Metcal vs Pinecil:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Pinecil had more branded searches than Metcal among soldering station brands worldwide. Pinecil had about 9,900 branded searches, while Metcal had 4,400. Pinecil made up 5.9% of all soldering station brand searches we track, and Metcal accounted for 2.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about soldering station brands, Pinecil appeared in four of the five answers and Metcal in one. Pinecil was mentioned before Metcal in three out of four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Pinecil, about 2 searches for every 1 for Metcal
Who does AI mention more?
Pinecil, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Metcal in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Pinecil, named ahead of Metcal in 3 of 4 answers
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Top soldering station brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Pinecil was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Metcal was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Pinecil was listed before Metcal in three out of four answers that named either.
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.
Weller5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Hakko4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Pinecil4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
JBC3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Metcal1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about soldering station brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which soldering station brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best soldering station brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best soldering station brand for a repair bench?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best soldering station”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“temperature controlled soldering station”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Metcal or Pinecil more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Metcal and Pinecil by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five soldering station brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Pinecil, Metcal. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Weller | Hakko | Pinecil | Metcal | JBC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 67.4% | 20.3% | 7.4% | 2.7% | 2.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 68.2% | 20.5% | 7.5% | 2.2% | 1.5% |
| Dec 2025 | 69.7% | 17.2% | 9.4% | 2.3% | 1.5% |
| Jan 2026 | 66.8% | 20.1% | 9% | 2.7% | 1.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 70.9% | 17.5% | 7.8% | 2.3% | 1.5% |
| Mar 2026 | 67.9% | 20.4% | 7.5% | 2.7% | 1.5% |
| Apr 2026 | 67.9% | 20.4% | 7.5% | 2.7% | 1.5% |
| May 2026 | 64.9% | 23.9% | 7.1% | 2.6% | 1.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 65.2% | 24% | 7.2% | 2.1% | 1.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 69.2% | 20.8% | 6.2% | 2.3% | 1.5% |
| Aug 2026 | 66.3% | 24.4% | 6% | 2.2% | 1.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 65.8% | 24.2% | 5.9% | 2.6% | 1.4% |
How has the Metcal and Pinecil comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Pinecil was ahead of Metcal in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Metcal’s share of searches among soldering station brands worldwide moved from 2.7% to 2.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 4.4K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pinecil’s share of searches among soldering station brands worldwide moved from 7.4% to 5.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 12.1K to 9.9K.
How did search popularity change for soldering station brands worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
Pinecil’s share of searches among soldering station brands worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 7.2% to 5.9% in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Metcal’s and Pinecil’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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