8 Garden Sprayers That Work Hard So You Don't Have To (2024)

Our Top Picks

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)}

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)}

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)}

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)}

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)}

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)}

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)}

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.

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.