10 Best Hose End Sprayers of 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks
- Pete Ortiz
- Last updated:
Hose end sprayers are a cheap and effective way to transform your hose into a useful tool. However, not all hose ends sprayers are made the same. Some work great. Others? Not so much.
It is essential to choose a sprayer that can tackle whatever job you have in mind. Some are more effective for something things than others. Certain hose-end sprayers are only suitable for particular hoses, while others are more universal.
Surprisingly, there is a lot you need to keep in mind when choosing one of these seemingly simple tools. In this article, we’ve reviewed some of the best hose end sprayers on the market and will help you determine which is best for your situation.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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Chapin International G362 All-Purpose Hose-End Sprayer |
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CHECK PRICE | |
Best Value
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Ortho 0841010 Dial N Spray Hose End Sprayer |
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CHECK PRICE | |
Premium Choice
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Gilmour 362 Professional No Pre-Mix Sprayer |
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CHECK PRICE | |
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The Andersons Refillable Multipurpose Hose-End Sprayer |
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CHECK PRICE | |
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Hudson 2100 Hose End Sprayer |
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CHECK PRICE |
The 10 Best Hose End Sprayers
1. Chapin International G362 All-Purpose Hose-End Sprayer – Best Overall
For most uses, we recommend the Chapin International G362 All-Purpose Hose-End Sprayer. This tool truly is “all-purpose.” You can use it for many different things, which is perfect for a homeowner. Some professionals might find this sprayer suitable for their work as well. It fits onto any “normal” hose end and can be adjusted using the precision dial. It is capable of performing 16 different mixing ratios – all with the turn of a simple dial.
You can expect this sprayer to spray up to 100 gallons, though it does depend on the ratio you are using. The built-in anti-siphon feature prevents the liquid from backflowing into the hose. This makes clean-up far easier since the hose piece won’t need to be cleaned at all. It automatically mixes the liquid concentrate with the water. As far as we could tell, it reliably mixed it to the exact ratio chosen.
The only problem is that this sprayer tends to leak water. However, this is due to the anti-siphon system and does not seem to affect the tool’s use too much. Your hand will get wet, however.
- Spray up to 100 gallons
- Precision dial
- Anti-siphon feature
- Automatically mixes water with concentrate
- All-purpose
- Leaks water
2. Ortho 0841010 Dial N Spray Hose End Sprayer – Best Value
The Ortho 0841010 Dial N Spray Hose End Sprayer is specifically designed to spray Ortho concentrates, such as liquid weed killer, insect killer, fungicides, and fertilizers. However, you can likely use it for most other things as well. If you’re planning on using Ortho concentrates in the sprayer, that’s even better! This sprayer is more versatile than the marketing makes it out to be. It is also relatively cheap, which makes it suitable for those on a budget as well.
The extended-grip is designed to keep your hands dry during application. This is perfect for spraying substances that you don’t necessarily want to get on your hands, like weed killer. Plus, having dry hands is always a nice benefit. The direct-connect design makes attaching this sprayer very easy. It features three adjustable spray patterns, which makes the sprayer more versatile overall.
Like many other sprayers we reviewed, this one also has 14 dial settings to apply the correct amount of product automatically. We found this feature to be very accurate and reliable. The lowest dilution setting is one teaspoon, while the highest is 8 ounces. Overall, we think this is the best hose sprayer bottle for the money that we have reviewed.
- Inexpensive
- Extended grip
- Direct-connect design
- Dilution dial
- Smaller than other options
3. Gilmour 362 Professional No Pre-Mix Sprayer – Premium Choice
The Gilmour 362 Professional No Pre-Mix Sprayer is quite expensive for a reason. It is specifically designed to spray things like fertilizer and weed killer. However, you can also use it for other things, like washing your car. It has a dial so you can set the proper dilution for whatever substance you’re using. When you’re done, the unused portion can easily be poured back into the original container, limiting waste and saving you money.
The finger-molded trigger is comfortable and easy to press. You can hold the trigger down for quite a while before your fingers become fatigued. The bottle is entirely unbreakable and very durable – even when put up against somewhat corrosive substances.
The removable deflector allows you to switch from spray to stream easily should you need to be more accurate. The instruction manual is quite helpful and well-written. We recommend reading it to get the most out of your sprayer.
- Finger-molded trigger
- Unbreakable bottle
- Removable deflector
- Well-written user manual
- Expensive
4. The Andersons Refillable Multipurpose Hose-End Sprayer
As a straightforward option, The Andersons Refillable Multipurpose Hose-End Sprayer is a good choice. They are refillable and multipurpose. Unlike many others on this list, they are not explicitly designed for one use. They are relatively straightforward. You fill it with the product, attach the hose, and get to work. Plus, you get two sprayers for the price of one!
Our main problem with this sprayer is that there is no dial to adjust the solution mixed into the water. The sprayer is evidentially designed to optimize fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and similar chemicals. However, these all require a different dilution depending on the brand. Some settings allow you to spray only water, so some people find that feature useful.
However, because it is missing a dilution dial, we found this sprayer to be decently unhelpful. While everything else about this spray is great, we had to rate it lower for this reason.
