A backpack pump sprayer is a great way to keep your plants safe from weeds and bugs. Pump-powered sprayers are portable, affordable, and easier on the environment than battery- or gas-powered pumps.
But which backpack pump sprayer should you get?
We ranked the best backpack sprayers using four key criteria: weight, cost, spraying pressure, and carrying capacity.
Top 9 Backpack Pump Sprayers – Reviews
1. Oregon 518769 4-gallon backpack pump sprayer
Oregon 518769 4-gallon backpack pump sprayer
The Oregon 518769 is the best all-around choice. It’s inexpensive, lightweight, and powerful enough to cover large areas.
Our overall champ, the Oregon 518769 4-gallon, is an inexpensive, lightweight, and powerful backpack pump sprayer that can spray insecticides high up in the branches or cover large areas of your yard at once.
There aren’t any obvious downsides to this model. The Oregon 518769 wins with a balance of weight, cost, spraying pressure, and carrying capacity. If, however, you want the lightest, most powerful, or most affordable backpack pump sprayer, then you might want to keep shopping.
Specifications:
- Tank Capacity: 4 gallons
- Maximum Pressure: 145 psi
- Weight: 7.75 lbs
- Price Range: Inexpensive
Pros:
✓ Affordable
✓ Lightweight
✓ Powerful
Cons:
✗ Carrying capacity could be higher
2. Oregon 518771 5-gallon backpack pump sprayer
Oregon 518771 5-gallon backpack pump sprayer
If you need a bigger tank than our #1 pick, the Oregon 518771 has an additional gallon. But it’s also more expensive.
The Oregon 518771 5-gallon has nearly the same benefits as our No. 1-ranked Oregon model but with these two key differences: You get an extra gallon of tank capacity, but you have to pay a little more.
This extra carrying capacity is ideal for long jobs and continuous spraying. We also like this backpack pump sprayer’s ergonomic design, comfortable straps, and great lumbar support.
Bonus points: The 6-foot hose allows for versatility, and the interchangeable nozzles provide a variety of spray patterns.
Specifications:
- Tank Capacity: 5 gallons
- Maximum Pressure: 145 psi
- Weight: 7.75 lbs
- Price Range: Inexpensive
Pros:
✓ Affordable
✓ Powerful
✓ Great carrying capacity
Cons:
✗ You can find lighter and more powerful models on the market.
3. Flesser 4-gallon backpack sprayer
Flesser Backpack Sprayer Knapsack Manual Sprayer
The Flesser Backpack Sprayer has a 4-gal tank but only 58 psi. The good news is that it’s lightweight and inexpensive.
The Flesser 4-gallon backpack sprayer optimizes both cost and weight. Here’s what we mean: At only 6.6 pounds, this little machine is perfect for anyone who has back problems, and it’s also a very low-priced model.
Where the Flesser 4-gallon backpack sprayer loses a few points is with power. With a maximum of only 58 pounds of pressure per square inch, you’ll find other models with a much stronger spray. If you have a large garden to cover you might want to look for a backpack pump sprayer with a stronger stream.
Specifications:
- Tank Capacity: 4 gallons
- Maximum Pressure: 58 psi
- Weight: 6.6 lbs
- Price Range: Inexpensive
Pros:
✓ Lightweight
✓ Affordable
Cons:
✗ Spraying pressure could be higher
4. Beaugreen 4-gallon backpack sprayer
Beaugreen 4-gallon backpack sprayer
Beaugreen’s 4-gallon backpack sprayer is similar to others on our list. It’s affordable, holds 4 gallons, has 58 psi, and is under 7 lbs.
The Beaugreen 4-gallon backpack sprayer also combines affordability with optimal weight. We love the easy-to-carry 6.6 pounds, as this machine would be perfect for you if you don’t want to strain yourself while spraying to get rid of weeds or pests.
We placed this sprayer in the “inexpensive” category, meaning its price was in the bottom third of all the models in our survey. If cost is an issue, this model may be for you. We also like the ergonomic design and the adjustable sprayer head.
Any drawbacks? The 4-gallon tank is pretty standard. Also, you’ll sacrifice a little power with these lightweight models. The 58 pounds of pressure per square inch is on the low end for this list.
Specifications:
- Tank Capacity: 4 gallons
- Maximum Pressure: 58 psi
- Weight: 6.6 lbs.
