Hug Rug vs WaterHog:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Hug Rug had more branded searches than WaterHog among welcome mat brands worldwide. Hug Rug had about 12,100 branded searches, while WaterHog had 9,900. Hug Rug made up 17.1% of all welcome mat brand searches we track, and WaterHog accounted for 14%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about welcome mat brands, WaterHog appeared in all four answers and Hug Rug in none.
Who do people search for more?
Hug Rug, about 22% more searches than WaterHog
Who does AI mention more?
WaterHog, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
WaterHog, the only one of the two named
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Top welcome mat brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, WaterHog appeared in all four answers. Hug Rug did not appear in any of the four 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.
Gorilla Grip4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers- WaterHog4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- JVL0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Hug Rug0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Turtle Mat0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Apache Mills0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- Muddle Mat0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Dirt Stopper0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about welcome mat brands
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which welcome mat brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best welcome mat brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best welcome mat brand for front door?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“doormat for front door”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best welcome mat”
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 Hug Rug or WaterHog more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Hug Rug and WaterHog by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight welcome mat brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Hug Rug, WaterHog. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Gorilla Grip | JVL | Hug Rug | WaterHog | Turtle Mat | Apache Mills | Muddle Mat | Dirt Stopper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 34% | 22.7% | 18.6% | 10.2% | 12.4% | 1.6% | 0.4% | 0.04% |
| Nov 2025 | 27.1% | 22.1% | 22.1% | 12.1% | 14.8% | 1.2% | 0.48% | 0.02% |
| Dec 2025 | 29.8% | 24.3% | 19.9% | 13.3% | 10.9% | 1.3% | 0.43% | 0.04% |
| Jan 2026 | 28.9% | 23.6% | 19.3% | 12.9% | 12.9% | 2.1% | 0.42% | 0.04% |
| Feb 2026 | 25.6% | 25.6% | 20.9% | 14% | 11.5% | 1.8% | 0.55% | 0.04% |
| Mar 2026 | 26.2% | 26.2% | 21.4% | 14.3% | 9.6% | 1.9% | 0.38% | 0.04% |
| Apr 2026 | 25.7% | 31.5% | 17.2% | 14.1% | 9.4% | 1.8% | 0.24% | 0.07% |
| May 2026 | 27% | 33.1% | 14.8% | 14.8% | 8.1% | 1.9% | 0.25% | 0.06% |
| Jun 2026 | 35.7% | 29.2% | 13% | 13% | 7.1% | 1.7% | 0.14% | 0.05% |
| Jul 2026 | 31.9% | 31.9% | 11.6% | 14.2% | 7.8% | 2.3% | 0.16% | 0.07% |
| Aug 2026 | 30.4% | 24.8% | 16.6% | 16.6% | 9.1% | 2.2% | 0.23% | 0.05% |
| Sep 2026 | 31.3% | 25.6% | 17.1% | 14% | 9.3% | 2.3% | 0.37% | 0.1% |
How has the Hug Rug and WaterHog comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: WaterHog took it in July 2026, Hug Rug took it in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hug Rug’s share of searches among welcome mat brands worldwide moved from 18.6% to 17.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 14.8K to 12.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, WaterHog’s share of searches among welcome mat brands worldwide moved from 10.2% to 14%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 8.1K to 9.9K.
How did search popularity change for welcome mat brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, WaterHog lost share of searches among welcome mat brands worldwide, from 16.6% to 14%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Hug Rug worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 14.8K to 12.1K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Hug Rug’s and WaterHog’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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