There is no question that gardening can be an enjoyable experience. Carefully planting and caring for your lawn, plants, trees and even vegetables can be rewarding. However, to ensure your plants and lawn remain healthy, you have to maintain the space.
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Without the right tools, this can be quite time-consuming. With a quality backpack sprayer, you can keep your garden free from pest infestations with a quick and easy method of applying insecticides, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizer.
If you’re like many homeowners, you don’t have the time to put into researching the best backpack sprayer. If that’s the case and you’re short on time, here’s a look at the five weed sprayers we included in our top 5 list. Each of these is a great product that will help you take care of your yard while reducing the stress on your back.
Best Overall:
Translucent 4 gallon poly tank to easily see…Equipped with Viton Seals70 PSI sealed diaphragm style pump
Best Battery-Powered: Chapin 4-Gallon 20v Battery-Powered 63985Best Budget Pick: Solo 425 4-Gallon Piston Sprayer
Field King Max 190348Smith 4-Gallon Performance NL400
What is a Backpack Sprayer?
Anyone who spends time in their yard or wants to ensure their outside space remains healthy and weed free needs a backpack sprayer. The fact is, this is quite a versatile tool. In addition to providing you an efficient and fast way to stay on top of your gardening maintenance tasks, these sprayers can also be used for various household tasks, such as cleaning your home, boat or car, or even applying a new layer of varnish to your deck. It can apply fertilizer to small spaces or treat a large area of plants quickly.
Backpack sprayers offer you a modern and no-mess, no-hassle approach to household maintenance and gardening tasks. This tool lets you apply pesticides or fertilizers quickly and avoids having to touch the chemical or undergo an in-depth cleanup process when you are done.
Basic Parts of the Backpack Sprayer
Now you may wonder exactly how a backpack sprayer works. The name is self-explanatory. These sprayers are compact, hands-free units that are carried on the back. There are five main parts that make up the sprayer, which include:
Tank: Typically made of polyethylene plastic, the tanks are resistant to chemicals, UV protected and durable. The most important aspect of your tank is that it does not leak.
Pump
Works by pulling liquid out of the tank and sending it into the pressurized tank, where it is held until you squeeze the lever on the wand.
Wand
The elongated shaft that lets you channel the liquid and spray it where you need it to go. You’ll want to make sure it fits comfortably in your hand, and the spray handle works easily.
Nozzle
This determines the pattern and flow of the spray, and most sprayers come with several types of nozzles. This will allow you to use the sprayer for a variety of applications, from a wide sweeping spray to more pinpointed streams for edges and such.
Harness or Straps
Since a backpack sprayer is designed to be wearable, there is a harness or straps attached that fit over your shoulders and chest to ensure the weight is distributed evenly. This is one of the biggest benefits, as carrying a large pump sprayer can become extremely tiring and cumbersome.
Pressurization
The majority of backpack sprayers can reach between 15 and 95 psi of pressure. However, there are commercial grade options that can provide up to 150 psi.
The pressure delivered is going to vary from one model to another, and one of the most important things to remember is that the pressure inside the tank will remain consistent and the liquid will spray continually until the trigger on the wand is released.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that, depending on the type of unit used, the pressure is going to decrease gradually as the tank becomes empty.
How to Choose the Right Backpack Sprayer
In addition to the basic components listed above, backpack sprayers are either operated by a diaphragm or piston pump.
Piston Powered Backpack Sprayers
The piston pump sprayers are easy to recognize because they use an up and down motion and have a chamber located inside the tank. They typically provide good pressure, approximately 90 psi. When the lever is pumped, it creates the pressure, forcing the liquid into the wand so you can spray what you need to disperse.
This type of sprayer is more affordable, but they are not suited for use with extremely abrasive chemicals, since these types of chemicals may destroy the piston.
Diaphragm Sprayers
A diaphragm sprayer is usually the more costly option and works in a similar way to piston pumps, without the internal cylinder. The pumping of the handle will move the diaphragm and create the pressure. These sprayers are more resistant to chemicals, and you can use liquids and powders in this type of sprayer. A diaphragm pump provides you with faster pressure when it is needed, but it may require more maintenance.
How do you know when to purchase a piston sprayer vs. a diaphragm unit? If you’re doing standard on-ground weed spraying that doesn’t require extremely high psi, a diaphragm unit will work just fine. If you have lattice work or other areas that require overhead spraying, a piston pump will allow you to get the higher pressure you need for an overhead application, more quickly.
Motorized or Manual Backpack Sprayers
When it comes to a backpack sprayer’s operation, there are two options – motorized or manual.
Manually Operated Sprayers
These are the most common types of backpack sprayers and require that you operate the hand pump. After you pump the handle, the pressurized liquid will be forced into the wand and made ready for spraying. These are affordable but can cause hand fatigue if you are going to be using them for a long period of time.
Motorized Sprayers
If you have a large space to treat, then using a motorized model that has a powerful battery is going to help you get the job done in a hurry and relieve the pressure from your hands because you won’t have to keep pressure on the handle at all times. Even though these sprayers are going to make the job easier and faster, they are more expensive and heavier and will require more maintenance over time.
Comfort and Safety
There are quite a few features offered by modern backpack sprayers that help to reduce cases of fatigue. Some feature adjustable and padded straps or tanks that are contoured providing a better fit. Look at comfort and safety features provided before choosing a backpack sprayer, since this will impact your overall experience with the device.
Repair Needs and Durability
The majority of quality sprayers will have tanks that are made out of high-density polyethylene, with the additional benefit of UV protection. If you are planning on fertilizing or having to handle large pest control jobs, you need a sprayer that won’t leak all over you. Try to find industrial strength hoses with seals that are leak-proof and chemical resistant.
