How to choose the best artificial grass

By Gavin Hall

Updated: 11th June 2025

First Published: 10th January 2024

Having difficulty choosing from hundreds of different types of artificial grass on the market? This guide will show you how to choose the best artificial grass for your lawn.

You have decided that you are fed up with all the hard work and money that goes into keeping a real grass lawn beautiful for just a few months of the year and don’t like to look out on to a muddy mess during the winter. You want a lawn that looks vibrant and well manicured all year round. You are now faced with the potentially daunting task of choosing the grass that is best for your lawn.

Well, there is good news: Choosing the best artificial grass for your lawn doesn’t need to be daunting. By asking yourself the right questions you can then decide which artificial grass is best for your needs.

 

Here I will give you my top tips on how to choose the best artificial grass for your lawn.

 

What will the artificial lawn be used for?

Like choosing a carpet in your house or office you need to decide what your artificial lawn will be used for. A hard wearing area where the kids can play football without bringing mud in to the house? Or a place for your pets to run around in and can be easily cleaned or it could be a small patch of grass in the front garden that is difficult to access.

Play area for the kids

 

 

One thing is almost certain. If you have young kids or even older ones for that matter they all like a game of football or tag. Within no time traditional grass lawns will be worn out and the underlying ground will become compressed and very hard which will be a danger if they fall. For gardens with a lot of usage from children we generally recommend a shorter pile artificial grass for even the very best long pile grasses will become flattened over time. An ideal grass in our range is the Knoll 35 grass.

Play area for dogs

Many dog owners use Perfect Grass because of brown patches, holes, dug up lawns and muddy footprints that their traditional grass lawns receive from their pets. The Knoll and Spring artificial grasses are perfect for dog owners as they are easy to clean and are hard wearing plus the backing is non absorbent so won’t retain the smell of urine.

Having decided what you will primarily be using the grass for you can now look at some artificial grass samples to view the quality of the grass.

 

What Makes Artificial Grass High Quality?

High-quality artificial grass mimics the look and feel of natural grass while offering durability and low maintenance. Here are the essential characteristics to look for:

 

– Pile Density and Weight

A dense pile is a hallmark of quality. Measured in stitches per square metre, a higher density (around 16,500 to 18,000 stitches) indicates a lush, full lawn that can withstand heavy foot traffic, making it ideal for gardens or play areas. Additionally, the weight of the grass is a useful benchmark— heavier grass often means more material and better quality.

 

– Fibre Thickness and Width

Strong, wide fibres are crucial for a natural appearance and resilience. Thicker fibres (over 3mm in diameter) and wider blades resist matting, ensuring the grass stays upright even under pressure. Narrow or thin fibres, on the other hand, can flatten quickly, giving an unnatural, worn look.

 

– Pile Height

The length of the blades, or pile height, affects both aesthetics and functionality. For a luxurious, natural look, opt for a pile height of 35-40mm, perfect for gardens and schools. Shorter piles (under 35mm) suit high-traffic areas like patios or pet runs.

 

– Backing Quality

The best products now come with a Polyproplyne backing which is the same material as the grass fibres. This allows the product to be recycled as the backing doesn’t need to be detached from the grass before going to a recycling plant. The grass should also remain secure if pulled on. Having this type of backing will go a long way in reducing any odours left from pet urine as it won’t be absorbed in to the backing.

 

– Colour and Texture

High-quality AG features multiple shades of green to replicate natural grass. Avoid products with uniform colour or visible striping, as these are signs of cheap manufacturing and poor quality control. Better artificial grass products will have a brown thatch to add depth and have 3 or 4 different colour fibres in them. Check the grass is UV resistant otherwise it will discolour in the sun.

 

– Where was the grass made?

There are many cheap, badly made artificial grass products flooding the market. Many of these products originate from outside the EU where testing is less stringent. These grasses suffer from random striping and over glued backing which causes puffing. Viewing samples of the grass before you decide on your product will quickly allow you to see the quality.

 

– Is the grass Environmentally friendly?

Look at the grass to make sure it is free from harmful toxins or chemicals and is 100% recyclable. You wouldn’t want your pet or child playing in a garden where they are exposed to harmful chemicals. Our grasses are all 100% recyclable and free from chemicals and toxins.

 

– Has the grass been tested?

Is the grass tested to ensure the safety, quality and durability of the grass?

Red Flags of Poor-Quality Artificial Grass

Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to look for. Here are some warning signs of substandard AG:

 

– Sparse or Thin Pile

Grass with low pile density (below 15,000 stitches per square metre) often looks sparse and struggles in high-traffic areas, leading to a patchy appearance over time.

 

– Narrow or Thin Fibres

Fibres narrower than 2.5mm or thinner than 3mm are prone to damage and matting, reducing the lifespan of your lawn.

 

– Striping or Uneven Colour

Visible stripes or overly uniform colour indicate shortcuts in production, resulting in an unnatural finish that fades or wears unevenly.

 

– Weak Backing

If the backing feels flimsy or separates easily, the grass won’t hold up under use, leading to fibre loss and an uneven surface.

Have a realistic budget

It is important to understand how much a new artificial lawn will cost. Generally there is quite a substantial initial investment – depending obviously on the size of your lawn, the grass you choose and whether you want a company to install the grass as well as supply it. These initial costs will be eroded over time with the savings you make from the maintenance of real grass.

To get a rough idea of how much you new artificial lawn will cost you will need to measure your garden. Decent quality grasses ranges from £22.95 to £25.95 per sqm. If you require grass and installation you will be looking on average between £70 to £90 per sqm depending on the grass you choose and other factors like the amount of groundworks required, ease of access etc.

 

Get some samples

You now have a good idea of the type of grass you are looking for. We can send out a sample of the grass/grasses you like so you can view it in the area you want to lay it.

Request your free samples from Perfect Grass 

Hopefully by following my guide on how to choose the best artificial grass for your lawn it will make choosing your artificial grass less daunting and you will get the beautiful lawn that you have been looking for.

In my next Blog post I will give you a guide on the importance of installing good groundworks.  Having good groundworks in place will provide the solid foundations for your artificial grass to lie on for years to come.

Need more help with choosing artificial grass for your lawn please leave your comment below and I will respond to it asap.

 

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