In the world of pest control, it is rarely ever mentioned how pressure sprayers and the role they play are just as important as the chemicals they administer. The best pressure sprayers give just as much vitality to an effective insecticide as the chemical itself.
Additionally, they can be used to administer weed killing products in the garden, or just to water plants and foliage, making garden pressure sprayers a truly versatile product for any liquid application.
Types of Pressure Sprayers
There are so many types of pressure sprayers available to buy depending on what you wish to use them for. If you enjoy administering your preferred chemicals at a leisurely pace, then simple hand pressure sprayers are a good fit, if you like to have the sprayer do the work, then professional grade sprayers or battery powered sprayers would be a good fit. There are many models to consider.
Best Garden Sprayers 2020 Comparison
Last update on 2023-02-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Guide to the Best Garden Pressure Sprayers
In this guide we have researched and detailed everything you need to know about garden pressure sprayers and the different types available.
- The features and uses that come with eight of the best professional, battery powered and hand pressure sprayers on the market
- How to use each applicative sprayer
- Suggested chemicals for certain sprayers
- How to clean the various types of sprayers
- How far pump sprayers spray
- What sprayers work best for pest control
For the benefits of trying to decide where to look in such a wide field, we here at City Pests have
assembled eight of the best pressure sprayers with reviews of each for your consideration. Please continue to read and explore the guide:
Pest Control Spraying
For pest control, possessing a powerful and well-built pressure sprayer is a necessity if you wish to apply the chemicals where they can truly make a difference, such as cracks and crevices. In fact, there is an entire science in and of itself dedicated to pressure sprayers for insecticides. A good sprayer can make or break pest control applications.
"Variables include spray settings such as nozzle orifice size, sprayer speed, water carrier rate and adjuvant, and weather variables such as barometric pressure, relative humidity, temperature, and wind speed at ground level."
Garden and Lawn Maintenance Use
But it isn’t just pest control spraying that benefits from good spraying equipment, weed maintenance in lawns and gardens also requires a pressurized spraying application to stand out as an effective weed sprayer. Garden sprayers can serve many purposes in both the realm of pest control as well as regular lawn and weed maintenance.
Professional Pressure Sprayers
When determining what sprayer will get the job done in a thorough and effective manner, a professional-grade sprayer may be your best bet. Spraying insecticide can have its advantages, in that you are delivering a more concentrated dose of poison to your pests. The chemicals have a stronger chance of killing the insects in the area, but there are drawbacks to using a smaller or aerosol spray.
Aerosol sprays tend to cover a smaller area than what you can achieve with professional sprayers, which means you have to use more aerosol sprays to achieve consistent results. Aerosol sprays can also prove more harmful to yourself and others, as you are having to rapidly spray a concentrated dose of poison in areas where other people and pets have to live and eat. Depending on the formula, sprays also have a better chance (albeit a small one) of getting onto surfaces, and are generally only effective soon after they are applied.
As you can probably tell, they aren’t nearly as effective as other methods. Many places that spray will do so at certain times of day, hoping to catch as many insects still in the air as they can. This doesn’t do anything for insects, such as bed bugs, that are hiding in cracks and crevices or that are missed by the initial spraying. It also doesn’t help with the airborne insects that professional sprayers can catch.
Sprays are great for their higher fatality rate, but the time involved with laying down a good coating of spray can be both costly and tedious, which is why this article will present five of the best pesticide sprayers.
Battery Operated and Hand Pressure Sprayers
Professional sprayers certainly work to address all of your pest control or herbicidal needs, but battery powered sprayers can increase the output of traditional sprayers substantially.
Battery operated sprayers (hand pumps, hand cans, and backpacks) are designed for spot treatment and for spraying smaller areas such as tree seedlings, small lawns, or flower beds not suitable for professional sprayers.
As is true for all sprayers used for the application of chemicals, application accuracy with battery powered and hand pressure sprayers are affected by travel speed, nozzle type, and spray pressure.
Uniform distribution of sprays can be difficult even with training and regular calibration. The importance of application accuracy must be applied to all spraying equipment types, including Battery powered and hand powered sprayers.
Always remember to maintain a uniform walking speed, which is essential to keeping the application rate relatively uniform throughout the operation. A higher travel speed will result in a lower application rate. Maintaining a uniform spraying pressure is also essential both for keeping the application rate and the droplet size uniform during the application. Lowering the spraying pressure leads to higher application rates, and larger droplets.
