Maglite vs Nitecore:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Nitecore had more branded searches than Maglite among torch brands worldwide. Nitecore had about 90,500 branded searches, while Maglite had 49,500. Nitecore made up 11.5% of all torch brand searches we track, and Maglite accounted for 6.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about torch brands, Nitecore appeared in three of the five answers and Maglite in one. Nitecore was mentioned before Maglite in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Nitecore, about 83% more searches than Maglite
Who does AI mention more?
Nitecore, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Maglite in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Nitecore, named ahead of Maglite in every answer
Follow Maglite vs Nitecore 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 torch brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Nitecore was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Maglite was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Nitecore was listed before Maglite in every answer.
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.
Fenix4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Nitecore3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
ThruNite2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Olight1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Streamlight1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Maglite1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Wurkkos1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Sofirn1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Acebeam1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
SureFire1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about torch brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which torch brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best torch brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best torch brand for outdoor use?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best flashlight”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“torch for camping”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Maglite or Nitecore more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Maglite and Nitecore by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 14 torch brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Nitecore, Maglite. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Olight | Nitecore | Ledlenser | Streamlight | Maglite | Fenix | Wuben | Wurkkos | Sofirn | Acebeam | SureFire | Convoy | Klarus | ThruNite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 33.9% | 13.3% | 13.3% | 11% | 9% | 4.8% | 2.7% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 1.5% | 0.98% | 0.66% | 0.53% |
| Nov 2025 | 44% | 9.7% | 11.9% | 9.7% | 6.5% | 4.2% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2% | 1.3% | 0.87% | 0.58% | 0.48% |
| Dec 2025 | 40.9% | 10.5% | 10.5% | 10.5% | 8.6% | 5% | 3.2% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 1.4% | 0.95% | 0.63% | 0.52% |
| Jan 2026 | 33.7% | 12.9% | 10.6% | 12.9% | 8.7% | 5.4% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.63% | 0.52% |
| Feb 2026 | 35.5% | 11.2% | 11.2% | 13.7% | 7.5% | 5.5% | 3.4% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 0.67% | 0.55% |
| Mar 2026 | 35.2% | 11.1% | 11.1% | 13.6% | 7.5% | 5.5% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 3.3% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 0.66% | 0.54% |
| Apr 2026 | 37.2% | 11.7% | 9.6% | 11.7% | 7.9% | 6.7% | 3.5% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.7% | 0.46% |
| May 2026 | 31% | 14.6% | 9.8% | 11.9% | 9.8% | 7% | 3.6% | 2.9% | 3.6% | 2% | 1.6% | 1.1% | 0.71% | 0.47% |
| Jun 2026 | 36.9% | 11.7% | 7.8% | 11.7% | 7.8% | 6.8% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.3% | 2.9% | 1% | 0.85% | 0.38% |
| Jul 2026 | 37.5% | 11.9% | 9.7% | 11.9% | 7.9% | 5.2% | 3.6% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.4% | 1.9% | 1.1% | 0.87% | 0.38% |
| Aug 2026 | 35% | 13.5% | 9% | 11.1% | 9% | 5% | 4.1% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 0.99% | 0.43% |
| Sep 2026 | 43.2% | 11.5% | 9.4% | 9.4% | 6.3% | 4.4% | 3.4% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 1% | 0.68% | 0.37% |
How has the Maglite and Nitecore comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Nitecore was ahead of Maglite in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Maglite’s share of searches among torch brands worldwide moved from 9% to 6.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 74K to 49.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Nitecore’s share of searches among torch brands worldwide moved from 13.3% to 11.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 110K to 90.5K.
How did search popularity change for torch brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Maglite lost share of searches among torch brands worldwide, from 9% to 6.3%.
In September 2026, Nitecore lost share of searches among torch brands worldwide, from 13.5% to 11.5%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Maglite’s and Nitecore’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 torch 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.