Choosing the Right Garden Sprayer

A Complete Guide to Handheld, Backpack, Tow-Behind and Tractor-Mounted Sprayers

Applying weed killer, fertiliser, pesticides and other liquid treatments accurately can make a real difference to the health and appearance of your garden or grounds. However, choosing the right garden sprayer is just as important as selecting the product you’ll be applying. A sprayer that’s too small can make bigger jobs slow and tiring, while one that’s too large will prove costly and cumbersome for occasional use around the garden.

From compact handheld models for treating flower beds to high-capacity commercial sprayer systems designed for estates and sports grounds, there’s an effective solution for virtually every application. Understanding the strengths of each type of pressure sprayer will help you work more efficiently, achieve better coverage and enjoy a more comfortable spraying experience.

In this guide, we’ll explain the key factors to consider before buying a garden sprayer, compare the different types available and use examples from our range to help you decide which option best suits your needs.

What Should You Consider Before Buying a Garden Sprayer?

Before choosing a weed sprayer, think carefully about where you’ll be using it and how often. The size of the area you intend to treat is usually the biggest deciding factor. A compact hand held pump sprayer may be perfect for flower beds and small lawns, but for larger gardens, paddocks or commercial landscapes you’ll need a higher-capacity machine.

Tank capacity also plays an important role. Smaller sprayers are lighter and easier to carry, but require more frequent refilling. Larger tanks allow you to work for longer without interruption, improving productivity when treating extensive areas.

It’s also worth considering the type of liquid you’ll be applying. Whether you’re spraying fertiliser, herbicide, pesticide or simply water, choosing the correct garden pressure sprayer with suitable nozzles and pressure control helps ensure accurate application while reducing waste.

Comfort shouldn’t be overlooked either. If you’ll only be spraying occasionally, a lightweight manual pump sprayer garden model may be ideal. However, if you’re covering large areas on a regular basis, a backpack battery sprayer or tow-behind system can dramatically reduce physical effort.

Finally, think about the equipment you already own. Some larger sprayers are designed to be towed behind a ride-on mower or ATV, while others mount directly onto a compact tractor’s three-point linkage. Matching the sprayer to your existing machinery can significantly improve efficiency.

Handheld Sprayers: Ideal for Smaller Gardens and Everyday Tasks

For many homeowners, a handheld garden sprayer pump provides everything needed for routine garden maintenance. Lightweight, affordable and easy to store, they’re perfect for spot-treating weeds, feeding plants, applying pesticides or spraying fungicides around flowerbeds, greenhouses and patios.

Manual sprayers also offer excellent control. Because you’re working close to the target area, it’s easier to apply treatments precisely where they’re needed without affecting surrounding plants.

Example: STIHL SG 31 Manual Sprayer

The STIHL SG 31 demonstrates why handheld sprayers remain one of the most popular choices for domestic gardeners. Its generous five-litre tank strikes an excellent balance between portability and working capacity, making it well suited to small to medium-sized gardens without becoming cumbersome to carry.

A manual pressure piston system delivers dependable spraying performance throughout the job, while the large filler opening makes preparing spraying solutions quicker and helps reduce spills during refilling. For users who regularly maintain ornamental borders or vegetable plots, these practical touches can save both time and frustration.

Comfort has also been carefully considered. Weighing just 1.8kg when empty, the SG 31 features an ergonomic shut-off valve for comfortable operation and an adjustable telescopic spray tube that makes it easier to reach beneath shrubs, across flower beds and into awkward corners. The supplied hollow cone and fan jet nozzles provide the flexibility to switch between targeted spraying and broader coverage, depending on the task at hand.

Those wanting even greater convenience can fit the optional STIHL PKA 30 pump head, which automatically maintains spraying pressure and removes the need for repeated manual pumping during longer jobs.

If you’re looking for a dependable hand pump sprayer, the SG 31 STIHL sprayer offers the ideal combination of simplicity, reliability and versatility. It’s an excellent choice of sprayer for routine maintenance around domestic gardens where portability and ease of use are priorities.