It also helps to maintain the optimum spraying distance between the nozzle and the target. This will help prevent oversaturation of an area with product. Battery powered sprayers are ideal for doing most of the spraying work for you, and for added benefit, you can consider a rechargeable battery powered garden sprayer to make the process easily repeatable without constant battery replacement.
Best Garden Sprayers 2020 Reviews
1. Roundup Backpack Sprayer
Roundup is a prestigious company within the herbicidal industry and consistently strives to create products that make the health of your lawn and garden their top priority. The Roundup 190314 is a professional-grade sprayer that features a 4-Gallon sprayer, a heavy-duty poly wand with shut-off featuring a comfort grip lock for continuous spraying. This model also features an in-line filter and Viton seals and gaskets throughout the pump and shut-off for long lasting chemical resistance.
This Roundup backpack sprayer meets all your spraying needs – Whether it's cleaning, sealing, fertilizing your lawn or garden, or controlling insects in your yard. One of the featured standouts of this model is undoubtedly the backpack strap that aids in making the spraying process ergonomic and suited to your carrying capacity. The poly wand is also one of the best in this line of sprayers, due to its adjustable reach and nozzle configuration. If using this model for pest control, this wand is incredibly versatile for accessing small cracks and crevices.
We give this model our top rating due to the incredible ease and comfort of maneuvering around with the model, as well as the superior filtration system. The poly wand is also a great addition and allows for an incredible amount of spaying diversity, either through weed killing or pest control. If you only consider one professional sprayer, this model is hard to beat.
Pros
- Holds up to 4 gallons of chemical
- Versatile poly wand with shut-off feature
- Features three nozzles for multiple spraying performance
- Backpack support
Cons
- Requires a lot of pumping
- Requires drying after use to resist chemical build up and clogs
2. Field King Professional
The Field King 190328 by D.B. Smith is the stand out in this field when it comes to pumping technology. This model can aggregate chemicals to exceed their initial potency to aid in more effective killing of weeds or pests.
Field King does the work of a piston or diaphragm backpack sprayer. The exclusive, internal no leak pump keeps your back and clothing dry.
The paddles keep liquids, powders, and water-soluble solutions mixed, in solution, and ready to spray. Also, the pump features Viton seals that can be easily changed within minutes without tools, which let’s face it, is a pretty attractive option. The premium shut-off offers a comfort grip, lockable trigger to prevent hand fatigue, and a removable in-line filter to reduce clogging.
The Field King Backpack Sprayer is capable of spraying up to 150 PSI – perfect for those hard-to-reach areas. The included pressure regulator maintains a low, continuous 25 PSI (great for spraying herbicides and weed killers). The tank has a built-in carry handle with wand storage. With adjustable padded straps, waist belt and chest cinch strap, the backpack ensures comfort while you work.
Multiple nozzles are included for ultimate versatility: brass adjustable nozzle (enables stream to cone patterns), wide flat fan nozzle (red, 0.25 GPM, angled at 70°), narrow flat fan nozzle (yellow, 0.15 GPM, angled at 30°), and foaming nozzle. In addition, this model also accepts TeeJet nozzles.
With all of these amazing features, you may wonder why this isn’t our top pick, it certainly is in terms of capacity and performance, but the Roundup 190314 offers most of the same features for a fraction of the cost, but if cost is no concern, this model is certainly in the top tier.
Pros
- Internal pump design is safer to use chemicals that will not drip down your back. Internal piston pump delivers up to 150 PSI
- Durable, 21 inch poly wand with the highest quality Viton seals can be used with wettable powders and liquids for all applications does the work of both a piston and diaphragm backpack
- Premium, lockable shut off with brass components and an in-line filter
- Easy access pump allows changing of seals in just minutes with no tools
- 4 nozzles included: brass adjustable, 2 flat fans, and foaming nozzle. Also accepts TeeJet nozzles
Cons
- One of the pricier of professional sprayers
- Prone to leaks
- The powerful pumping can cause leak explosions
3. CLICIC Pump Pressure Sprayer
CLICIC is a company that specializes in creating products that stand the test of time. This 1.5-Gallon hand-pumped sprayer is a practical and multi-functional tool for indoor and outdoor use.
Featuring stainless steel, and boasting a large flow piston rod with a humanized handle, it is designed for easy use and also for quickly building up air pressure with no need for an outlet or cumbersome extension cords.
