How to choose the best artificial grass for your backyard
If you've started looking into artificial grass, you've probably realised there are a lot more options than you expected.
Different pile heights, colours, textures and price points can make it difficult to know what actually matters. And while most products look fairly similar in photos, the right choice often comes down to how you plan to use your backyard.
The good news is that choosing the best artificial grass isn't about finding the most expensive product or the one with the longest list of features. It's about finding the option that suits your lifestyle, your backyard, and how the space is used every day.
What actually makes one artificial grass product different from another?
At first glance, most artificial grass products can look very similar.
However, there are a few key differences that affect how the lawn looks, feels, and performs over time:
Pile height (the length of the fibres)
Density (how full and thick the lawn appears)
Softness underfoot
Colour and tone variation
Durability and resilience
The best artificial grass is usually a balance of all these factors rather than excelling in just one area.
That's why it's often more useful to start with how you use your backyard rather than focusing on product specifications.
Start with how you use the space
Before comparing products, think about what actually happens in your backyard.
Who uses it most?
Is it a family space? A dog-friendly yard? An entertaining area? A mix of everything?
The answers will often point you towards the most suitable option.
1) For family backyards
For many homeowners, the backyard is an extension of the home.
It's where kids play, where people gather, and where everyday life happens.
In these situations, the best artificial grass is usually one that balances comfort and durability. It needs to feel soft enough underfoot while still standing up to regular use.
The goal isn't just to create something that looks good. It's to create a surface that's ready to use throughout the year without becoming muddy, worn, or patchy.
If you're planning a broader backyard transformation, you might also find our guide on low-maintenance backyard makeover ideas using artificial grass helpful.
2) For dogs and pets
Dogs tend to put more pressure on a lawn than almost anything else. They follow the same paths, play in the same areas, and often wear down sections of natural grass much faster than they can recover.
When choosing artificial grass for dogs, it's worth focusing on:
Durability
Drainage performance
Ease of cleaning
Comfort underfoot
A well-designed artificial grass system can help reduce mud, minimise wear, and create a cleaner outdoor space that's easier to maintain. You can also read more about artificial grass options for dogs and pet-friendly backyard ideas if pets are a big consideration for your household.
For practical durability for everyday living, Hero 30mm artificial grass offers exceptional value. A practical choice for pets, small gardens, rentals, and high-traffic residential areas. Hero 30mm is the ideal everyday turf, engineered for low maintenance living, it resists flattening and fading while maintaining a clean, neat look year round.
3) For entertaining areas
If your backyard is primarily used for entertaining, appearance often becomes a bigger factor.
Many homeowners want a lawn that creates a clean, finished look and provides a consistent surface throughout the year. In these situations, it's often worth paying attention to:
Realistic colour variation
Natural-looking texture
Softness underfoot
Overall visual finish
The best product is usually one that complements the rest of the landscape and helps create a space people genuinely want to spend time in.
4) For high-traffic areas
Some backyards simply get used more than others.
This might be because of children, pets, regular entertaining, or simply the way people move through the space.
For these areas, durability becomes increasingly important. A slightly more resilient product may hold its appearance better over time and recover more effectively from regular foot traffic.
If you're dealing with sections of lawn that continually wear down, our guide to artificial grass installation for problem lawns may be helpful.
The key is choosing a lawn that matches the demands of the space rather than focusing solely on softness or appearance.
A practical choice for high-traffic residential areas is Hero 30mm. This everyday turf is engineered for low maintenance living, it resists flattening and fading while maintaining a clean, neat look year round.
Is softer artificial grass always better?
One of the most common assumptions people make is that the softest artificial grass must automatically be the best. In reality, it's not quite that simple.
While softness can certainly improve comfort, particularly for families and children, it's only one part of the equation. A lawn that feels great underfoot still needs to look natural, hold up to everyday use, and suit the way your backyard is actually used.
For example, a product that's perfect for a quiet entertaining area may not be the best fit for a busy family backyard with kids and pets running around every day. Likewise, a highly durable lawn may not feel exactly the same as one designed with softness as the priority.
The best artificial grass is usually the one that strikes the right balance. It looks good, feels comfortable, handles regular use, and continues to perform well over time. Rather than focusing on a single feature, it's worth considering how all of these factors work together to create a lawn that suits your lifestyle.
Why colour matters more than most people realise
When people think about artificial grass, they often focus on softness or pile height first. But colour is one of the biggest factors in how realistic the finished lawn looks.
Modern artificial grass products combine different shades of green with subtle brown tones to mimic the natural variation you'd expect to see in a healthy lawn. This helps avoid the bright, uniform appearance many people still associate with older-style artificial turf.
The right choice often comes down to the overall look you're trying to achieve. Some homeowners prefer a lush, vibrant finish, while others are looking for something more subtle and natural that blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.
See the difference for yourself
Artificial grass is one of those products that's difficult to judge from photos alone.
While images can give you a general idea, they rarely show the finer details that influence how a lawn looks and feels in real life. Texture, density, colour variation and softness can all be quite different when viewed in person.
Comparing samples side-by-side makes it much easier to understand which option feels right for your space and how different products will work alongside existing paving, decking, planting and outdoor features.
For many homeowners, ordering a free sample is the simplest way to narrow down the options before making a decision.
Ready to find the right artificial grass for your backyard?
Whether you're creating a family-friendly backyard, upgrading a problem lawn or planning a complete outdoor makeover, we're happy to help you find the best option for your space.
Order your free samples or book a site visit today.
Common mistakes when choosing artificial grass
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is choosing based on appearance alone. While photos can be useful, they rarely tell the full story. A product that looks great online may feel completely different underfoot, while another option may be far more suited to how the space will actually be used.
Other common mistakes include:
Prioritising softness over durability
Choosing based solely on price
Not considering pets or high-traffic use
Comparing products without seeing samples first
Taking a little extra time during the selection stage often leads to a better long-term result.
A simple way to think about it
If your priority is family use, comfort and durability will likely be most important.
If you have dogs, you'll want a product that performs well in high-use areas and works alongside a pet-friendly installation system.
If you're creating an entertaining space, appearance and realism may become bigger considerations.
And if you're replacing a lawn that's struggled with wear, mud, or ongoing maintenance, you'll want a product that can handle those conditions consistently. You may also find our guides on how to fix a muddy backyard and why your lawn keeps going patchy helpful.
The best artificial grass isn't necessarily the softest, the thickest, or the most expensive.
It's the one that suits how you actually live.
Choosing the right artificial grass for your backyard
Every backyard is different, which is why there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. The right product depends on how the space is used, what matters most to your household, and the outcome you're trying to achieve.
If you're unsure which option would suit your backyard best, ordering a free sample or booking a site visit is a great place to start. Seeing the products in person and talking through your goals can make the decision much easier.