Best Backpack Sprayers - Top Picks, Reviews & Complete Buying Guide

by Scott Miller Last updated May. 14, 2019

Gardening is such a popular hobby all over the world and the main concern of gardeners is to protect their plants from pests and weeds.

They are struggling with these issues a lot, so manufacturers have created a useful tool to make their care about gardens easier and more efficient.

In order to save your plants from in a toxic and hostile environment, you have to take care of the surroundings in which your plants grow by using weed killing solutions in a backpack sprayer.

That way, the sprayer will spread the liquid equally and your plant would not be damaged.

A backpack sprayer is designed so as to be a part of every household.

Now, you are wondering why it is so important to speak about backpack sprayers?

What is so different among various models?

Here, you will find the answers to all your questions and determine the best backpack sprayer that you can buy.

Spoiler Alert - Check out my top choice here >>

Top Rated Backpack Sprayers

Model	Rating	Buy Now
Chapin 63985 4-Gallon Backpack Sprayer	3.6	Check Price
Chapin 61900 4-Gallon Backpack Sprayer	3.9	Check Price
Field King Professional 190328 Backpack Sprayer	4.4	Check Price
Solo 425 4-Gallon Backpack Sprayer	3.9	Check Price
Stanley 61804 Backpack Sprayer	3.6	Check Price

* Ratings are based on Editor's own opinion.

5 Best Backpack Sprayers Reviewed

#1. Chapin 63985 4-Gallon Backpack Sprayer

Top Pick

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The model that deserves the greatest reviews is definitely the Chapin 63985.

Being that it is the best backpack sprayer on the market we have to mention all its features and advantages.

Firstly, it is a device you can operate easily with, it is very comfortable to wear on your back and its maintenance is not difficult at all.

The device is equipped with the 20-Volt Lithium-ion battery.

This enables you to maintain not only steady pressure and constant flow rate, but also uniform spray pattern, and fixed droplet size.

As the motor is the one that powers the pump, spraying your fields cannot be easier.

The producers invested a lot in sprayer’s durability as well as for comfortability, as there are people who will take it on their backs for long hours.

What is added to this device are deluxe padded adjustable back straps, lumbar support, and chest support.

A padded grip goes with the shut-off assembly so that your hands have more comfort.

What the producers of the 63985 boast with is the extra-wide opening tank – 6 inches in diameter.

This is designed that way so that you are able to pour liquids into the tank without spilling it all around and making a mess.

Furthermore, the cleaning of the tank is easier and can be done better.

What we have to emphasize is that this model is ideal for both home and commercial use.

As we spoke a lot about the advantages, now we have to mention some disadvantages and the major one is the cost.

This is an electric sprayer and its price is nearly twice higher than the price of manual sprayers.

Additionally, the electric motor makes the device heavier.

The damage of the sprayer requires harder and costlier repairing so you should think whether your budget allows you this kind of backpack sprayer.

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Pros

Impressive battery
Durability
Motorized pump
Excellent filtration system
Producers thought about comfortable straps and lumbar support
Wide opening

Cons

Price

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#2. Chapin 61900 4-Gallon Backpack Sprayer

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Being that the best one of the backpack sprayers is very expensive, we are offering you another solution – similar features, but lower the price.

Our alternative for you is the Chapin 61900 which is actually a manual version of the Chapin 63985.

As it is a manual device, its price is not as high as with electric devices.

While the Chapin 63985 has an electric pump, the Chapin 61900 has a manual piston pump.

Which one would suit you better depends on the amount of work you do.

Those people who are spraying the field once or twice per week do not need an electric device, as spending 20 minutes on the field is not such a demanding and unbearable task.

However, those who have larger fields and have to do the spraying every day, having a manual pumping would require too much effort and energy.

So, if you want to save your strength and time and do the job easily, then the model with an electric pump is better for you. to do the job.

The positive sides of both the Chapin 61900 and the Cahpin 63985 models are that they offer lumbar support, the deluxe padded straps and the 63985 is designed especially for prolonged usage.

The most important difference between these two models is related to the tank’s opening.

The Chapin 61900 has a 4-inch opening while the Chapin 63985’s tank has 6-inch opening.

The larger the opening is, the better the tank will be cleaned and filled.

You can test whether a 4-inch opening is good enough for you by trying to clean a jar with a 4-inch wide opening.

If you have difficulties, you should think about the model with the wider opening.

