5 Best Battery-Powered Backpack Sprayers

Choosing the best battery-powered backpack sprayers can be confusing. There are many different models to choose from, and they all have their pros and cons.

A battery-powered backpack sprayer is a handheld device that sprays liquid pesticides without using pressure or water. These devices are also known as electric insecticide applicators, and they use an atomizer to create the mist of pesticide used for pest control.

There are many reasons why a person might need to use a backpack sprayer. One of the most common is for pest control, but you may also be looking at using one as an alternative to your home garden hose or sprinkler system. Regardless of your needs, it’s important that you find the best battery-powered backpack sprayer for your particular situation – this guide will help guide you through selecting the right one!

Chapin International 63985 Backpack Sprayer – the Editor’s choice!

Constructed with tough, durable polyester fabric that’s lightweight and easy to carry. Use the 4-gallon tank for up to 1.75 hours of continuous spraying without recharging or emptying the bulky container.

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With a Black & Decker 20-volt lithium-ion battery running at 35-40 PSI, this backpack sprayer has a max horizontal spray stream length of about 20 feet with three nozzle settings perfect for any application.

This sprayer might also be just the thing for you if you need to control spraying from a distance.

You’ll get up to 1.75 hours’ worth of continuous spraying and have 3 nozzles that are detachable for 4 different types of jobs: wide fan drenching, needle stream pinpoint and extra-wide scrubbing action or spa/car wash mode.

Field King 190515 Professionals Battery Powered Backpack Sprayer – the best for design!

The Field King 190515 Professionals Battery Powered Backpack Sprayer is the perfect way to get your yard work done without having to stop and pump. This durable, powered sprayer has all you need for any outdoor job. With a fully padded back harness, you’ll be comfortable all day long as well as the quick charge system that gives up to 4 hours per charge on most jobs (with the 8002 nozzle).

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When it’s time to change from liquids or water-soluble solutions in the tank into something else, turning off the charging valve allows an instant disconnect so anything in the reservoir will not leak out while changing nozzles.

Field King makes it easy with an interchangeable battery system that doubles your project time from 8 hours to 16.

The Field King 190515 sprayer does all of the heavy liftings for you. Boasting a whopping 18 volts, countless gallons per charge capacity, and over 4 hours of emissions-free power on just one battery charge this multifunctional sprayer is as reliable as it is professional.

Field King 190571 Pump Zero Technology Sprayer – the best for constant pressure!

Forget about pumping thanks to Field King’s 190571 Pump Zero Technology Sprayer with automatic recharging and 20-psi constant pressure for even application.

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This powerful, industrial-grade water sprayer delivers consistent pressure from an electric pump that needs little maintenance. The wand reaches 21 inches in length and includes a Viton sealing in the shut-off to ensure resistance to chemicals like grease, oil, fertilizers, or pesticides. The Field King 190571 is an all-in-one solution to your spraying needs.

Perfect for commercial use, this high-quality lightweight Field King sprayer is constructed with a premium plastic body and shuts off automatically at 20 psi.

Chapin 63924 Battery Backpack Sprayer – the best for the battery!

Spraying your lawn and garden has never been easier – just grab the Chapin 63924 Battery Backpack Sprayer.

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The capacity will give you at least 1 hour of spraying (the maximum is 2 hours) – even on the highest-pressure setting! It also has a 25-foot maximum spray stream, so it’s great for large outdoor jobs. Plus, it comes with two nozzles and three filters to prevent clogging – or easy washing if there is a clog.

This sprays up to 58 gallons on a single charge, the filter that prevents clogging and deluxe padded shoulder straps for comfortable use.

ENERTWIST 20V Battery Powered Backpack Sprayer – the best for portability!

This backpack sprayer is perfect for anyone who isn’t looking to stress their back by lugging around a heavy tank. While light at 3.5 pounds, this handy product can hold up to 3 gallons of liquid concentrate and has adjustable lengths for your comfort. You’ll be getting more done in no time with the Enertwist 20V battery-powered backpack sprayer and dual 40/70 PSI.

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The larger 20V lithium-ion battery provides a longer run time as well as the fastest recharge time of any other model available today at less than 2 hours.

The Enertwist 20V battery-powered backpack sprayer is designed to save your time and energy. Prevent backaches, joint pain and arm fatigue from using heavy handheld sprayers by investing in this lightweight backpack that does all the work for you.

The Buyer’s Guide

Backpack Sprayer Power Sources:

1) Battery Power

The most expensive but also the best. This type of sprayer has a battery, motor, and pump all in one lightweight unit that is worn on your back. You can use it for hours without recharging or running out of power because you wear the source of energy (the battery). The battery power is a more environment-friendly option.

