Category AI Visibility Report
Hardware & Tools AI Visibility Report 2026: Top Brands & Buyer Topics in AI Search
Data updated 2026-08-27 · 30-day window · ChatGPT · Google AI Mode · Google AI Overviews
≈1,541,998
Est. AI queries / month
1,282
Buyer topics monitored
935
Brands on the AI shelf
138
Categories covered
Key insights
- Over the last 30 days, GEOly monitored 1,282 buyer topics in Hardware & Tools across ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, Google AI Overviews — an estimated 1,541,998 AI queries per month.
- Milwaukee leads the AI shelf with 3.5% of brand mentions, followed by DEWALT (2.9%) and Makita (1.3%). The top three hold 7.7% combined — a shelf that has not consolidated yet, leaving a clear window for challengers.
- The highest-demand topic is “energy efficient windows” (top keyword “windows for energy efficiency”, ~49,500 searches/mo).
- AI answers lean on reddit.com most (23.5% of citations) — earning presence on these sources is the shortest path to being recommended.
Brands AI recommends most
Share of brand mentions across AI answers in the last 30 days (Share of Model).
| # | Brand | AI mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milwaukee | 16,658 | 3.5% |
| 2 | DEWALT | 13,715 | 2.9% |
| 3 | Makita | 6,322 | 1.3% |
| 4 | Bosch | 4,980 | 1.1% |
| 5 | Klein | 4,838 | 1% |
| 6 | Knipex | 4,436 | 0.9% |
| 7 | RYOBI | 3,750 | 0.8% |
| 8 | RIDGID | 3,515 | 0.7% |
| 9 | Wagner | 3,456 | 0.7% |
| 10 | Blum | 2,979 | 0.6% |
What shoppers ask AI
Buyer topics monitored in this category, with estimated monthly AI queries and the top Google keyword behind each topic.
| Topic | Est. AI queries / mo | Top keyword | Search volume / mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| energy efficient windows | ≈59,709 | windows for energy efficiency | 49,500 |
| windows with screens | ≈47,729 | windows with screen | 74,000 |
| propane for torches | ≈28,264 | torch propane | 40,500 |
| lap siding | ≈28,181 | siding lap | 9,900 |
| raised bed lumber | ≈26,958 | raised bed lumber | 27,100 |
| wood siding | ≈26,837 | siding wood | 18,100 |
| propane for patio heaters | ≈24,934 | propane for patio heater | 33,100 |
| window insulation kit | ≈23,278 | window insulation kit | 18,100 |
| paints for rocks | ≈23,158 | rock paints | 22,200 |
| bathtub paints | ≈22,514 | bathtub paint | 22,200 |
| Natural stone countertops | ≈21,537 | natural stone countertops | 12,100 |
| bathroom paints | ≈21,418 | bathroom paints | 22,200 |
Sources AI cites in this category
Root domains AI engines cited most when answering category queries in the last 30 days.
| Domain | Citations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| reddit.com | 20,480 | 23.5% |
| bobvila.com | 5,055 | 5.8% |
| homedepot.com | 4,561 | 5.2% |
| protoolreviews.com | 3,117 | 3.6% |
| lowes.com | 3,012 | 3.5% |
| thisoldhouse.com | 1,328 | 1.5% |
| consumerreports.org | 756 | 0.9% |
| popularmechanics.com | 751 | 0.9% |
Category reports inside
| Category | Est. AI queries / mo | Topics | Top brand in AI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paints | ≈138,546 | 27 | Behr |
| Windows | ≈107,438 | 6 | Andersen |
| Insulation | ≈75,923 | 15 | Owens Corning |
| Wrenches | ≈72,494 | 19 | GEARWRENCH |
| Siding | ≈71,015 | 11 | James Hardie |
