Last Updated on June 24, 2022 by Gary Stephen
Weeds, weeds, weeds. They all exist naturally in the environment. While some are beneficial, others can be as stubborn as a mule. If your garden happens to have the latter, ohhh boy you are up for some ordeal here. But, don’t you worry! There is a wide range of horticultural solutions to come to your rescue. These solvents are precisely formulated to kill and prevent the occurrence of pesky weeds. However, do know that the treatment would not be in any way effective without the aid of the best weed sprayer. Yes, this cool tool is fairly similar to your typical garden sprayer. Except that they are designed specifically to be more sturdy and chemical-resistant.
In this article, let us bring our focus to these weed sprayers. What makes them stand out among other garden sprayers? What factors should you consider when buying one? And, which products in the market are worth checking out.
Weed Sprayer Versus Ordinary Garden Sprayer
Before anything else, you should know that not all garden sprayers are ideal to be used as weed sprayers. How so?
While all these sprayers are good to use with plain water, not all can tolerate chemicals. Hence, the difference basically relies on the type of material being used. Although, the design and the mechanism per se are true enough just the same.
Because of the nature of the solutions being used, it is best to keep a dedicated sprayer for weed killers. This will minimize the cross-contamination of contents. Any residue left from the previous solution might create an untoward reaction when mixed with another type of chemical. This can be potentially harmful not just to the plants, but to the user as well.
Different Types of Weed Sprayers
There is a wide range of styles of garden sprayers you can use for weed killing. Here are the most common types:
Handheld Trigger Weed Sprayer
This type of weed sprayer comes with, as the name implies, a trigger mechanism. With a simple squeeze of the lever, the solution is quickly dispensed out of the nozzle. This sprayer is meant to be carried by hand so it tends to have a smaller capacity. This makes it perfect to use for smaller gardens.
Check out this handheld trigger sprayer!
Tank Weed Sprayer
If you are out to cover a tad bit bigger lawn, then the tank sprayer is a great option for you. This comes in a larger capacity so it can well cover a wider ground. Since it is bigger and heavier, the tank sprayer conveniently comes with a shoulder strap. This makes it easier to carry around with you while you are spraying the weeds.
Backpack Sprayer
The backpack sprayer is another good option if you want to cover a large area but still with ample mobility. The sprayer here is attached to backpack straps. This makes the weight of the tank evenly distributed across your back. Hence, it is more ergonomic to work with.
Check out this backpack sprayer!
Wheeled Weed Sprayer
This type of weed sprayer is perfect for users who have issues with mobility. More so lifting heavy objects. The sprayer is attached to a set of wheels. Hence, allowing it to have a large capacity tank without worrying about its transportability.
Check out this wheeled sprayer!
Hose-End Sprayer
This type of sprayer is quite unique among other types of weed sprayers. The sprayer itself is meant to be attached to the garden hose. All you have to do here is to fill the canister with the weed-killing chemical. Connect it to the hose-end of the garden hose. Once the faucet is turned on, the water will automatically mix with the concentrated solution. This said mixture will only be released when the trigger is activated.
Check out this hose-end sprayer.
Factors to Consider When Buying Weed Sprayer
Material
You must always bear in mind that you are dealing with chemicals. Some might be organic while others can be a little too harsh for ordinary material to handle. Considering that, it is best to always be on the safe side.
Make sure to use sprayers made out of reliable materials. Materials such as polypropylene and polyethylene plastics are among the most commonly used. These types of thermoplastics are designed to have good chemical resistance. Hence, you can guarantee that they are suitable to handle volatile substances like weed killers. Provided, however, that they are maintained at room temperature.
Tank Capacity
The garden sprayer is available in a good range of tank sizes. It can be as small as a quarter of a gallon up to as big as five gallons.
The selection of the capacity of the tank should basically depend on the size of the work area and as well as your capacity to carry the load. If you don’t mind the weight, it is best to opt for sprayers with larger tanks. That way, you would least likely need to refill it frequently.
On the other hand, if heavy lifting is an issue, then it is rather safer for you to choose a capacity based on what you can only manage to carry. In this case, there should be some level of compromise here. You can choose to let go of the weight so that it won’t be too heavy for your body. Nonetheless, be prepared as well to allocate more time to prepare and refill your tank more often.
Weight
In relation to tank capacity, you should also consider that the bigger the sprayer, the heavier the load will be too. This is something definitely worth noting as this can directly affect your body mechanics. Carrying way too heavy objects can put you at risk for unnecessary strain, fatigue, and even injury. This is in no way ergonomic and healthy for you.