A good choice for home, gardening, vehicle cleaning, carpet cleaning, and ground cleaning. The barometer on this sprayer can see the state of pressure inside the tank intuitively and quickly and accurately pump to the ideal working pressure range.
This model also comes with a safety valve that makes it safe and easy to release internal pressure before opening the tank when the pressure is too high. Featuring a large bowl-shaped water mouth opening, it is convenient and easy for filling, cleaning and less spilling.
The true standout of this model is undoubtedly the stainless steel composition. Although this unit requires some extra time when cleaning, the steel is built to last and that is always a plus with any kind of equipment.
Pros
- All-stainless steel construction: The pump, tank, cover, wand, pump handle, and wand handle are all made from corrosion-resistant stainless steel.
- Braided Chemical Resistant Hose, not cheap plastic - with Viton seals and gaskets
- Built-in pressure gauge: Quickly and accurately pump to the ideal working pressure range
- Curved nozzle design
- It's air-tight, non-corrosive and leak-proof with high-quality o-rings. And the even, adjustable spray is perfect for misting, soaking and all your needs
- Easy to operate: Add solution, use the hand pump to build up air pressure, and then start spraying with the wand
- Multi-functional: Practical compression sprayer for indoor and outdoor use
- This sturdy sprayer is compatible with most commercial liquid fertilizers
Cons
- Requires a lot of cleaning to keep in good appearance
- Pressure valves are not in sync with updated technology
- Prone to leaks
4. Chapin Multi-Purpose Pressure Sprayer
When it comes to sprayers, Chapin is a company that is well-trusted. The Chapin 1-Gallon Poly Lawn and Garden sprayer with foaming and adjustable cone nozzle is ideal for weed control, pest control and fertilizers.
It features Chapin's unique in-tank anti-clog filter, for a clog-free, steady spray. The Foaming Nozzle allows you to mark where you have just sprayed to decrease the amount of materials you use and more accuracy in spraying.
An ergonomic pump handle makes pumping and carrying easy. The lightweight, rust-free polyethylene tank is translucent so it's easy to check fluid levels.
Most of all, you can gain peace of mind by purchasing this product, since Chapin is one of the most well-known and trusted lawn and garden sprayer manufacturers in the world.
Pros
- Includes two nozzles: a foaming nozzle for using less material with increased accuracy of spray on your target, and an adjustable Cone nozzle that casts numerous spray patterns to give you many choices
- 1-Gallon translucent tank with a wide funnel top for easy filling and cleaning
- Made in the USA with global materials
- Compatible with Common fertilizers, weed killers, and pesticides
- In-tank, Anti-Clog Filter
- Ergonomic handle for easy pumping and carrying
- Includes a 12-inch wand, 34-inch hose, and comfortable spray handle
- Adjustable spray/flow Rate between 0. 4 and 0. 5 GPM
- One-year warranty available
Cons
- Wand and hose are not as durable as other models
- Requires frequent pumping
- Not many spray pattern choices
5. Sprayers Plus Battery Operated Sprayer
Professional sprayers are known for their versatility in tasks, but there are some differences dependent upon the model of choice. The YT25E by Sprayers Plus is a professional hand-held sprayer with an integration of all the best features you need in professional landscaping or pest control. Every material and feature employed on the YT25E makes no deficiency to professionals.
Featuring a brass wand, adjustable brass nozzle, high-grading Viton and professional filtration, the YT25E has enhanced the quality and durability to the maximum. This model is also slim and easily compatible with most backpack mounts, which will make all of your spraying needs comforting and easy. The YT25E is a superior model in the realm of professional sprayers and is a great selection to consider.
Pros
- High grade and reliable
- Brass features ensure product longevity
- Lightweight and ultra-portable
- Features 30 PSI
Cons
- There are some chemical limitations with this model
- Prone to leaks
6. Vivosun
This Vivosun sprayer is controlled by a simple hand pump that increases the pressure within the device and then operates the spray.
Adding chemicals or water into the pump is simple. Unscrew the top and pour the liquid into the extra-wide mouth and funnel, screw the top back on, and you’re ready to garden. This works just as well for other spraying actions, such as pest control.
With an extra-long, 56.6 cm wand, you can spray hard-to-reach areas just as easily. This model offers a perfect introduction to battery powered sprayers and takes the work out of spraying.
