Last updated on July 13th, 2023
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Moving on from the review I have recently written on the best knapsack sprayers, as well as the best fence sprayers. I tested the very impressive Wagner Fence & Decking Paint Sprayer on my new fence, newly renovated garage door and some large 8ft troughs I made from some recycled half-round wooden rails.
In this review, I thought I would share my experience with some of the best gardener sprayers. Some I have used for years in the nursery, and some are relatively new sprayers to me. I say new, I have still used them for a couple of years but I have found them to be better suited for use at home.
I will get straight to the point, for professional horticultural spraying, I have used my Cooper Pegler Classic CP15 15L Knapsack Sprayer pictured above. It really is hard to beat, I have owned two of them for over 15 years, one for pesticides and one for weedkillers and they really are made to last. You can’t beat the build quality and reliability, however, they are expensive, no getting around that, but they are well worth paying extra for if you’re going to be using them frequently, you will get your money’s worth out of them.
PROFESSIONAL PICK
I have reviewed the CP15 sprayer in more detail in my best knapsack sprayer guide here
I also use this Hozelock Pulsar Plus 16L Comfort Backpack Sprayer as pictured above. It is much more affordable, the build quality is also really good too and it’s proved very reliable over the last couple of years. What I really like is the innovative design which makes it such a good option for me to keep at home, more on this in a moment.
BEST FOR GARDENS
If you don’t need a larger backpack sprayer but still want a good quality sprayer, then you can’t go wrong with the Hozelock 1.25L Spraymist Pressure Sprayer I am using to spray my Hollyhocks. This is such as good little sprayer and I use this for mixing small amounts of weedkiller or pesticides for spraying greenflies as well as applying fungicides (mainly on my roses). It is an excellent choice for those with much smaller gardens where you won’t get the use out of a larger backpack sprayer, plus it’s much easier to store.
It’s a good quality piece of kit, much better than all those cheap alternatives DIY stores like B&Q try to flog you. It’s easy to measure out in litres, the adjustable spray nozzle gives a nice spray, it’s easy to pressurise and it is easy to remove the spray nozzle for cleaning. Overall, if you need a smaller handheld garden sprayer, you can’t go wrong with this sprayer.
My top picks when it comes to garden sprayers:
- Hozelock Pulsar Plus 16L Comfort Backpack Sprayer – BEST PICK
- Cooper Pegler Classic CP15 15L Knapsack Sprayer – BEST PROFESSIONAL PICK
- Hozelock 1.25L Spraymist Pressure Sprayer
- Solo 417 Comfort Garden Sprayer – BEST CORDLESS PICK
- Faithfull 16 Litre Knapsack Sprayer
- Hozelock 5 Litre Pressure Sprayer
Top 6 Garden Sprayer Reviews
1. Hozelock Pulsar Plus 16L Comfort Backpack Sprayer
BEST PICK
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I feel that Hozelock, along with other companies such as Gardena (another brand I respect) are always trying to innovate and in the process, they almost invent features you don’t actually need.
However, with the Hozelock Pulsar Plus Sprayer, I think they have done a great job, with the new adjustable rotating nozzle, the way the design contours with your back to make sure it’s comfortable, as well as the way the handle and lance attach in an upright position so it’s easy to store when not in use. You can see in the picture above, just how tidily everything can be stored.
I really like the nozzle design (as shown closely in the picture above), it has 3 different spray patterns from a gentle mist to a standard spray. I like to use these to apply pesticides, fungicides and weedkillers.
The 3rd spray pattern is perfect for applying patio cleaner, but it is also great for applying moss killer on lawns. You can see in the picture below the sprayer in use when I recently applied an iron sulphate to my lawn to help kill the moss before scarifying but to also green up the lawn.
Another unique feature this sprayer has is the pressure regulator on the lance itself as shown in the photo below (the red part). I have found that this works really well at regulating the pressure in the lance to 1 bar so that the spray itself is consistent. This I have noticed has made it easier to evenly spray, this for me is important so that the area I’m spraying gets the recommended application, which means more consistent results.
Something to note, this is actually sold as a 16 litre sprayer. For me, you wouldn’t want it any larger because of the overall weight. Remember 1 litre of liquid is 1kg but the tank itself actually holds 14 litres of liquid, not 16 litres.
Finally, I like the way it has two handles, one at the top and one at the bottom. This design feature makes it easier to lift and tip out any excess liquid, which is handy for cleaning and rinsing out. This is something that is often overlooked with most other sprayers including the Cooper Pegler Classic CP15 15L Knapsack Sprayer I review next. Also an amazing sprayer but they are very expensive.
