Hilti vs Makita:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Makita had more branded searches than Hilti among SDS Max brands worldwide. Makita had about 1 million branded searches, while Hilti had 27,100. Makita made up 28.4% of all SDS Max brand searches we track, and Hilti accounted for 0.77%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about SDS Max brands, Makita appeared in four of the five answers and Hilti in three. Hilti was mentioned before Makita in two out of three answers.
Who do people search for more?
Makita, about 37 searches for every 1 for Hilti
Who does AI mention more?
Makita, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Hilti in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Hilti, named ahead of Makita in 2 of 3 answers
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Top SDS Max brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Makita was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Hilti was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Hilti was listed before Makita in two out of three 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.
Milwaukee5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Makita4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Hilti3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Bosch3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
DeWalt2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about SDS Max brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which SDS Max brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best SDS Max brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best SDS Max brand for heavy demolition work?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“heavy duty hammer”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sds max rotary hammer”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Hilti or Makita more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Hilti and Makita by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five SDS Max brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Makita, Hilti. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Milwaukee | Makita | DeWalt | Hilti | Bosch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 51.6% | 32.3% | 15.5% | 0.51% | 0.04% |
| Nov 2025 | 49.6% | 31.7% | 18.2% | 0.49% | 0.04% |
| Dec 2025 | 52.4% | 27.7% | 19.3% | 0.52% | 0.04% |
| Jan 2026 | 52.1% | 28% | 19.2% | 0.63% | 0.05% |
| Feb 2026 | 52.4% | 27.6% | 19.3% | 0.64% | 0.05% |
| Mar 2026 | 49.4% | 31.3% | 18.2% | 1.1% | 0.05% |
| Apr 2026 | 52% | 27.9% | 19.1% | 0.94% | 0.05% |
| May 2026 | 51.8% | 28.1% | 19.1% | 0.94% | 0.05% |
| Jun 2026 | 51.9% | 28.2% | 19.1% | 0.77% | 0.05% |
| Jul 2026 | 56.8% | 25.2% | 17.1% | 0.84% | 0.06% |
| Aug 2026 | 51.9% | 28.2% | 19.1% | 0.77% | 0.05% |
| Sep 2026 | 51.7% | 28.4% | 19% | 0.77% | 0.05% |
How has the Hilti and Makita comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Makita was ahead of Hilti in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hilti’s share of searches among SDS Max brands worldwide moved from 0.51% to 0.77%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 22.2K to 27.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Makita’s share of searches among SDS Max brands worldwide moved from 32.3% to 28.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.4M to 1M.
How did search popularity change for SDS Max brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
How are branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Hilti’s and Makita’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.
Other head-to-heads among SDS Max brands

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