A. O. Smith vs Stiebel Eltron:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, A. O. Smith had more branded searches than Stiebel Eltron among heat pump water heating brands worldwide. A. O. Smith had about 82,600 branded searches, while Stiebel Eltron had 74,000. A. O. Smith made up 33.8% of all heat pump water heating brand searches we track, and Stiebel Eltron accounted for 30.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about heat pump water heating brands, A. O. Smith appeared in four of the five answers and Stiebel Eltron in one. A. O. Smith was mentioned before Stiebel Eltron in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
A. O. Smith, about 12% more searches than Stiebel Eltron
Who does AI mention more?
A. O. Smith, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Stiebel Eltron in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
A. O. Smith, named ahead of Stiebel Eltron 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, A. O. Smith was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Stiebel Eltron was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. A. O. Smith was listed before Stiebel Eltron 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 Stiebel Eltron more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for A. O. Smith and Stiebel Eltron 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, Stiebel Eltron. 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 Stiebel Eltron comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Stiebel Eltron took it in February 2026, A. O. Smith took it in April 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, Stiebel Eltron’s share of searches among heat pump water heating brands worldwide moved from 30.9% to 30.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 90.5K to 74K.
How did search popularity change for heat pump water heating brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 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%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using A. O. Smith’s and Stiebel Eltron’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
Stiebel Eltron
1 branded search term
- stiebel eltron
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