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Best Garden Sprayers of 2020 – Ultimate Buyers Guide!

garden sprayer header

CONTENTS: 

What You Need to Know About Backpack Sprayers Illustration
What You Need to Know About Backpack Sprayers
what you need to know about tank sprayers
What You Need to Know About Tank Sprayers
hose end sprayer illustration
What You Need to Know About Hose End Sprayers

Jump To The Reviews: 

our favorite sprayers overall
Our Favorite Sprayers Overall
the best overall backpack sprayers
The Best Backpack Sprayers Overall
Our Favorite Tank Sprayers Overall
The Best Tank Sprayers Overall
the best hose end sprayers overall illustration
The Best Hose End Sprayer

The Different Types of Garden Sprayers

1.) Backpack Sprayers 

Backpack garden sprayer benefits

Put in very simple terms, backpack sprayers are more convenient than any other design for covering large swaths of land.

Not only do they hold up to 4-gallons of liquid-solution, they also have durable, corrosion-resistant, light-weight plastic tanks which are really easy to move around with. Most weigh around 10 pounds. 

Piston VS Diaphragm Pump Backpack Sprayers 

So, there are many different models of backpack sprayers that generate pressure in many different ways. Some models use electric or gas power (more on this later), but pump backpack sprayers almost always use either a piston or diaphragm pump. 

A.) Piston Pumps:

piston pump demonstration gif

These pumps produce higher levels of pressure – most average around 60 PSI, but some can reach as high as 90.

The higher pressure produces smaller droplets; this is ideal for precision spraying with herbicides.

However, piston pumps are not great for more caustic concentrates (like bleach) and are much less durable than diaphragm pumps.  

B.) Diaphragm Pumps: 

diaphragm sprayer pump reaches up to 60 psi

Although they don’t create the same level of pressure, diaphragm pumps are highly durable and better for handling corrosive concentrates including pesticides, herbicides, bleach-solutions, and other wettable powders.

Diaphragm pumps create larger droplets.

KEEP IN MIND:

Both pumps require manual pumping to create pressure. 

how to pump a diaphragm pump

This can become really tiring over time!

If you want to spray a large amount of space easily, you should probably consider either a battery or gas powered backpack sprayer. 

gas vs electric garden sprayers infograph


2.) Tank Sprayers

Handheld tank sprayers (also referred to as compression sprayers) are the most frequently used models for garden spraying. I’m sure you’ve seen one before: 

diagram for tank sprayers

These straightforward and durable devices have been used for decades, and it’s not a mystery as to why:

1.) Versatility – Tank sprayers work with basically any concentrates you load them with – even bleach – thanks to their non-corrosive, polyethylene plastic tanks (some tank sprayers have steel tanks). 

2.) Inexpensive – For under $20 you can buy top-of-the-line tank sprayers that seemingly last forever.

3.) Simplicity – Add your concentrated solution, add water up to the labeled fill line, use the pump to pressurize the tank, then begin spraying. Unlike gasoline or electric sprayers, you can begin using tank sprayers straight out of the box! 

Most tank sprayers have over 32 ounces of tank space; some select options, however, have up to 6 gallons!  

3.) Hose End Sprayers

If you’re looking for the most portable and least expensive option, the hose end sprayer is probably right for you. You’ll seldom find one that costs more than $40; most are actually within the $10 – $20 range. 

garden hose sprayer specification image

These sprayers are really great for small backyard gardens or just some pesky driveway weeds. 

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Our Favorite Sprayers OverallOur favorite garden sprayer overall

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Let’s start off with the fundementals: The Tabor Tools n-80 is the best sprayer that you can buy for under $50.

It’s a basic, easy to use, durable tank pump with an adjustable strap, along with a well-made plastic pump handle. 

There’s not much more to be said: if you’re looking for an inexpensive tank to cover a small to a mid-size job, then really, look no further. 


best piston sprayer overall

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Field King is really good at producing high-quality products at relatively inexpensive prices.

This 4-gallon, piston-powered backpack sprayer is great for mid-sized gardens, driveways, and even trees – it has a nozzle that sprays up to 20 feet.

Speaking of nozzles, you get four varieties with the Field King Professional:  

four nozzle diagram for garden sprayer

[I’ve found the foam nozzle really useful for foam weed & grass killers]


The Best Backpack Sprayers 

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Coming in 2nd to the Field King Professional, the Chapin 62000 Tree & Turf Pro is the gold-standard high-end backpack sprayer. Along with a consistent 21 PSI spray steam and 4-gallon tank, you get a triple stage filtration system with an easy to clean water-filter & reliable piston operated pump.

1.) Comes with both poly fan, poly cone, and adjustable brass nozzles W/ push and grip shut off features. 

2.) Lumbar support W/ high-quality straps and a back pad.

3.) Easy and quick to put together – great instructions.

If you don’t care about comfort and want to save a few bucks, Chapin also offers the 61900 which is the same model but without the added lumbar support or comfort straps. 


Top Garden Sprayer pick

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The 63985 Wide Mouth is Chapin’s best battery powered sprayer. At up to 40 PSI of spray stream and a max vertical of 27-feet, you’ll have no problem covering large swaths of land with relative ease. 

best backpack sprayer review information

The 6-inch mouth opening allows for easy filling and cleaning 

Diagram of chapin battery backpack sprayer

The 20-volt battery is attatched to a simple slide-on-rail and is waterproof. 


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The Hudson 97157 has a spray stream that reaches roughly 10-feet, weighs less than 15-pounds, and has comfortable, easy to adjust straps.

Like the Chapin 63985, the fill-hole is large enough for easy mixing and cleaning; I can’t understate how important this is: small fill-holes are a headache to deal with!

Beneath the fill hole is a plastic strainer that should be regularly rinsed.

This is Hudson’s most popular sprayer selection.


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If you want the most power for the cheapest price, the solo 425 4-gallon piston sprayer may be what you’re looking for. You’re reading the product box above correctly: this product has a high-performance piston pump that can create up to 90-psi of pressure.

It even comes with an adjustable pressure regulator that sets in four different positions – 15, 30, 45 and 60 psi – and four different nozzle assortments including a hollow cone, fan spray, and jet stream selection.

Add a 4-gallon tank and deluxe shoulder straps plus a waistband and man oh man, you will not find a better sprayer for this price point. 


The Best Tank Sprayers

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Similarto the Field King Professional, the Smith Contractor has 5 separate nozzles for optimum spraying: the adjustable brass for solid streams and fine mist; the high volume fan nozzle for broad coverage, wide area spraying; the low volume fan nozzle for precision spraying; and of course, the foaming nozzle.

This model also has a pressure relief valve for when the pump exceeds 60 psi, preventing over-compression. 


garden pump pressure sprayer

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The Sports God Lawn and Garden Pump can spray up to 20-feet, has a dynamic wand with comfort-grip, and an easy-filling, wide tank. It’s also lightweight and comes with a shoulder strap for extra portability.

The tank is a bit smaller (1-gallon) compared to most other selections within this price range, but you may actually find the extra bit of mobility more valuable than an extra gallon of storage. 


The Best Hose End Sprayer

the Ortho Dial N' Spray is Our Favorite Garden Hose-End Sprayer

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The Dial N’ Spray is the only hose end Sprayer that I routinely use. It’s remarkably inexpensive and loaded with options, including 14 dials for differing product amounts and 4 different spray options; it’s also ideal for small weeding or garden jobs.

The extended handle is wonderful for avoiding water-drip and honestly, it just feels great to hold. 

Some Other Hose End Sprayer Options:

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