--- title: "You Might Mistake Our Favorite Artificial Grass for the Real Thing" description: "If you're tired of watering, mowing, or reseeding the lawn, the best artificial grass can keep your yard green without all the maintenance." date: "2020-10-20" modified: "2025-02-25" authors: - name: "Timothy Dale" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/timothy-dale/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-artificial-grass/" categories: - "Curb Appeal" - "Exterior" - "Reviews" tags: - "Commerce" - "MPR" --- # You Might Mistake Our Favorite Artificial Grass for the Real Thing ![The Best Artificial Grass Options]() *Photo: Amazon* Artificial grass allows you to enjoy the benefits of a lush lawn without the need for watering, mowing, or fertilizing. It can be used as a low-maintenance [lawn care]() solution or placed in spots (like under shady trees) where grass is challenging to grow. Not all artificial turf is created equal, though. The best option depends on where you want to install it, how you want it to look, who will use the fake grass (such as pets), and the amount of foot traffic. To bolster our research, we interviewed some landscaping experts to get their professional insight on what shoppers will want to look for. With that in mind, we selected the [Petgrow PG1-4 Artificial Grass Rug]() because of its heat- and fade-resistant polypropylene construction, 1.38-inch multilayered construction, and built-in drainage holes for longevity. Explore the wide variety of quality picks below and keep reading for tips on finding the best artificial grass for your outdoor space. 1. **BEST OVERALL:** [Petgrow PG1-4 Artificial Grass Rug ]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#petgrow-pg1-4-artificial-grass-rug>) 2. **BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK:** [Petgrow Deluxe Realistic Artificial Grass Turf ]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#petgrow-deluxe-realistic-artificial-grass-turf>) 3. **MOST REALISTIC:** [Goasis Lawn Realistic Thick Artificial Grass Turf]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#goasis-lawn-realistic-thick-artificial-grass-turf>) 4. **BEST FOR GARDEN:** [SunVilla Realistic Indoor/Outdoor Artificial Grass]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#sunvilla-realistic-indooroutdoor-artificial-grass>) 5. **BEST FOR HIGH TRAFFIC:** [Lita Realistic Deluxe Artificial Grass]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#lita-realistic-deluxe-artificial-grass>) 6. **BEST FOR FOOTBALL:** [Artificial Grass Wholesalers 15-Foot Roll ]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#artificial-grass-wholesalers-15-foot-roll>) 7. **BEST FOR KIDS:** [iCustomRug Indoor/Outdoor Artificial Grass Shag]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#icustomrug-indooroutdoor-artificial-grass-shag>) 8. **BEST FOR BALCONY:** [Petgrow Synthetic Artificial Grass Turf ]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#petgrow-synthetic-artificial-grass-turf>) ![The Best Artificial Grass Options]() *Photo: Amazon Photo: amazon.com* ## Artificial Grass Comparison Chart | | **Type** | **Pile** | **Foot Traffic** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [**Petgrow PG1-4 Artificial Grass Rug**]() | Polypropylene | 1.38 inches | Moderate | | [**Petgrow Deluxe Realistic Artificial Grass Turf**]() | Polypropylene | 1.38 inches | Moderate | | [**Goasis Lawn Realistic Thick Artificial Grass Turf**]() | Polyethylene and polypropylene | 1.38 inches | Moderate | | [**SunVilla Realistic Indoor/Outdoor Artificial Grass**]() | Polyethylene and polypropylene | 1.38 inches | Moderate | | [**Lita Realistic Deluxe Artificial Grass**]() | Polyethylene and polypropylene | 1.375 inches | High | | [**Artificial Grass Wholesalers 15-Foot Roll**]() | Polyurethane | 1.6 inches | High | | [**iCustomRug Indoor/Outdoor Artificial Grass Shag**]() | Polypropylene (Olefin) | 1 inch | Moderate | | [**Petgrow Synthetic Artificial Grass Turf**]() | Polypropylene | 0.4 inch | Low | ## Our Top Picks We evaluated some top-performing artificial grasses, measured them against our buying considerations below, and picked favorites for putting in greens, backyards, and gardens. The Petgrow artificial grass rug can stand up to moderate foot traffic and has a water-resistant backing, making it a good choice for a wide range of locations. This polypropylene artificial lawn will work in gardens, backyards, and front yards. With built-in drainage holes and water-resistant rubber backing, this grass can handle pet urine. This artificial grass turf has a pile of 1.38 inches. We like the random pattern of blade shapes and four natural tones that give it a realistic look. Petgrow is both a heat- and fade-resistant product, with a multilayer backing for superior durability. **Get the Petgrow PG1-4 artificial grass at** [**Amazon**]()**.** Petgrow’s artificial turf packs a lot of features into a thrifty price. It’s made of polypropylene and has 1.38-inch blades that look realistic and can stand up to moderate foot traffic. It feels soft and blends four green tones into the yarn for a realistic turfgrass appearance. The artificial turf has drainage holes and a rubber backing that makes it easy to clean and durable for long-lasting use. Those holes are pet-friendly as well because they drain away urine. **Get the Petgrow Deluxe artificial grass at** [**Amazon**]()**.