2) Pump Sprayer

Pump sprayer models are the only type of backpack sprayer models that have a battery-powered system on them. All other types use an electric cord or power from your vehicle’s cigarette lighter to function, which is why they are called “cordless” backpacks.

A typical pump sprayer will offer 12 volts and last about two hours before needing recharging while you work. Some customers report their batteries lasting four hours when used for infrequent spraying jobs due to less usage per charge cycle; but again, all this depends on how much you’re using it!

3) Gas Engine

Gas-powered backpack sprayers offer greater mobility with less weight on the operator and are also much cheaper to purchase than battery packs, but will require you to order an extra gas canister for every full tank of fuel used.

Which is better – a battery-powered or gas-powered sprayer?

This can depend on certain factors like weight management and noise level preferences of the user. The best way to decide which one suits you best is to evaluate your needs first, then consider what works for those needs. On average, these two types of sprayers have about the same amount of pressure when it comes to working with tough weeds and other thick vegetation (this will vary depending on the brand). A major difference between them lies in how they are powered – either by gas or batteries.

Efficiency and power are the two key considerations when deciding between gas-powered or battery-powered backpack sprayers. Gas engines can produce more power, but they require fuel to run and emissions make them less desirable in regards to their environmental impact.

A gas-powered backpack sprayer is still an excellent choice if you need serious spraying power for difficult weed problems on your property such as large patches of tough weeds (blackberry brambles and thick stands of poison oak plants). You may use this model whenever it would be impossible or very dangerous to go with a handheld pump model without risking injury from falling off the hillside while crawling among these aggressive weeds. On flat terrain with few obstacles then battery-powered backpack sprayers are a better choice.

Key Features of Battery-Powered Backpack Sprayer:

1) Tank capacity:

A battery-powered backpack sprayer functions by using a chemical tank. The size of the tank determines how much liquid can be stored in it, and therefore dictates how long you can work before reloading or refilling with more chemicals. Tank capacity has an inverse relationship with width; tanks on wider units are usually taller but narrower than those on smaller backpacks.

The most common size for battery-operated backpack sprayers is between 5 to 10 gallons. This means that these types of equipment have a limited range because they have only enough material for about one hour’s worth of working time.

This also makes them unsuitable for larger projects such as land clearing where materials would need to be moved around.

For small to medium projects, they’re perfect for when you need a little more flexibility than what is offered by electric sprayers and pressure washers. And it’s worth noting that in some cases battery-powered backpack sprayers are the only option available where the power supply isn’t accessible or reliable.

The key difference between these two types of units is mobility – backpacks can be moved freely while wheeled units cannot. This makes them unsuitable for larger projects such as land clearing where materials would need to be moved around. The draw with wheeled models is their greater stability on uneven ground that means less fatigue during long workdays (and also over a longer period). In addition, if you have access to electricity and need to power a larger unit, wheeled units can be plugged in while backpacks cannot.

2) Power type: 

Phosphate batteries

• Pros – low-cost, less expensive than lithium-ion;
• Cons – requires more maintenance (having to replace the battery), will not work for concentrates like fertilizers or thick liquids like paint;

Lithium-ion batteries

• Pros – the longer lifespan of up to 20 years with little need for replacement; 
• Cons – more costly upfront and can be dangerous if mishandled/overcharged. The energy efficiency will depend on how powerful your battery pack is, as well as the type of liquid being sprayed;

Alkaline batteries

• Pros – inexpensive and easy to find; lightweight but offer a lower voltage output which makes them ineffective for spraying diluted materials like pesticides or herbicides;
• Cons – not very long-lasting and come with a lower voltage output which makes them ineffective for spraying diluted materials such as pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers or thick liquids like paint;

Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries

• Pros – inexpensive; higher voltage output than alkaline batteries but not as powerful as lithium-ion  batteries; will work well when using concentrated items like fertilizers or paints;
• Cons – they do not last quite as long in comparison to lithium-ion batteries, are less expensive up front but require more frequent replacement costs due to this shorter lifespan;

What type of power source is best for a battery-powered backpack sprayer? Phosphate and lithium-ion are the two types of batteries that are most common. There are pros and cons to each, but we recommend selecting phosphates because they’re generally less expensive than their lithium counterparts. Lithium-ion batteries can also be costly if you need replacements often. 

The energy efficiency will depend on how powerful your battery pack is, as well as the type of liquid being sprayed (the diluted products versus concentrated). The higher voltage output from a phosphate battery produces, the better results are when spraying diluted materials such as pesticides or herbicides. On the other hand, it does not work so well with concentrates like fertilizers or thick liquids like paint. 

Alkaline batteries are inexpensive and easy to find. They’re also relatively lightweight, but they don’t last as long as other types of batteries because the voltage is not very high.

