7 Best Garden Sprayers (Manual and Battery) in 2024

This is our review of the best garden sprayer in 2024

Keeping your garden lush green and healthy is not an easy job. A good quality garden sprayer is essential to keep your garden weed and pest-free.

We provide you the list of some of the best garden sprayer in the market to help you make informed decision.

Let’s dive in.

7 Best Garden Sprayers in the Market

Best Garden Sprayer Reviews

Why Do You Need Garden Sprayer?

Before we get on to which, let’s consider why first. There are several reasons that you want a garden sprayer. Some of the common reasons are:

• It saves you money by spraying it yourself than hiring a professional landscaper. The one-time investment allows you the flexibility to use it anytime. You can spray insecticides, fertilizers, or herbicides in your garden without any hassle.
• You can adjust the nozzle spray to get the desired spray type to use it on a wide variety of plants. For example, you can use mist mode when spraying on delicate flowers and high-pressure style when spraying  weed killers.
• It is far convenient to use sprayer than garden hose as you can quickly turn it on and off as per your need.
• The portable design of sprayer allows you to use it at obstructive parts of the plants. For example, you can use it under the leaves or around bushes where insects and worms hide and feast.

How to Buy the Best Garden Sprayer

There are many different styles and varieties of the garden sprayer in the market. Before you head on to your local hardware store and get confused with a variety of options, read this buying guide to save time and money.

It is useful to have a garden sprayer whether you have a small or large garden. You can use it to apply herbicides, insecticides, and fertilizers. Keep in mind the following things before you buy a sprayer.

Mobility

Portability is essential for sprayer as you have to move around to spray it in your garden.

There are three main types of the sprayer in the market:

• Backpack 
• Handheld 
• Wheeled 

Now depending on the size of your garden, you may need a small or higher capacity sprayer.

For more significant and extensive gardens, I recommend using wheeled sprayer with viton seals to prevent spilling. As you will have to use a large capacity tank which gets heavy to lift and move it around. For small and medium size garden, you can use either backpack or handheld atomizer.

Here are some points to note for each type of sprayer.

Handheld Sprayer

As the name suggests, you carry the handheld sprayer in your hand and use it to spray in your garden. These are very lightweight and small capacity sprayer. It is a perfect device for small yards or for a limited number of plants.

The operation is basic and straightforward. You fill the solution in the bottle and attach the pump at the top. You then press the trigger to get the spray to your plants. Some bottles have level marking to measure the correct quantity of solution.

Backpack Sprayer

For a small to medium size gardens, the backpack model allows you a more flexible option. This is also a good option for people who have mobility issues such as arthritis. A particular medical condition makes it difficult to hold and squeeze the trigger of a handheld sprinkler.

Backpack sprayer comes in a standard and powered pump options. You wear it at your back with a strap attached to the sprayer and your both hands are free to spray.

Due to its ease and convenience, the backpack model has a large tank and made with a lightweight material. The four-gallon  capacity is the most popular option in a backpack sprayer.

The shoulder setup allows you to carry even more substantial and significant amount of solutions to a greater distance. The manual pump has a lever attached to the tank which you move to buildup pressure inside the container. The viton seals around the top prevents spilling. 

Check your garden layout and determine if you will be able to pass around a smaller space of your garden with a backup on.

For a small to medium size gardens, the backpack model allows you a more flexible option. This is also a good option for people who have mobility issues such as arthritis. A particular medical condition makes it difficult to hold and squeeze the trigger of a handheld sprinkler.

Backpack sprayer comes in a standard and powered pump options. You wear it at your back with a strap attached to the sprayer and your both hands are free to spray.

Due to its ease and convenience, the backpack model has a large tank and made with a lightweight material. The four-gallon  capacity is the most popular option in a backpack sprayer.

The shoulder setup allows you to carry even more substantial and significant amount of solutions to a greater distance. The manual pump has a lever attached to the tank which you move to buildup pressure inside the container. The viton seals around the top prevents spilling. 

Check your garden layout and determine if you will be able to pass around a smaller space of your garden with a backup on.

Wheeled Sprayer

You drag the wheeled sprayer in your garden on its mounted wheels. The wheel allows you to move it at a considerable distance with more spraying solutions in it.

It is also suitable for people with back problems. As it makes it difficult for them to carry or lift heavier objects. Most wheeled sprayer come in either battery or gas-powered spray pump.