- Price Range: Inexpensive
Pros:
✓ Lightweight
✓ Affordable
Cons:
✗ Low power
5. Roundup 190314 backpack sprayer
Roundup 190314 Backpack Sprayer for Fertilizers, Herbicides, Weed Killers & Insecticides
This Roundup 190314 backpack sprayer is a bit more expensive and heavy, but it’s also more powerful.
This Roundup backpack pump sprayer makes sense as our No. 5 pick as it is right in the middle of the pack for spraying power, weight, and price.
Bonus points: We like the removable in-line filter to prevent clogging, and the durability and the heavy-duty design. The adjustable padded straps are comfortable, and the wide mouth lid makes for easy filling.
The only place this model loses a few points is in price.
Specifications:
- Tank Capacity: 4 gallons
- Maximum Pressure: 90 psi
- Weight: 10 lbs.
- Price Range: Medium
Pros:
✓ Strong pressure
✓ Medium weight
Cons:
✗ More expensive than other models on our list
6. Beaugreen 5-gallon pump pressure sprayer
Beaugreen 5-gallon pump pressure sprayer
The Beaugreen 5-gallon pump pressure sprayer lets you cover your whole yard without having to refill, but it lacks in power.
The Beaugreen 5-gallon pump pressure sprayer offers carrying capacity at a low price. This affordable and lighter (at 9.3 pounds) backpack sprayer is ideally suited for you if you have a large property and want to avoid a long walk back to the shed to reload.
This backpack pump sprayer loses points mainly for power. Its 58 pounds of pressure per square inch will get the job done, but you may have to stand a little closer to the plants you want to spray and walk around a little more.
Specifications:
- Tank Capacity: 5 gallons
- Maximum Pressure: 58 psi
- Weight: 9.3 lbs
- Price Range: Inexpensive
Pros:
✓ Carrying capacity
✓ Affordability
✓ Weight
Cons:
✗ Low pressure
7. Field King 190328 backpack sprayer
Field King 190328 Backpack Sprayer, 4 Gallon
Field King’s 190328 features four nozzles to support a variety of spraying styles. It has 150 psi but is a bit heavy and costly.
The Field King 190328 is another powerful machine perfect for hard-to-reach places and with added versatility — four nozzles support a variety of spraying styles.
Bonus points: This Field King backpack pump sprayer also accepts TeeJet brand nozzles in case you like to customize with outside parts. We also like the 190328’s lockable shut-off valve.
The only downside? This professional-grade backpack pump sprayer is a little on the heavy side. Don’t drop it on your foot.
Specifications:
- Tank Capacity: 4 gallons
- Maximum Pressure: 150 psi
- Weight: 12.8 lbs
- Price Range: Medium
Pros:
✓ Power
✓ Features (TeeJet nozzles accepted, lockable shut-off valve)
Cons:
✗ Weight
✗ Cost
8. Chapin International 61575 backpack sprayer
Chapin International 61575 backpack sprayer
The Chapin International 61575 is a good balance of cost, weight, and pressure and its padded shoulder straps add comfort.
The Chapin International 61575 balances cost, weight, and pressure, with some added benefits. The backpack sprayer’s 4-inch mouth makes for easy filling, and the padded shoulder straps make this model easier to carry around for long periods of time.
For versatility, this might be the backpack pump sprayer for you. If, however, you’re looking to maximize power or weight, you’ll want to take a look at other models.
Specifications:
- Tank Capacity: 4 gallons
- Maximum Pressure: 100 psi
- Weight: 10.6 lbs
- Price Range: Inexpensive
Pros:
✓ Inexpensive
✓ Strong pressure
Cons:
✗ Could be lighter
9. Field King Max 190348 backpack sprayer
Field King Max 190348 Backpack Sprayer
The Field King Max 190348 has a 4-gal translucent tank, 150 psi, and four nozzles but you’ll sacrifice weight and price.
This Field King professional sprayer offers a consistent and powerful jet for getting pesticides on tree tops and other tough-to-reach places. Some cool features on this sprayer include a 21-inch spray wand, four removable nozzles to give your spray a variety of shapes, and a translucent tank.
The downsides? This backpack sprayer is both heavier and pricier than most of the models that made it to our list.
Specifications:
- Tank Capacity: 4 gallons
- Maximum Pressure: 150 psi
- Weight: 12.8 lbs
- Price Range: Medium
Pros:
✓ Powerful spray
✓ Durable design
Cons:
✗ Hefty
✗ A little expensive
Buyers Guide
Do you need a backpack pump sprayer?
