Metcal vs Miniware:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Metcal and Miniware were level in searches among soldering iron brands worldwide, with an estimated 4.4K branded searches each, at 2% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about soldering iron brands, Miniware appeared in two of the five answers and Metcal in one. Metcal and Miniware were each mentioned first in one of the two answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Metcal and Miniware are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
Miniware, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Metcal in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 1 of 2 answers.
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Top soldering iron brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Miniware was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two 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. Metcal and Miniware were each listed first in one of the two 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.
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 Metcal or Miniware more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Metcal and Miniware 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 Metcal, Miniware. 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 Metcal and Miniware comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: Metcal took it in May 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Metcal’s share of searches among soldering iron brands worldwide moved from 1.8% to 2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 4.4K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Miniware’s share of searches among soldering iron brands worldwide moved from 1.8% to 2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 4.4K.
How did search popularity change for soldering iron brands worldwide in September 2026?
0 changes
Neither Metcal nor Miniware moved beyond provider rounding among soldering iron brands in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Metcal’s and Miniware’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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