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Pros

Affordable
Triple filtration system
Pump can be used for both left hand or right-handed operation
Shut-off assembly with a built-in pressure gauge and cushion grip
Great lumbar support

Cons

Lacks deluxe-padded shoulder straps
Smaller tank’s mouth
Durability

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#3. Field King Professional 190328 Backpack Sprayer

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The third one on our list worth mentioning is the Field King Professional 190328.

The benefits that this device offers when compared to the Chapin models are numerous.

The first advantage is the fact that the Field King Professional has a no-leak pump design.

This means that about spilling toxic materials on yourself while using the pump would not be an issue and you do not have to care about making the mess.

Secondly, the sprayer’s pump is connected to an internal agitator designed to mix the contents of the tank while you are using the pump.

The third important feature which makes the Field King Professional different from the other is related to the nozzles.

There are four nozzles that come with this model, but there is also a possibility of attaching TeeJet nozzles which will increase the sprayer’s functionality.

The pressure achieved with this device is up to 150 psi meaning that you can control the flow rate, spray pattern, and droplet size.

A lock-in mechanism is there on the shut-off assembly as well, in order to reduce the strain on your hand.

The Field King Professional parts are durable and efficient.

In case something happens to the equipment, repairing is easy and not so expensive.

The only disadvantage mentioned in reviews is that this model lacks comfortable back straps and lumbar support as well.

Check current price on Amazon >>

Pros

Affordable
No-leak pump design
Build pressure up to 150 psi
Can be used with TeeJet nozzles
Replaceable parts

Cons

Less comfortable back strap than with other models
Lacks lumbar support
No pressure gauge

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#4. Solo 425 4-Gallon Backpack Sprayer

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The fourth position on our list is given to the Solo 425.

This device is the best-selling model on Amazon and there have to be some reasons for that.

One of the reasons is that the producers made a perfect balance between economy and utility.

The Solo 425 has simple design, as everything is neglected in favor of performance. The amazing features of this model are that the piston pump builds pressure up to 90 psi and the Solo 425 has four nozzles, plus it is compatible with TeeJet nozzles without which the pressure has not so much importance.

You will be able to select the spray patterns and those more experienced ones can eve calibrate this backpack sprayer to suit any requirement.

In addition, the Solo 425 also has interchangeable pump levers meaning that it can be used by both left and right handed people.

The spray hose is 48 inches long and there is the lock-on and lock-off feature on the shut-off valve, allowing the user to set the wand to spray and leave it on without manually keeping it on.

After all the advantages, there come some weaknesses.

The biggest drawback of this model is definitely the back strap which is not at all comfortable as with other models.

If it was not for a bad back strap, this model would definitely be on a better position on our list.

Check current price on Amazon >>

Pros

Economical
Can be used with TeeJet nozzles
Shut-off mechanism with lock-on and lock-off feature

Cons

Back straps lack comfortability
Lacks lumbar support
No pressure gauge

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#5. Stanley 61804 Backpack Sprayer

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The last sprayer on our list is designed for people who do not need it for heavy-duty tasks, but rather for some small and not so demanding jobs.

By using the Stanley 61804, you will get everything that is necessary for a good spraying.

The Stanley 61804 offers all the essentials of a good backpack sprayer including two filters: one of them is at the mouth of the tank and one is inside the shut-off assembly.

These filters are designed to prevent that debris clog the hose or wand while you are using the sprayer.

Another great feature is that the sprayer is made out of light, durable, and chemical resistant material which ensures it longevity.

Besides the fact that it is easily maintained, the model is designed for both left and right handed users as the pump handle can be switched from left to right.

A continuous spray mode is there so your hand would not be pressed on the spray lever all the time.

This backpack sprayer is not for people who grow plants at a commercial level.

This is so, because that the nozzles on this sprayer have limited functionality and the back straps are not comfortable.

Check current price on Amazon >>

Pros

Economical
Pump is designed for both left handed or right handed use
Spray mode

Cons

Lacks functionality
Back straps are uncomfortable
Poor nozzle design

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Backpack Sprayers: The Ultimate Buying Guide

No matter how great one product is, it will not be ideal for everybody.

That is why the manufacturers are doing their best to suit the needs of every customer.

They are achieving that by producing a device which will have the best features that are important to them.

We created this article to help you find the backpack sprayer which will address all your requirements and which will be satisfactory in terms of economy, comfort, and ease of use.