My recommendation
The Hozelock Pulsar Plus Comfort Backpack Sprayer is my top recommendation because it’s the one I now use at home in my own garden. The build quality is excellent, I really like the design of the 3-in-1 nozzle and it’s comfortable to use thanks to the two padded straps.
I’ve never had any issues in the 2 years I have used it now. Overall, if you are looking for a decent garden sprayer for the garden, you won’t be disappointed with this sprayer. It’s not the cheapest sprayer but it’s not the most expensive either. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for, and if you’re looking for a quality and reliable sprayer, this is well worth considering.
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2. Hozelock 1.25L Spraymist Pressure Sprayer
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If you are just after a good quality small hand garden sprayer, something you can mix 500ml to a litre of spray. Maybe you have got some roses that need spraying for blackspot or you want to spray a few weeds on your patio, then this Hozelock 1.25L Spraymist Pressure Sprayer is well worth considering.
I personally use this for spraying pesticides and fungicides on roses and plants that easily get rust (for example, my hollyhocks above) and occasionally I use it for weedkillers. But whatever you do, make sure you give it a good cleaning and rinsing before using it to spray plants once you have used it for weedkiller.
As you can see in the picture above, it has a trigger lock switch that you can slide forward to lock the sprayer on, which is useful because you don’t need to constantly press the actual trigger. It just makes it a little more convenient to use.
In the picture below you can see the pump you use to pressurise the tank, it is simple and easy to use. You simply slide the lever up and down until the tank is fully pressurised and to alter the spray you simply rotate the nozzle. It’s also worth noting that you can also remove the nozzle to remove any blockages or clean the nozzle occasionally.
My recommendation
When it comes to small handheld sprayers and once you have weeded out the cheaper models that won’t last even a season, there are not many left worth buying. Personally, I think this is an excellent little sprayer, plenty big enough for a small garden and occasional spraying. Again this is a sprayer I actually use and I have no issues recommending it.
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3. Cooper Pegler Classic CP15 15L Knapsack Sprayer
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The Cooper Pegler Classic CP15 15L Knapsack Sprayer hasn’t changed over the years and is by far one of the best garden sprayers. It’s just so reliable and well made, they are literally bulletproof.
The only issue for some people is that they are really expensive to buy, especially if you will only be using it every now and again. However, if you are a professional gardener/landscaper you will get your money’s worth and it’s well worth considering.
To give you an idea, at the nursery my parents own, we have had two of them for around 15 years. One specifically for pesticides and the other for weedkillers. They are used regularly and they are both still going strong. You can get spare parts for them too.
I have reviewed this CP15 Model in another review here if you need to know more.
4. Solo 417 Comfort 18 Litre Electric Backpack Garden Sprayer
BEST PROFESSIONAL PICK
Buy on Mowers-online.co.uk
This Solo 417 Comfort Garden Sprayer runs on a 12V 7.2 Ah battery that powers a built-in pump that can support a maximum water pressure of 62.4psi on setting 2 or 35.7psi on setting 1 for when a lower pressure is needed.
This garden sprayer is designed to handle both outdoor and indoor jobs well. For those with greenhouses, conservatories or kitchen gardens, this sprayer will deliver impressive work and ensure the areas are treated evenly. The battery is rechargeable and it’s supplied with the sprayer and it only takes a few hours to charge.
The garden sprayer comes with a 50cm wand/lance that is adjustable depending on the area you want to cover. The lance comes with a standard nozzle that is able to deliver a spray volume of 1.42l/min or 1.07l/min. It features two variable speeds that will determine the spray volume released from the wand (which we have mentioned previously), this is what controls the spray volume.
This model also comes with an 18-litre plastic tank that has been treated to withstand UV rays. This tank can be used with most chemicals without reacting to the contents. The tank has a large capacity so that the user can cover a considerable area before requiring a refill. In addition, the tank has a gauge that you can look at to determine the remaining liquid and if you need to refill it soon.
For convenience, the garden sprayer possesses a long 150cm hose for an easy reach around the garden. It weighs 7.6kgs whilst empty and that is why the backpack feature is important. The handles are comfortable and they are wide enough to prevent the weight of the sprayer from digging into your shoulders, it also has a nice padded back support.
Generally, it is a quality sprayer with a large capacity tank that would suit medium-large sized gardens. It has a 2-year domestic warranty, we feel that this is a little disappointing as you may not be covered if using it in a professional setting and let’s be honest, this will be the majority of people who have purchased this sprayer.