| Countertops | ≈68,863 | 17 | Cambria |
| Screws | ≈56,232 | 26 | SIMPSON |
| Propane | ≈53,198 | 7 | Flame King |
| Lumber | ≈47,799 | 7 | Trex |
| Wall Panels | ≈42,689 | 15 | Art3d |
| Garage Doors | ≈41,858 | 12 | Clopay |
| Lubricants | ≈38,176 | 15 | Mobil |
| Pliers | ≈31,219 | 22 | Knipex |
| Lighters | ≈29,966 | 11 | Zippo |
| Propane Tanks | ≈29,715 | 18 | Flame King |
| Ladders | ≈28,097 | 14 | Werner |
| Shower Heads | ≈27,900 | 8 | Delta Unisaw |
| Door Handles | ≈27,428 | 11 | Schlage |
| Handrails | ≈26,140 | 10 | Feeney CableRail |
| Hinges | ≈23,498 | 17 | Blum |
| Grinders | ≈22,729 | 24 | DEWALT |
| Front Doors | ≈20,458 | 9 | Therma-Tru |
| Gutters | ≈19,439 | 8 | Amerimax |
| Moldings | ≈16,487 | 10 | Orac Decor |
| Fence Panels | ≈16,294 | 16 | Weatherables |
| Cabinet Doors | ≈13,838 | 21 | Blum |
| Hammers | ≈13,661 | 13 | Estwing |
| Roof Shingles | ≈12,858 | 9 | GAF |
| Sanders | ≈12,727 | 8 | DEWALT |
| Wire Mesh | ≈12,219 | 11 | Phifer |
| Sandpaper | ≈12,103 | 17 | 3M |
| Weather Stripping | ≈11,209 | 14 | M-D |
| Electrical Outlets | ≈11,113 | 13 | Leviton |
| Axes | ≈10,429 | 11 | Gränsfors Bruk |
| Plaster | ≈9,405 | 12 | USG |
| Acoustic Panels | ≈9,350 | 11 | GIK Acoustics |
| Garden Edging | ≈8,498 | 9 | Vigoro |
| Heat Guns | ≈7,915 | 9 | Wagner |
| Grouts | ≈7,770 | 7 | Mapei |
| Casters | ≈7,307 | 17 | Colson Group |
| Solder | ≈7,248 | 13 | Kester |
| Timer Switches | ≈6,840 | 7 | Intermatic |
| Paint Brushes | ≈6,649 | 6 | Princeton |
| Drawer Slides | ≈6,074 | 14 | Blum |
| Tie Down Straps | ≈6,013 | 15 | Rhino USA |
| Router Bits | ≈5,921 | 19 | Whiteside |
| Pipe Cutters | ≈5,890 | 10 | RIDGID |
| Concrete Sealers | ≈5,507 | 16 | Foundation Armor |
| Band Saws | ≈5,486 | 10 | Grizzly |
| Deadbolts | ≈5,444 | 7 | Schlage |
| Table Saws | ≈5,424 | 11 | SawStop |
| Oscillating Multi-Tools | ≈5,389 | 6 | Milwaukee |
| Utility Knives | ≈5,388 | 8 | Milwaukee |
| Shower Stalls | ≈5,353 | 11 | Aquatic |
| Wire Strippers | ≈5,283 | 6 | Klein |
| Step Stools | ≈5,259 | 12 | Gorilla |
| Augers | ≈5,218 | 17 | StrikeMaster |
| Circuit Breakers | ≈5,212 | 15 | Eaton |
| Soldering Irons | ≈5,149 | 10 | Hakko |
| Circular Saws | ≈4,922 | 7 | DEWALT |
| Lathes | ≈4,908 | 8 | Grizzly |
| Roof Sealants | ≈4,881 | 8 | Henry |
| Squares | ≈4,864 | 6 | NewTechWood |
| Hose Reels | ≈4,785 | 12 | Giraffe Tools |
| Door Stops | ≈4,717 | 12 | Everbilt |
| Crimping Tools | ≈4,649 | 13 | Klein |
| Paint Rollers | ≈4,425 | 14 | Wooster |
| Hand Trucks | ≈4,339 | 7 | Magliner |
| Paint Sprayers | ≈4,165 | 10 | Graco |
| Bidets | ≈3,920 | 9 | Toto |
| Concrete Molds | ≈3,883 | 15 | Quickrete |
| Hand Planes | ≈3,664 | 6 | Lie-Nielsen |
| Check Valves | ≈3,489 | 15 | Zoeller |
| Log Splitters | ≈3,483 | 8 | Champion |
| Roof Flashings | ≈3,440 | 7 | Oatey |
| Gas Detectors | ≈3,419 | 8 | Kidde |
| Barometers | ≈3,287 | 6 | Weems & Plath |
| Moisture Meters | ≈3,265 | 6 | Wagner |
| Plungers | ≈3,243 | 5 | Korky |
| Hole Saws | ≈3,107 | 9 | Milwaukee |
| Miter Saws | ≈2,908 | 8 | DEWALT |
| Grease Guns | ≈2,882 | 6 | Milwaukee |
| Pry Bars | ≈2,846 | 7 | Mayhew |
| Fence Pickets | ≈2,523 | 13 | Severe Weather |
| Drill Presses | ≈2,485 | 7 | WEN |
| Tool Belts | ≈2,410 | 7 | Occidental Leather |
