Brandwave

3M vs Diablo:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Diablo had more branded searches than 3M among sandpaper brands worldwide. Diablo had about 673,000 branded searches, while 3M had 450,000. Diablo made up 47.4% of all sandpaper brand searches we track, and 3M accounted for 31.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about sandpaper brands, 3M appeared in four of the five answers and Diablo in none.

Among sandpaper brands worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Diablo, about 50% more searches than 3M

Diablo 673K searches3M 450K searches

Who does AI mention more?

3M, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Diablo in 0

3M in 4 of 5Diablo in 0 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

3M, the only one of the two named

3M first in 3Diablo never named

Follow 3M vs Diablo and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top sandpaper brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, 3M was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Diablo 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.

  1. 3M1st
  2. Mirka2nd
  3. Klingspor3rd
  4. Festool4th
  5. Diablo–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • 3M4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Mirka3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Klingspor2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Festool1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Diablo0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about sandpaper brands

5 answers
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which sandpaper brand should I buy?”

    1. 13M
    2. 2Mirka
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best sandpaper brands?”

    1. 13M
    2. 2Mirka
    3. 3Klingspor
    4. 4Festool
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best sandpaper brand for hand sanding?”

    1. 13M
    2. 2Mirka
    3. 3Klingspor
  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “sandpaper for wood”

    1. Searched Google, AI Overview

      “wet dry sandpaper”

      1. 13M

    Not named in any answer:

    Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.

    Is 3M or Diablo more popular in search?

    This chart shows how often people search Google for 3M and Diablo by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five sandpaper brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

    3M and Diablo among sandpaper brands worldwide, by month

    Share of searches by month for Diablo, 3M. The figures are in the table below the chart.

    View monthly share of searches table
    MonthDiablo3MFestoolMirkaKlingspor
    Oct 202535.6%35.6%23.8%3.2%1.8%
    Nov 202535.7%35.7%23.9%3.2%1.4%
    Dec 202547.5%31.8%17.4%2.3%1%
    Jan 202642.2%34.5%18.9%3.1%1.4%
    Feb 202642.2%34.5%18.9%3.1%1.4%
    Mar 202635.6%35.6%23.8%3.2%1.8%
    Apr 202642.2%34.5%18.9%3.1%1.4%
    May 202647.4%31.7%17.3%2.3%1.3%
    Jun 202637.6%37.6%20.5%2.8%1.5%
    Jul 202639.1%39.1%17.4%2.9%1.6%
    Aug 202635.9%43.9%16.1%2.6%1.4%
    Sep 202647.4%31.7%17.3%2.3%1.3%

    How has the 3M and Diablo comparison changed over the last 12 months?

    3 findings
    • The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: 3M took it in August 2026, Diablo took it in September 2026.
    • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, 3M’s share of searches among sandpaper brands worldwide moved from 35.6% to 31.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 450K.
    • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Diablo’s share of searches among sandpaper brands worldwide moved from 35.6% to 47.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 450K to 673K.

    How did search popularity change for sandpaper brands worldwide in September 2026?

    2 changes
    1. In September 2026, Diablo overtook 3M to become the leader among sandpaper brands worldwide, with 47.4% of the searches.

    2. In September 2026, 3M lost share of searches among sandpaper brands worldwide, from 43.9% to 31.7%.

    How are branded searches counted?

    2 search terms

    Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using 3M’s and Diablo’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.

    3M

    1 branded search term

    • 3m

    Diablo

    1 branded search term

    • diablo

    How the Brand Demand Index is measured

    Other head-to-heads among sandpaper brands

    Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

    Put your own brand in this comparison

    Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.