Brandwave

Makita vs Milwaukee:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Makita had more branded searches than Milwaukee among tool belt brands in New Zealand. Makita had about 9,100 branded searches, while Milwaukee had 2,950. Makita made up 48.6% of all tool belt brand searches we track, and Milwaukee accounted for 15.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about tool belt brands, Makita appeared in two of the five answers and Milwaukee in one.

Among tool belt brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Makita, about 3 searches for every 1 for Milwaukee

Makita 9.1K searchesMilwaukee 3K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Makita, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Milwaukee in 1

Makita in 2 of 5Milwaukee in 1 of 5

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Top tool belt brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Makita was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Milwaukee was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Occidental Leather1st
  2. ToughBuilt2nd
  3. Badger Tool Belts3rd
  4. DeWalt4th
  5. Diamondback Toolbelts5th
  6. Buckaroo6th
  7. Makita7th
  8. Milwaukee–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Occidental Leather4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • DeWalt3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • ToughBuilt3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Makita2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Badger Tool Belts2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Buckaroo2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Diamondback Toolbelts2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Milwaukee1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about tool belt 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 eight tool belt brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Makita and Milwaukee among tool belt 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
MonthMakitaDeWaltMilwaukeeToughBuiltBadger Tool BeltsBuckarooOccidental LeatherDiamondback Toolbelts
Oct 202548.3%26.6%14%4.6%2.5%3.7%0.25%0.06%
Nov 202541.1%32.4%13.3%2.6%1.7%8.7%0.16%0.05%
Dec 202549.5%28.1%13.9%3.8%1.7%2.5%0.33%0.07%
Jan 202650.7%28.4%12%4%1.8%2.6%0.34%0.07%
Feb 202648.6%28.1%14%3.8%2.5%2.5%0.45%0.06%
Mar 202647.8%28.6%14.4%3.8%2.5%2.5%0.32%0.06%
Apr 202649.2%27.5%13.9%3.9%2.6%2.6%0.33%0.07%
May 202645.6%25.9%16.2%4.3%3.5%2.3%0.42%1.6%
Jun 202642.4%29.4%15.5%4.9%3.3%2.7%0.39%1.4%
Jul 202646.2%26.7%16%4.4%3%3%0.43%0.25%
Aug 202641.3%27.1%20.4%4.8%3.2%2.6%0.38%0.16%
Sep 202648.6%26.6%15.8%3.8%2.6%2.1%0.37%0.16%

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 tool belt brands in New Zealand moved from 48.3% to 48.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 7.6K to 9.1K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Milwaukee’s share of searches among tool belt brands in New Zealand moved from 14% to 15.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.2K to 3K.

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

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Makita gained share of searches among tool belt brands in New Zealand, from 41.3% to 48.6%.

  2. In September 2026, Milwaukee lost share of searches among tool belt brands in New Zealand, from 20.4% to 15.8%.

How are branded searches counted?

7 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

2 branded search terms

  • makita
  • 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 tool belt brands

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