Backpack sprayers are handy for evenly spraying your yard with weed killers and pesticides. If you’re struggling with dandelions, aphids, or other common problems, these useful machines can keep unwanted weeds and critters out of your yard.
A backpack sprayer gives you several advantages over a handheld sprayer. The average backpack sprayer carries 4 gallons of liquid, much more than your typical handheld.
A backpack sprayer is also usually more powerful. You can simply fit a larger and more powerful pump engine on a backpack.
But which backpack sprayer is the right one for you? We’ll cover the different power types so you can decide if a hand pump is the right model for your landscape.
3 types of backpack sprayers
Backpack pump sprayers have three power sources: gas, battery, or hand pump. Let’s go over the differences.
Hand Pump: Pump-operated backpack sprayers build up water pressure the old-fashioned way, with a hand-powered pump. These simple machines have some serious benefits. They’re often much lighter and more affordable than their gas- and battery-powered counterparts.
Backpack pump sprayers also are the most environmentally friendly type you can buy.
The downside of pump sprayers is pretty obvious: You have to put in a little more elbow grease to get rid of those weeds or pests in your yard or garden.
Gas-engine: Gas-powered backpack pump sprayers are powerful and effective at moving a lot of liquid quickly, but gas-powered models are often heavier and much more expensive. They also require maintenance and regular refueling to run.
If you’re concerned about cutting carbon emissions, you’ll want to avoid adding more combustion engines to your carbon footprint. Also, gas engines can be loud and smelly.
Battery-powered: Battery-powered backpack pump sprayers rely on lithium-ion batteries to power their pumps. Battery-powered pump sprayers are powerful and portable, but they tend to be heavier and more expensive than pump models.
On the plus side, battery-powered sprayers usually weigh and cost less than gas-powered models.
One major drawback of battery-powered sprayers? You’ll have to plug in the charger for hours to keep them charged up, so they’re not ideal for anyone who is a little forgetful.
While better for the environment than gas, battery-powered sprayers use electricity from your house, and that energy often comes from a coal-burning power plant.
Manual pump sprayer versus battery-powered backpack sprayer? Check out this video comparing the options:
Backpack pump sprayers: key metrics
If you have never bought a backpack pump sprayer before, these statistics might be a little confusing. Here is a quick rundown of what each of them means:
Tank Capacity: The tank is where you store the liquid you plan on spraying, whether it’s herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers. The industry standard is about 4 gallons.
Maximum Pressure: Pressure tells you how powerful a stream of fluid your machine can spray. The standard unit of measurement is pounds per square inch (psi). The more weight pushing down on the liquid, the harder it shoots out the hose.
Weight: The weight of backpack sprayers will range from just over 5 pounds to close to 14. What this means to you will vary depending on your needs and lifting ability.
Price Range: The cost of these machines will vary. Backpack pump sprayers typically range in price from about $50 to $150.
FAQ About Backpack Pump Sprayers
By our count, the Oregon 518769 4-gallon offers the best combination of our key metrics: price, weight, carrying capacity, and spraying pressure.
Backpack pump sprayers that made our top products list are all from major brands like Field King, Oregon, and Chapin, but you also can find backpack pump sprayers from Hudson, Husqvarna, Stihl, and Solo.
This will depend on your model and how much you pump it. For a range, these sprayers can generally maintain a stream of at least 10 feet and at most 35.
Conclusion
Armed with LawnStarter’s list of the best backpack pump sprayers, you should be able to make a better decision about the right model for your needs.
The best way to choose a backpack pump sprayer is to focus on what’s most important to you:
- Power: Get a powerful backpack pump sprayer if you need some serious hose strength. Anyone who needs to spray a lot can save themselves some time with a stronger jet stream.
- Price: Buy a more affordable model if price is your top priority. Decide how much you want to spend ahead of time and limit yourself to sprayers in your budget.
- Weight: Consider the weight if you’re looking to make your chores easier. We can’t all lug heavy machines on our backs for hours on end.
Once you’ve determined what’s most important to you in a sprayer, you can pick out the best backpack pump sprayer to meet those needs.
Of course, you might decide that spraying everything yourself just isn’t your jam. In that case, we’d be happy to connect you with a lawn care pro near you.
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