What to Look for in a Good Backpack Sprayer

Durability Vs Usage

You don’t want to be going through the process of finding a replacement backpack weed sprayer too soon, so investing in the best quality you can afford makes good sense to ensure its longevity.

For use on your own land, the sprayer may only get an outing a couple of times a year and could last a lifetime. If you’re a commercial operator, it’ll be used on an almost daily basis, so dependability is as important as durability.

Shoulder & Back Comfort

Since you’re likely to be using your sprayer for longish periods – often hours at a time if you have a large area to spray - comfort is important. Moreover, since a full tank weighs a considerable amount, you must be careful not to do actual damage to your spine and shoulders.

Another factor to bear in mind is the width of the shoulder straps – the rule is that the wider the straps, the better the spread of the load. Padded shoulder straps are also worth looking out for to enhance comfort and back and shoulder strain.

Which Chemicals It Allows

You’ll need to do careful research into the chemicals which can be used in the sprayer. There’s little point in investing a considerable sum in the purchase and then finding that it’s not suitable for the chemicals you need to use.

Easy to Clean & Maintain

No one likes cleaning and maintaining tools like this but it is, of course, an essential job to ensure that the sprayer is kept in optimum condition and serves you well for a long time to come.

Some sprayers are more straightforward to maintain than others and it’s worth taking note of this before you purchase.

Safety Features

Working with chemicals is at best unpleasant and at worst actively dangerous, so it’s essential that the backpack weed sprayer you choose is designed with your safety and your health in mind. These aren’t things which should ever be compromized.

1. Field King Max 190348 Professional Backpack Sprayer

2. Chapin International 61500

Whether you’re a pro or a having a go at DIY but you have a limited budget, then our suggestion for the most competitively-priced best backpack sprayer is the Chapin International 61500.

This sprayer is super-easy to use, so you’ll be able to get on with the job in no time and it’s really easy to clean up afterwards. You don’t need to worry about those unpleasant chemicals trickling down your back as this sprayer is virtually leak-free.

With a spray range of 25 feet horizontal and 23 feet vertical, it’ll be easier than you think to spray those hard-to-access areas. The 4-gallon tank will allow you to cover a large area quickly and efficiently and the padded straps and back pad make it comfortable to wear for as long as the job takes.

The plastic nozzle has a spray tip which adjusts from a fine mist to a focused stream depending on the job in hand.

3. Roundup 190314 Backpack Sprayer

If you’re looking for the best backpack sprayer for Roundup, then take a look at this selection, which is an economical and practical choice.

And it’s not just useful for spraying herbicide – it’s just as handy for cleaning large areas like walls and patios, fertilizing your lawn or tackling an insect infestation in your garden.

The piston pump means better pressure with fewer pumps and the Viton seals and gaskets are specially designed for chemical resistance. The tank has a large opening for easy filling and a basket filter to prevent debris entering the tank, so reducing clogging.

The pump handle is reversible for left or right-handers and there’s a built-in carry handle on the tank for easy manoeuvring. There are multiple nozzles included to create everything from a fine mist to a steady direct stream.

The harness is designed for comfort, with padded straps, waist belt and chest cinch strap – all this means that you can work in greater comfort for longer and get the job done.

4. My 4 Sons Battery Powered Backpack Sprayer

Our top choice for the best battery powered commercial sprayer is this all-round domestic and garden helper from My 4 Sons.

If you’ve already had experience of manual pump sprayers and have had enough of the hard labor of constant pumping, then you’ll really appreciate this M4 battery-operated sprayer. If your budget allows, then don’t think twice about opting for a powered version.

The batteries pack a lot of punch and they can pump at least 200 gallons before requiring recharging with AC charger provided (recharge takes 8 hours). Changing the batteries is super-simple and quick – 30 seconds and you’re done!

The wand is made from durable stainless steel and the sprayer is supplied with a selection of nozzles to achieve a variety of spray effects. A plastic wand is also provided which is compatible with acids and bleaches.

The pressure output is variable, which makes this sprayer useful for a whole host of applications. Its versatility is one of the reasons the M4 sprayer is so popular for commercial use.