Backpack Sprayers: Greater Capacity Without Sacrificing Mobility

As gardens become larger and spraying tasks more frequent, carrying a small handheld sprayer quickly becomes less practical. This is where backpack sprayers come into their own.

Instead of carrying the weight in one hand, a back pack sprayer distributes it evenly across your shoulders and back using a padded harness. This allows you to work comfortably for much longer while carrying considerably more liquid than a handheld model.

Many professional users choose a backpack sprayer because it combines enhanced mobility with increased productivity. Whether maintaining landscaped gardens, orchards, smallholdings or commercial sites, these machines allow operators to cover more ground before stopping to refill.

Modern battery-powered models also remove the need for manual pumping, maintaining consistent spraying pressure throughout the job while reducing operator fatigue. This makes them particularly attractive for contractors and anyone undertaking regular spraying work.

Example: EGO BSP3500E Cordless Backpack Sprayer

The EGO BSP3500E watering backpack sprayer is a highly capable professional spraying system, powered by EGO’s leading-edge 56V lithium-ion battery platform.

This advanced battery sprayer combines a brushless electric motor with a triple piston pump capable of producing pressures up to 24 bar (150psi). The result is powerful, consistent spraying performance that’s suitable for everything from applying pesticides and fertilisers to reaching taller hedges and other difficult-to-access areas.

One of the BSP3500E’s standout features is its adjustable flow control, which is conveniently positioned on the handle. This allows the operator to fine-tune the spray output without stopping, improving both precision and efficiency when working across various surfaces or applying different products.

The substantial 15-litre translucent tank enables users to tackle much larger jobs than would be practical with a manual handheld sprayer, while clearly visible level markings make it easy to monitor remaining liquid without interrupting work.

Comfort is another major strength. An ergonomic harness distributes the load evenly across the shoulders, making prolonged spraying sessions significantly less tiring than carrying a traditional handheld sprayer. Meanwhile, the corrosion-resistant stainless steel spray lance and durable hose are built to withstand demanding professional use. An advanced filtration system helps minimise nozzle blockages for more consistent spraying performance.

For professional gardeners, landscapers and serious enthusiasts seeking greater productivity without compromising manoeuvrability, the EGO BSP3500E represents a significant step up from a manual sprayer. It offers the convenience of cordless operation, the performance expected from a professional machine, and the freedom to work efficiently across larger areas without the constraints of cables, manual pumping or engine emissions.

Tow-Behind Sprayers: Fast and Efficient for Large Areas

When the area to be treated stretches beyond what can comfortably be covered on foot, a tow behind sprayer becomes a far more practical option. Designed to be pulled by a ride-on mower, garden tractor or all-terrain vehicle, these machines enable users to treat large expanses of grass or open ground quickly while carrying far greater volumes of liquid than a handheld or backpack model.

Because the weight is supported by the towing vehicle rather than the operator, larger tanks can be used without compromising comfort. Many tow-behind units also feature spray booms for broad, even coverage, alongside a hand lance for more targeted applications. This combination makes them particularly versatile for grounds maintenance, allowing users to switch between blanket spraying and spot treatments as required.

Example: SCH HGPS Sprayer

The SCH HGPS demonstrates why tow-behind sprayers are such a popular choice for maintaining larger properties. Designed to fit the company’s Heavy Duty Carrier Frame (sold separately), it offers a substantial combined tank capacity of 50 litres through two 25-litre tanks, enabling extended spraying sessions with minimal interruptions for refilling.

A 12V electric pump delivers consistent pressure, powered directly by the towing vehicle’s battery. It eliminates the need for manual pumping while ensuring an even spray pattern. The supplied three-nozzle boom makes quick work of treating wider areas of grass, while the brass hand lance with wedge nozzle allows users to tackle fruit trees and other targeted applications with greater precision.

