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5 Best Backpack Sprayers for Herbicides and Pesticides

Our ultimate guide will cover the best backpack sprayers for 2025, as well as how to choose the best backpack sprayer for your needs, how to use one effectively and much more!

Backpack sprayers, also called knapsack sprayers or backpack weed sprayers, make controlling weeds and pests simple, easy and safe.

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Best Backpack Sprayer Reviews For Herbicide and Pesticides

Best Backpack Sprayers for 2025

Product


Our Rating

Price

1. Chapin 61500 4-Gallon Euro Style Backpack Sprayer

Chapin 61500 4 Gallon Euro Style Backpack Sprayer
Best Rated Pesticide and Herbiside Backpack Sprayer

2. Chapin 61900 4-Gallon Tree and Turf Pro

Chapin 61900 4-Gallon Tree and Turf Pro

3. Field King Professional 190328 No Leak Pump Sprayer

Field King Professional 190328 No Leak Pump herbicide sprayer

4. Chapin 63985 4-Gallon Wide Mouth 20v Electric Sprayer

Chapin 63985 4-Gallon Wide Mouth 20v Battery

5. Chapin 61800 4-Gallon ProSeries

Chapin 61800 4-Gallon ProSeries

Sumo Gardener's Best Backpack Sprayer Pick for 2025

Best Rated Pesticide and Herbiside Backpack Sprayer
Best Backpack Sprayer for 2020 is the Chapin 61500 4 Gallon Euro Style

via amazon.com

We recommend the Chapin 61500 4 Gallon Euro Style as the best backpack sprayer for 2025.


It is reliable, comfortable to use, is easy to fill and clean, is compatible with common weed killers, pesticides and liquid fertilizers on the market - and it’s affordable too!

Backpack sprayers, also called knapsack sprayers or backpack weed sprayers, make controlling weeds and pests simple, easy and safe.

Our ultimate guide will cover the best backpack sprayers for 2025, as well as how to choose the best backpack sprayer for your needs, how to use one effectively and much more!

What is a Backpack Sprayer

What is a Backpack Sprayer

A backpack sprayer is a much more portable version of a traditional sprayer. Rather than having to carry the tank at your side and use your opposing arm to direct the spray with the wand, the tank is carried on your back.

This is much easier and allows you greater control. Battery-powered sprayers maintain the tank pressure for you, so you don’t have to stop and manually pump the tank.

Backpack Sprayer Structure

Today’s backpack sprayers are made of high-quality, durable materials that are non-permeable, ensuring your herbicide or pesticide mix is safely contained and that you can use it multiple times over many seasons.

The best backpack sprayers are made of chemically resistant plastic, ensuring that they are light, easy to wear and safe for spraying.

Parts of a Backpack Sprayer 

A man using a backpack sprayer

The three main parts of a backpack or knapsack sprayer is the tank, nozzle and pump. These differ between different sprayers, impacting on their capacity to hold chemicals, the accuracy of the spray they produce, the pressure of the spray and even the weight of the unit.

Tank

The tank determines how much pesticide or herbicide you can carry in one go, so it’s important to get the correct capacity for your yard. Generally, a 4 gallon backpack sprayer is sufficient for an average-sized yard.

Nozzle

The nozzle type determines the spray pattern and applies the chemical you are spraying accurately and with a uniform coverage.

The best backpack sprayers come with several different nozzle types that you can use for different spray patterns, and the nozzles themselves are adjustable, allowing you to widen or narrow the spray, or choose between misting or spraying a stream.

Pump

In order to spray steadily and evenly, backpack sprayers have a pump that maintains pressure within the tank. This can be a manual pump or an electric pump.

The best backpack sprayers have a powerful pump that doesn’t require a lot of manual pumping, which is ideal – especially for senior gardeners or people who suffer from wrist or arm pain.

Manual pumps that require lots of pumping quickly result in hand fatigue while in use, especially on more extensive jobs.


Benefits of Using a Backpack Sprayer

A backpack sprayer is a much more portable version of a traditional sprayer

Protect Your Plants Conveniently

Backpack sprayers make it easy to keep your flowers, vegetable plants and fruit trees free of pests, fungi, weeds and diseases that can destroy your plants and your crops.

Because of how they are designed and carried on your back, they are very portable and there’s minimal heavy lifting, so it’s easy to treat every corner of your yard.

Many of the best backpack sprayers are powered by a twelve-volt battery supply for the pump, so you don’t even have to stop to apply the pump manually to ensure the correct pressure.

