DW vs Mapex:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, DW had more branded searches than Mapex among drum kit brands worldwide. DW had about 28,700 branded searches, while Mapex had 18,100. DW made up 14% of all drum kit brand searches we track, and Mapex accounted for 8.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about drum kit brands, DW appeared in three of the five answers and Mapex in two. DW was mentioned before Mapex in every answer that named either.
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Top drum kit brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, DW was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Mapex was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. DW was listed before Mapex in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Pearl5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Yamaha5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Tama4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
DW3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Ludwig3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Roland3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Gretsch3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Mapex2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Alesis2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Sonor2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about drum kit brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which drum kit brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best drum kit brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best drum kit brand for a full kit?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“drum kit brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“drum set for beginners”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is DW or Mapex more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for DW and Mapex by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten drum kit brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for DW, Mapex. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Pearl | DW | Tama | Ludwig | Mapex | Alesis | Roland | Sonor | Yamaha | Gretsch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 19.4% | 14% | 12.7% | 8.7% | 7.3% | 8.1% | 9.9% | 7.3% | 5.9% | 6.7% |
| Nov 2025 | 17.6% | 14.5% | 11.4% | 10.1% | 7.5% | 8.9% | 9.5% | 7.5% | 6.1% | 7% |
| Dec 2025 | 17.8% | 13.8% | 12.6% | 11.1% | 7% | 9.6% | 8.6% | 7% | 5.8% | 6.7% |
| Jan 2026 | 20% | 14% | 12.5% | 9.8% | 7.1% | 7.6% | 8% | 7.1% | 7.1% | 6.6% |
| Feb 2026 | 22.9% | 13.5% | 12.1% | 9.3% | 6.8% | 6.6% | 7.6% | 6.8% | 6.8% | 7.6% |
| Mar 2026 | 20% | 13% | 11.8% | 9.1% | 8.1% | 7.4% | 9.9% | 6.6% | 6.6% | 7.5% |
| Apr 2026 | 18.3% | 14% | 12.5% | 9.7% | 8.8% | 7.6% | 8% | 7.2% | 7.2% | 6.7% |
| May 2026 | 19.3% | 14% | 12.3% | 9.5% | 8.6% | 7.8% | 7.8% | 7% | 7% | 6.6% |
| Jun 2026 | 21.6% | 14.3% | 12.9% | 8.6% | 9% | 6.7% | 7.6% | 6% | 6% | 6.9% |
| Jul 2026 | 31.9% | 10.7% | 11.9% | 7.5% | 6.7% | 6.1% | 6.9% | 6.7% | 5.5% | 6.2% |
| Aug 2026 | 27.4% | 12.8% | 11.7% | 9% | 6.5% | 7.3% | 7.3% | 5.3% | 6.5% | 6.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 16.9% | 14% | 13.4% | 9.7% | 8.8% | 8% | 8% | 7.2% | 7.2% | 6.7% |
How has the DW and Mapex comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- DW was ahead of Mapex in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, DW’s share of searches among drum kit brands worldwide held steady at 14%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 35K to 28.7K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Mapex’s share of searches among drum kit brands worldwide moved from 7.3% to 8.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 18.1K.
How did search popularity change for drum kit brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Mapex overtook Alesis and Roland to rank 5th among drum kit brands worldwide, with 8.8% of the searches.
In September 2026, DW gained share of searches among drum kit brands worldwide, from 12.8% to 14%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using DW’s and Mapex’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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