Brandwave

Hape vs Step2:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Step2 had more branded searches than Hape among play kitchen brands worldwide. Step2 had about 60,500 branded searches, while Hape had 40,500. Step2 made up 9.1% of all play kitchen brand searches we track, and Hape accounted for 6.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about play kitchen brands, Hape and Step2 each appeared in two of the five answers. Step2 was mentioned before Hape in two out of three answers.

Among play kitchen brands worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Step2, about 49% more searches than Hape

Step2 60.5K searchesHape 40.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 2 of 5 answers.

Hape in 2 of 5Step2 in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Step2, named ahead of Hape in 2 of 3 answers

Step2 first in 2Hape first in 1

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Top play kitchen brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Hape and Step2 were each mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Step2 was listed before Hape in two out of three answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. KidKraft1st
  2. Step22nd
  3. Hape3rd
  4. Melissa & Doug4th
  5. Little Tikes5th
  6. Fisher-Price–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • KidKraft5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Melissa & Doug2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Step22 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Hape2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Little Tikes1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Fisher-Price0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about play kitchen brands

5 answers

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 Hape or Step2 more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Hape and Step2 by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six play kitchen brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Hape and Step2 among play kitchen brands worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Step2, Hape. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthFisher-PriceLittle TikesMelissa & DougStep2HapeKidKraft
Oct 202543.7%19.6%19.7%5.9%7.2%3.9%
Nov 202544.5%16.3%24.4%4.9%6%4%
Dec 202547%17.2%21.1%4.2%6.3%4.2%
Jan 202648.1%17.6%17.6%5.3%7.9%3.5%
Feb 202640.7%22.3%18.4%6.7%8.2%3.7%
Mar 202639.5%21.7%17.7%7.9%7.9%5.3%
Apr 202640%22%14.8%9.8%8%5.4%
May 202638.5%25.8%14.2%9.5%7.7%4.2%
Jun 202637.3%25%16.8%9.2%7.5%4.1%
Jul 202640.8%22.4%18.3%8.2%6.7%3.7%
Aug 202639.4%21.6%21.7%7.9%6.5%2.9%
Sep 202637%24.8%20.4%9.1%6.1%2.7%

How has the Hape and Step2 comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: Step2 took it in April 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hape’s share of searches among play kitchen brands worldwide moved from 7.2% to 6.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 49.5K to 40.5K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Step2’s share of searches among play kitchen brands worldwide moved from 5.9% to 9.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 40.5K to 60.5K.

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

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Step2 gained share of searches among play kitchen brands worldwide, from 7.9% to 9.1%.

  2. Hape’s share of searches among play kitchen brands worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 7.5% to 6.1% in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Hape’s and Step2’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.

Hape

1 branded search term

  • hape

Step2

1 branded search term

  • step2

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among play kitchen brands

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