Tips for users: if you need a battery-powered backpack sprayer that can be used for both diluted materials like pesticides or herbicides, and concentrates such as fertilizers or thick liquids like paint – then experts recommend using lithium-ion batteries instead of phosphate ones. A majority of these products come with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries included in the price.

Some brands only use nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries that are less expensive than lithium-ion units. However, NiMAs do not provide enough power for spraying concentrated items in comparison to lithium-ion batteries.

3) Maximum Pressure and Flow Rates:

• Maximum pressure. The maximum pressure is the amount of force water will spray at when turned on. To determine this, you need to read the psi (pounds per square inch) measurements on the packaging or in online reviews and compare them with your needs. For example, if you are looking for a product that can be used as an air freshener indoors, then 35-50 PSI would work best because they are not designed to cover large areas outdoors. However, if you plan on using these products outside or spraying over a large area, then more pressure may be needed such as 60+ PSI that might come with better range but less control due to increased power;
• Flow rate. This refers to how much water flows through the device at a time. Most backpacks come with either a measured water tank (usually in gallons) and/or an approximate flow rate measurement, such as “low” or “medium”;

To calculate how much coverage you need for your specific space, divide the area to be sprayed by the square footage of one gallon of water on average. For example: if you want to spray over an area that is 180 sq. ft., then it would take 15-20 minutes using low pressure or 30+ minutes at high pressure without refill breaks. 

Tip: If there are no psi or measurements given for maximum pressures and flow rates, then it likely means they vary depending on what setting has been selected – so don’t buy anything unless you know what you are looking for.

4) Battery capacity

The most important consideration when choosing a battery-powered backpack sprayer is the size of the batteries and how long they last on an average charge. Batteries come in different sizes such as 20V, 24V or 36V with larger numbers indicating that these units can produce more power. 

Typical battery life ranges from 45 to 90 minutes before needing recharging that could take up to 4 hours depending on your charging system setup at home or work. For example, if you plug it into a 110-volt outlet but have 240-volt wiring installed at your property then you’ll only need 30 minutes to recharge your unit after use – this will also depend on what type of charger you’re using (110V or 240V).

5) Weight

How much weight can the sprayer hold? The weight of any battery-powered backpack sprayer is determined by what type and size of the container it holds. Generally, a heavier or larger tank will mean more weight for you to carry around while spraying your yard. This means that if you have back problems or are concerned about lifting weights in general, then choose a lightweight model with smaller tanks like one gallon (or less) capacity models. 

On the other hand, if you need higher output rates and don’t mind carrying some additional pounds on your shoulders then opt for something like five gallons worth of fuel capacity which can help reduce refill times between jobs even though they weigh more when fully loaded with a liquid product.

6) Price

The price range for battery-powered backpack sprayers is wide. A decent, affordable option will start at around $100 while the most expensive ones are usually over $500. When it comes to cost and quality of features, you get what you pay for in this industry. 

If an inexpensive machine won’t work because something cheaper isn’t durable enough to withstand frequent usage without breaking down, most experts recommend spending two or three times the cost to get a well-made, durable machine that’s going to be able to handle your needs and last for years.

FAQ

What are the types of sprayers?

The first thing to know is that a sprayer consists of three components: the pump, the hose and the nozzle. 

The most popular type of backpack sprayer for professionals is called a non-pulsating or constant pressure/flow model since they do not stop spraying when you release your grip on the handle. These types have two motors that spin together in opposite directions inside a sealed chamber with one opening at each end. 

This creates suction and liquid flow from either side up through an internal tube to be mixed outside the chamber before being pushed out via another tube (or sometimes just directly as droplets). This design ensures continuous application without interruption so it’s perfect for larger projects like herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and other chemicals etcetera.

The major components of non-pulsating backpack sprayers:

• Belt packs come in different shapes and sizes depending on preference, usually weighing about five pounds. The downside is that they are not as ergonomic so you may have to rest your arm from time to time depending on how long or strenuous the project, etc.;
• Hands-free models come with a strap and clip for attaching them around your waist while working, usually weighing about four pounds (sometimes less);

The second type is a pulsating sprayer where the flow of liquid stops when you release your grip on the handle and starts again shortly afterward. This design features a single motor that spins inside an enclosed chamber with only one opening at each end. This creates suction, but cannot produce continuous spraying as constant pressure models can do. 

The benefit of these types is that they are typically more lightweight than non-pulsating designs so it’s easier to work for long periods without tiring out as quickly if you have to apply liquids continuously or over larger areas, etc. 

