3M vs Festool:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, 3M had more branded searches than Festool among sandpaper brands worldwide. 3M had about 450,000 branded searches, while Festool had 246,000. 3M made up 31.7% of all sandpaper brand searches we track, and Festool accounted for 17.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about sandpaper brands, 3M appeared in four of the five answers and Festool in one. 3M was mentioned before Festool in every answer.
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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. Festool was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. 3M was listed before Festool in every answer.
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.
- 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?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best sandpaper brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best sandpaper brand for hand sanding?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sandpaper for wood”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“wet dry sandpaper”
- 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 Festool more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for 3M and Festool 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.
Share of searches by month for 3M, Festool. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Diablo | 3M | Festool | Mirka | Klingspor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 35.6% | 35.6% | 23.8% | 3.2% | 1.8% |
| Nov 2025 | 35.7% | 35.7% | 23.9% | 3.2% | 1.4% |
| Dec 2025 | 47.5% | 31.8% | 17.4% | 2.3% | 1% |
| Jan 2026 | 42.2% | 34.5% | 18.9% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| Feb 2026 | 42.2% | 34.5% | 18.9% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| Mar 2026 | 35.6% | 35.6% | 23.8% | 3.2% | 1.8% |
| Apr 2026 | 42.2% | 34.5% | 18.9% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| May 2026 | 47.4% | 31.7% | 17.3% | 2.3% | 1.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 37.6% | 37.6% | 20.5% | 2.8% | 1.5% |
| Jul 2026 | 39.1% | 39.1% | 17.4% | 2.9% | 1.6% |
| Aug 2026 | 35.9% | 43.9% | 16.1% | 2.6% | 1.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 47.4% | 31.7% | 17.3% | 2.3% | 1.3% |
How has the 3M and Festool comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- 3M was ahead of Festool in every measured month of the 12 months ending 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, Festool’s share of searches among sandpaper brands worldwide moved from 23.8% to 17.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 301K to 246K.
How did search popularity change for sandpaper brands worldwide in September 2026?
3 changes
In September 2026, Diablo overtook 3M to become the leader among sandpaper brands worldwide, with 47.4% of the searches.
In September 2026, Festool gained share of searches among sandpaper brands worldwide, from 16.1% to 17.3%.
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 Festool’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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