Brandwave

Makita vs Ryobi:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Makita had more branded searches than Ryobi among SDS drill brands in New Zealand. Makita had about 9,100 branded searches, while Ryobi had 6,600. Makita made up 38.4% of all SDS drill brand searches we track, and Ryobi accounted for 27.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about SDS drill brands, Makita appeared in all five answers and Ryobi in two. Makita was mentioned before Ryobi in every answer.

Among SDS drill brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Makita, about 38% more searches than Ryobi

Makita 9.1K searchesRyobi 6.6K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Makita, mentioned in every answer we collected

Makita in 5 of 5Ryobi in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Makita, named ahead of Ryobi in every answer

Makita first in 4Ryobi never first

Follow Makita vs Ryobi 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 SDS drill brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

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

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Makita1st
  2. DeWalt2nd
  3. Bosch Professional3rd
  4. Milwaukee4th
  5. Ryobi5th

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
  • DeWalt4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Milwaukee4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Bosch Professional3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Ryobi2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about SDS drill 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 Ryobi more popular in search?

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

Makita and Ryobi among SDS drill brands in New Zealand, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMakitaRyobiDeWaltMilwaukeeBosch Professional
Oct 202539.1%27.7%21.5%11.3%0.36%
Nov 202531.4%33.4%24.8%10.1%0.37%
Dec 202534.2%36.5%19.4%9.6%0.32%
Jan 202637.2%32.8%20.8%8.8%0.35%
Feb 202638.5%27.8%22.2%11.1%0.46%
Mar 202635.8%31.6%21.4%10.8%0.34%
Apr 202638.9%28.1%21.8%11%0.36%
May 202639.8%23%22.6%14.1%0.37%
Jun 202637.8%21.9%26.2%13.8%0.35%
Jul 202639.7%23.3%22.9%13.7%0.37%
Aug 202634.8%24.8%22.9%17.2%0.32%
Sep 202638.4%27.8%21%12.4%0.3%

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

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Ryobi took it in November 2025, Makita took it in January 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Makita’s share of searches among SDS drill brands in New Zealand moved from 39.1% to 38.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 7.6K to 9.1K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ryobi’s share of searches among SDS drill brands in New Zealand moved from 27.7% to 27.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 5.4K to 6.6K.

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

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Makita gained share of searches among SDS drill brands in New Zealand, from 34.8% to 38.4%.

  2. In September 2026, Ryobi gained share of searches among SDS drill brands in New Zealand, from 24.8% to 27.8%.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

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

2 branded search terms

  • makita
  • makita tool

Ryobi

1 branded search term

  • ryobi

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among SDS drill 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.

Start free