Powerful Spray

These sprayers can supply a powerful, consistent and steady spray of herbicides or pesticides as you move through your yard, all without putting any pressure on your back.

Because they are so powerful, it’s easy to apply a full-coverage misting spray even from a significant height.

Efficiency

The last thing you want to do is apply too much pesticide or insecticide to your plants, or damage plants close to weed growth when you’re applying herbicide.

These sprayers have a number of nozzles and customizable settings, allowing you to apply your spray correctly and accurately, without wasting the product.

Multi-Use

Backpack sprayers can be used for multiple liquids (although it is essential to have dedicated sprayers for different jobs or to thoroughly clean the tank to avoid contamination), including liquid fertilizers, weed killer, insecticides and pesticides, anti-fungal products and more. You can even use it for homemade pest control products.

Long Lasting

Backpack sprayers are simple but durable pieces of gardening equipment, usually lasting many, many years without requiring much in the way of maintenance or repairs.


How to Choose the Best Backpack Sprayer 

Best Backpack Sprayer 2020 Reviews

There are many different types of backpack or knapsack sprayers on the market. Here are some tips on what to look for to help you find the best backpack sprayer.

Durability and Availability

Look for a brand you know and trust, where you can easily look up reviews and do your own research on the product.

This will help you make an informed choice and find a sprayer that is made of good quality, durable materials. 

It’s also a good idea to choose a widely-available brand and model, as this will ensure that any replacement parts you need are easy to find.

This is especially important if you are considering a battery-powered sprayer with an electric pump.

Piston Pump or Diaphragm Pump

The main difference between the type of sprayer is the type of pump. There are two types of pump on the market – the piston pump and the diaphragm pump, and they both work in slightly different ways.

So, what is the difference between a piston pump and a diaphragm pump?

  • Piston pump – A piston pump can generate about 6 bars of pressure, which is good for getting that fine, misting spray and a good reach.

    These are often easier to repair if they break because you have full access to the system by removing a few screws.

    They also tend to be more affordably priced. You should only use non-abrasive chemicals in a piston pump.
  • Diaphragm pump – A diaphragm pump generates about 4 bar of pressure, which isn’t quite as good as the piston pump.

    They are closed systems, so you can’t repair them easily, and they tend to be more expensive.

    These sprayers are suited to using gritty and syrupy liquids as well as abrasive and non-abrasive chemicals, which makes them more versatile.

Spray Wand

There are several different types of wands on the market, and your backpack sprayer will come with one or more. You can also buy additional wands separately.

Wands can be made of brass, polyethylene or aluminum, and each material is suited to different chemicals, so make sure it is rated for what you want to use it for.

In addition, you can also get wands with different grips, including handgun grips, which can be easier to use especially if you are doing a lot of spraying or suffer from pain in your fingers and hands.

Maintenance of Your Wand and Pack

It’s important that your wand and pack is easy to store and can be quickly maintained and cleaned after every application. Some backpack sprayers can be complicated to clean, which can lead to cross-contamination and other problems.

Choose something that you can clean quickly, so you no longer have an excuse for not cleaning it immediately.


Best Backpack Sprayers Reviews

1. Chapin 61500 4 Gallon Euro Style

For Fertilizer, Herbicides and Pesticides

Best Rated Pesticide and Herbiside Backpack Sprayer
Chapin 61500 4 Gallon Euro Style Backpack Sprayer has a four-inch mouth wide opening and a translucent tank

via amazon.com

Chapin 61500 Euro Style 4 Gallon Backpack Sprayer has a four-inch mouth wide opening and a translucent tank, which you can easily fill and clean. It is perfect for most pesticides, fertilizers, and weed killers on the market today.

The Chapin 61500 backpack sprayer looks like a traditional sprayer but will assure you the comfort that you need because of the shoulder straps that are padded.

The trigger spray, on the other hand, can instantly stop once you release it. Same goes when triggering it since it can immediately spray the liquid out of the nozzle.

Chapin 61500 4 Gallon Euro Style

Source: Amazon

This means that this backpack spray can easily be used with less effort.

Pros

  • Comfortable to wear
  • Reliable sprayer
  • No need to refill every so often
  • Trigger can be touched lightly
  • Two nozzles
  • Can easily be cleaned
  • Has long stream and good pressure

Cons

  • Hard to operate

2. Chapin 61900 4 Gallon Tree/Turf Pro

Stainless Steel Wand

Chapin 61900 4 Gallon Tree/Turf Pro backpack sprayer

via amazon.com

Chapin 61900 4 Gallon Tree/Turf Pro Commercial Backpack Sprayer is equipped with a translucent tank with a four-inch mouth opening which you can quickly fill with liquid and clean.

