The Best Artificial Grass For Low Maintenance Lawns
Artificial grasses for low maintenance gardens and balconies that still look good up close.
Our quick verdict
Our pick of the best artificial grass is the Quickgrass Harvington Luxury Artificial Grass, because its natural look and long warranty suit a main lawn that's on show from the house. For a balcony or a tighter budget, go for the WALPLUS Astro Artificial Grass, which still has a self-draining backing and a 10-year warranty.
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Our Picks At A Glance
- Check price of Quickgrass Harvington Luxury Artificial Grass
Best Quality
Quickgrass Harvington Luxury Artificial GrassMain garden lawns where a natural look matters most
- Check price of WALPLUS Astro Artificial Grass
- Check price of Ark Mat Realistic Looking Fake Lawn
Best All-Rounder
Ark Mat Realistic Looking Fake LawnDIY installers wanting a choice of colour tones and roll sizes
- Check price of Simpahome Artificial Grass Pile Roll
Most Durable
Simpahome Artificial Grass Pile RollSunny exposed gardens where colour fade is the main worry
- Check price of LITA Synthetic Artificial Grass
Best Budget
LITA Synthetic Artificial GrassSmall balconies, patio corners and play areas on a tight budget
Short piles belong on balconies and roof terraces, where a neat look matters more than a soft one. A main lawn on show from the house needs longer, denser blades in mixed shades to pass for the real thing. Plenty of the cheapest rolls also skip drainage holes and UV protection, and those are the ones that fade and hold puddles.
We've laid artificial grass across our rentals and Airbnbs, and all five here drain through the backing. If a real lawn is still on the table, our guide to grass seed vs turf compares the natural options.
How We Judged These Artificial Grasses
Across the rentals and Airbnbs we own and manage, we've laid artificial grass in gardens, on balconies, over decking and in other spots around those properties. Not every homeowner wants it, but in those properties it cuts the upkeep right down between guests and tenants.
Comparing samples side by side, as in the photo below, makes the differences obvious straight away. Colour, blade shape, pile height and how densely the yarn is packed all vary far more than the product photos suggest.
Each grass was judged on six things:
- Realism: How natural the colour and blades look, both up close and from across the garden.
- Pile and density: The height of the blades and how tightly they're stitched, which decides how soft the grass feels and how well it springs back.
- Backing and drainage: Whether the backing is rot-proof and lets rain drain through instead of pooling on top.
- Installation: How easy it is to cut, join and fit, and whether it needs a sand infill.
- UV resistance and warranty: How well the brand says it holds its colour in sun, and how long the guarantee runs.
- Value: What you get for the money compared with the other grasses here.
Where we haven't laid a particular grass ourselves, we've relied on the brand's own figures for pile height, sizes, materials and warranties, and we say so in each write-up.
Our Pick Of The Best Artificial Grass
All five grasses below have a backing that lets rain drain through. They run from our top pick for a natural look down to the cheapest option for small areas.
Best Quality
Quickgrass Harvington Luxury Artificial Grass
Best for: Main garden lawns where a natural look matters most
Check Price On AmazonQuickgrass specialises in artificial grass, and the Harvington Luxury is the best regarded grass in its range. It's a natural and realistic looking grass, helped by a soft mixed yarn that doesn't look like plastic from across the garden.
Much of that comes down to how tightly it's packed. Quickgrass says it's stitched at 14 stitches per 10cm from a mix of 70% soft yarn and 30% polyethylene, and the deeper 28 to 35mm piles give the fuller look a main lawn needs. Rolls run up to 25 metres long, so a full garden goes down with fewer joins, and there are four colours to choose from. Underneath, the latex backing is rot-proof with drainage holes, and you can lay it with or without a sand infill. Quickgrass backs it with a 10-year UV warranty.
What we like
- Very natural and realistic look
- Four colour options to suit different gardens
- Pile heights from 28mm up to 35mm
- Rolls up to 25 metres long for fewer joins
- Rot-proof latex backing with drainage holes
- 10-year UV warranty from Quickgrass
- Safe for children and pets
What to know
- Costs more than the budget grasses from WALPLUS and LITA
Our verdict
Pick the Quickgrass Harvington Luxury for a main lawn that's on show from the house, where a natural look and a long warranty are worth paying more for. If you're covering a balcony or a small rental patch on a tight budget, WALPLUS Astro gives you a draining backing and a 10-year warranty for less.
Best Value
WALPLUS Astro Artificial Grass
Best for: Budget lawns, balconies and indoor spaces
Check Price On AmazonWALPLUS keeps the price down without skipping the basics that cheaper grass tends to miss. The latex backing is self-draining, the brand says the materials are safe for children and pets, and it's UV resistant with a 10-year warranty, which you don't always get at this end of the market.
It's made for indoor and outdoor use and comes in several lengths up to 4 metres. Pile heights are short, with 20mm the tallest on offer. In our testing we felt the 15mm option looked more like carpet than grass, so we'd steer clear of it.
