Best Garden Sprayer: What & How-to Buy Guide

Last Updated on June 24, 2022 by Gary Stephen

The task of watering goes hand in hand when you own a garden. Of course, any plant needs regular hydration. That is one of the things that are keeping them alive and lush. There are plenty of ways and tools you can use to water plants. The garden sprayer, for one, is among the most common. It is super easy to use and portable enough to handle. 

Moreover, the garden sprayer is also an excellent tool for applying different liquid solutions to your plant. This can well include fertilisers and insecticides that target to nourish and treat the crops. A total convenience, I must say.

If you kind of think so too, then this article is perfect for you!

Join us as we get to know more about garden sprayers. What are they? What are the different types? And, how to find the perfect one for you? All that and more, we’ll tap into right here. So, stick around and make sure to read ’til the very end.

Let’s begin, shall we?

What Is A Garden Sprayer?

Well, it is straightforward! A garden sprayer is technically any container with a spray mechanism. It comes in various sizes, from as small as a quarter of a gallon to five gallons or more. 

The bottle is most often made with durable plastic. But, it is also quite common to see some that are being constructed with metal. The only requirement here is that the container should be sturdy enough to hold water and chemicals simultaneously.

What are the Practical Uses of Garden Sprayer?

Garden sprayers are not just exclusive for garden use. There are actually plenty more practical ways you can use this tool with: 

  • To water the plants

Watering the plants is probably the most obvious use for sprayers. Simply fill the tank with water you are good to go and hydrate your plant babies. This is the perfect solution for when you want to water areas away from the water source. Or, to which the garden hose can no longer reach. 

  • Application of horticultural treatment solutions

Plants do appreciate some boost in their nutrients. More so, it also does sometimes need treatment to address certain issues. These horticultural solutions are often available in liquid or soluble powder forms. 

And yes, the best way to apply them is through the use of garden sprayers. The sprayer is well-equipped to dispense fine and even streams. Hence, it can efficiently cover areas where the solution is most needed to.

  • For pest control

Mind you, pests are not only confined in your garden. In some cases, they also do find their way inside your house too. When invasion sets in, it can be quite challenging to contain the infestation. Garden sprayers can be very useful to dispense pesticides. It is portable so you can bring it to every nook and cranny in and out of your house.

  • To wash vehicles

Washing your vehicles with just a bucket of water is so passé. Not to mention, it is quite inefficient too. If you don’t have access to a garden hose, then this sprayer is the next best thing. You can load up the tank with water, then spray it all over your vehicle to remove dirt and debris. 

This method is also perfect for off-the-grid situations. For instance, when you are in an RV or a boat where the water source is not always likely available to wash up your vehicle. 

  • For all-around cleaning

Garden sprayers can be used in almost any type of cleaning. From washing the deck, the patio, the driveway, the wall sidings, and anywhere else that needs some good cleaning. Again, you don’t need to restrict yourself to a bucket of soap and water. You can use the sprayer to hose down all that dirt and grime in a much faster time.

What Are the Various Types of Garden Sprayers?

Handheld Garden Sprayer

The handheld sprayers are the most portable and easy to use. This tends to be more compact so you can expect the capacity of the container to be on the smaller end too. That said, handheld sprayers are best used for lighter applications only. Most often, this type is equipped with a trigger spray mechanism.

Check our top picks for handheld sprayers here:

Chapin Premier Pro Tri-Poxy Steel Sprayer

Roundup Handheld Lawn & Garden Sprayers

Solo Handheld Sprayer

Pump Action Pressure Garden Sprayer

This type of garden sprayer requires a little bit of, as the name says, pump action. Yes, you need to do some pumping into the lever to build up the pressure within the tank. This pressure is what pushes the liquid out of the container. This type is a great alternative to typical trigger sprayers. It needs less squeezing, but more pumping. 

Check our top picks for pump action handheld sprayers here:

ITISLL Manual Hand Pump Garden Sprayers

Vivosun Hand Pump Pressure Garden Sprayers

Anytime Garden Hand Pump Garden Sprayers

Tank Garden Sprayer

Tank sprayers are perfect to use if want to cover a larger space. The container is usually available in 1 up to 3-gallon sizes. Because of its capacity, the tank is equipped with a shoulder strap. This allows you to carry it across your body while your hands are busy handling the sprayer head. 