5. Chapin International 63985

If you’re looking for a cheaper battery powered sprayer, then the Chapin International 63985 is a strong contender. It features a 20V Lithium Ion battery from Black & Decker which will give you nearly 2 hours of continuous spraying on one charge – that’s up to 50 gallons.

A battery charger is also included. Another great feature of this sprayer is that it has an exceptionally wide 6” mouth for easy filling and cleaning.

It’s also noticeably less heavy than many similar products which enhances comfort and the deluxe shoulder straps are padded too, to maximize comfort when using this sprayer. Of course, if you don’t have to pump manually, it’ll be a lot less physical effort for you to use this battery powered sprayer than a manual unit.

The unit comes with 3 nozzles for a variety of applications, from fertilizing to insect control. There’s also a built-in 3 stage filtration process to ensure that no debris clogs up the nozzle tip.

With its 35-40 psi pressure, this sprayer has an impressive 35ft maximum horizontal and 27ft vertical spray stream. Being a diaphragm pump, it can be used with wettable powder and liquid chemicals, including bleach.

6. Solo 475-B Diaphragm Pump Backpack Sprayer

Our recommendation for the best diaphragm backpack sprayer is this high-performing product from Solo. The benefit of a diaphragm sprayer is that is can be used with wettable powders, liquid formulations and bleach solutions.

The diaphragm is made from material designed for its resistance to harsh chemicals, including bleach, a feature which extends its useful life.

This sprayer is designed for all types of spraying jobs including disinfectants, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and fertilizers. It’s supplied with 4 assorted durable brass and plastic nozzles for use in a variety of applications.

The adjustable pressure regulator means you can select from 4 options - 15, 30, 45 and 60 psi – which is a useful feature if you’re using the sprayer for different purposes around your property and household.

Comfort for the wearer is enhanced by deluxe padded straps and waist belt to ensure a snug fit. This sprayer stores away neatly when not in use, with a special wand retainer which also improves portability, so it won’t get in your way when you don’t need to use it.

7. Petra Electric Fogger Atomizer Backpack Sprayer

If you’re in a situation where you have AC power available nearby, then why not save yourself the effort of pumping or the bother of re-charging batteries and choose an electric backpack sprayer?

This is our choice for the best electric powered sprayer. If you’re looking for the best atomizer sprayer/mist blower/fogger, then this is the one you’ve been searching for. It’s ideal for commercial pest control but also for home use to save money on paying commercial operators to do the job.

Its premium 1200W motor can shoot up to 15 ft of chemicals so you can cover your field, yard, crops, garden or orchards in record time. There’s an adjustable screw so you can easily change the rate of flow at any time to suit the conditions.

The Petra atomizer is industrial grade and can spray a wide variety of foliar feed chemicals as well as pest and disease control products.

Provided with a large commercial extended coil hose, you can easily extend this hose above your head to reach taller plants and trees and hard-to-reach areas.

The wide mouth opening makes it easy to fill and the screen filter will keep any debris from entering the tank and clogging the nozzle. The heavy-duty backpack straps are designed with comfort in mind, so you’ll be able to carry the atomizer comfortably for extended periods.

8. Tomahawk Gas Power Pesticide/Fertilizer Backpack Sprayer

With its powerful but lightweight 1.8hp engine, this product from Tomahawk is our pick for the best gas powered sprayer, especially for commercial use.

It’s at the higher end of the price range for sprayers, so you may not want to invest so much if you’re looking for a domestic sprayer. If your budget allows, though, this unit would do a great job around the home – you’d end up saving money on paying for commercial services.

This gas powered sprayer works fast. Its 6.6 gallon tank allows you to cover 1 acre of land in just 15 minutes. There’s no stopping, starting or tiresome pumping to be done, which is one of the biggest benefits of gas powered versus manual sprayers.

It features reduced vibration to maintain operator comfort, with adjustable backpack straps and cushioning to distribute weight evenly to reduce fatigue. The impressive 30ft range of spraying power also helps to get the job done quicker.

The wand is adaptable to a wide range of attachments, so it’s suitable for all sorts of chemicals and applications whether domestic, commercial or agricultural.

