Akai vs Roland:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Akai had more branded searches than Roland among drum machine brands in New Zealand. Akai had about 210 branded searches, while Roland had 50. Akai made up 9.7% of all drum machine brand searches we track, and Roland accounted for 2.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about drum machine brands, Roland appeared in all five answers and Akai in two. Roland was mentioned before Akai in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Akai, about 4 searches for every 1 for Roland
Who does AI mention more?
Roland, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Roland, named ahead of Akai in every answer
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Top drum machine brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Roland appeared in all five answers. Akai was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Roland was listed before Akai in every answer.
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.
- Roland5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Korg4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Arturia4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Elektron4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Alesis3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Akai2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Moog0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Boss0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about drum machine brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which drum machine brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best drum machine brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best drum machine brand in New Zealand for beat making?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best drum machine”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“electronic drum machine”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Akai or Roland more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Akai and Roland by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight drum machine brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Akai, Roland. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Korg | Moog | Akai | Arturia | Alesis | Elektron | Roland | Boss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 33.2% | 20.8% | 14.2% | 11.5% | 8.8% | 6.2% | 4.9% | 0.44% |
| Nov 2025 | 39.2% | 11.3% | 12.7% | 19.1% | 10.3% | 5.4% | 1.5% | 0.49% |
| Dec 2025 | 37.4% | 16.8% | 13.7% | 13.7% | 11.1% | 4.7% | 2.1% | 0.53% |
| Jan 2026 | 39.5% | 13.3% | 13.3% | 16.4% | 9.2% | 5.6% | 2.1% | 0.51% |
| Feb 2026 | 38.6% | 15.7% | 12.7% | 15.7% | 9.6% | 5.4% | 1.8% | 0.6% |
| Mar 2026 | 36% | 17.2% | 12.8% | 12.8% | 8.9% | 8.4% | 3.4% | 0.49% |
| Apr 2026 | 36.9% | 17% | 12.6% | 12.6% | 8.7% | 8.3% | 3.4% | 0.49% |
| May 2026 | 38.5% | 18.3% | 11.9% | 11.9% | 9.2% | 6.4% | 3.2% | 0.46% |
| Jun 2026 | 39.4% | 16.8% | 12.5% | 12.5% | 9.6% | 6.7% | 1.9% | 0.48% |
| Jul 2026 | 42.6% | 15.2% | 10.3% | 12.7% | 8.8% | 6.9% | 2.5% | 0.98% |
| Aug 2026 | 46.2% | 15.8% | 9% | 11.1% | 9.4% | 6% | 2.1% | 0.43% |
| Sep 2026 | 42.6% | 21.3% | 9.7% | 9.7% | 7.4% | 6.5% | 2.3% | 0.46% |
How has the Akai and Roland comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Akai was ahead of Roland in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Akai’s share of searches among drum machine brands in New Zealand moved from 14.2% to 9.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 320 to 210.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Roland’s share of searches among drum machine brands in New Zealand moved from 4.9% to 2.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 110 to 50.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand drum machine brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Akai overtook Arturia and Alesis to rank 3rd among drum machine brands in New Zealand, with 9.7% of the searches.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Roland in New Zealand fell 54.5% over 12 measured months, from 110 to 50 in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Akai’s and Roland’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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