Best backpack sprayer

Add a backpack sprayer to your garden kit to easily keep pests at bay. It can help you target weeds accurately as well and comes in handy when delivering fertiliser, too. You’ll have to decide what tank capacity is best for your garden area and the tasks you want to carry out. We’ve included different sizes in our selection. It’s also worth considering whether a powered version is worthwhile to save you effort. Check out our favourites to find the best for your plot.

This well-priced backpack sprayer is an all-rounder that can be used for pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and fertilisers, as well as watering. It has a pump action with an adjustable nozzle from spray to mist. With a medium capacity of 5 litres, it shouldn’t prove too heavy for most users as the weight when filled is 5.4 kilograms. The bottle is marked in litres as well as fluid ounces to make filling and mixing accurate. A wand that’s 560 millimetres in length makes reaching awkward spots in the garden easy. Bear in mind that it actually goes on one shoulder rather than centrally, which won’t suit everyone.

This backpack sprayer can help with a whole variety of tasks, including eliminating pests and weeds, fertilising plants, and cleaning the patio and garden furniture. With a 5-litre capacity, it’s best suited to small to medium-sized gardens or users who’d prefer a lighter load. It’s another of our picks that has a single shoulder strap, but it’s easy to keep in place during use. I like the clear markings on the translucent bottle for accurate filling. The trigger allows continuous spraying to make tasks easier, and the nozzle can be adjusted from spray to mist.

If you have a large garden or a sizeable pest or weed problem, this 20-litre capacity backpack sprayer could be the design for you. It’s made for both herbicides and insecticides and comes with two nozzles, including a flat fan and adjustable cone, so it can be adapted to the job. With a total length of around 2 metres (tube and lance together), it will let you reach as necessary. I like the fact that the part of the tank that sits on your back is ergonomically shaped for comfort. Once filled, though, it will prove too weighty for some gardeners.

This backpack sprayer has a lance that’s 90-centimetres in length, making it simple to access hard-to-reach places in your garden. I’m a fan of the large opening, which makes filling the reservoir mess-free, and it has a filter to stop any garden debris from getting inside. The tank is curved for better comfort against your back, and it has two straps for even weight distribution. However, they aren’t the kindest on the shoulders; you might want to pad yourself up underneath. The nozzles allow precision spraying as well as wider coverage to suit the job at hand.

Like the idea of adding a backpack sprayer to your garden toolkit without a big investment? Take a look at this budget design. It has a 12-litre capacity for larger tasks and a 1.5-metre hose and 0.5-metre lance length to access all parts of the garden. Three nozzle tips allow you to adapt the sprayer to different jobs, and it’s designed for use with pesticides, insecticides, fertilisers, and any horticultural or agricultural chemicals. A handy locking trigger saves fatigue for continuous spraying.

Those who use a backpack sprayer frequently might find it worthwhile to invest in this powered model that will make light work of the task. It’s a cordless design, but be mindful that this version comes without the battery and charger. (You will need to purchase them if you don’t already have the brand’s ONE+ battery.) The 15-litre tank has room for lots of solution without the need to refill. As for comfort, I like the padded backpack and metal frame to keep the weight balanced. A flat fan nozzle, as well as an adjustable spray nozzle, should cover all the tasks you need it for.

Our verdict

A backpack sprayer can make easier work of a whole variety of garden tasks, from eliminating weeds and insects to spraying fences. Our top choice is the Spear & Jackson 5LPAPS pressure sprayer. The pump-action model is relatively light, and the clear markings make filling and mixing simple.

If you’d rather have power than a pump, check out the Ryobi RY18BPSA-0 ONE+ cordless backpack sprayer. With a battery onboard, there are no wires to worry about, and it’ll take the effort out of spraying. 

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At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously – testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.