The plant sprayer is indispensable in the house and in the garden, not only for spraying indoor plants or for distributing pesticides. Plant sprayers are available in different types and sizes, all of which are particularly well suited for specific areas of application. We introduce you to popular devices from small to large and reveal which criteria you should pay particular attention to when buying.
A knapsack sprayer makes plant care much easier
Our recommendations
our recommendation
GLORIA Pressure Sprayer Hobby 100 | garden sprayer | hand sprayer | 1.0 L filling capacity | With adjustable nozzle
12.49 EUR To the product| capacity | 1 liter |
|---|---|
| material | plastic |
| spray nozzle | Brass |
| spray lance | none, hand sprayer |
| operating pressure | 3 bars |
The Hobby 100 is a handy pressure sprayer from the market leader Gloria, which is ideal for caring for houseplants and other potted plants. The hand sprayer with the powerful pump can also be used in the garden. The one liter container is made of sturdy plastic, but is not approved for alkalis or acids. For this we recommend the CleanMaster EXTREME model from the same manufacturer. The infinitely adjustable brass nozzle and the large filling opening for smooth filling and cleaning are particularly positive features of the Gloria Hobby 100 hand sprayer. In their reviews, Amazon customers describe the spray pattern as even and the device as reliable.
our recommendation
GLORIA pressure sprayer prima 3 | garden sprayer | 3 L capacity | Adjustable brass nozzle | Compact for the small garden
19.95 EUR To the product| capacity | 3 liters |
|---|---|
| material | plastic |
| spray nozzle | Brass |
| spray lance | Brass |
| operating pressure | 3 bars |
If a handy pump sprayer like the model presented above is not sufficient for your purposes, a pressure sprayer with a larger capacity is recommended. The prima 3 model from Gloria is just as handy as it is practical and is also one of the most popular in its segment on Amazon. This size is ideal for small to medium-sized gardens, and the device can also be conveniently carried on the carrying strap during use. So you have both hands free. If you do not want to pump manually, a battery compressor can be retrofitted. The manufacturer itself recommends a battery from the Bosch 18V POWER FOR ALL line for this purpose. A rechargeable battery automatically builds up the pressure in the sprayer, so that you no longer have to use muscle power.
our recommendation
Mesto 3558 backpack sprayer RS185, 18 liters
119.00 EUR To the product| capacity | 18 liters |
|---|---|
| material | plastic |
| spray nozzle | Brass |
| spray lance | Brass |
| operating pressure | 6 bars |
If you have a larger lawn, hedge or fruit trees to spray, you need a larger capacity backpack sprayer. This model from the renowned manufacturer Mesto with a capacity of 18 liters is suitable for such purposes. The lance and nozzle of this plant sprayer are also made of brass, and there is also a hose with a working length of 150 centimeters for more freedom of work. The empty weight of the device is five kilograms, but it can be carried comfortably thanks to the ergonomic, padded s-shaped back straps. An additional hip belt ensures that the weight is not only distributed over the shoulders. Furthermore, this backpack sprayer scores with practical details such as:
- large filling opening
- integrated measuring cup
- Shut-off valve with manometer
- FPM seals
- Extensive range of accessories (e.g. extension tubes, various nozzles)
However, the accessories must be purchased separately if required.
Purchase Criteria
purpose of use
Which plant sprayer you choose depends on the one hand on the intended use and on the other hand on the area to be treated. Most plant sprayers are not suitable for spraying oily, acidic or caustic liquids. For this you should use a model that is specially approved for this purpose. You should also choose a model specially designed for distributing foam or dry powders.
kind
There are different types of plant sprayers, which differ mainly in their size, but also in their functionality.
hand sprayer: These are handy, small pump sprayers with a maximum capacity of one liter. They are primarily used for spraying indoor and balcony plants with water.
Pump pressure sprayer: These are also manually operated pump sprayers, but they have a larger capacity. Usually between three and five liters of liquid can be filled into the containers, which is completely sufficient for small gardens or for cleaning bicycles etc. These devices are usually worn over one shoulder by means of straps.
