Whether you’re fertilizing a flower garden, killing off weeds, or eliminating troublesome pests, a garden sprayer is an incredibly useful tool. Rather than hiring a professional, garden sprayers are an affordable and effective solution to applying fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.
“When reviewing a potential sprayer for purchase, look at things like tank size, battery operation, adjustable nozzle for power, telescopic wands that extend to make getting inside branches easier, [and] a drain valve at the bottom of the tank to easily empty the tank, etc,” says Melissa Lallo Johnson, a master gardener and the host of the vlog Art of Gardening. Measuring cups and additional features like backpack straps, wheeled carts, and more are also worth looking out for in some sprayers.
We researched the best garden sprayers in various categories, evaluating products based on their capacity, maneuverability, ease of operation, and overall performance. Depending on your needs, there are many designs available—from handheld sprayers ideal for smaller applications to wheeled sprayers that make it easy to cover an entire yard.
Our Top Picks
Best Battery-Powered:
Best Hose Attachment:
What We Like
Seven nozzles for versatility
Large pump handle for easy operation
Pressure-release valve for added safety
Adjustable carrying strap
What We Don't Like
Loose wand holder
D.B. Smith’s Contractor Max Sprayer earns the top spot in our roundup because it is easy to use and highly versatile. One of the most significant selling points is that it comes with seven nozzles–brass adjustable, jet stream, foaming, poly adjustable, and three fan volumes (high volume wide, low volume wide, and low volume narrow). With such an excellent selection of spray patterns, you can perform a variety of gardening and other household tasks.
Depending on your spray, this sprayer is delicate enough to be used as a watering tool yet powerful enough to hose off the concrete.The 21-inch spray wand provides sufficient reach and maneuverability and has a lockable trigger to deliver a continuous stream. With a 2-gallon tank, it has a generous handheld manual pump sprayer capacity. The tank doesn’t need to be refilled all that frequently, but it does get pretty heavy once it’s full. Luckily, this unit comes with an adjustable strap for convenient carrying.
Thanks to a large handle, this sprayer is easy to pump. The valve lets you safely release pressure before removing the pump, preventing accidental chemical spills and injuries. This unit has a wand holder but it may not fit very securely. And in case you experience defective parts, you can take advantage of the one-year warranty.
Dimensions: 20.9 x 9.4 x 8.8 inches | Capacity: 2 gallons | Number of Nozzles: 7 (brass adjustable, jet stream, foaming, high volume wide fan, low volume wide fan, low volume narrow fan and poly adjustable)
What We Like
Ideal for small tasks
Ergonomic handle
Easy-to-fill tank
What We Don't Like
Requires frequent refills
Short wand
This affordable garden sprayer from Chapin International is an excellent option for fertilizing small areas. It has a 12-inch spray wand, and while it only has one nozzle, you can adjust the spray from a cone to a straight stream. Although the wand is short, the 34-inch hose will help you reach difficult spots. The ergonomic handle allows for easy pumping and carrying and locks into place for added stability.
Thanks to a funnel top, the Chapin sprayer is easy to fill: You only need to unscrew the pump cap and add fertilizer, herbicide, or pesticide. You may go through the water in the tank reasonably quickly, but that's not a big surprise considering it’s a light-duty sprayer. The good news is that the tank is translucent, so you know exactly how much liquid you have left.
The Chapin 20000 delivers a solid performance and a decent amount of convenient features for an incredibly low price. It is available in two larger sizes—a 2- or 3-gallon sprayer—so you can choose which option best suits your needs.
Dimensions: 7.63 x 7.63 x 15.25 inches | Capacity: 1 gallons | Number of Nozzles: 1 (adjustable)
Best Handheld
Chapin Multi-Purpose Garden Pump Sprayer
What We Like
Perfect for small jobs
Ergonomic handle
Anti-clog filter
What We Don't Like
May require frequent refills
Pump can be challenging
A handheld sprayer, like this model from Chapin, is ideal for small gardening tasks that don't require a telescopic wand. This sprayer is particularly helpful for watering flowers, targeting weeds (without requiring you to get on your hands and knees like other weeding tools), and applying pesticides to specific areas.
