Brandwave

Makita vs Milwaukee:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Makita had more branded searches than Milwaukee among palm sander brands in New Zealand. Makita had about 9,980 branded searches, while Milwaukee had 2,950. Makita made up 35.3% of all palm sander brand searches we track, and Milwaukee accounted for 10.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about palm sander brands, Makita appeared in all five answers and Milwaukee in one. Makita was mentioned before Milwaukee in every answer.

Among palm sander brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Makita, about 3 searches for every 1 for Milwaukee

Makita 10K searchesMilwaukee 3K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Makita, mentioned in every answer we collected

Makita in 5 of 5Milwaukee in 1 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Makita, named ahead of Milwaukee in every answer

Makita first in 4Milwaukee never first

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Top palm sander brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Makita appeared in all five answers. Milwaukee was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Makita was listed before Milwaukee in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Makita1st
  2. Bosch Professional2nd
  3. DeWalt3rd
  4. Ryobi4th
  5. Festool5th
  6. Milwaukee6th

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Makita5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Ryobi4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • DeWalt3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Festool3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Bosch Professional3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Milwaukee1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about palm sander 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 Makita or Milwaukee more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Makita and Milwaukee by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six palm sander brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Makita and Milwaukee among palm sander brands in New Zealand, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMakitaRyobiDeWaltMilwaukeeFestoolBosch Professional
Oct 202536.1%23.8%20.6%9.7%9.4%0.31%
Nov 202530%29.6%24.1%9%7%0.33%
Dec 202532.8%32.5%19.7%8.5%6.3%0.28%
Jan 202635.4%29%20.5%7.8%7%0.31%
Feb 202636.1%24.2%21.1%9.6%8.7%0.4%
Mar 202633.4%27.4%20.2%9.4%9.4%0.29%
Apr 202636.7%24.6%20.8%9.6%8%0.32%
May 202636.7%19.7%21.5%12.1%9.6%0.31%
Jun 202634.7%18.7%24.4%11.8%10.1%0.3%
Jul 202636.1%19.7%21.5%11.6%10.8%0.31%
Aug 202632.7%21.2%22.4%14.7%8.6%0.28%
Sep 202635.3%23.4%20.2%10.4%10.4%0.25%

How has the Makita and Milwaukee comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Makita was ahead of Milwaukee in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Makita’s share of searches among palm sander brands in New Zealand moved from 36.1% to 35.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 8.2K to 10K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Milwaukee’s share of searches among palm sander brands in New Zealand moved from 9.7% to 10.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.2K to 3K.

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

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Makita gained share of searches among palm sander brands in New Zealand, from 32.7% to 35.3%.

  2. In September 2026, Milwaukee lost share of searches among palm sander brands in New Zealand, from 14.7% to 10.4%.

How are branded searches counted?

8 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Makita’s and Milwaukee’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.

Makita

3 branded search terms

  • makita
  • makita sander
  • makita tool

Milwaukee

5 branded search terms

  • milwaukee tool
  • milwaukee tool bag
  • milwaukee tool box
  • milwaukee tool kit
  • milwaukee tool set

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among palm sander brands

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