Check our top picks for tank sprayers here:

Vivosun Pump Pressure Tank Sprayers

HomeRight Tank Sprayers

ITISLL Portable Garden Pump Tank Sprayers

Backpack Garden Sprayer

This type is very similar to tank sprayer in the sense that this comes with a strap too. But, unlike the shoulder strap of the tank sprayer, this one rather comes with back straps. This makes it more ergonomic to carry as the weight of the container is evenly distributed on the user’s back. Because of that, backpack sprayers can well accommodate larger capacities of up to 5 gallons or even more.  

Check our top picks for backpack sprayers here:

Field King Backpack Garden Sprayers

Chapin Backpack Garden Sprayers

Hudson Commercial Bak-Pak Garden Sprayers

Wheeled Sprayer

If carrying the tank itself is not likely possible, then the wheeled version of the sprayer is best for you. This is perfect for users with physical restrictions or those who simply are not capable of heavy lifting. Because the sprayer is equipped with wheels, it is much easier to transport from one place to another. Thus, a very good option to use for larger lawns. 

Check our top picks for wheeled sprayers here:

Vivosun Wheeled Pump Compression Sprayers

Scotts Lithium Ion Pump Wheeled Sprayers

Agri-Fab Tow Sprayers

Gasoline-Powered Garden Sprayer

This automatic sprayer comes with a motor engine that is fueled by gasoline. The machine is what facilitates the dispersion of liquid out of the tank. It is super fast and easy to use hence ideal for larger applications. Nevertheless, this type of sprayer tends to be more expensive both at initial cost and the operation itself. Bare in mind that you need to refuel it with gasoline from time to time for it to function.

Check our top picks for gasoline-powered sprayers here:

Westinghouse Gas Powered Pressure Washer

Simpson Cleaning Residential Gas Pressure Washer

Rainier Gas Powered Pressure Washer

Battery-Powered Garden Sprayer

Much like the gasoline-powered sprayer, this too comes with automated machinery. But rather than operating on fuel, the engine is directly powered by batteries. This is more convenient in the sense that you do not need to purchase gasoline. Instead, the batteries are rechargeable or replaceable. So, you can just plug it into a power source before or after each use. Or, simply replace when the batteries have already worn out. 

Check our top picks for battery-powered sprayers:

PGI Traders Battery Powered Portable Garden Sprayers

Scotts Lithium Ion Battery Powered Pump Sprayers

Chapin Battery Operated Push Sprayers

What Are the Factors to Consider When Buying a Garden Sprayer?

Design 

The physical design probably is the very first thing a buyer would often come to check when choosing a garden sprayer. But, more than just the aesthetics, it is wise to look into the appropriateness of the design for you and your intended tasks. 

I mean, are you okay with manual or do you want automatic? Do you need a sprayer that can be easily controlled by one hand? Or, are you more comfortable carrying it around your body?  Perhaps, do you require more mechanical assistance carrying the container?

All those conditions and more should be accounted for when choosing the right sprayer. The design should be able to conform to whatever tasks you intend to use it with. If you have a small garden, a handheld sprayer should suffice you. But, if you have a larger lawn to cover, then it may be ideal to choose one with a bigger capacity and carrying straps to support the weight. 

Furthermore, your physical capabilities should also determine which design is suitable for you or not. If you have mobility issues, opt for designs that can provide you the utmost support and not aggravate your problems. On that note, you might want to consider sprayers that come in wheels or a cart. They don’t require lifting at all. You just need to push or pull it to get them to where you exactly want them to be. 

Versatility

You would want to opt for a garden sprayer that can adapt to the varying task you have on hand. It doesn’t have to be plainly exclusive for watering the garden. But, if you need it for washing the car or perhaps cleaning the driveway, then it should be able to do just that too. 

The key here is to determine which applications you are likely to need the garden sprayer for. From there, you can gauge what average size or design would likely best fit you. Having your sprayer do multiple tasks gives you a better value for your money.

Material

Garden sprayers are meant to carry not just water, but chemicals too at times. Hence, one of the most important things to check is its compatibility with various fluids. The material should be strong enough to handle chemicals without compromising its integrity. It should not melt nor alter the composition of the solution.

