fullest of all of the garlands.
I believe the variation in the color with the light and darker greens make it very realistic.
It’s a 9′ garland, with 2 to a package and it’s on sale for $67.99.
Overall I feel this garland is a very good value at $34 a piece, plus, not only is it the fullest, but it’s also the longest at 9′.
For more information on this garland, click here.
Garland 4
Right off the bat, I’m not loving the color of this faux garland.
Not only does the color feel dull, but also there is no variation in the coloring.
It is embellished with eucalyptus leaves and flower buds, however they look cheap.
And if I were to keep this garland, I’d remove the eucalyptus.
On the plus side it’s nice and full and I do like the way it’s constructed.
Also it comes with battery operated lights.
The price for this 6′ lighted garland is $21.99
For more information on this garland, click here.
Garland 5
The coloring is very good on garland number 5 and I love the feel and movement as well.
It does have wire in the stems so you can easily shape it.
You’ll notice this faux garland is not as full as the others.
This garland is 9′ and it’s the most expensive of the garlands that I purchased at $59.99 for one garland.
For more information on this garland, click here.
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Garland 6
We love the life-like feel and movement of garland number 6.
The coloring is good and the green is realistic, however it doesn’t have as much variation as number 3.
It’s well constructed and looks like it will last a good while.
This garland is 6′ and is $26.98
For more information on this garland, click here.
Garland 7
Garland number 7 is a mix of cedar and Norfolk pine with mini green apples.
This garland is the least realistic and is stiff and looks like plastic.
It does come with battery operated lights, however they are not strung on the garland very well.
This is a 6′ garland and it runs $30.89.
Out of all of the garlands, this is our least favorite.
For more information on this garland, click here.
Garland 8
And our final faux garland number 8 has good coloring, the green is realistic and variation is good.
It’s a good contender with a realistic feel and movement, but it’s not as full as some of the others.
A strand of lights is attached to the garland, but not done very well.
If I keep this garland I would redo the lights.
Overall the garland is well constructed, it’s 6′ long and is $32.89.
For more information on this garland, click here.
Final Thoughts
After comparing all 8 garlands, garland number 3 was the clear winner for me.
It stood out as the fullest and most realistic option, with lush, dense greenery that looks almost like the real thing without the mess.
At 9 feet long, it’s the perfect length for creating a beautiful swag on my Christmas mantle, adding that classic festive touch.
Here’s a look at a single strand of the garland,
but for an extra lush, full effect, I’m layering two together.
Luckily, the package includes two garlands, making it easy to double up for that beautiful, full look we all love during the holidays!
Plus, it offered great value for the quality, making it an easy choice for my holiday decor this year.
Garland number two proved to be a strong contender, offering a good balance of affordability and it looked quite realistic.
It’s definitely a solid choice.
Garland number 2 was a pleasant surprise!
I draped it over my railing, and it looked quite realistic.
It’s another great option, however, I think I’ll order another of the garland I used on my mantle.
With so many faux garland options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the perfect one.
Out of the 8 garlands, there are several good options that will enhance your Christmas decor.
Remember, the best garland is the one that brings you joy and matches your personal style.
To see the garland I chose styled on my mantel for Christmas with vintage and collected items click here.
And to see how I used garland on my front porch for Christmas, click here.
Happy decorating!
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What a fun test! I’m always a huge fan of a good side-by-side comparison. I’ve been thinking about buying some new garland this year and I think I’m going to buy some of garland three!
It was a great to see the garlands side by side. It can be hard to make a decision from the photos online. They never are what they appear to be. I’m loving garland number 3. I’ve had so much fun this week styling it on my mantle. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!