Cordless pressure sprayer: If you don't want to build up the pressure required for spraying yourself by hand, you can opt for a cordless pump sprayer. However, these devices are more expensive than manual models and the battery must be charged regularly.
backpack sprayer: The backpack sprayer is carried on the back like a backpack. These are pump sprayers with a high capacity and therefore a high empty weight. There are manually operated models in this segment, but one with a battery or electric motor usually makes sense. Backpack sprayers are suitable for large gardens or for cleaning large areas (e.g. driveways, facades).
material
Plant sprayers are mostly made of stable and robust plastic, which is very light and thus reduces the empty weight. This point is all the more important the larger the capacity of the plant sprayer. However, you must not expose such a device to the sun or other weather influences for a long time, otherwise it will become porous. A hand sprayer for indoor plants can also look a little more attractive, so a pretty glass model is a good alternative. With plastic plant sprayers, also note that these are often not suitable for acids, alkalis or oily liquids.
capacity
Plant sprayers are available with very different filling capacities between 300 milliliters and up to approx. 20 liters. Which model makes sense for you depends on the intended use: If you only want to spray a few indoor plants, a hand sprayer with a maximum volume of one liter is sufficient. On the other hand, for cleaning work in the workshop or for spraying a large lawn or fruit trees, you need a larger model with at least five liters - more is better. The small pressure sprayers with a capacity of three to five liters, on the other hand, are more suitable for small gardens.
spray head and lance
Spray head and lance are the two most important components, especially since they also break down the quickest. Both components can be made of either brass or plastic, with brass being the more durable and robust material. However, unlike plastic, brass is not acid-resistant. It is also important that the nozzle is adjustable. With an adjustable nozzle, the degree of fineness and strength of the spray mist can be influenced. The lance should also pivot to increase the spray radius. A sufficiently long hose makes this easier.
operating pressure
With a small hand sprayer, the operating pressure is less important than the even and fine spray mist. This information is more important for the larger plant sprayers, as it determines how forcefully the liquid is conveyed out of the device. For this reason, the operating pressure for a plant sprayer with a capacity of more than five liters should be more than three bar in order to produce a good result. The higher the operating pressure, the more sensible it is to use a battery or power-operated device, as this pressure is difficult to build up manually.
handling
The handling is also an important purchase criterion, although this varies depending on the sprayer selected. A backpack sprayer, for example, is particularly easy to handle if the carrying straps are padded, the lance and nozzle can be adjusted individually and all valves can be easily reached and operated. A large filling opening is also an advantage, as it makes it easier to clean the sprayer. A level indicator ensures that you can keep track of the contents and better estimate when it is time to refill.
youtubefrequently asked Questions
What is a plant sprayer?
Plant sprayer is a synonym for a pump sprayer of different sizes, which is used for watering the garden, applying fertilizer and pesticides, spraying indoor and other ornamental plants or for cleaning work. These devices have very different names: sprayer, sprayer, plant sprayer, pressure sprayer or atomizer are just a few of them.
Why do I need a plant sprayer?
As mentioned, a plant sprayer is suitable for applying water to houseplants or in the garden, for example for watering or spraying lawns, fruit trees and other shrubs, etc. These devices are also suitable for applying plant protection products or fertilizers, provided they have the appropriate approval from of the manufacturer. You can also use a spray gun for cleaning work, for example for bicycles or cars, for paved surfaces, for facades, etc.
Can I also fill cleaning agents into the plant sprayer?
Whether you can fill acidic or oily agents into the plant sprayer depends on the specific model. Be sure to select a product specifically approved by the manufacturer for this purpose (e.g. with the note "acid and alkali resistant"). Commercially available plant sprayers, on the other hand, are not designed for such liquids. Incidentally, this also applies to natural remedies such as neem oil or nettle manure.
Which manufacturers offer high-quality plant sprayers?
For a high-quality plant sprayer, it is best to choose well-known manufacturers such as Gloria, Mesto or Gardena, with Emsa, Leifheit, Kesser or Stihl also supplying good products. Cheap plant sprayers, on the other hand, leak in many cases, which is why you tend to get your fingers wet when spraying. This is especially true for the small flower sprayers made of colorful plastic.