Pros
- Multi- Functional use: This practical 1.3 gallon pump pressure sprayer is good to use for indoor and outdoor use
- Easy Filling: Super large bowl mouth and funnel design at the top allows you to achieve easy, no-mess filling. You just need to simply unscrew, fill up the bottle and close the lid. Pump up the pressure and you are ready to go
- Translucent bottle: Unlike other invisible bottle, this VIVOSUN pump pressure sprayer contains a translucent bottle with calibration scale
- You can easily check the fluid level and know exactly when to refill
- Comfort and safety: 56.5cm long practical watering wand gives a better reach, it helps you to reach some inaccessible places. Each Sprayer comes with a heavy duty shoulder strap and a pair of gloves
- The comfort- grip handle has a shut-off valve, so you can carry the sprayer over your shoulder and rest your hand while keeping a constant flow
- Thickened bottom can significantly improve its durability and stability
- One-year warranty available
Cons
- Prone to leaks
- Battery powered technology can be hard to control
- Small tank capacity
7. Smith Performance Sprayers
Smith Performance Sprayers are built to work as hard as you do. They are durable, professional products with an emphasis on chemical resistance and built to withstand the most demanding work conditions.
The R200 2-Gallon Turf and Agricultural Series Compression Sprayer is perfect for landscapers, lawn care services, or even golf course maintenance professionals, but they can also simply serve their purpose as a regular weed sprayer. Whether you are killing weeds, applying insecticides, or spraying fertilizers, the R200 sprayer will withstand the toughest chemicals while maintaining the strength and performance a professional needs.
This sprayer features a lockable shut-off to reduce hand fatigue, a nickel-plated brass poppet for strength and precision, and an easy-to-clean, in-line filtration system. Viton seals offer the best chemical resistance to lawn and garden chemicals and are easily changed without using tools. The pressure release valve not only prevents over compression, but also helps prevent chemicals dispersing from the tank onto the user prior to opening.
Additionally, multiple nozzles are included for ultimate versatility: high foaming nozzle (enables visible confirmation of covered area), wide flat fan nozzle (red, 0.25 GPM, angled at 70 Degree), narrow flat fan nozzle (yellow, 0.15 GPM, angled at 30 Degree), and adjustable brass nozzle (enables stream to cone patterns).
This model also accepts TeeJet nozzles and includes a nylon shoulder strap, to make the purchase even more beneficial.
Pros
- Professional grade sprayer and components built to withstand harsh agricultural chemicals along with rugged transport and use
- Durable, 21 inch stainless steel wand with exclusive poly lining and the highest quality Viton seals for maximum chemical resistance
- Highly efficient pump requires 25% fewer pumps per gallon than leading competitor
- In-line, easy-to-access filter has more surface area than leading competitors which reduces clogging and minimizes cleaning
- Faster, easier repair, pump seals can be changed within minutes without tools, which equals less downtime
- One-year warranty available
Cons
- Pumping mechanism can be difficult to handle
- Prone to leaks
8. Coregear Classic
Smaller is indeed sometimes better. The best hand pressure sprayers will always feature convenience and ease of use for smaller pest control and herbicidal tasks. The COREGEAR Classic is a hand pressure sprayer that functions in much the same way as a full-scale professional or battery operated sprayer, just on a much smaller scale.
Many people find these sprayers useful as tools to cool down ambient air temperature, but they can just as easily offer a full blast of chemicals for pests and even as an applicator for weed spraying.
You can carry this sprayer virtually anywhere and it would be a welcome addition to any camping or hiking trip when traditional methods for killing pests are not readily available. This model will likely not meet all of your comprehensive herbicidal or pest control needs, but it is a welcome addition if you need to apply spot treatments or have a tool for pest control on the go.
Pros
- High quality, brass nozzle applicator
- Carrying strap with belt/bag clip for on the go portabilit
- Lightweight and easy-to-use
- Money back guarantee
Cons
- Not a comprehensive wee or pest control killer
- Performance capabilities are suitable small
Related Garden Pressure Sprayer Questions:
How to use a garden pressure sprayer
Now you have selected your pressure sprayer of choice, the next step is understanding exactly how to use it. All sprayers are pretty universal in their actions, so the first step would be to remove the tank lid and close down any applicable valves to avoid product splatter. You may also want to wear gloves and a respirator mask if you are working with chemicals.