If you have not found the answers to all your questions, this section might give you some further information with more details related to backpack sprayers.

Should I invest more money in a motorized pump?

In order to explain who is in need of what kind of pump, we will take a look at an example of a baker and a woman preparing food for her family.

A baker breaks a lot of eggs per day and he/she would have great benefits from an electronic device, unlike a woman who whisks two eggs every other day.

An electric mixer is not necessary to her.

The conclusion is that the investment in a motorized sprayer is worth only if you are planning to use it frequently.

If the volume of your work is not huge, a manual one would do the job quite efficiently.

The volume of work which exceeds an hour of spraying every day requires an electric motor so that it can save you plenty of effort and time.

A motorized pump is more of a luxury than a necessity if you are spraying once or twice a week.

Another difference is that a motorized pump also helps maintain pressure, spray pattern, flow rate, and spray quality, meaning that it is designed for professionals.

People growing plants as a hobby should not waste money on electric devices.

What is meant by spray pattern and quality?

The spray patterns depend on the backpack sprayer’s wand.

In those wands which do not have a nozzle, the solution would flow out in a single stream, while in those with a nozzle, the stream would flow into tiny droplets and create different shapes on the sprayed surface.

The spray patterns that are very popular are flat-fan, even flat-fan, extended flat-fan, full cone, hollow cone, and flood.

In the majority of cases the name of the nozzle is the same as the spray pattern it creates.

The size of the droplet coming out of the nozzle is the spray quality.

The most common sizes are: very fine, fine, medium, coarse, very coarse, and extremely coarse.

Which size of droplets to use in mentioned when you buy the product you spray on your plants.

That way you will be able to change the pressure and nozzle to achieve the required droplet size.

The process of adjusting the spray is called calibration.

What should be psi value for a good sprayer?

You probably know that the pressure range is an important feature when backpack sprayers are in question.

The effects of increasing or decreasing pressure are also very significant.

If the pressure is constant, the spray nozzle volume increases with an increase in nozzle size.

If it happens that the nozzle size remains the same, the spray nozzle volume increases with increase in pressure.

Now, the increasing of the pressure reduces the droplet size which can lead to a drift and the missing of the intended target.

So, you will need to calibrate your sprayer and make these parameters right.

The calibration of your sprayer includes the adjustment of the nozzle size and pressure which will in turn reduce drift and improve accuracy.

So, for most users, a pressure range of 20 to 60 psi is considered enough.

What is the difference between diaphragm pumps and piston pumps?

Those who frequently work with a backpack sprayer know that the tank is not under pressure, but the pump is the one that creates the pressure which is necessary so as to spray the solution in a separate chamber.

The pump types are a piston or a diaphragm one and there are differences between them.

Firstly, a piston pump pushes air into the chamber as a cycle pump pushes air into tires.

On the other hand, a diaphragm pump does not have any moving parts and produces no friction.

That way, the pump durability is better and diaphragm pumps work better than piston pumps.

However, if you are using liquids, the piston pump would work better than diaphragm pumps.

I think I got it, what are my options?

Depending on the amount of work that has to be done and how often it will be done, you can decide which backpack sprayer is good for you.

As this list offers only five models of all the available products on the market, you can also visit some other websites and gather more information from different customers and users.

However, if you are looking for a quality backpack sprayer, the brands that you can take into consideration are D.B. Smith, Jacto, Hudson, SPS, Stihl and Chapin and Solo.

Conclusion

Having taken a look at all the characteristics that the best backpack weed sprayer offer, we can now easily make a conclusion which one is the most suitable for our needs, as various gardeners have distinct desires and expectations from the sprayer.

The first one on our list which deserves much attention is the Chapin 63985 .

You will have amazing benefits of an electric motor.

If you do not need an electric device, you can go for a budget-friendly product – the Chapin 61900.

However, have in mind that these models do not accommodate TeeJet nozzles.

To get a greater flexibility in spray patterns, you should check the Solo 425 or the Field King Professional.

What these models lack are high-quality back straps and lumbar support.

So, they are less comfortable and designed for short period of usage.

The model which offers the least features is the Stanley 61804, a low cost backpack sprayer.

During the recent decades, backpack sprayers have become a tool present in the majority of households and this has caused the increase in number of producers and models on the market.

What is offered are models for every budget and every type of customers.

We hope that now, as you have gone through these reviews, you are able to choose a product that will fulfill your requirements.

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