The most commonly used material for the containers is propylene. Propylene is a high-density plastic that is widely used for countless applications. It is an ideal material for sprayers because of its chemical resistance. It is compatible to use with diluted bases and acids solutions. Thus, suitable for storing cleaning agents and different horticultural chemicals.

Propylene is known to be tough. Tough in the sense that it has the ability to deform without breaking. Its natural rigidness makes it great for heavy-duty applications both indoors and outdoors. 

In addition to all that, propylene is also one of the cheapest materials in the industry. On that note, it allows manufacturers to produce good quality garden sprayers at a reasonable price point.

Nevertheless, plastics still cannot beat metals in terms of durability. Yes, you can also find garden sprayers that are constructed with either stainless or galvanized steel material. These are more well-built and sturdy. But, these also tend to be heavier and expensive too. 

Solid metals do, however, are ideal for the moving parts of the sprayer. Components such as the gasket, the trigger lever, and the spring, to name a few, are constantly at work and in friction with one another. Hence, these parts are technically more prone to wear and tear. Considering that, it is best to choose a robust and reliable material like metal.

Capacity of The Garden Sprayer

The capacity basically refers to the size of the tank itself. So, that pertains to how much liquid will the container be able to store. This can usually range from as small as 8 ounces up to as much as 5 gallons.

This is important to note as this correlates to the nature of the tasks you intend to use it with. Again, you can get by with small sprayers if you only need to cover minimal ground. But with larger lawns, you are better off using large-capacity tanks. The amount of solution it can contain should be enough to cover the work area. 

Otherwise, you might need to refill your tank every now and then to get the job done. That can be quite a hassle especially if it is a solution that requires some level of preparation. 

Weight

The weight of the sprayer is something to be concerned about especially if you intend to carry the tank. Remember, you are also filling it with liquid. Hence, that can add a considerable amount of heaviness. 

Too much weight can put a strain on your arms, shoulders, or your back. Making it unlikely ergonomic for your body to work with. In this instance, it is always a good idea to go for sprayers that are lightweight. The larger the capacity, the more lightweight it should be. 

Speaking of weight, you should also look for sprayers with good support. That could either be in the form of shoulder straps, backpack straps, or a set of wheels. These features should be able to provide you comfort while carrying the sprayer. More so, it helps to mitigate the heaviness of your load. The better the support, the safer it is for your body too.

Filter

The filter is one thing that should not be left out. The main function of this component is to strain dirt and debris to prevent permeation into the nozzle or the hose. Thus, minimizing the chances of clogging it all up.

Aside from ensuring there is a filter, you should also consider the ease of the sprayer to disassemble. The less hassle it is to disintegrate parts, the easier it will be too as well to take the filter out for regular cleaning. 

Maintenance

If you want your garden sprayer to last long, you should be diligent to do proper maintenance. It doesn’t necessarily have to be complicated. A good thorough wash every after each use is enough to keep the sprayer clean and ready for next use. 

Regular cleaning also helps to ensure there will be no chemicals left in your container. Any traces can contaminate the solution you are currently preparing. Furthermore, it can even create a bad reaction if the chemicals turn out to be incompatible with each other. When this happens, it can be toxic and pose a safety hazard for you.

Cost

This factor is totally subjective. Simply because what is cheap for you may not necessarily be affordable for some. But for reference, you can buy basic garden sprayers for as low as $10. Meanwhile, the more complex automatic models can go as much as $200 or more. 

Wrapping Up

The garden sprayer is a great tool to use for watering and applying treatment solutions to your plants. But, its benefits and uses can go well beyond the confines of your garden. They do indeed have other practical services that make them extra versatile and convenient. Its applications are vast, making them pretty much an essential tool and a good investment

Gary Stephen
Gary Stephen

Hi, I am Gary Stephen. I have been gardening for a long time. Gardening gives us much benefits and pleasure. Many of us desire to have a garden, but it cannot fulfill the desire for the proper guide or instruction of gardening. So, I am eager to help them. For this purpose, I have developed the MyGardenPlant.com website to make a garden with the proper guide. So, you will get me beside you if you want to know anything about gardening.