Next, you will want to fill the tank with the required water and chemical ratio depending on the type of chemical you are using. You will also want to make sure that you adequately measure the amount of area you wish to cover and multiply accordingly based upon the chemical instructions. Then, close the lid and begin pumping to aggregate the mixture for maximum potency.
Next, you can begin to adjust the applicable nozzle to reach the desired amount of spray coverage you require. For pest control, this is usually measured in square footage and most chemicals will cover anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet of coverage. The key to spraying is to adjust the nozzle accordingly based upon the task you are performing. For plants, this can be a wide spray dimension and for pest control, narrow is usually better in order to get into cracks and crevices.
Once finished, you are ready to clean.
Cleaning and maintenance
Cleaning a garden sprayer is also fairly universal across any model. The first thing you will want to do is to thoroughly rinse the tank reservoir to remove any chemical residue, which if left uncleaned can cause equipment and filter clogs.
Additionally, you may want to soak all the applicators and even the tank in warm soapy water to increase the loosening of built-up chemicals.
For stainless steel sprayers, you can follow this method as well, but you will want to thoroughly allow the sprayer to dry to prevent any rust from forming. Also, it is a good idea to polish any stainless steel products to prevent calcium deposits.
The most important thing to remember when cleaning sprayers is to completely remove the chemical residue from all components of the sprayer. This is crucial to prevent equipment malfunction.
For battery operated sprayers, take extra care to avoid wetting any of the electrical components of the sprayer. So, basically, soap, warm water, rinsing, and drying are the key components to cleaning any garden sprayer.
What to look for when buying
All of the above mentioned products are great additions to consider when surveying the various types of garden sprayers. Some things to keep in mind are how large of an area you need to spray and how often you will need to spray.
A professional sprayer is a great product to invest in, but if you only have a tiny area to cover, a handheld pressure sprayer would be a more efficient purchase.
Additionally, warranties are always a great thing when investing in any type of equipment. Some companies offer them and others don’t. If you are paying for an expensive product, a warranty could very well be a possible selling point to consider. The above products have been thoroughly vetted and reviewed to make this process easy for you.
How far will they spray? What's the distance?
Pump sprayers can range in diameter in how far their spray reaches. Although, it isn’t always important to consider how far a sprayer can reach, but more so how efficient a sprayer is in administering a chemical. Most sprayers can reach upwards of 10-20 feet in spray reach. A far spray reach is important for areas that are hidden or obstructed in pest control.
For weed spraying, the distance a spray can reach is not as important as how thorough the sprayer is in administering the chemical. With that being said, the further a sprayer can reach, the less distance you will have to travel to administer the chemical. So, 10-20 feet is a good consistency to remember with garden sprayers.
Buyer’s Guide to Garden Sprayers
Product Volume:
The tank is usually the most important aspect of a garden sprayer across any sub-type. The more volume capacity of the sprayer, the longer and easier the job will be. If you have a comprehensive spraying job ahead of you, definitely go with a model that has a large gallon capacity, but if you only need to do spot treatments or watering, a handheld sprayer is certainly applicable.
Durability:
There are thousands of off-brand sprayers on the retail market and nearly all of these types of sprayers are made from cheap and easily degraded material. Invest in a model of sprayer that is made from durable and quality materials. The higher the quality, the better and longer the performance.
Usefulness:
In addition to the tank, the nozzles and applicators of a sprayer are the next most important component to consider before purchase. A wide array of nozzles is always a good sign, as this will allow you to administer chemicals in a wide variety of geometrical circumstances.
Comfort:
Utilizing a sprayer can take time, which means it is also important to remember the comfort level of maneuvering with the sprayer. Backpack sprayers have this aspect nailed by allowing the equipment to be mounted to the back and shoulder, which eases any discomfort in these areas.
The Bottom Line:
Garden sprayers compose a wide variety in the insecticide and herbicide market, with so many different varieties, some guidance is needed to make sense of the types and their uses.
Professional sprayers are always a good choice and are pretty universal in their methodologies.
Battery powered sprayers take the concepts of professional sprayers to the next level, by allowing you to allow the sprayer to take control and do most of the work.
Handheld pressure sprayers are also worth mentioning, since these are sometimes all that is needed for small projects.
This market is comprehensive and these selected reviews will help you in not only deciding what sprayer is best for you, but also how to use sprayers for all of your pest control and lawn and garden needs.
Reference:
Nansen, C., et al. (2015). Optimizing pesticide spray coverage. Retrieved from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13593-015-0309-y.
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