** While many users can appreciate the look and feel of artificial grass, the goal for most manufacturers is to create a product that closely resembles the appearance and texture of natural grass. This product by Goasis Lawn uses a blend of green color hues and soft, polyethylene fibers to mimic real grass and allow users to install this impressive alternative without a shocking difference in the look and feel of the yard. This artificial grass for patio and lawn use comes in a wide range of sizes and has a pile height of 1.38 inches, which is a good height for moderate foot traffic, like kids and pets playing in the yard. This product has a thick, durable polypropylene backing that helps to improve the durability of the grass without diminishing its appearance. Additionally, this UV-resistant artificial grass has a fake thatch woven into the design to mimic the authenticity of turf fibers. **Get the Goasis artificial grass at** [**Amazon**]() **or** [**Walmart**]()**.** SunVilla is our pick for covering the places between the beds of flowers, shrubs, and veggies because it doesn’t need any infill to stand up to foot traffic. Users can spend their energy and time tending the garden instead of the high-quality artificial grass. It’s made of polyethylene and polypropylene yarn with a tough polypropylene backing, with a pile of 1.38 inches. Users can walk all around their garden beds working, watering, and weeding them, and SunVilla artificial grass can take it. Its fake grass blades are made in four colors of yarn to give the artificial lawn a realistic look because blades that are all one color look fake. We appreciate that it’s made of nontoxic, lead-free materials, so harmful chemicals won’t leach into the garden. It’s UV resistant, too. **Get the SunVilla artificial grass at** [**Amazon**]()**.** Lita’s artificial grass balances good looks with durability, making it a good pick for backyards where there will be lots of activity. Its blades are made of soft, durable polyethylene and polypropylene yarn that looks and feels like real grass. Four color tones mimic the shades of natural turf. Built-in UV resistance keeps this lawn synthetic grass colorfast for years, while a polypropylene backing and 1.375-inch pile make it durable to foot traffic. This fake grass has a perforated backing to allow fast drainage, so it dries out quickly after rain. The manufacturer recommends adding infill (sold separately) to extend the life of the product. **Get the Lita artificial grass at** [**Amazon**]() **or** [**The Home Depot**]()**.** If you have kids who spend fall days playing pickup games of football in the yard or you just want to add super-durable artificial grass to your landscape, this outdoor synthetic grass is a good option. It has a pile of 1.6 inches woven through a polyurethane backing with drainage holes to prevent standing water and make cleaning easier. This artificial grass uses slight variations of color, dimension, and texture to make the blades look more realistic. It even has imitation thatch at the base of the blades so it looks as imperfect as a real lawn. It’s made to stand up to the twists, turns, and jumps that come with football and other high-energy activities. **Get the Artificial Grass Wholesalers artificial grass at** [**Amazon**]()**.** This backyard artificial lawn rug provides a soft, safe surface for kids to play on. It’s made of medium-density polypropylene that resists stains and UV damage. The rug has 1-inch-long blades that are soft under the feet but not so thick that kids can’t get a sure footing. iCustomRug synthetic turf has perforations in its backing to allow rain and hose water to drain away, taking dirt and grime with it, while the binding tape on the edges keeps the artificial grass from unraveling over time. Just keep in mind that some of the fake grass strands can come loose and become a choking hazard to young children, so it’s important to keep an eye on the kids when they play on this fake grass. **Get the iCustomRug artificial grass at** [**Amazon**]()**.** If you find yourself living in the city but missing the feel and look of a yard, cover your balcony floor in artificial turf. This Petgrow synthetic turf has a low 0.4-inch pile that can stand up to regular foot traffic for adding a patch of green in a small urban setting. The fake turf has medium-density polypropylene grass blades and drainage holes that let rainwater drain away so no mold grows. We appreciate that this artificial grass has a rubber backing that can lie directly on the concrete floor of the balcony, making it easy to install. **Get the Petgrow synthetic artificial grass at** [**Amazon**]()**.** ## [Jump to Our Top Picks](<#recap>) ## How We Chose the Best Artificial Grass Before picking our lineup of the best artificial grass, we spoke to Rafi Friedman, the CEO of [Coastal Luxury Outdoors]() based in Jacksonville, Florida, which specializes in pools and outdoor living areas. He says that if you’re looking for a long-lasting turf, “Strong backing is essential for longevity. In terms of material, SBR \[styrene-butadiene rubber\] is probably a better choice for areas that will get heavy use, while polyurethane will hold up to the elements better but isn't as resilient to heavy traffic.” He adds that “multilayer backing is also essential, especially if you're planning to use artificial grass or turf in a high-traffic area or for athletics.” With this expert advice in mind, extensive research went into each product, including a thorough examination of the durability, style, color, texture, backing, [artificial grass cost](), and overall construction, necessary to select the top fake grass products. Thanks to Friedman’s recommendation, durability was one of our most important factors because artificial turf is regularly subjected to human and animal foot traffic, which can quickly destroy substandard artificial grass. Additionally, the appearance and texture of the realistic artificial grass were key components in the selection process because most users are looking for an artificial product that closely mimics natural grass. The material and style of the artificial grass turf were considered