Best Backpack Sprayer in Canada in 2022 | Expert Advice & Comparison | 2022 Buyer’s Guide
Whether you have a garden, a backyard, or an orchard, you need to keep them healthy by applying insecticides, fungicides, or herbicides. It is a rule of thumb that whatever pesticide you choose, the solution has to be applied properly to be efficient. If you have the right tool, spraying the correct amount of pesticides will be a breeze. Any spraying equipment is comprised of three components: a tank, a pump, and a nozzle. A tank is designed to hold the solution, a pump delivers pressure, while a nozzle directs a stream of water.
The first thing you should decide on is the type of garden sprayer: backpack or handheld. If you need to spray a large area, you should better buy a backpack sprayer. This type of equipment typically boasts high capacity and holds 4 to 6 gallons (15-20 liters) of solution. It is pretty convenient because you can do the whole job in one sitting. For small area coverage, you will be better off with a handheld option as the capacity of such sprayers varies from 1 to 2 gallons.
There are also higher-capacity 15-gallon (50 liters) weed sprayers 12V battery-powered or connected via a 12V supply on the vehicle. The battery-powered tank removes the need to pump liquid to build pressure. They are intended to spray large areas and can be mounted to any all-terrain vehicle: ATV, UTV, mower, or lawn tractor.
That said, garden sprayers are not created equal and differ in size, design, and extra features. The shape of a nozzle is very important. For spot treatments, go with a solid-cone nozzle, while a flat spray nozzle has a uniform spray pattern.
Backpack Sprayer: Advantages & Drawbacks
As for backpack garden sprayers, they have much more advantages than drawbacks. Such a device has a large container that sits on your back, allowing for hands-free operation. In this sense, a backpack sprayer is more comfortable and efficient.
This type of garden equipment has either a motorized pump or a manual lever. But the main strength of backpack sprayers is that they can keep a consistent output level for a long time and, more importantly, produce the smallest possible droplets of insecticide. They are powerful, need to be refilled less often, and offer easier pressure control.
What I particularly like about the backpack sprayer is the ergonomic shape: the backside of the tank has fit perfectly against my back, so I could carry it for a long time without feeling any discomfort. But I wouldn’t recommend this option to people suffering from back pain.
Hand Pump Sprayer vs. Backpack Sprayer | Core Features & Comparison
Now, let’s move to specific models. In order to do our own testing, we have picked the two most popular garden sprayers on the market, representing each of the types: the handheld and backpack. We have singled out key decision-making factors and compared the products based on these criteria.
- Capacity. The overall impression is that both products are well-made and have spacious tanks. The backpack sprayer has a 4-gallon (15L) capacity which is sufficient to cover a lawn or a large garden. Although this may not be enough for commercial use, I think that this capacity is just perfect for homeowners. Larger sizes mean greater weight and pressure on your back. At the same time, it is more versatile. You can mix up smaller quantities or fill the tank full, depending on your needs.
The hand pump small-capacity sprayer comes with a 1-2 gallon water tank. Ideal for small jobs, it measures only 18.5 inches in length with a weight of about 1.3 pounds (without a liquid solution). As you can see, these are two different categories of product and your choice entirely depends on how much insecticide you are going to apply at a time.
- Power. If you are looking for a powerful garden sprayer, the Field King Max is exactly what you need. Once pressurized with about four pumps, one pump every five seconds will keep the device spraying continuously. Pressure reaches 150 PSI to spray hard-to-reach areas up to 30 ft. Another benefit is that you have 4 nozzles.
Efficiency. The Field King has turned out to be the most efficient, reliable, and flexible option. It has a good pump mechanism, a flexible hose and is great for spraying large areas. The Field King feels like a truly professional sprayer and I was really impressed with it. Made with a tank safety lid valve, it has no leaks at all, just as advertised.
What surprised me is how easily and evenly it distributes the insecticide over a target area. We appreciated its angled spray nozzle that makes it easy to spray in hard-to-reach areas, such as the leaf undersides.
- Convenience. A handheld model comes with a convenient shoulder strap. When we filled the tank full, it got quite heavy to carry for a long time, so I believe it was a good idea to include a strap. Also, the water tank has a hole with a diameter of about 35 mm, making it easy not only to fill but also to clean the container. Keep in mind that proper maintenance and cleaning are crucial and must never be ignored because you have to deal with toxic substances.
Expert Opinion: Travis Steglich, Farm Supply Consultant
Travis Steglich is the owner and operator of the Steglich Feed and Farm Supply Store.
“There are a couple of things that you want to do before you worry about putting out any type of pesticide or attempting to use it. One thing is to make sure that all the parts work, the top screws down correctly, and the pump is free to do the pumping. One of the things that I always recommend for the customer to do is to open the tank that holds the chemicals. Take some water — it does not have to be a lot — pour it in and rinse out the container. Because during manufacture these sprayers have a lot of milling that's done on them. And they are little tiny pieces of plastic that will inevitably be in the bottom of this tank. They will probably all have them. And the reason you will want to get rid of them is that if you go ahead and put your pesticide in there and start using it right away, one of those little pieces will get into the cut-off valve and make it malfunction”.
