E-flite vs HobbyKing:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, E-flite had more branded searches than HobbyKing among RC plane brands worldwide. E-flite had about 14,800 branded searches, while HobbyKing had 12,100. E-flite made up 34% of all RC plane brand searches we track, and HobbyKing accounted for 27.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about RC plane brands, E-flite appeared in four of the five answers and HobbyKing in none.
Who do people search for more?
E-flite, about 22% more searches than HobbyKing
Who does AI mention more?
E-flite, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, HobbyKing in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
E-flite, the only one of the two named
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Top RC plane brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, E-flite was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. HobbyKing did not appear in any of the five answers.
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.
- HobbyZone5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
FMS5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- E-flite4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- VolantexRC3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Arrows1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
HobbyKing0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Volantex0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about RC plane brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which RC plane brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best RC plane brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best RC plane brand for beginner flying?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“remote control plane”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“rc plane for beginners”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is E-flite or HobbyKing more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for E-flite and HobbyKing by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven RC plane brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for E-flite, HobbyKing. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | E-flite | HobbyKing | HobbyZone | VolantexRC | FMS | Volantex | Arrows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 29.6% | 29.6% | 24.2% | 4.8% | 7.2% | 3.8% | 0.96% |
| Nov 2025 | 38.7% | 25.9% | 17.3% | 5.1% | 9.4% | 2.7% | 0.84% |
| Dec 2025 | 31.1% | 25.4% | 25.4% | 6.2% | 7.6% | 3.3% | 1% |
| Jan 2026 | 34% | 27.8% | 22.7% | 4.5% | 6.8% | 3.6% | 0.73% |
| Feb 2026 | 34.4% | 28.1% | 23% | 4.4% | 5.6% | 3.7% | 0.74% |
| Mar 2026 | 32.6% | 32.6% | 17.8% | 6.4% | 5.3% | 4.2% | 1.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 32.9% | 26.9% | 22% | 6.4% | 5.3% | 5.3% | 1.1% |
| May 2026 | 31.7% | 25.9% | 25.9% | 6.2% | 5.1% | 4.1% | 1% |
| Jun 2026 | 32.5% | 26.6% | 21.8% | 6.5% | 6.5% | 5.1% | 1% |
| Jul 2026 | 35.5% | 23.7% | 23.7% | 7% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 0.94% |
| Aug 2026 | 32.5% | 26.6% | 21.8% | 6.4% | 6.4% | 5.3% | 1.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 34% | 27.8% | 22.8% | 5.5% | 4.4% | 4.4% | 1.1% |
How has the E-flite and HobbyKing comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- E-flite was ahead of HobbyKing in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, E-flite’s share of searches among RC plane brands worldwide moved from 29.6% to 34%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 14.8K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, HobbyKing’s share of searches among RC plane brands worldwide moved from 29.6% to 27.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 14.8K to 12.1K.
How did search popularity change for RC plane brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, E-flite gained share of searches among RC plane brands worldwide, from 32.5% to 34%.
In September 2026, HobbyKing gained share of searches among RC plane brands worldwide, from 26.6% to 27.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using E-flite’s and HobbyKing’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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