for both the appearance and durability of the product, while the pile height and product material also were necessary for determining foot traffic suitability. Synthetic grass products that had built-in drainage holes or a multilayered backing to improve durability were typically considered superior to similar products that lacked these features. ## What to Consider When Choosing Artificial Grass Ensure that you find the most realistic artificial turf grass for your yard, patio, or personal putting greens by taking the time to learn more about the various factors that can influence appearance and durability. Fake grass comes in several different types with varying pile heights. Some synthetic [no-mow grass ]()can even be made with treated turf fibers to help stand up to direct sunlight or the wear and tear typically associated with sports turf. ### Type and Foot Traffic There are three different types of artificial turf, each based on the type of yarn that goes into making them: nylon, polyethylene, or polypropylene. The amount and frequency of human use on synthetic turf is known as foot traffic. When choosing the best artificial grass for your space, consider how many footsteps the fake grass will face every day. If your yard will have a high volume of foot traffic—say, lots of kids and dogs romping daily—you need to pick a material that can stand up to wear. - **Nylon** synthetic turf feels most like natural grass, and it looks pleasing to the eye because its soft texture and subtle hues better mimic the look and coloring of grass. This makes it a great option for [artificial landscape grass](). However, nylon is less durable than the other materials used to make artificial grass. It doesn’t stand up to lots of foot traffic and can be damaged by plant debris that falls naturally from trees and shrubs. - **Polypropylene** artificial grass is an ideal option for a lawn that must stand up to heavy foot traffic—like kids romping on it daily. It has a much higher durability rating, so it lasts a long time and is even a popular choice for manufacturers to make artificial grass for dogs. The trade-off is it doesn’t look as good as nylon; polypropylene fake grass can look manufactured or plastic. - **Polyethylene** artificial grass combines the realistic look of nylon with the durability of polypropylene. Polyethylene artificial grass is a suitable option for backyards or gardens where appearance is as important as durability. Polyethylene is easy to clean and deodorize, so it’s a good choice for yards that will be frequented by pets. ### Pile Height The pile height of artificial grass synthetic turf refers to the length of the grass blades, typically measured in inches or millimeters. The longer the pile height, the more durable the synthetic turf will be. Professional athletic fields have [grass alternatives]() with a pile height of up to 3 inches so that it can withstand wear and tear. High-traffic areas like playgrounds or amateur athletic fields need a pile height of 1.5 inches to 2 inches. Medium-traffic areas like your backyard need a pile height of 1 inch to 1.5 inches. For low-traffic locations like an apartment balcony, 0.5 inch to 1 inch of pile height is suitable. Sizes of synthetic grass vary, making it easy to find the pile height you need in extra wide or shorter rolls to suit your space. ### Maintenance and UV Protection Once you [install artificial grass](), one of the good things about it is how easy it is to maintain. There’s no watering or mowing, nor is there any need for pesticides or fertilizer. To maintain fake grass, be sure to rake up twigs, leaves, and other yard debris, and hose it down periodically to keep it clean and smelling fresh (especially if you have pets). For tougher stains or repairs, Friedman shares some expert advice: “You'll want to keep some spare patches and a patching kit on hand. For stains, you can use ordinary household cleaners or, if they're really tough, mineral spirits.” Some high-quality fake grass products have built-in resistance to the sun’s damaging rays, called ultraviolet (UV) protection. UV protection keeps artificial [drought resistant grass]() from fading in the sun and prevents its backing from breaking down and allowing grass turn fibers to come out. If you live in an area with intense sun exposure, you may want artificial grass with built-in UV resistance to make it last longer. ### Aesthetic Infill is sand or sandlike material placed on top of the artificial lawn rolls to hold up the blades, weigh down the turf, and mimic the absorption quality of the soil. It helps an artificial lawn feel and look like a more realistic and natural lawn. It’s not included with all artificial grass products, but adding it protects your synthetic turf from heavy foot traffic and UV damage. Additionally, artificial grass typically comes in a range of green hues. The best artificial grass products use a blend of hues to produce a more realistic green surface. High-quality synthetic grass has blades with soft edges and firm tips that don’t look fake. Some artificial grasses even have a thatch layer that helps make a yard look less perfect, giving it a more natural appearance. ## FAQs ## Why Trust Bob Vila Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement. Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists. ## Author Timothy Dale is a home improvement writer who has been in the industry for several years. In his work for BobVila.com, he has written a number of how-to articles related to yard maintenance, vehicle repair, and home renovation, not to mention a wide variety of buying guides and articles on DIY projects. He always ensures readers get the information they need to tackle their next project. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [Twitter]()