Best Backpack Sprayer | 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.
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.
What is the best garden sprayer? Backpack sprayer & hand pump sprayer
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 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.
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.
Backpack sprayers
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. But I wouldn’t recommend this option to people suffering from back pain or similar issues.
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 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 pressurised 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.
What I particularly like about 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.
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 | Comparison Table
Customers' Choice
Field King Professional 190328 No Leak Pump Backpack Sprayer for Killing Weeds in Lawns and Gardens
- Internal No Leak Pump design is safer to use chemicals will not drip down your back. Internal piston pump delivers up to 150 PSI
- Durable, 21 inch poly wand with the highest quality Viton seals can be used with Wet table powders and liquids for all applications does the work of both a piston and diaphragm backpack
- Premium, lockable shut off with brass components and an in-line filter.
- Easy access pump allows changing of seals in just minutes with no tools
- 4 nozzles included: brass adjustable, 2 flat fans, and foaming nozzle. Also accepts Tee Jet nozzles.
Best Value
Field King Max 190348 Backpack Sprayer for Professionals Applying Herbicides
- Internal No Leak Pump design is safer to use - chemicals will not drip down your back.
- Durable, 21 inch stainless steel wand with the highest quality Viton seals for chemical resistance.
- Premium, lockable shut off with brass components and an in-line filter.
- Easy access pump, change seals in just minutes with no tools.
- 4 nozzles included: brass adjustable, 2 flat fans, and foaming nozzle. Also accepts TeeJet nozzles.
Most Popular
Solo 425 4-Gallon Professional Piston Backpack Sprayer, Wide Pressure Range up to 90 psi
- Easily spray liquid disinfectants, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides with Solo's high-performance piston pump for tree, shrub and plant protection
- Solo’s 425 backpack sprayer includes a 28-inch unbreakable wand that securely connects to a 48-inch nylon-reinforced high-pressure hose for an extended reach
- Four easily changeable commercial-grade spraying nozzles-Plastic Adjustable, Fan Spray, Hollow Cone, Jet Stream nozzle and is TeeJet compatible
- Designed with a commercial shut-off valve that securely locks in either the on or off position to minimize user fatigue, the pump handle is interchangeable for left or right-hand operation
- Solo's rugged metal frame with an extra-large tank opening makes it easy to fill and clean quickly
- Thoughtfully designed with Viton seals placed in key locations to ensure long service and durability
Best Budget
Chapin 61800 4Gal Backpack Sprayer, 4-Gallon, Translucent White
- Compatible with common fertilizers, weed killers and pesticides
- 4-Gallon translucent tank with 4-inch wide mouth opening for easy filling and cleaning
- 3-Stage Filtration system with in-tank removable/cleanable filter
- Cushion grip poly shut-off with three nozzles for a variety of applications
- Padded shoulder straps to accommodate a full backpack for hours
Most Discussed & Reviewed
Roundup 190314 Backpack Sprayer for Fertilizers, Herbicides, Weed Killers & 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
- Adjustable padded straps with waist belt and built-in lumbar support
- Includes 3 nozzles for versatility: poly adjustable, high volume fan, and low volume fan
Best Trusted
Husqvarna Sprayers, 4 Gallon Backpack, Orange/Gray
- Internal no leak pump design is safer to use - chemicals will not drip down your back
- Can be used with wet Table 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
- Pump handle can be stored vertically or horizontally
- Deluxe comfort harness
- 150 max psi: 25 psi pressure regulator delivers constant pressure to apply lawn chemicals
Best Cheap
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 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 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 screen filter to keep dirt & debris out of the tank. Includes multiple different nozzle attachments! The secondary lid allows for easy storage of nozzles.
- TRANSCLUENT TANK WITH GALLON MARKINGS: The translucent tank with gallon markers allows you to easily see how much solution you’re mixing in and how much is left in the tank. Variable PSI pressure adjuster allows you to control your perfect spray.
Other Popular backpack sprayers
Chapin 61500 Backpack Sprayer for Fertilizer, 4 gal
- 4-Gallon 4-inch wide mouth opening, translucent tank for easy filling and cleaning
- Compatible with common fertilizers, weed killers and pesticides
- 2-Stage filtration system, one filter at the top and another filter at shut-off
- Poly shut-off with 2 nozzles: adjustable poly cone and fan tip
- Padded shoulder straps to accommodate a full backpack for hours. Seal Material - Nitrile
Chapin 63924 4-Gallon 24-volt Extended Spray Time Battery Backpack Sprayer For Fertilizer, Herbicides and...
- Features a 24-volt Lithium ion Battery for up to 2 HOURS of continuous spraying. Spray up to 58 gallons on a single charge
- 4-Gallon tank with 6-inch wide mouth funnel for easy filling and cleaning
- 35-40 psi with a 25-30-foot maximum horizontal spray stream
- Cushion grip shut-off with three nozzles for a variety of applications (does not have lock-on/lock-off feature)
- 3-Stage filtration system to prevent clogging and deluxe padded shoulder straps for comfortable use
- NOTE:Kindly refer to the user manual provided as a PDF manual in the product description section
KIMO 3 Gal. 20V Li-Ion Battery Powered Backpack Sprayer w/ 2.0Ah Battery&Charger, 2 Extended Hoses, 3 Nozzles, No...
- 【No Manual Pumping Required】 For the perfect union of convenience and versatility, nothing beats KIMO battery-powered Sprayer. This one features a Zero manual pump for cordless efficiency that runs off KIMO 2.0Ah battery. You don’t worry about the unevenly spraying coverage that makes you cost more strength. Set aside your traditional manual sprayer, and choose KIMO ZERO PUMP Sprayer to help you save your labor and time.
- 【Proudly Present KIMO Li-ion Technology】 For over 25 years, KIMO has made great progress in 1,000-Charging Cycle Test that guarantees each KIMO battery is more powerful, and lives longer than others. No worries about bothersome pauses by weak battery. Go with KIMO, enjoy and accomplish more than expected.
- 【Lock Switch & Dual PSI】KIMO sprayer is equipped with a lockable switch that users can hold the handgrip in the depressed position when the switch locked, eliminating your hands fatigue. Furthermore, its adjustable pressure provides between 40psi to 70 psi, which meets all your needs of any spraying applications. Ideal for fertilizing, car washing, plants watering, home cleaning, etc.
- 【Functional Water Tank】This KIMO sprayer features a 3 Gallon large capacity water tank and a wide mouth opening for easier filling. Besides, equipped with an ergonomic backpack and detachable strap pads, this sprayer is practical and easy to carry, both for professionals and for home users with their own grounds or garden to look after.
- 【Battery Powered Sprayer Included】Each Sprayer with 4-Inch Wide Mouth Opening, comes with 1X 20V 2.0Ah KIMO Power Battery, 1X 60min Fast Charger, 1X 23-Inch Plastic Wand, 1X 43-Inch Extension Metal Wand, 1X 3 Gallon Water Tank, 3X Sprayer Nozzles, Choose KIMO sprayer and let us prepare any accessories you need.