On that note, it is rather wise to choose a sprayer that is lightweight. That way, the device itself won’t further add to the weight of the fluid. Do make sure to take advantage of the availability of the straps. There are garden sprayer models that may feature shoulder or backpack straps. The provision of which allows you to efficiently distribute the weight.
Better yet, you can also choose weed sprayers on wheels. This type requires no lifting and so ideal for those with back problems and other physical restrictions. All you need is some push and pull action and you can bring your weed sprayer anywhere you want to.
Nozzles
Nozzles come in different spray patterns that include full shower, mist, flat cone, center, soak, and more. Each has its own purpose. For example, the mist pattern is perfect for applying solutions to delicate plants. On the other hand, a soaker head is suitable for deeply hydrating a tree or a lawn.
Aside from spray patterns, there are also some sprayer heads that offer functionality. For instance, a retractable wand enables you to access hard-to-reach areas. Hence, a perfect tool for treating weeds on corner spots and any other nook and cranny in your garden.
Having the option to interchange between different nozzles gives you better versatility. You can easily switch up depending on what the application calls for. Or, you can also use this feature to change a worn-out nozzle without the need to replace the entire weed sprayer.
Maintenance
It is essential to give your weed sprayers a good clean every after each use. Doing so will help to keep your tool in good shape and condition. Hence, preserving the efficiency and longevity of the sprayer.
It doesn’t have to be something too complex. You can simply drain the excess chemicals, give it a thorough wash, and then fully dry. Make sure to include the hose, the nozzle, and other components in contact with the chemical. This will prevent residue build-up and corrosion on metal parts.
Safety
Mainly because we are dealing with chemicals, it is a must to take extra safety precautions. One of the most important things is to wear a respirator mask. When using weed sprayers, the droplets can be as minuscule as 1/1000 millimeters. It is super fine that it can easily blend in the air we breathe. So just imagine the probability of it reaching our lungs and causing damage in the long run.
Our skin is also another thing that is widely exposed to chemicals when using weed sprayers. Some compounds are very irritating and can even burn your skin. On that note, always be careful preparing or mixing the solution. Wear gloves if you must.
Also, be mindful of where you put your hands at all times. When coming into contact with any of the chemicals, do NOT touch anywhere else, especially your eyes and face. Make sure to wash your hands immediately.
If accidents should unfortunately occur, always rinse the affected area with clean running water. Then, consult a health professional immediately for proper treatment.
Our Top Picks for Garden Weed Sprayers
CHAPIN 1002 MULTI-PURPOSE SPRAYER
Features:
- Constructed with a translucent polypropylene plastic
- Compatible to use with common fertilizers, weed killers, pesticides, and general cleaning solutions
- 1.5-inch opening
- Adjustable nozzle
- 40 to 60 psi
- 0.4 to 0.5 gpm
- 23-foot horizontal spray stream
- 25-foot vertical spray stream
- With intake filter
- Ergonomic handle
- Replacement parts available
- Available in 48-ounce capacity
Why do we love it?
The Chapin 1002 sprayer is an all-around portable garden sprayer. This 48-ounce poly bottle is perfect for small applications in your garden. It is a plus point too that the container has a wide mouth which makes the mixing of solutions easier. Fewer spills, less waste that is.
Unlike other sprayers, Chapin 1002 already comes with a built-in anti-clog intake filter. This feature enables you to strain out debris thus preventing it from obstructing any part of the sprayer. Aside from that, this product also comes with a nozzle that can be regulated from fine mist to full stream. This gives you the option to disperse the treatment solution evenly across the area. Or, to deliver it onto more specific targets only.
Lastly, we like that the company made sure to offer replacement parts for their products. To further add, they have in-house customer service should you encounter issues with the sprayer.
CHAPIN 2000 GARDEN WEED SPRAYER
Features:
- Constructed with polyethylene plastic
- Compatible to use with common fertilizers, weed killers, pesticides, and general cleaning solutions
- Wide funnel-top opening
- With a 12-inch poly wand
- With 34-inch hose
- Adjustable nozzle
- Adjustable flow rate between 0.4 to 0.5 gpm
- With intake filter
- Ergonomic pump handle
- Made in the U.S.A
- Available in 1-gallon capacity
Why do we love it?
The Chapin 2000 is the #1 best-selling garden weed sprayer on Amazon. With over 23,000 positive ratings, you can never go wrong with this reliable sprayer.
This 1-gallon tank is made with rigid but lightweight polyethylene plastic. It is translucent in color hence you can pretty much see through the contents. So, it is more convenient for you to monitor the level of the solution at a single glance.
