IRO vs uni-ball:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, uni-ball had more branded searches than IRO among pen and stationery brands in New Zealand. uni-ball had about 970 branded searches, while IRO had 390. uni-ball made up 11% of all pen and stationery brand searches we track, and IRO accounted for 4.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about pen and stationery brands, uni-ball appeared in all five answers and IRO in three. uni-ball was mentioned before IRO in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
uni-ball, about 2 searches for every 1 for IRO
Who does AI mention more?
uni-ball, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
uni-ball, named ahead of IRO in every answer
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Top pen and stationery brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, uni-ball appeared in all five answers. IRO was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. uni-ball was listed before IRO 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.
- uni-ball5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Pilot5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Lamy4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- IRO3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Parker2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Zebra2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Sharpie0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
BIC0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Staedtler0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Moleskine0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about pen and stationery brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which pen or stationery brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best pen and stationery brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best pen or stationery brand in New Zealand for everyday writing?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best pen brand”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“stationery brands nz”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is IRO or uni-ball more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for IRO and uni-ball by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten pen and stationery brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for uni-ball, IRO. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Sharpie | BIC | Staedtler | Parker | uni-ball | Pilot | Moleskine | IRO | Lamy | Zebra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 23.6% | 18.8% | 11.8% | 11.2% | 7.2% | 7.5% | 10% | 4.9% | 2.7% | 2.3% |
| Nov 2025 | 20.9% | 17.2% | 11.7% | 11.9% | 7.2% | 6.6% | 12.1% | 6.5% | 3.5% | 2.4% |
| Dec 2025 | 19.9% | 15.8% | 11.7% | 13.7% | 5.8% | 5.5% | 16.1% | 6.6% | 3.6% | 1.4% |
| Jan 2026 | 21.3% | 17.1% | 19.2% | 7.9% | 8.2% | 6.5% | 11.2% | 5.2% | 2.3% | 1.1% |
| Feb 2026 | 23.5% | 16% | 13.4% | 9.8% | 13.2% | 7.7% | 6.9% | 5.3% | 2.8% | 1.4% |
| Mar 2026 | 23.9% | 18.9% | 10.7% | 10% | 10.4% | 9% | 7% | 4.4% | 2.4% | 3.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 21.5% | 24.5% | 10.7% | 9.8% | 9.7% | 7.4% | 7.3% | 4.4% | 2.9% | 1.9% |
| May 2026 | 21.1% | 20.5% | 12.6% | 10.6% | 9.8% | 10.4% | 6% | 4.7% | 2.5% | 1.7% |
| Jun 2026 | 22.2% | 18.8% | 13.9% | 11% | 9.1% | 8.3% | 6.9% | 4.9% | 2.6% | 2.3% |
| Jul 2026 | 20.3% | 19.5% | 12.3% | 10.7% | 11.1% | 7.8% | 8.5% | 4.8% | 3.2% | 1.7% |
| Aug 2026 | 19.5% | 19.2% | 12.6% | 10.7% | 13.3% | 8.2% | 8.1% | 4.2% | 2.2% | 1.9% |
| Sep 2026 | 21.8% | 18.9% | 12.8% | 11.3% | 11% | 8% | 7.5% | 4.4% | 2.4% | 2% |
How has the IRO and uni-ball comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: IRO took it in December 2025, uni-ball took it in January 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, IRO’s share of searches among pen and stationery brands in New Zealand moved from 4.9% to 4.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 390.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, uni-ball’s share of searches among pen and stationery brands in New Zealand moved from 7.2% to 11%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 570 to 970.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand pen and stationery brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Parker overtook uni-ball to rank 4th among pen and stationery brands in New Zealand, with 11.3% of the searches.
In September 2026, uni-ball lost share of searches among pen and stationery brands in New Zealand, from 13.3% to 11%.
How are branded searches counted?
14 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using IRO’s and uni-ball’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.
Other head-to-heads among pen and stationery brands
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