What we like
- Self-draining latex backing
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
- 10-year warranty from WALPLUS
- Child and pet friendly materials
- Lengths up to 4 metres
- Simple to lay and needs little upkeep
What to know
- The 15mm pile looked like carpet in our testing
- Tallest pile height is only 20mm
Our verdict
Short-pile budget grass is where WALPLUS Astro earns its place. Balconies, garden room floors and small rental patches all suit it, and a self-draining backing with a 10-year warranty is more than you'd expect at the price. Go for the 20mm pile rather than the carpet-like 15mm.
Best All-Rounder
Ark Mat Realistic Looking Fake Lawn
Best for: DIY installers wanting a choice of colour tones and roll sizes
Check Price On AmazonArk Mat's fake lawn is a sensible middle ground for most gardens. It comes in four realistic colour tones, so you can match it to the look you're after, and in lengths up to 9 metres and widths up to 4 metres, which covers a typical back garden with a manageable number of joins.
According to Ark Mat, it doesn't need any sand infill, and you can cut it with heavy-duty scissors. That makes it one of the more straightforward grasses here to fit yourself. The backing is water permeable to stop waterlogging, and the brand says it's UV resistant and keeps its colour all year round. Its one limit is a single pile thickness, so there's no deeper or shorter option to choose from.
What we like
- Four realistic colour tones
- Lengths up to 9 metres and widths up to 4 metres
- No sand infill needed according to Ark Mat
- Cuts to shape with heavy-duty scissors
- Water permeable backing
- UV resistant to hold its colour
What to know
- Only one pile thickness available
Our verdict
The appeal of Ark Mat is how simple it makes a DIY install. Four colour tones, rolls up to 9 metres long and no sand infill to spread make it a good bet if you're covering a whole back garden yourself. The trade-off is a single pile thickness, so there's no way to go deeper if you want a plusher lawn.
Most Durable
Simpahome Artificial Grass Pile Roll
Best for: Sunny exposed gardens where colour fade is the main worry
Check Price On AmazonSimpahome's pile roll is aimed at gardens that take a beating from the weather. The brand says it has been tested against extreme temperatures and is designed to stay green all year without fading, which is what you want on a south-facing plot or a roof terrace in full sun.
The 30mm pile gives a fuller, softer lawn than the short-pile budget grasses in this list. Its permeable backing lets water drain through so it doesn't sit in puddles after heavy rain. The catch is choice, as it comes in a single size and a single pile length. On a larger or oddly shaped garden you'll need to plan the joins carefully.
What we like
- Generous 30mm pile length
- Permeable backing resists waterlogging
- Tested against extreme temperatures according to Simpahome
- Designed to stay green all year without fading
What to know
- Only one size and one pile length
Our verdict
Fading is the main enemy of fake grass in full sun, and Simpahome has built this roll around stopping it. It costs more than the budget options here, but the 30mm pile and the brand's all-year colour claims make it a good fit for a south-facing garden or a roof terrace. Measure carefully before ordering, because it only comes in one size.
Best Budget
LITA Synthetic Artificial Grass
Best for: Small balconies, patio corners and play areas on a tight budget
Check Price On AmazonLITA's synthetic grass is a budget roll that still looks the part. The brand describes its blades as light with a natural, fescue-like colour close to real grass, made from UV-resistant polyethylene and polypropylene yarn. LITA also offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
At 10mm the pile is short, so it's better suited to balconies, patio edges and small areas than a main lawn you want to look lush. LITA says the rubber backing holds it in place without staples and that it needs no sand infill, which makes it a quick job to roll out on a hard surface. Drainage holes through the backing stop rain sitting on top.
What we like
- Natural fescue-like colour according to LITA
- UV-resistant polyethylene and polypropylene yarn
- No sand infill needed
- Rubber backing holds it in place without staples
- Drainage holes to stop waterlogging
- 100% satisfaction guarantee from the brand
What to know
- Only available with a 10mm pile height
Our verdict
A 10mm pile won't pass for a lawn on a main garden, but on a balcony, a patio corner or a play area the LITA grass does the job for a modest outlay. For a garden lawn that needs to look and feel like real grass, WALPLUS Astro in its 20mm pile or the Quickgrass Harvington Luxury is the better spend.
How To Choose Artificial Grass For Your Garden
Artificial grass varies far more than the photos on a product listing suggest, and the differences show once it's been down a while. These are the points that matter most when you're choosing.
Pile Height
Pile height is the length of the blades. Short piles of 10 to 20mm suit balconies, roof terraces and indoor spaces, where a neat look matters more than a lush one, and they're easy to keep clean. For a main garden lawn, a pile of around 30mm or more looks fuller and feels softer underfoot, closer to a freshly mown lawn. Very long piles look plush but flatten more readily in busy areas such as the route to the back gate.
