What’s the Difference Between Synthetic and Artificial Grass?

Same thing or not? It’s more confusing than you'd think

So, you're standing in the landscaping aisle, staring at rolls of "synthetic grass" on one side and "artificial grass" on the other. And you’re like… wait, aren’t these just two fancy names for the same fake grass?

That’s exactly what I asked my buddy Rick last weekend when we were redoing a patchy corner of his backyard. He looked at me, shrugged, and said: “I dunno, man. I think synthetic sounds fancier.” And honestly? I thought the same. But curiosity (and a bit of OCD) got the better of me, so I did a deep dive.

Turns out, there is a difference. Kind of. But it’s nuanced — and sometimes the industry just plays with the terms.

Definitions: artificial vs synthetic grass

Artificial grass – the classic term

"Artificial grass" is the OG term — the one people have been using since like the 1960s when AstroTurf came out and blew everyone’s minds (well, sports fans at least).

It refers broadly to any man-made turf that mimics natural grass. That includes those crunchy green carpets from old-school playgrounds and today’s hyper-realistic stuff.

Synthetic grass – the modern upgrade?

"Synthetic grass" is basically the same thing… but the term is often used today to describe the more advanced, realistic versions of fake turf. Think multi-tone fibers, soft touch, thatch layers, and proper drainage.

So yeah, they’re both man-made, plastic-based turf alternatives — but "synthetic" often implies higher-end or next-gen material.

I like to think of it this way: artificial is the general category. Synthetic is what you want if you're not trying to get backyard turf that looks like green plastic noodles.

So, is there a real difference in how they’re made?

Materials are mostly the same

Both synthetic and artificial grass are usually made from polyethylene, polypropylene, or nylon. They’re UV-resistant, designed to drain water, and built to withstand foot traffic. The difference isn’t really in what they’re made of — but how they’re marketed and constructed.

When Rick and I compared samples from two brands, one labeled "artificial" felt kinda stiff and one-dimensional. The "synthetic" one? Super soft, three shades of green, and a brown thatch layer underneath that made it look weirdly natural. Honestly, it was hard to tell it wasn’t real grass until you touched it.

Some brands use the terms interchangeably (ugh)

Here’s where it gets annoying: not all companies stick to one naming convention. Some high-end turf is labeled “artificial” just because that’s what people Google. Others use “synthetic” for the exact same product — just because it sounds fancier.

I emailed two companies to ask. One replied, “There’s no technical difference between synthetic and artificial — we just think ‘synthetic’ sounds more premium.” Well… at least they were honest.

Which one should you choose?

Focus on features, not labels

Don’t get stuck on the name. Instead, ask about:

• Fiber softness

• Color variation

• Infill type

• Drainage capability

• Warranty (some cheap turf gets nasty after just 2 summers)

Think about your use case

If you’re turfing a pet area or a playground — go for something durable with antimicrobial infill. If you want a pristine putting green, get short-pile turf. If you’re doing a garden makeover? The most natural-looking synthetic (ahem, artificial) grass will blow your guests away.

Personally, Rick ended up choosing a synthetic blend with triple-tone coloring. We laid it down last weekend and his dog hasn’t stopped rolling in it. Safe to say, it passed the canine test.

Final verdict: same same, but not always

So yeah — technically, artificial and synthetic grass are the same thing. But in practice? "Synthetic grass" usually refers to the fancier, more realistic stuff. And honestly, when you're investing hundreds (sometimes thousands) of bucks in redoing your lawn, that difference kinda matters.

Don't let the label fool you. Ask questions. Touch the samples. And always — always — check the return policy (learned that one the hard way... don’t ask).

Happy turf hunting!

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