Best Backpack Sprayers of 2022

What is a backpack sprayer?

A backpack sprayer is an essential piece of gardening equipment used to spread liquid fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides over an agricultural land or lawn. It is the most versatile type of garden sprayer, designed for small and big jobs alike. In-between the small handheld sprayers and pull-behind garden sprayers (attached to lawn tractors), backpack sprayers can hold sufficient product for treating larger areas while being portable enough to carry on difficult terrain or confined areas where pull-behind units can’t go.

Their ease of use, portability, and versatility make backpack sprayers equally suitable for professionals and homeowners alike.

What can you use a backpack sprayer for?

A backpack sprayer is primarily designed for the spot-treatment of individual plants or weed control. Typically, they are used with commercial gardening products, but this doesn’t mean you can’t use them with eco-friendly, natural, or organic garden and lawn care products. For instance, you can spray: 

• Manure tea to fertilize your vegetable garden and lawn
• Vinegar or natural oils as organic herbicides
• Homemade oil or other natural insecticides

Various types of backpack sprayers

One of the most important things to decide when buying a backpack pressure sprayer is what type you’d like. Essentially, there are three kinds of garden sprayers to choose from:

• Manual backpack sprayers: Also known as pump sprayers, are the most common models out there. They are operated by a hand pump that transfers the liquid upward into the wand and prepares it for being sprayed. To prevent hand fatigue, some of the best backpack sprayers with manual pump boast a lock that ensures continuing spraying even when you’re not pumping. Their biggest advantage over the motorized backpack sprayers is the affordable price tag.
• Electric backpack sprayers: A motorized type of weed sprayer, the electric sprayer, is operated by batteries. Most manufacturers use either lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries, and even if these units are heavier than the hand pump sprayers, they can pump the liquid by themselves, reducing fatigue and effort. A battery-powered backpack sprayer is usually more suitable for larger gardens than the manual kind.
• Gas backpack sprayers: The most powerful types of backpack sprayers, gas sprayers often serve commercial purposes. They are larger, heavier, and more expensive than the other two types above but are ideal for treating large areas in no time. Most models also act as leaf blowers, but they release noxious fumes into the atmosphere, are noisy, and the motor vibrations can make them uncomfortable to carry for longer periods.

Is a motorized sprayer worth it?

Apart from the pumping method – done manually by you or automatically by a motor – there is no real difference between a manual and a motorized sprayer. So, whether or not a motorized sprayer is worth it comes down to work volume.

If you only need to spray some weed killer every now and then, a motorized backpack sprayer is not exactly a necessity. If you have a large garden that you’re spraying three or more times a week or if you’re a professional landscaper who uses the equipment for over an hour each day, then a motorized unit can save you plenty of effort.

Diaphragm pump vs. piston pump. What is the difference?

Backpack sprayers use a pump to create the pressure needed to move the liquid from the non-pressurized tank into a separate chamber, from where it will ultimately be sprayed into the wand and out of the nozzle. These pumps can be of two types:

• Diaphragm pumps: Are ideal for handling strong pest and weed infestations, as they can handle harsher chemicals. They also let particulate material to pass through, making them ideal for spraying dissolved powders. However, these pumps are rather expensive.
• Piston pumps: Can create more powerful pressure than the diaphragm variety and are cheaper, but they can’t handle harsh chemicals. Nevertheless, they are a perfect choice for gardeners using organic fertilizers as well as natural weed and pest control products.

What are the various backpack sprayer nozzles used for?

One of the first things you’ll notice when buying a backpack sprayer is the variety of nozzles the device comes with. Here are their most common types and uses:

How to calibrate a garden sprayer?

Calibrating a backpack sprayer before using it is essential if you want to ensure you’re using your equipment as efficiently as possible. If you’re planning to use the backpack sprayer as an herbicide sprayer – or for fertilizer or insecticide – you should calibrate your equipment in the following way.

How to calculate garden sprayer usage:

1. Fill the sprayer with plain water and designate a test plot with a surface of 20 feet by 50 feet (1,000 square feet).
2. Use a timer to record the number of seconds it takes to treat the test plot while walking at a comfortable pace.
3. Place a large container on the ground and spray water into it for the amount of time calculated in step 2.
4. Measure the quantity of liquid into the container, and use this number to calculate how much product you need to treat an area of any size.

If you want to use your backpack as a tree sprayer, you should calibrate it in the following way:

1. Pick a reference tree.
2. Fill the sprayer with plain water, then spray the tree as if you were applying paint with a paint sprayer. Record the number of seconds it takes to spray your reference tree properly.
3. Spray water into a container for the same amount of time, then use this number to calculate how much product you need for the number of trees you want to treat.

Features to look for in backpack sprayers

Backpack sprayers might be the most versatile type of garden sprayers, but there are still a number of features to look for before buying.

• Sprayer tank volume: Backpack sprayers come with tanks of various sizes, suitable for smaller or larger plots. For a smaller garden or occasional spot treatments, a unit with a tank volume up to 3.5 gallons could suffice. For larger plots or farms, aim for a tank volume of about 4 gallons or more.
• Built quality: The best backpack sprayers must be made from strong yet lightweight materials. Also, check the tank mouth opening, and make sure it’s wide enough for easy filling and cleaning of the tank.
• Shoulder straps: One of the most important things to consider in terms of comfort is the construction of the shoulder straps. They should be padded and, ideally, adjustable.
• Wand: Most backpack sprayers come with wands made from a lightweight, plastic material, but some may feature metal wands. Some commercial backpack sprayers even come with multiple wands for various applications.
• Sprayer nozzles: You should also check whether the sprayer you like comes with one or an assortment of nozzles. As a rule of thumb, you should look for sprayers with as many nozzles as possible, as they are suitable for a wider variety of applications.
• Comfort: Always check the overall comfort. The best backpack sprayer must be comfortable to carry and handle. If you’re choosing a manual model, make sure it has a lock function to reduce fatigue.
• Versatility: Some backpack sprayers come with carts and long hoses for heavy-duty applications. Others can also act as blowers or dusters. If you need any of these features, make sure the unit you want has them before buying.

Best Backpack Sprayer for the Money

Best value

Field King Professional 190328 No Leak Pump Backpack Sprayer

Best for home gardeners

Internal no-leak pump and high pressure make it perfect for most homeowners and amateur gardeners.

Check price on Amazon