Our recommendation
The Solo 417 Comfort Garden Sprayer is a great choice if you have a large area to work with. The sprayer is designed to handle heavyweight tasks and it has a fairly large tank, making it ideal for professional use too. We appreciate that the battery delivers a decent running time of 2.3-3.7 hours depending on the speed you are operating with, which is perfect for nurseries, garden centres or anyone with a lot of spraying to do.
Additionally, it operates quietly causing no disturbances to the surrounding environment or neighbours who are close by. All in all, it would be suited for those looking for a large capacity garden sprayer that is powerful and comfortable to use and wants to upgrade from the manual pump models.
See more cordless sprayers I reviewed here
5. Faithfull 16 Litre Knapsack Pressure Sprayer
BEST LARGE SPRAYER PICK
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Are you looking for a larger sprayer that will make light work of a big job, made from very strong materials that are both shatter and frostproof? This large knapsack sprayer offers value for money. Features include the quick release valve to avoid over-pressuring the container, continuous spraying trigger to help reduce strain on your hand while spraying over longer periods
Our recommendation
For the price, we really advise it for the amateur gardener, for use around the garden. It has been designed for spraying any garden chemicals from weedkillers to pesticides. We cannot really comment on any bad things about this sprayer, but one tip from us is to be sure to tighten up all the nuts before use to ensure no leakages.
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6. Hozelock 5 Litre Pressure Sprayer
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Hozelock is known for its quality garden products and this garden sprayer is one of the best when it comes to garden sprayers. So what makes it so good? Firstly it is a multi-purpose sprayer and can be used for insecticides, pesticides, fungicides, water-soluble feeds as well as weedkillers.
It features a built-in pressure release valve to avoid damaging the sprayer by putting it under too much pressure, and it features an ergonomic handle for pressurisation. The nozzle spray is adjustable and can be changed from a jet spray to a fine mist which makes it ideal for many different spraying situations that professional gardeners may come across.
Finally, it has a translucent bottle with measuring marks on it for accurate and easy filling to ensure the mix is correct when filled. Finally, it features what Hozelock call ‘Innovative last drop technology’ to ensure every last drop is used.
Our recommendation
Ideal for those looking for a quality garden sprayer, the quality is above what most would expect and this really is built to last. It is what a professional gardener would expect from a quality product. It comes with a 1-year guarantee.
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What makes a good garden sprayer?
With lots of choices available in garden centres and online shops, it is hard to know which are good quality sprayers and which simply don’t make the cut. So what do you need to consider when buying a garden sprayer? That it is made from quality materials including good rubber seals that won’t perish as this will result in low pressure and poor performance. Has it been made from strong plastic that can handle lots of use and won’t crack when accidentally dropped? Is it fitted with brass fittings that have been made to last? Does it have different spray settings? And finally, is it easy to clean?
What to use them for and the different sizes available
Garden sprayers are commonly used for spraying pesticides, fungicides and weedkillers that can be purchased as concentrates that you dilute with water, these are far more cost-effective than using ready-to-use products. There are many sizes of garden sprayers available, from small 2-litre hand sprayers (which are ideal for spraying a small plant or weeds) to medium-sized sprayers that usually around 8 litres for spraying larger areas to even bigger backpack sprayers that can hold 20 litres for spraying even larger areas, these are usually used for spraying large lawns or spraying weedkiller on industrial sites.
Final Conclusion
All the garden sprayers above are of good quality and offer good value for money. In general, you get what you pay for, and the more you pay the better a product you will get.
If you are an amateur gardener looking for a quality garden sprayer to use a few times a year, then one of the cheaper sprayers would be ideal and should offer you years of use if it is looked after correctly and cleaned after each use.
If you are a professional gardener or looking for a very high-quality garden sprayer to use extensively, then I highly recommend investing in a high-quality branded model such as those built by Hozelock or Cooper Pegler.
Their products are amongst the best in the industry and you will never be disappointed with them.
BEST PICKS
My top tips for using a pressure sprayer
- I recommend never using the same sprayer for spraying both weedkillers and pesticides or any other liquids sprayed on plants. There have been many cases where gardeners have failed to properly clean out sprayers they have previously used to spray weedkillers. They then go on to spray their plants with pesticides or fungicides only to find they have killed their plants. We would recommend having a second sprayer to spray weedkillers.
- Always ensure all nuts and pipes are tight before use.
- Only mix the amount you require to spray that day, many weedkillers and pesticides become less effective when left in sprayers over time.
- Always mix the recommended dose as shown in the instructions.
- Chemicals are dangerous and care should be taken, including wearing protective gloves when mixing.
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
