A. O. Smith vs Rheem:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, A. O. Smith had more branded searches than Rheem among heat pump water heating brands worldwide. A. O. Smith had about 82,600 branded searches, while Rheem had 60,500. A. O. Smith made up 33.8% of all heat pump water heating brand searches we track, and Rheem accounted for 24.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about heat pump water heating brands, Rheem appeared in all five answers and A. O. Smith in four. Rheem was mentioned before A. O. Smith in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
A. O. Smith, about 37% more searches than Rheem
Who does AI mention more?
Rheem, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Rheem, named ahead of A. O. Smith in every answer
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Top heat pump water heating brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Rheem appeared in all five answers. A. O. Smith was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Rheem was listed before A. O. Smith in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Rheem1st
- A. O. Smith2nd
Bradford White3rd
Stiebel Eltron4th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Rheem5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- A. O. Smith4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Bradford White3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Stiebel Eltron1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about heat pump water heating brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which heat pump water heating brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best heat pump water heating brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best heat pump water heating brand for efficient hot water?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“heat pump water heater”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“hot water heat pump”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is A. O. Smith or Rheem more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for A. O. Smith and Rheem by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five heat pump water heating brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for A. O. Smith, Rheem. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | A. O. Smith | Stiebel Eltron | Rheem | Bradford White |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 34.5% | 30.9% | 25.3% | 9.3% |
| Nov 2025 | 34.5% | 30.9% | 25.3% | 9.3% |
| Dec 2025 | 38.6% | 26% | 26% | 9.5% |
| Jan 2026 | 33.6% | 33.6% | 22.6% | 10.1% |
| Feb 2026 | 32% | 32.1% | 26.3% | 9.6% |
| Mar 2026 | 32% | 32.1% | 26.3% | 9.6% |
| Apr 2026 | 32.1% | 28.7% | 28.7% | 10.5% |
| May 2026 | 32.7% | 29.3% | 29.3% | 8.8% |
| Jun 2026 | 32.7% | 29.3% | 29.3% | 8.8% |
| Jul 2026 | 32.7% | 29.3% | 29.3% | 8.8% |
| Aug 2026 | 32.7% | 29.3% | 29.3% | 8.8% |
| Sep 2026 | 33.8% | 30.3% | 24.8% | 11.1% |
How has the A. O. Smith and Rheem comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- A. O. Smith was ahead of Rheem in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, A. O. Smith’s share of searches among heat pump water heating brands worldwide moved from 34.5% to 33.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 101K to 82.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Rheem’s share of searches among heat pump water heating brands worldwide moved from 25.3% to 24.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 74K to 60.5K.
How did search popularity change for heat pump water heating brands worldwide in September 2026?
3 changes
In September 2026, Stiebel Eltron overtook Rheem to rank 2nd among heat pump water heating brands worldwide, with 30.3% of the searches.
In September 2026, A. O. Smith gained share of searches among heat pump water heating brands worldwide, from 32.7% to 33.8%.
In September 2026, Rheem lost share of searches among heat pump water heating brands worldwide, from 29.3% to 24.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using A. O. Smith’s and Rheem’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.
A. O. Smith
2 branded search terms
- a o smith
- ao smith water heater
Rheem
1 branded search term
- rheem
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