- Straightforward
- Two sprayers included
- Three adjustment options
- Inexpensive
- No dilution dial
5. Hudson 2100 Hose End Sprayer
The Hudson 2100 Hose End Sprayer is exceptionally inexpensive. It is one of the cheapest options currently on the market. However, that doesn’t necessarily make it a good option for everyone – even if you’re on a budget. The sprayer has three main settings: off, on, and water-only. Some people may find the water-only function quite useful, such as if you’re washing your car or something of that sort.
It can spray one to twenty gallons, depending on the dilution setting you put it on. It is made in the USA, though we did not find a significant difference in products made out of the country.
We found that this sprayer produces a nice, even stream, which is not something we could say for all the products we reviewed. It does not leak and seems quite sturdy in our experience. It works with a wide variety of substances, from soap to oil to pesticides. It seems to be useable for just about everything.
Our main problem with this sprayer is that it is far less ergonomic than most options. There is not a true handle per se, and it seems quite a bit more challenging to use for extended periods for this reason.
- Three main settings
- Sprays up to 20 gallons
- Does not leak
- Not very ergonomic
6. RL FLOMASTER 36HE6 Hose End Sprayer
At first glance, the RL FLOMASTER 36HE6 Hose End Sprayer seems quite average. It has three sprayer patterns you can use: fan, cone, and stream. This is a somewhat unique feature, as only a few sprayers that we reviewed had different stream options. It includes a hose quick-connect end, which allows it to be attached very quickly to various hoses. It is advertised that it can be connected directly to most chemical concentrate bottles, but we didn’t find it true.
Overall, this sprayer does not seem to be built very sturdy. It leaks quite a bit, which can be a problem if you’re using potentially dangerous chemicals. It does not seem very durable and can fail after only moderate usage. The parts are simply made of plastic and poorly designed.
The mixing dial is not very accurate. In some cases, it seems to be significantly off. You can’t use it for substances that require exact measurements; it merely isn’t accurate enough.
- Three different stream options
- Connects quickly
- Can connect directly to some chemical bottles
- Not accurate dilution
- Not durable
7. Aqua Plumb Hose End Sprayer Mixer Bottle
The Aqua Plumb Hose End Sprayer Mixer Bottle is moderately priced. It features three different spray patterns and a rotating head. It has a large capacity and can hold up to one pound of liquid. While this is plenty of capacity for most users, it is about average. You likely will not need to stop and refill for most jobs, which is always a nice benefit. It has heavy-duty construction and is decently chemical-resistant. It is made of rust-proof polymer, so you don’t have to worry about corrosion or anything of that sort.
There does seem to be some quality control options with this bottle, though. Some of them work great, but others have apparent problems. There have been cases of bottles exploding, which can be a serious problem if you’re using dangerous materials. No one wants to be doused in weed killer!
The parts it is made with are relatively cheap, which is likely why this bottle seems to fail as much as it does. It just isn’t made to hold up to regular use (or any use at all on some occasions, it seems).
- Three different spray patterns
- Rotating head
- Durable bottle
- Spray parts are cheaply made
- Quality control problems
8. JR Peters 50000 Jack’s Exact Mix Hose End Sprayer
As far as hose-end sprayers go, the JR Peters 50000 Jack’s Exact Mix Hose End Sprayer is built like just about every other sprayer on the market. It is easy to use and straightforward. You fill it up with a concentrated chemical, turn the dial to the concentration you want, and start spraying. You can choose the spray setting pretty quickly using the dial on the top of the sprayer. It is decently comfortable to hold, though the handle is not as ergonomic as many other options we reviewed.
While this sprayer does work most of the time, there are a few instances where it may not be suitable. Firstly, it is made to use only the fertilizer made by the same brand. While you could use it for other things, the dial is specifically designed to mix with Jack’s fertilizer. Because of this, you may have problems diluting it correctly when you use it with other fertilizers.
It is also quite expensive. You’re likely better off spending your money on a different sprayer unless you plan on only using your sprayer for Jack’s fertilizer in particular.
Also, you need to ensure that the siphon hose attachment is actually on the sprayer when you receive it. Otherwise, you’re just going to be spraying with water. There are some reports of the sprayer coming without this attachment.
- Comfortable
- Made to be used with Jack’s fertilizer
- Might be missing necessary parts
- Expensive
- Not versatile
9. Bonide 51 037321000518 051 Hose End Auto Mix Sprayer
Like many sprayers towards the bottom of our list, the Bonide 51 037321000518 051 Hose End Auto Mix Sprayer is designed only to be used with fertilizers made by the same company. While you could technically use it for all sorts of things, you may have problems with the dilution.
The grip is quite comfortable and ergonomic. It does not cause fatigue very quickly, so you should be able to fertilize your whole garden just fine in one go. We also liked the thumb switch, which allows you to turn the sprayer on and off easily. This allows it to be used with one-hand, while most sprayers require two.
We found that the container wasn’t very sturdy. It is not made for things like plastic at all. Instead, it is easily corroded with anything stronger than fertilizer. Of course, this makes sense, as it was made to be used with Bonide fertilizer only. It also tends to leak quite a bit, likely because it is just made with cheaper parts in general. We do not recommend it for most people because of this.
