As of November 2025, the 7.5-ft Philips Twinkle Balsam is regularly shown at $425.99 MSRP and the 9-ft at $475.99—both commonly discounted ~40% on Target.com (7.5-ft $255.59; 9-ft $285.59). That slots it squarely in the mid-market, well below GE’s premium Lowe’s exclusives: the 7.5-ft GE Aspen Fir (dual-color Color Choice, 1,400 LEDs) lists at about $548, and the 7.5-ft GE Madison Fir (3,000 warm-white LEDs) lists around $698. Balsam Hill’s 7.5-ft pre-lit trees typically run four figures even on promo. In short: Philips delivers most of the nightly ‘wow’ for hundreds less than GE’s premium lines and far less than Balsam Hill.

Both sizes use micro (3mm) LEDs with Philips’ Remains Lit tech, dual-color operation, four-level dimming on steady modes, a 6-hour on/18-hour off timer, and a remote/foot-pedal combo. Ten effects include the signature Glisten/Slow Twinkle. In practice, the dense micro-LED layout reads ‘high-end’ across a room. GE’s Aspen Fir counters with Color Choice (dual color) and a 5-in-1 control box plus remote, but with fewer LEDs; GE’s Madison Fir is ultra-bright but warm-white only. Philips wins for variety of looks at this price.

AutoConnect powers sections through the center pole—no fishing for cords—while a built-in topper outlet cleans up cabling. Hinged branches and memory-wire tips speed up first-time shaping and annual setup. GE’s Easy Light/Easy Shape systems are similarly convenient; both brands include a remote, and GE adds a dedicated control box while Philips includes a foot pedal alongside the remote.

The Twinkle Balsam’s PE/PVC mix and memory-wire tips create a convincingly full silhouette, though foliage realism is mid-tier compared to premium PE-heavy trees. GE’s Aspen and Madison lines advertise higher tip counts and mixed-needle construction for added texture, which can read slightly more natural up close—at a higher price. If foliage fidelity is your top priority and budget allows, Balsam Hill or similar premium brands still have the edge.

Shoppers who want a ‘lights-first’ centerpiece with multi-look versatility, minimal cord wrangling, and a party-to-classic aesthetic on a mid-market budget. If you specifically want app control or custom pixel shows, you’ll need to step up to app-enabled trees (e.g., Twinkly/Balsam Hill) at a much higher price.

• GE Aspen Fir (Lowe’s): Dual-color Color Choice with remote and control box; higher tip count and 60-in width, but usually costs more. • GE Madison Fir (Lowe’s): Extremely bright warm-white look with 3,000 LEDs and remote dimming/twinkle, but no dual-color—also pricier. • Budget big-box trees (Home Accents Holiday, Target Wondershop): Far cheaper, but with simpler light packages and fewer LEDs; less drama in a dark room.