The inexpensive price tag is certainly appealing as well. It has one spray nozzle, which can be adjusted to produce a fine mist or a stronger stream. Despite its compact size, it still has a powerful spray.
The handle should provide a comfortable grip and reduce fatigue as you work through your garden. A filter in the tank also prevents clogs and allows for continuous spraying. That said, this one-handed sprayer has a limited capacity—just 48 ounces—so you’ll likely run out of water quickly. It requires a lot of pumping during application. Despite its limitations, this sprayer is still a solid choice for smaller jobs. Plus, it could easily fit on a garden tool organizer without taking up much space.
Dimensions: 11.5 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches | Capacity: 48 ounces | Number of Nozzles: 1 (adjustable with mist or stream)
What We Like
No pumping required
Long-lasting battery
Convenient charging
Pressure release valve for added safety
What We Don't Like
Lacks a carrying strap
Heavy to carry when full
With this battery-powered sprayer from Scotts, you won't have to worry about manual pumping, allowing you to tackle large jobs without interruption. It’s equipped with a lithium battery located at the base of the handle, and it can spray up to 12 full tanks per charge.
This sprayer has the same Pump Zero technology as the Scotts Pump Zero Lithium Ion Wheeled Sprayer (our best with wheels pick). When you run out of juice, you only need to plug the included charger into the base. This sprayer only comes with one nozzle but can be adjusted to create a fan, stream, or cone spray.
The 21-inch wand is ideal for most tasks, and the built-in clasp allows you to store it easily. When full, the tank weighs about 18 pounds, which can be a bit cumbersome to maneuver. A shoulder strap would be a welcome addition to make it easier to carry. However, the pressure-release valve safely releases pressure from the tank before you open it up.
Dimensions: 8 x 9.75 x 20.75 inches | Capacity: 2 gallons | Number of Nozzles: 1 (adjustable with spray, stream, or cone)
What We Like
Battery-powered
Sprays up to 12 full tanks per charge
Large tank capacity
Sits on wheels for easy transporting
What We Don't Like
Not super stable
If you don’t want to lug around a heavy garden sprayer, this wheeled model from Scotts is an excellent alternative. The tank is mounted on a rolling cart, and you can easily pull it around via the top handle. This battery-powered sprayer has a large, 3-gallon tank that's perfect for larger lawns.
The electric pump is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which means there is no manual pumping required—another major convenience. The battery also lasts through 12 full tanks of liquid.
This unit only has one nozzle, but it can be adjusted to create a fan, stream, or cone spray. The 21-inch wand allows you to access hard-to-reach areas and has a locking trigger for continuous spraying. It also comes with a three-year warranty if you encounter any problems or defects.
This tank may be a little uneven on particularly thick lawns or hills, so we recommend keeping one hand on it while you spray. The Scotts Wheeled Sprayer is significantly pricier than other options, but it has two big advantages: portability and a battery-powered pump for nearly effortless operation.
Dimensions: 12.5 x 12.5 x 26 inches | Capacity: 3 gallons | Number of Nozzles: 1 (adjustable with fan, cone, and stream sprays)
Best Backpack
D.B. Smith Field King 190328 Backpack Sprayer
What We Like
Large tank capacity
Ideal for bigger jobs
Padded harness straps
Delivers up to 150 psi
What We Don't Like
Quite heavy when full
Lacks padding in lower back region
If you're looking for an easy-to-carry garden sprayer, this 4-gallon design has backpack straps padded for extra comfort. It has an internal pump, so you don’t have to worry about chemicals leaking down your back. Although the harness features padded chest straps and a back strap, the latter could use extra cushioning. It does lack padding for the lower back, which may become uncomfortable if you wear it for an extended period.