9. Solo 451 Gas Powered Lightweight Mist Blower

Our top choice for the best backpack mist blower is this unit from Solo, featuring a lightweight 2-stroke engine which delivers an impressive 2.9hp. At the top of the price range for backpack sprayers, the Solo 451 is perfect for commercial applications and is designed with large-scale operations in mind.

Not only is it perfect for plant protection, this mister can also be used for disinfection, parasite control in animal herds, in stables, storage areas, ships and containers and for mosquito control.

It comes with a range of accessories which increase its versatility, including a range of nozzles designed for different applications. You can increase the spray width with the wide spray grille. The nozzle with single-sided deflector enables easier spraying of rows of crops and also means you can reach underneath leaves.

There’s also a double-sided deflector so you can treat two rows at a time, improving efficiency and reducing spraying time. Chemical usage can be controlled effectively by the chemical metering valve, maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste.

Types of Backpack Sprayers

When it comes to the wide variety of backpack sprayers on the market it is easy to get confused. There are many makes, models and sizes. These 2 styles of backpacks below are the main options that we have covered throughout out article.

Manual (Hand Pump)

Although manual pump sprayers are relatively inexpensive compared to their motorized counterparts and also the most commonly used, long term usage can cause fatigue in the hand and arm.

It all comes down to the size of the area you’re intending to treat. A manual pump will do an effective job if the area isn’t too large.

If you’re left-handed, you’ll probably benefit from tracking down a manual pump sprayer which can be adapted to left or right-hand operation.

What Chemicals Can You Spray

It’s vital that you check the manufacturer’s manual supplied with your sprayer to identify that it’s safe to use the particular chemicals you’re intending to use.

For example, it’s not recommended to use wettable powders with piston sprayers as they clog the mechanism. Similarly, you can’t use abrasive substances in a piston sprayer because they will damage the piston.

Depending on the type of sprayer you have, this is a range of possible substances you can use:

People Also Ask (FAQs)

How do you calibrate a backpack sprayer?

This can be a complex task, albeit an important one to ensure maximum efficiency of your spraying campaign. The video below explains the necessary steps very simply.

How do you use a backpack sprayer efficiently?

The recommended spray volume to cope with different conditions is usually indicated on the packaging of the product you are using. It may look something like this:

Selecting the correct nozzle will also help with efficiency so be sure to consult the manual provided with the sprayer to identify the correct nozzle and spray pattern for the intended purpose and in the prevailing conditions.

What distance do these spray guns reach?

This will always vary depending on the power of the wand, the level of pressure, the choice of nozzle and the prevailing conditions. It’s important to make sure that the sprayer you buy has a sufficient reach for its intended purpose.

Failure to do this will result in wastage of expensive chemicals since they won’t reach their intended target, causing unnecessary environmental contamination and also a waste of money.

How do you take apart and clean or repair a backpack sprayer?

This will, of course, depend on the product you’ve purchased and you should always refer to the manufacturer’s manual for instructions.

On the whole, modern backpack sprayers are designed for ease of maintenance and only a few simple guidelines need to be followed to keep the equipment in optimum condition:

Are the spray systems comfortable and safe to carry?

Always follow manufacturer’s guidance on safe use of the equipment. Comfort levels vary but our suggestion is to look for backpack sprayers with fully adjustable preferably padded straps and harness to achieve the best fit and therefore greater comfort.

What other safety gear should I wear when spraying?

Make no mistake that many of the chemicals you’ll be handling pose a threat to human health. It’s essential, therefore, to wear appropriate personal protection equipment, including eye protection, chemical-resistant gloves, and coveralls and when necessary, chemical-resistant clothing and a respirator.

Don’t cut any corners when it comes to safety. Guidance will always be provided on the chemical packaging as to the correct safety gear for the product.

Conclusion

Armed with all these facts about what to look for in the best backpack sprayer and our list of reviewed products, you’re now much better informed and less likely to be bamboozled into buying the wrong sprayer for the job you want to do.

Working with chemicals is never pleasant and, of course, can be a threat to your health and to the environment, so making sure you’ve got the most efficient and effective product that’s specifically designed for the task is a step in the right direction.

Take a look at our selection of the best backpack sprayers for everything from weed control to insect infestation. Choose the right one for your needs and it’ll be a really versatile and labor-saving addition to your household and garden equipment.