Best-Selling Backpack Sprayers in Canada | Comparison Table
Customers' Choice
Chapin 61800 Professional 4-Gallon Backpack Poly Sprayer
- Chapin Professional 4-gallon backpack poly sprayer hands-free sprayer for large jobs
- 4-inch wide opening with poly shut-off and adjustable cone and fan nozzle
- Internal 4 position spray valve for expert pressure control from 15- to 60-psi
- Multi-use nozzle tips included
- Designed with padded carrying straps for fatigue-free operation
Best Value
Husqvarna Backpack Sprayers, Orange/Gray
- Internal no leak pump design is safer to use - chemicals will not drip down your back
- Can be used with wettable powders and liquids for all applications. Does the work of both a piston and diaphragm backpack
- Easy access pump, change seals in just minutes with no tools
- The pump handle can be stored vertically or horizontally
- Deluxe comfort harness
Most Popular
Roundup 190314 Backpack Sprayer for Fertilizers, Herbicides, Weed Killers and Insecticides, 4 Gallon
- 4-gallon sprayer meets all your spraying needs (controlling weeds and pests, growing flowers and vegetables, and cleaning decks and siding)
- Heavy-duty poly wand with shut-off featuring a comfort grip, lock for continuous spraying, and an in-line filter
- Viton seals and gaskets throughout the pump and shut-off for long-lasting chemical resistance
Best Budget
Most Discussed & Reviewed
Best Trusted
Best Cheap
Solo 425-Deluxe 4-Gallon Professional Piston Backpack Sprayer with Deluxe Padded Straps
- Easily and effectively handles liquid disinfectants, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and formulations for tree, shrub, and plant protection.
- High-performance piston pump for increased pressure capabilities of up to 90 psi and commercial shut-off valve with lock-on/lock-off feature to minimize user fatigue.
- Extra-large carrying handle with wand retainer for easy portability and storage, deluxe shoulder straps, and waist belt for user comfort.
- Interchangeable pump handle for left or right-hand operation and 48” nylon-reinforced high-pressure hose for extended reach.
- Upgraded four-nozzle assortment for multiple spraying tasks: durable, professional-grade, brass adjustable nozzle; fan spray; hollow cone; and jet stream nozzles. TeeJet compatible.
Other Popular backpack sprayers
Solo, inc. 425 4-Gallon Professional Piston Backpack Sprayer
- High-performance piston pump for increased pressure capabilities
- Extra-large tank openings for easier filling and cleaning
- The 28-Inch unbreakable wand provides excellent reach
- Chemical resistant seals provide outstanding resistance to harsh chemicals
- Four-nozzle assortment for multiple spraying tasks
Petra 4 Gallon Battery Powered Backpack Sprayer – Extended Spray Time Long-Life Battery - New HD Wand Included,...
- Never pump again: Sprays For 6-8 hours on a single battery charge or over 200 gallons of the solution so that you can spray all day on a single charge without worrying about pumping. 70 PSI pump with adjustable pressure knob. The 8AH lead-acid battery provides 4X the battery life of most other 2.0 lithium battery sprayers. If needed, the battery can be changed quickly. Includes a fully automatic AC charger that completely charges the battery in 8 hours. (BATTERY AND CHARGER INCLUDED!)
- Petra HD4000 1 year warranty. Petra wants to make sure that you are 100% satisfied with your PETRA HD4000 Sprayer and will help in any way they can. Other sprayers provide EXTREMELY limited support on Amazon but not Petra. Quality control testing and final assembly on each sprayer completed at Petra testing centers in the USA!
- New Petra HD acid bleach wand included: Meet all your spraying needs with the all-new Petra HD plastic acid bleach wand. Includes plastic squeeze handle with locking mechanism.
- Wide mouth lid - Large wide mouth lid allows for easy filling with a screen filter to keep dirt & debris out of the tank. Includes multiple different nozzle attachments! The secondary lid allows for easy storage of nozzles.
- Translucent tank with gallon markings: The translucent tank with gallon markers allows you to easily see how many solutions you’re mixing in and how much is left in the tank. Variable PSI pressure adjuster allows you to control your perfect spray.
What is the best garden sprayer? Backpack sprayer vs. hand pump sprayer
A handheld garden sprayer is made with a handle so that you can carry it at your side. The device pressurizes the air in the container using a pump, which requires manual action. The main advantages of hand sprayers are portability and lower price. They are just perfect for those who are not going to spend much time killing pests and fungus and simply want to do a little spraying.
However, hand sprayers have many drawbacks and this is what I dislike them for. From my experience, they operate awfully slowly, which has always annoyed me so much. The device lacks power and it is hard to maintain constant pressure.