It’s also worth noting that this unit gets pretty heavy once it’s full—about 45 pounds. We recommend placing it on a higher surface so you can get it on without straining to lift it.The D.B. Smith Field King Backpack Sprayer has an excellent selection of convenient features.
\It has a 21-inch poly wand ideal for most applications and four nozzles—two flat fans, an adjustable brass nozzle, and a foaming nozzle—allowing you to create more precise spray patterns. The internal piston pump can also be adjusted to reach 150 pounds per square inch. Pressuring the tank quickly and easily thanks to a horizontal pump that sits at waist level. With its impressive tank capacity and long reach, this unit is well suited for bigger jobs, such as treating a large yard.
Dimensions: 15 x 22.5 x 9.5 inches | Capacity: 4 gallons | Number of Nozzles: 4 (2 flat fans, 1 brass adjustable, and 1 foaming nozzle)
What We Like
Compatible with wet and dry fertilizers
Set spray to ounces, tablespoons, or teaspoons
No mixing required
What We Don't Like
Will require solution refills
A hose attachment takes the work out of constantly refilling a tank and mixing solutions. This attachment from HDX is easy to use and allows you to switch between wet and dry fertilizer solutions.
You can also adjust the dial on the attachment between different measurements to get the exact solution you need. Keep in mind that you will have to refill the cup with more fertilizer for different areas and plants in your yard.
We also like that this garden sprayer has a mesh filter to ensure an even mixture and solution of dry fertilizer and prevent clogs. Like the other sprayers on our list, you can adjust between three nozzle settings.
Dimensions: 9 x 5 x 12.5 inches | Capacity: 0.25 gallons | Number of Nozzles: 1 (adjustable with spray, stream, or cone)
What We Like
Can be used indoors and outdoors
Easy to maneuver
Shoulder strap for carrying
Non-tip base
What We Don't Like
Only comes in bright orange
With a tank capacity of 2 gallons, the Vivosun sprayer is equipped to handle many gardening applications yet is small enough to maneuver easily. Another advantage to this compact unit is that it can also be used indoors. The tank has a large bowl and funnel design at the top, which makes it easy to fill.
You can release any built-up pressure in the tank by pulling on the safety valve before opening the tank. This bright orange sprayer isn’t our first choice color-wise, but it certainly wouldn’t get lost in a garage or storage shed.
The Vivosun has an adjustable, heavy-duty shoulder strap, which can be used as a backpack. You can also use the pump handle to carry it. The 22-inch wand provides plenty of reach to perform various tasks, making this sprayer an essential gardening tool. Thanks to a thickened base, this sprayer won’t tip over when placed on the ground.
Dimensions: 17.09 x 7.36 x 7.32 inches | Capacity: 1.35 gallons | Number of Nozzles: 1 (adjustable from fine mist to stream)
Final Verdict
Our best overall pick, D.B. Smith Contractor Max Sprayer, hits all the marks: It’s easy to use and includes seven nozzles, allowing users to perform a multitude of gardening and household tasks. If you’re looking for something more affordable, the Chapin International 20000 Garden Sprayer is an excellent 1-gallon option for light-duty gardening tasks.
What to Look for in a Garden Sprayer
Size and Capacity
Tank capacity determines how much liquid the pump sprayer can hold. One-handed sprayers can be as small as 0.33 gallons, while handheld sprayers typically hold up to 2 gallons. Larger models, such as backpack and wheeled sprayers, usually fall within the 3- to 6-gallon range. Our best backpack pick, the D.B. Smith Field King 190328, has a 4-gallon tank, making it the largest option in our roundup.
Another component to consider is the length of a pump sprayer’s wand. A longer wand will provide more reach and prevent harmful chemicals from coming into contact with your skin. Most pump sprayers have wands ranging from 18 to 22 inches long. Some handheld models, however, have significantly shorter wands—12 inches or less.