| Cabinet Knobs And Handles | ≈2,141 | 5 | Amerock Mulholland |
| Greases | ≈2,137 | 5 | Mobil |
| Mallets | ≈2,133 | 12 | INNOVATIVE |
| Fuel Cans | ≈2,091 | 5 | Scepter |
| Spackling Paste | ≈2,020 | 5 | DAP |
| Work Lights | ≈2,005 | 12 | Milwaukee |
| Infrared Thermometers | ≈1,870 | 5 | Braun |
| Staple Guns | ≈1,867 | 6 | Arrow |
| Micrometers | ≈1,859 | 7 | Mitutoyo |
| Screwdriver Bits | ≈1,851 | 15 | Wiha |
| Planers | ≈1,798 | 6 | DEWALT |
| Polishers | ≈1,632 | 5 | Rupes BigFoot |
| Nippers | ≈1,557 | 8 | Staleks Pro |
| Fence Rails | ≈1,527 | 6 | Weatherables |
| Hand Saws | ≈1,498 | 11 | Corona |
| Door Knockers | ≈1,376 | 11 | Baldwin |
| Saw Horses | ≈1,331 | 9 | BORA |
| Pressure Switches | ≈1,323 | 5 | Square D |
| Heat Shrink Tubing | ≈1,288 | 16 | Raychem |
| Bolt Cutters | ≈1,171 | 7 | Knipex |
| Ball Valves | ≈911 | 12 | Apollo |
| Weather Stations | ≈896 | 8 | Ambient Weather |
| Tile Cutters | ≈589 | 5 | Rubi |
| Solvents | ≈563 | 5 | Isopar |
| Tool Cabinets | ≈370 | 8 | Husky |
| Anvils | ≈317 | 5 | VEVOR |
| Masonry Drill Bits | ≈218 | 8 | Bosch |
| Air Ducts | — | 4 | Thermaflex |
| Airbrushes | — | 3 | Iwata |
| Ammonia | — | 3 | LorAnn Oils |
| Anemometers | — | 3 | Kestrel |
| Calipers | — | 4 | Mitutoyo |
| Caulking Guns | — | 4 | Milwaukee |
| Cement Mixers | — | 4 | Kushlan |
| De-Icers | — | 4 | K&H |
| Framing Nailers | — | 4 | Metabo HPT |
| Geiger Counters | — | 1 | GQ |
| Glass Cutters | — | 2 | Toyo |
| Hacksaws | — | 2 | Milwaukee |
| Impact Drivers | — | 2 | Milwaukee |
| Kerosene | — | 3 | Klean-Strip |
| Ph Meters | — | 3 | Apera |
| Pickaxes | — | 2 | Fiskars |
| Pipe Benders | — | 3 | Rogue Fitness |
| Post Hole Diggers | — | 4 | Earthquake |
| Power Tool Batteries | — | 4 | DEWALT |
| Reciprocating Saws | — | 3 | Milwaukee |
| Small Engines | — | 3 | Honda |
| Sound Level Meters | — | 4 | NTi Audio |
| Stud Finders | — | 4 | Franklin Sensors |
| Water Timers | — | 4 | Orbit |
| Work Platforms | — | 4 | Werner |
FAQ
Which brands do AI assistants recommend most for hardware & tools?
Over the last 30 days the top brands by AI mention share are: Milwaukee (3.5%), DEWALT (2.9%), Makita (1.3%), Bosch (1.1%), Klein (1%). Data from GEOly's continuous monitoring across ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, Google AI Overviews.
How many people ask AI about hardware & tools?
GEOly estimates ~1,541,998 AI queries per month in this category across 1,282 buyer topics, led by “energy efficient windows”.
Which sources do AI engines cite for hardware & tools?
The most-cited domains are: reddit.com, bobvila.com, homedepot.com, protoolreviews.com, lowes.com. Building brand presence on these sources is the most direct way to win AI recommendations.
Methodology
GEOly continuously runs category buyer prompts across ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, Google AI Overviews and records which brands are mentioned and which sources are cited. Figures aggregate a 30-day window; AI query volumes are modeled estimates from keyword demand and AI-adoption share. Data: GEOly MCP Server, updated 2026-08-27.
See your brand inside this category
GEOly tracks how ChatGPT, Google AI Mode and Google AI Overviews mention, rank and cite your brand against every competitor above — and what to fix to win the AI shelf.