The Best Weed Sprayer: Our Top 6 Picks

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Weed Sprayer Buyer’s Guide

Here are some important things to consider when you’re picking out the best weed sprayer for you.

Types of Weed Sprayers

Manual Pumps

With a manual sprayer, you push and pull on the product’s handle to pressurize the tank. This pressure is what moves liquid through the device.

You’ll need to pump the handle a few more times while you work to re-pressurize after spraying.

Battery Powered

The best weed sprayer for those concerned about hand and wrist strain is one of the battery-powered options.

Some large-capacity sprayers are designed to be connected to an ATV’s battery for power. Other electric sprayers, like the cart and backpack units above, have their own batteries that you’ll need to recharge occasionally.

Spot Treatment vs Broadcast Spraying

Do you need to spot-treat particular areas in your yard and garden? The best weed sprayer for you will have a precision nozzle for spot spraying.

You want a broadcast sprayer if you’re spraying your entire yard for weeds. This will cut the time and effort you’d waste attempting the job with a handheld sprayer.

What to Look for in a Weed Sprayer

Finding the best weed sprayer for you starts with considering several important factors.

The Best Weed Sprayer for Small Spaces

A handheld sprayer should do the trick if you have a small space and need to buy a weed sprayer on a budget. Handheld units are the most affordable option because they’re small and simple.

The downside of handheld sprayers is having to carry them around. A backpack sprayer can reduce strain on your hands and wrists by evenly distributing the weight of the chemical tank across your body.

The Best Weed Sprayer for Large Jobs

A cart or ATV sprayer is more appropriate for large jobs than handheld or backpack units.

ATV sprayers attach to the battery of your four-wheeler, meaning you’ll never need to plug them into a charger.

Leaving your ATV sprayer attached to the vehicle when not in use? Make sure to park where the plastic tank won’t be damaged by weather or prolonged sun exposure.

Check out the Master Gardener Cart Sprayer above if you need a broadcast sprayer for a big job and don’t have an ATV.

Ease of Use

Set yourself up with a sustainable routine by selecting features that make your weed sprayer convenient and easy to use.

Thinking of buying a handheld or backpack sprayer? Consider how much weight you can carry without risking injury.

Also, plan ahead for where you’ll keep your weed sprayer when it’s not in use. How much effort will it take to store it without creating a trip hazard or risking damage to the unit?

How to Use a Weed Sprayer Safely

Even the best weed sprayer should be used with caution. Contact with weed-killing chemicals can irritate your skin, eyes, throat, and lungs.

Personal Protective Equipment

Always wear long sleeves, long pants, and boots when spraying weeds.

Use PPE goggles and chemical-resistant gloves to protect your hands and eyes. Face masks, face shields, and respirators provide varying levels of lung protection.

Before handling any chemical, read its label to review any other required or recommended personal protective equipment.

Avoid touching your face and head while you work, and wash your hands immediately after removing contaminated gloves.

Test New Sprayers for Leaks

Before you fill your new sprayer with weed killer, make sure it’s working properly.

Sometimes products ship with defects or get damaged in transit. Protect yourself from chemical exposure by testing your sprayer before using it with herbicides.

Start by rinsing out the tank to remove dust or debris left inside from manufacturing or shipping.

Complete any required assembly, fill the tank with water, and test out the sprayer. Inspect it afterward for leaks or defects.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Weed Sprayers

Keep reading for answers to some common questions about weed sprayers.

How do weed killer sprayers work?

Fill the tank of a weed sprayer with the herbicidal solution of your choosing. Then all you need to do is spray the leaves of the weeds directly.

Chemicals absorbed by the leaves will then travel throughout the plant, killing it down to the roots.

Is it better to pull weeds or spray them?

When pulling weeds, it’s easy to accidentally snap the stem off above the roots. And digging too much around the roots can also potentially stir up more weed seeds in the soil.

Avoid these common weed-pulling problems by spraying weeds instead. It’s fast, simple, and effective and requires much less physical exertion than pulling weeds by hand.

But spraying does come with the downside that other plants near the weeds could accidentally come into contact with weed killers. To reduce this risk, spray on a day without wind, ideally after recent rainfall.

Do you pull weeds before or after spraying?

After you spray weeds, they’ll wither and die within a week. All you need to do then is rake up the debris – no digging or pulling required!

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Time to Pick the Best Weed Sprayer for You!

Now you’ve seen the best options for all kinds of weed sprayers. It’s time to choose the best weed sprayer for you and start killing weeds!

For more information, visit our common weeds page to learn more about fighting and preventing weeds in your yard and garden.