This versatility means the HGPS is equally at home applying fertilisers across lawns and paddocks as it is treating isolated patches of nettles, docks or invasive weeds. For estate owners, sports clubs, schools and larger domestic properties, it offers a considerable increase in productivity over handheld equipment without the complexity of a fully tractor-mounted system.

Three-Point Linkage Sprayers: Professional Performance for Compact Tractors

For the largest spraying tasks, a three-point linkage-mounted sprayer offers the highest level of efficiency. Designed to attach directly to a compact tractor, these implements are intended for users who regularly maintain extensive areas where speed, capacity and consistent coverage are essential.

Unlike portable sprayers, linkage-mounted models are engineered to cover large areas in fewer passes, making them particularly well suited to golf courses, estates, parks and agricultural settings. Their larger tanks reduce downtime for refilling, while wide spray booms help deliver accurate and uniform application across expansive areas of land.

Example: SCH 4MPS Three-Point Linkage Mounted Sprayer

The SCH 4MPS represents the next step in spraying productivity for compact tractor owners. Featuring a generous 70-litre tank, it allows operators to cover substantial areas before needing to refill, making it an excellent choice of sprayer for demanding grounds maintenance programmes.

Powered by a reliable 12V diaphragm pump, the 4MPS provides consistent spraying performance throughout the working day. Its four-nozzle spray boom delivers an impressive working width, allowing larger sections of grassland to be treated efficiently while maintaining even coverage. Should more precise work be required, the integrated hand lance enables spot spraying around trees, fences, flower beds or other sensitive areas.

Pressure adjustment and a built-in gauge help ensure accurate application rates, allowing operators to match the output to the task at hand. Mounted securely on a Category 1 three-point linkage, this sprayer integrates neatly with compatible compact tractors, creating a highly productive solution for professional users responsible for maintaining extensive grounds.

While this type of commercial sprayer represents a greater investment than smaller alternatives, the increase in output can be significant for organisations responsible for large outdoor spaces.

Which Type of Sprayer Is Right for You?

The best garden sprayer isn’t necessarily the biggest or most powerful one. Instead, it’s the model that best matches the size of your property, the frequency of use and the type of work you undertake.

If you only need to carry out occasional spot treatments, a compact hand held pump sprayer is likely to provide everything you need. As the size of the property increases, so too do the benefits of a larger tank and reduced operator effort.

A backpack sprayer offers an excellent compromise between portability and productivity, making it a popular choice for professional gardeners and landscapers who need to move freely around a site while carrying enough liquid for extended spraying sessions.

Once you’re maintaining expansive lawns or open land, a tow behind sprayer can save a considerable amount of time by allowing you to treat large areas from the seat of a ride-on mower, garden tractor or utility vehicle. If you already own a compact tractor and regularly manage substantial estates or sports facilities, a linkage-mounted lawn sprayer offers the greatest capacity and the fastest coverage.

Although battery-powered machines are becoming increasingly popular, some users still prefer a petrol sprayer for certain specialist applications where long running times and complete independence from batteries are important. The best choice will always depend on your own working environment, the equipment you already own and the demands of the job.

Find the Right Sprayer at Ron Smith & Co

Whether you’re looking for a compact garden pressure sprayer for occasional use, a high-performance battery sprayer for professional landscaping, or a heavy-duty commercial sprayer capable of maintaining large estates, we offer a series of models to suit your needs.

Browse our Garden Sprayers & Mist Blowers category to explore handheld and backpack spraying equipment, or visit our Towed Attachments & Hitch Kits section if you’re searching for high-capacity tow-behind and tractor-mounted solutions. Whatever your requirements, you’ll find top-quality machines from trusted manufacturers, backed by competitive prices and dependable customer service.

And if you’re still unsure which sprayer best suits your property or workload, our friendly and knowledgeable team is always on hand to help. We’ll take the time to understand your requirements and provide expert advice, ensuring you choose the right sprayer for the job and enjoy reliable performance for years to come.