Types
- A backpack sprayer has straps, allowing users to carry it on their backs. This type of sprayer usually has a greater capacity than a handheld sprayer. The backpack design redistributes the weight, making it easier to carry.
- As the name suggests, the tank of a wheeled sprayer sits on top of a wheeled frame for optimal maneuverability. Users can easily pull the sprayer around the yard without lifting it physically. Wheeled sprayers are usually larger than handheld and backpack sprayers, whichmakes them well-suited for larger applications.
- A handheld sprayer is ideal for smaller jobs like fertilizing a flower bed or treating weeds on a walkway. A handheld sprayer with a piston system must be pumped manually to achieve the right amount of pressure in the tank. With this type of sprayer, the pump and handle are often the same.
- A battery-powered sprayer eliminates the need for manual pumping. Instead, the battery powers the pump, which maintains the appropriate pressure in the tank. Battery-powered sprayers are more expensive than handled sprayers but also more convenient. Our best battery-powered pick, the Scotts 190567 Sprayer, can spray up to 12 full tanks per charge.
Nozzles
The nozzle, located at the end of the wand, controls the spray as well as the output of the pump sprayer. Most nozzles are adjustable, allowing users to change the spray pattern from a wider arc into a narrower stream. Some pump sprayers include multiple nozzles, which users can swap out for a more precise spray pattern. Typically, a cone nozzle, an adjustable nozzle, and fan nozzles are among the selections. Our best overall pick, the D.B. Smith Contractor Max Sprayer, includes five nozzles (one poly, one brass, two flat fans, and one foaming), allowing you to do everything from fertilizing lawns to washing down cars.
Pump Type
Pump sprayers are operated by a manual piston system or a battery-powered pump. A sprayer with a piston system needs to be pumped manually to pressurize the tank. A battery-powered sprayer has a motor that powers the pump automatically, eliminating the need for any manual effort. Our best with wheels pick, the Scotts Pump Zero Lithium Ion Wheeled Sprayer, has a removable lithium-ion battery and can spray up to 12 full tanks per charge.
FAQ
How do I maintain my garden sprayer?
According to Melissa Lallo Johnson, a master gardener and the host of the vlog Art of Gardening, you should rinse your sprayer after every application. “Fill the tank and set the handle to a lock position and allow all contents to empty from the sprayer,” she advises. Johnson also recommends storing the sprayer with the lid cracked or even off for a few days to allow it to dry inside.
How do I use a garden sprayer?
Regarding ease of operation, Johnson prefers a battery-operated garden sprayer. “Pump sprayers are exhausting and make applications very difficult, especially in larger areas,” she says. “Battery-operated sprayers come in various sizes and power, and some have a battery life of up to eight hours.”
Most garden sprayers attach to a regular garden hose. The unit has a tank that you can fill with fertilizer, pesticide, or herbicide. Once the solution is in the sprayer, you can dilute it with water. You can then pressurize the tank by pumping air into it. Some garden sprayers must be pumped manually, but battery-powered models will pressurize automatically.
Can I use a garden sprayer on flowers?
You can use a garden sprayer to treat flowers; however, you may want to adjust the spray to a finer mist so you don’t damage them. Johnson recommends applying a foliar spray to flowering plants on the leaves. Nutrients particularly beneficial to flowering plants include worm teas, fish and seaweed fertilizers, and iron fertilizers.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Sage McHugh, a freelance writer for The Spruce, specializes in home and garden content including the best fertilizer spreaders. When selecting the best garden sprayers for this roundup, she considered dozens of products, carefully evaluating their capacity, maneuverability, ease of operation, and overall performance. McHugh also took hundreds of customer reviews into consideration and spoke with other industry experts.
Our Experts
- Melissa Lallo Johnson, a master gardener and the host of the vlog Art of Gardening
- Emma Phelps, associate editor at The Spruce