This backpack sprayer is compatible with most conventional pesticides, weed killers, and fertilizers.

The filtration system has three stages and can easily be removed and cleaned, so you no longer have to worry about anything.

Chapin 61900 4 Gallon Tree/Turf Pro

via amazon.com

There is also a cushion grip that is equipped with three different nozzles, for you to be able to use it in various applications.

The Chapin backpack sprayer also has shoulder straps that are padded so you can comfortably use this for hours. 

The good thing about this sprayer is that it is not only for professionals but for people who are into DIYs since it can easily be assembled. It also can cover lawns that are large.

Another good thing about this sprayer is that you don’t have to worry about chemicals spreading in your garden since this is leak free.

Pros

  • Has a handy basket for debris
  • Nozzles won’t clogged up
  • Can easily see fluids through the translucent tank
  • Made out of stainless steel, which makes it durable
  • Has three stage filtration, for less clogging

Cons

  • Can be expensive

3. Field King Professional 190328 No Leak Pump

for Killing Weeds in Lawns and Gardens

Field King Professional 190328  is made out of durable materials and a twenty-one-inch wand with Viton seals

Source: Amazon

Field King Professional 190328 Backpack Sprayer has an internal no leak pump, which means that it is safe to use since there will be no chemicals dripping on your lawn.

It is made out of durable materials and a twenty-one-inch wand with Viton seals which makes it resistant from the chemical. There are brass components, lockable and premium shut off, and as well as an in-line filter.

Field King Professional 190328 No Leak Pump 2

Source: Amazon

The pump can easily be accessed without the need to use any tools.The Field King backpack sprayer has an agitator that is built-in, which can handle water soluble, power, and liquid solutions.

This sprayer has a pressure that can reach a PSI of 150, which is 65% higher than the other types of backpack sprayers. Another good thing about this is that you can easily reach areas that are difficult to spray, because of the pressure that this backpack has.

Pros

  • Great for majority of garden chemicals
  • Three-year warranty
  • Pump can pressurize rapidly
  • 4-gallon capacity
  • Comfortable to use
  • Diaphragm pump for

Cons

  • Expensive

4. Chapin 63985 20v Battery Electric Backpack Sprayer

Decker Lithium Ion Battery

Chapin 63985 Backpack Sprayer features a 20 volt Black & Decker lithium battery, which can last for up to 1.75 hours

Source: Amazon

Chapin 63985 20v Battery Backpack Sprayer features a 20 volt Black & Decker lithium battery, which can last for up to 1.75 hours. It has a PSI of 35 to 40 with a thirty-five-foot horizontal spray stream.

The tank can accommodate four gallons of liquid and a six inches width in the mouth, which can easily be filled and cleaned.

The grip cushion shut off has three different nozzles that can be used for various application.

Chapin 63985 20v Electric Backpack Sprayer Nozzle

Source: Amazon

The Chapin 63985 backpack sprayer has a padded shoulder for maximum comfort, no matter how long you use it. Another good thing about this is that the tank has a lifetime guarantee, while the other accessories and parts have a one year warranty.

Pros

  • Comfortable to use because it is well padded
  • Mouth is extra wide, which makes filling safely and very secure
  • Can spray up to 35 feet
  • Built to last for an extended period of time of time
  • Battery can last for almost 2 hours

Cons

  • Battery needs to be charged for almost 4 hours before use

5. Chapin 61800 4-Gallon ProSeries

For Fertilizer, Herbicides and Pesticides

Chapin 61800 4-Gallon ProSeries

Source: Amazon

Chapin 61800 4-Gallon ProSeries Backpack Sprayer has a 4-gallon tank that is translucent. The opening is four inches wide and can easily be filled and cleaned.

It is also compatible to most weed killers, fertilizers, and as well as pesticides. The in-tank can be removed and cleaned because of the three stage system filtration that it has.

The backpack sprayer has three different nozzles for each application.

Chapin 61800 4-Gallon ProSeries 2

Source: Amazon

The Chapin 61800 backpack sprayer has shoulder straps that are well padded, which means that you can use this for an extended period without worrying of straining your back.

The wand that it comes with is made out of poly and is durable, same goes with the nozzles.