Density And Yarn
Density is how tightly the blades are stitched into the backing. A denser grass looks thicker, hides the backing and springs back better after being walked on. Some brands publish a stitch rate, like the 14 stitches per 10cm Quickgrass quotes for its Harvington Luxury, which makes comparing easier. The yarn matters too. Softer yarns feel more natural, while polyethylene and polypropylene blends stand up well to wear, and grasses that mix more than one shade of blade with a brown thatch look far more realistic than a single flat green.
Backing And Drainage
Rain needs a way through. Look for a perforated or permeable backing, because grass without drainage holes leaves water pooling on top and turns a lawn into a puddle after every downpour. Latex backings are common on better grasses and won't rot. Good drainage also depends on what's underneath, which is where the groundwork comes in.
Ground Preparation
Laying artificial grass straight onto soil or old turf leads to lumps, dips and weeds pushing through the backing. On soil, dig out the old lawn, clear the ground with a weed killer for paths and bare ground, then lay a compacted sub-base of crushed stone topped with sharp sand and a weed membrane. Over a patio or decking, a foam underlay softens the feel and hides the joins underneath. Much of the levelling is the same as for real grass, which our guide on laying turf step by step covers in detail.
UV Resistance, Warranty And Pets
Grass without UV stabilisers fades and turns brittle in strong sun, so check the spec for UV resistance and a warranty that covers fading. Quickgrass and WALPLUS both offer 10 years. With dogs, pick a grass with good drainage and a dense pile, and rinse wee spots regularly with a hose to keep smells down. Leaves and debris lift off easily with a stiff brush or a garden vacuum and leaf blower.
What People Ask Us About Artificial Grass
How long does artificial grass last?
Good quality artificial grass lasts for many years when it's laid on a well-prepared base and kept clean. UV resistance, pile density and the quality of the backing make the biggest difference to its lifespan. The warranty is a useful guide, and Quickgrass and WALPLUS both back their grasses for 10 years.
Is artificial grass good for dogs?
Artificial grass works well for dogs as long as it drains properly and is cleaned regularly. Choose a grass with a permeable backing or drainage holes and a dense pile that springs back. Pick up mess promptly and rinse wee spots with a hose, adding a pet-safe artificial grass cleaner if smells build up in warm weather.
Can you lay artificial grass on soil?
You can lay artificial grass over soil, but not directly onto it. Remove the old turf, clear any weeds, then lay and compact a sub-base of crushed stone with a layer of sharp sand and a weed membrane on top. Laying it straight onto soil leads to dips, lumps and weeds growing up through the backing.
What pile height of artificial grass is best?
The best pile height for artificial grass depends on where it's going. For balconies, roof terraces and indoor areas, 10 to 20mm is plenty and easy to keep clean. For a main garden lawn, a pile of around 30mm or more looks fuller and feels softer underfoot, which is why our top pick comes in 28 to 35mm.
Which of these would you choose for a balcony?
WALPLUS Astro is our pick for a balcony. It has a self-draining latex backing, works indoors and out, and carries a 10-year warranty for less than the Quickgrass Harvington Luxury costs. Go for the 20mm pile rather than the 15mm, which looked like carpet in our testing. LITA Synthetic Artificial Grass is the cheaper option for a very small area, but its pile is only 10mm.
Is the Quickgrass Harvington Luxury worth paying more for?
Yes, if the lawn is on show from the house. In our testing it came across as very natural and realistic, and it has pile heights from 28 to 35mm, rolls up to 25 metres long for fewer joins and a 10-year UV warranty. On a balcony or a small rental patch the extra spend is harder to justify, and WALPLUS Astro covers the basics for less.
Do I need sand infill for artificial grass?
Not with every grass. Ark Mat says its fake lawn needs no sand infill, LITA says the same for its synthetic grass, and the Quickgrass Harvington Luxury can be laid with or without it. Check the spec of the grass you buy, because infill decides how much work the install is.
Which artificial grass suits a south-facing garden in full sun?
The Simpahome Artificial Grass Pile Roll is the one we'd look at. Simpahome says it has been tested against extreme temperatures and is designed to stay green all year without fading, and it has a 30mm pile. It only comes in one size and one pile length, so measure carefully before ordering.
Our Top Artificial Grass Picks
For a lawn you look out on every day, the Quickgrass Harvington Luxury is the one to buy. Its natural look and deeper piles are what make it worth the extra, and the 10-year UV warranty backs it up. If you're working to a tighter budget or covering a balcony, WALPLUS Astro in its 20mm pile gives you a self-draining backing and the same length of warranty for less.
Whichever grass you go for, the base underneath does as much for the finished lawn as the grass itself, so give the ground preparation the time it needs.
Archie is our gardening specialist. He started out as an apprentice at a gardening firm, built up his own knowledge from there and now writes most of our garden content.