This is a good option for a large garden where you can easily move-around your sprayer without carrying it on you. Choose a smaller capacity if you have obstructions which make it challenging to move bigger sprayer.

Here is a reference video which explains the types of a garden sprayer.

Other Considerations

Besides mobility, here are some other considerations when choosing the right sprayer for your garden.

Battery Powered or Manual Sprayer

You need to buildup pressure inside the tank for the solution to come out. You can do it either manually or self-powered.

You can self-power it with battery or gasoline. But these days, the battery power is a more popular option due to the ease of use and much cleaner alternative than gas.

With the advancement in rechargeable batteries, you can use it many times with far more power than before. Plus, no need to worry about buying or spilling gasoline in your sprayer.

The only drawback for battery option is that compared to the manual, it is far more expensive.

Sprayer Capacity

You can choose the different capacity of the tank as per your needs. Most garden sprayers in the market have capacity from 1 quart to more than 4 gallons. The handheld sprinklers have lower tank capacity than a backpack and wheeled garden sprayers for apparent reasons.

Choose the tank capacity based on the size of your garden and the intended use of a sprayer. Consider buying the medium size tank if you have challenges in maneuvering larger units. The only downside will be that you have to refill it a couple of more times. But still a far better option than not spraying your garden at all. 

Sprayer Nozzle 

The spray nozzles allow you to spray different spray patterns and covers a variety of plants. Most of the lower end models do not come with extra exchangeable nozzle, but many mid to high range model come with multiple nozzles. You can easily switch it depending on your needs.

The adjustable tip on the nozzle allows you to choose from a stream spray to fine mist. These nozzles are made from bronze, brass or plastic tips. The metallic tip nozzle lasts longer than the plastic nozzle. But the metallic nozzle is more expensive and comes with a mid to higher end model of garden sprayers.

Pump

The pump is the heart of the garden sprayer unit, it is the same as the engine is to your car. Pump buildup the pressure which then forces the solution out of the tank. There are two most common types of pump in the market.

• Diaphragm pump
• Piston pump

Diaphragm pumps are more reliable than piston pumps. Most backpack and wheeled sprayer have diaphragm pumps. The advantage of the diaphragm is that it can be used with a variety of solutions, from water to wet powders. 

The wet powder solutions do not fully dissolve but remain fine solid particles which makes it difficult to spray. The diaphragm pump provides the necessary power and durability to spray it.

Piston pumps are usually found in handheld garden sprayers as it is straightforward to operate. These are used with liquid-based solutions and are far cheaper than the diaphragm based pump.

Cleaning

Cleaning of sprayer after use is essential to remove any slug buildup in the nozzle or in the tank. This is more so when you have used some weed killer or pesticides which are toxic, and you don’t want kids or pets to get in contact.

Cleaning is generally easy for most of the sprayer as after each use you clean it by filling it with soapy water. Then shake the tank, so the soap can reach everywhere and let it work for 10-15 minutes. Then rinse the tank and clean nozzle with a plain water.

Some smaller nozzle may need additional tools to clean it. The garden sprayer unit will contain these particular tools. Keep it safe and don’t lose it; otherwise, you have to buy it separately. Follow any special cleaning instructions recommended by the manufacturer.

Flexibility

Look for the option of higher flexibility with the sprayer. A large extension hose and detachable nozzle will provide you more flexibility. As you can use it effectively at tight or hard to reach spots and even use on delicate flowers.

These flexible options allow you to use the same unit in different scenarios without purchasing separate sprayer.

Materials

The sprayer tank comes in three common types of materials;

• polyethylene plastic
• galvanized steel
• stainless steel

The steel tank is more expensive than plastics. As steel is more durable and last longer than plastics. The downside of steel is that it adds more weight than the plastic.  

For most of the handheld sprinkler and even some backpack, the plastic may be enough to get the job done. Also, if you take good care of plastic, then it may last for several years.

Safety Tips

Safety is essential when you are using a sprayer to spray toxic chemicals such as pesticides or herbicides.

Follow these safety precautions when using your garden sprayer.

• Wear protective clothing such as gloves, face mask, and long sleeves when using the sprayer
• Always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes
• Wash your eyes with clean cold water if you feel irritation in your eyes after spray
• Read the owner’s manual before using the device and be aware of the recommendation by the manufacturer to use the sprayer
• Do not eat or drink while spraying
• Be aware of wind direction and move in the opposite direction to avoid the mist getting on you.
• Take a proper bath after spraying
• Keeps kids and pets away while spraying

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