Antex vs Pinecil:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Antex and Pinecil were level in searches among soldering iron brands worldwide, with an estimated 9.9K branded searches each, at 4.6% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about soldering iron brands, Pinecil appeared in three of the five answers and Antex in none.
Who do people search for more?
Antex and Pinecil are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
Pinecil, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Antex in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Pinecil, the only one of the two named
Follow Antex vs Pinecil 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
Top soldering iron brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Pinecil was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Antex 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.
Hakko5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Weller3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Pinecil3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
JBC3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Miniware2 of 5Named in 2 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
Ersa0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Antex0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Draper0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about soldering iron brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which soldering iron brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best soldering iron brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best soldering iron brand for electronics repairs?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best soldering iron”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“temperature controlled soldering iron”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Antex or Pinecil more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Antex and Pinecil by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine soldering iron brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Antex, Pinecil. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Weller | Hakko | Ersa | Antex | Pinecil | Metcal | Miniware | JBC | Draper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 44.2% | 13.3% | 16.3% | 16.3% | 4.9% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 0.13% |
| Nov 2025 | 52.7% | 15.8% | 15.8% | 4.7% | 5.8% | 1.7% | 2.1% | 1.1% | 0.15% |
| Dec 2025 | 53.5% | 13.2% | 16.1% | 4.8% | 7.2% | 1.8% | 2.1% | 1.2% | 0.19% |
| Jan 2026 | 51.3% | 15.4% | 15.4% | 4.6% | 6.9% | 2.1% | 3.1% | 1.1% | 0.15% |
| Feb 2026 | 54.2% | 13.4% | 16.3% | 4.9% | 6% | 1.8% | 2.2% | 1.2% | 0.16% |
| Mar 2026 | 50.7% | 15.2% | 18.7% | 4.6% | 5.6% | 2% | 2% | 1.1% | 0.15% |
| Apr 2026 | 50.7% | 15.2% | 18.7% | 4.6% | 5.6% | 2% | 2% | 1.1% | 0.12% |
| May 2026 | 49.2% | 18.1% | 18.1% | 4.4% | 5.4% | 2% | 1.6% | 1.1% | 0.12% |
| Jun 2026 | 51.5% | 19% | 15.5% | 3.8% | 5.7% | 1.7% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.12% |
| Jul 2026 | 53.9% | 16.2% | 16.2% | 4% | 4.9% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 0.1% |
| Aug 2026 | 50.4% | 18.5% | 18.5% | 3.7% | 4.5% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 0.87% | 0.12% |
| Sep 2026 | 51.2% | 18.8% | 15.4% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 2% | 2% | 1.1% | 0.12% |
How has the Antex and Pinecil comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: Pinecil took it in November 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Antex’s share of searches among soldering iron brands worldwide moved from 16.3% to 4.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 40.5K to 9.9K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pinecil’s share of searches among soldering iron brands worldwide moved from 4.9% to 4.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 12.1K to 9.9K.
How did search popularity change for soldering iron brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes

In September 2026, Antex overtook Pinecil to rank 4th among soldering iron brands worldwide, with 4.6% of the searches.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Pinecil worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 12.1K to 9.9K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Antex’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.
Other head-to-heads among soldering iron brands

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.