Brandwave

Meinl vs Zildjian:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Zildjian had more branded searches than Meinl among cymbal brands in New Zealand. Zildjian had about 240 branded searches, while Meinl had 70. Zildjian made up 42.1% of all cymbal brand searches we track, and Meinl accounted for 12.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cymbal brands, both Meinl and Zildjian appeared in all five answers. Zildjian was mentioned before Meinl in every answer.

Among cymbal brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Zildjian, about 3 searches for every 1 for Meinl

Zildjian 240 searchesMeinl 70 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.

Meinl in 5 of 5Zildjian in 5 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Zildjian, named ahead of Meinl in every answer

Zildjian first in 4Meinl never first

Follow Meinl vs Zildjian 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

Track your brand against a rival →

Top cymbal brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both Meinl and Zildjian showed up in all five answers. Zildjian was listed before Meinl in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Zildjian1st
  2. Sabian2nd
  3. Paiste3rd
  4. Meinl4th
  5. Istanbul Agop5th

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Zildjian5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Meinl5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Paiste5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Sabian4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Istanbul Agop3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about cymbal brands

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is Meinl or Zildjian more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Meinl and Zildjian by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five cymbal brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Meinl and Zildjian among cymbal brands in New Zealand, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthZildjianSabianIstanbul AgopMeinlPaiste
Oct 202540.4%25%7.7%15.4%11.5%
Nov 202543.6%21.8%9.1%12.7%12.7%
Dec 202545.7%22.9%5.7%12.9%12.9%
Jan 202644.4%16.7%9.3%14.8%14.8%
Feb 202646.2%23.1%7.7%13.5%9.6%
Mar 202648.1%14.8%13%13%11.1%
Apr 202650%18.3%6.7%15%10%
May 202642.6%16.4%14.8%13.1%13.1%
Jun 202642.4%18.2%13.6%12.1%13.6%
Jul 202648.3%17.2%12.1%10.3%12.1%
Aug 202650%15.7%12.9%11.4%10%
Sep 202642.1%21.1%12.3%12.3%12.3%

How has the Meinl and Zildjian comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Zildjian was ahead of Meinl in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Meinl’s share of searches among cymbal brands in New Zealand moved from 15.4% to 12.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 80 to 70.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Zildjian’s share of searches among cymbal brands in New Zealand moved from 40.4% to 42.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 210 to 240.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand cymbal brands in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Meinl gained share of searches among cymbal brands in New Zealand, from 11.4% to 12.3%.

  2. In September 2026, Zildjian lost share of searches among cymbal brands in New Zealand, from 50% to 42.1%.

How are branded searches counted?

4 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Meinl’s and Zildjian’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.

Meinl

2 branded search terms

  • meinl
  • meinl cymbals

Zildjian

2 branded search terms

  • zildjian
  • zildjian cymbals

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among cymbal brands

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

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.