- Comfortable grip
- Easily accessible thumb switch
- Not sturdy
- Cheaper parts
- Only designed to be used with Bonide fertilizer
10. Cedarcide Liquid Mixing Hose End Sprayer
The Cedarcide Liquid Mixing Hose End Sprayer is moderately priced. It cost just about as much as most of the other sprayers on this list. However, there are a few reasons why we don’t think it is worth the money. You’re likely better off spending your money on a higher-quality sprayer, which probably won’t cost very much more!
This sprayer doesn’t work with very thick liquids. If you’re using something thicker than water, it probably isn’t going to work very effectively. It just isn’t made to work with thicker things. This makes it a bit less versatile than other options.
It is also made cheaply overall. The parts aren’t very high-quality and won’t last very long. Some units seem to last longer than others, but they likely depend on what you’re using it for. More corrosive chemicals will wear down the parts faster; you may only get a single-use out of it in some cases.
Speaking of corrosive chemicals, this sprayer just isn’t made for them! It will break down very quickly under corrosive chemicals. For this reason, we generally do not recommend it for pesticides or anything like that.
- Not expensive
- Doesn’t work with thick liquids
- Cheaply made
- Not durable
- Doesn’t work with corrosive chemicals
Buyer’s Guide – Purchasing the Best Hose End Sprayers
A hose-end sprayer is not a very complicated tool. They have one job: to mix some sort of chemical with water and spray it out. However, this is often easier said than done. Many sprayers are poorly made and do not spray anything well at all. It is quite difficult to find one that works appropriately for a variety of uses.
For this reason, you need to do your research before purchasing any sprayer. In this section, we’ll help you figure out exactly what sprayer to purchase for your intended use. They are not all made the same or designed for the same things.
Intended Use
While all of these sprayers generally have the same design and function, they are not suitable for all uses. Some are not made to be used with corrosive chemicals, for instance. Because of this, they can not be made with things like bleach or even some weed killers. If you’re planning on using the sprayer for cleaning, you need one that can be used with corrosive chemicals.
At the same time, some are only designed to be used with particular fertilizers. Usually, if a company makes something that can be used in a hose-end sprayer, they will make a sprayer that goes with it. You don’t want to use a sprayer designed to be used with a specific fertilizer if you want to use it to clean your car. your intended use matters.
With that said, just because a company has a specific sprayer for their products doesn’t mean that is the best option. Sprayers can be very versatile if you purchase the correct one. It is often better to purchase a versatile option than one that is specifically designed for a particular product.
Durability
Not all hose-end sprayers are made to last. Some don’t even last through a whole session. Many are made with cheap, plastic internal parts. The sprayer’s durability isn’t necessarily tied to the price either. We reviewed many expensive sprayers that didn’t last very long, while many cheaper ones were very well made.
The only way to check the durability is to use the sprayer. No company is going to advertise that their sprayer will only last one use. Instead, you will have to either use the sprayer yourself or read through reviews like ours. Either way, it is in your best interest to buy a sprayer that is long-lasting and built for regular use.
Dilution Accuracy
Most sprayers allow you to set a specific dilution for the chemical you place inside. Most high-quality options have about 13 different dilutions you can choose from. This allows them to be used with various chemicals, which may all need to be diluted at different amounts.
However, just because a sprayer has many different options doesn’t mean that it is very accurate. Many sprayers do not dilute the chemicals to the amount set on the dial. This can make the chemical useless, or it may end up killing your whole yard. Either way, it is not going to work as intended.
For this reason, we recommend checking for many different dilution options and reading reviews to understand the accuracy of those options. Checking our reviews is a good place to start, as we rated the most accurate options the highest.
FAQs
Are hose-end sprayers accurate?
High-quality options are. Some are not very accurate at all, while others are accurate enough for most uses. Accurate options provide homeowners and professionals with a fast option for applying soap and liquid gardening products. If you need an accurate tool, you need to ensure you purchase a high-quality option however.
To determine how accurate an option is, you will need to check reviews like ours. No company will state that their sprayer is inaccurate, so you need to rely on those who have previously used the sprayer.
Can you use Round-Up in a hose-end sprayer?
If you want to kill all the vegetation in an area, yes, you can use a hose-end sprayer. However, they are typically not useful for spot-treatments, as their spray range is quite extensive. You’ll end up hitting your grass too, which is not going to be helpful in the least.
Conclusion
While there are many hose-end sprayers on the market, we recommend the Chapin International G362 All-Purpose Hose-End Sprayer for most users. It is accurate, durable, and not expensive. Because it isn’t designed to be used with any one chemical, it is one of the more versatile options on the market as well.
If you’re on a budget, you may like the Ortho 0841010 Dial N Spray Hose End Sprayer. The extended grip prevents your hand from getting wet, which is useful when using dangerous chemicals. It is also quite durable and extremely inexpensive for what it is.
Hopefully, this article helped you figure out precisely what sprayer is best for your purposes. Our reviews should help you understand what is available, while our buyer’s guide can narrow down your options.
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