Pros

  • Perfect for commercial and home use
  • Compatible with almost all including bleach
  • AffordablePadded straps
  • Can check pressure inside the tank

Cons

  • Leak issues are reported

Sumo Gardener's Best Backpack Sprayer Pick for 2025

Best Rated Pesticide and Herbiside Backpack Sprayer
 Top pick backpack sprayer Chapin 61500 4 Gallon Euro Style

via amazon.com

We recommend the Chapin 61500 4 Gallon Euro Style as the best backpack sprayer on the market.


It is reliable, comfortable to use, is easy to fill and clean, is compatible with common weed killers, pesticides and liquid fertilizers on the market - and it’s affordable too!

How to Use and Store Your Backpack Sprayer

Backpack sprayers hold any sprayable liquid like insecticide, fertilizer or weed killer

  • Choose the right nozzle for your wand to suit the job and attach it.
  • Create the right amount of spray liquid for the area you want to spray, following the manufacturer instructions.

    Do not exceed this concentration, as this can actually make weed killers ineffective or cause fertilizer to harm the plant.
  • Set your nozzle to the correct spray width and stream/mist level.
  • Wear personal protective clothing, including a mask or scarf around your mouth, protective eyewear, shoes with good grip and clothing that fits and covers as much of your skin as possible.
  • Choose a day without wind or rain.
  • Walk backwards so you do not walk into any residue from the spray.
  • Clean your sprayer immediately after use. Use water or a solution of 1:25 ammonia and water, running it through the tank, hose and nozzle.

Backpack Sprayers Frequently Asked Questions

How Do Sprayers Work?

Backpack sprayers hold any sprayable liquid like insecticide, fertilizer or weed killer – almost anything that is similar to water in terms of consistency.

Using a manual or battery powered pump, the sprayer pressurizes the tank and sends the liquid into the spraying wand, allowing you to direct the spray effectively through a nozzle.

You don’t have to pump constantly, as a pressure cylinder will do a lot of the work for you. If you don’t want the inconvenience of pumping at all, look for a battery-powered sprayer.

Are the Backpacks Comfortable to Wear?

The best backpack sprayers are designed for comfort, with padding and support around the tank and straps to help ensure an even distribution of weight and to prevent any part of the sprayer from causing you discomfort.

However, every person is different, so it’s important to try on a sprayer in person to ensure their design works for you.

How Far Does the Spray Travel?

This depends on the type of sprayer you are using, the liquid you are spraying, the nozzle type and the power of the pump, but most spray a distance of 20-25 feet.

The wider the nozzle and the thicker the liquid, the shorter the range.

Can I Use One Sprayer for Both Weed Killer and Insecticide?

Yes, you can – but you have to be very careful as you can cross-contaminate your liquids and accidentally kill your plants. Here’s what to do:

  • Empty the tank fully.
  • Run a solution of 1:25 ammonia and water through the system, cleaning the tank, hose and nozzles.
  • Rinse thoroughly with water, running it through the system a couple of times to make sure minimal residue remains.

What Else Can I Spray with a Sprayer?

You can use your sprayer in the garden to spray weed killer, pesticides, liquid fertilizer, antifungal liquids or even plain water.

Some people also use these sprayers to apply certain types of water sealant or paint remover if you have a brass wand. 

However, it is not strong enough to spray paint. Again, it is essential to clean the tank, hoses and nozzles thoroughly if you are switching between liquids.

Where Can I Learn More About Spraying Insecticides and Weed Killer?

Here are some great resources on using insecticide and weed killer in the garden:

If there’s any other advice you’re looking for, then comment on our post and our team will reply!


Buy the Best Backpack Sprayer on the Market and Make Yard Work Easy!

Backpack or knapsack sprayers are the most convenient and effective way to apply liquid fertilizer, control weeds and get rid of pests in your vegetable garden, flowerbeds and backyard.

When looking for the best backpack sprayer, remember to look for something that is comfortable to wear on your back, offers you a wide range of nozzle types, is compatible with the liquids you want to use, is made with high-quality, durable parts and materials, and is easy to clean!

About the Author Pat Moreno

Pat is our gardening tool expert here at Sumo Gardener. Working for many years as a private and commercial landscaper, Pat has used almost every type of gardening tool there is. Along with a vast knowledge for types of plants and putting together an amazing looking and maintainable garden, Pat developed a passion for gardening tools as he found that using the right tools vastly improved the ease and outcome of any landscaping job he undertook. When spending hours, days or years using a particular tool, you want to make sure you’ve got the best one for the job, and Pat is the right guy to guide us to the best gardening tools.

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