A Lockable Shut-Off Mechanism
The lockable mechanism for shutting off the wand is typically installed on the backpack sprayer handle. This is a feature that can help you easily control the release of the chemicals or liquids and then keep them from dripping if you don’t want them to.
Improved Harnesses and Shoulder Straps
A quality harness and shoulder straps can make the home maintenance and gardening chores much easier. While most backpack sprayers are extremely lightweight, they can be much heavier when the tanks are filled up. If you see a sprayer that has adjustable padded waist, chest and shoulder straps, then it will make it more comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.
Best Backpack Sprayers By Type
There is no one best backpack sprayer – which you choose will depend on your specific needs in the garden. That being said, here are our picks for the best sprayers for each type of application.
Best Overall
Hudson Bak-Pak Multi-Purpose
PSI: 70
If pest invasions are taking over your property, then you need the Hudson Bak-Pak sprayer. This sprayer is ideal for fertilizers, as well as insecticides. This brand is well-known for high-quality products and the diaphragm operated spray is both durable and provides 70 psi of pressure. It is simple to spray and pump. This particular pump is made out of high-quality components and materials ensuring it will last for years to come.
What’s Great
- Easy to pumpOffers a sturdy sprayerEasy to disassemble for cleaningPerforms wellGood value for the costBrass wand and a brass cone pattern nozzle that is adjustable
What’s Not So Great
- It isn’t motorized
Best Battery-Powered
Chapin 4-Gallon 20v Battery-Powered 63985
Do you need to maintain your vineyard or get rid of pests in your garden? If so, the Chapin sprayer can help you save effort, money and time. It offers a four-gallon tank along with a 20-volt Lithium-ion battery from Black and Decker. This provides you with continuous spraying power for 1.75 hours. The pressure produced by this sprayer is 35 to 40 psi, and it can provide a steady stream for up to 35 feet. The tank is extremely easy to fill, thanks to the extra-wide mouth and the carrying handle is built into the cap.
Features a black & Decker 20-volt Lithium ion…35-40 psi with a 20-foot maximum horizontal spray…4-gallon tank with 6-inch wide mouth funnel for…
Great value for the moneyQuiet operationGreat for small or medium sized propertiesEasy to fill tank20-volt battery includedComfortable to wearSprays up to 35 feetSimple to use
If you overfill the tank, the lid may leakThe battery has to be charged for 3.5 hours before you can use the sprayer
Best Value
Solo 425 4-Gallon Piston Sprayer
This is an extremely affordable sprayer and offers great quality. It is considered a multi-purpose sprayer that can be used for spraying wooden deck treatments, concrete finishing, herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, and disinfectants. Regardless of if you are tending to an orchard or just getting rid of unwanted pests in your backyard, this Solo sprayer makes short work of the job at hand.
Easily spray liquid disinfectants, fertilizers,…Solo’s 425 backpack sprayer includes a 20-inch…Four easily changeable commercial-grade spraying…
Extremely affordableAvailable with four different nozzlesGreat qualitySolid performanceGreat for liquid disinfectants, fertilizers, herbicides and pesticidesCompact design
The device may leakThe straps may become tangled
Other Good Choices
Field King Max 190348
PSI: 150
- Internal No Leak Pump design is safer to use -…Durable, 21 inch stainless steel wand with the…Premium, lockable shut off with brass components…
If you are ready to fertilize your entire lawn or garden or want to control pests on your fruit trees, then this backpack sprayer will help you get the job done. It offers a four-gallon capacity and patented pump that provides more than 150 psi of spray. Also, thanks to the integrated pressure regulator, you can spray at a consistent 25 psi, which makes this the perfect sprayer for any medium sized property. It is a diaphragm sprayer, and the internal pressure chamber can create a spray that can reach up to 20 feet high.
It doesn’t leakExtremely affordableSimple to assembleQuality designSmooth pumping actionComfortable to wear for extended periods of timePump that pressurizes up to 150 psi
Instructions included in the manual aren’t clearFeels heavy when the tank is completely fullHas to be hand pumped
Smith 4-Gallon Performance NL400
- Exclusive, internal No Leak Pump never leaves…Built-in agitator can handle liquids, powders, and…Durable, 21 inch stainless steel wand with…
Home or property owners who have a large outside space to maintain can benefit from purchasing the Smith Performance sprayer. It features a four-gallon tank and can pump up to 150 psi of pressure, providing a high level of comfortability and performance. With this tank, you can take care of any gardening task quickly and effectively. This sprayer has been designed with the highest quality materials, including a stainless tank frame, poly lined stainless steel wand, 50-inch chemical resistant poly hose and a contoured tank.
Easy to get ready to useGreat value for the moneyDurable designGreat for small and medium sized propertiesQuality harness with supportive strapsProvides a consistent amount of pressureComfortable for you to wearWand that is very responsive
Manual operation
Our Pick
The best backpack sprayer for the money is the Hudson Bak-Pak Multi-Purpose sprayer. This is a commercial-grade, high-performance sprayer that takes the often hard and tedious work out of garden maintenance and pest control. While it uses a manual diaphragm pump to produce the spray, it is extremely easy to use and doesn’t require much effort to create a powerful spray.
This option is a workhorse and will help you get your work done quickly. This sprayer is made to be easy to use and features padded straps, making it comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. It is also crafted out of the highest quality components and materials, which means it is guaranteed to last.
The Bottom Line
If you are in the market for a backpack sprayer, make sure to consider the options here. They will provide you with the service you need to make short work of your outdoor area. There is no point in working harder when you can work smarter with the backpack sprayer options listed here.
Finding a quality backpack sprayer is going to take time and effort, but with the information here, you should be well on your way to finding several great options that will help you handle the project you have.