The container is also designed with a wide funnel top. This allows you to pour in or mix your chemicals right into the bottle while worrying less about spills.
Chapin 2000 comes with a 12-inch poly wand attached to a flexible hose. The nozzle tip is adjustable so you can regulate the flow as needed. It also has a built-in intake filter that prevents particles from clogging the hose and the nozzle.
SMITH PERFORMANCE R200 COMPRESSION TANK SPRAYER
Features:
- Tank is constructed with high-density plastic material
- Available in 2-gallon capacity
- Leak-free with Viton seals
- 21-inch poly-lined stainless steel wand
- With drip-free wand holder
- 25 psi pressure regulator
- With pressure relief valve
- 50-inch chemical-resistant poly reinforced hose
- Includes 4 multiple nozzles
- Compatible with TeeJet nozzles
- With inline filter
- With shut-off valve
- Easy to install and replace seals and pumps
- Includes nylon shoulder strap
- 1-year warranty
Why do we love it?
Smith Performance’s R200 sprayer is a professional-grade tank sprayer. The container itself is constructed with high-quality plastic while the other components are made of stainless steel. This sprayer is specifically designed to be used with agricultural chemicals.
The company takes pride in the high-efficiency performance of the sprayer’s pump system. It is said to require 25% fewer pumps per gallon as compared to other leading products. Furthermore, it also comes with an inline anti-clog filter. It is wider thus can cover more surface area.
This product already includes 4 types of nozzles. An adjustable brass nozzle, high-foaming nozzle, and a narrow and wide flat fan nozzle. Having such a variety gives you plenty of versatility in your applications.
You can also feel extra secure with its pressure relief valve. This safety valve is intended to control the pressure limit within the tank. Hence, prevents accidental dispersal of chemicals.
FIELD KING BACKPACK SPRAYER
Features:
- Internal no-leak pump design
- Internal piston pump
- Pressure up to 150 psi
- Secured with Viton seals
- Constructed with high-density poly plastic material
- 21-inch poly wand
- Lockable brass shut-off valve
- In-line filtration basket
- With built-in agitator
- One-way valve
- Secure attachment with threaded bolt
- Integrated with outer wand storage
- Includes 4 types of nozzles
- Also compatible with TeeJet nozzles
- Available in 4-gallon capacity
- 1-year warranty
Why do we love it?
The Field King Backpack sprayer is a great option for covering larger grounds. It has a good capacity of up to 4 gallons. It is made with chemical-resistant high-density poly plastic.
The internal pump of the sprayer is built-in with an agitator. This allows the system to effectively mix in liquid, powder, and other water-soluble solutions without the hassle. You can sure bet depend on it as this product was said to have been tested with over 1,000,000 cycles without fail.
The no-leak design of this sprayer is reinforced with high-quality Viton seals. It also comes with an easy access port which makes seal replacement as easy as 1 2 3. No tools required.
The positioning of the pump handle is another design advantage of this product. It can be placed on either left or right side of the sprayer. Hence, it will not affect the handling of the user regardless if they are right or left-handed.
VIVOSUN WHEELED PUMP COMPRESSION SPRAYER
Features:
- Constructed with polyethylene plastic material
- Translucent tank with capacity scale
- Pull handle made with aluminum alloy
- Sponge padded handle
- Adjustable handle height
- Thick heavy-duty plastic wheels
- Wide mouth opening
- With a built-in pressure relief valve
- 22.4-inch spray rod length
- 99.2-inch hose length
- Adjustable nozzle
- Available in 3.2 gallons
Why do we love it?
The wheeled weed sprayer is an awesome choice if you want an effortless application. This Vivosun pump compressor comes with a pair of thick heavy-duty plastic wheels. It can be used in any type of terrain. So, it can work either in grassy, rocky, or muddy gardens and lawns.
This sprayer is also designed with the user’s utmost comfort in mind. It has an adjustable handle length so that it can fit any height. Moreover, it is also padded so you can have a soft and cushioned grip.
It is a big plus too that this sprayer comes with a pressure relief valve. This safety feature regulates the release of excess pressure within the tank. Thus, preventing build-up and unexpected dispersal of chemicals.
So, When It Comes To The Best Weed Sprayer
Weed sprayers are a great tool to have when your garden needs a little help managing those pesky weeds. Because this sprayer is meant to handle volatile substances, it is imperative for it to be built with amazing chemical resistance. Hence, do not get it mistaken for just an ordinary garden sprayer. We hope that the points we have discussed herein helped you find the right weed sprayer for you and your garden.