The major models of pulsating sprayers:

• Bucket system with a hose. This type of sprayer does not require any pumping at all because it comes with a large bucket that attaches directly to the hose. This means the liquid has already been mixed before being pumped through when spraying begins. It’s also capable of shooting up high without having an extra nozzle attached like some other types. The downside is that this type of sprayer usually weighs at least forty pounds so it’s not very mobile while working in comparison to the other types;
• Handheld sprayers come with a handheld trigger and can be used for spraying chemicals, fertilizers, herbicides or insecticides on projects needing less than 5 gallons per minute (GPM) flow rate. These are often more lightweight designs weighing about 2 pounds that makes them perfect for long-term use without tiring out as quickly because they don’t have motors like some backpack models do;
• Piston nozzle models are designed to blend air into liquids sprayed by hand onto plants and vegetation below ground level (also known as the root zone). Unlike other types of sprayers, this type is usually smaller and lighter weight (usually less than 1 pound) which makes it easy to work for long periods without tiring out as quickly;

What is the difference between sprayers and dusters?

A backpack sprayer is designed to be worn on the back and consists of a tank that holds the liquid, an electric pump that forces it out through some sort of nozzle at high pressure, and straps for securing it securely. 

Dusters are handheld devices with one or more nozzles for dispensing liquids onto surfaces like countertops, furniture, walls, etc. They usually have small enough tanks so they can be held in one hand while spraying without getting heavy.

What is the pressure at which power sprayers are operated?

Sprayers can be operated at a number of different pressures, typically ranging from about 20 pounds per square inch (PSI) to 50 PSI. The higher the pressure is set on the sprayer, the more powerful it’s going to work and an equivalent amount will be able to cover in less time. If you’re looking for efficiency over the power, then setting your pressure lower is what you’ll want to do.

How long can I run my battery-powered backpack sprayer on one battery charge?

The answer to this question depends on the battery size, but it is safe to say that most of these devices will run for around 1 hour before needing a recharge. It’s also worth keeping in mind that some models may need an additional charge depending on how much water they use and their specific spraying pattern.

Will it be used for personal or commercial applications?

If you will be using the unit for commercial applications, it is important to consider what type of chemicals you are spraying. For example, if a chemical has an ammonia component it would not be good for your lungs. It is best to use a unit that has an air-mixer or ventilator.

If you are using the unit for personal applications, it is important to know how much weight your back can handle as well as what type of chemicals you will be spraying. If you have any doubts about chemical safety, wear protective gear such as gloves and goggles when handling these products.

What should I use to clean out my backpack sprayer?

One of the most common complaints about battery-powered backpack sprayers is that they are difficult to clean. Many models have a narrow opening at the top, which makes it hard or impossible to reach inside and scrape out debris from any stubborn buildup. To help with this problem, we recommend using either hot water (warm/hot) or dish soap mixed with water as an all-purpose cleaner for your next job.

These two ingredients can work together in two ways:

• First by mixing them straight up into a bucket of warm soapy water before dipping the nozzle end of your sprayer inside and letting it soak while you clean other parts on the machine; 
• Second, by simply spraying some mixture onto whatever surface needs cleaning then scrubbing away with a brush;

For an extra-thorough job, we recommend using the first option in combination with rinsing and then drying as needed before storing for next time.

How should I store my battery-powered sprayer?

When not in use, the battery should be charged. A good rule of thumb is to charge it every three months and store it at a temperature between 32F and 100F. This will keep your sprayer ready for any season. 

The battery should also be kept away from extreme heat and cold. A few degrees difference is fine, but a drastic change can damage the power source.

When storing indoors, it’s best to keep your sprayer in an area where there are no other electronics such as televisions or computers. These items use up electricity that will drain your batteries more quickly than normal storage conditions would allow for.

Do I need a different sprayer for Roundup?

In some cases. Roundup is a weed killer that will kill most plants, so you’ll need to use something else if you only want to control weeds without killing other types of plants or the soil in which they grow. If your goal is simply weeding then there’s no reason why not just use any type of sprayer. However, keep in mind that this may cause problems with the environment and water sources later on down the line. 

What are some of the major brands?

The major brands are Chapin, Solo, and Gransfors Bruk. They all have interesting features to offer like: 

• a sturdy handle on the back of the device for easy carrying; 
• an open design with two straps so you can adjust it in order to avoid sweat; 
• wide coverage when spraying weeds or other plants because they use a fan system instead of just one nozzle;

Useful Video: Flowzone Typhoon 2V vs Chapin 20v vs Solo 416 li vs Milwaukee M18 switch tank | Whats the best?

Final thoughts 

Picking the right battery-powered backpack sprayer is a difficult decision, but, hopefully, this blog has helped you figure out which one might be best for your needs. You should now have enough information to make an educated purchase.